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Collin's body shook from the restraint it took to back away.
"Ren, I..." The words died in his throat when he looked at
her pain-filled face. This time he would not make a rash
decision. His impetuous judgment had put him into this mess.
Now he needed to give careful consideration to how to get
them out of it as unscathed as possible. "I need to talk to
Wallis. We'll discuss this later."
"There is nothing more to talk about."
"Yes, well, we'll see."
Serenity held back her tears as she watched her Collin
no, he wasn't her Collin any more walk off. Behind her, she
could sense her brother's presence. His bay rum scent wafted
toward her. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
"You love MacClarron, don't you?" Myles asked softly.
"Very much. But he deserves better."
"I know how you feel."
She turned, looking at her solemn-faced brother. "Are you
referring to Fiona?"
Myles cleared his throat. "I want to marry her, Rennie.
Only I'm afraid to ask. I have not done right by women in the
past. Working for Uncle Oliver, she no doubt knows my
reputation for being a rake. What if she refuses my offer?"
"She won't."
"I don't know, Rennie. Sometimes I think she sees down
into my very soul. She sees me, flaws and all. That's an
unnerving thought, considering how many imperfections there
are."
"I rather think Fiona has accepted those imperfections.
She sees the man you have become in spite of them."
Myles snorted. "A man who lets his best friend hurt his
twin sister. How can you forgive me for that, when I can't
even forgive myself?"
"Because it wasn't you who did the hurting. Besides, I am
partly to blame. I let foolish pride stand in the way of our
relationship."
"Did it occur to you that you might be making the same
mistake with MacClarron?"
"Yes, but I try not to think about it."
* * * *
"Wait, Desiree. We need to talk."
365
Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Desiree pulled the straps on her gear bag tighter. She
patted the flank of the gray mare she had just bought.
"There's nothing to talk about. Lilly told me to pack up after I
embarrassed her in front of the entire town."
"I thought you were very brave."
Desiree swallowed hard. She could feel Wallis's heat
radiating behind her.
"A lot of good it did me. I broke Miss Lilly's cardinal rule.
Now I got no job and just barely enough money to get me out
of town."
Wallis turned her around. "What if I asked you to stay?"
Desiree shook her head. "I can't." Tears blurred her vision.
"I'd never be accepted. Do you love me enough to face down
the talk about us?"
"I don't know, Desi. You're mighty special, but..."
"You don't have to make excuses. I know how it is
between us."
Wallis caught her chin in his hand. "Desi, you've been my
best friend. I know you wouldn't accept my help in the past.
I'm begging you now."
"How can you help me? You can't change my past."
"No, but I can open up the future. I think I know someone
who might need you. Come back to my office with me while I
work out the details."
Desiree sighed. "Only for a while. I still have a ways to go
today. I don't want to spend the night on the trail."
Wallis hugged her. "You won't be sorry."
Desiree fought back her tears. She hated to tell him, but
she was already sorry.
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
* * * *
I can't help it, Fiona thought as she crept over and peered
down at Myles. She needed to touch him just one more time
to assure herself that he was going to live. Her hand brushed
his cool cheek. It was a good sign that he didn't have fever.
His hand snaked out and captured her wrist. "My own wee
fairy. I wondered where you were."
"I didna want to interrupt."
Myles stared at her, making her wonder what went on
behind those deep blue eyes of his. What did he see when he
looked at her? A poor, uneducated lass?
"Sorry," Myles said.
"For what?"
"For everything. I "
Fiona tapped a finger over his lips. "'Tis in the past.
Serenity has forgiven you."
"Yes, but can I forgive myself?"
"In time you will."
"How did you get to be so wise?"
Fiona shrugged.
"Have you made plans for the future now that Serenity is
staying?"
"I thought she was going back with you."
Myles shook his head. "She thinks so, but the possessive
gleam in MacClarron's eyes tells me differently. He loves her."
"How do you know that?"
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Myles grinned. "I recognize the signs. Being in love myself,
that is. Besides, he accepts her, secrets and all, just like you
do me."
Fiona's gaze met his. "You believed in me when I didn't
even believe in myself."
She tried to pull away, but Myles pulled her down onto the
bed.
"Marry me, Fiona."
Her eyes widened with shock. She wanted to believe his
words, but couldn't. Once this adventure was over, would he
still feel that way about her?
"I canna." Her head dropped. She couldn't meet his gaze.
"I love you."
"Please dinna say..." Her voice choked off with tears. "I
must be strong."
Myles's thumb caressed the back of her hand, sending a
shiver of awareness up her arm.
"Fiona, denying your feelings doesn't make them go away.
I know that I'm no one's choice of a perfect husband, but I do
love you. I'll try to make you happy."
Fiona covered his hand with her other one. "I may not [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]