If she elects to marry him, will her vote deliver happiness?

He asked a simple question.

But will she answer yes…or no?

It’s too much, too soon. When wealthy contractor Steven Fortune proposes to Ellie Hernandez, the beautiful and principled mayor of Rambling Rose, Texas, no one is more surprised than Ellie herself. Until recently, Steven was practically her enemy! But his offer of a marriage of convenience arrives when the secretly pregnant mayor is at her weakest moment. They can pull off a united front for a short time, can’t they? Surely she won’t fall for another man who insists he isn’t interested in the long haul…

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Judy Duarte

Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author JUDY DUARTE has written over forty books for Mills & Boon, earned two RITA® Award nominations, won two Maggie Awards and received a National Readers’ Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys travelling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books on her website, judyduarte.com, or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist

Also by Judy Duarte

Roping in the Cowgirl

The Bronc Rider’s Baby

A Cowboy Family Christmas

The Soldier’s Twin Surprise

The Lawman’s Convenient Family

From Fortune to Family Man

No Ordinary Fortune

The Daddy Secret

The Bachelor’s Brighton Valley Bride The

Soldier’s Holiday Homecoming

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

The Mayor’s Secret Fortune

Judy Duarte

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90330-5

THE MAYOR’S SECRET FORTUNE

© 2020 Harlequin Books S.A.

Published in Great Britain 2020

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Note to Readers

This ebook contains the following accessibility features which, if supported by your device, can be accessed via your ereader/accessibility settings:

 Change of font size and line height

 Change of background and font colours

 Change of font

 Change justification

 Text to speech

To the amazing authors who took part

in The Fortunes of Texas: Rambling Rose—

Michelle Major, Stella Bagwell, Marie Ferrarella,

Nancy Robards Thompson and Allison Leigh.

You ladies rock!

Thank you for making my book a joy to write.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Rain splattered the windshield as Ellie Hernandez maneuvered her recently detailed red Honda through the wet city streets, trying to get to the ribbon-cutting ceremony on time. She was the mayor of Rambling Rose, for goodness’ sake. And she always made it a point to arrive at a meeting or an event early. Hopefully, today wasn’t the exception.

She glanced at the clock on the dash and rolled her eyes. In fifteen minutes she was supposed to be on hand for the grand opening of the Shoppes, a collection of high-end stores that would cater to the wealthy, a swarm of which had been moving to Rambling Rose in recent months. They’d begun to infiltrate the small town she loved, threatening to make the community in which she’d been raised unrecognizable. And she found the whole thing unsettling.

Not that she didn’t want the community to grow and prosper. She believed that growth should be organic, the result of Rambling Rose’s quaint, small-town appeal, and not fabricated commercialism.

As the wipers swished and swooshed across the windshield, a big black Dodge Ram passed her on the left, its right rear tire hitting a puddle and splashing a wave of muddy water at the side of her car so high that it struck the windshield with a vengeance.

“Hey, jerk! Watch where you’re going.” She didn’t recognize the fancy, late-model vehicle, so she assumed it was one of the rich newcomers, no doubt in a hurry to join in the excitement of yet another one of Fortune Brothers Construction’s grand openings.

Callum, Steven and Dillon Fortune had come to Texas eager to make their mark in real estate renovation. Sure, Ellie could appreciate them renovating the old foundling hospital, which was now the Rambling Rose Pediatric Center. And the new veterinary clinic they’d opened last month would benefit the community, too. But the locals, the people who’d made their homes here long before the big real estate boom, weren’t into wearing designer clothing. Nor were the small-town masses interested in dining in a five-star restaurant, another of the Fortune Brothers Construction projects.

The rain had stopped, so she shut off her windshield wipers. Moments later, she pulled into the parking lot, just behind the guy driving the black pickup. After finding a spot and shutting off the ignition, she reached for her purse and grabbed her compact red umbrella. Earlier, on the morning news, the weatherman had said the storm was moving south today, but Ellie wasn’t going to take any chances.

She climbed out of the car just as the pickup driver—a corporate cowboy, if that fancy black hat was a clue—got out of his vehicle, too. She paid him little mind. Being on time, to her, meant arriving at least fifteen minutes early, and the clock was ticking relentlessly.

Still, her late arrival couldn’t be helped. She’d had a doctor’s appointment at ten o’clock, but he was running behind. And now she was, too. Running, that is.

As she hurried toward the entrance, making her way around a couple of puddles, she wished she’d worn something more sensible than heels, like the pair of sneakers packed in the gym bag she always kept in her trunk. But she favored business attire while working on behalf of city hall, and even when she’d had to squeeze in a visit to the doctor, she hadn’t wanted to take the extra time to change shoes.

In her peripheral vision, she spotted the approaching cowboy, all tall and lean and…

Fortune.

Steven, to be exact.

She’d known that he and his brothers, Callum and Dillon, would be here today. The Florida developers had moved to Rambling Rose last fall with visions of grandeur that had already begun to change the once blue-collar town for good. And the Shoppes was another one of their fixer-upper projects.

She couldn’t help but glance to her right, and when she did, Steven tipped the brim of his black Stetson and tossed a dazzling smile her way.

She offered him a polite but forced smile of her own and picked up her pace, her heels clicking on the newly paved blacktop in a don’t-be-late cadence. But she couldn’t seem to shake him.

“Good afternoon, Mayor,” he said, his voice deep and almost booming. “What’s your hurry? We’re nearly ten minutes early.”

“I know, but that feels late to me.” She tried to ignore his tall, dark and handsome presence, but that was nearly impossible to do, especially when it seemed that those big blue eyes of his had a permanent spark in them.

In the five or six months since Steven had moved to town, he seemed to always stand out in the crowd. He’d also acquired a sexy cowboy swagger. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he’d been born and bred in Texas rather than in Florida.

Now, as he moved beside her, close enough for her to catch a whiff of his musky aftershave, one of his long strides matching two of hers, people were going to think they’d arrived together. Maybe even in the same vehicle.

Great. Just great. Not that any of the Fortune brothers was her nemesis. It’s just that they didn’t see eye to eye with her on much of anything, and she had a responsibility to the people who’d voted her into office—the hardworking citizens who’d lived here for years and weren’t comfortable with the influx of wealthy newcomers. So, needless to say, arriving with Steven at her side made it look as if she and Fortune Brothers Construction were in cahoots. And that wasn’t the case.

Still as much as she hated to admit it, rich or poor, Steven was far more attractive than a man had a right to be. And a misplaced attraction like that was the last thing she needed today.

No, there were more important things to think about than the sexy man sauntering next to her—like the short speech she had to make in a few minutes. On top of that, she had a lot to ponder after today’s exam at the doctor’s office. As a result, she wasn’t paying attention to the rain-slicked ground, and her foot slipped on something wet and hard—a small rock or stone? She let out a little shriek as she lost her balance.

Steven reached out to catch her. Before the wannabe hero could save the day—or prevent her from making a clumsy fool of herself—she landed on her backside with a wet, muddy thud that sent her hair clip flying across the ground as cold, dirty water soaked through her slacks to her panties.

“Are you okay?” Steven asked.

“I’m fine.” She brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. For a moment, her tummy flip-flopped, and she feared she’d be sick. But she sucked in a breath of fresh air, and the feeling soon passed.

Steven reached down to take her hand, his brow furrowed, his eyes…

Dammit. The sympathetic gaze and the sky-blue color were almost enough to chase the clouds away. Almost.

In spite of her reluctance to accept his help, she took his hand, feeling the warmth as it embraced hers. Work roughened, yet soft and gentle at the same time.

From her position on the ground, he appeared much taller than six foot something. The moment he pulled her to a stand, her legs wobbled, and her heart rate, already escalated, skipped to a zippity-do-dah beat.

“There you go,” he said, his smile as nice as it could be—yet, under the circumstances, annoying all the same.

She drew her hand from his and cleared her throat. “Thank you.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

Ellie blew out a sigh. “I’m actually more humiliated than hurt.”

Could anything else go wrong today? It didn’t seem likely.

She brushed her wet derriere and realized she couldn’t get on a stage looking like a drowned rat—and no doubt, one of the last to leave a sinking ship. Her town was a-changin’, and there wasn’t one darn thing she could do about it.

As she turned to head back to her car, where she kept her handy-dandy Ellie Hernandez Emergency Preparedness Kit, a sharp twinge shot through her ankle. Her steps faltered, and she swore under her breath.

“Let me help.” Steven took her by the arm, his grip strong and steady, yet tender.

Another woman might appreciate the gallant gesture—or be flattered by it—but Ellie pulled away and waved him off. “Thanks, but I’ve got this.”

All she had to do was figure out where the nearest bathroom was so she could change into one of the two spare outfits she always had with her. As she limped back toward her car, past the vehicles that had arrived earlier, she reached into her purse, pulled out her key fob and, using the remote, popped open her trunk.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Getting something to change into.” She removed a neatly folded pair of slacks and a matching blouse she kept in the car for spur-of-the-moment business meetings or unscheduled events, then grabbed her gym bag.

Steven let out a slow whistle. “Would you look at that? You keep a traveling wardrobe on hand. I’m impressed.”

“I like being prepared.” The irony, though, struck her with a low blow. She could count a handful of times in recent months that she hadn’t been the least bit prepared for the unexpected.

“Where do you plan to change clothes?” he asked.

She shot him an incredulous look. “In a bathroom. Why?”

“I have a much better idea—and one that’s quicker. Our construction trailer is about fifty yards from here. Think you can make it?”

She paused only a moment before nodding and falling into step beside him.

As much as she hated to accept any help from one of the Fortune brothers, she’d much rather change in a trailer than one of the nearby porta-potties, which would be her only alternative if she didn’t want to do so in her car or, God forbid, trek through the gathering crowd with wet pants and dirty hands to search for a restroom inside the Shoppes.

She glanced at her bangle wristwatch. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m never late.”

“Relax,” he said. “They’re not going to start the grand opening without either one of us.”

He was right, of course. But all Ellie needed was for someone to see them enter that blasted trailer together and think the worst. Talk about sleeping with the enemy. How was she going to spin her way out of this?

After Steven unlocked the door to the trailer to let Ellie inside, she turned to him and scrunched her pretty face.

“You’re going to wait out here, right?”

“Of course. If you feel more comfortable, use the lock.”

She stepped inside, and the door snapped shut. The sound of the dead bolt followed.

“Seriously?” Steven muttered.

“I heard that!”

Steven slowly shook his head as he stood on the wooden porch steps, holding the company keys and waiting for the pretty but disheveled mayor to change. He sucked in a deep breath of the rain-scented air and scanned the sky. Storm clouds, once dark and threatening, had lightened and begun to move on, giving way to small patches of blue. Thank goodness the people who’d shown up for today’s ceremony wouldn’t get drenched.

He’d been looking forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Shoppes at Rambling Rose for months. It was the third grand opening Fortune Brothers Construction had held this year. And with each one, their reputation back in Florida, as well as in Texas, grew stronger and more impressive.

Too bad that wasn’t the case here, in Rambling Rose. You’d think the town council and Mayor Ellie Hernandez would be happy that Steven and his brothers had remodeled the old five-and-dime. Once an eyesore that had been abandoned and neglected for more than twenty years, it was now an elegant two-story building that housed a variety of upscale boutiques. But for some damned reason, she didn’t consider their contribution to the community.

Last month, at the fund-raiser for the new Paws and Claws Animal Clinic, Ellie had made it clear that she wasn’t impressed with the progressive changes he and his brothers had made, or were making, to the town.

Steven lifted his left wrist and glanced at his Rolex, a birthday gift from his father. It was nearly time to get the show on the road, although he’d meant what he’d told Ellie when they arrived—the ribbon cutting wouldn’t take place without them. Still, her little misstep was bound to be a setback.

She might keep spare clothing packed neatly in her trunk, but that didn’t mean she’d change faster than any other woman who made it a point to have every hair in place. And as far as Steven was concerned, the tall, willowy brunette looked damn near perfect each time he saw her.

A slow grin stretched across his face. Seeing Ms. Perfection seated in a mud puddle, her hair hanging wild and loose instead of contained in a neat twist, her sable eyes wide and lips parted in disbelief, was a pretty sight to behold. And a far cry from the image the good folks of Rambling Rose had come to know and love.

From what he’d gathered, Ellie had been an only child, her mama and daddy’s pride and joy. She’d sold more cookies than any of the others in her Girl Scout troop, sung solos in the church choir and helped the women’s club serve meals at the homeless shelter. She’d gone on to become the valedictorian of her senior class before earning a master’s in public policy. So it wasn’t just her pretty face that was impressive.

Still, she seemed a little too good to be true, too damn perfect. He wondered what flaws might be lurking beneath the surface. There had to be something, if only he could find it. He also needed to get on her good side, but so far, he hadn’t had any luck with either of those tasks.

Steven leaned against the wooden porch railing, prepared to wait it out. When the door squeaked open, taking him a bit by surprise, Ellie breezed out of the trailer, smiling as if she’d never suffered a setback. The only sign of being flustered was her flushed cheeks, which merely added a rosy tint to her olive complexion and made her brown eyes pop.

“Thank you,” she said. “Changing in the Fortune Brothers Construction man cave was a lot nicer than using one of the porta-potties.”

“You’re welcome.” He tossed her a disarming smile, which seemed to escape her notice. On the other hand, her appearance didn’t escape his.

She’d come outside different—not just from when she went in, but from when she’d arrived. She’d combed her hair, leaving it down instead of in her customary updo, and she’d changed out of the dressy black pants she’d had on, trading them for khaki slacks. She’d shed her tailored jacket and the crisply pressed white blouse, too. Instead she wore a cream-colored sweater accessorized with a red plaid scarf.

“Just look at you,” he said. “A little more casual and down-to-earth than when you arrived, but as professionally dressed as ever.”

He’d meant it as a compliment, but she never seemed to be sure about him or his true intentions, so it didn’t surprise him when she rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. “Under the circumstances, it’s the best I could do.”

“Nicely done, then.”

“Thank you,” she said, “but let’s go.”

At that, she took off, walking past him while he locked up and leaving him to catch an intriguing hint of her citrus-blossom scent.

After slipping the keys into his jeans pocket, he followed her, enjoying the sway of her hips and the way her long, dark hair swished across her back—a very nice change. She really ought to wear it down more often.

He shook off his thoughts and caught up with her.

In spite of a slight limp the pair of gym shoes couldn’t mask, she never broke stride.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Like I said, they’ll wait.”

She let out a huff. “That’s not the point.”

They stopped by her car long enough for her to toss her gym bag into the back seat, the hasty effort a sign of her inner frustration.

“Why do I get the distinct feeling you don’t like me?” he asked.

At that, her movements finally stilled. “I don’t have any reason to dislike you. It’s just that the changes you and your brothers have been making in Rambling Rose aren’t helping the community at large. And it’s clear that you don’t know the townspeople well enough to give a damn what they want.”

“You’re wrong. My brothers and I care about the residents of Rambling Rose.”

Ellie chuffed. “You only care about the newcomers. Now that the homes in Rambling Rose Estates have gone on the market, we’ve had an influx of millionaires move in. And the longtime residents feel pushed out. Unappreciated.”

“The locals might not like the idea of new residents moving in—wealthy or not. But you can’t blame Fortune Brothers Construction for the hard feelings.”

She didn’t respond in words, but her arched brow clearly said, Oh no? Who else is to blame?

“When Bradley Industries came in with big dreams and then went belly-up, my brother and I picked up the pieces and finished projects in record time. I’d think you’d be happy that someone was able to complete them.”

She didn’t comment. But what could she say?

The way Steven saw it, Fortune Brothers Construction had stepped in and made the community a better place. “You have to admit that our recent renovations of the pediatric center and the animal clinic will benefit everyone in Rambling Rose.”

“Maybe so.” She nodded toward the elegant, two-story glass-front entrance to the Shoppes. “But what about this? Just look at this place.”

“What’s wrong with it? It looks great.” And hell, why wouldn’t he think that? He’d helped design it.

She slapped her hands on her hips. “The people who live in Rambling Rose, the ones who were born and raised here, aren’t that fancy. They don’t shop in stores like this. Nor do they appreciate the fact that, thanks to all the wealthy newcomers, the owners stand to turn a big enough profit to allow them to afford the rent in a luxurious setting. And that will create larger social and economic divisions in our communities, something we’ve never had before, which is my point.”

“I appreciate your loyalty to your constituents and your desire to keep things the way they’ve always been, but the world is changing, Ellie. The technology-savvy millennials prefer specialty shops over department stores—or else they’re shopping online.”

The attractive mayor, Ms. Perfection, practically snorted. “I’m a millennial, Steven. And I’m not impressed by fancy buildings and expensive specialty shops.”

He merely studied her. He admired her passion for the town as it used to be. And he found her more than a little intriguing. He wasn’t exactly sure how old she was—late twenties, he assumed. Either way, she seemed too young to be a mayor, even of a small town like Rambling Rose.

When he didn’t respond right away, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put us at odds before the ceremony.”

“No worries. I’m not the least bit offended.” In spite of their difference of opinion, he actually enjoyed their banter.

He’d grown up as the oldest son of a very wealthy man, and while he and his siblings were all accomplished, the brothers had built the construction company to the point that they’d each become financially successful in their own rights. So Steven was used to being catered to, flirted with and pursued by attractive women.

But that wasn’t the case with Ellie, and he found that refreshing. She intrigued him. Yet it was more than her spunky attitude he found appealing. He’d always been attracted to brunettes, and this one had caught his interest the very first time he’d laid eyes her.

“We can talk later,” she said. “We need to climb up on that stage and get this event over with.” And with that, she was off once again.

A car door slammed shut, and Steven glanced across the parking lot, where several men and women had gathered around a white SUV, its rear door lifted high. There didn’t seem to be anything unusual about the vehicle, but there was something out of sync about the people.

When one guy reached into the back and began to hand out signs, Steven realized why.

Protesters. That’s all they needed.

Had Ellie spotted them? Apparently not, since she continued toward the makeshift dais, where a red ribbon stretched across the front of the glass doors.

Then again, maybe she had inside information and had known they’d be here. If she didn’t have to attend the grand opening in an official capacity, she might have held one of the protest signs herself. She clearly shared their sentiments. But if there was one thing Steven had come to know about Ellie Hernandez, it was that she took her job as mayor seriously.

That being the case, would she go so far as to shut down the protesters or call in law enforcement?

Another car door slammed, and three more people joined the first group. He suspected all hell was about to break loose. Steven and his brothers could handle anything they might throw their way. But how was the pretty young mayor of Rambling Rose going to respond, especially if things were to blow sky-high and a fight broke out?

Steven hated to admit it, but he couldn’t wait to find out.

Chapter Two

Ellie had been tempted to suggest that Steven wait in the parking lot for a minute or two so they could stagger their arrival, but since he seemed determined to stick by her side, she figured he’d refuse. So she gave up her efforts to shake the sexy man who looked more like a fancy cowboy than a slick businessman.

As they neared the front of the Shoppes, her steps slowed to a casual pace, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Up ahead, a crowd had gathered around the portable dais, where a well-dressed Callum Fortune stood off to the side, near a small table, checking his watch.

Two women in their mid-to late fifties turned when they heard approaching footsteps and eyed Ellie and Steven carefully, as if connecting imaginary dots and jumping to the wrong conclusion.

“Great,” Ellie uttered softly. “I knew they’d think we’d arrived together.”

“So what?” he asked. “Who cares?”

“I do. It’s bad enough that I have to stand next to you and your brother on that dais as if we were all in agreement.”

“Sleeping with the enemy, huh?”

That thought had crossed her mind more than once, and while the thought of sleeping with a man like Steven Fortune knocked her a little off stride, she stopped to set him straight.

“I’m a city official,” she said, “and my loyalty lies with my constituents.”

He flashed a dazzling, heart-strumming grin. “I moved to Rambling Rose back in October, so that makes me one of your constituents.”

“Point taken, but for now, we have a grand opening to officiate.” She offered the two women gawking at them a polite smile, then hurried toward the portable dais, with Steven matching her strides.

The moment Callum noticed them, he motioned for them to join him and Dillon on stage. Ellie blew out a sigh. Did they have to make a big Broadway production out of everything? Not that there hadn’t been other grand openings in town, but the folks in Rambling Rose kept things simple, and they served punch and cookies at the end.

As she and Steven climbed the side steps to the dais, her stomach pitched. She sucked in another comforting breath, which served to settle her nerves, as well as her tummy.

Callum removed a handheld microphone from a small table and addressed the crowd. “On behalf of Fortune Brothers Construction and all the store owners, I’d like to welcome you to the grand opening of the Shoppes at Rambling Rose.”

Several people clapped heartily, most of them newcomers. But the ones Ellie recognized in the small crowd had a more reserved response.

“My brothers and I are happy to be a part of Rambling Rose’s renaissance,” Callum said as he handed the mic to Steven. Ellie, who’d taken her place to the left of the men, slapped on another polite smile and stood with her hands clasped behind her back.

“I’ve only been in town for the past four or five months,” Steven said, “but in that short period of time, I feel as though I’ve become part of the community.” He glanced at Ellie as if hoping she’d back him up, but she’d already gone above and beyond to do her job today—and to keep her thoughts and opinions to herself.

Most of them, anyway. She hadn’t wanted to put a damper on the festivities, especially since the rain had stopped.

Callum handed Steven a stack of gold-trimmed envelopes, then picked up the scissors Ellie would use to cut the red ribbon that stretched across the doorway leading to the stores.

“As a gift from Fortune Brothers Construction,” Steven said, “as well as the store owners and eateries, each of you will be given coupons for discounts on today’s purchases and a chance to win prizes.”

At that, the crowd cheered and clapped.

“So without further ado,” Steven said, “we’ll ask Mayor Hernandez to cut the ribbon so you can go inside and meet the newest members of the Rambling Rose Chamber of Commerce.”

Steven gave Callum the mic, exchanging it for the scissors, but before he could pass them to Ellie, a male voice shouted, “Fortunes, go home!”

She didn’t have to see the man who’d interrupted the grand opening. She recognized Mel Sullivan’s graveled voice. The woolly, white-haired man was one of the older townspeople and a regular at the Roadside Diner, as well as at Mariana’s Market. Mel had been voicing his opinions loud and clear for months, and since he stood front and center of the group of protesters, he appeared to be the ringleader. She also recognized the others with him, six to the right and four to the left, all carrying hand-painted signs as they moved forward and approached the dais.

“Rambling Rose doesn’t need any more of those highfalutin rich people parading around town and showing off their wealth,” Carl Wagner shouted. “Send ’em packing, and tell them to take their money with ’em.”

Ruthanne Garrison cried out, “Save our town, Mayor!”

That’s it. Enough was enough. Ellie snatched the microphone from Steven and took center stage. “Friends, neighbors, I understand your concern, and I support your First Amendment rights, but the people gathered here today have every right to go shopping without any trouble or turmoil.”

Ellie handed the mic to Steven. “You cut the ribbon. I’m going to talk to them.”

“Want me to go with you?” he asked.

She slowly shook her head. “That would only make things worse.” Then she turned and made her way down the steps to speak to the people she considered her friends and, hopefully, convince them to get into their cars and go home.

Mel, Carl, Ruthanne and the others were all good people—and well-intentioned. She’d known them all her life, and they’d watched her grow up. They trusted her to send the Fortunes packing and to save their quaint town from further ruin.

Hopefully, she wouldn’t let them down. At least, not with respect to the Fortunes. But the time was coming when she’d have to humbly face the community at large and reveal her secret.

She cringed at the thought of letting them down, of admitting that she’d failed to live up to everyone’s expectations. Ever since childhood, she’d tried to be perfect and had worked hard to develop a respectable reputation. And up until now, she’d succeeded. But she’d recently made a big mistake, and she would soon have to deal with the repercussions.

A few of the townspeople might not give it another thought. Yet some would be shocked and others disappointed to learn that in five short months, Ellie Hernandez, hometown superstar, would become an unwed mother with no husband in sight.

The glass-enclosed lobby of the Shoppes wasn’t especially large, but it was certainly fancy, boasting a colorful Spanish-tile waterfall in the center of the room that had been created by a Texas artisan. Even the floor tile provided a rich look that would appeal to the wealthy newcomers.

The Fortunes had gone to great lengths to lay out a remarkable welcome to the potential shoppers. They’d set a variety of refreshments on several linen-draped tables, each adorned with orchids and other exotic floral arrangements that had been provided by Tropical Paradise, the new flower shop located on the lower level.

Servers dressed in black slacks and crisply-pressed, tailored white shirts carried silver trays, some of which held flutes filled with champagne or sparkling apple cider, while others displayed a variety of fancy hors d’oeuvres. Ellie chose to pass on everything, especially since she hadn’t quite kicked the morning sickness that had plagued her early in her pregnancy.

A woman in her thirties, who stood with a group of friends, opened her gold-lined envelope and let out a happy shriek. “Oh my gosh! I won a pair of jade earrings from Sebastian’s Fine Jewelry.”

The server carrying the goose-liver pâté walked by, close enough for Ellie to get a tummy-swirling whiff. She quickly took a step back and turned toward the fountain, hoping she wouldn’t have to run to the restroom. She swallowed hard, took a deep breath of fresh air, cooled and cleansed by gurgling water, then stepped to the side and turned her back to the server.

“There you are.”

Ellie looked up and spotted Steven sauntering toward her, carrying two flutes of champagne. He handed one to her, but she slowly shook her head. “Thank you, but I’ll pass.”

“Seriously?” he asked.

She actually liked champagne and would have accepted a glass, had she not been pregnant. She also could have held on to it, pretending to take part in the festivities, but she wasn’t in the mood to fake it.

“Come on, Ellie. Lighten up. Can’t you think of anything to celebrate?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” She offered him a smile that was more sincere than any of the others she’d managed on prior occasions when their paths had crossed.

Steven’s smile faded, as if he might be slightly offended—or bothered. Or…?

Oh, for heaven’s sake. Who knew what a rich man like Steven Fortune ever really had on his mind? Even his last name screamed wealth.

“It’s not what you think,” she said. “It’s just that I need to keep a clear head while I’m on the job.”

At that, his grin returned, recreating a pair of dimples that threatened to unravel her. And Ellie rarely let things get to her. She glanced at her wristwatch. Had she stayed at the grand opening long enough? Could she find an excuse to cut out now?

As one of the servers walked by with several more flutes, Steven motioned for the man to come over.

“Here,” he told the server, as he placed one of the glasses back on the silver tray. “Can I trade you for one of the apple ciders?”

“Absolutely, Mr. Fortune.” He reached for a single flute, its contents a bit darker than the rest, and gave it to him. “Here you go, sir.”

Steven thanked him, then handed the sparkling juice to Ellie and lifted his glass of champagne in a toast. “To Rambling Rose.”

She would have been hard-pressed to join him in celebrating the Fortune brothers’ latest venture, but how could she not drink to the town she loved?

She clinked her glass to his, setting off the rich, resonating sound of fine crystal, which only served to remind her of the wealth that threatened to turn her beloved Rambling Rose into a metropolis.

Still, she took a sip of the sweet bubbly.

What would Steven say if she told him the real reason she’d passed on an alcoholic drink? Not that it mattered. He’d find out soon enough. And so would her parents.

Her gut clenched at the thought of the loving couple she’d tried so hard to make proud. It would kill her to see the disappointment in their eyes.

“Hey,” Steven said, “what’s with the turned-up nose? Did you get a bad pour? Bitter champagne instead of sweet cider?”

Ellie hadn’t meant to let her thoughts alter her expression, let alone her demeanor, especially at a public event. So she forced a carefree grin and tried to laugh it off. “No, the drink is fine. I’m fine. It’s just that I… Well, a weird thought crossed my mind, and I drifted off for a moment. That’s all. No big deal.”

But it wasn’t just a fleeting thought that had stolen her away from the present and set off a flurry of concern. It was cold, hard reality. And once her tummy bulge turned into a full-on baby bump, it was actually going to be a big deal. A huge one.

Ellie had never backed down from a challenge, but this one scared her silly. After the truth came out and she experienced her fall from grace, there’d be more than a few awkward or embarrassing moments. Sure, they’d soon fade and life would go on. But there was something else she found troubling, something she’d need to deal with. Because, when push came to shove, she wasn’t sure if she could handle the mayorship and motherhood. But that’s the last thing in the world she’d ever reveal to Steven.

“I want to show you something,” he said.

Huh? Her brow twitched, and her head tilted. As their gazes met and locked, something stirred inside her, drawing her out of her uneasy thoughts and—

“Come with me.” He nodded toward the farthest corner of the festive lobby, where three large brass easels held a couple of fancy poster boards displaying several other projects Fortune Brothers Construction had in the works.

She couldn’t very well refuse to look at the exhibit of their future renovations, so she followed him to the impressive, professional presentation.

Steven pointed to the first poster. “This is Paz, the wellness spa we’ll be opening soon.”

Ellie studied the sketch of the exterior of a beautiful building.

“It’s going to be finished with reclaimed wood and other natural materials,” he added.

“Nice.”

“That’s it?” He feigned disbelief. “You can’t tell me that a busy mayor like you wouldn’t need to unwind once in a while at a luxurious spa.”

Of course she would. And she’d love it. But she didn’t want him to think he’d won her over, so she gave a little shrug. “I’m really not what you’d call the luxurious type.”

“I don’t believe that. Everyone needs a good massage once in a while.” He lifted his hands and moved his fingers in a kneading fashion, as if they were working their magic on an invisible body. “I’m sure you have plenty of stress built up and have a few knots. Or maybe you just need to relax. If not, you should just be pampered.”

The thought of his hands on her body sent her senses reeling and her imagination soaring.

Oh, for Pete’s sake, Ellie. Cut it out. What’s the matter with you?

No way would she let those hands anywhere near her—no matter how good she imagined they’d feel.

She moved to the middle easel, hoping to dispel any pampering thoughts—his or hers—and studied the next drawing.

“That’s the restaurant,” Steven said. “Callum found the property in January.”

“The old feed store?”

“Yes. Ashley, Megan and Nicole were in town for Callum and Becky’s wedding, and when they saw the building and property, they jumped on the idea. We’ve already started the renovations. They’re going to call it Provisions. They have a lot of experience in upscale restaurants, so I know it’s going to be popular.”

“When will it open?”

“If all goes well, it should open in May, so they’re eager to move to Rambling Rose so they can get busy.”

Great. More Fortunes would be moving to town. Not that Ellie had anything against the family—especially the sisters she’d never met. It’s just that there’d be three more wealthy people moving here.

Unable to help herself, Ellie asked, “How many sisters do you have?”

“Four. Stephanie is already here and working at Paws and Claws. And the triplets make four.”

Triplets? Ellie nearly rolled her eyes. Goodness. They came in multiples. Her hand slipped to her tummy. Thank goodness she was only expecting one baby. What would she do with three?

She shook off the overwhelming thought, then took a step to her right and focused on the last easel, which displayed the plans for and a sketch of the Fortune Hotel.

“I’m surprised you and your brothers decided to promote the sketches of this project,” she said.

“Why?” Steven crossed his arms, shifted his weight to one hip and tossed her a dazzling grin. “Just because we’ve met a little resistance from the Rambling Rose planning commission?”

“A little?” She returned his smile, although hers was smug.

“Let’s just call that a snag,” he said. “And a little inconvenience for the time being. We’ll break ground soon, and it’ll be up and running before you know it. Think of the property taxes that’ll be coming in. Believe me, once local business owners begin to see the increased revenue brought in by tourists and visitors, the community will not only accept it, but they’ll be proud of it, too.”

“Don’t be too sure about that,” she said.

“Why?”

“Because it’s not just about the money. The locals aren’t happy about the way you and your family are trying to change our way of life. I told you and your brother as much at the fund-raiser for the new animal clinic, but my words and the point I was trying to make obviously fell on deaf ears.”

“Oh, we heard you. Loud and clear. But no one succeeds by thinking small.”

She was tempted to call him on the conceit hidden within his statement, but she bit her tongue and addressed the project that wasn’t likely to pass the planning commission—ever. At least, as long as she was mayor, even if the length of her term was questionable at best.

She turned toward Steven, crossed her arms and strengthened her stance. “You’re going to have difficulty getting that project to pass, because it’s not going to benefit many of my constituents.”

“Change is good.”

“That’s sometimes true. Just for the record, I’m not opposed to progress, but only if a project maintains Rambling Rose’s character. And a sprawling hotel complex fits our town like a pair of Mommy’s high heels on a preschooler playing house.”

Steven glanced down at her feet, then looked up and grinned. “Or like a pair of sneakers on the mayor?”

“Very funny.”

“Like it or not,” he said, “the town’s character is changing, Ellie. And I think you’d better try to grow with the times. Your constituents will appreciate it in the long run.”

She blew out a sigh that released only a bit of her frustration. “What do you know about the people who voted me into office? I doubt that you’ve met any of them while living in that big fancy mansion of yours.”

“That’s probably true.”

Instead of a response, she continued to stare at him, although the longer she gazed into those big blue eyes, the less she felt like arguing her point.

Damn him. Steven Fortune might be one gorgeous hunk, but he had a way of blowing the wind out of her sails. In fact, he’d become a real pain in her backside. And the fact that he seemed to enjoy their banter didn’t help.

Footsteps sounded, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Steven’s brother Callum approach. Other than their six feet or more height and close-cropped dark hair, the two men didn’t really resemble each other. They were, however, business partners and shared the same vision.

“Am I interrupting something?” Callum asked, his brown eyes glimmering with mirth.

“Only a stalemate, it seems.” Steven winked at Ellie, the playful gesture tempting her to punch him in the arm.

“Why don’t you take the mayor on a private tour?” Callum suggested.

Steven gave his brother a cursory glance before locking his gaze on Ellie. “I don’t think she wants one. She’s not happy about the new stores opening up.”

At that, Ellie bristled and felt the need to defend her stance. “I have nothing against the businesses or their owners. It’s just that the locals, the ones who were born and raised here, aren’t into designer handbags, five-hundred-dollar outfits, French pastries or artisanal cheeses.”

“That’s yet to be seen,” Steven said. “I’ll bet some of those folks will end up surprising you.”

The man just wasn’t getting it. She turned to appeal to his brother instead. “I’ll admit that Fortune Brothers Construction has made some improvements to the town, like renovating the old foundling hospital and turning it into a pediatric clinic.” In fact, Ellie would be taking her baby boy for checkups with one of the doctors there before she knew it.

“Don’t forget about Paws and Claws,” Steven said.

“We do have a lot of animal owners,” Ellie said. “In fact, last month, at the Valentine’s Day fund-raiser, my best friend and roommate spent most of the evening checking out the pets available for adoption that night and felt sorry for a scraggly dog with feet that were too big for its little body. So she brought him home right then and there. She named him Tank because of his big paws, but he’s practically doubled in size already and has been chewing up everything in the house, including my new sunglasses.”

Steven laughed, a mesmerizing sound that lightened Ellie’s mood considerably.

“Your friend didn’t know she’d adopted a puppy? I’d think someone from Paws and Claws would have made it clear that Tank wouldn’t stay small before letting her take him home.”

“I’m sure Daria was told—or had figured it out herself. But knowing her, she just didn’t care.”

“I’d like to meet Tank. And Daria.”

Yeah. Right. As if Ellie would invite the irritating but sexy hunk to her home.

“Why would you want to meet that sweet, goofy pup?” she asked. “Is it because he’s been creating havoc in my peaceful house?”

“Yep. That’s exactly why. It sounds like Tank and I have something in common. We both annoy you, but if you give us a chance, you’ll probably find us likable.”

Callum laughed and gave his brother a pat on the back. “I don’t know about that. Puppies can be trained. And I’m not so sure about you.”

“I’d tend to agree with you about that,” Ellie said, unable to stifle a smile.

“Becky just arrived.” Callum nodded toward the lobby entrance. “Our sitter was running late, so we had to drive over here separately. I’ll leave you two to fight it out on your own.”

Ellie watched Callum’s new wife, a pediatric nurse, step through the glass doorway. Becky had been a single mom—to one-year-old twins. Surely if she’d been able to handle two babies at once, Ellie could handle one. Right?

A little niggle that felt a lot like panic began to stir inside her. Babies were small and vulnerable. And as an only child, she’d never been around them.

She’d only held one once, a long time ago, but the mother had hovered around her as if she was going to drop it or do something wrong. What if she…?

No, Ellie. Chill. You’ve got this.

As Callum sauntered toward his wife, Steven seemed intent upon returning to the conversation they’d been having.

“You’ve already admitted that some of our projects have benefited the community,” he said.

“Yes, but you and your brother bought up every piece of property you could, and from all outward appearances, you’re only focused on what the newest residents want.”

“I beg to differ.”

Of course he did. She wouldn’t expect anything less.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to agree to disagree,” Ellie said.

“Good idea.” His grin morphed into a dimpled smile. “But if you could do anything—pie in the sky—what changes would you like to see in Rambling Rose?”

She paused for a moment, but not because she didn’t have a response, but because the question came from him, and he seemed to be interested in what she had to say.

“I’d start by building a community center that would cover a lot of needs for those who are on a limited income, like senior citizens and single parents. I’d love to see us offer after-school care for latchkey kids, as well as tutoring. And it would be awesome if we could provide classes that would appeal to adults, too, like computer basics, flower arranging, cake decorating, financial planning, yoga, line dancing, pickle ball, which I hear is all the rage. Anyway, you get the idea.”

“I do. And I can’t make promises without talking to my brothers, but I think we’d all be better off—Rambling Rose, Fortune Brothers Construction—if we could find a way to meet in the middle.”

Ellie knew he might be blowing smoke as a way to appease her, so she studied the man, his expression sincere, hopeful. His face so blasted handsome. And she couldn’t help but wish that they could find some common ground, but so far, it hadn’t seemed possible.

“Would you be willing to meet a few of the locals and get to know them on their own turf?” she asked. “If so, that would be meeting me in the middle.”

“You bet I will. Maybe you can set up a committee—”

She held up the palm of her hand like a traffic cop, stopping him in midthought, and shook her head. “No way. I’m not talking about a meeting down at city hall. I didn’t get to be the mayor by forming committees. If you really want to know what makes Rambling Rose tick, you’ll need to go where the locals go.”

Steven cocked his head slightly. “All right. I’m game. Where do you suggest I meet them? The Grange Hall? The local church?”

“If you really want to get to know the folks who live here, you’ll need to go to Mariana’s Market on a Saturday morning.”

“I’ve heard about it. Vaguely. But I don’t know where that is. Or what it is. Help me out, okay?”

Darn him. He couldn’t pull off a meet-and-greet like that without her, and the fact that he was willing to take a field trip away from his fancy home and busy office actually made her eager to facilitate the little excursion.

“You won’t find Mariana’s Market on your GPS,” she said. “Just meet me at my office on Saturday and I’ll take you there. Bring your brothers, too.”

“All right. You’ve got a deal.” He reached out to shake her hand, and as his long fingers slipped around hers in a warm, firm grip, her senses reeled as if…

As if nothing, she admonished herself.

Ellie glanced at her wristwatch while trying to come up with a plausible reason to cut out and go home.

“As much as I’m enjoying our chat,” she said, “I really need to go. I promised my roommate that I’d puppy-sit.”

“And I really should greet my sister-in-law, as well as the other guests and shopkeepers. But I’ll see you on Saturday.” He tossed her another dazzling smile that darn near melted her in place. Then he turned and sauntered away.

Ellie watched him go, torn between admiration for the guy and frustration with his plans to ruin her town.

Too bad the Fortunes hadn’t remained in Fort Lauderdale, doing whatever the rich and famous did there. Yacht races, maybe. Sunning themselves on the white sands of the Atlantic. And what a sight that would be for tourists and Floridians alike.

Unable to stop herself, she sought Steven in the crowd once again.

Unlike Callum, Steven had quickly shed his no-worries, Tommy Bahama style. And with each week he remained in Texas, the more he seemed to have acquired a cowboy persona—albeit a cowboy with more money than he knew what to do with.

And now it seemed she’d have to come face-to-face with him on a regular basis, especially if the construction company continued to have ribbon-cutting ceremonies every time she turned around. She’d take Steven and his brothers to Mariana’s, although she wasn’t sure that would have the desired effect on any of the Fortunes.

But try as she might, she couldn’t quite shake the desire or the effect Steven Fortune threatened to have on her.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.