Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
If Cammie hadn’t pointed out the Correa painting to him, Dane would never have connected with the Mavericks.
She amazed him with her dedication. She’d taken care of her uncle for years after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Seven years ago, the disease progressed to the point that she’d had to put him in a memory care facility. He’d lived far longer than most Alzheimer’s patients. A few months ago, however, it became clear he was close to the end of his journey. Dane had insisted Cammie take family leave when he found her sleeping at her desk. The only person who could calm her uncle, she’d been traveling back and forth to the care home several times a week. But caring for him and managing her job at the same time was affecting her health.
After these last few months without Cammie, Dane’s life was again in a shambles. Which was why he was so glad to have her here today, though he knew how hard it was for her to leave her uncle. She was more than Dane’s personal assistant. She was as important to him as his family. She kept him on track. She was right on about ventures he should go for and schemes he should avoid, seconding his gut feelings. She was smart. She was diligent. And so efficient there’d never been a single hiccup in his work life. Until she left. Even with the temps who’d taken her place, he was barely hanging on. Not that he’d tell her. Her place was by her uncle’s side right now.
Except today, when Dane needed her.
The ball thwacked him in the head. He hadn’t even realized he’d stopped running. Or that Gabby had gone for another steal. But Matt stole it back. On her feet, his wife, Ari, punched her fist in the air, screaming at Matt to go all the way.
The sidelines erupted with cheers when the Mavericks kicked the ball into the corner of the net despite Clay’s dive.
Almost lost among the women on the sidelines, Cammie jumped up and down on the grass, waving her hands, throwing out catcalls. Because she was all for the Harringtons. Always had been. Always would be.
That was his girl Friday.
* * *
The tied game roused all the passions on the sidelines, everyone shouting hurrahs for the Mavericks, who’d just put in Gideon and Cal to replace Evan and Daniel.
Lyssa Spencer, her dark curls shining in the sunlight, turned to Cammie. “Dane’s sisters are crazy good.” Even her eyes, a chocolate brown like her brother Daniel’s, seemed to smile.
Having taken her seat again, Cammie ran her fingers through Rex’s fur as he climbed once more into her lap. Ava and Gabby were the Harringtons’ surprise advantage. “They’re pretty good.”
Letting out a big laugh, Lyssa gushed, “They’re out of this world. They could go pro. I mean, my brothers are no slouches.” She put a hand on her belly. “And look at Cal out there. He’s crushing it.” The pure love on Lyssa’s face made Cammie’s heart stutter. Cal Danniger, the Mavericks’ business manager, though quite a few years older than Lyssa’s twenty-six, was still extremely attractive and fit, with a hint of silver in his dark hair.
At more than three months pregnant, Lyssa wore that special motherhood glow. Dane had mentioned that Cal and Lyssa had postponed their wedding until after the baby came in July.
Kelsey Collins, Evan’s younger sister, nudged Lyssa’s arm. “And let me tell you, those Harrington men are no slouches either.” She winked, adding a swoony note to her tone. “Talk about tall, dark, and handsome.”
The Harrington brothers were definitely a handsome lot—all over six feet, with thick, dark hair and blue eyes that seemed to see everything inside you. At least, Dane’s gaze did. Once, long ago, Troy had asked her out. Naturally, she’d turned him down. Working for Dane, it would have been awkward, even if she’d been interested. She was fairly certain Dane had read Troy the riot act for trying to poach one of his employees. He’d even apologized for Troy’s harassment, though Cammie had scoffed at his use of that word. Troy had asked, she’d said no, they’d both been fine, end of story. Clay, of course, had never even thought about dating her. They might be drop-dead gorgeous like their older brother, but no way did she need that kind of complication.
But she certainly wasn’t blind. They were all drop-dead gorgeous. Especially Dane. Not that she actually looked.
“I really thought you would date him, Lyssa.” Kelsey waggled her eyebrows. “He’s such a hottie, with all that thick hair a woman would just die to run her fingers through.” She kneaded the air with her fingers like a cat. “Especially after that trip you made to his London townhouse.”
Lyssa’s gaze rested on Cal, adoration in her eyes as she said, “Dane’s London house is stunning, filled with furniture and artwork that should be in a museum.” She ignored Kelsey’s insinuations about Dane and pointed to Fernsby. “And the house came with its very own British butler.”