The Twin Bargain by Lisa Carter

Author:Lisa Carter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-07-10T19:44:30+00:00

Chapter Eight

At the sound of a vehicle, Amber twitched aside the curtain in the girls’ bedroom. The navy blue truck appeared vaguely familiar, but before she could puzzle it out, she spotted Ethan behind the wheel.

She let the curtain fall in place. “Prince Charming’s here.”

“I look silly.” Stella frowned at herself in the bureau mirror. “Is my hair supposed to look fluffy on the top?”

Amber bit back a sigh. She’d spent the last two hours braiding the girls’ hair into coronets. Now everyone was a critic.

“Where’s my shoe? Where’s my bwacelet?” Lucy hopped around the small bedroom on one foot. “We’re not weady yet!”

A foreshadowing of the adolescent years to come?

Leaving them to their last-minute preparations—who knew four-year-olds had last-minute preparations?—Amber hurried to open the door. She caught Ethan, hand in midair, preparing to knock.

“Oh, hey.” He let his hand fall. “Are the girls ready?”

But she couldn’t take her eyes off him. A perfect fit, the gray suit outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist. The blue oxford shirt brought out the gold flecks in his hazel eyes. And the lavender-gray striped tie provided a jaunty spring accent.

He pulled at his cuff. “Is it that bad?”

Blinking, she realized she’d taken too long to answer. “Not at all.” To her chagrin, her voice had gone hoarse. “Y-you clean up pretty well.” She cleared her throat.

The understatement of the year.

He smiled, lines crinkling from his eyes. “Some people, present company in particular, don’t have to clean up to be pretty.”

Blushing, she reminded herself to breathe. “Th-thank you, Ethan.” She played with her earring, wishing she’d changed out of her usual jeans. “You are as charming as ever.”

His brow creased. “I’m not trying to be charming. I just wish you could see yourself—”

“You’re early.”

Why was her heart thumping so?

“Better early than late.” He gave her an enigmatic grin. “Who says leopards can’t change their spots?”

She put her hand to her throat. That almost sounded as if he were talking about her and him. About them. But there had never been a them.

Amber bit her lip. Nor was there any likelihood there ever would be. He’s leaving in a month. She needed to keep telling herself that until she quieted the treacherous yearnings Ethan Green seemed to bring out in her.

“We’re weady!”

Amber winced. Ethan laughed.

“Lucy doesn’t seem able to speak in any decibel lower than a foghorn. If you’re ready,” Amber called over her shoulder, “don’t keep Ethan waiting, girls.”

Stella stepped past her mother and onto the front porch. “Lucy says for y’all to pay attention.”

Amber and Ethan exchanged amused glances.

She shook her head. “Such a drama queen.”

He smiled. “Lucy is her perfectly delightful self. And I wouldn’t have her any other way.”

Amber wouldn’t, either, but she was pleased he could see through the brash impetuousness to her daughter’s sweet, kind heart. Not many people did. Not many people took the time, but Ethan had.

Throwing her arms wide, Lucy flung herself onto the porch. “Ta-da!”

Moving to the step below, he immediately dropped to one knee.

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