The Secret Twin
Page 16
On the huge flat-screen television, an image of Alaska General Hospital appeared as the host continued his narration. “The Steeles and Mikkelsons have made quite a name for themselves with their charity innovations, as well. The Steele wing of the Alaska General Hospital now has a new children’s library, as well as a therapy dog program to comfort the patients.”
Isabeau Mikkelson appeared on the screen as the hospital’s PR director, commenting on the library that Conrad had personally overseen and the therapy-dog program that Felicity had put in place with Tally’s help.
“The pipeline in North Dakota is fully functional now, increasing the reach of the Alaska Oil Barons, Inc. Chuck Mikkelson carries on his father’s legacy with the help of scientist Royce Miller, with input from Delaney Steele Montoya and Breanna Steele Benally.”
The last bit was drowned out underneath the shouts of “Daddy!” from Chuck’s kids as they heard their father’s name mentioned. Brea was so happy for him and Shana, forging their own strong family with the love that had inspired her so much two years ago.
“The day-care addition to the corporate offices is state of the art—and put to use by much of the family. And the public has taken note of their trust in the company when they could have afforded full-time nannies.”
The video image panned around the Alaska Oil Barons, Inc., day-care facility, where plenty of the children in this room spent time on a regular basis. While Naomi’s girls and Fleur squealed to see themselves on the screen, Isabeau’s son and Fleur’s brother were both unimpressed, pushing their wooden trains in circles around the girls’ feet.
“The stew smells so good!” Tally burst out as the television show came to an end. “I can’t wait for dinner, Brea. Can I help?”
Not waiting for an answer, Tally was already halfway into the kitchen, a place she and Felicity had spent plenty of evenings over the last year, since Tally and Marshall lived close by.
Ward kissed Brea’s cheek. “I hope that cake is well hidden,” he whispered. “Or the cat’s out of the bag.”
“Ward Bennally, I think I know how to keep a secret. Don’t you?” She turned in his arms, surrounded by his strength.
Their love.
Their family.
“Just not from me.” He tipped his forehead to hers. “I get to share all your secrets from now on, Mrs. Bennally.”
“You already do.” She loved this man with a fierceness she couldn’t describe. Having him by her side made her feel safe. Whole. And incredibly happy. “I love you, Ward.”
“I love you too, Brea.” He cradled her face in his hands and stroked his thumbs down her cheeks before he let her go.
Her heart melted a little at his touch. Even two years after she’d fallen in love with him, she knew they had the kind of love that was never going to fade. It was too hard-won. Too precious to them both.
Hand in hand, they joined their family for the real celebration that was only just beginning.
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Revenge with Benefits by Cat Schield.
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Revenge with Benefits
by Cat Schield
Prologue
While the keynote speaker for the Beautiful Women Taking Charge event droned on, Everly Briggs contemplated Zoe Crosby and recognized the former Charleston, South Carolina trophy wife was the weak link in her plan.
Before the networking function Everly had researched the attendees and settled on two women recently wronged by the men in their lives. Over cocktails, Everly had chatted up both women, sharing her own tale of how her sister had been wronged by wealthy entrepreneur Ryan Dailey. In addition to Zoe Crosby, she’d encouraged London McCaffrey to pour out her heartbreak after Linc Thurston broke off their engagement.
“We’ve each been the victim of a wealthy, powerful man,” Everly said, thinking that was most true of Zoe. Her ex-husband had hired Charleston’s most ruthless divorce attorney and rumor had it that Zoe’s settlement was going to be eaten up by her lawyer’s fees. “Don’t you think it’s time we get a little payback?”
“Anything we try would only end up making things worse for us,” Zoe said, her hesitation grating on Everly’s nerves.
Up until this moment, Zoe Crosby had been listening and nodding sympathetically. Before meeting her, Everly figured if anyone would want to take down a powerful man it would be a wife who’d been cheated on by one, then cast aside and forced to defend her honor in divorce court.
Instead, Everly was starting to understand why Tristan Crosby had treated his wife with such disdain. The woman was too soft, too passive. She lacked fire and purpose. Well, Everly would just have to stir up the socialite’s indignation over how she’d been treated and drive Zoe into the revenge scheme.
“Not if we go after each other’s men,” Everly explained, gratified to see London McCaffrey nodding in understanding. Zoe still looked worried, so Everly continued to lay out her plan. “Think about it,” she said, fighting to keep impatience out of her voice. “We’re strangers at a cocktail party. Who would ever connect us? I go after Linc. London goes after Tristan and, Zoe, you go after Ryan.”
“When you say ‘go after,’” Zoe said cautiously, “what do you have in mind?”
Everly resisted the urge to roll her eyes. From the first she’d suspected Zoe would be too timid to make a good revenge partner, but at least the socialite could be manipulated into doing as Everly wanted.
“In Ryan’s case, his sister is running for state senate,” Everly said, deciding she’d better monitor Zoe’s part of the plan to make sure Ryan Dailey paid dearly for putting her sister in jail.
After all, he was responsible for breaking Kelly’s heart and driving her to act out against his firm by deleting millions of dollars worth of engineering drawings. If he hadn’t led her sister on, Everly was convinced Kelly never would’ve snapped like that.
Zoe’s frown deepened at Everly’s suggestion that she go after Ryan indirectly. “I thought we were supposed to be going after the men. I don’t feel comfortable.”
“Since Ryan destroyed my sister’s life,” Everly explained with elaborate patience even as her irritation reached a boiling point, “it only seems fair that we ruin his sister’s chances at being elected.” Her pause was too brief to give Zoe a chance to argue further. “Getting at Ryan through his sister is the best way to go. Okay?”
Zoe’s abbreviated nod didn’t fill Everly
with confidence. Well, if the socialite couldn’t do what needed to be done, Everly would just have to take care of things herself.
Copyright © 2019 by Catherine Schield
ISBN-13: 9781488046377
The Secret Twin
Copyright © 2019 by Catherine Mann
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