Emily McKay - The Hudson's - Luc, Jack and Charlotte

She nodded, amazed at the measures Luc had taken to make this happen. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you just isn’t enough.”

Luc pulled up to a side door of a building. “Go see your sister,” he said. “She’s waiting for you.”

Gwen’s eyes burned with tears, and she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered and reveled in his strength for a moment before she got out of the car.

A male attendant was waiting at the door to allow her inside. “Miss McCord,” he said. “Your sister is waiting down the hall to the left.”

Anticipation growing inside her, she walked quickly down the hallway. Turning the corner, she looked into a parlor and saw Nicki sitting in a chair with her hands folded in her lap. Her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, her face scrubbed free of makeup, Nicki looked like the little sister Gwen remembered from years gone by.

“Nicki,” she whispered.

Her sister’s head turned and Nicki met her gaze. Her expression was at first cautious, but when Gwen approached her with open arms, Nicki jumped up to meet her.

Nicki flew into her arms and burst into tears. “Gwen, I’m so sorry. I’ve made such a mess of things. I should have listened to you. Do you realize I almost k-k-killed that family—” Her voice broke and she sobbed.

“Hush,” Gwen said, cradling her sister. “The important thing is you realize you got offtrack and you’re getting the help you need.”

Pulling back, Nicki looked up at Gwen, her expression full of guilt. “And I’m so sorry you had to be dragged into this.”

“It’s just for a few weeks,” Gwen told her. “If that’s what it takes for you to find your way again, it’s a small sacrifice.”

“But I know how much you hate L.A.,” Nicki said, sniffling.

“But I’ll eat well,” Gwen said.

Nicki gave a shaky laugh. “You always try to find the good in the bad.”

“Survival skill,” Gwen said.

“Luc Hudson’s a tough one,” Nicki said. “But you know, he was so protective of me when all this happened. I was stunned. Before that, I could feel his impatience every time there was a memo from his assistant. But when I did this incredibly stupid thing, he was there and he got me where I needed to be. He was compassionate. I would never have expected that. I hear he’s tough with the actors and wields a glove of velvet steel with the press. I believe it now. Has he been a total pain in the ass?”

Gwen blinked. “Uh, no. He actually helped rescue a mare. He’s a horseman. Who knew?”

Nicki searched Gwen’s face. “You’re sure?You’re not lying? I don’t want you to take any abuse on my account.”

“Not if you count meals flown in from his chef and chocolate on the private flight to L.A.,” Gwen said with a smile.

Nicki chuckled. “So you’ve been in heaven,” she said.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Gwen said and took Nicki’s hand. “We don’t have much time. Tell me what’s going on with you.”

“I’m learning to be my own mom,” Nicki said sheepishly.

“Oh, you’ll be a great mom. And what a great daughter you have.”

“I’m so lucky I have you in my life,” Nicki said. “So lucky.”

“I feel the same way,” Gwen replied.

“I’m going to be better when I get out of here,” Nicki said.

“You already are,” Gwen said and hugged her sister again.

An hour later, she slid into the seat beside Luc. “You have officially become the superhero for the McCord women.”

He gave a noncommittal glance. “How is she?”

“Great. I can already tell this is exactly what she needed. I’m so grateful that you took her here. She is too.”

“Over the next two weeks, hold that thought,” he said grimly.

Gwen nodded. “It’s worth it. Anything is worth Nicki getting better.”

“Are you ready for the roller-coaster ride?”

“Probably not, but I’ll do what needs to be done,” she said, starting to come down after the high of seeing her sister.

“We’re staying at the family beach house tonight,” he said. “I thought you would enjoy the morning view. As far as the press is concerned, we’re at my bungalow.”

“When does the insanity start?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“You’re pretty amazing,” she said, feeling the walls around her heart begin to crumble.

Moments later Luc drove through another security gate and up a winding road to a two-story cottage, where the lights and a middle-aged man dressed in denim welcomed them.

“Good evening, Mr. Hudson,” the man said and nodded toward her. “Good evening, ma’am.”

“This is Wilfred, but he goes by Fred. He’s been with the family since before I was born. Fred, this is Gwen McCord.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss McCord,” Fred said, pulling their luggage from the back of the car. “You’re more beautiful in person than your photos, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

“Fred’s a flirt,” Luc muttered.

“Thank you very much, Fred. You’re too kind. I’m partial to Freds,” Gwen said, shooting Luc a sideways glance.

“Is that so?” Fred said, swaggering a bit as he led them inside the cottage. “All that airbrushed hogwash. There’s nothing like the real thing. Real skin. Real beauty. And that’s what you’ve got. Now where should I take the luggage?”

“To my room,” Luc said. “My fiancée will be staying with me.”

Gwen blinked at his possessive tone.

“You finally found one worth keeping,” Fred said. “My congratulations.” He offered his hand to Luc and shook his hand, then turned to Gwen. “I believe it’s customary to give the bride best wishes.” He took Gwen’s hand and lifted it to his lips. “In this case you may need them,” he muttered.

Gwen laughed.

Luc scowled. “If anyone except you had said that—”

“Off with the head,” Fred finished for him. “Truthfully,” he said to Gwen. “He’s a good man.”

Gwen stood silently for a moment and nodded. “I know.”

The three climbed the stairs to a beautiful master suite that awaited with a bottle of champagne and flowers. Gwen walked to the shuttered front window and stared out at the sea below, white crests beating against the shore. She inhaled, wanting to smell the salty scent.

As if he sensed it, Luc cracked the window and she inhaled again. “It’s delicious,” she said, closing her eyes for a second. “I haven’t been back in over a year and I still love Montana best, but the ocean is a close second.”

“Speaking of delicious,” he said, and she felt the cool glass lifted to her lips. She opened her mouth and allowed the bubbly champagne to slide down her throat.

“This is too wonderful,” she whispered, knowing she was treading on dangerous ground. Being with Luc was so marvelous she never wanted it to end, but she knew it had to end sometime.

Not tonight, though, she told herself as she raised her mouth to his. Not tonight.

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