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Chapter 97
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2023-10-18 03:12:15Related chapters
The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 98
Camille stepped from the truck and studied the scene around her. The warm June air brushed the skin of her arms in the breeze, and the water was bubbling quietly in the deep blue creek.“I do remember this place. It’s Bluestone Creek.”Noah rounded the truck and halted. “You remembered the name?” Noah asked.“Yeah, sometimes I can associate a name with a person or place. I don’t think there’s a rhyme or reason to the names that I remember.” She shrugged.They made their way to the bank and she dipped to her knees. Raking her fingers through the brisk water, she had the urge to jump in.“Did we swim here?” she asked.“Once, accidentally. The water stays cool.”“But we did?”“We did.”“What else did we do around here?”He moved close and squatted beside her. “Back then, you were interested in anything outdoors. You tried to name the cows, but there were too many. You’d get frustrated when we had to move the herds and you’d lose track of the ones you’d befriended.”She laughed. “What abo
Last Updated : 2023-10-19The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 99
NOAHIt was the second day of his shift with the fire department, and Noah was lounging in the rec room, while the other men in his crew lazily chatted around him. His eyes were drifting closed, but he wasn’t contributing anything groundbreaking to the conversation anyway. He doubted anyone would notice if he fell asleep.Lucas plopped down in the other reclining chair in the sectional sofa and made an exaggerated huff. “Dude, what are you doing?”“What does it look like,” Noah said. “I’m watching the back of my eyelids.”Lucas shoved Noah’s shoulder. “Come on. I need someone to watch Live PD with me. It’s not as fun if I’m the only one in the peanut gallery.”Noah pried his eyes open and sat up. “How do you function on so little sleep?”“I just don’t need that much of a reboot. I’m hardwired for fun.”The call sounded, and everyone in the room groaned. The entire crew was reaching their limit.Lucas stood and stalked to the kitchen area. “I didn’t even get to eat my sandwich.” He thr
Last Updated : 2023-10-20The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 100
Camille smiled when she heard the bell above the door ring. She knew it would be Noah when she scooted her chair back from the desk in her office. It was the day he volunteered, and she hadn’t seen him since he’d taken her to Bluestone Creek, though they’d talked on the phone daily.Noah was already approaching the checkout counter as she stepped from her office. His hair was damp from a shower, and his white T-shirt hugged his shoulders just right. How did he always look so good? She narrowed her eyes at him as he approached with too much swagger. It was too early for her stomach to be doing flips over a good lookin’ man.He smiled and locked his arms to lean on the counter. “What’s got you in a huff?”She just looked at him, daring him to be more handsome than he already was.When she didn’t answer, he continued.“You’re cute when you’re mad.”“You’re too cute for your own good.” If he wasn’t so handsome and charming, she might have been over him years ago. “It’s frustrating that I
Last Updated : 2023-10-21The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 101
Camille held Noah’s hand as they walked into Barn Sour, or just “The Barn” as most people called it. The rustic restaurant and bar was popular with the country locals, and the place was already packed on a Friday night. She’d taken Jenny’s suggestion and opted for a lightweight dress with cap sleeves. Noah looked handsome in a navy and gray pearl snap shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.The band on the stage tweaked their equipment as Noah leaned in close to her ear to be heard above the noise. When his breath tickled her ear, she giggled.“Let’s sit there.” He pointed to an empty booth in the back of the main room.She nodded and followed him, holding his hand as they wound their way through the milling patrons.They leaned in close over the table to hear each other above the sound of the band while they waited for their food. She ordered the tater totchos at Noah’s recommendation, and she found herself impressed when they arrived.“You’re right. This is delicious. I coul
Last Updated : 2023-10-22The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 102
NOAHWhen the fog cleared from his mind, Noah remembered the anger and the red he’d seen when that guy had pushed Camille. Her voice had caught hold of him and pulled him out of his stampede. In that moment, he hadn’t been in control of his own body. But then Camille called to him, and he’d bent to her command.It didn’t bother him. He’d needed to be called out of that cloud of anger. Sometimes, she had to be the level-headed one.The Barn was one place he could take Camille out in public without the fear of Nathan or someone he knew spotting them and getting word back to her stepdad. The company Nathan kept wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like Barn Sour, but starting a fight in a public place might draw undesired attention from the locals. The last thing he wanted right now was for his name to be connected to Camille’s in gossip circles.“Where do you wanna go?” he asked as he opened the passenger door of his truck for her to step in.“Can we go to the ranch for a bit? I know it’s
Last Updated : 2023-10-23The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 103
Camille’s phone rang on the nightstand beside her bed, startling her from a sound sleep. She lifted her head and squinted into the dark bedroom. The phone continued to ring, but her tired brain hadn’t processed anything beyond the intrusion.Propping up onto her elbow, she leaned over to look at the glowing phone. It was midnight on the dot, and the caller ID read Noah over a photo of him she’d secretly snapped at Blackwater Restoration. He was wearing a sweaty T-shirt and facing away from her with his hands propped on his hips during a break. She hadn’t been able to resist the shameless photo of his backside, and he’d rolled his eyes when she’d shown him later that day.A knock sounded on her window, and her heart stood at attention. What was outside?Camille snatched the phone up and answered before it stopped ringing. “Hey.”“Hey, yourself. Come to the window.”Why was he whispering?She kicked the blankets and sheets from her legs and plodded across the cool floor to her bedroom w
Last Updated : 2023-10-24The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 104
NOAHStepping into the small local church on Sunday morning was as expected as the sun rising in the east, yet Noah somehow felt different every time. Each week passed much like the one before it, but the wheels of time were turning at an alarming pace these days.He used to sit on the fifth pew from the front with his family and Camille every time the doors were open. Now, he still sat in the same place, but one person was missing.It was a blessing that Camille had held onto her faith through everything she’d experienced. A traumatic brain injury could easily change someone’s personality entirely. Thankfully, he hadn’t seen much of that in Camille. Her memory seemed to be the most affected, but she was still the lively, kind woman he’d known when they were teenagers.If things settled with Nathan, maybe he could sit beside her through church services again. Where did she attend services these days?Noah hadn’t seen much of Camille since her birthday. He’d worked his 48-hour shift at
Last Updated : 2023-10-25The Millionaire's Bride Chapter 105
Noah wasn’t kidding when he said sometimes his schedule got hectic. Apparently, summer was hay season, on top of all the other regular duties. After two weeks of scraping for time with him and only seeing him during his volunteer hours at Blackwater Restoration, she decided things had to change. If she wanted to see him, she’d have to go where he went—to the ranch.Camille sat on the open tailgate as Noah filled the tractors with diesel from the tank truck. She’d started trying to help out while she was there. Some things were easier to understand, while other things were just hard labor. By the end of the second day on the ranch, she knew she needed new shoes and that cowboy hats weren’t just a fashion statement.Despite the heat and the dirt, she treasured the time she spent with Noah there. If she thought she enjoyed watching Noah working at Blackwater Restoration, it was nothing compared to seeing him in his element on the ranch. He made sweaty and dirty look good when he pulled w
Last Updated : 2023-10-26
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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
