Awakened By A Kiss (Once Upon A Romance) (12 page)
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Authors: Laurie LeClair
She wanted her own. She’d make a great mother. She deserved the chance.
But that meant forever. His heart picked up speed. Could he really risk his heart?
***
Evelyn’s ears still rang with Candace’s sobs.
Taking over from her bewildered and shell-shocked parents, Evelyn had been the one Candace had clung to. She soothed her, ordering hot tea and crackers, and instructed her staff on how to proceed.
The reception went forward. The orchestra played to their hearts content. Drinks flowed. People laughed. They danced.
The wedding cake was hidden away in a portable freezer.
At the last minute, the chef concocted three desserts, simple yet elegant.
The reports came back to her and questions were answered. And all the while, she was there for Candace Hightower the Horrible. Now, the Hurt.
“Everything’s going to be all right, Candace,” she said for the hundredth time, finding empathy for the woman. She sat beside the limp woman and cuddled her close, rocking her. She stroked her hair, pulling it out of the perfect chignon. “Go ahead and cry it out. It’s been a long time coming.”
“I…he…we…” She gulped. “Dex promised.”
“He must have been scared.” Evelyn guessed; she’d directed Shane to take Dex home. That was the last she’d heard of the cousins. Maybe it was the last time she’d seen Shane, too; he’d gotten what he wanted. The wedding never took place.
“But…I can’t support…me…never…” She stopped and wept even harder.
Her body convulsed. Evelyn held her tighter. She shouldn’t be here; she shouldn’t care. But she did. There was no one else for this woman.
Tears spent finally, Candace sagged against her. “I slept with him. One time.”
“I thought you didn’t know him.”
“Not really.” Her voice was flat and monotone. “His first name. He was flashy and cocky. And, I remember thinking, electrifying. He promised me the moon. I ate it up.”
“That’s easy enough to do,” she said softly.
“Why are you being so nice to me? I’ve been a horror to you.”
She shrugged. “Beats me, as my sister-in-law says.”
“I did something bad. I stole your letter from the lab. I made sure Shane knew. I’ve been so mean to you.”
“Yes, you have.”
That got a little chuckle. “And still you stay. Oh, I can’t think.”
“Then I’ll do it for you tonight. I will take you and your parents home in the limo that’s waiting. We’ll get you out of that dress, get you in a hot bath, scrub off the last of your makeup, more hot tea, and tuck you in your bed for a long sleep.”
“You would do that for me?” Fresh tears plopped from her face and on Evelyn’s arms. “I don’t have any friends.”
“And I’ll be back first thing in the morning to check on you. Now.” She patted the woman’s shoulder. “Up and at ’em.”
Her commands were obeyed without question.
Now, if only that had happened these last few weeks, my life would have been a whole lot easier
.
***
Evelyn ached all over. Her battered heart tugged at Candace’s predicament. Thankfully, her parents came around enough to tell their daughter they’d do anything to help her raise the baby. Surprisingly, she hadn’t broken down. In fact, she seemed to be absorbing the enormity of her situation finally.
Now, it was two in the morning. As she tidied up the last of the King’s Department Store things at the museum, Evelyn shook her head. She, who longed for a baby, wouldn’t get the chance. And Candace, who had no desires for a child, would have one in a few short months.
The stack of boxes to go back to the store sat in a neat pile near the doorway. A crew would come and pick it up tomorrow.
When she’d first arrived back here, the director had approached and commended her on a job well done, especially saving the event, even if a wedding hadn’t taken place. He even asked if they were available for more than just weddings. She’d pass the request onto Griff when she followed up with the aftermath.
At least she saved face for King’s. It wasn’t their fault. And perhaps they were willing to expand into other avenues and events.
The one thing she did know, this was her last wedding. She was done. “No more drama for me,” she said, weary at the weeks of lead-up to this one and to the draining night itself.
Hopefully, she’d find something else at King’s. After all, they were her second family. She had no desire to leave the store or her loved ones.
Her smile faded as she waved to her last two employees. “Be safe,” she called after them, feeling all of a hundred years old as they bounced out.
Silence descended.
She picked up her overstuffed tote bag and turned around. “I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight.” She eyed the boxes with the paperwork in it and recalled how some of the wedding cards with money in them were nestled there. They would have to be returned. But, first, a safe place.
“Decision made. Back to the store, with you at least.” Evelyn hefted the box and lugged it out of the darkened museum.
Thirty minutes later, she said her goodnight to the limo driver after he set the box down at the entrance to the store. He’d been an angel all night, waiting for her at the Hightowers and then at the museum. Making a mental note, she decided to ask Griff to give the man a bonus for all he’d done for her.
“Hey, Evie. You here late. All dressed up pretty, too.” Bruno, the night guard, let her in the door she’d banged on. “That was some wedding. Our Peg and Austin. I wept like a little baby, watching our girl.”
She choked up, thinking about her family. “Me, too.” At least, one wedding went off without a hitch this weekend. “Thanks, Bruno. Can you let me up to the executive offices? I’ve got some cash here I need to lock up.”
“Sure thing.” He picked up the box and let her go in first. His radio squawked.
“Yo, Bruno, there’s a door open. Must have missed it. Can you bring the key? Door eighteen.”
“He’s new,” he said, shaking his head. “I gotta go fetch him. First that key’s in my office, hanging up. You know the code to the elevator, right?”
She nodded, taking the box. “I’m good. You want to order take-out with me after I’m done? You think I’d have eaten something at that wedding, wouldn’t you?”
“Sounds good to me. You can tell me all the details from that Hightower wedding, too.” He ducked in his office.
Cringing, she mumbled, “Okay. See you back here in what, half hour?”
“If I’m late, you gotta wait.” He jangled the key on his belt. “Store key. Don’t let that one outta my sight. I’ll lock the door, so you can’t leave ’til I’m back.”
“Got it.” She headed across the marble floor. The smooth soles of her high heels slid. Thankfully, she caught herself. “Close one.”
The box shifted. She righted it.
In the distance, Bruno talked to himself and made quite a commotion with the door. Was he asking himself questions and answering them? She smiled at that and shook her head. The man needed to get some serious rest.
At the elevator, she blinked in the dim light. Squinting, she made out the numbers. “Now, let’s see.” Pressing the awkward box up against the doors, she punched in the code.
It dinged. The doors opened and she lost her balance. Tumbling forward, she let go and upended the box. It hit with a dull thud. The contents spilled out. Reaching out to steady herself, Evelyn threw up her hands. Her tote bag swung back and forth.
The doors began to close.
“Hold that elevator,” Shane called. “I’m checking for weapons.”
She squealed, and then turned around, sliding around on her heels. Sticking her arm out, Evelyn halted the doors. They jerked open. “Shane? How? Why? I thought you never wanted to see me again.”
He rushed in, bumping into her. She slipped. Falling backwards, she grabbed onto him. He tugged her close. The tote bag hit him in the gut. He sucked in a breath. “Weapon number one. Have I ever told you you’re dangerous, Evelyn White?”
“What are you doing here?” He was there: strong, solid, and real. She dropped the tote. It clipped his foot. He muttered under his breath. “Tell me I’m not dreaming.”
He cupped her face between his hands. “I’m supposed to be sweeping you off your feet, but I think you’ve done that to me. I’m head over heels in love with you, Ev.”
She chuckled. “You’re joking. You
fear
divorce.” She gulped hard, thinking she’d just ruined her chance by reminding him.
“No divorces allowed. You in?”
“Do you want kids?” She held her breath. Could she have it all? Could she be done with compromising half her life?
He winced. “Not seven.”
“One?” Was it even possible? “We’ll have to try soon.” The clock was ticking.
“Works for me. That and babysitting. Lots of it.”
Her heart tugged. Staring up into his baby blues, she said, “Can I keep you, Shane Weston? And can you do that kissing thing again? I really, really liked that…”
THE END
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Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page. Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim.
You can contact her at:
https://twitter.com/LeClairbooks
https://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75
If The Shoe Fits
– Book 1
Waking Sleeping Beauty
– Book 2
Taming McGruff
– Book 3
The Reluctant Beauty
– Book 4
Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5
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The Bounty Hunter Series:
Murphy’s Law
– Book 1
Riley’s Rules
– Book 2
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The Heart Romance Series:
Secrets Of The Heart
– Book 1
Crimes Of The Heart
– Book 2
Lies Of The Heart
– Book 3