Cara had to give the twins credit. They'd wanted an outdoor birthday party where they could invite everyone they knew. Cara had tried to talk them out of it, citing the cold, but the girls had insisted. As if sensing the importance of the day, the weather had cooperated. The sun shone from a cloudless sky, and the temperatures hovered in the balmy forties.
From somewhere in the other room, a door
246 Twins Times Two!
slammed, and children squealed as kids ran in and out of the family room where they could help themselves to hot chocolate or roast hot dogs over the fire. Balloons had been tied to every available surface and Mom Squad employees distributed ice cream and cake to the guests. Returning her attention to the twins, who were opening presents at the dining room table, Cara smiled as Zoe, Heidi, Becca and Brianne took turns unwrapping their gifts and proudly related to their friends how theirs was a special family just like those in the fairy tales.
Cara blinked at the tears that gathered behind her eyes at the girls' innocent remarks. If she needed a sign that the children were as happy as she, Cara had just been given one.
Returning to the stove, she stirred the pot of hot cocoa simmering on the back burner. She'd been there only a moment when a pair of strong arms slid around her middle.
"What's the matter, sweetheart?"
She smiled. She would never tire of Ross's open affection—just as she would never tire of his touch.
"Not a thing," she murmured, leaning into his embrace.
"Happy?"
"Incredibly happy."
Ross held her even more tightly against him, and she felt his lips brushing her hair. When his hand dropped to tenderly stroke the soft swell of her abdomen, she smiled.
"Is it time to make our own announcement to the guests?"
Cara blushed in delight and embarrassment, but since the twins had asked them time and time again for a baby brother, she saw no way to avoid the inevitable.
Flipping off the heat on the stove, she was about to join the rest of the guests when Ross turned her in his arms.
Her breath caught in her throat when she caught a glitter of tears in his eyes.
"I love you, Cara," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "I never thought I could love like this again. I never thought that I could be so blissfully happy and complete."
Throwing her arms around his neck, Cara clung to Ross, tearfully agreeing. Her life, her home and her future happiness were wrapped up in the heartstrings of her husband and her children. Granted, they'd had a rocky beginning, but she had no regrets for the events that brought them together, only a sweet assurance that they were always meant to be together.
"I love you, Ross Gifford," she whispered.
248 Twins Times Two!
He looked down at her, his eyes radiant and warm. And in that instant she knew that whatever life had in store for them, they would always have this. A love that would last forevermore.
There's a baby on the way!
^ HARLEQUIN-
&lonici/nce T
is proud to announce the birth of
AMERICAN Maiif
Unexpected arrivals lead to the sweetest of surprises
in this brand-new promotion celebrating the love
only a baby can bring!
Don't miss any of these heartwarming tales:
SURPRISE, DOC! YOU'RE A DADDY! (HAR #889) Jacqueline Diamond September 2001
BABY BY THE BOOK (HAR #893) Kara Lennox October 2001
THE BABY IN THE BACKSEAT (HAR #897) Mollie Molay November 2001
Available wherever Harlequin books are sold.
HARLEQUIN
<^Hakes any time special
Visit us at www.eHarlequin.com harbaby
HARLEQUIN*
makes any time special—online...
eHARLEQUIN.com
your romantic escapes
•—Indulgences
f Monthly guides to indulging yourself, <?* such as: wi,
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f Try our compatibility game
•—Reel Love
f Read all the latest romantic movie reviews
Royal Romance
f Get the latest scoop on your favorite ^ royal romances °
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f For the most romantic destinations, hotels and travel activities
All this and more available at www.eHarlequin.com
on Women.com Networks
HINTE1R
jtfarfeauin truly does
ma£e any time special. . . .
Unis year we are celeoratinq
weooings in stale!
To help us celebrate, we want you to tell us how wearing the
Harlequin wedding gown will make your wedding day special. As
the grand prize, Harlequin will offer one lucky bride the chance to
"Walk Down the Aisle" in the Harlequin wedding gown!
There's more...
For her honeymoon, she and her groom will spend five nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui. As part of this five-night honeymoon at the hotel renowned for its romantic attractions, the couple will enjoy a candlelit dinner for two in Swan Court, a sunset sail on the hotel's catamaran, and duet spa treatments.
fe l-UY-A-IT
m&
ffEfH>bfe»
Maui * Molokai * Lanai
A HYATT RESORT AND SPA
To enten please write, in, 250 words or less, how wearing the Harlequin wedding gown will make your wedding day special. The entry will be judged based on its emotionally compelling nature, its originality and creativity, and its sincerity. This contest is open to Canadian and U.S. residents only and to those who are 18 years of age and older.There is no purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. See further contest rules attached. Please send your entry to:
Walk Down the Aisle Contest
In Canada In U.S.A.
RO. Box 637 RO. Box 9076
Fort Erie, Ontario 3010 Walden Ave.
L2A 5X3 Buffalo, NY 14269-9076
You can also enter by visiting www.eHarlequin.com Win the Harlequin wedding gown and the vacation of a lifetime!
The deadline for entries is October 1, 200 1.
A HARLEQUIN*
.stakes any time special* PHWDAC0NT1
HARLEQUIN WALK DOWN THE AISLE TO MAUI CONTEST 1197
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER
1. To enter, follow directions published in the offer to which you are responding. Contest begins April 2,2001, and ends on October 1,2001. Method of entry may vary. Mailed entries must be postmarked by October 1,2001, and received by October 8,2001.
2. Contest entry may be, at times, presented via the Internet but will be restricted solely to residents of certain georgraphic areas that are disclosed on the Web site. To enter via the Internet, if permissible, access the Harlequin Web site (www.eHartequin.com) and follow the directions displayed online. Online entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST. on October 1,2001.
In lieu of submitting an entry online, enter by mail by hand-printing (or typing) on an 87*' x 11" plain piece of paper, your name, address (including zip code), Contest number/name and in 250 words or fewer, why winning a Harlequin wedding dress would make your wedding day special. Mail via first-class mail to: Harlequin Walk Down the Aisle Contest 1197, (in the U.S.) P.O. Box 9076.3010 Wakten Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14269-9076. (in Canada) P.O. Box 637, Fort Erie. Ontario L2A 5X3, Canada. Limit one entry per person, household address and e-mail address. Online and/or mailed entries received from persons residing in geographic areas in which Internet entry is not permissible will be disqualified.
3. Contests will be judged by a panel of members of the Harlequin editorial, marketing and public relations staff based on the following criteria.
• Or
iginality and Creativity—50%
• Emotionally Compelling—25%
• Sincerity—25%
In the event of a tie, duplicate prizes will be awarded. Decisions of the judges are final.
4. All entries become the property of Torstar Corp. and will not be returned. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, illegible, incomplete, inaccurate, nondelrvered or misdirected mail or misdirected e-mail, for technical, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any human error which may occur in the receipt or processing of the entries in this Contest.
5. Contest open only to residents of the US (except Puerto Rico) and Canada, who are 18 years of age or older, and is void wherever prohibited by law, all applicable laws and regulations apply Any litigation within the Provice of Quebec respecting the conduct or organization of a publicity contest may be submitted to the Regie des alcools, des courses et des jeux for a ruling. Any litigation respecting the awarding of a prize may be submitted to the Regie des alcools. des courses et des jeux only for the purpose of helping the parties reach a settlement Employees and immediate family members of Torstar Corp. and
D. L Blair, Inc.. their affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this Contest are not eligible to enter. Taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of winners. Acceptance of any prize ottered constitutes permission to use winners name, photograph or other likeness for the purposes of advertising, trade and promotion on behalf of Torstar Corp, its affiliates and subsidiaries without further compensation to the winner, unless prohibited by law 6 Winners will be determined no later than November 15,2001, and will be notified by mail Winners will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility form within 15 days after winner notification Noncompliance within that time period may result in disqualification and an alternative winner may be selected. Winners of trip must execute a Release of Liability prior to ticketing and must possess required travel documents (e.g. passport photo ID) where applicable. Trip must be completed by November 2002. No substitution of prize permitted by winner Torstar Corp and D. L Blair, Inc., their parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are not responsible for errors in printing or electronic presentation of Contest entries and/or game pieces. In the event of printing or other errors which may result in unintended prize values or duplication of prizes, all affected game pieces or entries shall be null and void. If for any reason the Internet portion of the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Torstar Corp. which corrupt or affect the administration, secrecy, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest Torstar Corp. reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest or the Internet portion thereof. In the event of a dispute regarding an online entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized holder of the e-mail account submitted at the time of entry. Authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization that is responsible for arranging e-mail address for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address Purchase or acceptance of a product offer does not improve your chances of winning.
7. Prizes: (1) Grand Prize—A Harlequin wedding dress (approximate retail value: $3,500) and a 5-night/6-rJay honeymoon trip to Maui, HI, including round-trip air transportation provided by Maui Visitors Bureau from Los Angeles International Airport (winner is responsible for transportation to and from Los Angeles International Airport) and a Harlequin Romance Package, including hotel accomodations (double occupancy) at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, dinner for (2) two at Swan Court a sunset sail on Kiele V and a spa treatment for the winner (approximate retail value: (4,000); (5) Five runner-up prizes of a $1000 gift certificate to selected retail outlets to be determined by Sponsor (retail value $1000 ea.). Prizes consist of only those items listed as part of the prize. Limit one prize per person. All prizes are valued in U.S. currency.
8. For a list of winners (available after December 17,2001) send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Harlequin Walk Down the Aisle Contest 1197 Winners, P.O. Box 4200 Blair, NE 68009-4200 or you may access the www.eHarlequin.com Web site through January 15,2002.
Contest sponsored by Torstar Corp., P.O. Box 9042, Buffalo, NY 14269-9042, U.SA PHWDAC0NT2
In September 2001 look for
HIS BROTHER'S FIANCEE
by USA Today bestselling author
Jasmine Cresswell
LOSt
One groom. Emily Sutter is up to her
ears in the final plans for her lavish
society wedding when her fiance
informs her that he can't marry her.
Found
A stand-in at the altar: her fiance's black-sheep
brother. Emily assumes Jordan Chambers has saved
her from the embarassment of being publicly jilted
in order to salvage an important business merger
between their families. But Jordan's not motivated
by family at all. What he's always wanted is Emily,
and he's not about to squander his only chance.
Finders Keepers: bringing families together
HARLEQUIN*
Visit us at www.eHarlequin.com
TBTCNM1
If you enjoyed what you just read, then we've got an offer you can't resist!
Take 2 bestselling
love stories FREE!
Plus get a FREE surprise gift!
Clip this page and mail it to Harlequin Reader Service 4
IN CANADA
P.O. Box 609 Fort Erie, Ontario L2A 5X3
IN U.S.A.
3010 Walden Ave. P.O. Box 1867 Bufolo,N.Y. 14240-1867
YES! Please send me 2 free Harlequin American Romance® novels and my free surprise gift. After receiving them, if I don't wish to receive anymore, I can return the shipping statement marked cancel. If I don't cancel, I will receive 4 brand-new novels every month, before they're available in stores! In the U.SA, bill me at the bargain price of $3.80 plus 25c shipping & handling per book and applicable sales tax, if any*. In Canada, bill me at the bargain price of $4.21 plus 25c shipping & handling per book and applicable taxes**. That's the complete price and a savings of at least 10% off the cover prices—what a great deal! I understand that accepting the 2 free books and gift places me under no obligation ever to buy any books. I can always return a shipment and cancel at any time. Even if I never buy another book from Harlequin, the 2 free books and gift are mine to keep forever.
154HEN0C7W 354HENDC7X
Name (PLEASE PRINT)
Address
Apt#
City State/Prov. Zip/Postal Code
* Terms and prices subject to change without notice. Sales tax applicable in N.Y. ** Canadian residents will be charged applicable provincial taxes and GST.
All orders subject to approval. Offer limited to one per household and not valid to
current Harlequin American Romance* subscribers.
® are registered trademarks of Harlequin Enterprises Limited. AMER01 ©2001 Harlequin Enterprises Limited
s
COMING SOON...
AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE ON THE PURCHASE OF
HARLEQUIN AND SILHOUETTE BOOKS!
DETAILS TO FOLLOW IN OCTOBER 2001!
YOU WONT WANT TO MISS IT!
^> harlequin 8 ySLU%LJ%£
<^/v (akes any time special ®
Where love comes alive"
Three powerful tycoons don't know what hit 'em in
a brand-new miniseries by
Mary Anne Wilson
o
nly from
& HARLEQUIN'
&lonuvnce %
They're smart, successful men with heads for business—not babies. So when they come face-to-face
with tons of tiny tots, only the love of these good women can show them how to open their hearts....
REGARDING THE TYCOON'S TODDLER...
HAR #891, on sale September 2001
THE C.E.O. & THE SECRET HEIRESS
HAR #895, on sale October 2001
MILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
HAR #899, on sale November 2001
Welcome to lust for Kids, a day-care center where care is the most important word of all.
Available at your favorite retail outlet.
HARLEQUIN*
^yv{akcs any time special *
Visit us at www.eHartequin.com
HARKIOS
HARLEQUIN
AMERICAN
Uumwwice*
COMING NEXT MONTH
#889 SURPRISE, DOC! YOU'RE A DADDY! by Jacqueline Diamond American Baby
After months of searching for her missing husband, Meg Avery finally found him. Only, Dr. Hugh Menton didn't remember her or their child. How could she convince him that the time missing from his memory had been spent in her arms—and that they would never be complete until they embraced once again?
#890 WITH VALOR AND DEVOTION by Charlotte Maclay Men of Station Six
When valorous firefighter Mike Gables rescued a young boy he had no idea that it would lead to getting involved with pretty social worker Kristin McCoy. Suddenly the dedicated bachelor was considering becoming a devoted family man....
#891 REGARDING THE TYCOON'S TODDLER... by Mary Anne Wilson Just for Kids
The tycoon had a most unusual problem—Zane Holden had inherited a baby! Knowing nothing about toddlers, he could turn to only one woman for help. But would Lindsey Atherton's assistance lead to more than just daddy lessons?
#892 THE BIOLOGICAL BOND by Jamie Denton
Rebecca Martinson was startled to be confronted by Sam Winslow, the man who had adopted her child years ago and now desperately needed her help. Fate had brought her back to the daughter she Id been forced to give away; had it also given her a chance to find love with Sam?
Twins times two! Page 16
