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EPILOGUE

THE LEAVES WERE turning all shades of gold and brown as Georgina looked around the country cottage garden. Autumn sun cast its last lazy glow as it slid slowly behind the hill.

‘Happy anniversary,’ Santos said softly as he came to stand behind her.

He wrapped his arms around her. She leant back against him, happier than she’d ever been.

‘You’ve brought me to the country for our anniversary weekend?’ She hadn’t doubted he’d remember their first anniversary—she just hadn’t expected him to help her realise one of her dreams, even if it was only for a weekend. It would be a wonderful place to give him her gift.

‘I’ve done more than that, Georgie.’ He nuzzled her hair and then kissed her head. ‘I’ve bought you this piece of the English countryside. This place is yours.’

Georgina swivelled round in his arms and looked up at him, excitement almost exploding inside her. ‘This place? You’ve bought it?’

‘I most certainly have, and now is your chance to show me just what is so wonderful about living in the countryside.’

‘Oh, Santos, it’s perfect.’

She couldn’t believe that this cottage, with roses rambling around the front door, was all hers. He opened the door and led her inside. It had been furnished and decorated to the highest standard, just as she would have expected from Santos, but it still maintained that country charm she’d always longed for.

‘In fact it’s more than perfect.’

‘There’s more, mi esposa.’

‘What more could there be than this?’

‘Emma and Carlo will be joining us.’

‘They will?’

‘It’s their anniversary too, and I thought it would be nice to be together, but we still have a few hours before they arrive. Carlo has become a workaholic since he opened his own hotel, and he wouldn’t leave until he’d sorted everything out for the weekend.’

Georgina laughed at the image of her brother-in-law putting the business before a weekend with Emma. ‘Perhaps there is more of you in him than you realise?’ she teased, and reached up to brush a kiss on his lips.

‘Well, you should know what we Ramirez men are like by now.’

He kissed her and passion sparked to life, zipping between them.

She pulled back from him and looked into his eyes, which were darkening by the second. ‘I have a gift for you too.’

He put her at arm’s length and smiled. ‘Can you beat this?’ he asked as he took her into the living room, which looked cosy and inviting.

‘You’re going to be a father.’

‘Are you serious?’ He looked deep into her eyes, studying her reaction.

She nodded, unable say anything. After years of telling herself she’d be the worst mother a child could have, she was still apprehensive.

‘When?’ His words seemed choked and hard to come by.

‘You’re impatient, aren’t you?’ she teased gently.

‘Not impatient. Overjoyed. And very much in love with you.’ He kissed her softly and with so much love she fought back the tears of happiness that threatened.

‘April,’ she said as his lips left hers. ‘Our baby will be born in April.’

‘That,’ he said huskily as he smiled down at her, ‘is a cause for celebration.’

She laughed and snuggled against him, relishing the strength of his arms around her. ‘I love you so much, Santos,’ she said as she heard his heartbeat.

He swept her off her feet and, looking down at her, smiled. ‘I’m the happiest man alive and it’s all thanks to you. How did I ever manage to exist before you arrived in my life?’

He edged his way out of the living room towards the stairs, a stream of Spanish rushing from his lips as he looked at the narrow staircase.

Georgina laughed.

‘Put me down.’ She placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him briefly. ‘This is one flight of stairs you won’t be able to carry me up.’

* * * * *

Read on for an extract from RIVAL’S CHALLENGE by Abby Green