Her petite curves draped with an organza gown of pale peach, and her long hair twisted into an elaborate chignon, Sophie glanced over the rim of her cocktail glass at the guests gathered in the grand room of the Fortune Ranch house.
The men were all dressed in dark, elegant suits, while the women wore long, bejeweled gowns, the cost of which would’ve fed a family of four for months.
“I used to think our home was elaborate, but this place is unbelievable.” Olivia shook her head with awe. “Makes me wonder how long it took Kate to put her stamp on the place. I doubt it looked like this when it was the Silver Spur Ranch. Look at those drapes. There’s enough material there to open a fabric store. And every room seems to have a bar. I suppose Kate wants to make sure she keeps her guests relaxed.”
The place was more than elaborate, Sophie agreed. It was like stepping into a fairy tale where everything was too beautiful and lavish to be real. Wide archways on three sides of the room made the area appear even more spacious. Instead of artificial lighting, the middle of the incredibly tall ceiling was lit by the stars shining through an enormous skylight. To the right, several feet away from Sophie and Olivia was a marble fireplace with an elevated hearth. Presently, mesquite logs crackled and simmered, throwing off enough heat to make the room comfortable for the women with bared shoulders.
“Well, I’ll say one thing, everything is done tastefully. The western accents are just enough to let a person know they’re in Texas. But not enough to be ostentatious.”
A young male server paused in front of the two women. Sophie chose a canapé made with gulf shrimp and cream cheese. Olivia placed her empty cocktail glass on the man’s tray and picked up a fresh one.
Maybe that was what she needed, Sophie thought ruefully. A bit of alcohol to numb the raw edges of her nerves. But she’d never much cared for the stuff. Besides, a cocktail wasn’t going to make her forget about her parents’ sham of a marriage, or the real idea that Mason only wanted her for a lover.
“Mother looks especially nice tonight,” Olivia commented as she sipped her drink. “That pale blue dress flatters her.”
“She’d look even better if she would smile,” Sophie said dully. “But in her situation I suppose she’s forgotten how.”
Olivia slanted her a disappointed look. “Sophie, what in the world is coming over you? I’m the cynical one. Not you. Where’s that cheerful attitude of yours?”
Sophie let out a long sigh. “You’re right. I’m going to go mix and mingle and try to lift my spirits.”
For the next hour, she moved around the crowd, greeting other family members, including her new stepbrother, Keaton Fortune Whitfield. Eventually she found herself face-to-face with Kate Fortune and her husband, Sterling Foster. Expecting the woman to be austere, Sophie was pleasantly surprised when Kate greeted her with sincere warmth.
By the time their short chat had ended, Sophie had to admit that Kate Fortune was an incredible woman. At ninety-one she looked years younger. Her slim figure remained straight and spry and her skin as dewy and fresh as a first rose in spring. No doubt a result of using her famous Youth Serum cream.
However, Kate’s appearance was only a part of her dynamic presence. She had a razor-sharp mind, especially concerning business. The billionaire matriarch obviously had the knack to accurately gauge the needs of the consumer and to come up with the perfect product.
Yet as impressed as she was with Kate Fortune, it was her husband that touched Sophie in an emotional way. The suave, elderly gentleman was clearly very much in love with his wife. Each time he looked at her or lightly touched her hand, it was like he was touching an angel.
Was it crazy for Sophie to want that same thing for herself?
Sophie was standing at the back of the room, mulling over the question as she watched her mother and father interact with the other guests. So far tonight, the only time she’d seen them together was when they’d first arrived.
That sad fact shouldn’t be bothering Sophie so much. It wasn’t like her parents had been all lovey-dovey and then, all at once, everything had gone cold. But since she and Mason had become intimate, Sophie had started to look at everything differently. And she was seeing more and more how love, and nothing else, mattered in this world.
“It’s a nice party, don’t you think?”
The soft, feminine voice had Sophie turning to see a petite woman with wavy blonde hair that barely touched her shoulders. Her dress was a romantic floral with a delicate ruffle edging the neckline.
Until this moment, Sophie hadn’t spotted this pretty young woman in the crowd of guests. And though she didn’t immediately recognize her, something about her face seemed vaguely familiar.
Sophie said, “Yes. Ms. Fortune and her husband have certainly gone all out.”
The woman, who appeared to be around Sophie’s age, moved closer and thrust out her hand in greeting. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Chloe Elliott. And you are?”
Even though the woman was smiling warmly, the only thing Sophie could feel was icy shock. This was her father’s illegitimate daughter! What was she doing here? Why did she think she could come here and mingle with Sophie and her brothers and sisters as though she were one of them?
Ignoring her outstretched hand, Sophie’s expression turned as cold as the sick feeling inside her. “I’m Sophie Fortune Robinson. And don’t ever think of calling me sister! Because you’re not my sister! And you never will be!”
Chloe Elliott appeared totally stunned, but not nearly as much as Sophie. Horrified by the words that had come out of her mouth, she hurried across the enormous room and snatched up a glass from a tray full of drinks.
Not bothering to determine what the amber tinged drink might be, she took a giant swig and instantly choked on the fire sliding down her throat.
“Sophie! Are you all right?”
Glancing up, Sophie saw her mother frowning at her with a mixture of concern and admonition.
Careful to keep her voice hushed, Sophie answered, “No! I am not all right! I really want to leave!”
Thankfully, Charlotte didn’t ask her why. Instead, she took a firm hold on Sophie’s shoulder. “Leaving is out of the question. You’re not going to embarrass yourself or your family. There are times, Sophie, when we women have to be strong and plaster a happy smile on our faces. This is one of those times. So don’t disappoint me—or your father.”
Sophie looked at her in amazement, while fighting the urge to laugh hysterically. Disappoint her father? Hadn’t Charlotte already noticed her husband’s illegitimate daughter walking among the guests? Didn’t she care?
After downing a second, more careful sip of her drink, Sophie said, “All right, Mother. I’ll pretend—for tonight. But don’t expect me to keep pretending. I simply can’t be like you.”
* * *
By the next afternoon, Mason was more than smarting over Sophie’s decision to go to the Fortune party without him. It wasn’t that he was all that keen to rub elbows with wealthy society. To be honest, he would have probably felt uncomfortable during the whole affair. No, his feelings went deeper than that. Sophie had dismissed him as though he was the last person she would consider good enough to mix and mingle with her family.
All last night, he’d sat in his apartment alone, brooding and calling himself all sorts of a fool. It was plain he was headed down a dead-end path with Sophie. The two of them came from entirely different worlds. Just the thought of asking her to marry him, to live with him in a home he provided her, was laughable. And in the end, that was most likely what he’d get from her. A laugh. The sort of home he could give Sophie would never measure up. The sort of life he could afford to give her would always fall short. It would never work. No matter how much he dreamed and hoped and tried.
“Hey, handsome. Ready for a coffee break?”
The sound of Sophie’s sweet voice shot right through his churning thoughts as she walked into his cubicle.
A red knit dress clung to her perfect little curves while her long hair was swept behind her ear on one side. She looked good enough to eat and it was all Mason could do to keep from pulling her into his arms.
Steeling himself against her charming smile, he raised his brows with faint surprise. “A coffee break? Aren’t you worried that someone will see us talking, or God forbid, touching one another?”
His sarcasm clearly stunned her. Well, it had stunned Mason, too. He didn’t want to be mean. Nor did he want to hurt her. But he was tired of giving in to her without getting any sort of reassurances that their relationship meant more to her than jumping into bed together.
Her smile faded as she walked over and leaned a hip against the edge of his desk.
“Actually, I’m not worried. I don’t give a damn about gossipers anymore.”
“Really? You couldn’t prove it by me.”
She frowned at him in confusion. “Mason, what’s wrong?”
You’re breaking my heart and you don’t even know it. That’s what’s wrong.
The words were silently screaming inside him as he turned the chair so that he was facing his computer screen instead of her.
“Nothing. I’m way behind on my work.”
A long stretch of silence passed till she asked, “What about tonight? Maybe we could go to Pedro’s.”
A few days ago, he’d have felt like she’d handed him the moon. Now her offer felt like too little, too late.
“Sorry. I’ve promised my brothers to go with them to a Spurs game. So I’m going to San Antonio tonight. I won’t be home.”
She let out a groan of disgust. “Basketball,” she muttered. “I’ve never been so sick of hearing about sports events in my entire life!”
Anger had him whirling the chair so that he was facing her once again. “And I’m sick of hearing how hard it is for you to be a Fortune!”
She stared at him in disbelief. “Did I hear you right?”
“Every word,” he said coolly. “You act as though no one else has family issues. No one else has been betrayed or lied to or hurt. Well, grow up and open your eyes, Sophie. You’re just one of many.”
Tears flooded her eyes and for one second Mason weakened to the point where he almost reached for her. He almost asked her to forgive him for being such a heartless bastard. But deep down, his pride and every ounce of common sense urged him to hold his ground.
She stepped away from the desk and Mason could see her hands had balled into tight fists at her sides. “If that’s what you think of me, then I’m glad I found it out now. I wouldn’t want to keep torturing you with my monotonous problems.”
Swallowing the ball of pain in his throat, he said, “It was fun for a while, Sophie. But I’ve been thinking and I believe it’s time we broke things off. For both our sakes.”
Sniffing, she tossed her hair back over her shoulder. “Are you doing this because of last night? Because I didn’t invite you to the Fortune dinner party?”
“No,” he said and realized he truly meant it. This wasn’t just about a party. This was about the fundamental differences in their lives. One day soon she would realize they were wrong for each other and move on to a man who would really be her Mr. Perfect. As for him, he expected he would spend the rest of his life trying to forget her. “I’m doing this to save us both a lot of heartache. Now if you don’t mind, I’m busy. I need to get back to work.”
She gave him one last look, then turned and walked stiffly out of the cubicle. The moment she was out of sight, Mason slumped forward in his chair and dropped his head in his hands.
Minutes later he was still sitting that way when Nadine poked her head into his work space. “Ready for some coffee, honey?”
He lifted his head and by then Nadine must have realized something was amiss. She hurried over to him.
“Mason, you look like hell! What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
Pushing himself to his feet, he shook his head. “Nothing’s happened, Nadine. Except that I’ve just given up the most important thing in my life.”
Nadine’s lips pressed to a thin line of disgust. “Don’t tell me. Ms. Fortune just gave you the shaft.”
“No,” he said, barely able to speak around the bitter gall rising in his throat. “I’m the one who called it quits.”
Nadine shook her head. “You! But, Mason, why? I don’t understand. You were crazy about the woman!”
“That’s exactly why, Nadine. I want her to be happy. Not just for now. But for the rest of her life. And I’m not the man who can keep her happy.”
“Oh, Mason, you’re letting talk around the office get to you. You’ve let Thom get to you.”
Mason slung his arm around Nadine’s shoulders and urged her out of the cubicle. “Right now you’re getting to me, Nadine. So let’s go have some coffee. And all I want to hear from you is something about getting your roots done or work on your mother/baby app.”
With a mirthless laugh, she wrapped an arm across his back. “Oh, hell, if I were only a few years younger.”
* * *
For the next three days Sophie’s feelings alternated between anger, sadness, and confusion. Anger, not just at Mason for suddenly picking a fight and ending things, but at her family and the whole world for being so messed up and wrong. Confused because she still didn’t exactly understand what had come over Mason so abruptly, and sadness for the utter loss of something she’d believed had been strong and true.
Sophie had never been one to sit around and cry and mope over what could have been. She’d always been the sort to look toward the future and fight on. But losing Mason had hurt her so deeply that the world around her was like a strange and scary place. She was afraid to take any sort of step. Afraid that whatever direction she took, it would be wrong.
For the past few nights she’d sat in her bedroom and stared at the little red bear Mason had given her on Valentine’s Day. The little bear had reflected all her hopes and dreams. It symbolized everything she’d ever wanted in her life. A man to love her, a marriage that was genuine, a life that would be filled with happiness and children. Money couldn’t buy her those things. And, in Mason’s case, she feared her wealth had actually worked against her.
Oh, Lord, he’d been wrong, she thought sadly. Mason had no idea just how hard it was to be a Fortune. To be so insanely rich that a regular guy was too afraid to come near her. And the others were simply cons after her money. He didn’t know how it felt to go home to a palatial estate where there was no love or laughter.
Somehow her brothers, Ben and Wes and Graham, and her sisters Rachel and Zoe had found their soulmates. And for a few short beautiful days Sophie had believed she’d found hers. Now, she was beginning to think that men were nothing but selfish creeps. She was trying to convince herself that she’d be better off if she marked love completely off her future plans.
Glancing to the far edge of her desk, she groaned at the sight of the latest little gift Thom had dropped on her work space. A small picture of himself inside a gaudy gilded frame. Could the man get any more narcissistic? And why did he think just because she was no longer seeing Mason that she’d be willing to date him again? It was insane.
The office gossip machine must have been working overtime to spread the news about her bust up with Mason. One day hadn’t passed before she’d found a flower on her desk. A card with nothing but Thom’s name had been attached. Sophie had tossed the card in the trash and given the flower to Dennis’s secretary.
Yesterday, a text message from Thom had popped up on her phone, suggesting the two of them meet for drinks. She’d promptly blocked his number. Now today, the photo had arrived, but rather than toss it, she’d decided she was going to return it personally, along with firm instructions to leave her alone.
“Great! You’re back at your desk. I stopped by earlier, but you weren’t here.”
The sound of Thom’s voice made her want to scream with frustration. Instead, she swiveled her chair and asked bluntly, “Do you have a problem you need to discuss? A human resource problem?”
A smug smile crossed his face. “I do have a problem. You won’t say yes to another date with me. But I intend to change your mind. We can start over, Sophie. And this time you’ll see I’m serious.”
He was serious all right, Sophie thought. Seriously self-absorbed.
Leaning back in her chair, she leveled a sharp look at him. “Doesn’t it bother you that I’ve been seeing Mason?”
He shrugged and his indifference amazed her. “Why should it? He’s out of your life now. A fact that I knew would happen sooner rather than later.”
The man’s insolence was beyond measure and though Sophie was trying to hold on to her temper, her stomach was simmering with anger and resentment.
“I’m sure,” she practically sneered. “The last time I looked, I didn’t see a crystal ball on your desk.”
He let out a short laugh. “I hardly needed a crystal ball to tell me your little hookup with Mason wasn’t going to work. The man isn’t nearly good enough for a woman of your class. I pointed out that very thing to him a few days ago. And I’m sure you’re relieved he took my advice. Apparently he saw the light and was smart enough to save himself a lot of awkward embarrassment by letting you dump him later.”
Her mouth fell open as her tangled thoughts tried to unravel enough for her to see the whole picture.
“Are you saying that you told Mason he wasn’t good enough for me?”
Grinning, he moved closer and Sophie immediately jumped to her feet and stepped back.
“Why not? It’s the truth. Better that you both face facts now, rather than later. Long, pointless affairs can often get messy at the end. You both saved yourself from an ugly situation.”
Furious, Sophie picked up the photo and practically threw it at him. “You’re not half the man that Mason is, Thom Nichols! You never will be!”
“Really? If he’s so wonderful, then why did you break up with him?”
She hadn’t broken up with him, she thought miserably. Mason had broken up with her. He’d suddenly picked a fight, as though he’d deliberately wanted to push her into ending their relationship. But why? And why hadn’t she stood her ground and fought to keep everything they’d built together?
Because she’d been terrified. Afraid to trust. Afraid to open her heart and admit to Mason how very much she loved him. Could the same thing have been going through his mind, she wondered frantically. Could he have been having those same doubts and fears? She had to know! She couldn’t just let the best thing she’d ever had slip through her fingers without putting up a fight to hold on to him.
“Take that ridiculous picture and get out of my work space!” she said to Thom in a low, gritty voice. “Before I call security and have them throw you out!”
He lifted his nose as though he couldn’t believe she could utter such a threat, much less go through with it.
“Oh, Sophie. You wouldn’t do that in a million years.”
“Try me,” she challenged. “And you’ll see I’m no longer that starry-eyed young woman who looked blindly past your faults.”
His face hardened like a piece of granite. “You’re going to be sorry about this, Sophie. One of these days you’re going to be begging me to notice you.”
Thom’s parting words were laughable. But Sophie didn’t laugh, even though she was silently rejoicing. Because in his own conceited way, Thom had just opened her eyes and given her hope.
Turning back to her desk, she reached for the phone. She was going to put a plan in motion and pray it worked.
* * *
“Mason, you look drained. I honestly don’t think you should work anymore this evening,” Nadine advised as the two walked back to the office after having burgers at Bernie’s. “Your health app won’t get finished if you fall over from exhaustion.”
“I’m not going to fall over from exhaustion.” A broken heart, maybe, Mason thought ruefully. And that was something that bed rest wouldn’t fix. Unless Sophie was lying in the bed with him. And that wasn’t going to happen. Not after the way he treated her.
“How do you know?” Nadine asked. “I’ve heard of people falling into comas from extreme fatigue.”
He looked over at his friend and gave her the best smile his wounded spirits could generate. “I appreciate your concern. But even if I went home right now, I wouldn’t rest. I don’t think I’ve slept three hours in the past three nights.”
“And whose fault is that?” she shot back at him. “I just don’t get you, Mason. You go gaga over a woman and then deliberately break up with her. Because you want her to be happy. Well, do you think you’ve made her happy? I don’t. I saw her this afternoon at Olivia’s desk. She looked horrible—like you.”
“Sophie came into research and development?” he asked with surprise. “I didn’t see her.”
“No. You were too busy staring at your computer screen while trying to make everyone believe you weren’t somewhere in outer space.”
It was just as well that Mason hadn’t been aware that Sophie was close by. Each time he’d caught a glimpse of her, it had felt like someone was stabbing him with a double-edged knife.
Since their breakup, he’d felt like Austin had suddenly moved within the Arctic Circle and the days had all turned dark. Without Sophie in his life nothing felt right or good. And he’d been asking himself over and over if he’d been an utter fool to let her go.
Maybe she hadn’t said anything about love. And maybe she had wanted to keep their relationship a secret. But all of that could’ve changed if he’d been willing to give them a chance. And now? Well, he’d said some awful things to her. Things that had cut him just to speak them aloud. How could he ever expect her to give him another chance?
“Uh, Mason, beam me up, would you? I’ve lost my friend and maybe I’ll find him out there somewhere in a galaxy far, far away.”
Nadine’s sardonic voice suddenly got through his deep thoughts and he slanted her a wry glance, then glanced around to see they had reached the Robinson Tech parking garage. The same spot where everything had started between him and Sophie. If only he could turn back time.
“Sorry, Nadine. I was thinking.”
“Obviously. Do you think you can make it back into the building without me? Or do I need to guide you to your desk?”
Leaning down, he planted a swift kiss on her cheek. “Thanks. But I think I can find my way back. See you in the morning.”
Nadine wished him a good night then slipped into her car. Mason watched her drive safely away before he headed inside the building.
Since the work day had ended hours ago, the corridor was eerily quiet. As he approached the entrance to Sophie’s department, he noticed there were no lights coming from that area.
And what if there was, Mason? Would you finally gather enough courage to face her? To beg her to give you another chance?
Tormented by the voice in his head, he wiped a hand over his face and trudged on. A part of him wished Nadine was right and he would fall into a temporary coma. At least then, he’d get a reprieve from the agony of losing her.
He was thinking about all the things he wished he’d done differently and how good it would feel to pull her into his arms and kiss her, when he walked into his cubicle and stopped in his tracks.
Seconds ticked away as Mason stared in stunned fascination at a little stuffed bear sitting in his chair. The animal’s shaggy golden brown hair resembled that of a grizzly. An educated grizzly, no doubt, since his paws were resting on the computer keyboard.
His heart racing madly, Mason stepped forward and discovered a note attached to the bear’s leather collar.
No one should have to spend February 27th alone.
He was staring at the note, trying to tamp down the ridiculous hope that was rushing to every cell in his body, when Sophie’s voice sounded behind him.
“You’ve been gone so long I was afraid you’d left for home.”
He slowly turned to face her and his heart began to beat so hard he thought his breastbone would surely crack down the middle.
“Sophie! What are you doing here?”
Like a beautiful dream, she glided toward him.
“Waiting for you,” she answered quietly.
“I don’t understand.” His voice closed around his words making it sound as coarse as gravel. “The bear—are you trying to say—”
She reached for his hands and as Mason wrapped his fingers tightly around hers, his gaze was riveted on the emotions flickering in her eyes. The feelings he saw in the brown depths were so soft and tender and pleading, they smacked him right in the middle of his chest.
“Mason, I don’t know what happened with us. Or why you—”
Shaking his head, he interrupted her before she could say more.
“Sophie, listen to me. I’ve been a damned fool. These past few days I’ve been wanting to come to you—to try to explain—to beg you to forgive me. I was a bastard, a jerk, and all kinds of a fool for saying those things to you. But I—”
All at once her forefinger was pressed against his lips. “You had a right to say those things. I’ve been an idiot, Mason. More than that, I’ve been a big coward. I was afraid to show everyone how much I cared about you. Most of all I was afraid to show you—to tell you how very much I love you. Everything was so good with us I kept thinking it couldn’t last. My parents’ marriage is nothing about love, and Thom—he doesn’t fathom the word. When you and I started getting close—well, the closer we got the more afraid I was to believe you could ever truly love me.”
Relief washed through him, leaving his insides trembling with weakness. “Sophie, if you’ve been an idiot, then I’ve been an even bigger one. I kept thinking there was no way you could ever love a man like me. That’s why I went off on you like I did. Because I believed you were going to eventually drop me anyway. That you’d move on to some man more fitting to a woman of your status.”
A tentative smile tilted her lips. “Fitting? Oh, Mason, you should know by now that you fit me perfectly.”
Slipping his arms around her waist, he pulled her toward him until she was pressed tightly to him. Then burying his face in the crook of her neck, he murmured in her ear, “I love you, Sophie. I should’ve told you that from the very start. But I was afraid you’d think I was a sap. I was even more afraid to believe I could ever have a future with you.”
She eased her head back and the love he saw on her face swelled his chest until he could scarcely breathe.
“Do you want a future with me, Mason?”
“Only for the rest of our lives. Is that too long?”
Joy spread her lips into a radiant smile. “Forever isn’t nearly long enough, but I’ll take it.”
He kissed her then and in a matter of a few seconds, desire began to sweep them both away.
Finally, he lifted his head and said in a voice rough with desire, “Let’s go home—to my place. If you can call that home?”
Her arms tightened around him. “My home is going to be wherever you are, Mason. Now and always.”
* * *
Early the next morning, Sophie carried a steaming mug of coffee into the bedroom and with her free hand reached down and touched Mason’s bare shoulder.
Groaning, he lifted his head and opened his eyes to see her standing at the side of the bed. His navy blue robe swallowed her small curves and her face was bare of makeup, but she didn’t feel self-conscious about letting Mason see her this way. During the past twelve hours she’d learned that Mason loved her for the person she was inside, not for her looks, or name, or bank account. And that fact made her so deliriously happy she was certain she was walking on air instead of a hardwood floor.
“Sophie, honey, what are you doing up already?” he asked with a sleepy smile. “And you made coffee, too?”
Laughing softly, she said, “I know it’s hard to believe, but I can do one or two things in the kitchen.”
He quickly propped a pillow against the headboard. Once he’d scooted up to a sitting position and settled back against the pillow, he took the coffee from her.
She watched him take a sip, then his brow arched with surprise. “Mmm. This is delicious. What did you do to it?”
She cut him a saucy glance. “I put in water and coffee grounds and turned the switch to ON.”
Chuckling, he took another sip, then set the mug on the nightstand and reached for her. Sophie let out a happy squeal as he pulled her down onto his lap.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered against her lips.
She kissed him deeply, then eased back to look at him. With his dark hair rumpled and a shadow of a beard covering his face, he looked incredibly handsome and terribly sexy. Yet to know that he loved her—not because she was a Fortune, but because she was simply Sophie—filled her heart with a joy that was almost impossible to contain.
“Good morning, my darling. How does it feel to wake up to a woman and a cup of coffee?”
His eyes narrowed to a provocative slant. “I think this is going to be pretty darn easy to get used to. Uh—what do you think your family is going to say when I slip an engagement ring on your finger?”
She held up her left hand and imagined a ring sparkling back at her. “When is that going to happen?” she asked coyly.
“Today. That is, if I can find a stone that suits you and one that I can afford.”
Shaking her head, she cradled his face with her hands. “Mason, I don’t care if it’s a tiny chip of a diamond or a plastic ring out of a toy machine. As long as it means that you love me. And as for my family, I’m sure my siblings will be very happy for me. As for my parents, they’re in no position to give me advice about marriage.”
His expression turning sober, he threaded his fingers through her long hair. “Sophie, the other day—when I said all those awful things about you being a Fortune—I was wrong. And I’m sorry. I said them out of frustration.”
“It doesn’t matter now, honey. Really, it doesn’t.”
“Yes, Sophie, it does matter. I want you to know that I do understand that being a Fortune can’t be easy for you. In fact, I can see how hard it is for you to deal with your father’s infidelity and illegitimate children.”
“I feel like I’ve gone through an earthquake and I’m still searching for solid ground,” Sophie admitted. “But in a way it’s helped me see exactly what’s most important in life. Wealth, social position, gossip and reputations, none of that means anything compared to having someone to love and share your life with. That’s all I want for us, Mason.”
She glanced away from him and let out a rueful sigh and Mason quickly touched a hand to her cheek.
“You’re not still worried, are you? About us?”
Smiling wanly, she turned her gaze back to his. “No. But now that we’re so happy and I feel so blessed, I’m beginning to see how wrong I’ve been about Chloe Elliott. She was at the Fortune dinner party the other night and I’m ashamed to admit I said some very nasty things to her. I was so outraged to see her there acting like family. But now—well, I’ve come to realize she can’t help the circumstances of her birth any more than I can. I’m going to do my best to make amends with her as soon as I can.”
He patted her cheek. “That’s my sweet Sophie. The one I love.”
A while later, after they’d eaten a quick breakfast of toast and jam, Mason headed to the shower, but Sophie wasn’t in a hurry to leave the little breakfast table. Instead, she picked up her cell phone and scrolled through her contact list until she reached the name Ariana Lamonte.
The woman answered on the third ring and as Sophie responded, she turned her gaze toward the bright morning sunlight streaming through the kitchen window. Today was a new beginning to the rest of her life, she thought. From now on things could only get better.
“Ariana, this is Sophie Fortune Robinson. I hope I’m not calling too early.”
“Not in the least,” Ariana replied. “I’m already at my desk. Is there something I can do for you?”
Sophie took a deep breath. “As a matter of fact, there is. I’m ready to help you find out my mother’s real story.”
“I’m so pleased you’ve decided to go after the truth, Sophie. So when will you be free to meet?”
A few minutes later, Sophie had scheduled a meeting with Ariana and ended the phone call just as she felt Mason’s hands settle gently on her shoulders.
Already dressed in black slacks and a pale blue dress shirt with a tie tossed around his neck, he’d clearly overheard the end of her conversation with Ariana and couldn’t keep the concern from his voice. “What if you find something unpleasant about your mom? Will you be able to handle more bad news about your family?”
Their gazes met and the love she saw in his brown eyes filled her with courage and strength. “As long as you love me, Mason, I can face anything.”
Bending his head, he kissed her thoroughly, then whispered against her lips, “And I’m going to love you for a long, long time. Like forever. So hurry and get ready. We have some engagement ring shopping to do.”
“I’ll be ready in a flash,” she promised.
Ready to start their new life together.
* * * * *
Look for the next installment of the new Harlequin Special Edition continuity
THE FORTUNES OF TEXAS: THE SECRET FORTUNES
Young widow Chloe Elliott falls for an ex-soldier-turned-ranch-hand with PTSD—but will her discovery that she’s linked to the famous Fortune family destroy their chance for a future together?
Don’t miss
FORTUNE’S SECOND-CHANCE COWBOY by USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella
On sale soon, wherever Harlequin books and ebooks are sold.
Keep reading for an excerpt from HIS PREGNANT COURTHOUSE BRIDE by Rachel Lee.
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