had invited her parents to stay with them for the event.
Accepting there would always be differences between herself and her family had allowed her to form a real bond with them. Matt had ensured no one on her guest list was absent, and hotels and guest houses in neighbouring towns were filled with relatives and friends from interstate.
‘You’re awake. Happy wedding day, darling.’ Her mother hugged and kissed her, and sat on the edge of the bed.
Do you want to come for a walk with me, Clair and the dogs after a quick breakfast? It’s going to be chaotic once the trucks start arriving with the marquee, and everything.’
‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll see you on the veranda.’
As soon as her mother left Lauren dived over the bed, pulled the drawer open, and took out a small black box. She gasped with joy at the delicate yellow pendant and earrings. A real full orchid and two orchid centres preserved in resin with their true colours.
Matt’s message, handwritten on the small white card, was memorised, never to be forgotten. Every word of the text she sent him came from her heart.
* * *
It didn’t turn out to be so long after all when the hours were filled with the walk, meals and watching the lawn areas being transformed into a perfect venue for her dream wedding. She agreed to a hair stylist but did her own make-up, her hand as steady as her heartbeat. And every two hours she slipped away to be alone when Matt called, their secret pact to keep in touch throughout their special day.
Marcus and Rosalind arrived and she shared a quiet time with the two sets of parents. Her future father-in-law had no idea he’d been spared prosecution because of his deteriorating condition and the fact that no withdrawals had been made from the secret accounts. Everything had been transferred into the company files and all due taxes paid with interest for late submission.
Dalton Corporation had a new direction, the contracts for the new project had been signed last month, and Matt was the official CEO. He and his colleague in London were negotiating the sale of his flat and his shares in the consultancy firm.
The way everything fell into place, and ran smoothly to favourable solutions, sometimes scared her. Then she’d look into Matt’s eyes, and know that, whatever troubles they encountered, he’d be there to love and support her, and smooth their way forward.
* * *
It was ten minutes to four. There was a chill in the air, and all areas were dotted with outdoor heaters. Somewhere in the garden Matt was waiting for her, as impatient as she was to make the vows that would join them for life.
She saw the rows of seated people waiting as her father escorted her across the veranda, looked beyond them to the decorated arch where the celebrant stood with...
Everything bar the man who’d turned towards her became lost in a haze that surrounded her. Matt, who’d taught her to let her true self shine, and showed her she was worthy of being loved. There was only Matt and his irresistible smile, his electric touch and those oh-so-persuasive lips drawing her closer. Only his midnight-blue eyes growing misty as she reached him. Only him, his gentle kiss and whispered words as he embraced her.
Matt would never find the words to express the emotions that rippled through his body when he turned to see Lauren at the top of the veranda steps. A vision in white was inadequate. She was gorgeous, stunning, and wearing his wedding gift.
This beautiful woman who’d captured his heart and soul as she helped him save his father’s company and reputation. His own special angel who filled his days and nights with love and laughter.
Their eyes locked and the world disappeared as he willed her to his side. He acknowledged her father’s traditional greeting automatically, his focus on Lauren’s dazzling smile. Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her soft lips and whispered how much she meant to him.
They stood face to face, hands joined. Ten years ago he’d asked for a prize and claimed a kiss. He might not deserve her, but today he was claiming the best, the sweetest, the most loving woman as his for ever.
* * * * *
Little Secrets
Little Secrets: His Unexpected Heir
Maureen Child
Little Secrets: Claiming His Pregnant Bride
Sarah M. Anderson
Little Secrets: The Baby Merger
Yvonne Lindsay
Little Secrets: His Unexpected Heir
Maureen Child
Between duty, honor...and a baby! Only from USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child.
Six months. That’s how long Rita Marchetti has mourned Jack Buchanan. Yet here he is, alive, standing in front of her, perfect...and devastatingly sexy! Even more amazing is the former marine’s admission that he wanted Rita to think he’d died. But the two of them are about to become three and Jack is back just in time.
That baby Rita is carrying is his. Despite the pain he holds so close to his heart, Jack can’t walk away from his child. A marriage in name only would solve everything. Everything except a desire too deeply buried and too long denied...
Congratulations Maureen Child on OVER 14 MILLION copies sold worldwide with Harlequin!
To my mom, Sallye Carberry,
because she loves romance novels
and shared that love with me.
Jack Buchanan listened to his interior decorator talk about swatches and color and found his mind drifting...to anything else.
Four months ago, he’d been in a desert, making life-and-death decisions. Today, he was in an upholstery shop in Long Beach, California, deciding between leather or fabric for the bar seats on the Buchanan Company’s latest cruise ship. He didn’t know whether to be depressed or amused. So he went with impatient.
“Which fabric will hold up better?” he asked, cutting into the argument between the decorator and the upholsterer.
“The leather,” they both said at once, turning to look at him.
“Then use the fabric.” Jack pointed at a bolt of midnight blue cloth shot through with silver threads. “We’re building a fantasy bar. I’m less interested
