LITMIR.BIZ

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and tipped her head discreetly toward the couple again. “See for yourself. She may be talking to Brad, but it’s Creed she’s got her eye on.”

      Case followed her gaze and frowned thoughtfully. “It does appear that way,” he replied, then shrugged. “It’s probably nothing. Come on,” he said, drawing her further into the room. “Let’s get something to drink.”

      Though Gina didn’t agree with Case’s assessment of Maya’s covert interest in Creed, she kept her opinion to herself and allowed him to lead her to the bar.

      As he handed her a flute of champagne, Eliza joined them, slipping an arm through Gina’s. “Better watch him,” she warned, eyeing Case suspiciously. “He tries to get women drunk so that he can have his way with them.”

      Gina blinked, then sputtered a laugh, when she realized that Eliza was teasing her. “Don’t worry. I’m wise to his devious ways.”

      Smiling, Eliza stretched to her toes and planted a kiss on Case’s cheek. “Hi, big brother.”

      He made a show of wiping away her kiss. “Don’t try buttering me up now.”

      Laughing, Eliza caught the hand of a woman passing by and drew her into the group.

      “Gina, I’d like for you to meet a friend of mine, Diana Young. Diana, this is Case’s current flavor-of-the-month, Gina Reynolds.”

      “Would you stop?” Case complained. “You make me out to be some kind of playboy.” Turning to Diana, he smiled warmly and extended his hand. “It’s always a pleasure seeing you, Diana,” he said, then shot Eliza a scowl and added, “in spite of the company you keep.”

      Laughing gaily, Eliza looked around the room. “Quite a crowd, huh?”

      Gina followed her gaze and stifled a shudder at the number of unfamiliar faces. “And then some.”

      “Oh, look!” Eliza cried excitedly. “The Australians have arrived!” She lifted a hand high, catching the attention of the two men who had entered the room and motioned for them to join her.

      “You’re going to love these guys,” she said in an aside to Gina and Diana. “Max is a cousin of ours. Mom and Dad met up with him while they were in Australia and invited he and his business partner, Zack Manning, to visit us in the States. They’re interested in horse breeding and want to check out Skylar’s setup.”

      As the men made their way through the crowded room, Gina noticed the recognition that flared in Diana’s eyes, as well as the shock.

      Eliza caught Max’s hand and pulled him into the group. “You already know Case,” she said, beginning the introductions. “And this is his date, Gina Reynolds, and this,” she said draping an arm at her friend’s waist and hugging her to her side, “is Diana Young.”

      Diana tipped her head in greeting. “Hello, Max.”

      Max muttered something that Gina couldn’t quite hear, then said to the group as a whole, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to Patricia and Nash.”

      Gina watched him stride quickly away, his friend Zack following, and wondered at the odd exchange.

      “Let’s mingle,” Eliza said, and turned away, with her friend Diana in tow.

      “That’s odd,” Gina said, with a frown.

      “What’s odd?” Case asked.

      “Judging by Diana’s expression when Eliza first pointed Max out, I would’ve sworn she already knew him. Yet, they greeted each other as if they were total strangers. And did you notice his expression? He looked almost … angry.”

      Case reared back to look at her suspiciously. “Are you sure you’re a children’s author and not a detective? That’s two clandestine incidences you’ve noticed since arriving.”

      She gave her chin a haughty lift. “Can I help it if I’m more aware of my surroundings than you are? And I was right about Maya,” she added stubbornly. “Something is definitely going on between her and Creed.”

      “Oh really,” he said doubtfully.

      She tipped her head discreetly toward Creed. “If you don’t believe me, look for yourself. Creed’s giving Maya’s boyfriend the evil eye.”

      “What?” Case glanced toward Creed. He studied his brother for a moment, then stubbornly shook his head. “He’s probably got his mind on something else and is totally unaware of who he’s looking at or his expression.”

      “I don’t think so,” Gina said doubtfully.

      Teasing her with a smile, he leaned close to whisper, “Since you seem determined to stir up a romance, real or imagined, you might want to check out Max’s friend, Zack, and Skylar.”

      Gina scanned the room until she saw the two standing near the doorway, openly flirting. Her eyes shot wide. “Why, they’ve only just met!” she whispered in return.

      Laughing, he slung an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, Super Sleuth. I’ve got something even more surprising I want to show you.”

      When he reached the center of the room, he stopped and drew her to his side.

      “Could I have everyone’s attention a moment?” he called loudly.

      Conversations slowly dwindled as people turned to see what was going on.

      Uncomfortable at being the center of attention, Gina turned her face against Case’s shoulder. “What are you doing?” she whispered frantically. “Everyone’s staring.”

      He looked down at her and smiled. “Of course they are.”

      “Case …”

      Ignoring her pleading look, he turned his attention to the crowd again and directed his next words to them.

      “As you all know, family is very important to me. The Fortunes have been blessed with one of massive size, with branches that literally stretch all over the world. Over the years, we’ve had our share of misfortune, as well as success, and through it all we’ve stuck together, offering each other whatever support and encouragement was needed at the time. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and celebrated together.

      “Growing up in this house we’re gathered in this evening, I’ve taken part in quite a few celebrations, everything from births to deaths and everything in between. Tonight I’m asking my family and friends to share in a special celebration with me.”

      A sliver of apprehension snaked down Gina’s spine as Case turned to face her. Taking her hand in his, he slipped his other into his jacket pocket, then slowly sank to one knee, pulling out a ring.

      Gina gaped, too stunned to speak.

      His gaze on hers, he slid the ring onto her finger and said in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “Gina Reynolds, would you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?”

      The room was so quiet, she heard the wood shift in the fireplace. Everyone seemed as shocked by Case’s proposal as she was. She didn’t know what to say. Yes? No? Are you crazy?

      But he didn’t seem to need an answer.

      With his gaze on hers, he stood and pulled her into his arms. With everyone in the room watching in shocked silence, he kissed her with a passion that stole her breath.

      A single clap of hands sounded, as the guests slowly absorbed the unexpected announcement. Others gradually joined in, until applause rolled like thunder through the cavernous room.

      Case spent the drive home on his cell phone, talking to someone about a business deal that he and Creed were putting together. It wasn’t exactly the behavior one might expect from a man who’d just proposed, but it was just as well, because Gina couldn’t have carried on a coherent conversation if her life depended on it.

      While

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