The secret between them, p.21
The Secret Between Them,
p.21
He gathered her close. “Can we go inside and get out of this cold?”
She nodded and minutes later they were in the living room, sitting together on the sofa, hands entwined. She took a long breath and spoke. “Are you sure?”
“That I love you?” He grinned. “Positive. Believe me, no one could be more shocked by this than me,” he admitted and smiled ruefully. “I mean, I’m not exactly known for my ability to commit. But these last few days, imagining that I’d lost you, was killing me.”
Leah sighed and leaned toward him. He kissed her hotly, moving his mouth over hers as he gently anchored her head with one hand. When the kiss ended, she was breathless.
She gestured to one hearing aid. “I’m so proud of you for taking this step.”
His eyes glittered even more. “It wasn’t easy, you know, admitting that I needed help. But they’re small and discreet and work well.”
Leah’s gaze sharpened when she realized something else. “Does this mean you’re going back to LA? Your career...are you planning on—”
“No,” he said, gently cutting her off as he touched her cheek. “My life is in Cedar River...with you. And for the moment, so is my job,” he announced and grinned and quickly explained about working at the hotel for a while. “It’ll be fun and it’s not forever. At some point I want to get back to working in the music industry. I’m not sure what just yet, but I’ll take some time and think about what I really want to do. I might open up a studio again, who knows. I’ve made a lot of contacts over the years, and working on your art show was really rewarding—so perhaps I’ll look at promoting instead of producing. But, whatever I do, the most important thing will be loving you, everyday, for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, Sean,” she said and sighed. “I love you so much. I was so worried about you when I found out you were hurt.”
He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you right away. I guess I got caught up settling things with my family, and I wanted to make sure the air was clear before I tried to make amends with you. How am I doing so far?”
She grinned. “Pretty good.”
“God, you’re easy on me,” he said and sighed. “I’m sure I don’t deserve it after the way I acted.”
Leah’s insides tightened and she shook her head. “You know, I haven’t exactly made things easy. I have a bad temper, and I’m way too emotional and take things to heart.”
“You’re perfect,” he contradicted. “And beautiful and talented and the best friend I have ever had.”
“Gosh, you can be sweet.” She sighed. “But you’re right. I love that we were friends first. And I love that you saw what I needed...someone to believe in me. I feel as though I finally have the chance to be the artist that I’m meant to be. And that,” she said pointedly, “is all because of you. Remember how I said there were only two men I trusted?” She shook her head. “There are three.”
“Thank you,” he said softly. “That means a lot.”
He smiled and then kissed her, long and slow, and she kissed him back, holding his shoulders. When he pulled back, he was smiling.
“You know, this house is really too big for one. So,” he said and took a breath. “When you’re certain your dad will be okay living on his own—or when he and my mom finally admit how they feel about one another—what do you say about moving in here with me? The dogs can come too, since they already adore me.”
Leah swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’d like that.”
“We can set up another studio in the boathouse,” he suggested, and then hesitated for a second. “And then, once we’ve spent way more time together, if it’s okay with you, I intend to ask you to marry me. Because I’d really love to be your husband, Leah. And maybe, when we’re ready, start a family one day.”
“Kids?” she queried and smiled deeply.
He nodded. “What do you think?” he ventured. “Do you think you’d say yes?”
Leah absorbed him, seeing the love in his eyes, seeing everything she had ever wanted. And more. All her fears slipped away, along with the memory of anyone else she’d ever loved. She smiled, taking his hand and linking their fingers and saying exactly what was in her heart.
“I do.”
* * *
Look for When You Least Expect It, The Soldier’s Secret Son, and The Nanny’s Family Wish, the previous titles in The Culhanes of Cedar River, Helen Lacey’s miniseries for Harlequin Special Edition.
Available wherever Harlequin books and ebooks are sold.
And watch for more from the Culhanes, coming soon to Harlequin Special Edition!
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Cowboy’s Claim by Nina Crespo.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM
Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Relate to finding comfort and strength in the support of loved ones and enjoy the journey no matter what life throws your way.
6 NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE EVERY MONTH!
The Cowboy’s Claim
by Nina Crespo
Chapter One
It was perfect riding weather at Tillbridge Horse Stable. All Tristan Tillbridge needed was a horse and some time to enjoy the morning. He had plenty of horses, but based on the number of what-the-hells ganging up for his attention, enjoyment wasn’t on his schedule anytime soon.
He dropped his black-booted foot from the bottom rail of the white ladder fence circling the small arena where a blond horse trainer exercised Moonlight Joy, a golden creamy-maned palomino. “So you were driving the back road last night and found the south pasture gate wide-open?”
“Yeah.” Mace Calderone stood beside him. His brown deputy’s hat cast a shadow over his bronze face. “The winds from the rainstorm could have caused it.”
“Or someone left it that way.” Tristan stripped off his tan Rough Rider work gloves, flipped up the shirttail of his navy pullover and stuffed the gloves in his back jeans pocket. “The staff knows the ‘close every gate’ rule, but everyone else can’t read a damn sign. Since the guesthouse and cottages opened on the property six months ago, stopping them from breaking, trampling or opening things they shouldn’t is becoming a full-time job.”
Next to the one he already had as stable manager.
“I hear you. These days it seems like rules are considered more of a suggestion than a requirement.” Mace glanced over his shoulder. “Looks like you got a stray.”
On the wide dirt and gravel path leading from the stable farther behind them, a woman with long dark curly hair wearing oversize aviator sunglasses talked animatedly on her cell.
As she threw up her hand in frustration over something the person on the line told her, the front of her cropped yellow blazer opened wider revealing a snowy-white, fitted top. Matching skinny jeans molded to her long legs. Each step forward brought her and her red high-heeled boots—designer, no doubt—closer to fresh horse shit.
Mace turned to watch. “Five bucks she saves the shoes.”
“Ten, she doesn’t.”
She swerved right and Mace grinned. “Instead of cash, you can pay me with a beer this weekend.”
“That’s fine, but I won’t be the one buying.”
The woman veered left, still talking on her phone and digging into her large red purse.
Mace’s smile disappeared. “She really isn’t paying attention.”
“Told you.” But not even the sure win of a bet could let Tristan stand by and watch what would probably be the worst part of her day unfold.
He and Mace called out at the same time. “Hey! Look out!”
But too absorbed in her conversation, she traipsed ahead...right into the steaming fresh pile. As she skidded forward, the phone flew out of her hand and after a few long breath-holding seconds of teetering on her heels, she finally caught her balance.
Mace winced. “That could have been ugly. I’ll make sure she’s okay. Unless you’re interested. She’s cute.”
Sunglasses pushed up on her head, the woman bent down and retrieved her cell. As she stood straight, she alternated between shaking the dirtied boot on her foot and glancing at the bottom of it with a grossed-out expression.
Interested in a woman who wore high heels to a stable, and from a distance, faintly resembled his deceased father’s spoiled, devious second wife? Yeah, he’d pass. “I have a meeting in a few minutes. She’s all yours.”
The two-way radio clipped to Mace’s tactical belt crackled to life. “Calling all units in the southeast. Multiple reports of traffic backing up on Colton Road at the interstate exit. Motorists need assistance.”
He clicked a button on his shoulder mic. “Dispatch. Unit seven in route.” Mace looked to Tristan. “You’ll have to help her out.”
“I’m not the one wearing the badge. Rescuing people is your job.”
“I would, but duty calls. You can tell me her name later.” Mace clapped him on the back, then strode to his patrol car parked in the grass on the other side of the ring.
Tristan headed to the woman. Why couldn’t people just obey the multiple signs on the paved trail from the guesthouse that stated: No visitors allowed at the stable until 10:00 a.m. on Mondays.
“I can’t believe this.” The woman glanced up at Tristan while gingerly scraping the sole of her boot on the ground. “Is this stuff literally everywhere—even in the main areas?”
Yards behind her, two grooms wearing blue short-sleeved pullovers and jeans rode horses with black manes and mahogany coats at a steady trot.
“Move out of the way.” Tristan picked up the pace and closed the distance.
“You don’t have to ye—” She did a double take at the oncoming horses and froze. Annoyance quickly faded from her eyes along with the color from her smooth brown cheeks.
He grabbed hold of her arm and ushered her to the side of the path. As the bays went past, she turned toward him and squeezed her eyes shut.
Her barely detectable tremors vibrated into him. Was she afraid of the horses? On a reflex, he lightly grasped her arms and put himself between her and the bays. The sweet lemon fragrance wafting from her skin was like a welcome cool breeze. It roused memories of lazy summer afternoons, lying in his hammock in the shade with a cold drink in his hand, lost in the perfection of nothing on his mind. He hadn’t enjoyed an afternoon like that in a long time.
“Thanks.” Her soft exhale rushed over his throat spreading goose bumps over him. She tilted up her head and her long lashes rose.
His heart tripped. Mace had gotten it only partially right. She was more than just cute.
Caught between wanting to gently sweep back the curls partially concealing her deep coppery eyes and staring at her lush full lips that were meant for long, slow, kisses, he remained suspended in the moment. Her loosening her death grip from his forearm prompted him to let her go.
The pop song ringtone blaring from her cell snapped his priorities back in place.
It didn’t matter that she was pretty and smelled like his all-time favorite flavor. She didn’t belong there if she was afraid of horses. Had she startled one of the bays, she or the riders could have been hurt. If she wanted to play Monday morning phone tag, she needed to do it someplace else.
Just as she went to answer her cell phone he intervened. “This isn’t the place for you to talk on your phone. You have to stay alert, especially around the horses. In fact, you shouldn’t be here.” Tristan pointed to the paved trail intersecting the path. “Like the signs back there said, guests aren’t allowed at the stable at this time of the morning.”
“I am alert.” A healthy glow returned to her face. “And I’m exactly where I should be. I’m meeting the person in charge of the stable at nine o’clock.”
“About?”
“That’s between me and them.”
“I’m the stable manager, and you’re not on my schedule.”
“That’s because we’re not meeting.” She gave him a “take that” smile.
Stubborn and a belief that rules didn’t apply to her. Maybe she actually was a version of his father’s second wife.
She was obviously in the wrong place. It was time to hand her over to the one person who could clear up exactly where she belonged. His cousin, Zurie. But one thing was certain. She wasn’t on Zurie’s schedule either. He was meeting with her that morning to talk about his expansion plan for the stable and to touch base about their staff appreciation get-together that was happening in a few weeks. She was squeezing the time in to talk with him before she headed to the airport to fly to Nevada for a conference.
Just as he went to call Zurie, he spotted his petite cousin farther up the path walking briskly toward them. Her straight black hair, gathered in a ponytail, swung behind her. She was dressed similarly to him in jeans and black work boots, but she wore a crisp blue Tillbridge Stable logoed button-down instead.
He looked to the woman. “Sure you don’t want to change your story about why you’re here?”
“No. I don’t.”
He almost felt sorry for her. Zurie had less patience for rule breakers and trespassers than he did. “It’s your head.”
She slid the strap of her bag higher on her shoulder. “My head is staying right where it belongs.”
Copyright © 2020 by Nina Crespo
Love Harlequin romance?
DISCOVER.
Be the first to find out about promotions, news and exclusive content!
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
Instagram.com/HarlequinBooks
Pinterest.com/HarlequinBooks
ReaderService.com
EXPLORE.
Sign up for the Harlequin e-newsletter and download a free book from any series at
TryHarlequin.com
CONNECT.
Join our Harlequin community to share your thoughts and connect with other romance readers!
Facebook.com/groups/HarlequinConnection
ISBN: 9781488069819
The Secret Between Them
Copyright © 2020 by Helen Lacey
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For questions and comments about the quality of this book, please contact us at CustomerService@Harlequin.com.
Harlequin Enterprises ULC
22 Adelaide St. West, 40th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.Harlequin.com
Helen Lacey, The Secret Between Them
