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Chapter 66
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The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 67
Sara didn’t have to look far for the blankets. There was one on the couch and one on the bed that she’d been throwing over her feet at night.She stepped out the back door onto the porch to find that Ian was right. The wind was blowing, and the early spring breeze slashed at her cheeks like knives. She wrapped the blankets around her shoulders and surveyed the backyard. The trees were still leafless, and only faint patches of sky shone through the forest canopy.The rebirth of spring hadn’t taken hold here yet, but it would come in the next few weeks. Until then, she could brave the cold winds for this view. Surrounded by trees and far away from anyone she needed to hide from, the woods held a comfort she craved. Had Mr. Garrison played out here as a kid?Sara turned to examine the deck, and while it seemed sturdy enough, there wasn’t anywhere to sit. She stepped back inside and grabbed an old chair from the living area. It was wooden with scrolling arms and padding on the seat and ba
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 68
Twelve Years EarlierLiz finished scrubbing the pot she’d made the chili in earlier. She’d have plenty to freeze since Dad didn’t come home for supper and Ian was on vacation with his family. It didn’t look like anything was missing from the surplus she’d made.The old house was quiet, save for a few creaks here and there. Her phone dinged with a text, and she pulled it out of the pocket of her sweatpants as she passed the back door. Her dad’s filthy boots caught her eye, and she tucked the phone back into her pocket. It was Ian. No one else texted her. Right now, she needed to get those boots cleaned off and outside.She scrunched up her nose at the smell of chicken manure and grabbed the top of the boots as she opened the door. She kept a wire bristle brush by the back door, and she sat on the cinderblock step and held her breath against the stench to brush the bottoms.Mr. Garrison’s back porch light was on. He always left it on… for her. The old busybody knew she snuck over to Ian
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 69
IanIan’s insides churned as Sara continued her story. It took everything he had not to vomit in the bushes beyond the deck railing.Sara went on. “The cops came, and I remember hearing them at the door and screaming until my lungs hurt. They got my dad and Kenny, but Owen wasn’t there, and even with my testimony about what Trisha had told me, he wasn’t convicted. There wasn’t anything to tie him to what happened, except Trisha’s word.”Standing, Ian leaned against the deck railing to face her. He’d been quiet throughout the story, but every emotion warred inside him. Anger, rage, disgust, fear. What had happened to her was worse than he’d imagined.She was beauty from ashes, a flower rising from a crumbled ruin. She was resilience in human form, and it was a miracle that her small shoulders could bear the weight of the pain of her past.“The cops finally took me home after I gave statements, but I asked them to take me to Mr. Garrison’s house. I couldn’t go home alone.”Ian let his c
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 70
IanThe silence of the last few days had been eradicated. Sara told him about high school while he installed the new countertops in the kitchen, and he told her about their old friends over lunch. They moved the furniture in the living room, and she started painting the walls while he finished up in the kitchen. The rooms were close enough that he could read her facial expressions when he looked her way.Ian’s phone rang at 4:30. It was Sissy, and she barely let him answer the call before she started in on him.“We’re having lasagna. Be here at 5:30, and please don’t be late because I had no idea how hard it would be to make lasagna with a toddler and an infant.” A crash in the background was followed by a childish scream.“I’ll be there.” He’d forgotten, but he refrained from thanking his sister-in-law for the reminder that he’d promised to stop by for dinner.“Good. Bring some rolls. I’ll throw them in the oven when you get here.”“Yes, ma’am.”Ian caught Sara averting her gaze as h
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 71
The next morning, Sara woke before the sun. After a dreamless night, she jumped from the bed well-rested and ready for the day.After showering and adding a little makeup, she started a pot of coffee. She was moving furniture around in the living room to get started on her painting for the day when her phone rang. It was Trisha.“Hey, stranger,” Sara said with a smile as she placed the phone between her ear and shoulder.“I know. Sorry it’s been so long. Were you up?” Trisha sounded tired but happy.“I was.” Sara looked around at the house Mr. Garrison had grown up in—the house she was living in until further notice. “I don’t even know how to begin to tell you where I am.”Trisha sighed. “I need to unwind, so start at the beginning.”Trisha had taken the stand and testified against Kenny, Owen, and Sara’s dad after her kidnapping, but Trisha hadn’t let it break her. She’d moved to France with her mother a few months after the sentencing, and she’d entered the criminal justice field. T
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 72
IanThey ate breakfast slowly, savoring the ease of each other’s company. How long had it been since he’d stopped and enjoyed anything he was doing? Now, everything he did with Sara by his side was exciting.“What’s on the agenda today, boss?” Ian asked.Sara brushed her long brown hair behind her shoulder and pointed toward the living room. “I thought I’d put the second coat on the living room walls. What about you?”“I think I can finish up the kitchen cabinets today, and then I plan to install a security system.”Sara’s eyebrows rose. “You think we need that?”Ian leaned his elbows on the table. “I think I’m not taking any chances when it comes to you. I didn’t know the risks before. Now that I do, I’d sleep better at night if you had a security system.”Sara shrugged and picked up her plate as she stood. “Suit yourself. I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Plus, a security system feels like an extension of your never-ending protection.” She gifted him that smile that brought hi
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 73
I’m engaged to Ian Hart.Sara repeated the line in her mind throughout the rest of the day. It seemed like a dream. In fact, it had been a dream for most of her life. Ian had chosen to be by her side every moment he’d been given a chance, and she would be sharing her life with a partner who cherished her above all others.Returning from the river with a fiancé and an engagement ring, Sara was on cloud nine.Ian held her hand and turned to her as they approached the house. “I think I’m gonna start pulling the old boards from the back deck. In a little while, I’ll run into town and grab some lumber for the repair and stop by my house for some clothes.”“I’ll help pull boards. I’m not ready to go back inside. The paint smell was a bit much.”Ian squeezed her hand. “Sounds great. I have an extra crowbar in the truck.”Sara sat on the bottom step of the deck and leaned back on her elbows. Tilting her head to the sky, she let the lukewarm rays of sunshine rest on her face.Ian was on the ph
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 74
Ian had thrown together a bag of clothes and necessities before they left his house, locking it up tight since he wasn’t sure when he’d be back.Mr. Garrison’s house only had one bathroom, but thankfully, Ian had quickly remodeled the parts needing attention first. The new flooring was crisp and clean, he’d replaced the shower head, and he’d even installed a new toilet.Sara showered first, while Ian put some of his things away in his new bedroom.When she was young, knowing Ian was close-by had instilled calmness in her. Now, she felt safe, but her emotions and senses were hyperaware of the handsome man in the next room.My fiancé, she thought. He’s my fiancé. He wants to marry me.It still seemed surreal. Sara hadn’t ever dated anyone seriously enough to matter. She’d gone on dates with a few boys in college, but there hadn’t been hope for a future. How could she have told them she’d be living her life looking over her shoulder? Who would be willing to marry her and start a family k
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