Barbara Dunlop - His Convenient Virgin Bride

“It’s your money,” said Stanton. “I’ve been holding it for you.”

“We’ll be looking for interest,” Royce put in.

Alec transmitted a silent question to Damien, and Damien’s smiled broadened.

Norman’s hungry gaze was glued to Stephanie.

She could feel his loneliness and sorrow pierce straight to her soul.

He was her uncle, the brother of a father she didn’t remember. She found herself wondering what Royce would do if he thought someone had killed Jared, or the other way around, or what both of them would do if they thought someone had harmed her.

She shifted around Alec, gazing into Norman’s lined face in the pool of lamplight.

His eyes went wide, darting to Heidi as she drew closer.

Royce shot forward, but Alec’s arm reached out to block him.

Stephanie smiled gently at Norman. “Would you like to meet your grandniece?”

Twin tears slipped out of his blue eyes, trailing swiftly down his pale, sagging cheeks.

Stephanie eased Heidi away from her body, exposing her little pink face. “This is Heidi Rae Creighton. Heidi, this is your uncle Norman.”

She felt Alec’s gentle hands close around her shoulders.

Norman stood frozen for a full minute.

Then he lifted a shaking finger, gently stroking the back of Heidi’s tiny hand. “Heidi Rae.” His voice was strangled with emotion.

Stephanie’s chest tightened, and tears stung the backs of her eyes.

Royce appeared in Stephanie’s peripheral vision. She braced herself, but Royce’s body language was no longer hostile.

“This check good?” he asked gruffly.

Norman didn’t take his eyes off Heidi. “It’s good,” he affirmed.

Royce gave a sharp nod as Jared joined them.

Alec’s hands squeezed Stephanie’s shoulders, and he leaned down to whisper. “You are an amazing woman. And I love you so much.”

writes romantic stories while curled up in a log cabin in Canada’s far north, where bears outnumber people and it snows six months of the year. Fortunately, she has a brawny husband and two teenage children to haul firewood and clear the driveway while she sips cocoa and muses about her upcoming chapters. Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her Web site at www.barbaradunlop.com.