“Why didn’t anyone pick up when I called?” Scott pulled back from his dad’s embrace.
Sam came over and chucked him on the shoulder. “We were kind of busy around here, with your building flooding and all.”
“But Lexi had a plan,” Misty told him as she finished tying more balloons to the edge of the bar. “She can be quite the mini taskmaster when she sets her mind to it.”
“Lexi?” Scott felt his mind go blank.
“She’s over at the salon with Julia, Vera and Lainey right now,” Sam announced. “Julia insisted that she take a break. Otherwise, she’d still be here working.” He threw his hand out in a sweeping gesture. “All of this is her doing.”
“She was convinced something had delayed you in D.C.,” Joe explained.
“I went to see Derek’s wife. I wanted to explain to her what had happened that day. She needed to hear it from me.”
Joe nodded.
“We were ready to give up on you,” Misty told him candidly. “Not your dad and brother, I guess. They didn’t know about the water damage until Lexi called them. But the other waitresses, Max, Jon—we all thought you’d deserted us and we were ready to return the favor.”
“I told you—”
“Everyone knows what you said.” Jon came out of the kitchen, an apron tied around his waist. “We also know what you did. You left us behind. You don’t have a reputation as someone who sticks. Why would we think this time was any different?”
“Maybe because I told you I’d come back.”
“Past actions mean more than words.” Jon shrugged. “You should know that.”
“But Lexi believed in you,” Misty told him. “Even when the rest of us didn’t have faith, she never actually gave up on you.” The waitress clasped him in a quick hug. “Who knew she’d be right?”
“Are you here for the party or to stay?” Sam asked quietly.
Scott hesitated, his mind a whir. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he didn’t feel alone. Someone had his back. He’d done his best to push Lexi away, but she’d stayed true. Even though he didn’t deserve it.
He was going to change that. If this time had taught him anything, it was that he didn’t have to be a prisoner to his own doubts and fear. He could make things right and he had every intention of doing that.
Starting now.
Chapter Fourteen
Her nails drying, Lexi tried to feign interest in the latest magazine gossip. Her eyes drifted shut as she listened to Julia, Lainey and Vera talk, and wondered what it would be like to have grown up with sisters and a mother. The easy camaraderie and obvious closeness was something she’d never experienced. But she’d learned there was no use wishing for things that couldn’t be. That might have been the biggest lesson from her grand adventure this past month.
She’d spent her whole life trying to make the people around her happy. Her only goal had been to live up to everyone’s perfect image. Each time, the expectations had changed, when she got near enough to believe she might actually accomplish what she’d set out to do.
Now she knew she could only do her best and keep moving forward. She had to be true to herself and what she knew was right. That was what she’d told her father last night on the phone when she’d explained that she wasn’t coming back to Ohio. He’d yelled and threatened, and although she’d been shaking with emotion, she’d held steady to her path. Eventually, he’d calmed down, and although he hadn’t liked what she was saying, she’d gotten him to agree to stop interfering in her new life. She’d invited him to visit, offered him a chance to get to know her as her own person. He hadn’t accepted, but hadn’t outright refused, either.
She’d also done all she could for tonight’s reception. Part of it was for Julia and Vera. They’d taken her into their circle even though she’d once tried to rip apart their family. They accepted her for who she was now and helped her gain the confidence to believe in herself. No one had given her a second chance like that before.
It taught her a great deal about how to live. Her heart still ached every day for Scott, but her belief in him had been a big part of why she’d stepped up to the plate. She knew that no one had ever given him a second chance when he needed it. That might have been because he’d never stuck around long enough to earn it. But it didn’t matter. She believed in him, in who he was deep in his soul. She’d caught glimpses of the tender, honorable man he was inside. Yes, that man was buried under layers of pain and fear, but he was still the essence of who Scott was.
Even if he didn’t come back for the reception, she knew he’d eventually talk to Joe or Sam. She wanted Scott to know that he could count on her when it mattered most. Because to her that was what love was, and even if he couldn’t return her feelings, that didn’t lessen what she felt for him.
A hush fell over the salon and she opened her eyes, wondering what had caught everyone’s attention. Scott Callahan stood in the doorway, looking tired, beautiful and directly at her.
Julia strode forward at the same time Lexi rose to her feet, as if something in him pulled her closer.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here,” his sister-in-law told him, her finger wagging. “After—”
“I know,” he said, holding up a hand, his eyes never leaving Lexi’s. “I’m sorry and you can lay into me later. I need a few minutes to talk to Lexi.”
To her surprise, Julia stepped back to let him pass.
Lexi felt her breath begin to come out in short, nervous puffs of air. “I wasn’t sure you were coming back.”
He nodded. “It may be the first non-idiot move I’ve made in the past couple of weeks. I’m sorry, Lexi.”
He was standing in front of her now, so close she could see that he needed a shave. She could pick out the bright flecks of gold in his blue eyes. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, smell his soap and minty gum. Her whole body tingled, as if telling her how badly it had missed him.
“You hurt me. A lot.”
“It won’t happen again,” he whispered. “I promise.”
She glanced around at all the women staring at them and knew that she’d remember this moment, no matter how it ended, for the rest of her life.
“I’m staying in Brevia. I talked to my father and told him he can’t run my life anymore.”
“I talked to him, too.”
Her heart sank. “To thank him for getting your job back?”
“To tell him I wasn’t going back to the Marshals. That even if he wanted to make the lies he told true, there was nothing he could offer to make me betray you again.”
Lexi’s mouth dropped. She didn’t know how to answer.
“You’re not going back?” she finally asked.
“I want to make my life in Brevia, Lexi.” His eyes looked hopeful. “With you, if you’ll have me again. I know I pushed you away. I broke your trust and it kills me that I hurt you.”
He reached forward and laced his fingers in hers. “I’m nothing without you. You make me the person I was meant to be. I want to spend our whole lives together.”
“What about action and adventure? What about adrenaline and the thrill of the chase?”
“Building our life together is all the adventure I need.” He raised her fingers to his lips and kissed the tip of each one. “Every time I look at you is a bigger rush than anything else I could imagine. I want to let you into every part of my life. I want to know all there is to know about you. Good and bad. I love you, Lexi. With everything I am and everything I have. Give me a chance to prove it to you.”
She heard several women sigh. “If you don’t take him back, I’m coming after him,” one lady said from underneath a dryer.
A smile broke across Lexi’s face. “Oh, I’m taking him. He’s officially off the market,” she whispered and threw her arms
around his neck.
Scott kissed her deeply, holding her tight against him for several minutes.
Then Julia moved closer. “Do I get to kick your butt now?” she asked him.
Lexi laughed. “Do you still want to?”
Julia hesitated, then smiled. “I guess I’ll give you a pass. Since you’re family and that was a pretty good speech.”
Scott looked at Lexi. “I meant every word of it.” He took a step away from her. “But there’s one more thing.”
Lexi’s eyes widened as he dropped to one knee.
“Lexi Preston,” he said, pulling a small box from his jacket pocket, “will you marry me? I want to know you’re mine forever.”
“Yes,” she breathed, and he slipped a perfect pear-shaped diamond onto her finger. “Yes, yes, yes.”
She looked at him and knew the happiness she saw in his eyes was reflected in her own. He stood, pulling her close once again. Then he looked over his shoulder at Julia and Vera, both of whom were wiping at their eyes.
“Could we expand tonight’s celebration to include an engagement?”
“That’s a perfect idea,” Vera said, and Julia nodded.
Scott turned back to Lexi. “What do you think? Do you mind going public so soon?”
She nodded in turn, happiness filling her completely. “I think all three Callahan men have finally found a place to call home.”
Epilogue
“Who wants pie?”
Vera Morgan Callahan came into the dining room with Joe following her, a pie plate in each hand.
“Me do,” Charlie shouted from his seat at the end of the table.
Lexi smiled as Julia ruffled his hair. “Are you sure, buddy?” his mom asked. “You practically ate your weight in mashed potatoes.”
Charlie grinned at her. “Want more pie and more taters.”
Sam laughed. “You get your healthy appetite from your uncle Scott. As a kid, he could put away more food on Thanksgiving than anyone has a right to without puking.”
“You eat pie, too.” Charlie pointed a chubby finger at Scott.
Scott stretched an arm across the back of Lexi’s chair, fingers tickling her shoulder. “You betcha, Charlie. Let’s have a couple of pieces and head out back. I want to show you how to throw a football the right way.”
“Like I haven’t already?” Sam tried to look offended, but his big grin ruined the effect.
Ethan cleared his throat from his seat across the table. “Did you forget you have a real-life former quarterback in the room?”
“You want to prove you’ve still got your skills in a friendly game?” Scott asked.
Ethan smiled in return. “I’ve got my hands full here.” He glanced down at the baby sleeping in his arms and dropped a kiss on the top of his daughter’s head.
Ruby’s adoption had been finalized a month ago, and Ethan and Lainey had brought her home. Ruby was a chunky cherub of a baby, sweet and smiley. Lexi knew they’d had a long road to finally have their own baby. It was clear that Ruby completed their family, and everyone in the whole town seemed to dote on her, including Scott.
His eyes softened and he gave Lexi’s arm a little squeeze. “That’s a good excuse, Daniels.” He leaned close to Lexi’s ear and whispered, “I can’t wait until I have one of my own.”
His voice sent a quick shiver down her spine. He kissed the side of her neck and the shivers traveled south. They’d been married only a couple months and weren’t even trying for babies yet. Scott was busy with the bar and Lexi was building her practice and taking on more clients as Frank transitioned to more part-time work. But they were certainly practicing, as Scott called it, quite a bit. He joked that he wanted to get it right when they were finally ready. And there was no arguing that he got it very right.
“Lainey, take that baby from your husband.” Julia stood and picked up her plate. “I’m either going to suffocate from all the testosterone in the air or lose my tasty turkey watching the newlyweds over here.” She waved her hand in the direction of the backyard. “You boys take it outside while we clean up. You can have pie later.”
Sam reached for her plate. “You should go sit down, Juls. I’ll help with the dishes. In your condition—”
“I’m pregnant. I can still carry plates.”
He placed a protective hand on her round belly. “I don’t want you to get worn down.”
She kissed his cheek. “You didn’t seem too worried last night.”
Ethan groaned and pushed back from the table. “Enough already.” He transferred Ruby to Lainey’s arms. “Joe, do you think you can help me whip your sons?”
“Absolutely.” Joe turned to Vera. “Mind if we postpone dessert?”
“Go for it.” She took the pies from his hands and set them on the table. “Just take it easy on these boys. Even though they’re younger, I doubt they have your stamina.”
Joe wrapped her in one of his trademark hugs. “Only for you, sweetheart.”
Scott made a face. “That’s my cue to get out of here.”
Lexi giggled as he scrambled from his seat.
Sam helped Charlie climb out of the high chair and the three other men followed them toward the backyard.
“I’m happy to clean up the dishes,” Lexi said, collecting plates and glasses. “You three can have a seat.”
“Look at you, putting your month as a bar wench to good use,” Julia teased.
Vera shook her head. “You don’t have to do it by yourself.” She waved her hands at her two daughters, clearly shooing them away. “You girls take Ruby to the living room. Lexi and I will take care of this.”
A grin broke across Lainey’s face. “Do you hear that, Ruby honey? Not only are you the best baby in the whole wide world, but now you’ve earned me a hall pass from kitchen duty.”
“Don’t just stand there.” Julia scurried around the table. “Let’s get out of here before she changes her mind.”
As the two sisters disappeared through the doorway, Lexi turned to Vera. “I’m fine to take care of this on my own. It’s the least I can do.” She felt emotion rise in her throat and swallowed it down. “This is the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.”
“I’m a decent cook,” Vera agreed, “but not that good.”
Lexi shook her head. “The meal was amazing, but it’s everything about it. It’s having all of you around me, feeling like I’m part of a family. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“I don’t mind the cleanup,” Vera said as she picked up several plates and led Lexi into the kitchen. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit of a control freak.” She laughed when Lexi didn’t respond and began stacking plates in the dishwasher. “I’m sorry your father couldn’t make it down.”
Lexi sighed. “Me, too, but he’s still having trouble adjusting to me living my own life. I’m glad he came to the wedding, and he promised to fly down for a few days over Christmas.” She picked up a casserole pan and dunked it into the sink filled with hot, soapy water. “We’re taking small steps, which is more than I ever thought I’d get from him.”
“And you’re happy still?” Vera asked quietly.
“So happy. I couldn’t imagine anyplace feeling more like home than Brevia.” She rinsed the pan with clean water and lifted it out of the sink. “I feel lucky to have all of you in my life, especially Scott.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
Lexi felt Scott’s arms wrap around her waist. He took the pan from her hands and stepped to her side. “I’ll dry.”
“How are the boys doing out there?” Vera asked.
“Charlie’s scored two touchdowns. We may have a future football star on our hands.”
Vera smiled. “I have to see that. Can you two handle the rest of this mess?”
“A
bsolutely,” Lexi answered. “We’re almost finished, anyway.” She loaded the last of the glasses into the dishwasher as Vera disappeared into the backyard.
Lexi straightened, to find Scott watching her, his gaze warming her from the inside out. He held out his hand and she stepped into his arms, his familiar scent still making her heart dance as he pulled her close. “I love you,” she whispered.
His lips brushed against her forehead. “You are everything to me. You’re my home, my heart, my whole life. I love you, Lexi. Everything about you, who you are...who I am when I’m with you. I can’t imagine anything better than where we are right now.”
His words filled her soul, though Lexi couldn’t help but laugh. “In Vera’s kitchen?”
“In a kitchen, a dining room. Standing in the middle of the street. It doesn’t matter as long as we’re together.”
“Always.” She brought her mouth to his, sealing the promise with a kiss.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from FORTUNE’S PRINCE by Allison Leigh.
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
Chapter One
He stopped cold when he heard a faint rustle. The only light there was came from the moonlight sneaking through the barn door that he’d left open behind him.
A Brevia Beginning Page 18
