“Nah, I don’t think so. I don’t really care.”
He made a meh sound of complacency and had to fight a smile when she pulled a horror-struck look.
“I turned the movie down.”
“What? Really? How come?”
“I got a better job,” he said.
She stopped and turned to face him. “Doing what?”
“There’s a reality television show that hired me on as the permanent director and executive producer.”
Again the incredulous look returned to her face. “And might I be familiar with this reality show?”
“I think you just might be.”
She clapped her hands. “Really, Miles? Are you coming on permanently with Catering to Dallas?”
“I am.”
She launched herself at him and threw her arms around him. “Everyone is going to be so happy. But what about Bill? Is he not coming back?”
“No, he has decided to take an extended leave of absence. Or at least that’s the official word. The real scoop is that he couldn’t work another minute with Lenny Norton. Truthfully, I think he’s just burnt out.”
“Yes, reality television will do that to a person. So will Lenny. At least you’ll be here to keep the bugger in check. I’m still not so sure this latest stunt he pulled isn’t what sent A.J. into premature labor.”
“Neither were the big wigs at the Epicurean Travel Channel. They cut him loose. Said pushing the limits for reality was one thing, but his lack of judgment had become a liability. So Lenny is gone. But don’t tell anyone. The powers that be want to announce it themselves.”
The look on her face was priceless. He wanted to remember her that way always. While she was in St. Michel and he was here. At least he wouldn’t be in California and have to travel all the way across the U.S. and the ocean to see her. It made flying from Texas seem like he was simply jumping a puddle. Hell, he’d swim the Atlantic if that’s what it took to get to her.
There was the minor detail of convincing her that what they had was worth it. That they’d eventually find a way to be together on a daily basis, but he wasn’t about to ask her to sacrifice this great opportunity. For now, he would find a way to make it work.
“I understand that congratulations are in order for you, too,” he said. “I heard you got the job.”
“Boy, good news travels fast, doesn’t it? But thank you, yes, they did offer it to me.”
“It sounds like a great opportunity. As the new executive producer, I’ll make it one of my first projects to get Epicurean to release you from your contract. When do you start?”
“I don’t. I turned it down because I already have a great job with Celebrations, Inc., Catering and Catering to Dallas. Fifteen minutes of fame doesn’t last long. I’d better bask in it while my clock is still ticking.”
“And here I thought you were the camera-shy one on the show,” he said.
“Oh, I still am. There’s another reason I’ve decided to turn down the job in St. Michel. I’ve realized I don’t want a long-distance relationship. I don’t want to spend another day away from you.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her slowly and sweetly.
“I love you, Miles.”
The following June, Sydney stood facing Miles underneath the ivy and flower-covered gazebo in the park in downtown Celebration. A.J.’s husband, Shane, looking sharp in his military dress uniform had walked her down the white runner that stretched from the sidewalk to the steps of the gazebo.
When the minister asked, “Who gives this woman in marriage?” Shane had said a resolute, “Her family and I do.”
The words made Sydney’s breath catch. She took a moment to gaze out at everyone who had gathered for the happiest day of her life. They were her family. And she was the luckiest woman in the world to have them all in her life.
How many people could say they were able to choose their family?
Then Shane lifted the blusher on her veil and planted a brotherly kiss on her cheek before joining A.J.’s sisters, who were caring for a healthy and thriving baby Kelcie, while he did his duty giving away Sydney and A.J. served as matron of honor.
She handed her bouquet of baby-pink roses to A.J., while bridesmaids Pepper, Caroline and Lucy straightened the train of her dress so that it fanned out perfectly, showing off the flair of the mermaid silhouette of her gown.
Miles’s father stood next to him as best man. His brother and Aiden served as groomsmen.
She heard a sniffle in the front row and saw Deena, who had promised her that today she was serving as both mother of the groom and of the bride, brushing away a tear. She put a hand over her heart and blew Sydney a kiss.
With that, Sydney turned to her husband-to-be.
As Miles reached out and took her hands, she looked into his brown eyes and made herself think about what she was doing: she was about to vow to spend the rest of her life with this man—for richer or poorer; in good times and in bad.
The familiar troop of stomach butterflies were present and accounted for, flying in special wedding-day formation. It was the best feeling Sydney could imagine.
Miles was the love of her life.
She was getting married.
Settling down.
For the first time in her life, the only place she wanted to run was into the arms of the handsome man standing in front of her.
It was not only right, it was what she’d been searching for her entire life. She knew she’d recognize what she was looking for when she finally found it.
Without a shadow of a doubt, she knew Miles was it. There was no place in the world that she would rather be than right here, proclaiming her love for him in front of God and the entire world.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781459254268
Copyright © 2013 Harlequin Books S.A.
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MAROONED WITH THE MAVERICK
Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Books S.A.
HER McKNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR
Copyright © 2013 by Teresa Southwick
CELEBRATION’S BRIDE
Copyright © 2013 by Nancy Robards Thompson
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