AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stood at the stove, humming as I cracked eggs into a mixing bowl, preparing to make French toast topped with sliced peaches and a dusting of powdered sugar. Cord had taken his cup of coffee to the porch out back, and I could see him through the window sitting in a lounge chair. I’d left the window partially raised overnight to let in the fresh air, since I didn’t like to run the air conditioning unless the house really needed it.
I couldn’t remember feeling this happy—waking up in the arms of the man I loved to a bright, beautiful morning full of sunshine and promise. I’d received a text from Heather letting me know that the kids were doing great and still getting along beautifully. She’d even offered to keep Camden as long as I needed her to. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.
Putting down the mixing bowl, I opened the refrigerator to grab the 3 lbs. bag of peaches I’d picked up at the farmer’s market. The sound of Cord’s voice startled me, and I glanced toward the window. He wasn’t speaking to me, however; he was talking into the speaker of his phone.
“Nathan, glad you picked up. Cord here,” he said.
“Well, hello there,” came the deep baritone on the other end of the line. “How are things down in the great state of Texas? More importantly, how are things going in terms of our little gentlemen’s bet? Have you been able to convince Sami to give you another chance yet? Or are you going to owe me half a million dollars in less than 48 hours?”
The bag of peaches fell out of my arms and hit the floor with a smack. The bright orange fruit spilled out and rolled across the floor in all directions. I stood motionless, frozen in place with shock at what I’d just overhead.
Startled, Cord glanced up from his phone and met my gaze through the window.
And then I ran.
***
“Sami, wait!” Cord cried, catching up to me in the foyer. Grabbing my purse from the side table I fumbled through it trying to find my keys. But the angry tears falling from my eyes were making it difficult.
“Don’t.” I sputtered when I felt his touch on my bare forearm.
“Please,” he begged, placing his fingers gently under my chin. “Look at me, Sami.”
Reluctantly, I allowed him to turn my face towards his. When our gazes locked again, I saw desperation in Cord’s eyes. But was I just imagining it? If what I’d heard was true, Cord had been playing me all along like I was nothing but a coveted chess piece. If I fell, then he would win. But the person who would lose most of all was Camden.
“How could you?” I asked, agony searing my heart like the blade of a knife. “Was it all a lie? Was I just a game to you? Who are you, Cord Romero? Where is the boy I once loved?”
Cord reached to cup my opposite cheek with his left hand and stepped closer to me, bringing our faces within inches of each other. “I’m right here!” he said. His voice cracked with emotion and tears began running down his cheeks.
“Please, let me explain. I was just talking to a business rival of mine, Nate Hale, who I actually respect a great deal. We have a good, healthy rivalry going, and I think he’d agree that we both push each other to be our best. If we weren’t catering to the same market, I’d probably be friends with the guy.”
I nodded. “I get that, but where do I fit in?”
Cord took a deep breath. “The truth is that I lost some money to him in a poker game. He offered me a wager to get it back, telling me all I had to do was go home and convince the one who got away to take me back. To be honest, deep down I know I used it as an excuse just to see you again. Sami, my heart never healed after losing you. All these years we’ve been apart, I buried myself in my work to avoid thinking about you, remembering what it was that I’d lost. I called Nate to tell him that I was going to give him the money even though I’d won the bet, because money doesn’t matter to me. Hell, I’d give away my entire fortune if it meant sharing a life with you and our son. You and Camden are the only things that matter, Sami. You’re all I want. Tell me you believe me.”
Staring into the eyes of the man I’d loved since as far back as I could remember, I knew what he said was true.
Trembling, I reached up and brushed a tear from his cheek.
“Cord, are you sure about this? I…I don’t want to move to New York. I don’t want Camden to grow up in the spotlight, with paparazzi following us everywhere.”
“I’ve never been more certain about anything in my entire life,” Cord replied. “I want to move back here, where I belong. I can work from anywhere. And I will move heaven and earth to make sure you and Camden are protected, and that he can grow up as a child should, out of the public eye and with his parents by his side.”
“I love you, Cord Romero,” I said.
“And I love you, Sami Hartley,” he answered and lowered his lips to mine. Our kiss was deepening when the ringing of a phone interrupted us.
Cord reached into his back pocket and took out his phone. Glancing at the number displayed on the screen, he frowned and answered the call, lifting the device to his ear.
“Cord Romero,” he said. A moment later the color drained from his face. “I’ll be right there.”
“What is it?” I asked, sensing instantly that something terrible had happened. “What’s wrong?”
“That was a paramedic,” he whispered. “Mami is being rushed to the hospital for what looks like a heart attack.”
“Oh my God!” My hand fluttered to my heart.
He shook his head. “I can’t believe this. I’m so angry at Mami for keeping us apart I could scream. But she’s my mother and she raised me.”
