The Wallflower Wager: Girl Meets Duke

“Have you given him a name?” “Considering what an insufferable pain he is, I’m leaning toward Ashbury.”

“We are who we are,” she agreed. Gabe despised the defeated note in her voice. He liked who she was, beneath the mask.

“We can have a picnic.” He frowned. “What, on the ground?” “That’s what a picnic is, usually,” she teased.

Chase rose to his feet and went to the hind end of the goat. “I’ll look. I’m not afraid. I intend to be there for every moment of the miracle of my own child’s birth.” He crouched and squinted. “And . . . I’ve changed my mind.”

“Wait, wait. She’s pushing it out again. There’s more of it this time, and it looks . . . phlegmier.” Chase retched. “Ash, please.”

“I tell you, she’s unnatural. I don’t know if she’s a ghost, a witch, a demon, or something worse. But that woman is of the Devil.” “Ahem.” Startled, both Gabe and Hammond wheeled around. There stood Mrs. Burns. Even Gabe had to admit, these sudden appearances were growing unsettling. Hammond raised his fingers in the shape of a cross. “I rebuke th

As a person who wanted to like everyone, it hurt to know that not everyone liked her in return.

“I’m listening to exactly one person in this room,” Gabriel said evenly. “It isn’t you. The lady can speak for herself.”

“No, truly. Ask any hotelier. People with welcoming dispositions are in short supply.”