Happily Ever After Read online

  “Aren’t I, though?” she said. Only as she said it did she realize she felt that was somewhat true. Maybe that was why she didn’t want to reveal her dreams just yet. The bit of resentment on her part astounded her. She’d never thought that consciously, but now that Charles had said it . . . “In a way, I have been. And now you’re all fine and you don’t need me around like you did before, and it’s time for me to do something for myself. You’re all busy; you’ll barely miss me.”

  “We all love you, Tess,” Charles said. “We’ll always need you. You’re our only sister and our trusted friend. Yes, I’m speaking for Dane and Pierce on this because I know they feel exactly as I do. Sure, we’ve grown to count on you because the four of us are a team. But we adore you. Hell, Dane named his hotel after you, for Pete’s sake. You’re our best girl. Always will be.”

  Tess didn’t say anything, but something in her warmed at his words.

  Charles continued. “No one’s begrudging you having something for yourself. We’re just concerned because it’s unusual behavior for you, and I know there’s something behind it. Something specific is driving this and you’re not telling me. I’d bet that ski house on it.”

  She bit down on her lip. He knew her too well. “I’m fine. I promise you that.”

  “Nice deflection. It only confirms my suspicions, Tess,” he said. “But I’ll respect your privacy for now.” He grunted softly in frustration. “I don’t know what’s going on now any more than I did when you picked up the phone, and that bothers the hell out of me. But I hope you know—I thought you did?—that I’m here for you always, when you’re ready to tell me whatever’s going on. I am, Dane and Pierce are, even Lisette, Julia, and Abby would be. We all love you.”

  “I hear you,” Tess said. “And I love you all too. Now stop worrying about me.”

  “Well, now that you’re at least answering your calls, I feel a drop better,” Charles said. “But only a drop.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Tess assured him. “How are the kids, big ones and baby one?”

  “Everyone’s fine. But I think Charlotte misses her favorite aunt.”

  “Aww, my little bean. I miss her too.” Tess heard the slam of a heavy door outside, likely a truck, and realized it was probably Logan. Her heart gave a little flutter at the thought of him. “Look, I have to go. Logan Carter just got here.”

  “Ah, Logan. Good to know he’s around. Tell him hello for me.” Charles paused. “You sure you’re all right?”

  “Stop mothering me!” Tess said with a laugh. “That’s my job, being the mother hen of the family.”

  “Well, with you leaving town,” Charles said, “guess I’ll have to pick up that title for a while. I am the oldest.”

  “Go for it. If you want to wear the tiara, it’s somewhere in my basement.” Tess sat up just as the doorbell rang. “Talk to you soon, sweetie. Gotta run.”

  “Yes, we will talk again soon,” Charles said. “Take care.”

  “I will. You too.” She set down the phone beside her water glass on the coffee table, then went to answer the door.

  “Hey, Tess,” Logan said with a twitch of a grin. “Just wanted to let you know I was here, so when you heard noises out back you wouldn’t be worried.”

  “Hi yourself. Okay.” She did a quick once-over; the ends of his thick blond hair peeked out from beneath a navy wool cap, brushing just past his chin, and he was in his usual work attire of hoodie under his royal blue jacket, jeans, and work boots. His ruddy cheeks and the gloves on his hands were the only things that hinted he might be cold, though it hadn’t even reached thirty degrees that day. “Long day at work?”

  “Same as usual,” he said. “No big shakes. How are you? You settling in okay?”

  “Yes, I am, thanks.” She leaned against the doorframe. “Can I get you a drink? Some water?”

  “No, thanks, I have water in the truck,” he said. “Just gonna take out the trash, then check your wood supply.”

  “I haven’t lit a fire yet,” she said. “I’ve been out as much as in. Maybe tonight. But hey, I went by the yoga center. You were right, what a difference! It’s so much bigger!”

  He nodded, his breath forming as white puffs against the cold air.

  “I saw Sami-Jo. She was glad you sent me,” Tess continued.

  At that, he grinned. “Cool. She’s a sweet lady.”

  “She really is.” Tess leaned her hip against the doorframe. “I’m going to have a one-on-one with a trainer, Susan, who’ll come up here to the house for that, and I’ll go there to take classes twice a week with Carrie. You seem to be like the town mayor; do you know either of them?”

  For a split-second, she caught a strange look in his light green eyes . . . something like he’d been caught at something, maybe? But he merely said, “Yeah, I know Carrie. Susan’s new, I guess. Good luck with all that.”

  Something about that quick, odd look intrigued Tess and she wanted to keep him talking. “Thanks. I’ve done yoga classes at home, but I’m upping it here with the extra personal session. I feel so good after I’ve done it. You ever done any yoga?”

  “Me?” He laughed, making the creases by his eyes crinkle appealingly. “Hell no. But I hear people who do it love it.”

  “I guess you get enough of a workout just doing your job day to day,” Tess said.

  “Some days I do.” He adjusted his hat a little, pushing strands of his long blond hair out of his eyes. “I still hit the gym a few times a week for weights and some cardio. Yoga, that’s just not my thing. But kudos to you for doing it. Any physical activity is good.”

  “Agreed.” She had a fleeting vision of him lifting weights in the gym, his biceps straining and sweat dripping down his neck . . . it was a delicious thought. “I want to hit the slopes next week, but I also love long walks. In fact, I went hiking myself this morning before I went into town. I’ll do that two or three times a week, I think.”

  “Wait, you went up the mountain? By yourself?”

  “Yesss,” she said. She stepped back and held out her arms to give him a full once-over. “And as you can see, I made it back just fine. This city girl can take care of herself.”

  “Well. We’ve covered that before.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and something in his eyes shuttered. The change in his demeanor surprised her. He’d gone from teasing to something dark so quickly. It made the joking smile slide off her face.

  He cleared his throat and said, “I’d better get to work. Just wanted to get it done before sunset, and I’ve got about . . .” He glanced up at the sky, shades of deep blue with hints of pink in the clouds. “Maybe half an hour of decent light left.”

  She simply nodded. “I won’t keep you, then. Thank you, Logan.”

  “Yup. Glad to hear you’re settling in fine. Talk to you soon.” He turned away and went down the steps. “Have a good night,” he called over his shoulder before heading around the side of the house.

  “You too,” she called back before closing the door. His cool, aloof brush-off had been virtually unreadable to the untrained person, but she was pretty good at reading people. He used to be friendlier with her and it ate at her . . . she felt like she’d said or done something to offend him. She just wished she knew what.

  Bubbles came scampering to her, yipping and wagging her tail. Tess crouched to pet her and cooed, “Are you hungry, little miss? Do I need to feed you now?”

  Bubbles barked and wiggled in response.

  “Okay, Bubs. C’mon, let’s feed you.” Tess walked through to the kitchen, her mind preoccupied with thoughts about the ruggedly gorgeous blond man out in her backyard. The more she learned about him, it seemed the more there was to learn. She was definitely intrigued enough to find out. Somehow, over her time here, maybe she could get him to tell her his story. Logan Carter was more complicated and layered than he seemed. She’d seen flashes of gruff or guarded moments, enough to suspect that his easygoing, self-assured outside was hiding something darker and compell
ing inside. In fact, she’d bet on it.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jennifer Gracen hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and is immersed in her passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance for readers who look for authentic characters and satisfying endings. When she isn’t with her kids, doing freelance proofreading, or chatting on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She’s already hard at work on her next book.

  MORE THAN YOU KNOW

  Hotel owner Dane Harrison, middle brother of a wealthy

  Long Island family, needs a lounge singer for his new

  luxury property. With her stunning voice and amazing

  curves, Julia Shay is perfect. She also seems to be the only

  woman in New York City who isn’t falling at Dane’s feet.

  And despite her feisty attitude and his rule against

  workplace affairs, he wants her—in his arms, in his bed,

  anywhere and everywhere.

  Julia loves her new job, and she knows better than to think

  she can keep it and Dane. Even if he wasn’t her boss,

  Julia’s painful history has given her ample reason to steer

  clear of rich, powerful charmers. Still, their chemistry is

  unlike anything she’s known, and when it becomes too

  much to resist, they agree to one no-strings night together.

  But instead of quenching the fire, the intense encounter

  only proves how much they have to lose—or win . . .

  SOMEONE LIKE YOU

  Pierce Harrison—yes, that Pierce Harrison, black sheep of

  the wealthy Harrison clan—has come home to his family’s

  luxurious Long Island compound. The big question is why

  the dangerously sexy soccer star agreed to coach a kids’

  soccer team. His co-coach Abby McCord should be

  grateful. Instead she’s fending off some seriously

  smoldering advances from the scandal-ridden athlete.

  Good thing bad boys are so not her type . . .

  Abby is definitely not lacking in passion,

  but the sweet-faced beauty needs to learn a thing or two

  about taking a team to the championship—and a whole lot

  about how to let a man into her once-broken heart.

  Pierce definitely knows how to make the moves,

  but will Abby trust that the bachelor the world has

  condemned as a scoundrel can settle down

  with the one woman who has taken hold of his heart?

  ’TIS THE SEASON

  As the eldest son of the illustrious Harrison clan,

  Charles Harrison the III has always done the right thing.

  With his family’s legacy to uphold, he can’t afford a

  scandal, even if temptation is living right under his roof.

  His well-publicized divorce was a disgrace, so Charles is

  sure an affair with his bewitching nanny would bring

  his family even more infamy.

  And yet, he can’t resist the alluring Lisette . . .

  With her usually reserved boss sending her heated looks,

  Lisette Gardner is in a bind. The nurturing nanny has

  always loved the eldest Harrison from a distance. But

  coming from a vastly different world, with a painful past

  that still haunts her, Lisette is determined to resist Charles’s

  advances. Because Lisette can accept nothing less than

  forever with Charles . . . and forever might be too much to

  hope for with the reigning prince of the Harrison clan.