Page 47

Slide Away – Oasis

FONTANA

“He’s not good enough for her.”

Fontana twisted in Campbell’s grasp, her laugh bright with joy.

She sat between his spread legs on the Rise’s front steps, watching Hannah and her new-ish boyfriend circle the car her sister had received for her twenty-second birthday.

A Volkswagen Beetle, the car she’d always dreamed of owning.

Not new, but adorable, and in excellent condition, according to Tim Prescott.

Her sister’s excitement carried across the yard and struck them like lightning.

“Calm down, overprotective big brother. I bet you five bucks they don’t make it to Thanksgiving.

You’ve spoiled her so much she doesn’t know what hit her.

Forget about any guy her age being able to compare. Any guy, ever .”

“I like making the Quinn girls happy. Anyway, what do I know? I’m not good enough for you, and look how that’s working out.

” He tightened his hold in one of those amazing hugs-from-behind that had her reconsidering her schedule, wondering if they could find ten minutes alone.

If not enough time to sneak upstairs to their bedroom, Campbell pinning her against the wall in the laundry room would do. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“I know what you’re thinking, Hellcat.”

She figured he did, given the impressive bulge nudging her lower back. If she shifted just so…

A scorching breath hit her ear. “Please, I beg of you. Not with the kids playing in the front yard.”

She brought his hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to the chemical stain on his knuckle.

Life was going well, down exhilarating paths she’d never imagined.

She was married, for one. She and Campbell had eloped in the spring—if bringing a sister, half-brother, cousins, grandfather, best friend, and best friend’s boyfriend-slash-photography assistant to Cabo San Lucas counted as eloping.

A large wedding hadn’t been something either of them wanted, and the romantic, relaxing week with family had been absolutely perfect.

And needed.

There was a lot going on in Promise.

They had plans .

The biggest: adopting Luca. They’d completed the foster approval process, and he was moving into the Rise before the start of the school year.

Campbell hadn’t been able to stand by and watch a boy he adored struggle to survive in a foster home where no one cared if he ate, showered, or did his homework.

Where no one seemed to love him. Luca already spent most nights with them, he and Kit becoming brothers.

His staying forever felt like the natural next step.

With heavy doses of luck, love, and fate, life had fallen into place.

Aside from that, Campbell and Justin were finally moving forward with plans for Promise Cotton, the revitalization of the mill.

A mix of residential and retail, it was an innovative concept in urban development, one they’d researched for months before settling on.

The best part, at least to her, was the greenhouse.

Campbell was redesigning it into office space for her landscaping business, which had taken off over the past year thanks to Dix’s sharp marketing instincts.

He and Jaime had bought a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood—once decaying, now hip—and were deep into renovations.

Justin had done the same down the street, though his was strictly an investment property.

A house in need, he said. Still, he was spending more time in Promise.

And Ransom was set to arrive next month to review designs for the mill, though he still planned to manage the project from New York.

If his cousins touched base more often, her husband might actually sleep better. Campbell’s desire to keep his family close had become one of the most endearing, and surprising, aspects of their journey. Maybe it was because he was the oldest.

He’s made to be a father, Fontana thought, heart glowing. And they were working, diligently and with hope, to make that happen.

“Any word from Dallas?” she asked, dabbing at the perspiration beading her brow. It was only June, but the heat pressed in like a wall, broken now and then by a breeze carrying the scent of cut grass and blooming azaleas.

His hand tensed over her knee, his wedding ring catching the sun.

“Called Justin maybe a month ago. From Croatia? Cambodia? Pick any hazard zone that starts with a C.” Dallas, the youngest of the True boys and one with a complicated arrival into the family, was a constant source of concern.

Adrenaline junkie or committed journalist?

With so many stories and perspectives, she wasn’t sure what to believe.

“They argued, which is great. I swear, those two. So alike, looks and temperament, virtual twins who can’t stand to be in the same room together.

” Campbell sighed, his arm tightening around her waist. “With Justin pushing his buttons, the kid probably won’t call again until next year.

Acts like he’s got nothing to prove, but he always runs when it gets real. ”

“I’m sorry.” Fontana knew how hard it was to worry about a sibling and have little control. She also knew how much Campbell loved his family. And how hard he was working to keep them connected.

“Fuck it. I can’t change a dynamic that’s been in place since we were teenagers. At least not overnight.”

“The cottage is empty.”

His breath caught, a hoarse murmur he sometimes made when they were making love. “Huh. Yeah, it is.”

“In case he ever needs a place, he has one. Maybe mention that the next time he calls.”

Campbell’s arm tensed around her waist. “I love you.”

“I love you more, Atlanta.”

He pressed his lips to the curve of her neck and whispered softly, “Not possible, Hellcat, simply not possible.”

Thank you for coming along on Campbell and Fontana’s fiery ride and for being a part of the True Men series—something a little different from my usual steamy historical romances!