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Fernsby, now busily passing out his baked treats, had been with Dane for years, long before Dane bought the townhouse in the fashionable London borough of Chelsea. Cammie always suspected that baking was how Fernsby showed his love, though you certainly couldn’t tell from his manner. With the ageless face of a person who neither smiled nor frowned, he could be anywhere from forty to sixty. Wearing his ever-present stern expression, and with his tall frame and cultured voice, he was the epitome of the loyal manservant, always at Dane’s side no matter where, be it the London house, the manor in the English countryside, the Pebble Beach estate, the San Francisco flat, or even the small Caribbean island Dane owned.
But Kelsey didn’t let the subject go. “Come on, Lyssa, don’t tell me you didn’t think about a little—” She fluffed her ponytail of tawny blond-streaked hair and grinned instead of saying exactly what. “—for just a moment during that first meeting with Dane in his fabulous London home.”
Hands on her baby bump, Lyssa’s gaze fastened on Cal as he masterfully controlled the ball. “You know Cal was always the man for me.” Her eyes reflected the dreamy note in her voice. And she nudged Kelsey. “You’re the one who should date Dane. He’s perfect for you.”
Kelsey visibly shuddered. “No way. He’s too rich, powerful, and handsome. I want someone I don’t have to compete with.”
Cammie liked the outspoken Kelsey. From Dane, Cammie had learned that Kelsey and her twin brother, Tony—who couldn’t make it today—had appeared in their older brother’s life only a year ago. Evan had known nothing about the twins, his mother having left when he was only nine years old. But he’d apparently welcomed them all with open arms, his birth mother included. Cammie was sure there had to be a major story there.
On the field, Dane stole the ball from Cal, and the Maverick ladies erupted in catcalls. Of course, Cammie jumped to her feet cheering. Rex, accidentally dumped on the ground, barked his joy, too, then abruptly ran off to beg Fernsby for a treat.
Kelsey had said she didn’t want someone too rich, powerful, or handsome. But she’d forgotten one adjective—perfect. The things Kelsey said about Dane didn’t bother Cammie. She wasn’t proprietary about her boss. She certainly wasn’t jealous. She was just a little uncomfortable with Kelsey talking about Dane as if he were a prize piece of beef. Even if he was. Cammie had done her best not to notice that over the years she’d worked for him. She’d had her uncle to think of, who’d relied on her for so long she couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t. And she’d always been there for him.
But even if she had absolutely no designs on Dane—their working relationship was too important—she liked the way he’d introduced her today, not just as his assistant, but adding, “I can’t do anything without her.”
With all the jeering from the Maverick ladies, Cammie cheered the Harringtons. Staid Fernsby, incapable of even cracking a smile, certainly couldn’t do it.
Cammie punched the air. “You go, Dane. Crush those Mavericks.”
Suddenly, she was the target of all the Maverick females, battle light in their eyes, ready to squash the opposition.
Until Kelsey laughed loudly. Then they all doubled over, laughing in near hysteria.
Lyssa held her baby bump. Ari Tremont and Rosie hugged each other, both women as far along in their pregnancies as Lyssa. Paige Collins, Evan’s wife, had to sit back down. There wasn’t a more polite way to say it: She was huge, beautifully pregnant with twins, and due in a couple of months.
Wistfulness fell over Cammie, even as she wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. They were all so happy. And their children would be so close in age. The two boys, Matt’s son, Noah, and Rosie’s son, Jorge, both almost seven, were dying to be big brothers. One huge happy family, they were wonderful to watch.
And the burst of laughter they’d all shared made Cammie long to be one of them.
Chapter Two
Even as the women wiped their eyes, ignoring the game for the moment, Rosie Diaz stepped up to Cammie. “We’re so glad you could come today. Dane talks so much about you.”
Cammie smiled, feeling the same thrill that had come over her earlier when Dane introduced her as more than his assistant. “I’m sorry I missed your art show. I heard it was a brilliant success.”
Rosie blushed. Like Lyssa, she and Gideon had postponed their wedding until after the baby was born. She would marry her handsome, blond ex-marine—Ari Tremont’s brother—in the fall.
“Thank you so much.” Rosie’s smile reached almost ear to ear. “I appreciate that.” She was an amazing painter, according to Dane, and Cammie believed him. He was never wrong. As she tucked her beautifully thick, curly black hair behind her ear, Rosie’s smile faded. “You don’t need to apologize. We all know how hard it’s been taking care of your uncle.”
