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“Mr. Carter is dead set on merging with another energy company. Feels it’s necessary to keep Carter Energy in business.”
“Where does that leave you?” I honed right in on the heart of the issue. She’d worked for the Carters forever; that company was like her own.
“I don’t know, but I highly doubt they’ll need two of every executive,” she returned bitterly.
“You’re worth more than all of them combined.”
“I know.” But I heard in her voice she wasn’t sure.
“What does Easton think?”
She looked up at the ceiling. “Seems as in the dark as I am even though it’s his family’s company.”
“What can I do?” I wanted to fix her problems, but she could handle anything.
“Nothing. Just enjoy being married.” Mulaney tried to push me away, but I held her in a hug until she yielded.
“Love you, Mulaney. We’re here for you. Don’t forget that.”
“Love you too,” she mumbled into my chest. Once she released me, Mulaney turned to Muriella. “I mean well. I don’t want it to be awkward between us.”
“More common ground,” Muriella replied, crossing the space between them and wrapping her in a hug. Reluctantly, Mulaney returned it.
“Well, I’ll be damned. That’s about the closest thing to an apology I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth,” I said to Mulaney. With that, the heaviness in the air lifted.
“Savor the moment.” The unease in her eyes dissipated. “Why are you two still hanging around? Don’t you have a wedding night to get to?”
“As a matter of fact, we do.”
Chapter Sixty-One
Muriella
“When I wokeup this morning, I never in my wildest dreams imagined I’d be your wife by the time the sun set,” I said the second we were on the porch of Stone’s Acadian-style house. The gas lamps burning on either side of the front door were welcoming, as was the house itself. Ferns hung on the porch, swaying in the December wind, along with a couple of rocking chairs I suspected Stone’s grandfather had made. It was easy to picture lazy evenings here, holding hands and rocking, winding down after supper, enjoying each other. I looked forward to spending more time here, but we’d definitely need more chairs. Maybe even a swing.
Stone swept me off my feet. I squeaked, and he threw open the door, carrying me across the threshold. “I’ll show you around later,” he growled, making me giggle, a girlish noise only he could elicit from me.
“I love it so far.”
He paused mid-stride, his eyes searching mine. “You do?” I nodded. “Me too. I filmed a movie in Louisiana and loved this style of house. It’s different from the architecture of the others on the property. Kind of peaceful.”
That’s exactly what I’d thought when it came into view. It was so much like the man who lived here, easygoing, comfortable, with a beauty that demanded attention. “It’s very you.”
“I hope it’s veryus.”
We entered the master suite, a spacious room with a sleigh bed in the center. A fire blazing in the hearth was the only light. There was an oversized leather chair with a matching ottoman, similar to my favorite one at the apartment beside the fireplace.
I looked up. “Stars?”
“My girl likes to sleep under them,” he said easily, glancing up at the glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling.
He set me on my feet but kept me in the strong circle of his arms. His eyes glowed with unadulterated love as I looked up at him, and I felt it in his touch. His breath quickened as I wound my fingers into his hair, stroking the soft strands.
“I wish you knew how it makes me feel when you touch me,” he said.
“I know exactly how it is, because when you touch me, I feel the same thing.”
His hold tightened on me. “It’s taken all the strength I have to stay away from you for all these years. I can’t do it anymore. A few minutes apart seems like too long.”
