by Regina Duke
Camryn’s mouth fell open.
With a wave of his hand, Riley announced, “Roller skating, the sport of kings. And geeks.”
It was the best fun Camryn had had in years. They skated nonstop for two hours, then feasted on foot-long hot dogs. By the time they left the rink, it was three in the afternoon. The pale winter sun cast a cold light on the city streets. Camryn shivered inside her coat. “That was great,” she said happily.
Riley had a glazed look of happiness. “I think I may be getting serious. You roller-skated with me. That is a rare trait in a female of the species.”
Camryn smiled and let him encircle her in his arms.
“Shall we walk?” he asked.
“Where? Back to the office?” Her smile faded.
Riley shrugged, a delaying tactic he seemed to use when he was nervous about asking a question. “Would you like to see the apps I’m working on? We can pick up my laptop and go somewhere neutral,” he added quickly. Then he blushed, “Besides, my apartment is a mess. I’d rather tidy up before inviting you in.”
Camryn was floating on air. “I’d love to see your apps.”
“Do you think we’ll still have jobs in the morning?” he asked.
“Who cares?”
Riley laughed out loud. Then he pulled her hands up so he could kiss her fingers. A moment later, his arms were wrapped tight around her as he kissed her warmly on the lips. They stood there, gazing into each other’s eyes, until the jingle of a horse-drawn carriage caught their attention.
“Perfect!” shouted Riley, waving the cabby down.
Camryn sighed dreamily. Perfect, indeed.
CHAPTER 6
Two weeks later, Camryn gathered up all her office knick-knacks in a backpack and waved farewell to her officemates. “Enjoy your Christmas party!”
“Do you have to go so soon?” asked Roger.
Just then, Riley stumbled through the door, carrying a rucksack stuffed with papers and equipment. “Is there cake?” he asked.
Camryn set her backpack on the floor. “I guess we have time for cake.” She held up her hands and the room fell quiet. “Thank you all for being so good to me these last six months. Most of you already know Riley, but if you don’t, here he is, my future business partner.”
One of the cubicle girls said dreamily, “I’m so happy for you. Leaving the cube farm to start your own business. You’re a brave woman.” She offered Camryn a small piece of Christmas cake.
Camryn took the plate and passed it to Riley. “Gee, thanks, I think.” But she gave the girl a brief hug. “The courageous part is yet to come.”
Riley looked confused for a moment. Then the light came on. “Oh! You mean, Christmas at your parents’ house.”
Everyone laughed.
Riley cleaned his plate in three bites. “Okay, we’d better get going.”
Camryn was ready. Five minutes later, they were strolling along the sidewalk, headed for Grand Central. They’d already stowed overnight bags in a locker, and once they retrieved them—filling the locker with their office things, except for their laptops—they caught the train for White Plains.
Riley drummed his fingers nervously on his laptop. “I hope your family likes me.”
“At this point in my life,” said Camryn, “I’m more concerned about you liking them. Just be yourself. That’s the guy I fell in love with.”
That deserved a kiss, so Riley gave her one. Then they both giggled like teenagers. In White Plains, they took a taxi to the Talbott home.
Camryn stood in the driveway as Riley paid the cabby.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Camryn pointed to a Lincoln Continental parked at the curb. “My sister’s already here. I was hoping to show you off to my parents before she arrived.”
But there was no time to change her plans, because her mother was coming out the front door to greet them.
“Camryn, dear! So good to see you.” Her hair was obviously died a rich brown, her wrinkles making it clear that her roots were gray. “Is this your young man?”
Camryn gave her mother a quick hug. “I don’t own him, Mom.”
Riley chuckled. “Not yet anyway.” He extended a hand. “Riley Atwood, ma’am.”
“Oh, aren’t you polite! Come on in, your father doesn’t want to be out in the cold. And Aiden is already here! She brought a carload of gifts, too.”
Camryn suppressed a sigh of irritation. “Oh, goody.”
Once all the introductions were made, they stood in the dining room, looking awkwardly at each other. Aiden, an older, taller, thinner version of her sister, pressed her hands together and announced, “Mom? Dad? Camryn already knows, but I have a surprise for you.” She cleared her throat. “I was just made CEO of the company!”
Camryn’s parents looked genuinely pleased. Her father clapped and nodded. Her mother made a fuss and insisted they all drink a cup of Christmas punch.
Riley smacked his lips. “This is great. I suspect someone spiked your punch, Mrs. Atwood.”
That struck everyone as hilariously funny, and Camryn knew right away they’d all started toasting before she and Riley arrived.
Mrs. Talbott waved her hands in the air. “Let’s all sit down. Aiden, dear, help me serve. No, no, your father has begun dropping things. We don’t want him carrying the turkey platter.”
Camryn and Riley sat down beside each other at the table. Camryn leaned toward him and whispered, “I hope this isn’t too uncomfortable for you.”
Riley squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Mr. Talbott began the inquisition. “So…Riley, is it? What do you do for a living?”
“I design computer apps, sir.”
Silence.
Camryn translated. “He works with computers, Dad.”
“Oh. Well, now, that’s supposed to be a darned good way to make a living. What company are you with?”
Camryn froze.
But Riley took another drink of his punch and leaned back in his chair. “Brand new business called RiCam Apps. A startup, but there are excellent people there. Sure to be a winner.”
“Glad to hear it!” Mr. Atwood was hard of hearing.
Aiden and her mother came in carrying platters of food. “Here we are,” said Mrs. Talbott. “So delightful to have you girls home for the holiday.” She faltered when she looked at Riley. “And you, too, of course,” she added.
Camryn pressed her lips together to keep from saying something she’d regret later. But Riley was unfazed. “Mrs. Talbott, after dinner, I hope you’ll give me a tour of your lovely home. What I’ve seen so far is really special.”
Mrs. Talbott beamed. “Why, thank you. I would love to.”
Aiden cleared her throat. “Cam, weren’t you able to bring your gifts with you on the train? I’ve already put mine under the tree.”
Before Camryn could say anything, Riley bumped her knee with his and spoke up. “Oh, don’t worry. We have a few surprises.”
Mr. and Mrs. Talbott were obviously tickled. Aiden, however, only pretended to laugh politely. Once she finished buttering her Parkerhouse roll, she addressed Riley in a confidential tone. “I hope you don’t fall too hard for Cam. She’s a rising star in the management world, you know. It’s hard to reach the top when you’re hitched to…other obligations.”
Camryn snapped, “Aiden! That’s an awful thing to say.”
Aiden drew back, as if Camryn were the one being rude. “Really? Well, I’m just looking out for your interests, little sister. After all, if I had given in to…temptation…and married my college sweetheart, I never would have had the time and energy to make CEO.”
Riley nodded as if he understood completely. “I can understand what you’re saying. That’s why Camryn and I quit our humdrum jobs so we can concentrate on our business startup.”
“What? What’d he say?” Mr. Talbott had a hand behind one ear, straining to hear.
Mrs. Talbott looked surprised.
Aiden laughed out lou
d. “Oh, you must be joking! You gave up a middle management position to play with your computer games?”
Camryn said icily, “Apps are not games, Aiden.”
Riley held up a finger. “Although we will probably develop some in the future. They can be very lucrative.” He finished off his punch. “For now, we’ll have to make do with the million-dollar loan the bank just offered us.”
Aiden nearly choked on a piece of roll. “How much?”
Riley shrugged. “Starting a business takes capital. Otherwise, we’d just use our own money.”
“Ha! Camryn has money? Don’t you know she’s wearing my hand-me-down wardrobe? She can’t even buy her own shoes.”
Camryn blushed hotly.
Riley pulled her hand into his. “That was before,” he said.
“Before what, dear?” asked Mrs. Talbott.
“Before we started selling our app online. It’s only been up ten days, but we’ve already sold fifty thousand.”
Aiden’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “Fifty thousand dollars?!”
Riley shook his head. “Fifty thousand apps.”
Camryn began to relax. “At eight dollars each.” She couldn’t help herself. She used the retail price.
Mrs. Talbott clapped her hands for joy. “That’s wonderful, dear! So you will both be working on your new company?”
“That’s right, Mom.” Camryn let her eyes settle on Riley’s handsome face. “Working together, we should have our next app on the market in six months or less.”
“The bank is excited,” said Riley. “We want to get as much done in the first year as we can.”
Aiden sat stunned.
Mrs. Talbott asked, “Why is that, dear?”
Riley pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket and set it in front of Camryn. She knew what was in it, so she smiled like the Mona Lisa. “Because,” she said, revealing the huge diamond ring, “we want to slow down a bit when we have our first child.” She let Riley put the ring on her finger. “But first, we’ll be getting married right after New Year’s.” She wiggled her fingers so the ring would catch the light.
Mrs. Talbott was ecstatic. She leaned toward her husband. “You hear that, old man? We’re going to have grandchildren!”
Aiden seemed to shrink in her chair. “I’m very happy for you,” she said calmly. “I guess the family will have to settle for one CEO.”
“Yes,” said Camryn, “and one old fashioned girl with a husband and kids and a dog.”
Riley added, “Who is Chairman of the Board at RiCam.”
Aiden scooted her chair back. “Excuse me.” She left the room.
Camryn looked from her mother to her father. “Uh-oh. I’d better go talk to her.”
She found Aiden standing in front of the Christmas tree, her arms folded, staring into space.
Camryn said, “I’m sorry, Aiden. Sometimes Riley is perfect and sometimes he’s all geek. But I love him. We didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
Aiden turned, tears in her eyes. “It’s okay. I’m so happy for you.” She hugged Camryn tight. “I’m going to tell you something I never told anyone.” She made sure they were alone. “I dedicated myself to my career because…my college sweetheart decided to marry someone else.”
“No!”
Aiden wiped her eyes. “Yes, it’s true. I just never found anyone else. But listen up, little sister. You’d better plan on more than one baby. I’ve waited all my life to be someone’s rich auntie.”
The rest of their visit was like a dream. Camryn didn’t even mind when Aiden put herself in charge of getting them married and throwing a small reception afterward.
“But Aiden, you have less than a month,” cautioned Camryn.
Aiden tossed her head and said teasingly, “What good is it to be CEO if you can’t get important things done?”
* * *
A year later, Camryn cooed at the infant in her arms. She juggled the baby and the bottle, as Riley gave her a pen. Together, they signed a card for Aiden.
“We are delighted to announce the birth of our first child, Aiden Atwood. Love, RiCam.”
* If you enjoyed this story, please take a moment to leave a review. *
Other Books by Regina Duke
Colorado Billionaires — Contemporary Romance
The Wedding Wager (Colorado Billionaires, 1)
The Wedding Hope (Colorado Billionaires, 2)
The Wedding Venture (Colorado Billionaires, 3)
The Wedding Belle (Colorado Billionaires, 4)
The Wedding Guest (Colorado Billionaires, 5)
The Wedding Toast (Colorado Billionaires, 6)
The Wedding Gift (Colorado Billionaires, 7)
The Wedding Deal (Colorado Billionaires, 8)
The Wedding Veil (Colorado Billionaires, 9)
Colorado Billionaires Boxed Set (Contains novels 1, 2, and 3)
Colorado Billionaires Boxed Set (Contains novels 4, 5, and 6)
Colorado Billionaires Boxed Set (Contains novels 7, 8, and 9)
Colorado Billionaires 8 Novellas (Contains: Sunny’s Christmas, Krystal’s Christmas, Christmas Angel, Love Again, Twice the Joy, Jingle Bell Magic, Jingle Bell Wedding, Jingle Bell Romance)
Colorado Billionaires Christmas 2014 (Sunny’s Christmas, Krystal’s Christmas, Christmas Angel)
Colorado Billionaires Christmas 2015 (Jingle Bell Magic, Jingle Bell Wedding, Jingle Bell Romance)
Love on the Lazy B: Love Again, Twice the Joy (Two Colorado Billionaires Stories)
Now and Forever Romance — Contemporary Romance
June Bride (Now and Forever Romance, 1)
Chapel of Love (Now and Forever Romance, 2)
The Christmas App (Now and Forever Romance, 3)
The Christmas Sweets (Now and Forever Romance, 4)
The Christmas Light (Now and Forever Romance, 5)
The Christmas Beau (Now and Forever Romance, 6)
Silver State Romance — Contemporary Romance
North Rim Delight (Silver State Romance, 1)
The Woof in the Wedding Plans (Silver State Romance, 2)
Calin's Cowboy (Silver State Romance, 3)
Silver State Romance Boxed Set (Contains novels 1, 2, and 3)
Paranormal
My Vampire Wedding
Sugar Rising (Mindflesh Saga, 1)
Hope Eternal (Mindflesh Saga, 2) COMING in 2019
Strange Tales
Song of the Elephant Lady (A Short Story) (Strange Tales, 1)
Garden Variety (A Short Story) (Strange Tales, 2)
Where Shiny Ones Love People (A Short Story) (Strange Tales, 3)
Aid and Comfort (A Short Story) (Strange Tales, 4)
Face to Face (A Short Story) (Strange Tales, 5)
Trickster (A Short Story) (Strange Tales, 6)
Other
Self-Help for Writers: Being Your Own Cheerleader
Loving the Sensitive Dog
If you enjoy Regina Duke’s books, you will love Sandra Edwards’ romances and paranormals.
Also look for Stevie Lynn’s urban fantasy and paranormal.
If you like regencies or firehouse romance, check out Colleen Ladd.
About Regina Duke
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Regina Duke writes sweet romance, cozy mystery, and paranormal. She lives in the High Desert with her three dogs, and when she’s not writing she’s playing the piano and enjoying her friends. For more info on Regina’s books, visit her websites: ReginaDuke.com (fiction) and LindaLouWrites.com (non-fiction).
Visit the author at her author page http://www.amazon.com/Regina-Duke/e/B005KB08YM or email her at [email protected].
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Regina's Books
Regina's Bio
