Beachcomber Baby
Page 19
Cap said, “Well? Did you come into a pile of money lately or are you—”
“I don’t know.” She sighed. Dane felt her hand get restless in his. He remembered the pile of money she’d just received from good old Toly.
“Hell with that,” he told her. “You’ll stay here with me. And you’ll like it.”
She gave him an arched brow, but held her tongue. Cap gave them both an exasperated look and shook his head.
“I’m off. Looks like you two have some things to work out. Still.” He saluted and turned to leave.
“Coffee at the Lucky Parrot. Eight a.m. sharp,” Dane said. He didn’t salute back. Instead, still holding onto Shana’s hand, he stared out over the water from the perfect vantage point of his back patio. She’d damn well better stay here—and like it—with a view like this.
With Cap gone, Shana turned to face Dane. She had no idea what the hell to do with him. She forced herself to stop thinking about it and, with her heartbeat drumming in her ears, she went with her heart. She needed to give herself that much right now. It ached so much just thinking about him and all he’d endured. She stepped around to stand in front of him and looked up into his face. He still looked out over the harbor above her head.
The enormity of the risk she was taking with her heart sent earthquake-sized flutters rippling through her. But there was no way to stop her need to console him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his solid body. How could he still be so solid? How could he still be so strong and whole after everything—after Delilah?
She loved this man. She was doomed. She needed him, but could she have him? She couldn’t hold back a feeling, and the last line from Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser played in her head. In your rocking-chair, by your window, shall you dream such happiness as you may never feel.
It was enough to make her sob on another day, but today she didn’t cry. She’d done all the sobbing in his arms she was going to do. This was for him. She tightened her arms. After standing there holding him for what seemed like an eternity—and like no time at all—she felt him lower his mouth to kiss the top of her head, the way he did sometimes, and it melted her the way it did every time. She felt him breathe in, his sturdy chest expanding against her, taking in her scent, the way he did sometimes.
She heaved a deep sigh. His arms closed around her, banishing all thoughts, all memories of the day, all the longing, all the doubts.
About the Author
Stephanie Queen lives in bucolic New Hampshire where writing happy, snappy stories takes most of her time. Right now, she’s busy working on the new Beachcomber Investigations romantic detective-thriller series.
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Stephanie Queen Books
The Throwbacks – Book 1 of the Scotland Yard Exchange Series
The Hot Shots – Book 2 of the Scotland Yard Exchange Series
The Romantics – Book 3 of the Scotland Yard Exchange Series
The Beachcombers – Book 4 Scotland Yard Exchange series
Beachcomber Valentine – Beachcomber Investigations series
Beachcomber Baby – Beachcomber Investigations series
Playing the Game
Small Town Glamour Girl Christmas
Small Town Glamour Girl Wedding – a novella
Small Town Hot Shot Bride – a novella