“What on earth would we tell them? How could I ever explain—”
“The truth.” He cut her off with a smile that was tender. “The truth is always best.”
Distress rounded her shoulders. “But my truth is horrible.”
He placed a quieting finger against her lips. “Honey, you’ve been looking at the truth from the wrong angle. From where I see it, you’re a caring, sacrificing, enterprising, simply amazing woman. Those are all things instilled in a person at birth. Perception has nothing to do with it.”
He wrapped his arm around her then, and with his free hand he lifted her face with the lightest of touches until their gazes met, locked.
“I’m still waiting.”
The adoration reflected in his clear green eyes chased away all her doubt and worry. She knew what he was waiting for, and she didn’t intend to delay a moment longer.
“I love you so much, Pierce—” her voice was thick with all she was feeling “—that it hurts my heart.”
He kissed her then, and every argument logic had ever conjured up regarding idiots and intellects was silenced by the love he showered on her. He believed in her. He thought she was strong and competent and wise. And best of all, he had convinced her to believe all these things about herself.
She would love this man for all eternity.
Epilogue
There was nothing like spring in Paris. Unless, of course, it was spring on the French Riviera. For the life of her, Amy couldn’t decide which was more beautiful. Or more exciting.
However, the most exhilarating experience to date had to be the afternoon, not ten short days ago, that she had become Pierce’s wife.
The wedding had been a glorious affair. Right there on the banks of the Delaware Bay she and Pierce had vowed to love each other through all eternity. Her white gown had billowed like puffy clouds as her father had led her to her betrothed. Pierce had looked gorgeous in his black tux. The twins had participated by carrying the rings, each boy balancing a satin pillow as they walked the length of the grassy aisle. Cynthia had acted as her matron of honor. Family and friends had offered the newlywed couple a standing ovation as Reverend John Winthrop had pronounced them Dr. and Mrs. Pierce Kincaid.
Her wedding day had been the most joyous of Amy’s life.
But then came the honeymoon, and Pierce had surprised her with a trip to France.
The City of Light had bustled with tourists and Parisians alike. Amy and Pierce had visited the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. And they had whiled away long afternoons in the brasseries, the quaint little cafés that served strong cappuccino and those lusciously rich pastries that were sure to have her gaining weight.
After almost a week in Paris they had flown to Nice, a sizable city on the Mediterranean. They had rented a car and had driven in one direction to Canne and Juan-les-Pins, then in the other direction to a picturesque town called Villefranche-sur-Mer. And today they had explored Menton, a small French village from which the lush Italian countryside could be seen in a distance.
“Tired?”
Concern shadowed Pierce’s gem-green eyes, and Amy smiled as she stretched out under the cool sheets.
“Exhausted,” she told him.
He smoothed the backs of his fingers down her bare shoulder, and desire quickened in her…desire so sharp that she nearly gasped.
“Maybe we should turn out the lights and get some rest.”
Her smile widened slowly, languorously. “Oh, we’ll turn out the lights, all right. But there’ll be no resting for quite a while yet.”
The corners of his mouth pulled back into a sexy grin, his gaze darkening with yearning.
“I am so glad to hear you say that.”
He buried his face against her neck, his husky growl sending shivers coursing across her skin. She chuckled then, infusing a throaty quality into it that she knew he’d find alluring.
“What?” he asked, rising onto his elbow to gaze down into her face. “What are you thinking?”
“Oh, I was just remembering how, when we first met, I was so attracted to your brain.”
His brows rose a fraction. “My brain?”
“You were so intelligent that I thought it was sexy.”
He laughed. “I don’t like how you phrased that in the past tense.”
“Oh, you know what I mean.” She reached up and combed her fingers through his hair. “But I’ve been learning, sir, that you’re more than just clever.” Passion flared, expressing itself in her seductive gaze. “You’re a man of many talents.”
She cradled his face between her hands, pulled him to her and planted a sweltering kiss on his mouth.
Long moments later he smiled at her. “I do aim to please.”
Her pulse chugged, her heart thudded with need. Her voice came out sounding raspy as she proclaimed, “I know you do.”
To think that Amy had run from what she’d thought was the trap of marriage, the pitfall of family, the hazards of the heart. And here she was, encountering some of the most awesome excitement the world had to offer while basking in the greatest experience of all….
The love of a lifetime.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5419-3
THE NANNY’S PLAN
Copyright © 2003 by Donna Fasano
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* The Single Daddy Club
† Mother & Child
** Single Doctor Dads
†† The Thunder Clan
The Nanny's Plan Page 15
