Don't Break (The Reluctant Heart Book 1)
Page 16
“Kenneth, you’re not making any sense. Just tell me why you bought the land please,” she half demanded.
“A helicopter makes traveling a hell of a lot faster. I’ve already spoken to the zoning board and got it approved. There is an old military pilot in Hope Valley who I have hired to fly me back and forth when needed. Now I can work in Boston and live here with you in Hope Valley. That is, if you don’t mind having a roommate.”
“You’re serious? You want to move here? What about your penthouse in Boston?” she asked.
“I would keep it. When we go visit my family or want to take in a show or something, we can stay there. And once your business takes off, you might need an office for your international sales too,” he grinned, just throwing that in.
Shanda sat there looking stunned. “Kenneth are you saying you want to live with me?”
“Yes. I know things are moving fast, and I know what direction I want to go, but I’m ready for this next step, if you are. I love you Shanda, and I’ll do whatever I need to in order to make this work. If you hate this plan, then we’ll come up with something that does make you happy,” he said.
A tear rolled down her cheek and she said, “Say it again.”
“The plan?”
“No. That you love me,” she said. “Because I love you and I was going to tell you the same thing. Wherever you are, whatever it takes, I’ll do what I need to because with you is when I’m the happiest.”
Kenneth couldn’t hold back any longer. He reached over, pulled her onto his lap and said, “I love you Shanda. Probably have from the moment you propositioned me. And if you don’t mind sharing some closet space with me, I’d very much like to move in with you.”
“Yes. You can have the entire closet if you want. I don’t care.”
He claimed her lips and she tasted like…home. This was exactly the right decision, not just for him, but for them. He slid her strap down and kissed her shoulder. It felt so good having her in his arms again, but somehow tonight was different. He wasn’t here for the night, he was…home.
With her in his arms, he stood up and said, “Why don’t we go to our room.”
She smiled down and said, “Welcome home Kenneth.” She kissed him briefly and added, “I love you.”
Home. That’s exactly what she was to him and always would be. “I love you too, baby.”
As he carried her upstairs, he remembered there was so much more he wanted to tell her, but now none of it seemed quite so important.
That’s what tomorrows are for. Tonight we celebrate our love.
He may have broken most of his rules, but at least he’d kept his promise and didn’t break her heart.
Chapter Sixteen
“I can’t believe everyone showed up,” Shanda said.
“Why is that? My family adores you,” Kenneth said. “Besides, I think my mother threatened my brothers if they didn’t come.”
Shanda laughed as she looked at Marcy, who appeared to be in deep conversation with her mom. “Should I go over and break that up?” she asked.
“If you’re worried about what they are saying, send DeeDee. She’s pregnant. They’ll go easy on her.”
Shanda gave him a playful slap on the arm and said, “That’s horrible. Brilliant, but still horrible.”
“I don’t know. I think she can handle herself,” Kenneth said.
“I am more worried about our mothers. Pregnancy has made DeeDee more outspoken. But then again, she might be using that to get away with saying what’s on her mind.”
Kenneth said, “Glad I got the quiet sister.”
Shanda said, “That’s not what you called me last night.”
“Oh you can scream out my name all you want baby,” he said as he gave her a tap on her rump. “Maybe we can see how well it echoes out on the back porch tonight.”
“Tell me you didn’t just build this big deck so we can have sex on it all the time,” she asked.
“Hell no. It’s too cold out here in the winter.” Pulling her close, he added, “But the other three seasons, well, that’s different.”
She pushed him away and said, “You’re impossible. This party was your idea.”
“I know. That was dumb. Now I can’t wait for them all to leave,” he teased.
“That is not being a nice host. They came to celebrate Just Blown. So, no more being rude and hinting for them to go,” she warned. She not only appreciated them all coming to show their love and support, but needed it, too. It wasn’t just her company any longer, it was hers and Kenneth’s. That probably explained why it was already turning a profit. People were booking classes months in advance. She had even met with the mayor of Hope Valley, who personally thanked her for bringing in tourists that wanted to enjoy the laid-back feel and culture of the town. Their B&Bs were booking up as well.
“Shanda, are you happy?” he asked.
She looked up at him and said, “Of course I am. Why are you asking?”
“Living with you for the last six months has brought a lot of changes in your life. I’m not just talking about the new deck or the landing pad for the helicopter, either.”
“The only thing I have said no to so far was us getting farm animals. We’re both too busy for that. And honestly Kenneth, I can’t picture you getting up and cleaning stalls before flying off to Boston,” she said, her nose wrinkled just thinking about the cow-manure smell they’d have on hot summer days. She loved the country, but not in her yard.
“I was just wondering if you thought this place was big enough. I mean, if we one day decided to expand and have a family,” he said.
He had her full attention now. They’d never spoken about children before. She’d hoped he’d bring it up, but so far they’d been busy working on the house or on her companies. “I guess if that time came, we might want to talk about a bigger place.”
“It takes time to build a house.”
She nodded. “I know.”
He said, “Probably about the same amount of time it takes to plan a wedding. Wouldn’t you think?”
Wedding? “Kenneth, what are you talking about?”
“And then babies take another forty weeks or so,” he stated.
“Are you talking to me or to yourself, because I’m not following you,” she said.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house and shut the door. “Shanda, I wasn’t planning this, and I don’t have a ring or anything, but I can’t picture my life without you in it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. That is, if you can picture yourself married into the Heart family.”
Her heart was racing and her ears ringing. “Kenneth, did you just ask me to marry you?”
“You’re getting married?” DeeDee said from the other side of the room. They both turned and looked at her. “Sorry. I had to pee again. But back to the question. Are you getting married?”
Kenneth said, “She hasn’t answered me yet.”
DeeDee was standing by them both now and said, “Shanda, what are you waiting for? Tell him yes.”
She rolled her eyes. Shanda had pictured what it would be like if Kenneth one day popped the question. Never did it include DeeDee announcing she’d been listening from the bathroom or standing in the middle of them. Pregnant or not, DeeDee had to go.
“Please go outside. We’re trying to have a private conversation,” Shanda said firmly.
DeeDee looked at them both and said, “I’m sorry. I guess I got over-excited. You know, pregnant women do that.” Then she opened the door and went out onto the deck. Shanda looked back into Kenneth’s eyes and was about to speak when she heard DeeDee shout out, “He just proposed!”
The cheers from outside seemed to fill the house as well. “Oh God,” she mumbled.
“I’m sorry Shanda. I can go out and explain that we’re not engaged.”
She grabbed his hand as he went to step around her. “Wait. I never answered your question.”
He looked down at her and said, “But I did
n’t do this right. It should’ve been romantic. Maybe flew you off to Paris, or had it written in the sky or something. I have a ring, just sitting in my penthouse waiting for the right time. Guess something overcame me and it just felt right, now.”
“It did, I mean, it does. And Kenneth, I love you and I would be honored to be your wife.”
She watched his face light up, then he pulled her so close she thought she’d break. “You said yes.” She nodded and then he claimed her lips. When he released her, he said, “Well the good news about you saying yes, is all our family and friends are outside and already know. Think about the time we just saved calling people.”
Shanda laughed. “That is one way of looking at it. But here’s another. This means everyone is going to stay even longer tonight to celebrate our engagement.”
“Fuck. Are you sure I can’t be rude just a little?” he asked teasingly.
“I think if you tried, both of our mothers would have your hide. But I do like your plan.”
“Which one?” he asked.
“If they’re all still here at midnight, I’ll sick DeeDee on them,” she smiled.
He held her and said, “I’m not sure what blows my mind more, that our families get along so well, or that you said yes.”
She got up on her tippy-toes and said, “For me it was when you talked about us having a baby. I’m glad you want children, because I want a house full of boys just like you.”
“Really? I was thinking girls, but it’s up for negotiation,” he teased.
Yup. We’re going to need a bigger house.
The End
Continue Reading Book 2 Just Trust
Also by Jeannette Winters
The Reluctant Hearts Series:
Book 1: Don’t Break
Book 2: Just Trust
When Sparks Fly Series:
Drive Me Wild
Plug Me In
Turn Me On
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The Blank Check Series:
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Rival
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Charade
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Scandal
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Regret
Book 5: The Billionaire’s Deception
Book 6: The Billionaire’s Revenge
The Billionaire’s Rival
Charles Lawson carries the weight of the entire family’s future on his shoulders. As CEO of Lawson Steel it is his responsibility to ensure their legacy continued for the next generation. First on his agenda is to clean up loose ends from the past. Doing so is risky and if he fails, the price could be great. It’s a risk he’s willing to take.
Rosslyn Clark loves her life as is, but family is everything to her. When her parents find themselves in a crisis, all she loves is at risk. Whether she likes it or not, sometimes change is inevitable.
As Charles prepares to seal the deal, he finds one beautiful blonde stands in his way, and things become complicated. Can he continue with his original plan and look at her as collateral damage or has Rosslyn become something more to him?
Rosslyn finds herself caught between two powerful men, one she works for, the other, his rival. Will she do what is expected of her, or will she walk away from everything and follow her heart?
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Barrington Billionaires Series:
Book 1: One White Lie
Book 2: Table For Two
Book 3: You & Me Make Three
Book 4: Virgin For The Fourth Time
Book 5: His For Five Nights
Book 5.5: New Beginning Holiday Novella
Book 6: After Six
Book 7: Seven Guilty Pleasures
Book 7.5: At the Sight of Holly
Book 8: Eight Reasons Why
Book 9: Nine Rules of Engagement
Book 10: Ten Broken Promises
One White Lie
Brice Henderson traded everything for power and success. His company was closing a deal that would cement his spot at the top. The last thing he needed was a distraction from the past.
Lena Razzi had spent years trying to forget Brice Henderson. When offered the opportunity of a lifetime, would she take the risk even if the price would be another broken heart?
Do you love reading from this world? Continue with Always Mine from my sister, Ruth Cardello, Her series will mirror my time line. It isn’t necessary to read hers to enjoy mine, but it sure will enhance the fun!
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Betting on You Series:
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Secret
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Masquerade
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Longshot
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Jackpot
Book 5: All Bets Off
Book 6: A Rose For The Billionaire
Book 7: The Billionaire’s Treat Novella
The Billionaire’s Secret
Billionaire Jon Vinchi is a man with one passion: work. His friends decide to shake him up by entering him as a prize at a charity event.
Accountant Lizette Burke is dressed to the nines and covering for her boss at a charity event. She’s hoping to land a donor for the struggling non-profit agency that employs her.
She never expected to win a date with a billionaire.
He never thought one night could turn his life upside down.
One lie stands between them and their happily ever after. Too bad it’s a big one!
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Southern Desires Series:
Book 1: Southern Spice
Book 2: Southern Exposure
Book 3: Southern Delight
Book 4: Southern Regions
Book 5: Southern Charm
Book 6: Southern Sass
Novella: Southern Hearts
Southern Spice
Derrick Nash knows the pain of loss. But is he seeking justice or revenge? He doesn’t care as long as someone pays the price.
It is Casey Collin’s duty at FEMA to help those in need when a natural disaster strikes. After a tornado hits Honeywell, she finds there are more problems than just storm damage. Will she follow company procedures or her heart?
Can Derrick move forward without the answers he’s been searching for? Can Casey teach him how to trust again? Or will she need to face the fact that not every story has a happy ending?
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Turchetta’s Promise Series:
Book 1: For Honor
Book 2: For Hope
Book 3: For Justice
Book 4: For Truth
Book 5: For Passion
Book 6: For Love
Book 7: For Keeps
For Honor
Looking for a new Romantic Intrigue? Then you will love the Turchetta’s. You met them in both the Betting On You Series as well as Barrington Billionaires Series. Now it is time for an up close look into their lives.
Rafe Turchetta may have retired from the Air Force, but his life was still dedicated to fighting the injustice of the world. There was one offense that went so wrong, and it will haunt him, as it continues to destroy him on the inside.
Deanna Glenn was being tortured by a tragedy, one that she couldn’t share with anyone. Time was running out and she needed the lies to cease before she started to believe them herself.
Healing meant returning to where it all went horribly wrong years ago. For Deanna she needed to take on a new identity. For Rafe, that meant doing whatever he needed to in order to get her to speak the truth.
When danger rears its ugly head will Rafe follow his heart and protect Deanna even if it means never learning the truth? Or will Deanna sacrifice her happiness and expose it all?
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Books by Ruth Cardello
ruthcardello.com
Books by Danielle Stewart
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Do you like sweet romance? You might enjoy Lena Lane
www.lenalanenovels.com
By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane
Muse and Mayhem Series
Book 1: The Write Appeal
Book 2: The Write Bride
Book 3: The Write Connection(2020)