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Chapter 44
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2023-08-29 07:38:51Related chapters
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 45
The next Friday night, Celina and Gabe finally managed that date she’d agreed to. Emma was spending the night at Celina’s parents’ house, and Gabe had picked Celina up at six o’clock, just as he’d promised.Gabe reached for her hand as he drove along a quiet, country backroad away from town. “You nervous?” he asked.“A little,” she admitted.Nervous was an understatement. The skin of her hand tingled where it touched his. The only worry she had for the night was that their dynamic would change without Emma around to lead the conversation. Celina knew a lot about Gabe, but it wasn’t because they’d been able to get to know each other in a conventional way.He lifted her hand and kissed it. The sun was sinking behind the tall pines as they drove, and the lengthening shadows stretched across the road. She wondered if she should’ve insisted they go somewhere more public. Being alone with someone meant that every moment that wasn’t spent in conversation held a quiet that sounded like the de
Last Updated : 2023-08-31The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 46
Gabe.Gabe had assumed she’d have a beautiful voice, but he hadn’t known it would shatter his world to hear her.It was the sound he’d been searching for his whole life. He was in awe. His hand had taken on a mind of its own when it reached out to feel the song, and she’d let him.He’d been on dozens of dates, and most of them ended without the sparks. It wasn’t something he could put a label on, but he knew when it wasn’t right.When he’d met Celina, she’d felt different from the start. Maybe it’d been her insistence that she wanted to fix her own leaky sink. Her determination had been admirable. Then he’d seen her with her daughter, and he’d been a goner ever since.But that voice. He’d known from the moment he’d heard her voice that he wanted to hear it again and again.He’d been overcome with the need to hold onto it, and she’d let him. When she sang that first word, he knew he’d never be the same again.She finished the song, and his hand had drifted to her cheek. He wanted to ki
Last Updated : 2023-09-02The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 47
Gabe. “One. Two. Three. Ding, ding, ding!” Celina shouted. Emma jumped up, raising both fists straight into the air. Gabe lay lifeless on the living room rug, tongue hanging out one side of his mouth in mock defeat. He’d been teaching Celina self-defense in small doses since the last time Saul stopped by, but he’d been worried Emma would get the wrong impression if she saw him “attacking” her mother. Their lessons quickly became matches where Gabe was teaching Emma the theatrical art of wrestling WWE style. Emma turned to her mother as they celebrated her win. Gabe, resurrected from his comatose state, growled and grabbed for Emma’s ankles. A squeal followed by a laugh filled the room. Celina grabbed Emma’s wrists and began tugging. When Gabe had pulled Emma to him, Celina released her daughter into Gabe’s care as he tickled the toddler into a fit of giggles. “Okay, okay. It’s time for bed, little missy.” Celina squatted next to them and helped Emma regain her footing as she cr
Last Updated : 2023-09-03The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 48
“He’s here! He’s here!” Emma shouted as she ran for the door.“Don’t you dare open that door, little missy!” Celina yelled, both hands securing an earring in her ear, as she jogged down the hallway after Emma.“It’s Gabe. I saw him through the window.”“I don’t care. You never open the door for anyone.”Gabe was almost finished with the bathroom remodel, so they’d agreed he should give it a rest for a day and just come pick them up early for dinner at Rusty’s. He was playing tonight and wanted to spend some time with them before his set.Celina opened the door to find Gabe, as she’d suspected, with one large box that stood as tall as his chest and a smaller box cradled in his arms.“Good evening, ladies.”Would his smile ever allow her to keep her breath? She hoped not. The happiness in his eyes had her insides doing a triple step.“Gabe!” Emma launched her tiny body into his arms, and he quickly moved the box into one hand to pick her up.“Hey there, sunshine.”“Is that for me?” Emma
Last Updated : 2023-09-04The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 49
On the drive home, Gabe sang the song four more times. Celina nor Emma could get enough. Emma was singing along from the back seat by the time they pulled into the driveway. He shut off the Tahoe and turned to Celina while the cab lights were still on. “Can I stay just a minute?” She nodded. It was late, past Emma’s bedtime, but they could tuck her in and have some time to talk. She wanted to tell him how much she loved the song. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him, but old-seated insecurities twined their roots around her heart. Gabe got Emma out of her car seat and held her hand as they walked to the door. When Celina had unlocked it, she started flipping on lights. “Okay, missy. To your room. Bath will have to wait till morning.” Emma grabbed Celina’s hand. “Can Gabe tuck me in too?” “Sure, but let’s get changed first.” Celina looked up at him with a wink. “We’ll call you when we’re ready.” “I’ll just wait in here.” Gabe plopped down onto the couch, his long legs sl
Last Updated : 2023-09-05The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 50
Celina straightened her skirt as she stepped out of the car. The church parking lot was packed, and she’d had to park in the adjacent grass lot. Gabe sprinted toward them dressed in a blue-and-green checkered button-up shirt and khaki pants. The late-April morning was warm, and his sleeves were rolled up to just below his elbows. His smile was radiant as he approached her. It’d only been two weeks since he’d changed her world and told her he loved her. Celina’s days had been filled with a happiness equivalent to bunnies and rainbows ever since. Last weekend was Easter, and Gabe had attended church with her and Emma. After the service, they’d eaten lunch with Celina’s parents and Gabe hid and hunted Easter eggs with Emma until sunset. After a fun-filled day without a nap, Emma had fallen asleep in Gabe’s arms, and he’d carried her to Celina’s car and then inside her house to bed. This weekend, Celina and Emma were visiting Gabe’s church. She wasn’t convinced that a move needed to b
Last Updated : 2023-09-06The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 51
The next weekend was Lindsey’s baby shower, and Celina’s mother had volunteered to keep Emma since the party was to take place during her nap. Celina gawked as Gabe parked along the street in front of Tyler and Sissy’s gorgeous home. “This is Sissy’s house?” Celina asked in wonder. “Yeah, Tyler is a doctor, remember? And Sissy is an interior designer, and she does well. She always loved this house.” “Oh, yeah. You said she helped decorate your house,” Celina recalled. Gabe jumped out of the truck and ran around to open Celina’s door. Holding out a hand for her, he said, “Just wait till you see the inside of her house.” Celina couldn’t take her eyes off the mansion. “I can’t imagine.” Gabe grabbed the gift out of the back seat, and they walked up one side of the half-circle drive in front of the house, passing parked cars that lined the paved way. Ian sat in the driver’s seat of one parked truck, his elbow hanging out the open window. Gabe stuck the present under one arm and pro
Last Updated : 2023-09-07The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 52
GABE. Saturdays were the hardest. Knowing Celina and Emma were off playing together all day while he worked was torture. He wanted to be with them, and Saturdays were long as he waited for four o’clock. He could cut out early, but he didn’t want to hear Ian’s lecture. Gabe shook Mr. Samson’s hand and wished the man good luck replacing his kitchen cabinet fasteners. The familiar patter of running feet made Gabe turn, and Emma rushed into his arms. “Hey, Sunshine! What are you doin’ here?” Gabe asked. Celina strolled up the aisle with a smile on her face. “We wanted to see if you’d take us to lunch.” Emma placed her tiny hands on both sides of Gabe’s face. “Can we have chips and cheese?” Gabe shrugged and turned to Celina. “Habaneros?” He suggested the closest Mexican food restaurant. “Sounds good to me.” Celina hooked her arm around Gabe’s elbow, and they walked out to his Tahoe. This was what he’d been searching for—a family eager to spend time with him. Having Celina and Emm
Last Updated : 2023-09-08
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The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 117
NOAH Camille glanced over both shoulders as if checking to make sure the coast was clear before extending both hands, palms up, toward Sprite. “Take your pick, pretty lady.” One hand offered an apple and the other a sugar cube. Noah wasn’t sure who liked treat time the most, his girlfriend or the horse. Dixie circled Camille’s legs, begging for attention. He’d just watched from the tailgate as Camille rode Sprite through the pasture by the stable. “Sugar. Always a good choice.” Camille waited for the blue roan to finish the treats before nuzzling noses with the big softie. It’d been a week since Noah was released from the hospital, and he was still getting used to needing help completing small tasks. The bandages were cumbersome and needed to be changed often. Not to mention small things like showering and putting on pants had become a chore. Camille spent every moment she could helping him. He didn’t mind it when she helped, but it was an unspoken truth that any “help” from his b
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 116
“There’s a lot you don’t know about Nathan, but none of it excuses what he did,” Bonnie said. Bonnie went with Camille to her house to change clothes and pack a bag of extras, in case Noah stayed at the hospital overnight. She planned on staying there until he came home. She’d called Anita and rounded up some things she needed too. Now, Camille and her mom were back on the road, and they had a lot to talk about. “Nathan was adopted when he was four years old,” Bonnie began. “He was neglected as a child, and he had a handful of health problems that had never been treated. By the time he was taken from his parents, he was malnourished, dehydrated, and had several broken bones and bruises.” Camille turned away from her mother. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever heard this story before, but her heart told her she hadn’t. “Your grandparents didn’t have any children, but they had been in touch with the local foster care system and were contacted when Nathan was still recovering. They adopted
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 115
Her foot rested heavy on the accelerator as she drove from Cody to Blackwater. Anger and betrayal built within her with every mile that passed beneath her tires. Twisting her hands on the steering wheel, she ached for a distraction. Something to calm the storm of her emotions. How could Nathan do something so horrible? She called Jenny and let the ringing in her car speakers drown out the roiling in her ears. “Hey. What’s up?” “Noah is in the hospital in Cody. A bear attacked him this morning.” “What?” Jenny screamed. “Is he okay?” Camille’s voice shook. “He is now. It looked so bad after it happened, though. It clawed his leg up good.” Rustling sounded on Jenny’s end of the line. “Do I need to come?” “No,” Camille assured her. “He’s doing okay. They stitched him up and he’s conscious now, but he lost a lot of blood. He’ll be in quite a bit of pain while it heals.” “I can’t imagine.” “They were cleaning up a dozen cows that were shot last night when the bear attacked.” Camill
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 114
She couldn’t lose him. Not again, and not like this. Camille raked her hands through Noah’s hair while his head lay in her lap. She was trying to be brave. It wouldn’t do either of them any good to break apart right now. Noah needed her to stay alert and strong for him. “I’m glad you’re here.” His words were faint, but she’d heard him. Whatever reason he had for breaking up with her didn’t matter now. A tear slid down her face as she prayed. “Lord, please lay Your hand on Noah. Help us get him to the help he needs in time. Help me to be strong. Help us.” Her words cracked at the end, and she squeezed her eyes closed. “Please, Lord. I don’t want to lose him.” Tears burned her eyes when she opened them. He was lying still—too still. She looked to Lucas. “I think he’s unconscious!” Lucas held the injured leg stationary. “Almost there.” She turned and stretched her neck to see the main house over the next rise. The red-and-white ambulance was parked in front. The paramedics carefu
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 113
NOAH Noah tried to hold his ground, but the bear was running toward him now. He lowered the phone from his ear and yelled, “Micah!” He took two steps backward on instinct. He wasn’t running, but he was pretty sure it was the better option right now. On the third step back, his heel snagged on a fallen branch. He fell backward, arms flailing, and his phone went soaring through the air. “Micah!” Noah couldn’t take his eyes off the advancing predator to see if his brother was coming to help, but he prayed he’d yelled loud enough to be heard over the running tractor. The bear slowed as it approached Noah lying on his back. The fall had knocked the wind out of him, but he wasn’t breathing anyway. The bear’s large paw lifted and swiped down faster than any animal that large should’ve been able to move. Noah cried out once more as the claws sliced across his thigh. “Micah!” A boom filled the air, followed by another, and the bear jerked backward and fell onto its side. Noah could hear
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 112
NOAHNoah drove through the gates at Blackwater Ranch in a daze. His shift at the fire station had started the morning after he’d gone to Camille’s, and it had been a long two days.His shifts were always tiring, but this time he hadn’t been able to sleep or eat like he should to keep his energy up. Losing Camille felt like a constant, nagging hunger. His insides were empty, but he couldn’t get filled.He’d been praying, but no answers had come. Was he supposed to fix this on his own or wait for the Lord to show him how to mend his broken heart?He topped the slight hill before the main house, and a sinking feeling hit him in the chest. There weren’t any trucks parked out front. It was breakfast time. Everyone should’ve been there.Noah hastily parked by the door and ran inside, forgetting to take off his shoes.“Mom. Dad,” Noah hollered into the empty dining room.His mom stepped out of the kitchen and wiped her hands on her apron. “They’re all out,” his mom said in a shaky voice.“W
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 111
NOAHNoah closed Camille’s door behind him, but it didn’t block out her sobs. He couldn’t move his feet to walk away from her just yet. What had he done? He’d made things worse with Nathan tonight, and then… this.Remembering the look on Camille’s face had his gut twisting. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. He’d been given the chance to be happy again, and it had all been taken away too soon.Anger built in his chest as he sat on the small step on her front porch. There was a roaring in his ears, but he could still hear Camille’s wails behind him.He wanted to go back inside and hold her and tell her they would make it through anything together.But he couldn’t do that when it was probably a lie. How could he save his family and keep Camille in his life? It was too much to hope. He’d been allowed to enjoy the best times of his life with her, and the stretches of time in between were just filler.Sitting alone in the dark night outside her door, he hung his head and prayed.
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 110
Camille leaned closer to the screen of her laptop and squinted. “Those might work,” she mumbled to herself. The boots on her screen resembled the ones Noah and his brothers wore around the ranch, but finding the female equivalent had proven to be a challenge. Plus, ordering shoes online was always hit or miss. She ran the heart pendant of her necklace back and forth along the chain as she added the boots to the shopping cart.She’d wised up with the wide-brimmed cowboy hat already, and good boots were a must at this point if she planned to keep working with Noah around the ranch on her days off.A knock sounded at her door, and Camille jumped in her seat, bumping her knees on the desk. “Oww.” So much for assessing the stranger at her door before revealing she was at home.She pushed away from the desk and padded over to the door in her bare feet. Peering through the peephole, she saw Noah standing on her doorstep with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans.Camille fumbled with t
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 109
NOAHCamille’s parents’ house was a log and brick monstrosity with wooden columns along the front side thicker than Noah had ever seen. Two stories of walls and windows stretched into a double-decker garage on one side. A twenty-foot-tall statue of angels and cherubs sat imposing in the grassy area along the circular drive.He’d put off coming here for long enough, but it was time to talk. If Nathan wasn’t home, he’d just sit in his truck and wait for him.Noah had always felt small when he came here. The size of the place dwarfed anything around it except the mountains. He knew from days past when he would visit Camille that there was a heated pool in the back along with a fire pit, an outdoor grilling area, and a guest house.The old truck door groaned and creaked as it closed behind him, and Noah threw his cowboy hat back into the cab through the open window. There wasn’t any sense in stirring the pot. His boots thudded loudly against the sturdy boards of the porch as he approached
