Wholehearted, p.21
Wholehearted,
p.21
Declan was lost for words yet again. On the one hand, he was elated that Matvey was owning up to what he had done, and that he would pay for the pain he had inflicted upon Lucas. On the other, ten years and a fine didn’t seem adequate compensation for what Matvey had put Lucas through.
“Thank you, Ms. Reese.”
“You’re welcome, Declan. Oh, and can you please let Lucas know as well? It’ll save me an extra phone call,” she said, laughter in her voice, as if she knew Lucas was sleeping peacefully next to him.
Declan hung up the phone and placed it back on the bedside table. Lucas let out an annoyed groan and burrowed into Declan’s side. “That was the lawyer?” Lucas asked, the blankets he’d pulled over his head muffling his words.
“Yeah,” Declan said, pushing the covers back and pulling Lucas up to meet his eyes. “She was calling to tell me that Victor changed his plea. He’s going away for ten years. It’s over.”
Lucas’s eyes widened, his eyebrows elevating in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah, Luc. It’s done. Everything is going to be okay. You don’t have to worry about him, or anyone else hurting you, ever again. I swear it.” He stroked Lucas’s hair and kissed him gently on the lips.
“I know,” Lucas said. “I love you, Declan.”
“I love you, too.” Declan kissed him again, pouring all the love he possessed into that kiss, showing Lucas how much he meant it.
Oliver’s Cinnamon Rolls with Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting
Dough Ingredients:
1/4 ounce package yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup scalded milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese
3/4 stick of butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon bourbon or to taste
Directions:
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg. Add 2 cups of flour, and mix until smooth. Add the yeast mixture. Mix in the remaining flour until the dough is easy to handle. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Place in well-greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Once doubled in size, punch down the dough. Roll it out on a lightly floured surface (roughly 15 x 9 inch rectangle). Spread melted butter all over the dough. Mix the sugar and cinnamon, and then sprinkle over the buttered dough. Sprinkle with walnuts, pecans, or raisins (optional). Starting at the longer side, roll the dough and pinch the edge together to seal the edges. Cut into 12 to 15 slices
Coat the bottom of a baking pan with butter, and sprinkle with sugar. Place the cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan, and let them rise until dough has doubled (about 45 minutes).
Bake at 350o F for about 30 minutes, or until nicely browned.
For the frosting, allow butter and cream cheese to come to room temperature. Then beat all ingredients together until smooth.
Spread over top of the cinnamon rolls, and enjoy!
About the Author
CATE ASHWOOD wrote her very first story in a hot pink binder when she was in the second grade and found her passion for writing. Her first successful foray into romance writing came five years later when she wrote her best friend, who was experiencing a case of unrequited love, her own happily ever after.
Cate’s life has taken a number of different and adventurous roads. She now lives a stone’s throw from the ocean, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and two cats. Her life is filled with family and friends, travel, and, of course, books.
Cate loves to hear from readers. You can find her at:
Website: http://www.cateashwood.com
Blog: http://cateashwood.blogspot.ca/
E-mail: cateashwood@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cate.ashwood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cateashwood
The Hope Cove Series from CATE ASHWOOD
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Also from CATE ASHWOOD
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Cate Ashwood, Wholehearted
