by Ellie Hall
Sophie learned that her father loved canoeing, also had a sweet tooth—especially anything with walnuts: banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, brownies—, and he’d loved her the moment he’d laid eyes on her.
As dusk settled over the city, Lewellen hopped up from the couch. “With all my travel today, I almost forgot. Bless my soul. We had better get to church.”
Sophie took a moment to freshen up.
Lewellen must’ve taken it upon herself to start cleaning the apartment because it was a bit tidier when she emerged from the bathroom.
As they exited, she said, “And I don’t believe for one minute this is just about what happened about thirty years ago. At least not entirely. Remember, when all else fails, pray. When all goes right, pray.”
“Then I guess we’re going to the right place.”
After listening to the sermon, Sophie started pondering about faith and trust. She didn’t want to think about hurting someone she loved, but she also couldn’t live in the shadow of fear, of what she’d believed had happened with her mother and father. It was an accident.
She had to trust she’d be okay and do the right thing. She prayed on it, surrendered, and let the light of the Lord into her heart. She opened up her voice when it was time to sing.
It filled the space so warmly and so brightly that when it was time to leave, she nearly felt blind. She blinked a few times when a familiar face waited in the back as everyone filtered out.
“Is that him?” her mother whispered. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you getting mugged in this city anymore.” She took in Teagh’s brawny masculinity.
He was staring right at them with his blue-gray eyes.
Sophie considered avoiding him, but he’d already seen her. “Mom, did you know he’d be here?”
“Not me, but—” She glanced over her shoulder toward the front of the church. “I’m not the one in charge. See you back at the apartment. Oh, and Sophie, I’ll let you off the hook this time, but you need to clean up after yourself. That space was a disgrace.” She laughed as she clicked away in her heels.
Teagh’s hands had been in his pockets and he took them out, reaching for hers. “I came here to pray and heard the voice of an angel. I thought for a moment I was being called. I think I am. Called to love you, Sophie.”
That was not what she’d expected to hear. Tears brimmed in her eyes.
“I have to head over to Uppercut, will you walk with me?”
“Sure.”
The hymns and songs from the service echoed in her ears, but the pair was otherwise silent until they reached Madison Avenue.
He paused on the sidewalk between the two businesses.
She gazed longingly back at what she’d built, what was going to soon disappear since the building was being sold and she was being kicked out.
Teagh took her hands again. They were cold but quickly warmed in his.
“You own a bakery. I have a boxing gym. You’re quiet and polite. I’m gruff and loud. We live in the same building. We go to the same church. It’s like we’re walking the same trail. It’s like something or someone keeps making our paths cross.”
“You know I’m being kicked out. I don’t know where my path is going to take me.”
“No, you’re not.” He took a piece of paper out of his pocket.
She could hardly read it in the dim light, but most notably it stated that Teagh Coyle owned the property. “You own the building? Why would you kick me out?” Her heart tore anew.
“No, when you said the landlord was kicking you out, I bought the building.”
Her mouth dropped open. Had she heard him correctly? “It must’ve cost millions.”
“Yeah. I had a bit to spare. What I also have is a deep, unwavering love for you. Lots of it. More than I know what to do with. What I don’t have is a lot of time. But I want to make some for you, for us. You said you don’t know where your path leads, but I hope it leads to me, to us, to our future.”
“But you don’t want to get married. I do. I almost killed you. I assume you want to live.”
“Sophie, you didn’t almost kill me. I trust you and I do want to get married. I thought a lot about this...and I want you in my life, now and always. If that means I have to put a ring on your finger so at least we have to spend some time together by a vow we take under God’s blessing and as mandated by law,” he winked, “then I will.” His smile slowly unfurled like a flag, like triumph, like love as he lowered to one knee.
She stood there in shock, in awe, falling, falling, falling more deeply in love with him than she thought possible.
Teagh held out a ring studded with the biggest diamond she’d ever seen. It glinted under the lights of their storefronts.
“Sophie, will you do me the honor of being my wife? I promise to be a devoted, attentive, and loving husband.”
She bounced on her toes. “Yes, yes, I do.”
“Aye.” His eyes sparkled. Teagh slipped the ring on her finger and got back to his feet. A long breath escaped his lips as he leaned in. “I was afraid you’d say no.”
“I’m sorry for everything, except for saying yes because that’s the answer from my heart.”
They met in the middle, between their two businesses, and kissed as snow started to fall.
Epilogue
The bakery and gym were thriving and both Sophie and Teagh had hired on a full roster of employees to help carry their respective loads.
Not only did Sophie have to learn to trust herself, but she also had to trust her workers with her bakery baby.
Keisha turned into a terrific apprentice and Tony had moved onto working with at-risk youths in the city. Jonathan worked part-time and was going back to school.
Sophie and Teagh had a spring wedding. It had been a relatively small affair, but beachside and beautiful.
As she’d wished, it had rained early on and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds in the afternoon just in time for the sunset.
She baked the cake, but Teagh insisted he commission the topper, which had two figurines made of fondant. The bride was dressed in an apron and holding a rolling pin and the groom, wearing boxing shorts and gloves.
The employee arrangement was better than the two of them working incessantly and missing holidays, birthdays, and other occasions—like their honeymoon. They hadn’t been able to make it to Scotland for the holidays as Teagh had hoped but took a month-long tour of Europe over the summer as their honeymoon. She crossed the UK, France, and Italy off her bucket list, but planned on going back.
Sophie fell in love with his parents’ farm and they decided they’d build a cottage there on the land. It wasn’t only to appease his parents because they repeatedly asked for grandkids, but also as a place to escape when their respective paces picked up and they needed an excuse to slow down as well as provide a place to eventually retire. Margaret adored Sophie and frequently said of their trip to the US, “We said we said we’d only return home with one souvenir each and we got a wonderful daughter in law.” She smiled at the recent memory, hoping she’d soon have a reason for them to return to the farm with an exciting announcement.
The cool air of autumn had returned and Sophie had been baking up a storm, trying to master her mother’s pecan pie in time for the Thanksgiving rush.
Her phone rang from somewhere in the kitchen and she shuffled her recipe notes around, trying to uncover it. A bit of bling peeked out from a cookbook she was referencing and she answered.
The caller reported the news she’d been eager to hear and she pulled a package out from the desk in her office that she’d been saving since returning from England.
As usual, she and Teagh met up in the alley for tea and a ten-minute break to spend together. She strutted out and passed him a mug.
An amused smile played in her eyes.
“What are you smiling at? My rugged good looks? Happy to see your husband?”
“Smiling? Am I smiling?” she asked playfully.
“Actually,
I’ve seen you wearing many different kinds of smiles. Amused, delighted, embarrassed, awkward, hoping for a kiss—”
“Oh. I’ll take one of those on the fabric,” she said, lifting onto her toes.
He planted a kiss there that still made her swoon.
When they parted, he said, “You’re still smiling and I’ve never seen that particular one before. Hmm... It’s not mischievous. You don’t seem nervous or like you’re surprised about something.” He lifted his finger. “Wait, this is a glowy smile.”
“Oh, glowy smile. I like that.”
“Did you get the pecan pie figured out?”
“Almost.”
Lines formed across Teagh’s forehead. “Well then...”
She pranced in front of him.
“Oh, you got a new apron.”
“Do you like it?” She held the ruffled hem and curtseyed.
“It’s cute. What are those? Cookies?”
She huffed. Had he recently suffered a blow to the head during one of his boxing nights? “Look more closely.”
He bent over and realized the round prints on the apron were baby heads. “Does this have something to do with what you call your bakery baby?”
“Our bakery babies.”
Teagh’s expression froze. He was as still as a statue except for the cup of tea shook slightly in his hand.
She steadied it and she said, “Teagh, we’re having twins.”
The spell was broken and he set the tea down then flung his arms around her. They both bounced up and down. “When did you find out?”
“Just a few minutes ago. I’ve been saving this apron since—”
“That little shop in Cornwall.”
She nodded. “I wasn’t sure you’d noticed my souvenir purchase.”
“I just thought it was to add to your collection.”
“A symbol of how we’re adding to our family.” Her eyes filled with happy tears.
“Who’d have thought that only a date would’ve turned into so much more? First, my cousin's wedding, then dinner, then...our entire future.”
Following her dream to have a bakery brought her much more than she ever imagined: hope, renewal, and the man she loved.
Teagh planted a gentle hand on her belly and kissed her forehead three times. “Sophie, you’d made me the happiest man in the world when you said yes to marrying me. But now I’m double happy. Triple happy.”
“Hold up. We’re only getting two babies out of the deal. I’m not so sure I could handle three at once.”
He chuckled. “You’re the strongest, most amazing woman I know. You can handle anything and you’ve got me, together, we’re unstoppable. Except, let’s get you inside. You should put your feet up. Let me bring you some tea.” He started fretting, doting.
“It’s still early, but when I’m well into the pregnancy I won’t say no to some pampering.”
“I will treat you like a queen because you are.” He kissed her on the lips as the sunset over the nearby buildings.
Note to Reader
When I planned the Only Us series, it only had four books and that was to be it. But then the idea for Only a Date with a Billionaire came to me. Apparently, I wasn’t ready to leave the Only Us world so I added this book as a bonus. Funny how best-laid plans can change, but I try to follow inspiration and see where it leads. In this instance, directly to a baker and a boxer. What couple could be more perfectly opposite, but destined to fall for each other?
I also had fun weaving some details into the story. I used to live in New York City for example and love the way the streets and shops are lit up at Christmastime. My husband is Scottish so I had to include that as a nod to his heritage. Also, I had so much fun looking up recipes and referencing favorites from my family. Oh, and the “Mushy Pasta” is a slight variation of a recipe by Donal Skehan. He has a great website, social media, and website. Check it out.
Here’s a secret about me. When I was growing up, I somehow managed to survive on powdered milk and Pop-Tarts—those were the days when I was lucky. And cookies consisted of a roll from the refrigerated section at the grocery store if we were really rolling in the dough. (He he.) I didn’t even know how to boil water until I was married. But I realized that I really like to eat, and you know, wanted to be sure my kids and hubby were well fed so I taught myself how to cook and bake. I won’t brag and say that I’m good at it, but I know my way around the kitchen now and that has served us well. I also won’t lie and say I love to meal prep as some people do. My favorite is when my husband makes dinner. Oh, don’t even get me started. Eggplant parmesan, pasta, pizza, tacos... I am there for it. Don’t worry, I always remember to kiss the cook!
You’ll find the culinary arts are woven throughout the Only Us series, Hershey’s Kisses, and dogs—I love them too. If you haven’t read the other books or are wondering what order to read them in, here’s a mini-guide.
New Year with a Billionaire – a free novelette for joining my newsletter. Out with the
old. In with the billionaire. Isabella and Matteo meet again on New Year’s Eve for the first time in years. Can she let go of the past and allow him into her future? And you might just recognize a certain Italian restaurant featured right here in Only a Date...
All I Want for Christmas – Wanted: Forever homes for twelve adorable puppies.
Needed: A Christmas Eve miracle and maybe a kiss under the mistletoe. Clara meets Logan, a famous rock star and holiday grinch. She convinces him to help her perform a Christmas miracle.
Only a Kiss with a Billionaire – She's a cookie-lover. He's a fitness model. Will their fake relationship wither away or bulk up? Emma and Will despise each other but are forced into a fake relationship and they have to figure out a way to get along. See the excerpt below.
Only a Night with a Billionaire – She wants to forget about her ex and live a fairytale life if only for a night. He wants to be free of his royal duties and to find true love forever. A case of mistaken identity brings Penny to the royal palace and into Prince Oliver’s arms. *You may recognize the trio who visit Honey and Lavender from the three books I’ve just mentioned.
Only Forever with a Billionaire – She wants stability. He wants flexibility. But what they really need is each other. Charlotte’s brother forces her to give his best friend a tour of London while he’s visiting the city, but she’s in danger and the Texas Cowboy whisks her away to his ranch.
Only Love with a Billionaire – She’s a princess. He’s a spy. Is their love strong enough to withstand the challenges of their separate worlds? It’s time for Ava to marry, but her true love left when they were still teens. When he returns, can she forgive him and take him back? Not according to royal rules.
There you have it! Each book stands alone but reading them in order provides a deeper, richer experience. They’re all sweet, “clean and wholesome” romance without swearing or mature content and contain a happily ever after. All of these books are available in paperback as well. Thank you for reading Only a Date with a Billionaire and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
♥ Ellie
P.S. If you have a favorite scone recipe, be sure to share it with me! I have one that I love and will be sharing in my Newsletter soon so be sure you’re subscribed. You’ll find the link and more below.
Want more from the Only Us series?
When Sophie met Emma at the bakery, were you wondering why she looked so glum? Find out that and if her fake relationship with Apex gym owner and male model Will (whose name you also may recognize) works out... Grab it here or read on for an excerpt:
Chapter 1
Emma
For Emma Jones, it was not the most wonderful time of the year.
Not when she was alone.
Not when she was living on her sister's couch.
Not when she had to start her new job on Christmas Day.
Not when she had a broken heart.
And definitely not when she was out of ice cream. She let out a lon
g sigh, making a cloud with her breath as she poked through the freezer with its bags of frozen vegetables, boxed pizza, and unidentified bricks of food, hoping for some vanilla fudge ripple, chunky monkey, or cookie dough. Her sister was a baker, surely she had cookie dough ice cream.
"Emmaline Catherine Jones, what are you doing in the freezer at nine am?" Penny scolded from the doorway.
Emma startled at the sound of her sister's voice and in her haste to shut the freezer door, knocked herself in the head. She reopened the door and reached for something cold so she didn't get a bump.
"Oh no you don't." Penny rushed into the kitchen.
Penny rented a small apartment in New York City she lovingly referred to as the kitchen closet, so it wasn't far to go. Her one requirement was the kitchen needed to have plenty of counter space, which she traded for space just about everywhere else. Emma was grateful to be able to stay on her sister’s couch after the company she briefly worked for filed for bankruptcy, but it was even more cramped than usual. Not to mention the Christmas tree and decorations. In the background, L Ryder's version All I Want for Christmas is You played for what seemed like the millionth time.
Emma cupped the side of her head. "I was getting ice. You saw that I'd closed—"
"I saw that you were going for another pint of ice cream." Penny's hand was on her hip and she narrowed her eyes at her younger sister.
Emma tucked her head and responded with a bashful look. "I just wanted to see if I needed to buy ice cream while I'm out."
"You've gone through two cartons. In two days. Why don't we bake cookies? Switch it up a little bit." Penny suggested. "Maybe get off the couch. Go for a run."
In the past, a long run helped Emma forget about her worries but lately, it only provided her more time to dwell on everything that had gone wrong.
"Then you're not concerned about my waistline?" She felt the hint of laughter on her lips, a rarity when so often lately she found herself with a frown.