by Tina Martin
When Candice heard Garrison’s voice in the living room, she nearly screamed but quickly realized she couldn’t do that while holding a baby. Instead, she walked there and brushed tears from her face. She handed Bella to her mother and squeezed Garrison like she hadn’t seen him in ages.
“Why are you crying, girl?”
“I missed you guys so much,” she said. Then she picked up Junior and pelted his face with kisses saying, “Do you miss your Aunt Candy? Do you miss your Aunt Candy?”
Junior shied away from her questions and with a smile on his face, he rested in the cradle of her neck.
And then June and Everson came walking in.
More tears sprang from Candice’s eyes. “Oh, my heart can’t take this,” she said, wrapping her arms around Everson’s neck. And then she hugged June.
“Everyone’s here. My family is all here,” she said.
“Yeah, when Kurt called me, I knew I had to be here,” Everson said.
Candice looked across the room at Kurt feeling her heart explode with love.
“I knew how much you missed them, so—” Kurt walked over to her, planted a kiss on her lips. “I want nothing more than to see you happy and I know you love me, baby. I know you do, but I feel like I’ve taken you away from your family and so I wanted the entire family here when I make this proposal to you.”
“What proposal, Kurt? What are you talking about?”
“I want you to know I’d be willing to move to Wilmington so you can be with all the people you love. All these people—people who sometimes drive you crazy but can’t live without.”
“Kurt—”
“I’ll be just fine with the move. Listen, sweetie—I know your family is a huge part of your life—a huge part of who you are. For years, it’s been you with your brothers and your new in-laws—women you call your sisters. And your niece and nephew—baby I’m perfectly okay with moving. Asheville’s a hot market. It won’t take long to sell this house and there are plenty of comparable properties in Wilmington.”
Candice sniffled and asked, “But what about your job?”
“Ay, we could find a spot for a man with your talent at Blackstone Financial,” Barringer said.
Kurt grinned. “No offense, bruh, but it’s a strong no to that.”
The family laughed.
“I was thinking of going solo, starting my own consulting business for companies who need marketing and branding help.”
“I’d be your first client,” Bryson said. “I think it’s about time I gave Blackstone Tree Service a new name and an updated logo.”
“And I can use some rebranding,” Everson said of his business management company, “And I’m sure Colton could use some structure in his painting business.”
“Colton?” Kurt asked.
“He’s our cousin, the painter,” Everson told him.
“See—I already have customers,” Kurt said.
“Oh, and by the way, Candy, I still haven’t filled your position,” Barringer said. “So if you move back, it’s yours.”
“Wow. This is—wow. I’m speechless.” Candice turned to Kurt and said, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say the answer that’ll make you the happiest. Whatever it is, I’m okay with it.”
“Okay. Um…I guess I’m coming home,” she said.
“Yes!” Kalina said.
Elowyn was so happy, tears welled up in her eyes.
“You really do love my daughter, don’t you?” Theodore asked.
“Yes, Sir. I do.”
“Then you’ve just inherited yourself four brothers,” Everson said.
“And three sisters,” Calista added.
Candice looked at Kurt, kissed him and closed her arms around him. She had no more jitters. No what ifs. No more questions about whether there was something better out there. Kurt was a man who’d do anything to see her happy – one who’d uproot his life for her to be with her family. He was definitely the man for her. The man she loved and adored. The man who’d do anything for her happiness. It didn’t get any better than that.
Enjoyed Candy’s Corporate Crush? Please take a moment to leave a review. And if you want more of The Blackstone Family, check out the following books, available now!
EVENINGS WITH BRYSON (A Blackstone Family Novel, Book 1)
What happens when a woman who doesn’t believe in love meets a man who’s given up on love?
Kalina Cooper has been hiding her loneliness by drowning herself in work at her home office and continuing on until the late evenings at her Aunt Edith’s café. Her ‘happily ever after’ doesn’t involve a husband. Having seen her father walk out on her mother when she was a teenager, she doesn’t believe in love.
After a bad divorce from a cheating woman, Bryson Blackstone vows to never marry again. But he never expected to cross paths with a woman like Kalina Cooper. She’s different. She’s special. From what he has learned about her, he knows she doesn’t believe in love, but he doesn’t know why. Now he plans to weasel his way into her life to find out, because Kalina Cooper is just the woman he’d consider if he was crazy enough to fall in love again.
LEAVING BARRINGER (A Blackstone Family Novel, Book 2)
Calista Blackstone has no problem playing her position as the supportive, dutiful wife of Barringer Blackstone. All she wants is a family, but after five years, she's given up hope of actually becoming a mother - at least to Barringer’s children.
Barringer (Barry) Blackstone is too busy making money to make babies. CEO of Blackstone Financial Services Group, he's actively working on taking his father's company to the next level and avoids the subject of children. He's no longer certain that he wants the added stress of trying to raise a family while growing the business. But the workaholic will learn the hard way that money should never precede family.
FOREVER US: BARRINGER AND CALISTA BLACKSTONE
(Book 2.5, A Short Story follow-up to Leaving Barringer)
Barringer Blackstone is rough around the edges. That’s no surprise to Calista. His demeanor is a gift and a curse – a gift because his strong-willed character makes him a great business leader. A curse because that same no-nonsense, merciless attitude doesn’t make for a loving, passionate husband at times – the very reason Calista left him for four months.
They’ve been back together for two months and while their marriage and communication has improved, a weekend away reveals that their issues haven’t been fully resolved. Is another separation in the works for this Blackstone couple?
THE THINGS EVERSON LOST (A Blackstone Family Novel, Book 3)
When a past love throws a marriage off balance...
Everson is one of those men. Those sexy, chocolate Blackstone men. He has the perfect house. In June, he’s found a wonderful wife, and marriage has been doing his body good. But the past has a way of finding its way to the present.
The past in the form of an old flame. Eliana Simmons. Everson’s high school sweetheart.
Eliana moved away when they were younger. Seniors in high school. Now, work has made them cross paths, and those old feelings easily resurface, especially since Eliana was his first love – and she’s not shy about confessing that she hasn’t been able to get over him after all those years have passed.
When Everson finds himself lying to June, he knows he’s in trouble. But this is just the beginning of what’s to come for a man who gives another woman the attention he should be giving his wife.
Discover other books by Tina Martin:
St. Claire Series
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Royal
Ramsey
Romulus
Regal
Magnus
Seasons of Love Novelettes
Hot Chocolate: A Winter Novelette
The Boardwalk Bakery Romance
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3
The Marriage Chronicles
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Life’s A Beach
Falling Out
War, Then Love
The Blackstone Family Series
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us: Barringer and Calista Blackstone (A short story follow-up to Leaving Barringer. You must read Leaving Barringer before reading this short story)
The Things Everson Lost
A Lennox in Love Series
*All books in this series are standalone novellas and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox (A Short Story Prequel to Claiming You)
Before You Say I Do
Mine By Default Mini-Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Been In Love With You, Book 1
When Hearts Cry, Book 2
You Belong To Me, Book 3
When I Call You Mine, Book 4
Who Do You Love?, Book 5
Forever Mine, Book 6
The Champion Brothers Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Way Champions Love
His By Spring
The Accidental Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Accidental Deception, Book 1
Accidental Heartbreak, Book 2
Accidental Lovers, Book 3
What Donovan Wants, Book 4
Dying To Love Her Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
The Alexander Series:
*Books 1-4 must be read in order. Books 5, 6,7 and can be read in any order as a standalone books.
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage, Book 1
Watch Me Take Your Girl, Book 2
Her Premarital Ex, Book 3
The Object of His Obsession, Book 4
Dilvan’s Redemption, Book 5
His Charity Challenge, Book 6 (Heshan Alexander and Charity Eason)
Different Tastes, Book 7 (An Alexander Spin-off novel. Tamera Alexander’s Story)
As Long As We Got Love, Book 8 (Family Novel)
Non-Series Titles:
*Individual standalone books that are not part of a series.
Secrets On Lake Drive
Can’t Just Be His Friend
The Baby Daddy Interviews
Just Like New to the Next Man
Falling Again
Vacation Interrupted
The Crush
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her
What Wifey Wants
Man of Her Dreams
Bae Watch
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TINA MARTIN is the author of over 60 romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction titles and has been writing full-time since 2013. Readers praise Tina for her strong heroes, sweet heroines and beautifully crafted stories. When she’s not writing, Tina enjoys watching movies, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family. She currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and two children.
You can reach Tina by email at [email protected], Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tinamartinauthor/ or visit her website for more information at www.tinamartin.net.
