“I couldn’t continue to work there, knowing what they’d done to you. You’re not the first. I turned a blind eye, but not any longer. I’m not going to lose you.”
“What about the inn?”
“They won’t ask me to testify for them now. That means they have no case. If you still want the inn, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure it’s yours. I’d suggest you have Tyler call Paige ASAP. My family members are most likely ready to make a deal themselves.”
Bailey was having trouble thinking straight. “What will you do now?”
“Find a new job. Start my own business. I haven’t thought that far ahead. All I’ve been thinking about is you. We have something special. I’d like another chance.”
“That’s what this is all about? Trying to charm your way into my heart?”
“I was hoping I was already there, but I figured this couldn’t hurt.”
She wanted to scream yes, jump into his arms and kiss him hard on the lips. Fear held her back. Justin had messed up her nice, not-so-neat world. She didn’t want him to do that again with even worse results. Together, they were good, but he also pushed her buttons, made her want things, want him. “I...”
The twinkling lights covered by the white tulle caught her attention. Common sense told her to say no. No good would come of trying again. She’d followed her heart once and ended up possibly losing the inn. What would she risk this time?
But, her heart countered, what could she gain? Was she willing to walk away from the possibility of something wonderful and awe-inspiring? She had done so in the past, but now she wasn’t sure she wanted to do that again.
“I’m scared,” she admitted.
He held her hand. “I am, too. But life is scary. It’ll be less scary with the two of us together.”
“You sound confident.”
“I am.” He squeezed her hand. “I love you, Bailey.”
Heat pulsed through her, and joy overflowed. Had he really said that he loved her? She wanted to hear the words again. To be sure. “What did you say?”
“Your expression tells me you heard me the first time, but I’ll say the words again. I love you. I love your passion and your creativity. The way you care so deeply about the people, animals and the things in your life, including your family. You’re unique, and I can’t imagine being without you.”
She’d longed to hear those words. She just hadn’t thought they’d come from him. But let this man go? No way.
“I love you, too. Even when we disagree. I love how you gave Buddy a forever home. I appreciate how you hear my side, and don’t try to change who I am.”
“I would never want to change you.”
“Just every building you see.”
“Not every single one. I have a feeling you’re going to like some of my new ideas.”
“For the inn?”
“For the Potter place,” he said to her surprise. “Phil Potter turned down three of Paige’s offers, but I’m not going to give up. The spot is perfect for a gallery and small inn.”
“An artist retreat center.”
“That works.”
Of course it would. Because she and Justin were meant to be. Grandma had always said everything happens for a reason. She was right once again.
He held out his arms. “Come here.”
Bailey did with Buddy at her heels. She kissed Justin hard until she couldn’t think straight and clung to his shoulders to keep her knees from giving out.
He drew back. “I’ve missed everything about you, especially holding you in my arms and kissing you. We’ll have to do more of that.”
“Most definitely.” But something kept her from being totally ecstatic over reconciling. “What about your family? Aren’t you sad?”
“This is the right decision for me. They’ll see that, too. I doubt my leaving will make them change the way they’ve done business, but maybe they’ll rethink how they close deals in the future. Everything in our family life has always revolved around the business. Whether I’m involved or not, won’t matter.”
“I love you.”
“You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear those words.”
“As long as I was waiting.”
He laughed. “I have one more thing to ask you.”
“About the inn?”
“This has to do with you and me. I want you to know I’m serious and want to make a commitment.” He kneeled and showed her a black velvet ring box. “Will you marry me, Bailey Cole?”
Her heart skipped four beats. She covered her mouth with her hands. “I... I...”
He opened the box to show a gorgeous diamond engagement ring; its setting was not traditional, but an asymmetrical, artistic one. So...her.
“I love it.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes.” She extended her hand. He slid the ring on her finger. Satisfaction pooled in her chest. “I know we’ll create a wonderful life together here in Haley’s Bay.”
Buddy barked.
She gave the dog a rub. “All three of us will.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Maverick’s Baby-in-Waiting by Melissa Senate.
Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Special Edition story.
You know that romance is for life. Harlequin Special Edition stories show that every chapter in a relationship has its challenges and delights and that love can be renewed with each turn of the page.
Enjoy six new stories from Harlequin Special Edition every month!
Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice
OR
EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.
Click here to join for FREE
Or visit us online to register at
www.HarlequinMyRewards.com
Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.
The Maverick’s Baby-in-Waiting
by Melissa Senate
Chapter One
“Have you picked out a name for the baby?”
Twenty-six-year-old Mikayla Brown looked from the display of baby photos on the wall of the Rust Creek Falls Clinic, where she was waiting for her ob-gyn appointment, to her friend Amy Wainwright. Names? Oh, yeah, she had names. Mikayla’s life might be entirely up in the air at the moment, but names were easy. Late at night, when she lay in bed, unable at this point—seven months along—to get all that comfortable, she’d picture herself sitting in the rocking chair on the farmhouse porch with a baby in her arms and she’d try out all her name ideas on the little one.
Problem was, she had too many possibilities. “I have six if it’s a girl,” she told Amy. “Seven if it’s a boy. And ten or so more I’m thinking of for middle names. Can I give my child four names?”
Amy laughed, putting the Parenting Now magazine she’d been flipping through back on the table. “Sure, why not? You’re the mama.”
Mikayla shivered just slightly. The mama. Her. Mikayla Brown. She barely had her own life togethe
r these days, and soon she’d be solely responsible for another life—a tiny, helpless little one with no one to depend on but her. Mikayla had always been a dependable, do-the-right-thing kind of person, and she’d fallen in love with a man she’d thought was cut the same way. Then, boom—her life exploded like a rogue firecracker. One moment, she’d been working happily at a local day care in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and in love with her boyfriend, a good-looking, ambitious lawyer, with her entire future ahead of her. The next moment, she was a single mother-to-be. No engagement. No marriage. No loving father-to-be beside her, just as excited about her prenatal checkup as she was.
But who was here today? A good friend. Mikayla was so thankful for Amy Wainwright she could reach over and hug her, and she would if her belly weren’t in the way. Her belly was always in the way these days.
Hey, you in there, she directed to her stomach. Are you a Hazel? A George? Mikayla loved the idea of honoring her late parents, who’d always been so loving and kind. Or her maternal grandparents, also long gone—Leigh and Clinton, who’d sent birthday and Christmas cards without fail but had moved to Florida when Mikayla was young. Then there was her dear aunt Elizabeth, her mother’s sister, who went by Lizzie, and her hilarious uncle Tyler, and their one-of-a-kind son, Brent, Mikayla’s cousin. Brent was the one who’d suggested Mikayla move up to Montana—to Rust Creek Falls—for a fresh start. Which was how Brent’s name had ended up on the possibilities list. She owed him big.
Moving to this tiny town in the Montana wilderness had sounded crazy at first. Population five hundred something? More than a half hour’s drive from the nearest hospital—when she was now seven months pregnant? No family or friends?
You’ll make friends, Brent had assured her. Sunshine Farm will feel like home.
Brent had been right. Mikayla had been a little worried that she’d get the side-eye or pity glances from the town’s residents. Pregnant and alone. But from the moment she’d arrived at Sunshine Farm three weeks ago and met the owner, Brent’s friend Luke Stockton, she’d been invited to Luke and his fiancée’s joint bachelor-bachelorette party held that very day. Since the recent wedding, she’d become good friends with Luke’s wife, Eva, and Amy, who’d also lived at Sunshine Farm at the time.
Now Amy was engaged, with a gorgeous, sparkling diamond ring on her finger. Mikayla sighed inwardly while ogling the rock. She’d over-fantasized like a bridezilla in training about a ring on her own finger and a fairy-tale wedding. Hell, even a city hall wedding would have been fine. But all that was before she’d caught her baby’s father having sex with his paralegal in his law-firm office.
The more Mikayla admired Amy’s ring and thought about how her friend had reconnected with her first love, Derek Dalton, the man she’d married and divorced when they’d both been teenagers (long story!), the more Mikayla thought anything was possible. Even for seven-months-pregnant single women far from home and trying to figure out where to go from here.
A door opened, and a woman with a baby bump exited, followed by a man carrying a pamphlet. Your Second Trimester. Both their gold wedding rings shone in the room. Or maybe Mikayla’s gaze just beelined to rings on fingers these days.
A nurse appeared at the door and smiled at Mikayla. “Mikayla Brown? Dr. Strickland is ready to see you now.”
Well, where she was going right now was Exam Room 1. That was all she needed to know at the moment. One step at a time, deep breaths, and she’d be fine.
Mikayla and Amy stood and followed the nurse into the examination room. Mikayla sat on the paper-covered table and Amy on the chair in the corner. The nurse took Mikayla’s vitals, handed her a paper gown to change into, then let them know Dr. Strickland would be in shortly.
“You’re the absolute best, Amy,” Mikayla said, her voice a little clogged with emotion, when the door closed behind the nurse. She quickly shimmied out of her maternity sundress and into the gown, Amy tying the back for her. “Thank you for coming with me today.” It meant a lot not to come alone. Her ex had accompanied her to her first appointment back in Cheyenne when she discovered she was pregnant, but he had made it clear he didn’t want a baby, wasn’t ready for a baby and wasn’t sure of anything. He’d added that he was a man of deep principles, a “crusading” attorney (read: litigator for a major corporation), and wouldn’t leave Mikayla, “of course.” Apparently, he’d been cheating even before she told him she was pregnant. I have strong feelings for you, Mik, but I am who I am, and I’m not ready for any of this. Sorry.
Who needed a lying, cheating, no-good rat sitting in the corner chair?
“That is what friends are for, my dear,” Amy said, flicking her long auburn hair behind her shoulder. “And honestly? I might have ulterior motives of finding out what goes on at these appointments. One day I hope to be sitting exactly where you are. Okay, maybe no woman loves putting her bare feet into those metal stirrups...”
Mikayla laughed. Amy would make an amazing mother.
And so would she. Mikayla had had to give herself a few too many pep talks over the past several months, that she could do this, that she would do this—and well.
There was a gentle knock on the door and a tall, attractive man wearing a white lab coat entered the room with her chart and a warm smile. He introduced himself as Dr. Drew Strickland, an ob-gyn on temporary assignment here from Thunder Canyon, but he let Mikayla know he would absolutely be here through her delivery.
Fifteen minutes later, assured all was progressing as it should with the pregnancy, Mikayla sat up, appreciating the hand squeeze from Amy.
A minute after that, her resolve was blown to bits. The doctor’s basic questions were difficult to answer, which made her feel like a moron. He asked if she was staying in Rust Creek Falls long-term, because he could recommend a terrific pediatrician here and a few out in Kalispell if she didn’t mind the drive. But Mikayla wasn’t too sure of anything.
She felt as though her empty ring finger was glowing neon in the room. No partner. No father for her baby. No family for the little one. Just her. A woman who had no idea what the future held.
“Will the baby’s father be present for the labor and delivery?” Dr. Strickland asked.
Were those tears stinging the backs of her eyes? Hadn’t she cried enough over that louse? When she first held on to hope that Scott would come around for her and the baby, she’d pictured him in the delivery room—or tried to, anyway. Not that she’d actually been able to imagine Scott Wilton there for the muck or the glory. Another reality check—which helped her rally. She and her baby would be just fine. She blinked those dopey tears away and lifted her chin.
“Nope. Just me.”
“And me,” Amy said with a hand on her shoulder. “Here if you need me. I’ll even coach you through Lamaze, not that I’d know what I’m doing.”
Mikayla smiled. “Thank God for girlfriends. Thank you, Amy. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Between Amy and then Eva, her landlady at Sunshine Farm, Mikayla had truly comforting support.
“You know what?” Mikayla added, nodding at the doctor. “I might be on my own, but I have great friends, a very nice doctor, and I’m going to be a great mama to my little one. That’s all I need to know right now.”
Dr. Strickland beamed back. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Mikayla smiled. Why did she have a feeling the doc had been waiting for her to come to those conclusions?
“See you in two weeks for the ultrasound,” the doctor said. “Call if you have any questions. Even if it’s after hours, I’ll get back to you right away. That’s my promise.”
Feeling a lot better about everything than she had an hour ago, Mikayla and Amy left the exam room. Mikayla checked out, and then Amy had a really good idea.
“Of course, we have to go to Daisy’s Donuts,” Amy said, linking her arm with Mikayla’s. “A gooey treat and a fabulous icy decaf some
thing or other. To celebrate an A-OK on the little one,” she added, gently patting Mikayla’s very pregnant belly.
Mikayla laughed. “Lead the way.” She’d been to Daisy’s a few too many times since she’d arrived in town, the call of lemon-cream donuts and crumb cake irresistible. It wasn’t as if she was going to crave salad, so Mikayla let herself have a decadent treat when she really wanted one.
She was sure the baby appreciated it.
* * *
“Jensen Jones, you listen to me! I want you out of that two-bit, Wild West, blip-on-the-map town this instant! You’re to fly back to Tulsa immediately. Do you hear me? Immediately! If not sooner!”
Jensen shook his head as his father ranted in his ear via cell phone. Walker Jones the Second was used to his youngest son doing as he was ordered by the big man in the corner office, both at home and at Jones Holdings Inc. But Jensen always drew the line where it needed to be. When his dad was right? Great. When Walker the Second was wrong? Sorry, Dad.
“No can do,” Jensen said, glancing around and wondering if he was headed in the right direction for Daisy’s Donuts. Apparently, that was the place to get a cup of coffee in Rust Creek Falls. Maybe even the only place. “I’ve got some business to take care of here. I should be back in Tulsa in a few days. Maybe a week. This negotiation is going a bit slower than I thought it would be.” Translation: it wasn’t going at all. And Jensen Jones, VP of New Business Development at Jones Holdings, wasn’t used to that.
His father let out one of his trademark snorts. “Yeah, because you’re in Rusted Falls River or whatever that town is called. Nothing goes right there.”
Jensen had to laugh. “Dad, what do you have against Rust Creek Falls? The land out here is amazing.” It really was. Jensen was a city guy, born and bred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he liked the finer things in life, but out here in the wilds of Montana, a man could think. Breathe. Figure things out. And Jensen had a lot to figure out. He hadn’t expected to like this town so much; hell, he’d been as shocked as his father was that three of his four older brothers had found wives in Rust Creek Falls and weren’t coming home to Tulsa. This was home now for Walker the Third and Hudson. Even jet-setter Autry had come to visit, fallen madly in love with a widowed mother of three little girls and moved the lot of them to Paris to finish a Jones Holdings negotiation. But Autry had made it clear he’d bring his wife and daughters back to Rust Creek Falls when his deals were done.
Falling for Mr. Right: Still the One ; His Proposal, Their Forever Page 40
