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Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Resilient One
The Feisty One
The Independent One
The Protective One
The Faithful One
The Daring One
Complete Collection
Excerpt from The Independent One
A suitcase in each hand thumped up the staircase behind Haley as her arms screamed out their agony. She elevated one shoulder in a vain attempt to keep her purse from slipping off. Who planned this hotel to have the check-in desk on the second floor? She gazed longingly at the elevator, gliding up to the second story next to her. It was an ancient contraption with an intricate wrought-iron gate, a loud mechanical hum, and an operator that looked like he’d been here since the thing was invented. Sadly, all of the above had scared her boy, so they opted for the stairs. The elevator looked lovely about now.
She adjusted her grip on the handles again. The suitcases were loaded with clothes, toys, snacks, and food so they wouldn’t have to go out for too many meals. Why hadn’t she let one of the bellhops help her? She’d won this trip for free on the radio. There was no reason to be quite so tight about a few dollars.
Haley turned back to check on Taz. “You doing okay, buddy?”
“Rockin’ it, Mama.” Her five-year old’s dark curls bounced as he pumped up the stairs. He only had his backpack, but it was stuffed full of truck books and she worried it was too heavy for him. Grinning at her, he threw his arms to the side to do a dab, or whatever he called it, again. The motion threw him off balance. He started to teeter. Before Haley could scream a warning, the weight of his backpack pulled him further off kilter and he flipped over backwards.
“Taz!” Haley let go of her suitcases and ran down to him. Pulled by his backpack, he thumped down the stairs. He gained momentum as he skidded then rolled a couple of times, hitting his head into the wall before finally making it to the landing and banging into the legs of a classy-looking older lady. She sprawled on top of him with a cry of surprise.
The suitcases slid behind Haley and almost took out the elderly gentleman who was trying to help his wife and Taz off the ground. He assisted his wife to her feet and Haley rushed for Taz.
A tall, well-built man swept in before Haley could reach Taz and easily lifted her boy into his arms. “Hey, bud, you’re not supposed to do flips on this staircase, that’s for the diving board.”
Taz laughed and Haley’s heart slowed a few beats. “Taz,” she cried out.
The man turned with her son and she noticed dimples and blue eyes, but she could only focus on her boy. Taz launched himself into her arms. Haley held him close, inhaling the baby lotion he kept claiming he was too old for. She took several long breaths as she tried to reassure herself he was okay.
Their rescuer turned to the older couple. “Are you both all right?” he asked.
“Oh, sure,” the man said, his arm around his wife’s waist. They were a darling couple, dressed to the nines with her hair perfectly coiffed and his hair missing.
“Is the little boy okay?” the woman asked, patting her hair.
“I think so,” Haley said. “I’m so sorry he hit you.”
“No, dear, I’m just fine.”
Haley nodded, grateful for their graciousness. She checked Taz for injuries. He had some rug burns on his face and elbow, but thankfully only the one on his elbow was bleeding. “Oh, bud, you scared me! Do you hurt anywhere?”
“Nothing ‘cept my endbow.” Taz held up his arm for her to see. “Kiss it?”
Haley laughed shakily and kissed near the ouchy spot. “We’ll find you a Band-aid.”
“A Ninja Turtle one?” Taz’s dark eyes lit up. He covered himself in Ninja Turtle Band-aids quite regularly.
The man with the dimples turned back to her as the older couple wished them well and headed down the hallway to the shops. He placed a warm hand on her back. “Ma’am, can I take him from you? You’re shaking like a belly dancer.”
Haley laughed, but clung tighter to Taz. This was her little man and she wasn’t about to hand him over to some stranger—she couldn’t resist looking the man over—no matter how intriguing the contrast between his dark hair and skin and his deep blue eyes. “I have specialized belly dancer training so it’s okay.”