by Kay Correll
He stared at Whitney in awe of her poise and grace. Not many people stood up to Shawna.
“I’m sure he’s had a nice little fling with you while he was here.” There was no missing Shawna’s condescending tone. “Now it’s time for us to get back to real life and our careers.” Shawna put her hand back on his arm. Again. “Anyway, I need to steal Rick away for a bit. Our agents arranged a photo shoot on the beach. Good for publicity, you know. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Actually, Rick and I were just going to grab a drink. You don’t mind, do you?” Whitney stood her ground.
Rick threw back his head and laughed, plucked Shawna’s hand off his arm, walked two strides over to Whitney, and took her in his arms. He leaned down and kissed her, her body molding into his. Lightbulbs flashed. She kissed him back, oblivious to the photographer.
She pulled away with a delightful bemused look on her face. “We’re going to have our photo in the news again.”
“I believe we will.” He couldn’t wait for the world to see how much he cared for her. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You’re magnificent.”
“You’re not going with me for the photoshoot I arranged?” Shawna pouted and turned to Christina for help.
“Richard, your career needs to come first.”
“Ah, but you see. That’s where you are wrong. This woman right here…” He kissed Whitney again. “This woman comes first.”
“You’re making a big mistake.” Shawna glared at him and spun around, shoving her way through the crowd.
“I will never understand you.” Christina shook her head and walked away.
“I come first?” Whitney looked up at him, her eyes bright.
“You come first.” He grinned at her. “And, by the way, I stand in awe of you. Not many people stand up to Shawna.”
“You said there was nothing going on with her. I believed you.” Her brow furrowed. “I’m not sure she does, though.”
“She’ll figure it out soon enough.” He leaned down and kissed her one more time, grateful she was here in his arms, grateful she believed him, and super grateful he’d ever decided to have his grandmother’s birthday party in Indigo Bay.
Chapter 22
Rick and Whitney stood in the great room of Pink Lady One with Viola. She was surrounded by suitcases. “I’m sorry to be going. I had such a wonderful time. And Richard, you did a wonderful job planning the party and especially picking out my present. I’ll cherish it always.”
“Well, it’s important to celebrate someone’s eightieth birthday.” He kissed his grandmother’s cheek.
Her eyes twinkled. “I’m sure it is.”
Grandmere walked over and kissed Whitney’s cheek. “Goodbye, dear. It was so nice meeting you. I’m glad you and Richard seem to have worked things out. He’s a good boy.”
“I’m not exactly a boy anymore.”
“Well, you are to someone who is… eighty.” His grandmother smiled.
He laughed. “I love you, Grandmere.”
“I love you, too.” She turned and picked up a small bag. “Oh, and Richard, I meant to tell you. The director, Franklin DeVille—you know him, right?”
“Of course. He’s very talented. He directed that drama that won all those awards last year.” He respected all the man had accomplished and had followed his career closely.
“Yes, that was Franklin. He’s a friend of mine and he called me. He wondered if I thought you’d be interested in a new series he’s set to direct. He thinks you’d be perfect for the lead. It’s a drama. I know it’s not a movie, but it’s a role I think you’d really enjoy. I gave him your number. He’ll be calling.”
“I… thank you.” Surprise washed over him. How did his grandmother always know what he needed, before he even knew it himself?
“I think you should consider it. At least for a change of pace.” Grandmere took a few steps, then turned and looked back over her shoulder with a grin on her wrinkled yet oh-so-beautiful face. “Oh, and did I mention the show is set in Charleston?”
He grinned. “No. That’s a nice bit of information to know, though.”
“Just thought you’d like to know that.”
A glorious week later after spending every single day with Rick, Whitney stood on the beach in front of her cottage. The moon tossed beams of light onto the surrounding sand. Rick stood by her side, with his arm wrapped around her waist. They looked out at the endless ocean and the rolling waves caressing the shore.
“I guess I’ll be able to spend a lot more time here than I thought.” Rick’s eyes shone. “I think I just might take that role in Franklin’s TV series. He already sent me some sample scripts. It’s a good role. A meaty one that will challenge me. Some will be shot on location in Charleston, some at the studio in Hollywood.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” She looked into the depths of his eyes, holding her breath, waiting for his answer.
“Would you rather I take another movie role?” A look of uncertainty flashed across his face.
“I want you to take whatever role you want. I know you’ll be fabulous at whatever you do. I think you’re very talented.” She touched his face. “I believe in you, Richard Nicholson or Rick Nichols. I want you to do whatever makes you happy.”
“You make me happy.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest. “You make me happy, too.”
Rick tilted her face up and looked directly into her eyes. “I love you.”
Her heart somersaulted, and tears chased the corners of her eyes. He loved her. They had come so far since that day he’d walked into her shop. Being with him brought a light into her life that she’d never realized she’d been missing. At that very moment she knew, deep in her soul, how she felt about him, too. “And I love you.”
Rick leaned down and kissed her gently, then wrapped his arms around her. She stood feeling his heart beat in rhythm to her own while the starlight rained down around them with a magical glow.
Indigo Bay Series
Read all the books and short stories in this multi-author sweet romance series set in South Carolina. The stories can be read in any order so jump in with any book!
A complete list of all the novels and stories in the series can be found here: Indigo Bay
NOVELS - 2018
Sweet Saturdays - Pamela Kelley
Sweet Beginnings - Melissa McClone
Sweet Starlight - Kay Correll
Sweet Forgiveness - Jean Oram
Sweet Reunion - Stacy Claflin
Sweet Entanglement - Jean C. Gordon
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HOLIDAY SHORT STORIES - December 2017
Sweet Holiday Memories - Kay Correll
Sweet Holiday Wish - Melissa McClone
Sweet Holiday Surprises - Jean Oram
Sweet Holiday Traditions - Danielle Stewart
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NOVELS - Summer 2017
Sweet Dreams - Stacy Claflin
Sweet Matchmaker - Jean Oram
Sweet Sunrise - Kay Correll
Sweet Illusions - Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Regrets - Jennifer Peel
Sweet Rendezvous - Danielle Stewart
Covers by Najla Qamber Designs
www.najlaqamberdesigns.com
Also by Kay Correll
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Comfort Crossing ~ The Series
Did you miss the start of this series? Click here to get the first book for free now! The Shop on Main - Book One
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See all my books at my website.
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COMFORT CROSSING ~ THE SERIES
The Shop on Main - Book One
The Memory Box - Book Two
The Christmas Cottage - A Holiday Novella (Book 2.5)
The Letter - Book Three
The Christmas Scarf - A Holiday Novella (Book 3.5)
The Magnolia Cafe - Book Four
The Unexpected Wedding - Book Five
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The Wedding in the Grove (crossover short story between series - Josephine and Paul from The Letter.)
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LIGHTHOUSE POINT ~ THE SERIES
Wish Upon a Shell - Book One
Wedding on the Beach - Book Two
Love at the Lighthouse - Book Three
Cottage near the Point - Book Four
Return to the Island - Book Five
Click here to learn more about the series.
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INDIGO BAY ~ a multi-author series of sweet romance
Sweet Sunrise - Book Three
Sweet Holiday Memories - A short holiday story
Sweet Starlight - Book Nine
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About the Author
Kay writes sweet, heartwarming stories that are a cross between women’s fiction and contemporary romance. She is known for her charming small towns, quirky townsfolk, and enduring strong friendships between the women in her books.
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Kay lives in the Midwest of the U.S. and can often be found out and about with her camera, taking a myriad of photographs which she likes to incorporate into her book covers. When not lost in her writing or photography, she can be found spending time with her ever-supportive husband, knitting, working in her garden, or playing with her puppies—two cavaliers and one naughty but adorable Australian shepherd. Kay and her husband also love to travel. When it comes to vacation time, she is torn between a nice trip to the beach or the mountains—but the mountains only get considered in the summer—she swears she’s allergic to snow.
Learn more about Kay and her books at kaycorrell.com
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WHERE TO FIND ME:
kaycorrell.com
[email protected]
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