“I’m sorry for what I put you through,” she said honestly. Then her apology broadened. “And I’m really sorry I didn’t have enough time to get you a wedding present.”
Carly turned away from the mirror and looked at her sister, her eyes brimming with love—and a few tears. “Having you back, just being you, is the best present I could possibly ask for,” she assured Mia.
Mia had just arrived very early this morning, having completed her stint at the deprogramming facility that Hawk had found for her. It had been an intense, accelerated program, done at Hawk’s behest because he knew how important it was for Carly to have Mia there for the wedding—and he wanted to get married as quickly as possible.
He’d gone to the facility and brought Mia back the minute the program was over. She was his wedding-day surprise for Carly. He’d kept it a secret, pretending that Mia wasn’t going to be able to make it because of a last-minute delay, then sprung his surprise that morning.
Carly doubted that she had ever loved Hawk more than she did right this minute. He really was one of a kind. And he was hers.
Mia inspected Carly one last time. The ceremony was almost ready to begin. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and broached a delicate subject. It was now or never.
“I know this probably sounds awful, but would you mind very much if I stayed here for a couple of days?” Before Carly could answer, she quickly added, “It’s just until I can figure out where I’m going to go.”
“Go?” Carly echoed, confused. “You’re not going anywhere. This is your home, Mia. You’re going to live right here with us.”
Mia laughed and rolled her eyes. “Right. I’m sure that’ll make Hawk very happy,” she cracked.
“As a matter of fact,” Carly informed her, pressing her hand over the butterflies that had suddenly materialized in her stomach, “we’ve already talked it over, and he’s fine with this.”
“And what did he say
after
you untied him?” Mia deadpanned.
“I still said ‘fine,’” Hawk confirmed, his voice floating in from the hallway.
Mia’s eyes widened as she whirled around. She quickly crossed to the door. “Stop!” she cried. “You can’t see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding! It’s bad luck!”
But when Hawk walked in the doorway, he had his hand covering his eyes. “I can’t see anything,” he promised. “See? I’ve got my hand over my eyes.”
“What are you doing here?” Mia asked, peering at him to make sure he hadn’t splayed his fingers apart enough to catch a glimpse of Carly.
“Heard you two talking and I came to back up my lovely bride-to-be. You’re staying here, Mia,” he said with finality. “It’ll make us both happy. Besides, I’ve never had a little sister before. Might be fun,” he added with a grin.
Strains of the
Wedding March,
courtesy of Patterson and a portable keyboard he’d brought along—who knew the man could play?—came drifting into the bedroom. “I believe they’re playing your song, Carly,” Hawk said, still covering his eyes. He turned on his heel, one hand braced on the doorjamb. “I’d better get to that makeshift altar Jeffers and Rosenbloom made for us.”
Carly smiled when she thought of the men arguing as they’d worked feverishly to complete the altar where they were going to exchange their vows. “You know some very talented agents.”
Hawk laughed. “Yeah, go figure. And they’re special agents,” he reminded her.
“Yes,” Carly wholeheartedly agreed, “they certainly are.”
“Go, shoo, get ready,” Mia instructed, putting her hands on Hawk’s back and gently pushing her almost brother-in-law out of the room.
“Yes, ma’am,” Hawk answered obediently. In a moment, he was gone.
Mia gave it to the count of five, then looked at her sister. “Ready?”
Carly took a deep, fortifying breath. “I’ve been ready for ten years,” she confessed.
Mia smiled at her. “Well, then,” she said, ushering her sister out of the room, then picking up the edge of her train and following behind her, “it’s high time we got you married.”
Carly couldn’t have agreed more.
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459219625
Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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