“What about you, Sissie? Do I make you feel loved?”
She looked at him with surprise written all over her face. “I . . . I know you care.”
This wasn’t how he planned on having this conversation. Definitely not while holding his daughter’s hand. It should’ve been someplace quiet and romantic. He’d pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless as he told her again and again how much he loved her. Unfortunately he was still too weak to get out of bed, and he didn’t want to let go of either of them. No matter what Marina may have done, he knew he fought for his life so he could return to them both.
Pulling Sissie’s hand to his lips, he kissed hers then spoke again. “Don’t tell me that you don’t feel it.”
She looked at Donna and then back to him. “Ryan, you’re tired. Maybe you should rest.”
“Hell woman, I hear I’ve been sleeping for two damn weeks. Now answer me. Do you feel it?”
She nodded but said nothing. Sissie wasn’t shy, at least not since he’d gotten to know her better. Yet her cheeks turned pink and she wasn’t able to utter a word. Was it possible she didn’t love him? Why should she? He hadn’t given her any reason to.
“Maybe I should leave you two alone,” Donna said.
“No,” Ryan said while firmly holding her hand.
“Okay then. Sissie, do you love my dad?”
Sissie turned to her and said, “Yes, very much.”
“Great. Dad, do you love Sissie?”
Ryan didn’t take his eyes off Sissie for one second. “With all my heart.”
“Well, that was easy,” Donna said confidently.
Ryan asked Sissie again, “Do you feel it?”
“Yes, Ryan. I do.”
“Then I need you to promise me something.”
Sissie asked, “What do you need?”
Ryan pulled both Donna’s and Sissie’s hands onto his chest. “I have everything I need right here in my hands.”
They both smiled at him. “Then what do you need me to promise?”
Looking at Sissie he said, “Promise that the day I don’t make you feel as loved as you deserve to be, you will tell me. Because you, Sissie . . . you deserve the sun and moon.”
“Oh my God, that’s so sweet,” Donna said.
Neither Sissie nor Ryan responded to her. “Can you promise me that?”
He watched Sissie’s eyes glisten, and she nodded.
“I love you Sissie. More than you’ll ever know.”
Sissie bent and kissed him briefly. “I love you too, Ryan.” When she stood she put her hand to her lips and said, “I changed my mind.”
Both he and Donna had a look of shock. He’d had everything he wanted, and he was overjoyed, now she was taking it back. “You don’t love me?”
She smiled. “Yes, I love you. I was talking about the beard. I think you should shave.”
With a sigh of relief, he laughed. “Anything for my girls.”
Epilogue
Although they were back in Honeywell, things didn’t feel the same. After the news of Jack’s death was announced, the town fell into a deep mourning. It was expected. He wasn’t the first loss they had suffered, but he sure was the one who impacted them the most. Weeks later, she’d catch someone looking toward the chair Jack always sat at when he came in. It was vacant and would remain so out of respect.
That didn’t mean things didn’t move forward. Hannah and Mark had gone back to Savannah, and this time Mark’s parents went with them. Sissie was invited to go as well, but she declined as they needed this time alone as the Collins family.
Casey and Derrick were so busy with their new baby girl that no matter what was going on they always had a smile on their faces. She had to admit when she learned Derrick had a baby girl, she worried he’d spiral back into a depression since his first daughter had died. It was another family unit that had settled into bliss.
Honeywell was once again safe and sound, and Sissie’s life slowly returned to a normal routine. She missed having Lou fill in as a bartender. Now she was running the place and tending bar. She’d done so for years with no qualms about it. But things had changed. She had other things she wanted to do with her time.
As though he knew she was thinking about him, Ryan walked into the Sass. Donna was with him. Sissie greeted Donna with a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“Thought I’d surprise you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Donna was welcome any time. Actually she missed having her around.
“Are you kidding me? When Dad said he was coming here to see you I wasn’t letting that chopper leave without me.”
Although she was looking for some alone time with Ryan, she knew they had plenty of time for that. It was tough; Ryan had been traveling back and forth between running his company and seeing her here. He’d asked her to come and stay with him, but she didn’t belong there. This was her home, her company, and she didn’t have anyone to run it. Honeywell had already lost enough; she couldn’t close up shop and leave them.
“Well, this is gonna be a great weekend. What do you want to do first?”
Donna looked at her father and smiled. “I think I’m going to take my bags upstairs while you two talk.”
“Upstairs? I thought you’d want to stay at the hotel?”
She laughed. “Easier to run this place if I’m staying here.” Donna continued up the stairs and out of sight.
Sissie turned to Ryan and asked, “What was she talking about?”
“Seems she’s become fond of Honeywell. Since jobs here are limited, she thought you might be interested in taking her on.”
Sissie wasn’t buying that for one minute. Ryan could buy the entire town. There was no way Donna needed a job, let alone one in her bar. She’d play along because no matter what the reason was, she was always welcome. “I’m sure I can find something for her to do.”
Ryan pulled her into his arms. “I was thinking your job.”
It seemed Donna was taking on more than her role in the saloon as she’d become very smooth at playing matchmaker. Sissie looked at him. “My job? And what exactly did you think I’d be doing?”
“Glad you asked. Did I tell you Marina gave me a clean bill of health?” he asked in a low and husky voice.
She shook her head. Wrapping her arms around his neck she said, “No, somehow you failed to mention that in any of our numerous calls. I wonder why that is?”
“Because some things are better discussed in person,” Ryan said, now lifting her off the floor and holding her against him.
It felt good to feel his strong arms around her again, but no matter what, she wasn’t going to forget it hadn’t been a month since his dance with death. “Then why don’t we get out of here and go for a walk?”
“I actually was thinking a bit farther than that.” Ryan gave her a playful wink.
“Where do you suggest?”
“I know a place that is very secluded. Are you interested?”
Although she wanted to be with him and would follow him to the end of the earth, she’d rather it not feel like the Antarctic. “Please don’t tell me you want to take me to Don’s place up north.”
“Heck no. I was thinking someplace warm, tropical, where we swim naked in the ocean, and I can make love to you on the beach. Interested?”
“How could I not be?”
Ryan kissed her lightly. “I was interested the moment I laid eyes on you all those months ago.”
She looked at him, but he seemed serious. “You mean weeks ago right?”
“No. I mean the day you met my chopper when I dropped off Maggie and Wyatt; you had me then. It just took me months to realize it.”
It was funny because that was the day she knew he was the man for her, but she never believed he’d think she was the woman for him. Melting against him, she said, “It’s not the roads we took to get here, but it’s the journey we’re going to be on together as we go forward.”
“Is that a yes?”<
br />
“When do we leave?”
He swooped her into his arms and carried her out of the bar. “Now sounds good to me.” As they made their way to his chopper, which had landed right in the middle of Main Street, he kissed her passionately. She’d spent her life matching people with their true love. Somehow fate had turned the tables and she knew the greatest love story was about to be written. Hers and Ryan’s.
The End
Don’t miss the novella, Southern Hearts!
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Other Books By Jeannette Winters
The Billionaire’s Secret
Billionaire Jon Vinchi is a man with one passion: work. His friends decide to shake him up by entering him as a prize at a charity event.
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She never expected to win a date with a billionaire.
He never thought one night could turn his life upside down.
One lie stands between them and their happily ever after. Too bad it’s a big one!
Betting on You Series:
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Secret (FREE!)
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Masquerade
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Longshot
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Jackpot
Book 5: All Bets Off
Book 6: A Rose For The Billionaire
One White Lie
Brice Henderson traded everything for power and success. His company was closing a deal that would cement his spot at the top. The last thing he needed was a distraction from the past.
Lena Razzi had spent years trying to forget Brice Henderson. When offered the opportunity of a lifetime, would she take the risk even if the price would be another broken heart?
Do you love reading from this world? Continue with Always Mine from my sister, Ruth Cardello, Her series will mirror my time line. It isn’t necessary to read hers to enjoy mine, but it sure will enhance the fun!
Barrington Billionaires Series:
Book 1: One White Lie
Book 2: Table for Two
Book 3: You and Me Make Three
Book 4: Virgin for the Fourth Time
Book 5: His for Five Nights
Book 6: After Six (Coming 2018)
Southern Spice
Derrick Nash knows the pain of loss. But is he seeking justice or revenge? He doesn’t care as long as someone pays the price.
It is Casey Collin’s duty at FEMA to help those in need when a natural disaster strikes. After a tornado hits Honeywell, she finds there are more problems than just storm damage. Will she follow company procedures or her heart?
Can Derrick move forward without the answers he’s been searching for? Can Casey teach him how to trust again? Or will she need to face the fact that not every story has a happy ending?
Southern Desires Series:
Book 1: Southern Spice
Book 2: Southern Exposure
Book 3: Southern Delight
Book 4: Southern Regions
Book 5: Southern Charm
Book 6: Southern Sass
Novella: Southern Hearts (Early 2018)
Books by Ruth Cardello
ruthcardello.com
Books by Danielle Stewart
authordaniellestewart.com
Do you like sweet romance? You might enjoy Lena Lane
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Southern Sass (Southern Desires Series Book 6) Page 22
