by Morgan James
“Why don’t we give you guys some privacy?” Mia gestured around the table. “We’ll be back in, say... an hour.”
She and Jack excused themselves, and the three of us delved into the contract. I read through it, asking the occasional question when I came to a section of legal jargon I didn’t understand. Carter and Mr. Jeffries outlined everything from payments to liabilities to future additions. By the time Jack and Mia returned, I was feeling much more confident and almost overwhelmed with gratitude.
We signed the necessary documents, and Mr. Jeffries left to return home and begin the proceedings. The guys congratulated me once more, then excused themselves to get back to work. Mia turned to me, one hand resting on her tiny baby bump. “Thank God, they’re gone. Now we can talk about the wedding!”
I let out a little laugh. “It’s been killing you, hasn’t it?”
“You have no idea.” Mia rolled her eyes dramatically. “You know, I’ll bet our amazing events coordinator will work magic.”
She side-eyed me, and I grinned at her reference to my new title. “Well, I do have a couple ideas...”
Thirty-Six
Eric
I drummed my fingers on the countertop and let out a little growl. Where the hell was she? I glanced at the clock again, though it’d been barely thirty seconds since I’d last checked.
I’d felt anxious all day, on edge, nervous for Jules. I bet I’d checked my phone a hundred times over the past seven hours, expecting a call, a text—hell, anything—but the screen remained infuriatingly blank. I was proud of her for tackling this all by herself, but damn... I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want her to need me, to rely on me to shoulder all of her burdens.
Almost as soon as I thought it, I wanted to punch myself. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hinder her or hold her back from something. What I’d told her earlier was the truth: she was so incredibly strong, and I loved that about her. She’d endured something terrible, but she’d picked herself up, lifted her chin, and carried on. I loved her independence, but a huge part of me wanted to hold her close, protect her, tell her that she could depend on me.
What the hell was wrong with me? I couldn’t quite explain the conflicting emotions that rioted in my heart, turning my stomach into a tight knot. Maybe that was love, though. I’d never felt this way about anyone before; I wanted to push Jules to be the best she could be yet, at the same time, I wanted to tell her not to worry, that I would take on everything life threw at her.
The familiar crunch of gravel from the driveway reached my ears, and I damn near jumped out of my skin. I pushed off the counter, already striding toward the front door when I stopped midstep. Christ. What was I doing? I forced myself to change directions, and I headed back to the kitchen where I leaned against one of the cupboards, arms crossed over my chest in the most relaxed pose I could muster.
One minute passed, then two.
I let out a low growl and was half a second from storming outside when the front door swung inward. Jules stepped inside, bringing with her a wintry swirl of snowflakes that melted as soon as they touched the wood floor.
I didn’t spare them a glance as I watched her set her purse and keys on the table, then hang up her coat and toe out of her boots. She turned and met my gaze, and for a moment, we were both silent. She looked a little dazed as she started toward me, and I was already halfway across the room, reaching for her.
“Jules?”
Silently, she wrapped her arms around my waist and leaned her head on my chest.
Immediately on guard, I folded her in my arms. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, and I felt her chest rise and fall on a deep inhale before she peeled herself slightly away and angled her head to look up at me. “Everything is... perfect.”
I studied her for a long moment, unsure whether to believe her or not. Finally, I went with my gut. If she said everything was fine, then I had to trust her. “How was your day?”
Something akin to disbelief mingled with joy in her pretty eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds in the bright light. “I have something to tell you.”
“Okay.” My tone held a trace of impatience, and a tinkling laugh fell from her lips.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s nothing bad,” she assured me as she slipped her arms up my torso and linked them around my neck.
I pulled her infinitesimally closer and locked my fingers together behind her lower back. “I’m all ears.”
Her gaze darted away for a second, and she licked her lips before speaking. “Mia and Jack asked me to join them for a meeting today. While I was gone, they finished the spa and it’s almost ready to open.”
“That’s great,” I said softly. I knew how much work she’d put in and how proud of it she was.
“Well...” She drew the word out. “They offered to sell it to me, and... I bought it.”
I blinked at her. “What?”
“I know it’s a big decision, and I should have consulted you first, but they made me such a great offer and—”
I released her waist and framed her face in my hands, halting her rambling. “You’re serious?”
She bit her lip and nodded, her eyes wide with worry.
“God, Jules.” A smile tugged at my lips as I swept my thumbs over her cheeks. “I’m so happy for you.”
“You’re not upset?”
“That you’re a successful business owner? Hell, no.” I dipped my head and kissed her, long and slow.
She broke away and pressed one hand against my chest as she rolled her eyes playfully. “It’s not successful yet; We’re not even open.”
I covered her hand with my own. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you can make it work.”
She eyed me. “You’re not upset I didn’t ask you first?”
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a zing of jealousy. As a man, I was supposed to be the provider—but no way in hell was I going to quash her dream because of my masculine pride. I cupped her face in my hands once more and made sure she was looking at me before I spoke. “I would have been happy if you’d consulted me, if only to give you my opinion—which, if you want it, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I think it’s a great investment, especially with Jack and Mia behind you.”
She smiled widely, and I continued. “I want to give you the world, Jules. But I’m not rolling in money—I never will be.”
She opened her mouth, but I brushed a finger over her lips to silence her. “But I’m still a man, babe. I want to be the rock, the provider. It’s in my DNA.” I shrugged. “You’re mine, and I want to take care of you, give you what you deserve.”
She lifted a brow. “Can I speak now?”
“Only if you agree with me.”
“Egotistical much?”
I shrugged unapologetically. “I never want to rely on a woman to put a roof over my head.”
“We’re a team now.” She pinned me with that brilliant green stare. “You can provide as much as you want if it makes you feel better, but if we can have a better life with both our incomes, why not?”
“Because—”
“It was a rhetorical question, you idiot,” she said, punching my chest.
Her tiny fist connecting with the hard plate of my vest didn’t hurt me in the least, but she let out a little “ow!” and yanked her hand back, shaking her fingers.
I let out a little laugh when her face screwed up in dismay. “I know what you meant.” I took her hand in mine, then brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “I just want to make sure you know that money is yours. Reinvest it in the business; keep it for your future.”
“In fact,” I said before she could disagree, “we need to get you a prenup.”
She flicked me an irritated glare. “No, we don’t.”
“Don’t be stubborn. I want—”
She held up a hand. “The lawyers already explained it to me. First of all, I retain any assets obtained prior to the marriage. Second, we are not getting divorce
d. Ever.” She poked me in the chest as if to stress her point.
“No, baby. We’re not.” I captured her hand once more and looped it around the back of my neck as I pulled her close again. “You’ve been mine since the second I laid eyes on you, and I’m never letting you go. Ever.”
Epilogue
Eric
Tiny white lights twinkled in the gauzy canopy overhead, their soft glow spilling over the otherwise dimly lit room. Dark fabric stretched across the ceiling, making them look like stars in the night sky we’d stood under months ago. A tiny smile curved my lips. I’d felt something for her the moment she showed up, but that night cemented it for me. I’d fallen hard and fast and loved every minute of it.
My family had flown in from Illinois a couple days ago, and my parents were both enamored of Jules. No surprise there. They, along with my men, crowded the chairs on my side of the room, while Briarleigh’s employees and half the town residents took up all of Jules’s side.
Soft strains of music fell from the speakers overhead, and I watched as Joey walked down the aisle, bouquet in hand. She’d ordered dresses for Jules and the girls through her shop, and I’d heard that she was considering expanding into bridal wear if she could convince her grandfather to jump onboard.
Mia came next, a huge smile lighting her face. I’d heard the expression before that expectant women glowed; never had I believed it until I saw Mia. Her pregnancy had become much more pronounced over the past couple months, and she’d never looked happier or more beautiful.
At least one of the Prescotts was here. I resisted the urge to tug at my tie as I glanced behind me. Carter Reed stood just a few feet away, but Jack was nowhere in sight.
“I swear to God,” I growled. “If he misses my wedding...”
“Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Carter assured me with a grin.
“Then where the hell is he?”
Carter tipped his head. “Right where he’s supposed to be.”
I followed his gaze to the large double doors at the entrance of the room. What I found there took my breath away. Jules glowed like an angel, lit from behind by the soft lighting of the hallway. Her hand was tucked into the crook of Jack’s arm as he prepared to walk her down the aisle. The music changed, and all around the room people climbed to their feet. I didn’t notice any of it. All I saw was her.
Green eyes met mine, and a shy smile curved her lips. God, she was gorgeous. Her long, glossy hair fell around her shoulders in those sexy waves I loved so much, and her dress was stunningly simple yet incredibly elegant. No embellishment at all, the exquisiteness was in the cut. It fit her perfectly, showcasing every curve, highlighting her beautiful body rather than detracting from it.
Unable to stop myself, I hopped off the small dais at the front of the room and strode toward them. Jules’s eyes widened first with surprise, then pleasure as I approached. I met them halfway down the aisle and reached for Jules just as she extracted herself from Jack’s grip.
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I lifted her into the air and spun her around. Her arms looped around my neck, and she threw back her head on a little laugh before meeting my gaze, her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.
“I don’t think this is how it’s supposed to work.”
I slowly let her slide down my body until she was steady on her feet. “I couldn’t wait any longer,” I rasped out, emotion clogging my throat as I stared down at her. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
Her eyes turned dreamily soft. “Thank you.”
Suddenly even this small amount of distance between us was too much. Needing to taste her, to feel her lips beneath mine, I bent my head and kissed her. Hoots and catcalls filled the air, along with the occasional “aww”, and I grinned against her lips before pulling away with heroic effort. Nose to nose, I rested my forehead against hers and breathed her in. “I have no idea how I got so lucky to find you, but I swear I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy and treat you the way you deserve. I can’t imagine a single moment without you in my life.”
She peered up at me, her emerald eyes misty with tears. “I love you.”
Jack nudged me with his elbow. “Go make it official, Donahue.”
I ripped my gaze from Jules and threw a grateful glance his way. “Thank you for this. For everything.”
“Just repaying the favor.” He tipped his head and strode toward the front of the church to take his place.
I grabbed Jules’s hand and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Ready?”
She grinned back. “Absolutely.”
I stared down at her for a long moment, completely awestruck. I loved her more than anything in the world. She was mine, and I was never letting her go. I bent and stole one more kiss, then together we walked down the aisle, ready to start the rest of our lives.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Beautiful Deception, and I hope you enjoyed reading about Eric and Jules as much as I loved writing about them. What originally started out as a special side project has quickly turned into a little world of its own. If you want more of the residents of Pine Ridge, Jack and Mia’s story is revealed in the Frozen in Time trilogy. Read on for a peek at chapter one of Unrequited Love!
Unrequited Love
Chapter One
Amelia
The tiny hairs at the base of my neck lifted as the light breeze stirred the air with the promise of a new day. Yet there was something elusive, a sense it was going to storm, though not a single cloud marred the vast blue sky. I tipped my head toward the bright morning sun and shielded my eyes, shaking off the shiver working its way down my spine. The beautiful day was unseasonably warm for late autumn, and nothing was going to ruin it.
Turning my attention back to the Leica in my hands, I tapped its digital screen to enlarge the photo. Looking at the image, I could almost feel the spray of the rushing water as it cascaded over the cliff and poured into the river below. It was one of my favorite pictures from the trip so far, and I wanted to get a few more shots before the sun moved out of position. The climb down would’ve been easier with a second person, but Derek was probably halfway back to Seattle by now. For a moment I cursed my decision to let him go on without me.
It was a gorgeous scene but not easily navigated and definitely not for the faint of heart. Not wanting to drag another person plus tons of equipment down to the waterfall, I’d let my assistant head home to relax for the rest of the weekend. Just like me, he spent most of his time traveling for work; he deserved some time off. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time I’d had to go it alone, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Dropping to one knee on the sun-warmed boulder, I stowed my camera in my bag, then slung it across my body before beginning my descent. It took me almost twenty minutes to make my way to the base of the fall, angling downward at an easy pace so as not to lose my footing and plummet over the cliff. Although I was in good shape, thanks to all the physical demands my job as a photographer for a travel magazine required, I was still cautious and took my time. The last thing I needed was to fall; the closest person was probably five miles away.
Whoever dubbed midwestern states the “flyover states” had clearly never experienced them firsthand. People missed all kinds of good stuff; they flew right over and never knew what was below. Idaho tended to get lumped into this group, as most people thought only of potatoes when the state was mentioned. Ironically, its official nickname was the Gem State after the several dozen precious gemstones found there. And speaking of gems—figuratively, of course—I’d been ecstatic to find this remote waterfall. Unknown and tucked away, I’d stumbled upon it by accident on the way home from my last project in Arizona. Unfortunately, it probably wouldn’t stay that way once my photos were published.
Just days ago I’d left the Grand Canyon, having been stuck in the sweltering heat for two weeks while I photographed the rock formations and surrounding desert. I opted to drive back roads on the way home, winding through northern Idaho. I needed to
be back in Seattle by tomorrow so I could get the proofs turned in, but I was going to make the most of my last day. It would be a long drive, but finding this place was worth it.
Keeping my back to the wall of the cliff, I shuffled along the narrow ledge and gradually made my way to the base of the fall. A fine spray misted over me, cooling my overheated skin as the tiny particles wafted through the air. I wiped the moisture away and a silly grin split my mouth. I adored nature, loved everything about it, and a moment like this made all the hard work worth it.
Directly behind the fall was a large, flat rock, and I turned to head toward it. Hopefully I could get a good shot from inside the small alcove. The rocks were slick, and I crawled carefully behind the curtain of cascading water. The temperature dropped significantly in the shade, and the sound of rushing water filled my ears.
Dropping to one knee, I pulled out my camera and adjusted the settings, taking a couple practice shots to check the lighting. Inside this hidden little space, I was safe and relatively dry. The shutter clicked quietly with each shot, and a thrill of happiness mixed with apprehension skittered through me. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled once more and I lowered my camera, looking around for the source of my discomfort.
My first thought was an animal had crept near while I’d been distracted. Tons of wildlife lived by the river. When I’d reached the bank of the falls, I’d gotten a few shots of birds and deer congregated along the muddy bank, but they’d fled as soon as they realized I was there.
Swiveling my head to each side, I saw nothing out of place. A sudden melodic jingle cut through the quiet, startling me. I flicked another quick glance around before pulling my phone from its waterproof case. A number I didn’t recognize flashed across the screen, and I debated answering for a moment before sliding my thumb over the screen.
“Amelia Hamilton.”