Fairy Tale Weddings by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

her.
    â€œI want you to meet my family.” He shocked himself by making the suggestion.
    â€œYour…family?” Cindy repeated.
    â€œYes.” He’d talk to his mother and father first. They’d be surprised, of course, since they’d been expecting him to announce that he was marrying Sheila. Sheila. He nearly laughed aloud. He couldn’t even remember what the other woman looked like.
    His parents could be his and Cindy’s biggest hurdle. But once they met her they wouldn’t question his actions. After the initial displeasure his mother would love her, Thorne was certain of that. His father was another matter, but given time, he’d respect Thorne’s decision. Things could get a bit sticky with Sheila, but she was a reasonable woman. She always said she wanted what was best for Thorne, and as soon as he explained, Thorne was convinced that she, too, would understand.
    Within a matter of hours a young woman with a saucy grin had turned his life upside down. And Thorne loved it.
    â€œI…can’t meet your family.” Cindy’s mind was in turmoil.
    â€œOf course you can. They’re going to fall for you just like I have.”
    â€œThorne—”
    â€œStop.” He pressed his finger to her lips, as she’d done to him earlier. “Here,” he said, and placed her hand over his heart. “Feel how excited and happy I am. I feel alive for the first time in years. You’ve done that for me. I want to laugh and sing and dance, and I never do any of those things.”
    â€œBut I can’t—”
    â€œI know I’m probably going a thousand times too fast. I realize it all sounds crazy, but I’ve been waiting years for you. Years.” He framed her face with his hands and he kissed her with infinite gentleness. His mouth lingered on hers as if he couldn’t get his fill. “What took you so long, Cindy? What took my Cinderella so long?”
    Cindy swallowed a sob at the tenderness she saw in his eyes. “Thorne, please…don’t…”
    His mouth stopped her. He was kissing her again until her senses spun at breakneck speed. There was no question of refusing herself the luxury of his touch. Nor was there any question of disillusioning him. Soon enough he’d learn the truth. Soon enough he’d know she wasn’t who she pretended to be. She was no princess. Her family name wasn’t going to gladden any banker’s heart.
    â€œI’d be honored to meet your family,” she finally said.
    â€œTomorrow, then.”
    â€œWhenever you wish.” She couldn’t meet his eyes, knowing there’d be no tomorrows for them.
    They had so little time together. She couldn’t ruin everything now. Maybe it was wrong not to tell him she was the janitorial worker who cleaned his office and that she had no intention of embarrassing him in front of his family.But it couldn’t be any more wrong than crashing the party and seeking out Thorndike Prince in the first place.
    The carriage driver cleared his throat. Irritated, Thorne broke away from Cindy and saw that they’d completed the circle and were back.
    â€œShall we go around again?” On this trip, he’d gotten her to agree to meet his family. He’d seen the fear in her eyes and realized how much the thought had intimidated her. Yet she’d agreed. He yearned to hold her and assure her that he’d never leave her, that with a little time and patience his family would be as impressed with her as he was.
    Somewhere in the distance church bells began to chime. Cindy paused, counting the tones. “Midnight!” she cried, her heart beating frantically. “It’s midnight. I’ve…I’ve got to go. I’m sorry…so sorry.” She stood, and with the driver’s help climbed down from the carriage.
    â€œCindy.” Thorne reached out for her, but she was already rushing away. He ran after