Secret Passions (18 page)

“We’d need at least five bedrooms, plus an office and a larger studio for your art.” He was thinking now. She could see his eyebrows crinkle. “Someplace by the water. I never did get to take you out on the water this time. Plus, I’ve been thinking, since it’s just your mother back home, how would you feel about bringing her back with us? I could see about getting her a green card. I know someone with connections.” He smiled.

Sandi realized that if she hadn’t already given him her heart, he would have stolen it, just then. Tears came to her eyes and she nodded her head.

Mitchell’s phone rang shortly after they arrived back at his place. When he saw the name, he immediately answered it.

“What?” He was shocked. “What do you mean he’s been shot?”

Sandi walked over to him and held onto his arm, looking at his face for answers. Mitchell’s body began to shake.

“How bad?” He shook his head. “No, we can be there soon.” He hung up. “That was Ric. Ethan’s been shot. He was protecting a senator’s daughter, the one he was with in Brazil. I guess something went south and he’s been shot. He’s in a hospital in Austin.”

“Let’s go. We’re already packed.” She looked up at him. “After all, we both owe him so much.

It took him a while on the phone to set everything up, but finally, an hour after arriving, they were in a cab on the way to the airport. Images of his friend, injured, flashed through his mind. Maybe it was everything that had happened in the last few weeks finally catching up with him, but he felt weary.

Then Sandi reached over and took his hand in hers. He traced the small bandages that covered the wounds on her palms and when she smiled at him, he knew everything was going to be okay.

When they arrived at the hospital in Austin, Ethan was propped up on the bed smiling across the room at a dark haired woman who looked very annoyed.

“Mitchell! Sandi! Come on in. Welcome to the party.” He shook Mitchell’s hand. Sandi smiled as she walked over and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

“You’re okay?” she asked.

“This?” He nodded to the bandages over his chest. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve had worse.”

“So he keeps saying,” the woman in the corner said, walking over to them. “I’m Ann Rhodes.”

Sandi and Mitch shook her hand.

“How’s it going with you two? Did you find out anything about your dad?” Ethan asked Sandi.

An hour later, after they had caught Ethan and Ann up on her family matters, they stood around ready to leave.

“You don’t have to rush off,” Ethan said, holding Ann’s hand.

“We’re heading to India. We found Sandi's passport and our flight leaves in a few hours anyway. Sandi wanted to be there to help bury her father. You know, be there for her mother.”

Ethan nodded his head. “Thanks for coming over to check up on me. As you can see, I’m on the mend.” He smiled up at Ann.

Sandi stood there holding Mitchell's hand as a couple walked into the room. The woman was small with long dark hair, the man tall and blond and holding a wiggling little girl.

“Ethan?” The woman walked over and hugged Ethan lightly.

“Rob, Ric. There’s my Rose,” Ethan said when the little girl held her arms out. “Sorry, baby, I think daddy better hold onto you for now.” Then Ethan turned and smiled. “Sandi, this is my sister Roberta and my brother-in-law, Ric Derby. They got here earlier today.”

Sandi stood there and realized she was finally meeting the last man who had risked everything for her freedom. Looking at the woman, she knew that Roberta was the cop her uncle, Anish’s father, had shot, five years ago.

“I’m sorry.” The words escaped her mouth as she shook Ric’s hand. He laughed and Roberta smiled.

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” He pulled his wife into his arm. “If things hadn’t gone the way they had, I would have never met the woman I love, and we wouldn’t have this little beauty.” He kissed his daughter’s cheek.

Sandi smiled as Mitch stepped forward and shook his friend’s hand. “Ric, it’s good to see you.”

“You, too. I hear you’ve had some excitement the last few weeks.” Ric handed his daughter off to Roberta who walked over and sat next to Ethan.

Mitchell laughed and pulled Sandi to his side. “Nothing that wasn’t worth the outcome.

Epilogue

Sandi stood on the shore and looked out across the calm waters. She’d never imagined she’d be so happy. Her supplies were back at her studio since today was not for painting. Instead she stood there watching the water lap at the sand, and when Mitchell walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, she smiled.

“Well? What do you think?” He pulled her around so she looked up at him.

Stepping back, Sandi scanned the shore. Large dark rocks lined the little beach. Tall hills rolled with grass that swayed in the warm breeze. She could imagine the scene in every season and knew that she could easily paint it all. Then she looked up towards the large house and could just make out the second floor balcony and the green roof of the massive place. It was a bigger town just down the shore from Carter's place, but it would do nicely.

“It’s perfect. I can imagine raising our children here, painting here.” She turned to Mitchell again. “Living here with you for the rest of our lives.”

“Then it’s settled. It’s ours.” He smiled down at her. “There is one last bit of business we’ve yet to discuss.” He pulled out a small box from his jacket.

She held her breath as he opened the box, and she looked down at the large emerald ring.

“It matches your eyes.” She smiled as she took the ring between her fingers.

“Is that a yes?” He smiled.

“You’ve known my answer for over a year.” She smiled at him. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll live in this beautiful house with you, raise four children, and live happily ever after.” He laughed and spun her around, kissing her until they were both breathless.

Secret Identity

Eve is at the top of her career. She's about to finally make partner in her best friends’ ad agency, a
business she's poured her life into the last few years. But one small business trip with her boss could change her entire life and might just make everything she's worked hard for disappear in a flash.

Carter has had a hidden thing for Eve ever since he could remember. Just because she's smarter than him doesn't mean he'll let her know it. When a unique opportunity arises, he can’
t help but take the chance he's been waiting for to make her happy. As long as she doesn't find out what he's up to.

About the Author

Jill Sanders survived 80′s pop music, and life as an identical twin in a chaotic family of nine. A feat by any standard! She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, relocating to Colorado for college and a successful IT career at IBM in Boulder.

Narrowly escaping before all creativity was squashed, she jumped at the chance to trade the mundane world of computers for the sexy, exciting world of her own imagination. She now lives in charming rural Texas writing wonderful novels such as the Pride series.

Her debut novel, Finding Pride, was shortlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards 2013, and has since climbed to #1 on Amazon Bestsellers – Contemporary Romance & Romantic Suspense. Each Pride Series novel has spent time on bestseller lists for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple. Watch out New York Times, here she comes!