Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 Karen Whiddon (best fiction books to read TXT) 📖

crying again. “This is beautiful,” she managed. “And looks just like us, right about the time you left for the army. You say you made this?”

Slowly, Micha nodded. “I kept it with me for years. Now I’d like you to have it.”

She smiled through her tears. “I’ll treasure it always.”

The stove timer dinged.

“Oh!” Beth jumped to her feet, wiping at her eyes with her hand, before grabbing a tissue and blowing her nose. “The lasagna is done. It will need to sit on top of the stove for a few minutes. Carly, do you drink red wine? Would you like to eat your salads?”

Declining Carly’s offer to help, Beth bustled around the kitchen, clearly in her element.

Later, after devouring the most delicious lasagna Carly had ever tasted, bar none, along with garlic bread and salad, Carly nearly groaned when Beth got out the cheesecake. “I’m too full,” she protested.

“You have to just try a bite,” Micha insisted. “Even if it’s just a sliver. I promise you, you’ve never tasted anything like it.”

With a sigh, Carly gave in. Both Micha and Beth watched, beaming, as Carly cut into the fluffy dessert with her fork and opened her mouth. She’d expected good, but this was better. Melt in your mouth, light and sweet and perfect. “That’s the best cheesecake I’ve ever tasted,” she said, unable to conceal her amazement.

Clearly pleased, Beth laughed.

“I told you,” Micha said, before turning his attention to his own plate. He devoured his own slice, as did Carly.

Then, stuffed and sleepy, Carly finished her wine and jumped to her feet. Ignoring Beth’s protests, she began taking care of the dishes. “You and Micha go on and let me clean up,” she said. “I’ll join you both in the living room when I’m done.”

Bridget woofed, reminding Carly she hadn’t been fed.

By the time Carly took care of her dog and the dishes and poured herself another glass of wine, thirty minutes had passed. She carried her wine into the living room and took a seat on the couch next to Micha. He put his arm around her and tugged her close.

Beth watched them both with a dreamy smile. “I never thought I’d see this day,” she mused. “Thank you, son.”

“For what?” Micha asked.

“Forgiving me and your father our mistakes.”

Micha appeared stunned. “We all have made choices we regretted later. Me in particular. If Carly hadn’t forgiven me...” His voice broke.

Carly kissed him, snuggling into his side. “I think the best thing to do is keep looking toward the future,” she said. “We cannot change the past.”

The three of them chatted for a few more hours. They turned on the evening news and watched that, too. Finally, Beth excused herself to go to bed.

“We’ll be visiting your father again tomorrow,” she reminded Micha, stifling a yawn. “I’d like to go in the morning, so I can bring him doughnuts from his favorite place. I’m thinking we can leave around eight.”

Micha used the remote to turn off the TV. He got up, gave his mother a hug and kissed her cheek. “We’ll be ready. I’m hoping Dad will feel well enough tomorrow to meet Carly.”

Beth’s smile never wavered, despite the sadness in her eyes. “Sleep well, you two. I’ll see you in the morning.”

After Beth left, Micha and Carly turned off the lights. Carly took Bridget outside one last time and then they made their way to their room.

As quietly as possible, they got ready for bed. Bridget turned circles on the dog mat Carly had brought for her, heaved a sigh and settled down to sleep.

“This has gone better than I expected.” Micha climbed into bed, propping his pillow up behind his back. “Everything I could ever have dreamed of, with the exception of my father having had a stroke.”

“He’ll get better,” Carly said, hoping she was right.

“I think so, too. I can’t wait to introduce you to him as my bride-to-be.”

The satisfaction in his voice made her smile.

“Do you want a long or a short engagement?” she asked, getting into bed next to him.

Micha shot her an incredulous look. “Are you kidding me here? I want to marry you as soon as is humanly possible.”

Turning to face him, she took both his hands into hers. “I agree, but I’d prefer to wait until your entire family can be there. Your father needs time to heal.”

Clearly touched, Micha held her gaze and slowly nodded. “I agree. But I don’t want to wait forever. It’s already been way too long.”

“Let’s see how your dad does in rehab. Your mom said she’d keep us posted.”

Micha nodded. “That sounds like a plan. But you know what? Your family isn’t going to want to wait. As soon as they see that engagement ring on your finger, you know they’re going to start planning big-time.”

This made her laugh. “You’re right. But at least I have a good excuse to make them give us a month or two.”

“You do,” he agreed. “But before we leave tomorrow, I’m going to tell my dad he’d better work hard so he doesn’t hold up our wedding too long.”

Carly wasn’t sure what to think about this. “Are you sure that won’t be putting too much pressure on him?”

“Nope.” He kissed her, his eyes lighting up. “He thrives on a challenge. He always used to say what motivated him the most was someone telling him he couldn’t accomplish something. He’s got this, Carly. I know he does.”

She nodded, then reached over and turned off her nightstand lamp. “We got this, too, Micha Harrison,” she breathed, nibbling on his ear. “Now turn off your light so we can show each other how much we do.”

With a strangled laugh that turned into a moan as her mouth moved lower, he did as she’d requested.

“Turns out you’re right, Carly Colton,” he murmured as she settled her body over his. “We got this.”

* * * * *

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