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Chapter 52
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2023-09-08 03:31:10Related chapters
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 53
GABE. Rhonda whispered from the chair beside him, “I’ll take her home and put her to bed.” Her eyes were bloodshot, and her voice shook. Emma slept in his arms, curled against his chest. It was a quarter till nine, and the sun had set outside the hospital window. She hadn’t had a nap today, and the excitement along with any minor aches and pains she might have from the wreck had zonked the little girl out. Gabe watched Emma sleeping peacefully. “Just a few more minutes, please?” He wasn’t ready to let her go after the scare she’d given him today. Rhonda didn’t object. Celina was in ICU, and though visiting hours were over, neither of them wanted to leave. They’d asked about the gentleman driving the other vehicle earlier, and it seemed he was recovering well. He’d gone into a diabetic coma and was being monitored. A few minutes later, a doctor made his way into the waiting room. They were the only ones still in the ICU waiting room, and they both stood. Gabe held Emma tight in hi
Last Updated : 2023-09-09The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 54
Celina stared at the rectangular foil pan in her freezer. She’d pre-heated the oven, but how was she going to lift the pan to get it in there?Looking down at her casted arm, tears filled her eyes. She wiped at them frantically when she heard Gabe’s boots on the linoleum floor of the kitchen behind her.“What’re you lookin’ for? I’ll get it.” Gabe stepped up behind her and looked into the freezer.Celina pointed at the foil pan that had caused the anxiety brewing in her middle.“Is this the lasagna?” Gabe moved around her and placed it in the oven. “How long does this need to cook?”“Yeah, your mom said an hour and a half.”Gabe set the timer and turned to her, propping his hands on the kitchen counter behind him. “Something wrong?”Celina’s bottom lip twitched as she picked at the seam on the side of her sweatpants. “Not really. Just feeling useless. I can’t even heat a pre-made dinner.” She gestured toward the lasagna in the oven.“Everything is fine. This is all temporary.” He push
Last Updated : 2023-09-11The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 55
One Year Later “Bring it home, Em!” Gabe yelled from the field. Celina stood, howling and clapping as Emma pumped her arms and legs as she careened toward home plate. Celina’s parents, as well as Gabe’s, were all in attendance at every game. Emma’s cheer team packed the stands each week. It was her first year playing softball, and Gabe was her team’s coach. Emma made her way back to the dugout to congratulations and high-fives from her team. With the extra practice she got most afternoons with Gabe, she was shaping up to be a star player at the young age of five. When the cheering of the crowd subsided, Celina took her seat again. The first trimester of pregnancy was exhausting, and her body reminded her often. Gabe caught her attention a few minutes later as he walked back toward the dugout and made a motion as if he were drinking from a cup. Celina rolled her eyes and lifted her thermos in the air. The thing was huge and excessive, but it kept Gabe happy. He was always fussing
Last Updated : 2023-09-12The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 56
Sara Williams wasn’t always Sara Williams. Twelve years ago, she was Liz Jennings—small-town nobody and best friend of Ian Hart. The only future she could imagine included him, but after one tragic night, she’s forced to flee her home and leave behind the best friend she secretly loves.Ian Hart was sure of two things. He was in love with his best friend, and he’d do anything to protect her. As teenagers, they made a pact to run away together, but when she left town without him, Ian spiraled into a storm of anger.Now she’s back with a new name and a dozen secrets. When they’re forced to work together, the things they don’t say threaten to shatter any hope that they could regain their lost trust. Meanwhile, a town of busybodies are stirring up trouble, and Sara is a sitting duck while her biggest threat is on the move. What if the monster she’s running from steals their happily ever after?A homecoming story about forgiveness that’s sure to touch your heart.****/****Liz stared at a
Last Updated : 2023-09-13The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 57
Twelve Years LaterSaraSara slowed her steps as she neared Andrew Spiker’s office. The Spiker Law Firm was small but conveniently located adjacent to the Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Carson. Andrew was an old high school friend, and it seemed he was doing well for himself.Sara jammed the pad of her thumb into the sharp edges of her front teeth. The small bite of pain distracted her from the gnawing worry she felt in her middle.She could’ve refused to come, but curiosity killed the cat. She was only human, and she couldn’t live the rest of her life without knowing why Mr. Garrison had asked her to come back here. Enough years had passed that any threat to her life had grown dormant but not died. The men she hid from had been securely locked up or scattered to the four winds for over a decade, and that should’ve been a comfort to her.The door was heavy, but she pushed her way into the office where a familiar face awaited her.Tracy Sawyer sucked in an excited breath and st
Last Updated : 2023-09-14The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 58
IanIan set his jaw tight to restrain his protest. If he had any control over his own choices right now, he’d walk out of this room and never look back.At least, that’s what he should do. But he’d made a promise years ago that he intended to keep. Granted, he hadn’t known what he was promising at the time. Now that it was time to settle up, Ian wanted to curse the old man.He couldn’t hear half of what Andrew was saying. Seeing Liz again had captivated his attention.Correction, Sara.She looked amazing. Gorgeous, poised, and confident. She looked like she had life wrapped around her finger.She’d managed fine without him. Why did it hurt to see her doing so well? Probably because she didn’t need him as much as he’d needed her. He had wanted to pave the way for her to chase all her dreams, and it looked as if she’d managed just fine without him.He’d recognized Liz the moment she’d walked through the doorway, but he hadn’t expected her to be such a knockout. He’d always been attracte
Last Updated : 2023-09-17The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 59
IanThe truck door slammed, locking Ian inside the silent cab. He missed his old truck. The door had creaked and protested with the scrape of metal on metal each time he’d taken out his frustrations on it. His new, luxury pickup was a joke.Ian shoved the gear into reverse and peeled out of the parking spot without hesitation.The stop sign not twenty feet from where he’d parked really took the heat out of his storm-and-run, but he used the pause to call his friend, Jake. The one he’d now refer to as the Keeper of Secrets.Jake’s voice pounded through the speakers of Ian’s truck after the first ring. Deputy Jake Sims was always on alert.“What’s up?”“Oh, nothing. I’ve just been informed that I’m the first line of defense for a ghost. Anything you wanna tell me about Liz Jennings, brother? Or should I say Sara Williams?”There was a pause on the line before Jake stammered, “Um, I…”“Save it,” Ian barked. “Meet me at the hardware store.”“Now?” Jake asked.“Now.”“Yes, sir.” Jake liked
Last Updated : 2023-09-18The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 60
SaraSara snuck out of her room at Bernard’s Hotel before sunrise. She wasn’t always so cautious, but being back in the place where her lifelong game of hide-and-seek started made her want to take advantage of the cover of darkness to leave the hotel.She’d packed light and hadn’t left much of anything in her apartment in Memphis. She’d moved more than half a dozen times since leaving Carson, and this move was proving to be simple so far. Not as simple as that first move, but two suitcases now held everything she owned.Following the GPS on her phone, she drove beyond the town’s limits and slowed as she turned onto the last drive her navigation device recognized. It was a gravel road almost completely covered by trees, and there wasn’t a house in sight.Sara checked her mirrors and kept her gaze darting to one side and the other. No one was around, but she’d been living a life of caution for too long to give it up now.A dirt road with a mailbox at the end caught her attention. It was
Last Updated : 2023-09-19
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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
