Belinda Read online

  Rick stood there gazing down at her. “I love you, but I have to know one thing,” he said. “Can you ever possibly learn to love me back?”

  “No,” she said after a slight pause.

  The hopeful smile faded from his face, and his shoulders slumped. “That’s all I wanted to know.” He turned to go, but she laid her hand on his arm.

  “I already love you, Rick. I couldn’t love you more than I already do.”

  He stopped in his tracks and turned slowly. She let all the love she had pent up inside shine out of her eyes. He gave a small gasp and gathered her against his chest. “I’m sorry I was such an idiot,” he murmured against her hair. “I was so sure you weren’t interested in me except as a friend. I thought you’d gone out and gotten a new look to attract that Mike fellow. You don’t have to be glamorous for me. I love you just for who you are. Can you forgive me for being such a fool?”

  “I already did,” she said softly.

  His lips sought and found hers. She made a sound that was half sob, half sigh, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt a crackle in his shirt pocket. “What’s that?” she asked.

  “Oh, just a deed,” he said. He pulled it out of his pocket. “I thought this might induce you to accept my proposal, but I’m glad I didn’t have to resort to bribery.”

  Her forehead creased in puzzlement, but she took the paper he handed her. Scanning it quickly, she gasped when she realized it was the deed to Timeless Treasures made out in her name. She cupped her palms around his face. “You are full of surprises today. You’re the new owner?”

  “No, you’re the new owner,” he said with a grin. “But would you mind sharing with me until I can get our house built? Will you marry me so I can be Andi’s daddy?”

  She pulled back and looked up into his eyes. “Is that the only reason?” she asked teasingly.

  He kissed her again. “I might want a few more children,” he said. “Especially if they have your eyes.”

  She smoothed the hair back from his face. ”I think that can be arranged,” she said.

  Andi’s footsteps came down the hall. “Mommy, why are you kissing the Lone Ranger? Is he going to be my daddy?”

  “I think so, Andi, I really think so,” Belinda said as Rick’s lips found hers again.

  If you love romance with adventure and mystery, the Lonestar Series by Colleen Coble is one you won’t want to miss!

  Lonestar Sanctuary

  Lonestar Secrets

  Lonestar Homecoming

  Lonestar Angel

  Lonestar Angel is the newest in the series and a reader favorite!

  For Eden, hope is rekindled when her estranged husband delivers the astounding news: that their lost baby girl has been found. Years ago Eden and Clay Larson’s baby was stolen. Kidnappers demanded a ransom, but something went horribly wrong at the exchange: the kidnapper’s car crashed into the river and was never recovered. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought. Then Clay arrives and tells Eden still married to him. He never signed the divorce decree. Even more earth-shattering than this news is that he’s never stopped looking for Brianna. Based on a tip, he thinks their daughter is in Bluebird, Texas, at a youth ranch. To discover the truth, the couple becomes counselors to the girls at Bluebird Ranch. As they work together, their love for the children grows and their love for each other is rekindled. But as danger closes in, Eden and Clay realize they’ve been lured to this remote West Texas location; their lives and the lives of the little girls are in danger. But as Eden learns, “hope does not disappoint.”

  Watch for Tidewater Inn—coming in July 2012!

  Welcome to Hope Beach. Where the sea breeze is fresh, sun sparkles on sand . . . and trouble appears with the force of a hurricane.

  I love to hear from my readers! Drop me an email at [email protected] and visit my website at www.colleencoble.com for more information about my many novels.

  Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.