His Valentine Bride by Kirk Cindy

Author:Kirk, Cindy [Kirk, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-11-26T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Betsy didn’t see Ryan when she and Kate returned to the great room, but Tripp was hanging out by a tall ficus tree decorated in bright orange lights.

“Oh, my,” Betsy said.

“I know they’re garish, but Chloe loves them,” Kate said.

“It’s not that,” Betsy mumbled.

“Then what is...” Kate stopped, then smiled. “Looks like you have your pick of men this evening.”

“When it rains it pours.” Betsy could feel the medallion in the pocket of her pants. She wasn’t sure why she’d brought it. Courage, perhaps?

“Look, if you want, we can hang out—”

“Thank you, but as the hostess I know you have a lot to do.” Betsy offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll be just fine.”

Kate searched her eyes. “Sure?”

“Positive.” Betsy laid a hand on Kate’s arm. “I feel so much better after talking to you. Like I’m in the home of a friend.”

“That’s because you are,” Kate said. “I hope you and I can become good friends.”

“Mo-om.” A thin preteen girl who was a younger version of Kate motioned to her. “You’re needed in the kitchen.”

“Go,” Betsy said. “I’m fine.”

Kate gave Betsy’s arm a companionable squeeze. “Well, if you need me, you know where to find me.”

What I need, Betsy thought, is a good stiff drink. Or perhaps a bubble bath. She’d always done some of her best thinking when up to her neck in fragrant suds.

“Glass of wine, my dear?”

Betsy looked up to find Tripp standing beside her, a glass of white wine in one hand and a glass of red in the other.

“Which one is for me?” she asked.

“Whichever one you like,” he said, shooting her a smile that showed off a mouthful of straight, white teeth. “I hedged my bets by getting one of each.”

“Aren’t you the clever one?” She took the burgundy and glanced around the room. “Where’s Ryan?”

“Does it matte—”

“Of course it matters.” Ryan suddenly appeared beside her. “I was looking for you.”

Betsy knew it was crazy, but she felt better just having him there. “I ran into Kate and we got to talking.”

“I think you two could be really good friends,” he said.

“You would know,” Tripp said. “You dated her for—”

“It’s been great seeing you, Tripp, but Betsy and I have some things we need to discuss. In private.” Ryan’s gaze met Tripp’s. There was something in his stance, in the tilt of his jaw, that said the topic wasn’t up for discussion.

“See you later, Betsy,” Tripp said pointedly before he walked away.

Ryan held out his hand. “Take a walk with me.”

Betsy glanced around. “Won’t it be rude to take off? We just got here.”

Ryan chuckled. “I don’t mean leave, just walk around the house with me.”

“Oh.” Betsy attempted a laugh. “You must think I’m stupid.”

She knew it was because she was nervous. Oh, who was she kidding? It was Ryan. Whenever he was near he made her feel like an awkward schoolgirl who barely knew her own name.

“There are a lot of things I think when I look at you.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

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