Heartland (12 page)
Authors: Sherryl Woods
He reached around her then and picked up a folder from the stack on the ground beside him. “Just in case you're having any lingering doubts,” he said.
Lara opened the folder to the first page and found a contract calling for his purchase of the remainder of the Danvers' land. In a final clause it was noted that this land and his earlier purchase were to be held in trust for her and her heirs until such time as she and she alone should decide to sell it.
“When did you have this drawn up?”
“I called my lawyer after I left you last night. I'd guessed at least some of what was bothering you. This was the only way I could think of to convince you that my intentions were totally honorable. Now what about it? Do we have a deal?”
Heart soaring, Lara's lips curved into an impish smile. “Which deal is that? For the land?”
“Forget the land,” he growled. “You can have it, the money, anything I have. Are you going to marry me or not?”
“I would be proud to marry you, Steven Drake. Very proud.”
“How soon?”
“Long engagements are nice.”
“For whom?” he grumbled, his impatience bringing a soft smile to her lips.
“But then, we have had a rather extended courtship,” she added thoughtfully.
“Does that mean we get time off for good behavior?”
“Something like that.”
“How soon?” he repeated impatiently.
“Christmas?”
“That's months from now.”
“I want to wait for Tommy and Megan and the girls to come back.” She brushed a kiss across his lips, then dropped another one on his forehead. “I promise to make the wait worth your while.”
His muscles tensed, and his arms tightened around her. She could feel the hurried beat of his heart beneath her fingers as he said, “In that case, I accept.”
With that, he swept her into his arms and carried her up to his room. Their room. It was hours before Lara was aware of anything except the fire that raged in her body, the sweet throbbing that rose to an impatient demand before sending her off into aching ecstasy.
Life suddenly held the promise of spring all over again, the same eager anticipation and hope that marked all new beginnings. She knew now that the bonds between them were not flimsy. They were meant to hold for eternity.
As she sighed and curled herself into his waiting warmth, his breath whispered across her cheek, the words soft, but spoken without hesitation.
“I'll love you, Lara. For always.”
For always.
* * * * *
“Sherryl Woods writes emotionally satisfying novels about family, friendship and home. Truly feel-great reads!”
â#1
New York Times
bestselling author Debbie Macomber
Love can be found in the most unexpected of places...
And sometimes, it takes a family's help to find it.
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bestselling author Sherryl Woods and the Carlton family in the Perfect Destinies saga, where true love, a little matchmaking, second chances and a sassy tale of revenge (with an unexpected twist) await:
Isn't It Rich?
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Treasured
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Looking for more great reads from Sherryl Woods?
Catch up with the O'Brien family in Chesapeake Shores, where stories of friendship, family and love are only just around the cornerâyou may never want to leave. Collect the complete series!
The Inn at Eagle Point
Flowers on Main
Harbor Lights
A Chesapeake Shores Christmas
Driftwood Cottage
Moonlight Cove
Beach Lane
An O'Brien Family Christmas
The Summer Garden
A Seaside Christmas
The Christmas Bouquet
Dogwood Hill
Willow Brook Road
“Woods's amazing grasp of human nature and the emotions that lie deep within us make this story universal.”
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Or take a trip to Serenity, South Carolina, where the Sweet Magnolias are always in season and sweet romance is only ever a stone's throw away:
Stealing Home
A Slice of Heaven
Feels Like Family
Welcome to Serenity
Home in Carolina
Sweet Tea at Sunrise
Honeysuckle Summer
Midnight Promises
Catching Fireflies
Where Azaleas Bloom
Swan Point
“Woods employs her signature elementsâthe Southern small-town atmosphere, the supportive network of friends and family, and the heartwarming romanceâto great effect.”
âBooklist
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ISBN-13: 9781459296626
Heartland
Copyright © 1998 by Sherryl Woods
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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