Reed shrugged. “Sorry, Graham, but I fell in love with Lacey, and I couldn’t do what you asked.”
“Graham,” a woman came running up to him. “Oh Graham, honey, that was so good. I thought you hated Lacey’s program, but to do a documentary on it. Oh honey, does this mean you’re willing to try again?” Juliet stood before Graham, her blue eyes gazing at him like he was a God.
Graham looked from Reed to Juliet and then back to Reed, who could see the confusion on his face. He could see the man wanted to scream and yell and curse Lacey’s business, but then, here was a chance of Juliet coming back into his life.
“Honey, of course this means I’m willing to try again. Sugar, I’ve missed you so much.”
She flung herself into his arms and pressed her lips against his. “I’m so glad. Oh, Graham, what a lovely film. You couldn’t have done anything better to get me back.”
Reed smiled and gave Graham a thumbs up.
“Hang on a second, sugar,” Graham said, not releasing Juliet, but watching Reed. “My office tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.”
Reed shook his head. “Sorry, Graham. I’ve been fired. I won’t be here.” He turned and walked up the aisle. No way could he let her sit there another minute alone. Quietly, he hurried over to where she sat.
As he came up the aisle, she saw him, her gaze connecting with his. She swiped at the tears on her face.
“Hi,” he said softly. “You came.”
“Reed,” she said shakily. “He fired you.”
Reed shrugged his shoulders and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. “His loss. I’m thinking of going out on my own.”
“But—”
He held up his hand. “Before you say anything about the film, I need to tell you the truth.”
“I loved the film,” she said in a whisper.
“Wait, hear me out,” he said, frowning. He took a deep breath. “I didn’t start this film out to make you look good. I had the worst of intentions. I meant to trash you just like you said. I was an ass and a jerk. But you changed me. You made me see the world differently.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in relationship coaches.”
“I didn’t.”
“I thought you hated me and what I stood for.”
He laughed. “I did. You changed my world. You made me see the life I was living was shallow and cold. You helped me to realize I was afraid of giving myself completely to any woman. You made me vulnerable.”
He’d never felt so vulnerable as he felt at this moment. He needed this woman, like he needed his next breath. He wanted it all, and she’d shown him what he was missing.
“And now, how do you feel about me?” she asked softly.
“I hate you for showing me I was such a despicable ass.” He paused. “I love you for changing me. I want to spend every day with you. I want to grow old with you.”
She laughed at him. “Damn you, Reed Hunter. You’re not following the twelve step program.”
He took her by the hand and pulled her to a standing position, where he could wrap his arms around her. “Tell me what step I missed, and I promise I’ll go back and do it. Tell me what I have to do to get you back in my life. You’ve made me a better man. I need you like my next breath.”
His lips covered hers in a kiss that was full of love and hope and desperation. He’d missed her touch, her laughter, and the way she made him think bigger.
She’d changed his world for the better, just like she helped so many people.
The lights in the theater came on, and they came apart, seeing their friends and families standing in the doorway. They were smiling, and then they begin to clap. Softly at first, but soon the theater was loud with enthusiasm as people gave the couple applause.
Lacey blushed and leaned her head into his chest. “Marry me?” she asked.
“Just say when,” he replied. “We can go tonight. Whatever you want, say the word, as long as you’re by my side.”
She hugged him to her, and Reed knew he’d come home. The permanent bachelor had found a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Epilogue
Three months later, Reed took his seat out in the studio. His wife, his soul mate and lover was about to achieve her dream, and he had to be here to share the experience with her. She’d changed his life, and he couldn’t imagine a day without her tender touch.
The music keyed, and she walked out on the stage in front of a live audience with a smile on her face.
And now, because of her support and belief in him, he was starting his own production company.
She smiled at him, and he felt so proud to be sitting here as her husband. Life was good.
“Welcome. I’m Lacey Morgan-Hunter, relationship coach. I’d like to begin by talking about the importance of passion in our lives.”
God, he was a lucky man.
__________________
Author Bio
Sylvia McDaniel
Sylvia McDaniel is a best-selling, award-winning author of western historical romance and contemporary romance novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides a western historical western series, The Cuvier Widows, a Louisiana historical series, and several short contemporary romances.
Former President of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, Golden Network Finalist and a Carolyn Readers Finalist.
Married for nearly twenty years to her best friend, they have one dachshund that reigns as Queen Supreme Dog and a good-looking, grown son who thinks there’s no place like home. Sylvia loves gardening, shopping, knitting and football (Cowboys and Bronco’s fan), but not necessarily in that order.
Currently she’s written eighteen novels and is hard at work on number nineteen. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter to learn about new releases, contests and every month a new subscriber is entered into a drawing for a free book.
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You can write to Sylvia at P.O. Box 2542, Coppell, TX 75019 or visit her website.
The Wanted Bride
She’s a Runaway Bride
Valerie Burrows is running from a wedding, her attorney fiancé and the law. Pampered Valerie takes a bus to nowheresville, where she learns her cash and credit cards have been stolen. Left with only her designer clothes and luggage she takes on a new identity and must learn to be self-reliant. She swears off men, especially attorneys, only to find the one man who refuses a one night stand and wants a relationship.
He’s Looking For A Wife
Matt Jordan, the Colorado Crusher, is the most successful liability lawyer in the state. After the death of his brother-in-law, he realizes he’s ready to settle down with a family of his own. His only requirements are intelligent, great-looking, wants more than a hook-up and doesn’t lie. After witnessing the lies his father told his mother, he demands complete honesty. Yet Valerie Brown shows him sometimes in order to find yourself, you must become someone else. Even if that means lying.
Available now on Amazon
The Wanted Bride
My Sister's Boyfriend
A Contemporary Romance Novel
The trouble with identical twins…
He's back. The one guy she never wanted to see again. Her high school indiscretion, Brent Moulton, has returned to Tyler, Texas. Only Jennifer Riley knows the truth about that night so long ago when she switched places with her twin sister, Julie, and gave her
virginity along with her heart, to her sister's boyfriend in the backseat of his father's Mustang.
…they look alike.
Fifteen years later, life has thrown them back together. Will Brent realize he slept with the wrong twin? Will he overcome his commitment issues and realize that Jennifer just might be the right twin for him.
Available now on Amazon
My Sisters Boyfriend
The Reluctant Santa
Scrooge Colin McDermott Has One Last Chance To Get Christmas Right
Colin McDermott hates Christmas, doesn’t like children and is focused on making his first million. But two angels are fighting for his soul and to teach him about the importance of love and family. This is his last chance to learn the true meaning of Christmas. Watch as Colin receives everything he never wanted for Christmas.
Available now on Amazon
The Reluctant Santa
Other Books by Sylvia
The Burnett Brides
The Rancher Takes a Bride
The Outlaw Takes a Bride
The Marshal Takes a Bride
The Burnett Brides Boxed Set (1-3)
The Christmas Bride
The Cuvier Women
Wronged
Betrayed
Beguiled
The Cuvier Women Boxed Set
Lipstick and Lead
Desperate
Deadly – October 2014
Dangerous – November 2014
Daring – December 2014
Not in a Series
A Hero’s Heart
A Scarlet Bride
Contemporary Novels by Sylvia
My Sister’s Boyfriend
The Wanted Bride
The Reluctant Santa
Kisses, Laughter & Love (Boxed Set)
Return to Cupid Texas
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 Sylvia McDaniel
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, downloaded, transmitted, decompiled, reverse engineered, stored in or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form, whether electronic or mechanical without the author’s written permission. Scanning, uploading or distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without permission is prohibited.
Please purchase only authorized electronic versions, and do not participate in, or encourage pirated electronic versions
Publisher: Virtual Bookseller LLC
eBook formatting by Ink Lion Books
Cover by Kim Killion
Table Of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Author Bio
The Wanted Bride
My Sister's Boyfriend
The Reluctant Santa
Other Books by Sylvia
Copyright