Cinderella Story Part Two

By Elizabeth August

36 Hours Serial

As a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty–six hours will change the town and its residents forever….

Cinderella Story Part 2

Nina Lindstrom and Alex Bennett are from two different worlds. But since that stormy night at the lodge, a business arrangement has brought the waitress and the millionaire together. Alex's grandfather think's they're engaged–a little fantasy Nina's willing to indulge while Alex pays Tommy's hospital bills.

When Alex has another proposal for Nina, it seems to be business as usual for him. His offer could make life so much easier for the widow and her son. But it's not so easy for Nina to separate her head and her heart.

The story concludes in Cinderella Story Part 3.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Mar 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781743649671

Elizabeth August

Betty Marie Wilhite had always wanted to write. She married Doug, and they had three boys, the first was Douglas Jr., four years later Benjamin, and nine years later the last, Matthew. The family lived in Wilmington, Delaware. She began writing romances soon after Matthew was born. She wrote under the pseudonyms of Betsy Page, Elizabeth Douglas, Elizabeth August and Kathleen Ward.

Book preview

Chapter Five

Nina Lindstrom sat beside her son’s hospital bed, holding his hand while he slept. Just checking in had been traumatic for the six-year-old.

Standing on the other side of the bed, Alex Bennett looked down at the boy’s pale face. I wish there had been some way I could have eased his fear when they took the sample of his blood.

Nina had noticed Alex’s discomfort but had thought he simply didn’t like needles. Now she realized that he was honestly concerned about Tommy.

No matter how much we want to, we can’t protect children from all of life’s pains, she said, repeating what she told herself every time one of her kids suffered from a cut or bruise or an unkind comment from a playmate.

Alex shrugged. Maybe it’s just as well. It’s the struggles that make us strong.

And discover who we are, she added, more to herself than to him.

Alex studied her with interest. You sound as if you only recently made that discovery.

Nina leaned back in her chair and met his gaze. I didn’t realize it until after Tom’s death. Before that, I was like a shadow of a person. Growing up, I was my father’s little girl. Both my mother and I allowed him to make our decisions for us…we made little ones, but he always made the important ones. After he died, I turned to Tom and let him take care of me. She frowned introspectively. I’m not being critical of my father or Tom. The truth is, I liked being taken care of. But it kept me from maturing. Then suddenly, overnight, I had to become an adult, responsible for three other lives.

I’d say you’ve done a very good job.

Her gaze returned to Tommy and her chin trembled. Sometimes I get really scared that I will fail them.

As long as you do your best, you can’t fault yourself.

That’s easier said than done. The tears she’d been holding back welled in her eyes. I see him lying here like this and wonder if I couldn’t have gotten him help sooner. I took him to the doctor, but maybe I should have insisted he run more tests.

Alex disliked seeing her suffer. From what I gather, both you and the doctor acted prudently.

I know. Nina sighed shakily. But self-doubt can be an insidious thing. I wish I could be more rocklike. Tommy needs me to be strong.

A surge of protectiveness washed through Alex. Sometimes even a rock needs a friend to lean on.

Nina’s gaze rested on his broad shoulders. Is that an offer?

Yes.

She was tempted. But she reminded herself that as soon as their arrangement was completed, he would be gone like a sand castle at high tide. She was just pretending to be his fiancée for his dying grandfather. It wasn’t real. But it was real that in exchange for the deception, Alex was paying for Tommy’s hospital costs. I don’t think that’s such a good idea.

He scowled with impatience at her stubborn independence. I’m only offering friendship. I’m not trying to take your late husband’s place.

She scowled back with equal impatience. I didn’t think you were. But friends are people who, even if you don’t see them for years, are always at the back of your mind. They’re people you think about and wonder how they’re doing. You can pick up the phone and call them just to chat and they’re happy to hear your voice. That doesn’t describe our arrangement. You hired me to do a job. When it’s done we’ll go our separate ways. I doubt you’ll be popping in for dinner or be pleased to have an evening interrupted by a call from me. So I figure it wouldn’t be smart for me to begin to think of you as a friend.

You have a point, he conceded.

Nina again leaned back and closed her eyes.

Alex frowned at the exhaustion etched into her features. This is a private room. I had them wheel in a spare bed so that you could rest comfortably. Why don’t you lie down for a while. I’ll keep an eye on Tommy.

Surprised that he intended to remain, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. I don’t expect you to baby-sit me and my son.

Alex hadn’t intended to do that, either. He’d planned to get them settled, then go back to his grandfather’s home and make a few business calls. Instead, he was reluctant to leave them on their own. My grandfather would expect me to remain with you and Tommy.

The whirlwind of packing for this trip, in addition to nights of restless sleep, were taking their toll. The bed, like an oasis in the desert, was beckoning to Nina. But as her gaze returned to her son, she shoved the temptation from her mind. Tommy is my responsibility. Easing her chair even closer to his bed, she took his hand in hers, then again sat back and closed her eyes.

I’ve never encountered a more stubborn human being either male or female, Alex muttered. Nina Lindstrom was as opposite from his own mother as any woman could get. The hint of a cynical smile played at one corner of his mouth. But she could still be bought.

Going into the hall so as not to wake Tommy, he placed a business call he’d put off until now. When he hung up a few minutes later, he returned to the room and found Nina sleeping also. Rounding the bed, he began to ease her out of the chair.

No, she protested groggily.

You’re going to lie down. You’re not going to be any good to Tommy if you’re exhausted and have a stiff neck to boot.

Nina was too tired to fight him. When he raised her to her feet, she leaned heavily against him like a limp rag doll, her mind in the world between wakefulness and sleep, unable to guide her movements with rational thought. As Alex lifted her into his arms, she snuggled her face into his neck. You smell good, she murmured, inhaling the light scent of his after-shave.

Her soft breath and the feel of her body against his were arousing Alex. This is not the right place, time or woman, he admonished himself. Quickly, he lay her on the bed.

Nina, now more asleep than awake, felt suddenly deserted. In this dreamlike state, her mind returned to Tom’s grave site. You weren’t supposed to leave me. Tears began to run down her cheeks. I shouldn’t have to be facing this alone.

Alex gently brushed a tear from her cheek. You’re not alone, he said gruffly.

Tom? Nina’s hand captured his and pulled it to her lips. Opening her eyes, she looked up, hoping against hope that Tom was standing there and the past three years had been nothing more than a horrible nightmare.

A sharp jab of displeasure pierced Alex. Male ego, he told himself. No man liked being mistaken for another man. No, it’s Alex Bennett.

Meeting his cool green gaze, she abruptly released him. I’m sorry. I was dreaming.

It’s all right. He stepped back, the arousal she’d wakened in him completely gone. The woman was devoted to a ghost. He pitied any man who got emotionally involved with her. No living male could compete against an idolized memory. Now, get some sleep. As I said before, you won’t do Tommy any good if you’re so exhausted you can’t stay awake when he really needs you.

A flush reddened her cheeks. I sounded like a whiny wimp. It won’t happen again.

You sounded like a woman who has worried herself into a state of exhaustion, he replied. Now, sleep.

This time she didn’t argue.

Returning to his chair, Alex sat staring at Nina and her son for a long moment, then, reaching for the phone, he placed two short calls.

* * *

Nina awoke to the sound of her son’s voice.

Wow, he was saying with an enthusiasm she hadn’t heard in a long time.

As she shifted into a sitting position and faced him with her legs over the side of the bed, she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. When she could focus, she saw her son, his bed in a partial upright position, surrounded by toy versions of his favorite cartoon characters.

Alex Bennett was leaning on one of the metal guard rails on the side of Tommy’s bed, grinning down