All Chapters of The Rutherford Series: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

She felt his legs press against her thighs as his arms wrapped around her chest, his breath warm and steady against her cheek. She fell back against him and willed some of his strength into the coldness of her heart.Faith knew what her husband thought, that she took her family's words as proof she did something wrong. He had watched her practically grovel at her mother's feet all these years for just an inkling of acceptance from the woman. Faith had tolerated her sister's harshness to be close to her mother, afraid that angering Cherish would anger her mother and cause Valerie to push her away even further. Faith didn't doubt at all the course of his thoughts. The sad thing was, a few days ago he would have been absolutely right.But not that night. Not then. Not ever again. When her mother stood there the previous night accusing her for Cherish's indiscretion, a switch inside of Faith flipped. Her mother accepting her no longer worried her, because at that moment, Faith realized sh

Selby hung up the phone with a feeling of pride for his wife. She deserved the promotion. Faith had always been a hard worker, throwing herself into whatever anyone asked of her. He understood the conflict going on within her, however, an inner sense of betrayal to Cherish for stepping in where her sister had stepped out. Yet, Faith deserved the new position and the pay raise. She deserved the recognition. The morning had been slow at the bookstore. Only one visitor had graced his door, and they had only purchased a small paperback for fifty cents. He hoped his entire day wouldn't follow the same track. Soft jazz played in the background as Selby sat and stared at the picture of Faith in Key West that he kept at his crowded desk. He gave her permission to keep seeing Edwin if she wanted, but the truth was he wanted the relationship to end. It had already wreaked havoc within their family as well as Rutherford Construction. He wasn't sure where the damage would end or how Glen and Che

The hot spray of the shower jet beat down on her upturned face and stretched neck as she stood with her hands on the blue tile wall in front of her. Steam billowed up around her, the water massaging her into wakefulness. Four-thirty came early, but Jacqui Karston had been waking that early for the past two years, losing herself in the projects of The Karston Foundation ever since her family died in a plane crash without her. She was up late every night, as well. She had to be. There was still so much to do to rebuild Biloxi after Katrina devastated the coast ten years ago. The city had already did quite a bit, of course, but it was not enough. It would never be enough in Jacqui's eyes, not as long as there were vacant lots and partially demolished buildings scattered everywhere, and, if she were honest with herself, she needed the distraction.After blow drying her hair, she brushed it into long, blond walls, framing her narrow face, keeping her closed off and uninviting. It also added

Morgan Brewer finished tying the laces of his work boots and patted the bare ass of—What was her name again?—before pushing himself off the hotel bed and reaching for his sports coat. He knew Neal would already be waiting down in the lobby for him. Neal Rutherford never arrived on time to meetings. He was early. "Being punctual is your first opportunity to prove you're honest and respect the other person," the founder and owner of Rutherford Construction always said. "If you can't be on time to a meeting, how will they believe you can finish a project on time?" Neal Rutherford always met his deadlines. It was one of the reasons his company was so sought after throughout Florida.After slipping his coat on, Morgan popped three Tylenol into his mouth and drank half a bottle of water to wash them down. His head throbbed as he ran a brush through his hair, trying to bring order to the almond-colored mess. He needed a shower, but he had needed sleep more. While Neal made sure they arrived t

Jacqui tore off another piece of the mutilated napkin in her hands and wadded it up into a tiny ball. When she compressed it as she could get it, she plopped it down into the small pile of wadded up balls in front of her. She instantly ripped off another piece. Reaching across the table, Brent Wellington placed his hand on top of the napkin and gently pushed it and her hands to the table. "Relax. It's just lunch. You eat lunch all the time.""And it's usually at my desk or in situations where I have control. This feels like an ambush." She wadded the rest of the napkin up, tossing it to the center of the table. She reached for her water glass, needing something to do with her hands."This is far from an ambush," her financial consultant said. "It's just a business meeting to introduce you to someone who might be able to help you with your next project. You're the boss. You can say yes or no."She shook her head. "They want me to hire them and so do you. That's three against one. It's