Emma sat at her desk at Parties-To-Go working on the numbers for an upcoming wedding. It was after five in the evening, but she’d rather be here than in her lonely apartment. She went through the motions robotically with none of her usual enthusiasm. Debbie Downer had nothing on her. She’d sent Wendy and Rocky home early. She needed to dive into her work with no distractions. She’d been on the receiving end of their sympathetic glances and worried expressions all afternoon. No one knew about her breakup with Dylan yet, aside from Brooke, but her employees were astute and of course had heard about the murder attempt on her husband’s life. She was worried sick about Dylan, and missed him so much. She’d spent a good part of the night at the hospital waiting on word of Dylan. Once she knew he was doing well and they expected a full recovery, she’d breathed a sigh of relief and left the waiting room. She didn’t want to bring him any bad memories by showing up. He didn’t need a confrontation and he’d made himself clear about how he felt about her and their situation.
Resting a hand on her tummy, she closed her eyes and then...the baby kicked! It was more like a flutter, a butterfly taking flight, than an actual kick, but oh, her heart pinged with joy. This was amazing and so absolutely miraculous. A miracle that should be shared and treasured, and her mind went back to Dylan and how happy he’d been thinking he was going to be a father.
She couldn’t dwell on what wasn’t to be anymore. She was on her own, and her focus had to stay finely tuned to the child she carried.
From now on, she wouldn’t be totally alone.
The back door jingled. She stopped to listen. Someone was trying to get inside. Her heart raced and she rose from her desk. She did a mental tally: the part-timers had been sent home, Brooke was on a special date with Royce. She heard more jingling and a couple of loud bangs as if someone was pressing their body against the door, struggling to get in. She glanced around, picked up a kid’s baseball bat left over from a party and strode to the door just as it burst open.
“Brooke! You scared me to death.”
“Sorry,” her friend said. “The dang lock keeps sticking. We’ve got to get that fixed.”
“I wasn’t expecting anyone. Aren’t you supposed to be with Royce tonight?”
Brooke shut the door and glimpsed the baseball bat in Emma’s hand. That’s when Emma noticed the hollow look on her friend’s face. “What is it?” Bile rose in her throat. “Is it Dylan? Is he okay? Did something else happen to him?”
“Dylan’s fine, honey. I’ve talked to him three times earlier today. He’s been released from the hospital and had a police escort home. There’s no damage to his lungs and his bruises are superficial. He told me he wanted to rest. Translation—stop bugging him. And I got the hint.”
“Oh, thank God. But he’s all alone there now. Are the police watching him?”
“He’s got two bodyguards round-the-clock and you know about the added security he has around his house. He told me not to worry.”
“How can you not? Someone tried to kill him.”
“I know. Freaks me out.” Brooke took the bat out of her hand. “Must’ve freaked you out, too.”
“Yeah, well...this whole thing is so scary.”
Brooke took a shaky breath. Her eyes were rimmed with red. She moved into the office and sat down. Emma did the same. “So why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with Royce tonight?” she asked carefully.
“Royce and I are over.”
Emma’s brows lifted. She didn’t expect this. “What do you mean, you’re over?”
“I walked out on him, Em.”
“Why?”
Brooke sighed. “When Royce said he had something special he wanted to give me, I thought, oh my goodness. A key to his place maybe, or a piece of jewelry, maybe even a ring. I let my imagination run wild. I mean, come on, he knows what I’ve been through this month with Dylan. And he actually used that. He told me he knew I was worried about my brother and that he’d probably have time on his hands, now that the studio shut down production, so—”
“He didn’t!”
“Oh, yes, he did. He gave me three scripts for Dylan to look at. Scripts that were his pride and joy. He said he’d been working on them for two years and he knew Dylan would love them and want to produce and star in the movies once he read them.”
“Oh, Brooke, I’m so sorry. You must’ve been...”
“Pissed and hurt and most of all shocked. That’s the part that gets me. I was shocked and I shouldn’t have been. I really thought he was the one guy I could count on, who didn’t want to get close to me because of my brother. He’s in finance, a Wall Street type. I didn’t think there was a creative bone in his body. And I loved that about him. I mean...I really thought... Oh, I shouldn’t feel sorry for myself. Not in front of you.”
“Are you saying I have bigger problems than you?” Emma leaned in to give Brooke a goofy smile. “Is that what you’re telling me?”
“No. Yes. You know what I mean.”
“I do know. So, we’re both hurting right now.”
Brooke nodded. “But I’m not going to let that idiot ruin my life. I’m not going to fall to pieces.”
“Promise?”
“I...uh...well, maybe a little crumble.” Her voice shook.
Emma took Brooke’s hand and they sat there for a few minutes, holding on to each other and trying not to cry.
“You know what?” Brooke said. “We should get out of here. They’re showing a special screening of The Notebook at the Curtis Cinema down the street. If we’re going to cry, it might as well be over our favorite chick flick. Let’s go and then have a late dinner. Just like old times.”
“I like the sound of that. No more moping.”
“Pinkie swear?”
They locked their pinkie fingers, just as they did when they were kids. “Pinkie swear.”
“We’ll shut down our cell phones and have a night free of worries.”
“Shouldn’t you check in on Dylan?” Emma asked.
“I will, as soon as the movie ends. Deal?”
“It’s a deal,” Emma said, her spirits lifting for the first time in two days.
* * *
“Damn this traffic.” Dylan sat shotgun as Dan navigated the streets leading to Emma’s apartment, cutting in and out of the lineup of cars on Pacific Coast Highway whenever he could. “It would have to be the busiest time of day.”
After Dylan had called Detective Brice about the threatening letter, he was ordered to stay put at home. That had lasted only half an hour. His nerves had been bouncing out of his skin and there was only so much pacing he could do. How could he sit around and wait when Emma’s and Brooke’s lives could be in danger? Neither of them were answering their phones and their part-time employees confirmed they didn’t have an event tonight. He’d left countless messages at their homes and at the office, which had gone straight to voice mail. His texts hadn’t been answered, either.
He’d moved fast then, ordering Dan to drive, while Jeff followed behind, both in black SUVs. The first stop was Emma’s place. She should’ve been home from work by now. Dusk had settled in, a gray cloud cover shutting out the lingering light.
His unanswered voice mails put fear in his heart. Emma was in danger, he was sure of it. That creep Lincoln couldn’t get at him after two failed attempts and now he was going after his unsuspecting pregnant wife.
Emma.
As soon as he’d read that damning note, his first thoughts were of her and the child she carried. She was his family now, along with the baby. That child was his best friend’s baby, an innocent in all this, and someone who deserved to be loved. Dylan was ashamed of himself for turning away from Roy’s baby. He hadn’t been thinking clearly. He’d felt the same sense of deceit and betrayal from Emma as he had from Renee. It had all been too much; his hopes and dreams had been paralyzed and he’d lashed out at the injustice, but none of it was Emma’s doing. He believed that now. Deep down he’d always known Emma wouldn’t resort to that kind of devastating deceit.
Good God, had his heart been so hardened that he couldn’t recognize true love when it slammed him in the face? Had it taken a threat to her life to make him realize what she meant to him?
He was in love with her.
And the very thought of Emma and the baby being hurt was too hard to imagine.
“Hurry, Dan. I can’t let anything happen to her.”
Once they finally reached Emma’s apartment building, Dan parked on the street and Dylan threw open the car door.
“Wait!” Dan ordered. “You can’t go running in there. It might be a trap.”
Jeff raced over, blocking him from getting out of the car.
“Then what are we going to do?”
“The smart thing is to wait for the cops to arrive,” Jeff said.
Dylan shook his head. “Think of another option.”
His cell phone rang and he immediately picked up. “Dylan, it’s me.”
“Brooke, thank God. I’ve been trying to reach you. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He got out of the car now, listening to the sweet sound of his sister’s voice. “Where are you and is Emma with you?”
“Yes, I’m with Emma. But first tell me, are you okay? I panicked when I saw a dozen missed calls from you. Your texts said Emma and I were in danger?”
“Yeah, you might be. The creep who tried to kill me sent a note saying he was going after my family. You’re sure Emma’s fine?”
“Uh, well, she will be. We were at the movies and she started feeling weak. When I looked at her face, she had gone completely white. I didn’t let her argue with me. I drove her straight to the emergency room. We’re at Saint Joseph’s.”
Dylan stopped breathing. God, if she lost the baby, he’d never forgive himself. He loved the both of them with all of his heart. “What’s wrong with her, Brooke? It isn’t the baby, is it?”
“The baby’s fine. Emma’s been under a lot of stress lately. She hasn’t been eating and, well, she’s been upset and crying lately. She’s dehydrated. Could’ve been really dangerous, but we caught it in time. They’re pumping her full of fluids now and the doctor said she’s going to be okay.”
Dylan ran his hand down his face. “Okay.” He heard the relief in his own voice. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. And I’m calling Detective Brice to put a guard on her door. Don’t leave the hospital under any circumstances.”
“That won’t be necessary.” At the gruff-sounding voice, Dylan turned and found Detective Brice approaching, a frown on his face that would scare the devil. “You don’t listen very well, do you, McKay? You almost blew our cover coming here.”
“Brooke,” Dylan said into the phone. “I’ll call you back in a sec. Just stay with Emma.” He hung up the phone, surprised to see Brice. “What do you mean?”
“We had the apartment under surveillance since this morning. Your sister’s place, too, just as a precaution. Sure enough, we found Lincoln tonight, lurking in the bushes in the courtyard. He’s in our custody now and he’s not going to be able to harm anyone ever again.”
The courtyard gates opened and Dylan faced the man who’d murdered Roy. Blood ran hot in his veins. Here was the man who’d tried to kill him twice, who was lying in wait to harm his pregnant wife. Lincoln was in handcuffs, two officers flanking him and three others following behind. All Dylan wanted to do was meet him on equal turf and beat the stuffing out of him. He took a step toward him and Brice got in his way, his hand firm on Dylan’s chest. “McKay, don’t be an idiot.”
Lincoln’s eyes bugged out of his skull when he saw Dylan. “You sonofabitch! You home wrecker! You don’t deserve to live!” Lincoln was out of his mind, wrestling with the officers restraining him. “You think you can take my kids, my wife. Ruin my life! You hotshot, you’ll live to regret this!”
Two of the other officers grabbed Lincoln, restraining his arms and maneuvering him into the squad car that had pulled up behind Jeff’s SUV.
Dylan shook his head. “He killed Roy.”
“He’ll pay for that,” Brice said. “And all the other crimes he’s committed.”
Dylan nodded. “Yeah.”
“He’s deranged, but something set him off. You said over the phone his ex-wife called you.”
“Yeah, she was the one who figured it out after she saw the headlines today about the attempt on my life. I don’t know too many details about her life, just that we were close once and that more recently she was near poverty, trying to raise her kids and keep her ex away from them. I’ve been sending her money to keep food on the table for her children. That was my crime. That’s why he hates me.”
“He’s going away for a long time.” Brice patted Dylan on the back. “It’s over now, McKay. You can go on being a superhero, on film,” he said, giving him a teasing smirk.
“There’s only one person I want to think of me that way.”
And unfortunately, it was the one person he’d hurt the most.
“Are we through here?” he asked.
“I’m going to need your statement,” Brice said.
“Can I give it to you later tonight? I just found out my wife’s in the hospital and I want to see her as soon as I can.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Brice puffed out a breath. “Okay. Sure. Go check on your wife. You both had some close calls lately. I hope she’s going to be okay.”
Dylan hoped so, too. “Thanks.” Dylan shook the detective’s hand. “I appreciate what you’ve done for my family. Your team did excellent work.”
“It’s all in a day’s work. Sometimes things go sideways, but this one turned out in the best way possible. No one got hurt today. I’m proud of these guys.”
Dylan left the detective to speak with his bodyguards. He dismissed them for the night, thanking them for their help, explaining that he wanted to see Emma on his own. He needed time alone to think things through on the drive over and he didn’t want to show up at the hospital with an entourage. He’d had plenty of experience sneaking in and out of places—fame did that to a man, made him hunt for ways to go undetected. He borrowed Jeff’s ball cap and his oversize gray sweat jacket as a disguise.
Dylan called Brooke back on the way to the hospital and told her the entire story. His little sister nearly broke down on the phone and he couldn’t blame her. What had transpired was like something out of a bad B movie. But they were all safe, he assured her, and he told her to hang tight. He would be there shortly.
As the SUV’s tires hit gravel on the way to the hospital, one thought continually nagged at him. How in hell was he going to make this up to Emma? He had no doubt he was responsible for her unhealthy state. She hadn’t been eating well and she’d been terribly upset lately. All because he’d misjudged her and had the foolish notion that he couldn’t love completely again.
At the hospital, he found Brooke sitting in a waiting room. She took one look at him, bolted up and flew into his arms, tears streaming down her face. “Dylan, my God...to think what could have happened to you. To Emma. I’m a freaking basket case.”
“I know. I know.” He brought her into his embrace and held on tight. Her face was pressed to his chest, her quiet sobs soaking his terrible disguise. “We’re all going to be fine now, Brooke. The police have the guy in custody. He’s not going to hurt anyone anymore.”
“He murdered Roy.”
“Yeah, he did.” Dylan would have to live with that guilt the rest of his life. “How’s Emma? I need to see her, Brooke. I need to tell her... I just have to see her.”
Brooke pulled out of his arms, sniffled and gave him a somber look. How quickly she’d transformed into a mother hen. “Dylan, she’s sleeping now. They gave her a sedative and she’ll stay here for the night. She needs to rest and she especially needs no further drama in her life. Doctor’s orders.”
“I got that covered, sis.”
“Are you sure? Because you can’t mess with her, Dylan. She’s not as strong as she looks. She’s had a rough life. And she—”
“Brooke, I know what my wife needs.”
Brooke’s lips lifted in a smile and the defiance in her stern eyes faded. “And you’re going to make sure she gets everything she deserves?”
“Yes. I’ve been a fool and I plan on rectifying that now. But I’m going to need your help. Are you willing to help me win my wife back?”
“Is it going to cost me her friendship?”
“No, it may even earn you a spot as godmother to the baby.”
“Well, shoot. I’ve already got that in the bag.”
“But you’ll help me anyway because you love me?”
“Yeah, big brother. I’ll help you. Because I love you and Emma.”
* * *
Emma sat at her office desk and laid a hand on her belly, thanking God that her baby was thriving and growing as it should. The scare she’d had the night she went to the movies with Brooke couldn’t happen again. She couldn’t let her emotions get the best of her like that anymore. She was eating well now, drinking gallons of water a day, or so it seemed, and taking daily walks. All in all, she felt strong. Facing the future didn’t frighten her as much as it once had. Emma adapted well and she was learning how the new life growing inside her only encouraged her own private strength.
“Look what just arrived for you,” Brooke said, walking over with a vase full of fresh, snowy-white gardenias. “I love the way they smell.”
“Your brother has a good memory.” Emma admired the flowers Brooke set down on her desk. “Either that, or he’s a good guesser. It’s my favorite flower. You didn’t tell him, did you?”
Brooke shook her head. “No. He must’ve remembered how you’d always ask Mom if you could pick a gardenia off the bush to put it in your hair. You’d wear it until the leaves turned yellow.”
A fond memory. Emma smiled. “That’s when the scent is sweetest.”
Every day since her hospital stay, Dylan had done something thoughtful for her. The day she was released from the hospital, he’d sent her a basket of oils and lotions to pamper herself along with a gift certificate good for a dozen pregnancy massages with a message that simply read “I’m sorry.”
Yesterday, he’d sent her an array of fresh fruit done up in the shape of a stork. It was really quite ingenious, with wings made of pineapple slices and cherries as eyes. Again, there was a note, which read “Forgive me.”
And today, the flowers. She lifted the note card from its holder, her hand shaking. She wasn’t over Dylan, not by a long shot.
He’d wanted to see her. To apologize in person, but she wasn’t up to that yet. She needed time and strength and to make sure the baby was thriving again. She feared seeing Dylan would break her heart all over again. Luckily, because Brooke warned him off visiting her, he hadn’t pressed her about it.
Brooke had already walked back to her desk. It wasn’t like her not to nose around and ask what was going on. But then, Brooke’s heart had been broken, too. She didn’t believe in love anymore. Together, they were the walking wounded.
“I miss you,” the note read.
Tears pooled in her eyes. The gifts were getting a bit much. Why was he torturing her like this? Didn’t he know that she needed a clean break from him? That he owned her heart and soul and she was fighting like mad to take them back.
The capture of his stalker had made headlines and Dylan hadn’t been back to work yet, according to Brooke. The investigation had shut down production at the studio for a few days. His adoring fans had been outraged at the murder attempt and the police thought it best for him to keep a low profile. Dylan had his hands full with news helicopters circling his home, reporters at his front gate and paparazzi trying to get glimpses of him. He’d hunkered down at his mansion on Moonlight Beach and had his publicist offer a statement, thanking the police for their diligence, thanking his fans for their support and asking for the press to abide by his privacy during this difficult time.
Emma, too, had been the source of news, especially since she’d been a target as well, and as Dylan’s newly estranged bride, well...her life had become very public, very quickly. Emma refused to comment to the press and Dylan assigned Jeff to escort her to and from work each day to basically stand guard over her. It was weird having her own personal bodyguard, but she appreciated the gesture. No one had gotten near her, thanks to Jeff. Today, an equally juicy scandalous news story had broken and she hoped that she and Dylan were off the hook, at least for the time being.
This afternoon, she was working on a retirement party for a man who’d started his own business in foldable cartons back in the early 1950s. The exuberant senior citizen was finally retiring at the ripe young age of ninety-four, giving up the helm to his grandson. The party would be full of guests of all ages and she and Brooke worked tirelessly to throw an event that would encompass every one of the three generations attending.
Brooke turned away from her computer screen for a second. “Are you still on board for our meeting with the manager of Zane’s on the Beach tonight?”
“Yep, I’ll be there.”
“Okay, he’ll make time for us at around eight and we can go over the details for the party. I’ll meet you there, though. I have to run a few errands after work.”
“Sure. Jeff and I will meet you.” Emma lifted her lips in a smile.
Brooke rolled her eyes. “It’s for your own sanity, you know. Dylan’s used to having a swarm of reporters dogging him, but you’re not.”
“The reporters have backed off. Dylan’s probably getting the brunt of it.”
“He can handle it. The press loves him. Especially now. Since his murder attempt they’re treading carefully and trying to give him the space he needs.”
“For his sake, I hope so,” Emma replied. She’d lived in his world for a short time. There was never a time when people weren’t gawking at him, sneaking peeks or flat out trying to approach him.
“Me, too,” Brooke said. “Love that guy. I’ll be forever grateful he wasn’t hurt by that creep. I only wish...”
“What do you wish?”
“Nothing,” she said, dipping her head sheepishly. “I’ve got to go.” Brooke tossed her handbag over her shoulder and then bent to give Emma a kiss on the cheek. “See you later, Em.”
Emma closed up shop at precisely five o’clock, exited by the back door and found Jeff waiting for her by her car. He stood erect in his nondescript black suit, waiting. When he spotted her, she put her head down, stifling a frown. “I’m going home to have dinner. And then I’ve got an appointment.”
“Okay. I’ll follow you home. What time are you going out again?”
“Seven thirty. And I want you to eat something before you come back. Promise?”
He nodded and a silly smile erupted on his face. She was mother henning him to death, but in some weird way she thought he actually liked her fretting over him. If she was a better liar, she’d tell him she was calling it a night and going to bed early, but with her luck, she’d get caught in the lie and then feel bad about it for weeks. So, the truth had to be served.
Once she got home and Jeff was on his way, she created a healthy chicken salad with vegetable greens, cranberries and diced apples. She took her food over to the sofa, plopped her feet in front of the television screen and turned on the news until a report came on about Dylan’s would-be killer. She hit the off button instantly, shaking her head. She knew all she wanted to know about Craig Lincoln, Renee’s homicidal ex-husband, thank you very much. Her stomach lurched, but she fought the sensation and ate her salad like a good mother-to-be.
After dinner, she walked into her bedroom, took off her clothes and stepped into the shower. Until the warm spray hit her tired bones, she didn’t realize how very weary she was. For the past few weeks, she felt as if her emotions were on a wacky elevator ride going up and down, never really knowing where she was going or when it would finally stop. She lathered up with raspberry vanilla shower gel and lost herself in thought, allowing the soothing waters to take effect.
After her shower, she threw her arms through the sleeves of a black-and-white dress that belted loosely above her waist. There was no hiding her pregnancy any longer; her baby was sprouting and making its presence known. A cropped white sweater and low cherry heels completed her semiprofessional look. Next, she applied light makeup, eyeliner, meadow-green shadow and a little rosy lip gloss. The last thing she cared about right now was how she looked, but this was an important meeting.
She stepped out of her apartment at precisely seven thirty and there was Jeff, waiting for her. How long had he been standing guard outside her apartment? Gosh, she didn’t really want to know.
“Hi again,” she said.
Jeff stood at attention, his gaze dipping to her dress, and a glimmer of approval entered his eyes. Something warmed inside of her that she thought had been frozen out. She told him where she was headed.
“I know the place” was all he said.
She arrived at the restaurant a little before eight. She didn’t see Brooke’s car in the parking lot so she waited until eight sharp and there was still no sign of Brooke.
She got out of her car, and Jeff did the same. It was dark now, except for the full moon and the parking lot lights. The roar of the ocean reminded her of Dylan and the time she’d spent living as his wife and she sighed. Fleeting sadness dashed through her but she had no time for self-pity. She had a client to meet.
Jeff did a thorough scan of the grounds as he approached her. “I’m meeting my partner here,” she said, “but since it’s already eight, I’d better go inside to start the meeting.”
“I’ll walk you inside.”
“Is that necessary?”
He smiled. “It’ll make me feel better.”
She smiled at his comment. He’d taken a page from her mother-hen book. “Okay.”
When they reached the front door, he opened it for her. “After you.”
“Thank you.” She stepped inside the restaurant and her heart seized up at the sight before her eyes. Hundreds of lit votive candles illuminated the empty space. “Oh, no. We must’ve gotten the date wrong. Looks like someone is setting up for a party,” she said to Jeff.
When he didn’t answer, she turned around. Jeff was gone. Vanished into thin air.
Her heart pumped harder now and she was ready to scurry away, when a figure walked out of the darkness into the candlelight—a man wearing a dark tuxedo with lush blond hair and incredible melt-your-soul blue eyes.
“Hello, Emma. You look beautiful.”
Her hand was up at her throat. She didn’t know how it got there. “Dylan?”
He smiled, eyes twinkling, and walked over to her. She nibbled on her lip, trying to make sense of all this, and when he took her hand and held on to it, as if for dear life, she was beginning to see, beginning to hope that she knew what all this meant.
“I’ve been a fool,” he said.
Oh, God, yes. Not the fool part, but that, too. He was here for her. “Why do you say that?”
“Come,” he said, pivoting around and guiding her with their hands still clasped to a table set for two overlooking Moonlight Beach. Roses and gardenias at the center of the table released an amazing sweet aroma. A chilled bottle of sparkling water sat in a champagne bucket, along with two flutes. The crystal glassware and fine bone china reflected the candlelight, added sparkle and a heavenly aura to the room. Right now, that’s exactly how she felt: out of this world.
“As you might’ve guessed, there is no appointment for you to keep tonight. Just dinner with me.”
She blinked and blinked and blinked. “You arranged all this?”
He nodded, but his smile seemed shaky and unsure, not the usual confident Dylan smile. “I know the owner.”
Zane Williams. Of course. He’d attended their fateful wedding. “And I wanted to do something for you that was as special as you are, Emma.”
“I’m not that special,” she whispered.
“To me, you are. To me, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted and it’s taken me nearly losing you to that maniac to figure it out. When I thought you were in danger, I panicked and my thick head finally cleared. I was willing to do anything to keep you safe.”
“Jeff told me you were ready to risk your life for me.”
“Jeff, huh? Well, it’s true. The thought of you getting hurt made me realize that my life, all of my success, everything I have now, would mean nothing if you weren’t right there beside me. You and the baby. God, I’ve been so selfish, Emma. I only thought of what I’d lost when I found out you were carrying Roy’s baby. But I never stopped to realize what I’d be gaining. Until I almost lost you.”
“I was never in any real danger.”
“Not that night, no. But if Renee hadn’t called to warn me, things might’ve turned out differently. He threatened your life. He probably wouldn’t have stopped until... I can’t think about it.”
“Well, I’m thankful to Renee for putting the pieces together.”
Dylan nodded. “I owe her for that. And the best way to repay her isn’t by sending her money. A friend of mine has a job waiting for her, as a personal secretary. She’s going back to work and she’s happy about it. The job pays well and she’ll be able to hold her head up high again and support her family.”
“Dylan, that’s wonderful. You’re giving her a second chance.”
He nodded. “I hope so.”
“You’re a good man, Dylan.”
“Good enough for you to give me a second chance?”
“Maybe,” she said softly. “After the attempt on your life, I came to the hospital and made Brooke promise not to tell you. I wanted to see you so badly, but I didn’t want my being there to upset you, so I stayed outside your room until I found out you were going to be okay.”
“I wanted to see you. I’d hoped you would come.”
“I didn’t think it would be wise.”
“Emma. I’m sorry for how I’ve behaved. I’m sorry about everything. I should’ve stopped you from walking out on me. I let you leave my house pregnant and alone to face an unknown future. I hope you can forgive me for being obtuse and selfish.”
“I think I already have, Dylan. I couldn’t hold a grudge when your life was in danger. And I’ve made mistakes, too. I shouldn’t have lost my head and gotten so drunk that night that I didn’t realize what was happening. I told you the baby was yours. It was only natural for you to be disappointed to find out the truth. I’m sorry you were hurt. Truly.”
“Apology accepted. Now it’s time for us to put those mistakes in the past and look to the future.” Dylan went down on one knee then, and her out-of-this-world experience got real, really quickly. “Emma, I want to do this right this time. I love you with all of my heart. I love the child you’re carrying, my best friend’s baby, and it’s my hope that we raise the baby together and—”
“Wait!” She put up her hand and the hope on Dylan’s face waned. It wasn’t that she hadn’t heard him the first time or that she wanted him to stop, but she’d waited a long time for those words. They were worth repeating. “Can you say that again?”
“The I-love-you-with-my-whole-heart part?”
“That’s the one.”
“I do, Emma, I love you,” he declared. “I didn’t think I’d ever let myself love again. After Renee, it was just easier to have casual relationships with women. No risk, no injury. I guess it was a way of protecting myself from ever feeling that kind of pain again. I’m not making excuses, but for me, falling in love wasn’t an option, mentally and emotionally. I wanted no part of it. Everything changed, though, when you became part of my life. Suddenly, everything I’ve ever wanted was right in front of me. It took a blackout and a baby to make me see it. It was a strange journey to be on, but I can’t imagine my life without you and the baby in it. You’re my family, and I see a wonderful future ahead for us. So, sweetheart, will you please come back home...to me? Be my wife, mother of our child. I propose for us to stay married and love each other until the end of time. Could you do that?”
Tears of joy streamed down her face. Dylan’s proposal was everything she’d ever wanted. She loved him beyond belief. How could she look at that man, see the truth in his humble blue eyes and not love him? “I can. I will. I love you, Dylan. And I want a life with you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
On bended knee, he caressed her growing belly and placed a sweet kiss there. The outpouring of his love was evident in the reverent way he spoke about the baby, spoke of his love for her. She believed in his love now, believed in their future.
Then he rose to his full height, his gaze clouded with tears. “I love you, Emma. And our child. The best I can do is promise to share my life with you and try to make every day happy for our family. Is that enough?”
“More than enough,” she whispered.
She was drawn into the circle of his arms and he bent his head to claim her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss. By the time he was through, her mind was spinning and only one fulfilling, delicious thought entered her head.
She’d finally claimed dibs on Dylan McKay. And quite fantastically, he’d also claimed dibs on her.
And that would be no darn secret anymore.
* * * * *
Don’t miss the first two books in the MOONLIGHT BEACH BACHELORS series by USA TODAY bestselling author Charlene Sands
HER FORBIDDEN COWBOY
THE BILLIONAIRE’S DADDY TEST
And pick up these other emotional reads from Charlene Sands
SUNSET SURRENDER
SUNSET SEDUCTION
THE SECRET HEIR OF SUNSET RANCH
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Keep reading for an excerpt from SNOWBOUND WITH THE BOSS by Maureen Child.
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