When the door opened again, Ralph stepped out, and the most beautiful, enchanting woman he’d ever seen was on his arm. Ethan wasn’t someone who got emotional, but the sight of her almost brought tears to his eyes.
As they approached, he saw nothing except for Kollette. And when her father passed him her hand, it was the moment he realized he’d been holding his breath. This was it. Something he never thought he wanted, yet she was everything he needed.
Standing before the minister, he whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said.
The minister started, “We are gathered here today…”
Ethan heard the words being uttered, but it was his heart talking to hers that was making this union. One that he would love, honor and treasure, till death do they part.
Epilogue
Kollette wasn’t sure how she had managed, but she knew that it would’ve been impossible alone. She knew she had Ethan’s support, but never had she thought her brother and father would be so involved too.
Finding a place to live, to start a family, wasn’t easy. But the wilderness lodge in Tennessee was going to have what both she and Ethan were looking for. Now all they had to do was finish getting it built.
“There you are. What are you doing out here alone? I thought you’d be inside barking orders at one of the contractors,” Connor said.
“You’re pushing your luck,” she warned.
“I know. Is the pressure getting to you? Because you look…tired.”
“Thanks. Just what I needed,” she said.
“I’m serious Kollette. I think you’re pushing yourself too hard. You have bags under your eyes and you look…puffy. Maybe you should see a doctor.”
“Or an obstetrician,” she replied.
“A what?”
“A baby doctor,” she clarified.
“You’re pregnant? You’re kidding me right?” he said.
“There’s certain things I wouldn’t joke about, but yes, I’m going to have a baby.”
“Does Ethan know?” he asked.
“Of course. I’m not going to tell you when my husband doesn’t know. I told him this morning.”
“Well that explains why he’s such a klutz. He hit his own hand with the hammer.”
“Oh no. Is he okay?” she asked.
“He’s fine. Nothing a bit of cussing didn’t fix. How about Dad? Does he know?” Connor asked.
She shook her head. “I’m afraid that he will want to take control of my division thinking that it’s too much for me.”
“I’m not taking sides but”
“Not again. You are always taking sides when you say that. So you think it’s too much for me too?”
“No. I think Dad would be thrilled if you asked him for help. He’s been calling me a lot more lately. I think he’s missing you. I’m not suggesting you quit working on this project, just let him get more involved. Even if it is just to ask his advice.”
“Maybe I should wait to tell him,” she said.
“Why?”
“So he doesn’t start hitting his hand too,” she laughed. “Can you believe it? Dad is in there actually helping Ethan put together a rustic table.”
“You know what is even funnier?”
“What?”
“How it’s turning out. Two brilliant businessmen. But I’m not sure either of them have ever read instructions before.”
“Then what are you doing out here? Get back in there and help!”
“You know what your Dad is like when he can’t figure something out. It’s not pretty,” he said.
“So you left Ethan in there alone with him?”
“Yes. But that was before I knew he was about to become a father. Now I feel horrible about doing it.”
“Then go back in,” she ordered.
“I don’t feel that bad,” he laughed. Then he added, “For the record, the Lawson men don’t need any taking care of either.”
“Ethan, is kind and sweet and gentle and romantic and”
“You’re making sick listening to all this. Maybe I will go back in. It’d be less…painful” he teased.
“You do know you’re messing with a hormonal woman. That’s not very smart,” she warned.
“Seriously Kollette, when are you going to tell your father?”
Before she could reply, her father came outside, rushing to her side while Ethan stood on the stairs watching.
He picked her up and hugged her so tight. Then said, “I can’t wait to get back to Miami.”
Connor asked, “What for?”
“I need to baby-proof the house. I’m going to be a grandfather!” Ralph hugged her again, then put her down and said, “Now not that I’m trying to be pushy, but twins do run on my side of the family.”
She looked at Ethan, half panicked and then relaxed. One child would’ve scared her before, two, terrified her. But with Ethan, everything seemed to be going according to some plan, one she never had made. Neither of them might not believe in fate, but somehow it had a way of getting what it wanted. Thankfully, it also seemed to be exactly what they both needed.
The End
Also by Jeannette Winters
The Reluctant Heart Series
Book 1: Don’t Break
Book 2: Don’t Hesitate
Book 3: Just Trust
Book 4: Just Feel
Book 5: Don’t Quit
Book 6: Just Believe
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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?
**************************************************
Book 1: One White Lie (FREE!)
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 b
roken 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 (FREE!)
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!
**************************************************
Southern Desires Series:
Book 1: Southern Spice (FREE!)
Book 2: Southern Exposure
Book 3: Southern Delight
Book 4: Southern Regions
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 (FREE!)
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
authordaniellestewart.com
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)