She swallowed, fighting back the tears that pooled in the corners of her eyes. ‘I need to move on. I’m not quite sure what to yet, but I don’t think that matters as much as being ready to take the chances as they come.’
Just because Dylan wasn’t an opportunity it didn’t mean there wouldn’t be others. In work, as well as in love.
‘You always said that your instincts were the most important compass you had,’ she went on. ‘That if you trusted your instincts nothing much could go wrong. You said...’ A choked sob escaped her throat. ‘You said that asking me to marry you when we were so young, with no prospects, was the biggest ever test of that. And me saying yes...that was the last time I truly trusted my own instincts instead of yours.
‘Well, that changes now. I don’t know what’s going to happen next but... Dylan’s assistant called. We have the investment we need to save the Azure. So I’m going to make that happen and then I’m going to find someone I trust to manage the place when I’m away. I’ll take Finn back often, I promise, and it will be there for him when he’s old enough. But in the meantime my instincts tell me we should be here, in England, with our families. And then...well, I guess we’ll see. I have faith that the right thing will come along at the right time.’ She managed a lopsided smile. ‘It always did for you after all. Until the last.’
Adem’s life had been too short and their happiness cut off before its time. But the happiness they’d had together would be hers to treasure for always. And she would.
Kissing her fingers, she pressed them against the stone. ‘Love you,’ she whispered.
Then, wiping her eyes, she turned and headed back towards the car, and her future.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SADIE SIGHED WITH relief as the car from the airport turned up the road that led to the Azure Hotel.
‘Nearly there,’ she told Finn, who snuggled down further on his booster seat, arms wrapped around his favourite teddy. ‘Nearly home.’
Home for now, anyway.
The flight had been long and tedious, with a change in Istanbul that had dragged on as they’d waited for a delayed plane. Finn had been brilliant, really, but the journey had been trying for her, let alone a four-year-old. Still, with the help of plenty of snacks, a new toy or two saved for the occasion, and a well-timed nap on the last leg, they’d made it.
If nothing else, all the time in transit had given her time to think—to start to form plans, ideas that she hoped would come together as the weeks went on.
She was returning to Turkey prepared for her fresh start, ready to jump at the right opportunities as they presented themselves.
Of course, some sign as to what the right opportunities were would be appreciated, but Sadie figured that was part of trusting her instincts—figuring that out for herself.
‘We’re here,’ she whispered to Finn as the car drew to a halt. He blinked at her a couple of times then opened his eyes wider.
‘The Azure?’
‘That’s right. You ready to get back to your room and your things? I know Esma’s been missing you.’
Sadie opened the door and let him hop out onto the pavement, following as the driver retrieved their bags.
‘Thanks,’ she said, stopping for a moment to look up at her hotel. Her hotel. She liked the sound of that.
The familiar Azure sign shone above the glass doors and she smiled at it as she lowered her gaze...and felt her heart stop.
As Esma rushed out and tried to whisk Finn away, chattering loudly about milkshakes and special sweet bread in the kitchens, Sadie stared at the man standing under the Azure sign.
Dylan Jacobs.
Well, she’d asked for a sign.
‘What are you doing here?’ She stepped closer, leaving her bags on the pavement as the car pulled away.
‘Mum?’ Finn asked, looking between her and Dylan. Esma shot Sadie an apologetic look. ‘Who’s this?’
Dylan crouched down beside Finn and the smile on his face was a new one to Sadie. Friendly, warm and with no edge, no demands. No business.
‘You probably don’t remember me, but I was one of your dad’s best friends.’
‘You knew my dad?’ Finn’s face scrunched up, just a little. ‘If you were friends with Dad and Uncle Neal, are you Dylan?’
Dylan held out his hand. ‘Dylan Jacobs. At your service.’
Finn shook his hand solemnly, his fingers tiny around Dylan’s bigger ones, and Sadie felt her heart contract at the sight. ‘Uncle Neal tells me stories about you and Dad sometimes. How come you never come and see us, like he does?’
‘I’ve been...’ Dylan trailed off before he could finish the sentence, but Sadie was pretty sure the missing words were ‘too busy with work’. Wasn’t that always the case? But then he started again.
‘I’m sorry, Finn. I should have done. I should have visited more. And I’d like to start now, if that’s okay with you.’
‘I guess so.’ Finn tilted his head to the side. ‘Do you like milkshakes?’
‘Love them.’ Dylan grinned. ‘Maybe we can grab one together later? After I speak to your mum?’
Finn nodded. ‘Okay.’ Esma took his arm again and this time he didn’t object as she led him off to the kitchens. Sadie sighed with relief—until she realised that left her alone with Dylan.
Just what she was trying to avoid. ‘There’s really no need for you to be here,’ she said. ‘I told your assistant I’d get the forms to him by—’
Dylan shook his head to stop her, standing up from his crouch. ‘I’m not here in a professional capacity.’
How she’d missed that voice. Warm and smooth and caressing—even when he was chatting with Finn or when they were talking business. Just seeing him again made her want to reach out and grab him, to hold on and never let him go.
This was why she’d needed not to see him again. When she was near him it was impossible to deny that she’d fallen ridiculously in love with him.
‘Then why are you here?’ she managed to ask through her muddled thoughts.
Dylan stepped closer, taking a breath so deep she saw his chest move under his shirt. ‘I’m here to commit.’
‘To what?’ Sadie asked, blinking. Because he couldn’t possibly mean what she thought he did. Could he?
‘To whatever you need to be happy,’ Dylan replied. ‘If that’s me thousands of miles away, then I’ll commit to that. If it’s still the Azure, I’ll work like the devil to make that happen with you. If it’s England with Finn, I can make that work too. All I want is a chance. A chance to prove that I can be part of your plan, of your future.’
‘That’s it?’ Was this really the same man who had walked out on her in such a fury?
‘That’s it,’ Dylan confirmed. ‘I know I’m not Adem, and I never will be. But I can be more than you think of me. All I want is a chance to be with you, however you need me. To be there for you and Finn. And I know that can’t happen all of a sudden—he needs to get used to me, we need to figure out things between us... So, a new proposal, okay? No jumping in feet first, just a slow, measured plan you can back out of any time you want. The sort of plan you like, I promise.’
The ultimate commitment-phobe was offering to commit. The man who always leapt at the next big thing was promising to stick to just one plan. Her plan.
Hope blossomed deep in Sadie’s chest, like the cherry tree in her parents’ back garden in England, flowering with hope and possibility in the spring.
But... She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Dylan. That won’t work for me.’
* * *
That was it. With just those few words she’d dashed any hope Dylan had ever had of committing again, he was sure. The heaviness in his chest sank lower and lower until...
He blinked. Was she smiling?
Sa
die stepped closer and he let just a little chink of hope back in.
‘This time...’ she said, reaching up to place her hand against his cheek. ‘This time I’m trusting my instincts. I’m taking all the opportunities I can to be truly happy again. And I think I know what that means, at last.’
‘You do?’ Then he wished to God she’d tell him because he had no idea what was going on.
Sadie nodded. ‘I want Finn to have the Azure when he’s older, but I don’t want to run it myself. Once we’ve got things set up here and on the road to recovery, I’m hoping you’ll help me find a manager we can trust so that Finn and I can move back to England.’
‘Of course. Does that mean you’ve reconsidered my job offer?’ Was this business? Or pleasure? Her closeness suggested the latter, but her words didn’t. And he’d already been caught out by that before.
‘I’ve reconsidered a lot of things,’ she admitted. ‘I want to run my own spas, I know that. And if we can work together on that...well, that would be great.’
‘That all sounds good,’ Dylan said cautiously.
‘But that’s not all,’ Sadie went on. ‘I’m afraid I’m greedy. I want more than just my family near, my son happy and a dream business. I want you, too.’
His heart stopped, just for a moment. ‘I thought you said—’
‘I said that slow and measured wasn’t going to work for me any more,’ Sadie corrected him. ‘I know we can’t rush too much officially because of Finn—I need to be sure that he’s ready for there to be someone else in my life, and that he’s happy for it to be you. So, officially, fine, we go with your plan.’
‘But unofficially?’ He didn’t care. He’d say yes to anything right now if it meant being part of her life. Hers and Finn’s.
‘Life’s too short, I’ve seen that first hand. You have to take your chances for happiness when they come. So just between you and me... I hope you were serious about wanting to commit...’
‘I was,’ Dylan assured her.
‘Good. Because...’ She took a deep breath. ‘Dylan Jacobs, will you marry me?’
Pure joy spread through his body at her words. This was one opportunity he had no intention of missing.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the ring box he’d acquired in Sydney and flipped it open between them. ‘Great minds?’ he said, as Sadie laughed.
‘I should have known the slow-and-steady thing was a bluff.’ She took the ring from the box and stared at the diamond, mesmerised. ‘You never did anything that way in your life.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Dylan said, as he slid the ring onto her finger. ‘It took me thirteen years to find the right woman to commit to.’
‘But now you’re sure?’ Sadie asked.
‘I’m beyond certain,’ Dylan promised, leaning in to kiss all her doubts away. ‘You’re my next, last and only big thing. Your love is the only thing that matters to me. You, Finn and I are going to be the happiest little family ever, I’m committed to that. And I plan to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.’
Sadie smiled, and kissed him back.
And in that moment Dylan knew, bone deep, that proposing to Sadie was worth more than the chance at any million-dollar business deal, and that marrying her would give him more opportunities for happiness than one man could ever use in a lifetime.
EPILOGUE
CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLEW across the garden from the tree at the far end, and Sadie watched, smiling, as Finn tried to catch them, Dylan swinging him up in his arms to reach higher.
In the kitchen behind her, her parents were putting the finishing touches to a Sunday roast—and didn’t need any help at all, thank you. Ordered to relax, Sadie had retired to the garden to enjoy the spring sunshine and just be with her family. At any minute her sister would arrive with her brood, and they’d all be together.
In the six months since Dylan had first arrived at the Azure, life had changed beyond recognition—and into something Sadie had never even hoped for. It hadn’t all been easy, and business had intruded more than she’d have liked. But Finn had taken to Dylan instantly—and his awed admiration seemed to be reciprocated. Some nights, when Dylan was staying with them—always in the spare room, as far as Finn was concerned—she’d catch Dylan sneaking into Finn’s room just to watch him sleeping. The amazed love in his eyes always made her want to kiss him harder.
They’d finally broached the topic of becoming a real family with Finn the weekend before, despite Sadie’s anxieties. His little five-year-old nose had scrunched up at the idea.
‘So, Dylan would live with us?’ he’d asked.
‘When he didn’t have to travel for work, yes,’ Sadie had answered nervously.
‘Good. I like our house. I can walk to Grandma and Granddad’s from here, and to school, and Phoebe and CJ can visit me lots.’ Dylan had shared a small smile with her at that. When she’d tried to insist on finding a place to rent on her own, maybe in Oxford, he’d pointed out that she’d only have to move again in a few months when they finally let everyone else in on their engagement. The whole point was to be near her family—so together they’d found the perfect house just across the village from her parents’.
It already felt like home should.
‘So, you wouldn’t mind me marrying your mum?’ Dylan had asked, and Sadie had heard the nerves in his voice even if Finn hadn’t. He’d come such a long way from the man she remembered as Adem’s friend. And he was so much more now, to her and to Finn.
‘Will I have to wear a stupid suit?’ Finn had asked. ‘My friend Riley did when his mum got married.’
‘You can wear whatever you like,’ Dylan had promised, his relief obvious.
Finn had tipped his head to the side, studied Dylan for a moment, then clambered up into his lap for a hug. ‘Then I think it would be pretty great.’
As far as Sadie was concerned, it already was.
A commotion came from behind her and Sadie knew that Rachel had arrived with the kids. Finn came running towards her, cherry blossoms forgotten, Dylan following. As he passed, Sadie grabbed Finn around his waist and pulled him up into her lap.
‘Mum!’ He wiggled, trying to escape. ‘CJ and Phoebe are here!’
‘I know,’ Sadie said. ‘So, how would you like to be the one to tell everyone the big news?’
‘The wedding news?’ Finn whispered conspiratorially.
Sadie nodded, smiling at Dylan over Finn’s head.
‘Okay!’ He jumped down and ran into the house. ‘Guess what, everybody! Mum and Dylan are getting married!’
Dylan held out a hand to pull her to her feet. ‘Better put this on, then.’ He fished in his pocket for a familiar-looking ring box and handed it to her. ‘It’ll be good to see it on your hand permanently at last.’
‘It’ll be good to wear it.’ She let him slide the ring into place then reached up to kiss him as her mum’s squeals of joy rang out from inside.
‘When do you propose to tell them our other news?’ Dylan murmured against her mouth, his hand brushing across her middle.
‘We’ve got a few weeks yet,’ Sadie whispered back. ‘Let’s let this one sink in first.’ In truth, she was enjoying the secret. ‘Besides, I want Finn to know before anyone else. Being a big brother is a big job.’
‘That it is.’ He kissed her again, and Sadie felt a warmth flow through her that had more to do with love than spring sunshine and cherry blossom.
She was home at last, exactly where she was meant to be, and all her plans for the future looked golden.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from SOLDIER, HERO...HUSBAND? by Cara Colter.
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Soldier, Hero...Husband?
by Cara Colter
CHAPTER ONE
CONNOR BENSON AWOKE with a start. It was dark. And it was hot. Where was he? Somalia? Iraq? Afghanistan? Wherever he was, it was so secret, even his mother didn’t know.
That feeling tickled along his spine, a sense of imminent danger. It brought him to red alert. Still not knowing exactly where he was, he was suddenly extremely focused, on nothing and everything. Each of his senses was so wide-open it was almost painful.
The tick of a clock somewhere in the room seemed explosively loud. Connor could feel the faint prickliness of the bedclothes against his naked skin, and he could feel a single bead of sweat slide down his temple. He could smell the residue of his own sweat and aftershave, and farther away, coffee.
Another sound rose above the ticking of the clock and the deliberate steadiness of his own breathing. It was a whispery noise just beyond this room, and as unobtrusive as it was, Connor knew it was that sound that had woken him. It was the sneaky sound of someone trying to be very quiet.
Connor tossed off the thin blanket and was out of the bed in one smooth movement, from dead asleep to warrior alert in the time it took to draw a single breath. The floor was stone under his bare feet and he moved across it soundlessly. His nickname on his SEAL team had been “the Cat.”
A Proposal Worth Millions Page 16
