The Grans stepped close, giving her a brief hug. “So proud of you,” Grammy choked out.
“No tears,” she warned, her staunchness crumbling at Grammy’s misdeeds as she witnessed the recriminations etched in the soft skin. No, she would not break down.
“In an exclusive deal with our store, we are so proud and humbled to introduce you to the newest member to the King’s family. Please welcome Rachael Elizabeth Darling and her RED line,” Charlie said. The nearby drape fell away to expose the speculator display of a centerpiece shot of her in the red robe going up the white stairs with “The story begins…” in red letters along the bottom.
The noise rose in a crescendo, reverberating as Rico shoved her forward and up. “Go, girl! You’re on!”
Her legs wobbled. Grateful for Charlie’s assistance, she stood there, shaking. “Say something,” she whispered, handing her the mic.
Quiet descended. In the grand foyer, filled with so many smiling faces, she felt all alone. She sucked in a ragged breath. It whistled over the mic. “Oh, sorry.”
Chuckles rumbled all around her.
She blinked, the cell phones clicking as people took pictures of her and the large photo. An awkward silence settled.
There in the back near the door, she saw Bruno giving her a thumbs-up.
“That’s some dress you’ve got on, honey!” Rico shouted. Whistles and cheers followed. “Sleek and sexy!”
I can’t do this!
Her legs would not move. They would not carry her away.
Again, a wave of silence followed.
Could I just die right now and get it over with? Scratch the public speaking off any list. Not doing it. Ever. Again.
“Rach!”
That familiar voice near where Bruno had opened the door made her gasp. It traveled over the mic. With tears smarting her eyes, she found Logan. He wore his tux, tie hanging and with a few shirt buttons undone.
“Wow! You’re here. But, I thought you flew back to New York. I can’t believe it.” She pulled herself up short, realizing her very private life was now on display. But he was here! He’d done this for her! He had to care, right?
She blew out a breath and began. “A funny thing happened on the way to my working with King’s. You see that guy over there?” She pointed to him and everyone turned. “That’s my best friend. He’s been there through everything with me. You name it, he had my back. Through the good times, through the terrible time when our folks and my grandpa died in an accident together, to crying, to laughing, to healing, to me teaching him how to dance, and him telling me all the bad things about boys…”
That got a good laugh.
“To his first date and me running off the road as he tried to teach me to drive.” She turned to her grandmother and winced. “Sorry, Grammy, I was the one who ruined your fender that time.”
“Oh, and I blamed him!” she cried.
Logan shouldered his way through the crowd. They easily parted for him. “Tell them about how I wanted to go to college…”
She gulped hard. “He got a full scholarship to his dream school.”
“In another state. Far away.”
“From his grandmother and mine.”
“And my best friend. But she convinced me to go. Do you know how?” He was in mid-room by now. “She promised she’d take care of the Grans for me. Promised that she’d visit mine and keep her from being lonely. I stopped short at letting her cook for them for fear she’d burn the house down.”
Laughter sounded and one or both of the Grans sniffled.
“An awful cook,” the Duchess agreed.
“She did something for me no one else could or would,” Logan said.
Frowning, she asked, “What?” He had everything. What could she have possibly given him?
“You let me fly. Away. To find out where my place was and who I could become.”
Her breath hitched. Realization sunk in. “You…that’s what this was all about.” Getting the RED line back for her. Developing the deal with King’s. Allowing her to live her dreams. “Fess up, Wolfe.”
“I had to give you that chance, too.”
Tears gathered and she tried to blink them away.
“Don’t leave us hanging. Dish!” Rico cried.
“He’d come and visit, sitting with me as I bemoaned the horrible boys in high school and then in college,” she choked out.
“She taught me how to cuss.” He grinned.
“No way! I don’t even know half the swear words you do.”
“I likee,” Rico cried out. “More. Give us more.”
“I told you he likes you, Logan.” She nodded toward Rico.
He halted at the bottom of the stairs. “Rach—God you look beautiful tonight.”
The crowd sighed.
Her cheeks warmed. “I messed up, Logan.”
“How?” He frowned.
“You know that best friend of mine? Yeah, that one. Well, I can’t be friends with him anymore.” Her words hitched, sticking in back of her throat.
“Why?” he choked out. “I’m going crazy without you. You’re the only one who gets me. You don’t like giving up. Not at what matters. Friends again?”
Sadly, she shook her head. “A few months ago, maybe eight, I was sitting there watching this game with him and our team got that extra point and won. It was this incredible rush to be in his arms, being hugged and spun around, and I swear, even though he put me back on the ground, I’ve been walking on air ever since.”
“But, you left that night. You couldn’t get out of there fast enough. And later…”
“Because I was scared. Of losing you. Of losing us.”
“Rach, why do you think I stayed away? Why do you think I made you think I was this horrible guy who took and didn’t give back?”
Her smile grew. “You’re not?”
There was a smattering of laughter nearby.
“OMG! If you don’t lay one on her, I may just have to myself! Or him!” Rico called out.
“Logan?” she asked, watching him climb the stairs. His eyes latched onto hers, making her warm all over. Something nudged her. Something true and bright beamed. Trust! He’d worked without compromise to do what was right for her, even when it put him in jeopardy. “You didn’t hoodwink me, did you? Not like I thought. Are you saying what I think you’re thinking?”
“True love does exist, Rach. For us. It has. And it always will. That’s what drove me these last months. I finally realize that now. I’m not letting that go. I’m not giving up. Not on us,” he said with a fierceness that shook her. He stood on the step below hers, eye to eye.
Hope and wonder spilled over her as she reached a trembling hand out to touch his endearing face. Her fingertips grazed his strong jaw. All male. And not so mysterious any longer.
“You make me feel, even when I don’t want to. You make me love with all my heart.”
“Even when you didn’t want to,” she said, gazing into his warm, unguarded beautiful eyes and understanding how, until this moment, he’d kept a shield up. It was so much easier not to get hurt that way and not to lose someone else. “Oh, Logan. I didn’t know it, but I’ve loved you for so long.”
“It can’t be for nearly as long and as much as I love you, Rachael Elizabeth Darling.”
She dropped the mic. It clunked and squealed when it hit the stair and rolled down. The Grans were crying now. So was she, if she thought about it.
“Can I?” he asked softly, brushing back her hair from her cheek. His gentle touch melted her. “You have the most gorgeous eyes and the most incredible heart.”
His kiss, sweet and tender and drugging, rushed over and through her, making her ache for more. He drew it out and gave her everything she wanted: light and wonder and love.
“Is this what temporary insanity feels like, Rach?”
“I hope so.”
“I’m in,” they whispered together, and then smiled.
THE END
ABOUT T
HE AUTHOR
Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes romantic comedy, contemporary romance, and contemporary women’s fiction. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.
Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. She loves to hear from readers.
You can connect with me online:
www.laurieleclair.com
https://twitter.com/LeClairbooks
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Books by Laurie LeClair:
Once Upon A Romance Series:
If The Shoe Fits – Book 1
Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2
Taming McGruff – Book 3
The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4
Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5
Tangled At First Sight – Book 6
Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7
Making A Splash – Book 8
Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9
***
Wanted: Fairy Godmother
***
The Sweet Spot Series:
The Dating Dilemma – Book 1
***
Tempted By A Texan Series:
The Callahans – Prequel
Travis – Book 1
Cassie – Book 2
***
The Heart Series:
Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1
Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2
Lies Of The Heart – Book 3
***
The Bounty Hunter Series:
Murphy’s Law – Book 1
Riley’s Rules – Book 2
***
The Long Journey Home
***
Runaway Wife
***
Sweet Summertime
***
An Angel Mountain Novel:
The Heart Remembers
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Books by Laurie LeClair:
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Books by Laurie LeClair:
once upon a romance 09 - hoodwinked by a wolfe Page 13
