Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Michaela squeezed. “I finally figured that out.”
Flo held her at arm’s length once again. “Are you truly happy?”
Michaela nodded, the gorgeous waves of her hair shifting against her bronzed shoulders. “Very. I’m not sure why I fought this for so long.”
Flo smoothed her hand down her daughter’s hair. “Because you were afraid. But now you no longer have to be.”
Michaela’s pretty green eyes shone with all those stars glittering in their depths. “And I don’t have to be afraid for you anymore, Mom. Walter is a good man too. And he truly cares about you.”
Flo couldn’t stop the rush of warmth that suffused her entire body. “I’m so glad you can see that now.”
“I think I always knew. But I let my own fears get in the way.” Michaela cupped her mother’s cheek. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy.”
“Ditto,” Flo whispered. Then she had to add, “You aren’t the only one who’s had fears. I have too. But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. I’ll always have you, but I knew that someday you would find the man of your dreams, and I would have to let you go.”
Michaela leaned in to kiss her cheek. “I’ll never leave you, Mom. I might live in Troy’s home one day, but I’ll never leave you.”
Flo felt tears prickle in her eyes. “And I’ll never leave you. You’ll always be my little girl.” She cupped Michaela’s face. “Didn’t I tell you everything would be okay?”
“And you were right. You always are.” Michaela’s beautiful smile lit up the lounge. “I think I might have asked Troy to marry me,” she admitted with a glorious laugh.
As they hugged, a stall door opened, and Susan Spencer stepped out.
Washing her hands at the sink, she said, “I wasn’t eavesdropping.” She chuckled. “All right, I was.” Then she held her arms wide. “Group hug, ladies.”
As the women held one another, Susan whispered, “I’m so happy for you both.” Then, stepping back, she added, “My family just keeps getting bigger and better.”
Flo felt a thrill run through her. For Michaela and Troy. For herself and Walter.
And for this big, beautiful Maverick/Harrington clan.
She and Michaela had finally found their family.
Fernsby handed glasses of champagne to the other two members of his matchmaking team. Robert Spencer had somehow corralled Walter Braedon. Robert was a jovial man, and because of today’s event, he was perhaps a little bit in his cups. But that left Susan Spencer and Florence Killian at Fernsby’s mercy.
And such lovely ladies they were. His little matchmaking heart grew several sizes knowing that Florence had found her perfect match in Walter Braedon. Fernsby himself couldn’t have chosen better for her.
He and his two delightful companions surveyed the dance floor. It had grown more and more sparse as couples peeled off to return home or to go up to a room in the hotel. Therefore, he, Susan, and Florence, standing at the edge of the dance floor, had a magnificent view of the happy couple. Not the newlyweds, who had already been bombarded by a hurricane of birdseed to send them off on their honeymoon. No, this couple was his latest success story. Michaela and Troy, their eyes locked on each other, dancing as if they were alone on the floor. Alone in their magical world.
What had they been doing below decks while everyone else was stomping the conga? He could only mentally clap his hands that the boy had finally taken the reins. Or perhaps the lovely Michaela, if Fernsby’s brief dance with her was any indication.
Mickey. He’d so amused himself at the end of that conga line. He’d thought Troy might faint, but Fernsby couldn’t resist yanking the dear boy’s chain. Especially after what Fernsby was absolutely, unequivocally, hand-clappingly sure he’d just been doing.
And now they were in each other’s arms as if they’d always been together.
Florence sighed. “They look so happy. And to think it only took a little over a month.”
“At least it didn’t take them twelve years,” Fernsby commented dryly. His outstanding team knew how long he’d worked on Dane to get him to realize he was in love with Camille. Maybe not to realize it so much as to admit it.
“I’m so glad I thought of the hiking date,” Florence said, a satisfied smile on her lips. “When I saw those hiking shoes lined up in Troy’s office, I knew it would be perfect. That was the turning point for them.” She buffed her fingernails on her lovely caftan as if she was solely responsible for bringing the couple together.
Susan jumped in to say, “I was so happy when Troy came to me to find out all of Michaela’s favorite things.” She shared a chuckle with Florence. “I called you immediately. I thought he might run away when he saw all my girls sitting out on the deck. But he was a brave man. I wonder if that might have been his turning point.” She fluttered her eyelashes.