Chapter 1

Taking a breath caused her to cough. Coughing from the smoke, or was that dust around her. Or coughing because she just couldn't breathe well, she wasn't sure about any of it. Jennifer attempted to adjust her position so that breathing would be more accessible, but the action shot pain through her back and caused her to cry out.

Trying to focus, everything around her seemed hazy or smoky. In the dark, it was hard to tell which. There wasn't much light anywhere. She couldn't tell what time of day it was. She had trouble making out even her own hands. Her ears rang with the echo of an explosion, which made thinking difficult.

Laying on her stomach, Jennifer began to take an assessment of her surroundings. Her mouth tasted coppery, which probably meant she was bleeding somewhere. If she moved slowly, she could move her legs, though moving very far hurt. She could move her left arm, but again, the action rippled pain through her whole body. Her right arm was another story; it felt pinned in place. In this light, she could not tell why. Taking a very deep breath also was tough. She felt as though maybe something was across her back, holding her in place.

Jennifer tried to remember where she was. The last thing she could remember was… Was what? The awards banquet with Jonathan? That didn't help because she was clearly not there now. Her surroundings seemed to swim as her vision blurred, and she felt as though she might lose consciousness soon. The harder she tried to think, the woozier she felt. She pressed on until one word crashed her mind as everything began to shake.

Ryleigh.

Three weeks earlier

Setting the papers down on his desk, Jonathan Hart pushed the intercom button to talk with his secretary. "Deanne, would you get Marcus Wheeler on the phone for me?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Hart."

Picking up the papers again, he flipped through them, making sure he read Stanley's numbers correctly. Jonathan could only shake his head as he deciphered the information in front of him. At the buzz of his phone, Jonathan set the pages down and lifted the receiver. "Yes?" Once more, he grabbed the pages. "Hey Marcus, have you seen the numbers Stanley pulled? They are nothing close to what we were told in that meeting last week." Jonathan listened to Marcus's perception and concluded, "I think we just need to walk away. This isn't worth the time it's taking. Would you call them and let them know? I'm about to head home to pick up Jennifer for the gala tonight. You guys are coming, right?" He smiled as he chatted with his long time friend. "Of course. Excellent. See you there."

He hung up and pressed the intercom again, "Deanne?"

"Yes, Mr. Hart?"

"Unless you have anything else pressing, I'm going to pick up my wife."

"That's the only thing on your calendar now, sir. Have fun tonight."

"Thank you, Deanne."

"Darling…" he called his wife from the bottom of the stairs in their home's entryway. Now dressed in a tux instead of business attire, Jonathan checked on things in the kitchen and kissed his daughter as he walked through the living room. He glanced at his watch as Jennifer hobbled from their bedroom doorway at the top of the stairs.

"Yes…" she answered, with one shoe on, the other still in her hand.

"We need to leave in the next five minutes, or we are going to be late for your award celebration."

With one hand on the railing, Jennifer Edwards Hart used her other hand to slip her shoe on. Dressed in a floor-length taupe colored dress covered in sequins, slit running up the right side, showing off just enough leg, her auburn curls pulled back from her face and cascading down past her shoulders, she was stunning by any standard. "Oh, Darling… I'm trying. But you know I don't like these things." She stood up straight and suggested, "Maybe we could skip it tonight…"

Smirking at her, Jonathan answered, "Your best way out is to stop writing such wonderful books and articles. Then you won't win so much attention." He watched her gracefully descend the stairs. At 53, she was every bit the beauty she had been the day they met. "And the only reason you don't like these things is that it's all about you."

"Tsk. You're no help." Jennifer Hart quickly reached her husband and lightly kissed him on the lips. "I was hoping for a much quieter celebration."

"Ah, but your adoring public awaits." Jonathan wrapped his arms around her, pulled her in tight, and kissed her neck. "You look positively lovely."

"Um. Gross. You two need to get a room," the sassy voice of their 13-year-old daughter invaded their moment. Ryleigh J. Hart, who didn't look up from her magazine, was stretched out on the couch, Freeway jr., curled up at her feet.

"As much as I would like to do just that, we must hurry now," Jonathan answered their daughter with a grin, before turning his wife the opposite direction.

"Good night, Ry," Jennifer called over her shoulder, as Jonathan's hand found the small of her back and he began to usher her towards the front door.

"Good night, Mom." Ryleigh flipped a page in her magazine when a thought arrested her attention. "Oh, Mom…" she sat up and looked up at her parents for the first time. The Harts stopped in the middle of the entryway. Jennifer turned back to acknowledge the girl. "Congratulations." Ryleigh lay back down, attention once again on her magazine, and flippantly added, "And Dad's right."

Jennifer looked at Jonathan, who just shrugged his shoulders. "Right about what, Sweetheart?"

"You look gorgeous."

Jonathan studied the two women in their conversation. He remembered his father in law remarked once how uncanny it was, seeing how much Jennifer resembled her own mother. While Jonathan had known Suzanne Edwards for the first couple years of their marriage and knew they were very similar in their looks and demeanor, he couldn't entirely make that connection. Looking at these two before him, Jonathan felt for the first time he had a knowledge of that statement most men would never have. He had a personal, I-have-lived-through-that-very-thing experience. There was little doubt Ryleigh would be every bit as gorgeous as Jennifer.

An idea that made him a tad nervous if he was honest.

"Merci Cheri," Jennifer grinned at the younger redhead. "Bonsoir." She grabbed Jonathan's arm and resumed their walk for the door.

"Bonsoir, Momma."

"Oh, and Ryleigh," Jennifer stopped their progress out the door again. "Mind Claire. And to bed at a decent hour."

"Oui, Momma. I know. Bonsoir, Daddy."

"Good night, Ry. I love ya." Again he turned Jennifer towards the door, "Come on, Darling."

Once he had her safely in the car, and they were well on their way, Jonathan began to relax, ready to enjoy some much needed time out with his wife. No, an awards dinner was not his ideal date with her. There would be people pulling at her and demanding her attention all evening. But she would be there beside him… Or was that he would be there, right beside her? He stole a side glance at her. Either way, it didn't matter, they would be there together. He could hold her hand (as he currently was doing), or she would have her arm laced in his, throughout most of the evening. It was that connection he had been missing.

As if on cue, Jennifer audibly sighed.

Quietly he asked, "Everything okay, Darling?"

She cut her eyes to him and then turned her head to see him better, a soft grin on her lips. "I was just thinking for the first time in a long time; yes, everything is okay." She squeezed his hand. "I've missed you. Missed this." She held up their intertwined hands.

"Me, too." He drove in silence for a little while, before thinking out loud, he added, "You know what we need?"

"What is that?"

"A vacation."

"Mmmm… You, me, and Ryleigh on a beach?" she sighed.

"I like kissing you in the salt air…" he said as he lifted their hands and kissed the back of hers.

She smiled at him, "I can taste it, I swear."

Jonathan chuckled and added, "Or the cabin?"

"Oh, the mountains…" Jennifer gasped.

"Or a sleepy little nowhere town…"

"Oh, Jonathan… it all sounds divine…"

"How hard would it be to clear your schedule?" he again wondered out loud.

"I don't know… but if you can clear yours, I will find a way to clear mine."

Their evening played out precisely as Jonathan predicted, with Jennifer's time demanded and monopolized by everyone and anyone who approached them. He watched with pride as she charmed them all. Jennifer Edwards Hart was graceful, elegant, and delightful as she worked the crowd. No one walked away from her with a frown or without thinking they were her favorite.

Jonathan knew the truth.

He was unequivocally her favorite.

A title he shared only with Ryleigh.

Dinner was served and enjoyed. Speeches in her honor, given. Publishers, reporters, fans, and friends alike were well cherished and content. It was time to begin the art of pulling her away.

"She's something else."

Jonathan laughed, turned around as he switched the drink he was sipping to his left hand, and extended his right to the man behind him. "Marcus. So good to see you. Thank you for coming. Where's your lovely wife?"

"She's at the table with Jennifer right now."

Jonathan turned back and looked the crowd over. "Oh, there she is." Facing Marcus again, he asked, "Are you guys having a good time?"

"A great time. Thank you for inviting us. Marie sure loves Jennifer's books. She's going to be thrilled when we bring the new one home, autographed for her."

"I'm so glad. And I know Jennifer will be, too. Hey, how did that conversation go this afternoon?"

"It's fine. They weren't thrilled, but I think, for us, it was the best decision. I told them Hart Industries has a great reputation, and we want it to stay that way."

"Thank you for taking care of that."

"Of course."

"Here's my two favorite gentlemen." Marcus smiled at the blonde saddling up to them.

"Sandy. It's lovely to see you," Jonathan greeted her with a hug.

"Hi, sweetheart. I was just telling Jonathan how thrilled Marie is going to be with the new book."

She held it up with a grin, "Thank you so much for doing this."

"It's our pleasure, Sandy. I am delighted Marie likes Jennifer's books."

"Loves. The child loves Jennifer's books. And the fact that her daddy works for you is an added bonus." She started laughing, and the men joined her.

Marcus looked at his wife and back to his boss. "I think we are going to call it a night." The two shook hands once more, "See you Monday, Jonathan."

"Have a good night, Marcus. Sandy."

"Goodnight," she answered as they walked away.

Jonathan finished his drink and put the glass down on the bar. "Another one, Mr. Hart?"

He faced the bartender, "No, thank you, Joe. I think it's time to take my wife to the dance floor."

"Excellent choice, sir."

Grinning, Jonathan turned and started towards Jennifer. A voice speaking behind him halted his progress once more. "Jonathan Hart, where have you been keeping yourself?"

Jonathan turned to see Jordan Coughlin walking up to the bar. How the hell did you get an invitation? he wanted to ask but restrained himself. It's a good thing he didn't order that second scotch. He managed a smile, "Jordan. What have you been up to?"

The men had a few run-ins in the business field. Usually, they involved an investment or activity Jonathan would rule shady, Jordan would call it opportunistic. If Jordan Coughlin stepped in, Jonathan Hart tended to step out.

The man extended a hand to Jonathan, and he accepted it, giving it a firm shake. "Ah, you know, busy, busy, busy."

"Too many days on the water to keep track of?"

"More like over the water." Jordan smiled, "I've been running between New York, Paris, and Sydney."

"That does cover a lot of water."

"Seems Jennifer has often been traveling lately, as well."

"She has. This book tour has had her on and off the road for the two months."

"Is she home for a while now?"

Jonathan smiled at the thought, "Unless we travel as a family, she's finished touring for now, yes."

"You know, I would love to chat with you and Jennifer about my own dealings in more detail sometime."

"Great. Call my office and set it up. Right now, I need to whirl my wife around the dance floor."

"Oh, of course. Don't let me keep you from that."

"Thank you, Jordan." He extended his hand to shake Jordan's a second time before turning back to his mission.

As if on cue, the band began a slower jazzy song, and Jonathan took a moment to step into Jennifer's conversation. "Excuse me, Mrs. Hart…"

Jennifer looked up from her seat at the table, her eyes meeting his as she reached out her hand towards him, "Hi, Darling?" Ever the charmer, she turned to the table full of people and asked, "Does everyone here know my husband, Jonathan Hart?"

They all nodded. Everyone knew Jonathan Hart.

Taking her hand, he smiled at those around the table, before he leaned over her shoulder and asked, "May I have this dance?"

Her smile made his knees a little weaker, "Ah, of course! I would be delighted." She looked at the small crowd surrounding her, "Please excuse me, everyone." Jennifer stood still holding his hand, and together they made their way to the dance floor. "Thank you."

He looked at her and smiled, "For what?"

"For rescuing me."

Jonathan spun her to face him, wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her in closer and moved her body across the floor, "Mrs. Hart, I'm pretty sure it is you who is rescuing me."

"Oh, yeah?" she pulled back just far enough to look in his eyes, but not far enough to separate their bodies.

"Oh, sure… every single day." He slid his hand up her back and pulled her chest close to his once more as he leaned in and lined her neck with kisses while he sailed her around the dance floor. The kisses sent chills down her spine, making her knees weak every time he placed one. The skill he possessed to work her like putty in his hands was the gift he used whenever and wherever he could. "I need you to recuse me, Darling," he breathed between kisses.

"Jon-a-th-an…" she groaned under her breath, so only he could hear. That raspy groan rippled through him when she spoke his name. The near pleading in her tone sparked a heat in his chest that quickly traveled down his body. "How much longer do we have to stay?"

He spun her in a circle and pulled her back to him. "It's your party. You can leave if you want to," he teased.

"If only it were that easy."

It took another 45 minutes to make their departure.