The Sapphire Brooch by Katherine Logan (best novels to read to improve english .txt) π

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- Author: Katherine Logan
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With a much lighter step, he sauntered down the stairs and followed Jack through the loud, hectic kitchen. The scents of ham and fresh-baked rolls filled the air. He breathed in the delicious smells, his mouth watering.
βStay here. Iβll go see whatβs happening,β Jack said, leaving the house through the back door.
Braham grabbed a ham biscuit off a tray on the counter while he waited, and ate it in two bites, then wolfed down a second and a third to the disapproving glare of the caterer.
βMy God. I donβt believe it.β
Braham turned his head in the direction of the voice coming from the hall leading into the kitchen. There was something familiar about it, but the man weaving his way around the cooks and coming in Brahamβs direction wasnβt anyone he recognized. He only knew a handful of people anyway. The red-haired man, sporting a two-day beard, was tall and lean, but several inches shorter than himself. The man must have mistaken Braham for someone else.
He extended his hand, but the welcoming gesture was at odds with his twisted smile. βIβm Ken Thomas. It is you, isnβt it? McCabe, right?β
Braham nodded with dawning recognition of the name, if not the face.
βYouβre a sight for sore eyes.β Kenβs gaze traveled down to Brahamβs midsection, then back to his face. βLast time I saw you, you were recovering from a bullet in your belly. Whenβd youβ¦ arrive?β
Braham shrugged. βThirty minutes ago.β
Doctor Thomas crossed his arms and glared. βIt takes a lot of nerve to keep a woman waiting for more than three years.β
Braham grimaced, scratching his chin. βI told her not to, but Iβm grateful she did.β
βYou donβt deserve her.β
βI wonβt argue with ye.β
βShe never stopped believing in you.β
βShe never should have started.β
βI should punch you.β
Braham spread his arms at his side, opening his body for another punch from one of Charlotteβs protectors. βGo ahead. I deserve it. David already hasβtwice.β
The doctor rubbed his knuckles. βLucky for you, Iβm a healer, not a fighter.β
The door swung open and Jack entered the kitchen. βOh, hi, Ken. When did you get here?β
βJust walked in and saw Braham. Howβs Charlotte taking the news?β
βShe doesnβt know yet. The photographer is placing everyone for a group shot with Stormyβs Sun. We need to get in place before Braham comes out. The photographer knows heβs coming, so heβll be taking pictures.β
βOkay.β Ken slapped Braham on the shoulder. βSheβll be glad to see you.β Ken left the house, whistling.
βThereβre two dozen of Elliottβs friends out there,β Jack said. βTheyβve all heard about you and will want to meet you. You can do it later. Charlotteβs waited a long time. Take her upstairs. No one will bother you there. Give me thirty seconds to get in place.β Jack blew out a breath. βI canβt believe youβre finally here.β He gave Braham a hug. βLove ya, man.β
Braham calmed himself and kept his breathing slow and deep. His eyes stayed fixed on the open door as he counted. When he reached sixty, he strode out toward the paddock. The heavy wool of his kilt swished about his legs with each easy stride.
A beautiful chestnut with white stockings stood in the center of a group of people. Braham scanned the crowd, searching for Charlotte.
Then a childβs voice piped, βMy daddy.β
There was some murmuring, and people looked around.
βIt is too my daddy. Look. Let me down. I gotta hug him right now.β
Braham glanced in the direction of the childβs voice and spotted a small blond-haired lad, wearing a blue shirt, tan pants, and a navy jacket, running toward him with open arms. The odd moment caused Brahamβs heart to kick up with an extra-hard thud. He blinked, looking at a miniature of himself. The lad ran straight to him with his little arms raised.
βPick me up. I want to kiss you, Daddy.β
Braham hoisted up the lad, who immediately gripped his little arms around Brahamβs neck and kissed his lips with a warm, wet smack. βLove you, Daddy.β
The words rang in Brahamβs heart, and tears welled at the sight of his sonβa child conceived in a moment of deepest desire.
Brahamβs heart beat wildly as he searched the crowd for Charlotte. The sun glared down on a stunningly beautiful woman chasing after the lad with long, shapely legs. Her curls blew wildly about her face, and a short dress, matching the blue of her eyes, molded to the luscious curves of her body.
Charlotte came to a sudden, breathless stop. Her head cocked, staring at him in utter disbelief through tear-filled eyes. Then the most radiant smile heβd ever seen brightened her rosy-cheeked face.
Braham knelt on one knee, his kilt swirling around him, his son in his arm. He held out the sapphire ring and said, βI love ye, Charlotte. Will ye marry me?β
She dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
βWill ye accept this ring now with my promise to love ye and our children? To protect ye and our children, and live here and now with ye for the rest of my life?β His heart stopped beating while he waited for her answer.
βIβ¦will marry you.β
She held out her hand and, with his heart crashing happily around in his chest, he slipped the cherished ring on her finger.
βI marry you, too, Daddy.β
Braham pulled Charlotte into the curve of his arm and kissed her. The kiss moved like a warm blossoming light from the center of his heart to the center of forever.
Lincoln patted Braham and Charlotteβs cheeks. βI want to kiss Daddy, too.β
Charlotte smiled into Brahamβs eyes. βKiss your daddy, Lincoln. Heβs finally come home.β
100
MacKlenna Farm, Lexington, Kentucky, Present Day
Late on Derby night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Elliott sat up in bed studying a family tree. Meredith had received a one-inch stack of documents from her research
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