Two Harts are Better than One: The Rest of the Story
By Beth Bradshaw

Chapter 1

Married. Jennifer's head was spinning with the amazing turn of events. She had been headed from London to New York, trying to figure out what on earth had made Jonathan Hart turn on her so fast when she found herself detained by a detective for the second time. Before Jennifer could object, they were riding a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of London. The fact she was now engaged to the very man who had her arrested made her head spin. The last 48 hours had been an unbelievable roller coaster ride of emotions.

First this Jonathan Hart wouldn't even give her the time of day to do her story on him, then they enjoyed a magical evening of dinner and dancing which lead, albeit indirectly, to him thinking she was a murder. Jennifer tumbled from a kidnapped victim, held at gunpoint, and finally rescued by her knight in shining armor (played by Jonathan Hart), who turned on her again and had her arrested — well, taken in for questioning. But still.

Standing in line to board her plane, yet another detective hauled her in for more questions, or so she was lead to believe. Instead of Scottland Yard, he delivered her back to Jonathan and a marriage proposal. And when he had an answer for every one of her lame objections in a halfhearted effort to dissuade him, she heard herself accepting! A marriage proposal!

Jonathan's "Once around the park" comment to Max had been instructions to take them through London back to the Ritz via horse and carriage. Snuggled in his arms in the back of the carriage, she vaguely wondered what effort went into creating the experience. This man could make things happen, and she was impressed. Turning to look at him, Jennifer was struck, once again, with how very handsome he was. Boyish good looks and charm, dark, thick hair and bright, blue eyes, and when he grinned at her, Lord have mercy… he made her knees weak, and her stomach flip.

His eyes met hers. Every time they connected, Jonathan felt time stop. Jennifer Edwards was all he could see, and there was no one else in the world. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. And it wasn't just her physical appearance, which was breathtaking. Her auburn hair, hazel eyes, though that was up for discussion, as they seemed to change with her moods. And in the craziness of the last 48 hours, he had witnessed several changes! No, this woman was the whole package — looks, intelligence, class, sass, strength, and yet an incredibly sexy vulnerability. Letting her get away from him would have been the biggest mistake of his lifetime. In only 48 hours, he had come to realize living without Jennifer Edwards by his side was something he could no longer do.

However, he had needed time enough to sign the paperwork, so Kingsford Motors didn't go under, and then he could fully concentrate on winning her over. Max helped devise, and pull off, a plan to keep her in London a little bit longer. He knew the inspectors detaining her would make her incredibly angry. His concern was if she would be able to get past her anger and the slight to her ego.

Jonathan figured his appeal had to be convincing, and he could leave no doubt he was serious about her. He desired her like no other. Having grown up in an orphanage, he could only guess at what it was like to love someone. This meant by trial and error. Max was the nearest thing to a father he had experienced. He took that knowledge and applied it to the women he dated. The only one that was even close was Nikki Stephanos, and she was more sister than lover when all was said and done.

But Jennifer. Everything was different with Jennifer.

Jonathan leaned a little closer, held her a little tighter, but it just didn't feel close enough. When he turned to find her looking at him, he felt his whole body flush. "You take my breath away," he whispered as he leaned in to kiss her. "I am eager to make love to you… No jet lag is getting in the way this time!"

"Patience. I promise it will be worth the wait."

They discussed the things they would like to see together in London while they were making their way back to the Ritz. Jennifer, having grown up traveling with her parents, knew the town well. The more quaint and less touristy side of London. Jonathan never slowed down beyond his business agendas on his many trips and was eager to learn more than bars and restaurants. It had been his suggestion they go back to the Ritz to call her father before they venture out for the evening.

As they entered the suite, Jonathan pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You have made me a very happy man today." He leaned in and kissed her again. He wasn't sure a lifetime together was going to be enough. Pulling back ever so slightly, he relished in their breathlessness. "I don't know how you do it, Jennifer Edwards."

Still soaking in the taste of his kiss on her lips, she whispered, "How I do what, Mr. Hart?"

"Make every kiss feel like the first time and the comfort of home. All at the same time wrapped up in one little package. You are simply amazing."

"Well, thank you very much." She placed another small kiss on his lips. "I'm just getting warmed up," she teased as she pulled back out of his embrace. "What phone should I use to call my father?"

"Use that one by the couch. I'll be right back." He headed into the bedroom while she dialed the phone.

He didn't take long to answer her call. She greeted him warmly, "Pa!"

"Jennifer! I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. Are you back in New York already? How did the London trip go? Were you able to get your story?" Stephen Edwards loved to hear from his daughter.

"Oh, I got the story. And so very much more..." She turned and surveyed her surroundings. She smiled to herself, feeling a bit like she was dreaming. "Guess what, Pa?"

"What, Sweetheart? You know this old man doesn't like guessing games."

It was just as well. Jennifer could no longer contain her excitement. "I'm getting married!" The silence her statement met with was almost deafening. "Did you hear me, Pa?" She looked back as Jonathan entered the room, paperwork in hand, and shrugged her shoulders. He crossed the floor, heading to the second bedroom in the suite, looking for Max.

"I heard. But I'm not sure I heard correctly. I thought I heard you say you're getting married. However, I know that can't possibly be right. My daughter would not be getting married to someone I have yet to meet… someone who has not even asked her father's permission for her hand as of yet."

Trying to keep her voice quieter, Jennifer turned away from the direction Jonathan headed. "Yes, Pa. You heard correctly. I have met a man, and I am in love with him, and he is in love with me, and he wants to marry me."

"Oh, I'm sure he does want that. Is this boy there with you right now?"

Fighting to hide her irritation, Jennifer answered, "He's not a boy, Dad. He's a man, and his name is Jonathan Hart."

"Your story? Do you think you are marrying the man from your story? Is he there? I want to talk to this boy immediately!"

She turned back to find Jonathan had come back into the room and was watching her, with that grin on his face. Once more, the smile made her heart race. Jennifer held out the phone receiver towards him. He cocked his head and walked towards her. Placing her hand over the speaker to muffle the sound, she whispered, "My father would like to speak to you. He is irritated you didn't wait to meet him and ask his permission before asking me to marry you."

He leaned in and kissed her as he reached for the phone. "This is Jonathan Hart."

"Jonathan Hart." Stephen tasted the name as he said it. It was almost bitter in his mouth. "I don't know who you are, or what you think you are doing, but I'll be damned if I'm going to allow someone I've never met marry my daughter!"

"Well, Sir, I think…"

"I don't give a damn what you think. You two had better be on the next plane out of London. I want you here. Now!" His near shouting turned to a mumble before he hung up the phone, "Didn't even ask for permission. You think you're just going to waltz in and walk away with my daughter. Like hell…" and he was gone.