by Jill Sanders
She opened the door, and her eyes raced around the room and connected with Heather. With all her remaining energy, she threw the silver tea kettle at Heather’s head and jumped in front of Cade’s body and the end of the gun.
The shot rang out, almost deafening in such a small space. She felt the sting of it, the heat of it. Then Cade’s arms were around her, holding her, guiding her as the room filled with shouting voices instead of more shots.
“Shit,” she gasped. “That stings.” Then everything went dark.
When she opened her eyes next, Cade was there, looking down at her.
“You little fool,” he said, but since there was a smile on his face, she figured her stupid plan had worked.
“My grandmother’s silver platter?” she asked. “Did it survive?”
He chuckled. “I’m afraid it gave it’s life for yours.” He motioned to the floor. Sure enough, there was a very large dent in the tarnished old thing. “You’ve been watching too much Dirty Harry.”
“Wrong movie,” she said, sitting up slightly and wincing when her ribs ached.
Since her blouse was untucked, she assumed that Cade had looked at where she’d been shot. Well, where the bullet had dented in the heavy tray at least.
Since she didn’t see any blood, she figured she’d walk away with some bruising, maybe a broken rib, since she was having a difficult time breathing. Her body was still too cold to tell much, but she figured she’d feel everything later. For now, she was just going to enjoy being alive.
“No.” Cade smiled and helped her sit up. “I’m pretty sure that’s Dirty Harry.”
She held in a laugh and hugged her sides. “The Man with No Name,” she corrected. “A Fist Full of Dollars.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure I can move in with you now,” she said through heavy panting breaths.
His eyes sobered and he swallowed. “I know this is probably the worst timing ever and the last thing I want to do is scare you…”
“Nothing will scare me after this.” She motioned to where his uncle was hauling Heather away.
“I’m counting on that.” He brushed his lips against hers and wrapped his arms around her gently, as if he was just trying to hold her upright and not hurt her. “Marry me.”
She smiled. “Why would I want to marry a man who doesn’t know his Clint Eastwood movies?”
He chuckled. “You can teach me,” he offered. “I’m a quick learner.”
She felt her body heat even further or maybe it was the fact that someone had thrown a blanket over her shoulders? Or that Cade’s body was pressed tightly against her own? Whatever the reason, she knew the answer instantly when she looked into his eyes.
“Of course I’ll marry you,” she said, wrapping her still-frozen arms around his neck and no longer feeling the pain. Any pain. All she could feel now was him. The love she felt for him. The burn of a new fire in her life. One that she welcomed with open arms.
Epilogue
What you lose in the fire, you will find amongst the ashes. you will find amongst the ashes. ~ French Proverb
“Of course, there would be snow on my wedding day.” Fiona stood looking out the window at the beautiful countryside. The ground was a crisp white, covered in a fresh layer of snow.
“Don’t worry.” Raven moved to stand next to her. “I had the employees move all of the chairs and the archway into the ballroom.”
“We have a ballroom?” Fiona glanced over at her.
Raven laughed. “It was a secret.” She shrugged. “It’s not officially open yet, but the crew finished it up last night. The paint might still be a little wet, so don’t lean against any walls.”
Fiona smiled. “Where have you been hiding an entire ballroom?”
Raven smiled. “Main floor, west building. It’s all set up for your special day. I thought we might need a backup plan for big events. You know, in case the weather didn’t hold up. Besides, now we can host prom and other school dances in there.”
“You think of everything.” Fiona turned and wrapped her arms around her.
It felt wonderful, so much so that tears stung Raven’s eyes. She no longer felt the twinge from her broken ribs that had healed up nicely, or so Cade had claimed.
“You know,” Fiona said softly, leaning back to look into her eyes, “once you and Cade marry, I’ll finally get that daughter I’ve always wanted.”
How long had Raven gone without a parent? How many times had she wished, dreamed, that hers could come back?
Their love had saved her. Their forethought and concern were the only reason she was still alive. Cade too. That and the fact that her grandmother’s cherished prized possessions had ended up forgotten in a room, buried over time. Raven felt more loved than she had in years. Her entire family had looked out for her.
Cade was even having the old tea set repaired for her. A specialist in Delaware was banging out the large dent where the bullet had stopped and making the piece look new. He claimed it would be the perfect wedding present. She told him if he wanted it to be perfect, he should have left the large dent in it.
“Maybe for our wedding, it will be warm. I’m thinking of a small ceremony at the top of the hillside.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Fiona said with a smile. “I’m just sorry your parents won’t be here for it.”
“They will be.” She smiled. “Along with the ones who are still here that matter.”
“Your uncle and aunt are officially divorced,” Fiona asked.
“Liza mentioned it.” Raven nodded. “Colin will be spending some time behind bars now that his gambling debts have become clear since we found proof just where the money went. Not to mention the life insurance he’d put on me. He’d hoped the killer would get me next, and they could cash out.”
“Who does that? Who gambles away three million dollars?” Fiona shook her head. “Then lies about it?”
“The same type of person who murders three people,” Raven said.
“Heather’s a sick individual.” Fiona shook her head. “Split personalities are tricky. Sean says it will be hard to convict. She’ll most likely spend the rest of her life locked in a psych ward.”
“Good. It’s where she belongs.”
A knock on the door had Fiona jumping. “If that’s Sean, tell him he can’t see me.”
Raven walked over to the door, fully prepared to tell the groom he would have to wait half an hour more. She came up short when she noticed Cade standing on the other side of the door. The man filled out a tux like he belonged in it.
Cade took her hand and pulled her outside into the hallway.
His eyes ran over the soft blue dress she was wearing. “You look sexy as hell. Are you sure we can’t skip this shindig?”
She laughed. “It’s your mother’s and uncle’s wedding.”
He shrugged and pulled her into his arms. “So?”
She laughed even more. “And you’re the best man.”
He smiled. “Then give me a kiss to last me until we can go home.”
Leaning up on her toes, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him like he was the man of her dreams. Because he was. That and so much more.
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Also by Jill Sanders
The Pride Series
Finding Pride
Discovering Pride
Returning Pride
Lasting Pride
Serving Pride
Red Hot Christmas
My Sweet Valentine
Return To Me
Rescue Me
A Pride Christmas
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The Secret Series
Secret Seduction
Secret Pleasure
Secret Guardian
Secret Passions
Secret Identity
Secret Sauce
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The West Series
Loving Lauren
Taming A
lex
Holding Haley
Missy’s Moment
Breaking Travis
Roping Ryan
Wild Bride
Corey’s Catch
Tessa’s Turn
Saving Trace
* * *
The Grayton Series
Last Resort
Someday Beach
Rip Current
In Too Deep
Swept Away
High Tide
* * *
Lucky Series
Unlucky In Love
Sweet Resolve
Best of Luck
A Little Luck
Christmas Wish
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Silver Cove Series
Silver Lining
French Kiss
Happy Accident
Hidden Charm
A Silver Cove Christmas
Sweet Surrender
Second Chances
* * *
Entangled Series – Paranormal Romance
The Awakening
The Beckoning
The Ascension
The Presence
The Calling
The Chosen
* * *
Haven, Montana Series
Closer to You
Never Let Go
Holding On
Coming Home
The Hard Way
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Pride Oregon Series
A Dash of Love
My Kind of Love
Season of Love
Tis the Season
Dare to Love
Where I Belong
Because of Love
A Thing Called Love
First Comes Love
Someone to Love
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Wildflowers Series
Summer Nights
Summer Heat
Summer Secrets
Summer Fling
Summer’s End
Summer’s Wish
* * *
Distracted Series
Wake Me
Tame Me
* * *
Stand Alone Books
Twisted Rock
Hope Harbor
Raven Falls
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For a complete list of books:
http://JillSanders.com
About the Author
Jill Sanders is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Sweet Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Western Romance, and Paranormal Romance novels. With over 70 books in eleven series, translations into several different languages, and audiobooks there’s plenty to choose from. Look for Jill’s bestselling stories wherever romance books are sold or visit her at jillsanders.com
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Jill comes from a large family with six siblings, including an identical twin. She was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent for writing sweet and sexy page-turners. After Colorado, she decided to move south, living in Texas and now making her home along the Emerald Coast of Florida. You will find that the settings of several of her series are inspired by her time spent living in these areas. She has two sons and off-set the testosterone in her house by adopting three furry little ladies that provide her company while she’s locked in her writing cave. She enjoys heading to the beach, hiking, swimming, wine-tasting, and pickleball with her husband, and of course writing. If you have read any of her books, you may also notice that there is a love of food, especially sweets! She has been blamed for a few added pounds by her assistant, editor, and fans… donuts or pie anyone?
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