“You’re right,” she said, sighing.
He blinked. “That easy?”
“It’s not easy. It’s all about balance. And thank goodness you’re here to do that for us. T.D. is very lucky to have you.”
“He’s more lucky to have you for a mother.”
Leaning her cheek against his arm, she put her hand beside his on the baby who was dozing on the changing table.
“You and I are so lucky,” she said. “To have such special children. We met thanks to Kendra, who was reaching out for the mother she missed. And now we’re raising this little guy who won’t have to reach out for a father he doesn’t have.”
“I’m not perfect,” he reminded her, not for the first time.
“Perfection is highly overrated.” She gazed up at him. “Do you know why I fell in love with you?”
“No.” He couldn’t resist asking. “Why?”
“Because you were such a good father to the girls.”
“But I made so many mistakes.”
“To be sure. In spite of that, you kept trying, doing more right than wrong. I love and admire you more every day.”
“Do you know why I fell in love with you?”
“No. Why?”
“Beats the heck out of me,” he teased.
She slugged him playfully. “I take back everything nice I said.”
“Okay. Seriously. I fell in love with you because you’re hot.” He braced himself for another assault.
But she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “That’s the nicest thing you could have said to a woman who recently gave birth and has the postpartum body to prove it.”
He shook his head. “Not once have you ever done what I expected,” he said, shaking his head. “And I really think that’s why I fell in love with you.”
Gazing up at him, she smiled the sweet smile he loved so much. “It doesn’t really matter why. The important thing is that we do.”
“Yeah.”
“I thought I loved you before, but sharing this child with you, watching the way you care for him, makes me realize the capacity for love is endless and forever.”
“Amen,” he said. “But I’m not ashamed to admit that I love you because you’re hot, too.”
The sound of her laughter warmed his heart. As he looked up, he thought of David. A feeling of peace settled over him and he knew all was right in the universe. And he knew his love for this woman was eternal. Just as he knew that Thea Bell Matthews would forever ring his chimes. Once upon a time, he’d thought she was all he needed to be happy. But her special brand of love showed him it takes three.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5998-4
LONE STAR MILLIONAIRE
Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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LONE STAR MILLIONAIRE
Copyright © 1998 by Susan W. Macias
IT TAKES THREE
Copyright © 2004 by Teresa Ann Southwick
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