Touch of Fate (Bennett Sisters Book 2) (16 page)

If you enjoyed Touch of Fate, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book, too.

Lend it. This e-book is lending-enabled, so please, share it with a friend.

Recommend it. Please help other readers find this book by recommending it to friends, reader groups and discussion boards.

Review it. Please tell other readers why you liked this book by reviewing it on Amazon.

If you do write a review, please send me an email to
[email protected]
with a copy of the review you posted. I’d like to gift you with an electronic kindle copy of my next book

as a way of thanking you.

Please enjoy the following excerpt

For

MIND PLAY

Book 3 of the Bennett Sisters

Claire finds love where she least expects it.

Chapter 1

Claire Bennett stood with a champagne flute in hand watching her family and friends as they mingled during her latest fundraiser. “Two down and one to go,” she whispered to herself as she spotted her older brother, Mike across the room. Her two sisters had gotten married over the last year, and her middle sister, Emma, was nine months pregnant. Now, if Claire had anything to say about it, it was Mike’s turn to settle down.

Mrs. Anderson, the town gossip, glided up to her side and followed Claire’s gaze. “I see the wheel’s turning, Claire. What do you have in mind for your brother?”

Claire glanced to the old woman standing beside her and her lips tilted up in a smile. Everyone always wondered where Mrs. A. got her gossip; no one would have guessed the two of them were in cahoots together where her family was concerned. Mrs. A had trusted Claire, telling her of a promise Mrs. A had once made to Claire’s mother on her deathbed. She was an outsider watching over her and her siblings as they grew up. Like a guardian angel, she had always been there for each of them without the truth being known. Claire had been the only one to catch on to the old lady’s tactics. She’d paid attention and noticed when Mrs. A played a part in not only keeping their secrets, but also in keeping them out of trouble.

“I think it’s Mike’s turn to be happy and settle down, and the way he’s staring at Dr. Elizabeth Lister, I think we’ve found his match, Don’t you?”

Mrs. A rubbed her hands together and smiled with a gleam in her eyes. “Good choice, Claire. I think the little doctor would be perfect, but you’re brother sure is stubborn.”

“I agree, just look at him. He hasn’t been able to take his eyes off of Elizabeth, since she walked into the room.” Claire had grown accustomed to seeing the scowl on Mike’s face, her entire life. There weren’t many people that would have seen the sparkle in his eyes that accompanied said scowl. She’d noticed it more and more, when he’d been around the little doctor. Their chemistry was a living thing when put in a room together. They were just both going to need a nudge in the right direction.

“I think it’s time to work our magic.” Mrs. A said as she glided away in the direction of her brother. It was all coming together. She’d thought long and hard about the plans she had for her family. How they could find happiness, even with their “gifts.” Truth be told, Emma and Abby hadn’t needed her help, they had found their own happily ever after. She hadn’t needed to interfere, but she would for her brother. Mike was a detective for the Southall PD, and worse, he was as stubborn as a mule. He didn’t socialize much, and she’d never seen him date anyone serious or otherwise, but that was all about to change.

Fingers touched Claire’s waist, tugging her back against a broad muscular chest. The manly scent of cologne hit her nose. She was about to turn around swinging, when Butch whispered in her ear. “When are we going to run away together, Angel? Can’t you just see it, you lounging around a beach in your bikini with me by your side. Cocktails in our hands enjoying the beautiful sunset in Maui as the waves crash against the seashore.”

Claire closed her eyes and let his description take hold. She could clearly see what he was offering, if only he had meant it. She opened up her eyes again and pulled out of his embrace. “I think you’ve got the wrong girl. Maybe you should have made a play for Abby.”

“Aw Angel, don’t be like that. Abby and I are just friends; you’re the sister that’s going to rock my world.” Butch winked at her.

Claire threw he head back and laughed. “Now I know you’re screwing with me. I’ve never rocked anyone’s world. And I’m afraid a girl like me, couldn’t keep up with a guy like you.”

Before Butch could reply, Claire’s younger sister, Emma, and brother-in-law, Jake walked up. “Great party, Claire, but I think I’m going to have to take Emma home and put her to bed.” Jake said, putting a protective arm around Emma’s expanded waist. Her obstetrician had told them, it was only a matter of days, before she delivered.

Worry made Claire’s heart speed up. “Are you alright, do I need to go grab Dr. Lister? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind taking a look at you since she’s here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Emma turned her attention to the doctor in question. “She's having a good time. I’m sure I just need to rest.” Emma said returning her gaze to Claire, giving her a small smile.

Claire wasn’t sure she believed her sister, but didn’t have a chance to reply.

“Excuse me, Ms. Bennett.” Claire turned to find her assistant standing next to her.

“Emma, Jake, Butch this is Jenny, my new assistant. She’s the one that is going to keep me organized with all of my new fundraisers.”

Butch took a hold of Jenny’s hands and raised it to his lips giving her knuckles a gentle kiss. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Jenny.”

Jenny’s cheeks reddened from Butch’s greeting. She’d get use to Butch’s flirting ways. They all had at some point.

Jenny looked down at the ground and replied. “You too.” She raised her gaze again to meet Claire’s. “Claire, I just wanted to tell you that I’ve taken care of the caterer and the band, and I have a few receipts I’m going to put in your office. I have a few more things to take care of, but I wanted to remind you the cleaning crew would be coming by at ten in the morning.”

Claire glanced at her assistant. “Find Mike and Abby, tell them Emma’s water broke and we’re going to the hospital. You’re in charge.” Claire said as she took Emma’s arm and helped her out of the front door. She took a chance and looked up at Jake and Butch. Both of them looked as if they were going to faint. It would have been comical, had she not needed them to focus on Emma.

“Jake, where are you parked?” Claire asked, when she didn’t get a reply, she snapped her fingers. “Focus Jake, where are you parked?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“It’s ok Jake, we’ll take the limo. My driver is outside, and he’ll get us there in no time. Help me get Emma settled in, and I’ll take care of everything.” Claire made a beeline to her limo and helped lower Emma gently inside, before climbing in after her. Jake and Butch each took a seat. Claire tapped on the partition and waited for it to slide down.

“Where to Ms. Bennett?” Stan, her limo driver, asked.

“Get us to the hospital, fast. Emma’s in labor.” Before the window had risen back in place, Stan was pulling out of her drive and hitting the gas. Claire moved to sit next to Emma. “How far apart are the contractions?”

“Just breathe Emma, remember what they taught you, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Breathe through the contractions.” Sweat had started to bead on Emma’s forehand, but she nodded that she’d heard.

Claire pulled her phone she had stashed inside her bra and hit speed dial. The fact that Butch hadn’t commented on the move, told her enough to know he wasn’t going to be any help. She’d set the hospital and the obstetrician’s numbers in her phone, just in case. She’d told the hospital and her doctor, they were on their way and guessed at how far apart the contractions were. They were now expecting them, and once they got there Claire would relax. She hadn’t expected Butch and Jake to lose brain cells and not be able to function, but Claire had been prepared, and it was a good thing too.

Claire felt the temperature change in the limo, turning the air cooler before Emma said a word. “Not now old woman” Emma spat out through gritted teeth. Jake had pulled himself from his stupor and was now rubbing Emma’s back as she was slumped over, whispering words of encouragement and love in her ear.

The limo pulled up to the hospital in record time. The staff was waiting outside with a wheelchair to push Emma in with Jake on her heels. Claire and Butch made their way to the small waiting room, making themselves as comfortable as could in the hard chairs. Claire rose and walked to the vending machine for a cup of coffee, when she had felt Butch behind her again, before he whispered in her ear. “Doesn’t that beach sound good, Angel?” Butch placed his hands again on her hips and placed a light kiss on her neck.

Claire maneuvered out of his embrace and swatted at his arm. “Butch, knock it off.”

Mike and Abby showed up. Mike started his pacing as he bantered back and forth with Butch, about what state of mind Jake might be in. Abby took a seat next to Claire and put her arm around her shoulders. “You did good, sis. She’s going to be all right, and just think, in a few short hours, we are going to have a niece or nephew to spoil.”

A few short hours turned into several long hours until Jake emerged, walking in dressed in scrubs. The talking and the pacing stopped as they all stood there waiting for news of Emma and the baby. The color had returned to his face and he graced them with a huge smile. “Emma did great, and Lily is as beautiful as her mother.”

Claire let out a breath, and pulled Abby into a hug, as Butch and Mike congratulated Jake and shook his hand. “When can we see her?” Claire asked.

“They’re moving her from the birthing room into a regular room in a few minutes. I’ll come back and get you when they have her settled.”

Claire and Butch settled in the limo for the ride back to her house, after seeing Emma and Lily. She kicked off her stilettos and sunk into the leather of the cushioned seats of the limo. She’d be glad out of her dress and climb into her bed. Jake had been right, she was beautiful. Lily had a head full of brown hair like her mother’s, and slept while Claire had held her. Night had turned into day while they had been with Emma in the hospital and Claire was exhausted. Her bed had been calling her name for the last several hours. Butch slid closer and put his arm around Claire’s shoulder settling her into the crook of his arm. “You did good, Angel. Now just close your eyes and I’ll wake you when we get there.”

Claire leaned into the warmth he offered and did just what he asked. She closed her eyes and let sleep take hold of her. She’d dreamed of the beach Butch teased her about, the picture he had painted about the both of them. Those hours dreaming of a vacation she’d never have were some of the best sleep she’d had in a long time. There weren’t any death threats hanging over her family, like previous months. Her sleep was peaceful.

Claire woke up to find herself in her room with a smile on her face. How had she got there? She didn’t remember anything after falling asleep nestled in Butch’s arms in the limo. Movement in her bed had her head jerking to the left. Butch lay on top of the covers next to her. Claire’s mouth dropped open, and her hand flew to cover it as she stared at him.

Butch blinked open his eyes slowly and smiled. He said, “Good morning, Angel,” while his hand reached out and pulled her body close to his. The thin barrier of her dress, the sheets, and the comforter were the only thing standing in the way of their bodies becoming intimate.

Claire put her palms on his chest and pushed. “Butch, why are you in my bed?”

Butch rubbed his eyes. “Because I carried you upstairs and your bed looked so comfortable.”

Claire pushed out of his arms, slid from under the covers throwing her legs over the edge of the bed and stood. “There are five other rooms on this floor with beds just like mine, why didn’t you pick one of those?”

“Don’t get uptight, Angel, I didn’t touch you. I didn’t undress you. I didn’t let my hands roam all over your sweet tight body. I didn’t kiss your soft red lips. I was a good boy, but we can change all of that right now if you want to climb back in bed.”

I hope you enjoyed it.

Please visit my website at
www.KateAllenton.com

For updates on the release date.