by Stacy Hoff
Like building an elite resort site, sometimes progress moves slowly. Her parents had to learn not to be demanding. She had to learn to hold her own. All of them learned that more important than keeping her safe was allowing her to make her own choices. Unconsciously she let out a smile, straw wedged between her lips. Life was ironic. The way to please others was actually to please herself.
Still, family was a tricky thing. She was managing to have a relationship with Rudy. Ty invested heavily in Orland Premier Properties, Inc., but Rudy was still involved with funding special projects. Both she and Ty were reluctant to toss away any family connection that could be saved. And it seemed that it could. Rudy was readily accepting of his lesser role in Ty’s business.
Ty was happy to branch out more by himself, too. He was pursuing numerous business deals. The most promising were with two different hotel builders, Luis Serrano and Daniel Vega. The goal was to continue to expand Orland Premier Properties, Inc., both domestically and abroad.
With all the extra work generated by the expansion, Cat kept by his side. She helped him with numerous aspects of his business deals, while keeping a close eye on hers.
Vanessa was running more of Cat’s inns by herself, and doing well at it. Now that Ty had Cat as his right hand “man,” Jacques wasn’t needed as much by Orland Premier Properties, Inc., and was asked to help out Vanessa.
A fast friendship had grown between Vanessa and Jacques. Caring about the people they worked for giving them something solid in common. Soon thereafter, sparks of attraction obviously ignited. Cat could see Vanessa’s fascination. Jacques was the epitome of her pseudo-mom’s type, tall, distinguished, and having a French flare. Better still, Jacques was caring and concerned. Polite and polished. The type of man Vanessa deserved.
Had it not been for the Big Bear property, Jacques and Vanessa’s lives, like the lives of Ty and Cat, would have remained separate. Two catamarans drifting toward distant shores.
As for the timing, maybe love was simply springing forth. A figurative breath of fresh air. Cat breathed in a scent of pine and cut grass drifting in the breeze. Being out here was idyllic. It was a shame to have to leave. But as soon as they took a quick side trip, they’d be going home. She and Ty had moved to Sausalito to a house that was quaint and cozy, rather than impressive and impersonal. He knew her well enough to know glitz and glamour was the last thing she wanted.
The house, a historic Victorian trimmed in gingerbread, had been a wedding gift from Ty. The property was similar to her inns. Especially close in design to the one inn that had given her so much trouble and was now her most profitable B & B yet.
Yes, glitz and glamour were not for her. Ironically, they’d chosen to get married in Las Vegas. Yet for them, the decision had made sense. Ty had wanted to be married at the same place his parents had been married. He had learned to accept himself and to be proud of the family he came from. The result was a wedding ceremony that was fun, and yet deeply sentimental. Better than Ty could have arranged if it were held at the most glamorous of all his micro-hotels.
Cat smiled and put her drink down on the wooden end-table. “Ty. You’re back early.” As usual, her heart fluttered and her skin warmed.
“I know. I hurried to get done so I could do something way more important—spend time with you.”
Cat felt her face flush. Hearing those words would never grow old.
He held out his hand and she took it, allowing him to pull her up. It was time for them to take their daily hike. The only rule, “no work conversation allowed.” Their time in nature was to be spent exploring each other’s nature instead. She was glad to get started now.
“Already packed?” he asked as they walked, hand in hand.
“Yes. I got a new dress. Last time I looked out of place.”
“You looked beautiful to me.”
She smiled up at him to see the warmth radiate off him, stronger than the sun. Tomorrow they would be flying to Las Vegas to celebrate their first anniversary. And attend the Orland Charitable Foundation’s gala event. Last year, the money had helped teach thousands of dyslexic and learning disabled children in need. This time the money would be going into a college scholarship fund awarded to bright, impoverished high school students. Giving even more children the chance to follow in Ty’s large, impressive footsteps. Allowing another generation to make their own business success. Hopefully they would also understand that one’s ultimate goal in life was not making money, but finding love. For that lesson, they could also turn to Ty.
Maybe when they were in Las Vegas tomorrow they’d take a chance and gamble at a roulette wheel. Find Theodore, the volunteer croupier, and give fate another spin. But regardless of whether their number came up, they’d still be winners. They had each other.
“I’m looking forward to spending more quality time with you,” Ty said, his words breaking into her thoughts as well as her heart. He kissed her with lips so soft, it was if she were kissed by a cloud.
“I love you, Ty. It seems like it took forever to find you. I’m so glad I did.”
“I love you, too, Cat. You are the most important thing in my life. More than anyone else. More than my business. Even more than myself. You’ve got me, body and soul.”
For once, the strong, princely CEO looked vulnerable. In a way, it was comforting, knowing they could be vulnerable around each other. When people were at their weakest, that’s when love mattered most.
“Tell me you know I love you, Cat,” Ty asked, his words as soft and gentle as the summer breeze.
Cat nodded and kissed him. “I know. I love you, too, Ty, and I always will.”
And she would. Because building love was always a sure bet.
Stacy Hoff is a contemporary romance author, as well as an attorney. She has practiced law for over two decades, primarily handling contracts. Romance novels have always been her secret passion. She writes her romantic stories until the wee hours of the night. Stacy lives in New England with her husband and two boys. Feel free to e-mail her at [email protected]. She loves to hear from readers!
Upcoming new novels in the BUILDING LOVE series:
BUILDING LOVE IN THE CARIBBEAN (Book 2 of the “Building Love” series, to be released October, 2017)
BUILDING LOVE IN MADRID (Book 3 of the “Building Love” series, to be released in Spring, 2018).
Look for her other full-length romance novels on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! Book blurbs for each of these great stories included below.
You can find Stacy on-line:
Amazon Author's Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Hoff/e/B00NN0HCW8
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorStacyHoff
Author website: http://www.stacyhoff.com
Publisher website:
http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/stacy-hoff/
DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES
(Book 1 of the DESIRE series)
Stephanie Lang’s successful career as a television producer can’t give her everything she wants out of life. Her personal goals of writing a romance novel and finding true love languish. Emotionally scarred by her fiancé’s affair with her cousin, she doesn’t have the confidence to go after either goal again. At least she has professional confidence to fall back on—she is ready to produce the company’s next hit show. But when her boss reveals what the show is about, a survival documentary starring a sexy, modern version of Crocodile Dundee, Stephanie’s life is turned upside down.
Colin Brandt, billed as “The Evergladiator,” will tackle Florida’s Everglades with nothing more than his bare hands and a knife. Stephanie, instantly attracted to handsome, rugged, enigmatic Colin, worries he will not survive his twelve-day odyssey. If he does, he’ll win a million dollars. If he fails, his beloved family’s farm will go into foreclosure. Can Colin conquer the Everglades
? And can he conquer her heart?
2015 BTS e-mag Red Carpet Award nominee, “Rising Star” category.
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/jq3n6hp
DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC
(Book 2 of the DESIRE Series)
Ana Davis has been given the promotion of the century—from secretary to television producer. But the new job is not without its problems. The network will do anything for ratings. In the executive’s scramble to come out on top, they reveal Ana’s newest show—one she’s forced to star in herself. She’ll have to survive in the Arctic Circle for twelve days. If she wins, she’ll get the prize money she desperately needs. But the stakes are high, she could lose her very life. Good thing she’s been paired with expert survivalist William “Redd” Redding, a mysterious, solitary and very sexy man. Too bad she thinks he doesn’t even want to talk to her.
William “Redd” Redding is a former Special Ops Marine in need of cash to help a cause near and dear to his heart. What he’s not in need of, however, is Ana Davis—his clueless but captivating partner. It’s up to Redd to ensure the two of them survive in the most dangerous, hostile environment of all. But worse than snowstorms, predators, and a scarcity of food is an even greater danger—Ana. Resisting her, when he wants her more than anything, is his hardest challenge yet. How does he go about protecting her when his ultimate goal is to protect his heart?
2016 Las Vegas Romance Writers “I Heart Indie” contest finalist.
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/hw2xkd3
LAWFULLY YOURS
The prestigious Connecticut law firm of Grovas & Cleval has always been rife with office drama and crazy clients. But an office affair between a young associate and a powerful partner—her boss—might be the biggest scandal of all.
Quirky, quiet Sue Linkovitch is Jordan Grant’s newest hire. Barely out of law school and hired on a fluke, she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Unfortunately, Jordan isn’t sympathetic to her professional “growing pains.” In fact, he’s downright frosty. The only time he thaws is when he’s around his five-year old daughter. So why is she so attracted to him?
Jordan Grant sees Sue as bright, bookish, and a terrible temptation. Yet he knows not to get involved with a woman again—he learned that from his divorce. And if that hard knock lesson wasn’t enough, he’s been falsely accused of sexual harassment in the past. If their colleagues even think he’s interested, it will be the death of his career—and hers.
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/zus3h5z
JOCKEYING FOR YOU
Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track. She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.
Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings towards handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem. Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family?
When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny—so hard?
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/zpa2l29
