Maverick shook everyone’s hands. “Nice to meet Catherine’s family. She's talked a lot about all of you.”
Damien, with the dark, judging eyes, said, “We want to make sure that our sister isn't making a huge mistake.”
Jess crossed her arms. “I make my own decisions, guys.”
The blond man who looked like a banker said, “Doesn’t mean we don’t want to protect you.”
Maverick surmised this man was the oldest and received confirmation about his job when Mitch said, “The deal I’m reading between you and Colt seems fair and profitable, so all we know about you is that you’re smart. However, Catherine is important to all of us.”
Jess relaxed her arms. “And I’m not going far. We’re still in Florida and our family has vacation estates near enough.”
Her mother whined, “You are moving onto a farm?”
The way she said the word made it sound like he lived in squalor. Maverick cleared his throat. “You are all invited to my farm so you can see the place yourself. It’s isolated, but we have everything.”
Galen, the other dark-haired man who looked like he could use a cigarette said, “Mitch told us you have your own money and aren't after her fortune.”
“Normally farmers don’t like developers,” Damien said, his sentence heavy with suspicion.
Right. Her family was into urban development as well as banking. He knew better than to blink as held the gazes of the others and said, “Farmers understand if we don’t grow the food, no one will ever live in one of your places.”
Galen nodded. “True enough.”
Jess jumped in front of him but he stepped to her side immediately. She said, “Guys, I love Maverick. He loves me. So that’s the end of this inquisition.”
Axel, the only one he’d have recognized before this week, put his hands in his pockets and asked, “What’s going on with Peter and the minister?”
Jess lowered her hands and shifted toward the floral arches as the groom got off his cell phone. She then met everyone’s gaze as she said, “I don’t know, but I’m ready for us to go and find out.”
She took his hand and dragged him to join her as the rest of her brothers, who all had slight French accents, flanked them on all sides.
If Maverick was a smaller man, he might have been intimidated, but he was confident he could hold his own and followed Jess to the altar. She said, “Peter, can we help?”
Maverick recognized the face of Peter Morgan, the man people assumed ran all Morgan banks everywhere. He seemed the most normal man here. Peter said without inflection, “The wedding is cancelled. We’ll have to reschedule. If you can help direct guests out of the chapel and toward the ballroom, I’d appreciate it. I will make an announcement.”
Jess tugged his hand tighter, not letting Maverick back away as she asked, “Why? What happened?”
Peter huddled with them. “This is the two-second version. Victoria and John, know everything, and they recruited Elizabeth, Matthew and Luke, but I could use your help and maybe the Italian family as well.”
Maverick wasn’t sure what that meant or why the wedding had been cancelled.
Jess stood taller. “What do you need? Belle sent me down--I was just waiting until you were off the phone.”
Peter nodded and lifted his smartphone. “I just texted her. I assume she’s changing.” Maverick’s neck was hot--he didn't feel as if he should be here, seeing Peter's sorrow. “It seems one of my lawyers, when she was making sure that I had full custody of my son, filed a temporary marriage to the surrogate to speed through the custody process. The divorce was never filed for the bogus marriage.”
Maverick would scratch his chin if he could, but instead he ignored the itch. Right now, he was confused but he listened like Peter’s words were rational. However his mind twirled on facts and how he’d choose differently.
Fiona, Jess’s mom, asked, “Are you joking?”
The annoyance grew too strong. Maverick scratched his chin, taking in the faces around him that he assumed were all white because of shock. “I would have done anything to get custody of Carter for myself.” Peter looked at him with relief that he understood, so Maverick asked, “How old is your son?”
Peter smiled for the first time since this crisis. “Two weeks old.”
Mitch said, “Sounds easy enough to secure a divorce since the surrogate ‘bride’ already agreed.”
"I hope that is the case," Peter said.
Jess pressed her hand to his side.
Maverick turned to look at the rows of chairs filled with three hundred guests. The rest of the Morgans were all going to sections of the room like they had spots and the open places were clearly where Peter hoped Mitch, Galen, Damien, Axel, Jess, and probably himself, to fill in as Peter said, “Please help me explain to the guests the wedding will be rescheduled in…. two weeks.”
Jess saluted her brother. “We’re on it. Just make the announcement.”
Maverick directed her to the spots on the left that were open.
Once all of the Morgans were in place, Peter faced the guests and said, “Due to an unfortunate snag, Belle and I will have to postpone our nuptials for two weeks, but everyone is invited to stay for a party to celebrate the birth of our son.”
The wedding reception had been turned into a baby shower. The Morgans knew how to roll with a situation.
He helped walk people out of their rows to the aisle and ensured everyone in his corner went inside the ballroom. As the last guest went inside, Maverick wrapped his arms around Jess and said, “You’ll be better off at the farm, away from all this drama.”
She held onto his neck and rested her forehead on his chin as she said, “I’m looking forward to it. You have no idea.”
If this was her life as Catherine, no wonder she wanted to go home with him. There was no way he’d want this much limelight in his life. “I’m getting a clue as to what you're going through.”
“Just kiss me Maverick.” She closed her eyes.
The moment he did as she suggested, the world disappeared. Despite her family, Jess was the best woman he’d ever met and he’d almost been a fool to let her go. Her kisses even now proved how her lips were sweeter than peaches, just as the rest of her.
A few weeks later…
* * *
Jess sat in her chair in the office of Appleton Farm and closed her laptop as the sun began to set. The news report that Brock Letterman had been arrested still burned behind her eyes and she could re-read the headline in her mind without looking at her screen.
Blackmailed an Heiress, a Police Chief and a Politician, and he'd gotten caught tampering with evidence of a murder investigation.
If he did or didn’t do the crime, didn’t matter. At least Brock faced real consequences and she’d never have to hear his name again.
Not that it mattered.
She had Maverick and Carter and a life here that made her heart soar.
Maverick would be home from checking his fields and tonight it was just the two of them.
The quietness of the farm where nothing stirred, including the baby monitor, just made her happy.
This was home.
Soon she’d have dinner with Maverick.
But then the silence broke with a slow song that echoed in the office. She turned and saw Maverick’s computer was on--he'd chosen a soft ballad.
She stood from her chair and intended to go find out what happened, when there was a knock at the door.
She fixed her tank top to ensure her hot pink bra straps showed and then Maverick showed up.
He wore those jeans she’d banned him from wearing in public and gave her a sexy smile as he held out his hand for her. “Jess?”
No one was around so she wouldn't scold him on the pants that made his backside hard and squeezable. “Is that music on the patio?”
He nodded while she took his hand, and a spark still raced through her as he said, “It is. I’m waiting for you.”
She folde
d her palm into his as he led her out of the office into the main living room. “What’s going on?”
Without stopping, he led her out on the patio where dinner was waiting on the table and romantic music played. She placed the baby monitor on the table and followed his tug into a dance.
As she rested her head on his shoulder, she remembered the first night she’d been here and how he’d held her then too. She sighed as the memory left a sweet taste in her mouth. “This was how you seduced me that night.”
He twirled her--was this the same song, even?
She laughed and said, “I vividly remember every detail, down to your black t-shirt. Is Bob still in the kitchen, ready to yell pointers?”
He pulled his head back and winked at her with a gleam in his eyes. “He went home, but he helped me set the table. It’s just the two of us while Carter sleeps.”
Bob was seriously her angel and she’d jokingly offered to set him up as an online matchmaker for farmers and cowboys. But as Maverick caressed the lower part of her back, she forgot about everything else. She sighed. “I like this.”
He tightened his grip as the song ended and another began. In the interlude he asked, “Jess, are you sure you want to live on a farm?”
Had something happened? Her heart raced but she hoped nothing was wrong as she asked, “Are you joking? I was just told that Matthew started filming with Jennifer, who finally agreed to divorce Chris. And Peter’s divorce is now final so he can marry Belle soon.”
He twirled her but his lips went into a frown as he said, “That took longer than they thought, but they’re happy?”
Maverick was up to something, she could tell. “They have their son…” Which didn’t answer his question exactly--she took a breath and said, “I think so.”
He dipped her and her body melded into his like they were one and she trusted him to lead her anywhere, even as he asked, “But can you be happy here?”
Her brain hammered that something was going on. “I just need you and Carter, Maverick. I don’t want the world involved in my life. Why are you asking?”
He stopped and then massaged the back of his neck like he was on edge. His cheeks had a slight tinge of pink to them as he said, “Because I was hoping to ask you a question…”
Her heart raced. Adrenaline raced through her. She clamped her hands against her chest to stop her heart from coming out of her like she was a cartoon character. She asked breathlessly, “Wait, are you proposing?”
His laugh sounded nervous. “Don’t rush this.”
Surprise had her head in the clouds and her legs weak at the knees. She backed up and took one of the seats near the candlelit table. “Let me sit down.”
He pressed his lips together. “You don’t want me to?”
The opposite. She lifted her chin and ignored how her body pulsated as she lifted her arm and said, “Take my hand and ask.”
Maverick went down on one knee. She sighed. He asked, “Jess… Catherine… I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
She jumped out of her seat and wrapped her arms around him, not bothering to look at the ring box he now had in his hand. Whatever it was, she’d wear it proudly. She hugged him and said, “Yes.”
Maverick opened the box and showed her a princess cut diamond that was just as big as what her mother loved to wear when going to fancy parties.
This was too much for a farm, but for now she took it while he said, “I thought you were going to say you needed to think about this."
As she placed her own ring on her finger she rose to her tip-toes and kissed him fast. She laughed and said, “No. My heart is racing. I needed to sit down because you make me happy. I love you.”
He kissed her cheek. “Then the rest of the world doesn’t matter. I have everything I’ll ever want… with you and Carter.”
Not near enough. She cupped his face and leaned closer as she said, “Kiss me.”
He chuckled smugly. “You like to give me that order a lot.”
Her eyes fluttered closed. Nothing else made her happy as he tugged her jeans closer to his and said, “Is that a problem?”
“Not at all, ma’am.” He tipped his head and captured her eager mouth.
Jess melted in his embrace and hoped their dances on the patio never stopped. Carter and Maverick were the beginning of her happily-ever-after and nothing else mattered. She kissed him harder, never wanting this night to end.
Thank you for reading. Jess and Maverick were so much fun to write and it was great to write a romantic escape from all the drama in the Morgan family on the farm. However in Secret Mistress Matthew Morgan gets shocked when he meets Ashley Romero, his sister’s former maid, and also Jennifer’s secret cousin which makes her definitely forbidden fruit.
If you loved Secret Crush, you’ll love the royal series of a small European country next to Italy in the Princes of Avce romances. The first book, Forbidden Crown is available for free in a modern day retelling of Cinderella where an insurance agent says yes to a Prince’s sudden proposal.
And if you’re looking for a series with some danger and mystery where all the Bentleys must marry women they’ve never met to clear their names in this exciting family drama. The prequel Irresistibly Lost is available for FREE as well!
And to find out about new books, sign up for my newsletter: https://victoriapinder.com
Start Reading the House of Morgan Now
Secret Crush
For some, joining the FBI is a long-term goal. For billionaire John Morgan, joining the Bureau is a stepping stone to proving his father is culpable for his sister’s death. After his estranged father dies, John is forced to return home and face the ghosts of his past. But that proves to be more difficult than he ever imagined.
After losing her best friend under inexplicable circumstances, Alice Collins’ world view shifts until her small town sensibilities convinced her to attend Mr. Morgan’s funeral. Soon, the past and the present collide, and Alice is caught in the crosshairs. But when John comes to her aid, it only serves to complicate matters for both of them.
Can a handsome billionaire on a vendetta fall for a small town girl…or does he have something else in mind?
Secret Baby
Victoria thought her baby died. Colt thought Victoria abandoned their daughter at birth. Her father had destroyed them both with a single lie. But will the truth be enough to bring them back together?
To escape her billionaire father’s cruel manipulations, Victoria let everyone believe she was dead. Burdened with a broken heart and the tragic loss of her baby, she felt there was nothing left for her. But her return uncovers an avalanche of secrets and lies, starting with the fact that the child she thought had died is alive…and being raised by the very man who broke her heart.
Ex-Marine Colt Collins has been raising his daughter alone while nursing a burning resentment for the woman who abandoned them both and then died before he could find out why. Determined to move on and make a life for himself, Colt plans to marry and give his daughter the childhood she deserves. But then Victoria Morgan returns from the dead, and he learns that nothing about their past is what it seems.
Victoria wants to claim her child, but Colt isn’t sure he can believe his former lover. After all, it’s her word against a dead man’s. She could say anything is true. Together, they will have to sift through the lies and unravel the truth. But can they learn to trust each other again and find find a happily ever after, or is too late for a second chance at romance?
Secret Bet
One Cocky Billionaire. One former Marine jilted at the alter. And one bet that forces them back together and threatens to tear them apart.
With a history of women sticking around only long enough to win over his money, not earn his love, Peter has learned to keep women at arm’s length. But as much as he plays it smart with romance, he’s still a sucker for a challenge. So when his brother bets that he can’t date the same woman for thirty days, it’s game on. Wooi
ng a woman for one month and then walking away unscathed sounds almost too easy. Until his brother announces who the woman will be.
Former Marine Belle Jordan has lived through the scandal of being jilted at the altar. Ever since, she protects her heart, knowing she can never go through that kind of heartbreak again. Now the brother of the woman who tore her life apart is pursuing her with an intensity that is hard to resist. Her brain warns her to stay away, but her heart wants to trust his seductive words.
Before long, Peter finds that Belle is turning his cynical world on its head and awakening his long-dormant heart. When the truth comes out about the secret bet, Peter fears he may lose the one woman who can look past the dollar signs to see the man behind the throne. But will the realization be too little too later?
Secret Wish
She kept him in the friend zone for years. Now she’s single with a secret…and living in his family home.
With little memory of his mother and a strained relationship with his father, it’s difficult for Dr. Luke Morgan to reconcile between who he is and who he wants to be. But when he returns to the House of Morgan to accept his place in the family, painful secrets come to the surface, leading Luke to believe his family name is the reason behind his niece’s kidnapping.
After months spent rejecting Luke’s advances, one kiss changed everything for Caro Soliz. Now, her world is about to change again. Just like her mother before her, she’s accepted a position as the Morgan family maid. This time, her reunion with Luke leads to a whirlwind romance that puts her dream to become a fashion designer in jeopardy—a loss that could leave her penniless and without a job or a future.
Secret Cowboy Page 16
