‘Then there’s only one answer to your question. Looking back these past few weeks, I can see just how low Alexa and Travis took me. I couldn’t believe that the woman I loved was capable of doing that to me. To us. I was in love with my wife, Toni, but she didn’t love me. That’s hard to come back from. So my answer is no. I don’t want you to wait for me.’
Her heart caught in her throat but he pressed one finger on her lips and smiled, breaking the terror. ‘You see, I’m not as brave as you are. As soon as I saw that portrait this morning, I knew that I couldn’t leave the woman I have fallen in love with without trying to come up with some options.’
He grinned at her and slid forward so that both of his hands were cupped around her face as tears pricked her eyes. ‘I love you way too much to let you go. I need you, Toni. I need you so much. Nothing else comes close. What would you say if I told you that Freya and I have come up with a plan which will make it possible for me to work out of London for the summer months?’
She shuddered out a chuckle of delight and relief. ‘I would say, Yes, please, and then I would ask how you have managed it.’
‘Freya has been fielding enquiries from location scouts from TV and movie companies all around the world. Your idea worked, Toni. It worked brilliantly. We already have bookings for most of the year and part of the next. Elstrom Mapping is safe for the next five years and I have a job as a location actor any time I want one.’
Scott took both of her hands in his, his voice suddenly full of life and excitement and enthusiasm. ‘There was one extra condition before I signed my new contract with the survey company in Alaska. I told them that I would only do it if I could bring my girlfriend with me to Anchorage in October so that she could see the Northern Lights for herself. After all, she is a professional artist and one of the Baldoni family. She deserves first class travel all of the way.’
‘Your girlfriend—’ She breathed out the words, tears pricking her wide eyes, scarcely daring to believe what he was saying.
‘You have given me the greatest compliment a man could wish for. You offered me your love and your confidence and the freedom to live my life. I never imagined I would find a woman who could love me as much as I loved her. I am not going anywhere without you and I mean that.’
Scott’s voice faltered as he pressed his forehead to her flushed brow.
‘I have travelled all over the world, Toni. I might have kidded myself that it was for work, but the truth is harder to accept. I needed to prove to myself that I was not a complete failure and that I hadn’t let my family down when I walked away from the firm.’
‘Oh, Scott. It was never your fault. Just as it wasn’t mine. I know that now. You have made a difference because the man I love has given his life to his family. And I know how many sacrifices that takes.’ She was stroking the hair back from his forehead now, her fingertips moving through the short curls as she stared into the depths of those stunning eyes.
‘I have never felt such an overwhelming sense of belonging than in those few days I spent with you. I didn’t even realize that I was looking for it. Your heart is my beacon home. Wherever you are is where I want to be. Bring me home, Toni. Bring me home.’
He knelt in front of her as he whispered in a husky intimate voice that she had only heard before in her dreams, ‘I love you and want you to be part of my life, Toni. If you’ll have me?’
Toni looked into a face so full of love that her heart broke.
‘Oh, my sweet darling. How can you ask that? You have to know that I love you. I will love you for the rest of my life. You are the centre of my world.’
She choked with emotion as Scott stood, swung her up into the air, her arms linked behind his head, whirling her around and around until her feet connected with the chair.
In an instant Scott lowered her to the floor, grabbed her hand and threw her over his right shoulder as though she weighed nothing.
He was almost in the middle of the street before she managed to wriggle free and, holding hands, they pulled and twirled each other around and around, heads back, laughing and shouting in pleasure, thick snowflakes falling around them, before collapsing into each other’s arms, their heads pressed together into a passionate kiss.
It was picture perfect.
* * * * *
Cat Schield
For my parents.
Your love and support have helped me follow my dreams.
“You.” The word came out as an unfriendly accusation.
“Hello, Max.”
Rachel Lansing had been bracing herself for this meeting all day, and now that it had arrived, it was so much worse than she’d imagined. Her heart stopped as the gunmetal gray of Max Case’s gaze slammed into her with all the delicacy of a sledgehammer.
She dug her fingernails into her palm as his broad shoulders loomed closer, blocking her view of the tastefully decorated lobby with its soothing navy-and-olive walls and stunning original art.
Was it her imagination or did Max seem bigger, more commanding than the creative lover that haunted her memories? Or maybe his presence overwhelmed her because in a charcoal business suit and silver tie, he was less approachable than the naked fantasy man that frequented her dreams.
Only the public nature of this reunion enabled her to subdue the flight impulse in her muscles. She rose from the comfortable couch in the reception area at a deliberate, unhurried pace. Keeping her body relaxed and her expression professional required a Herculean effort while her pulse jittered and her knees shook.
Pull yourself together. He won’t appreciate you melting into a puddle at his feet.
“Thank you for seeing me.” She stuck out her hand in a bid to restore her professional standing and wasn’t disappointed when Max ignored it. Her sweaty palm would betray her nerves to him.
When he remained mute, Rachel plowed into the tense silence. “How great that Andrea had her baby. And two weeks early. Sabrina told me she had a boy. I brought her this.” She raised her left hand to show him the pink and blue bag dangling from her fingers. She’d bought the gift for his assistant weeks ago and was disappointed she wouldn’t get to see Andrea’s expression when she opened it.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was supposed to meet with Andrea.”
“You’re with the employment agency?”
She whipped out a business card and extended it across the three feet that separated them. “I own it.” She made no attempt to disguise her pride at what she’d accomplished.
He rubbed his thumb over the lettering on the business card before glancing down. “Rachel … Lansing?”
“My maiden name.” She wasn’t sure why she felt compelled to share this tidbit with him. It wasn’t going to change how he felt about her now, was it?
“You’re divorced?”
She nodded. “Four years.”
“And now you run an employment agency here in Houston?”
She’d come a long way from the girl who was barely able to support herself and her sister on the tips she made waitressing in a beach restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama. And yet, how far had she come when no matter how well her business did, she never felt financially secure?
“I