The Birthday Fantasy Read Online Free Page B

airy open expanse of some of the most beautiful marble and columns Tate had ever seen. In the center of the space was a large spiral staircase with a waterfall behind it. Green and flowering plants were scattered around, and with walls of windows facing the lake and mountains, the entire building seemed to be an extension of the outside.
    “Holy wow!” Jamie gushed as she looked around. “God. This place is...”
    “Amazing.” He took her hand and headed toward the reception desk. “Let’s go check in. I can’t wait to see what our beach house looks like.”
    She looked around again. “Yeah, me either.”
    As they waited for an opening with one of the two clerks, they walked around a small sitting area, complete with overstuffed chairs in bright prints and stripes and a fireplace. Over the mantle, a formal portrait of a young Louisa D'aubigne dressed in a gorgeous gown greeted them.
    Tate jutted his chin toward the painting. “She was a beautiful woman. I see you in her.”
    Jamie nodded and stared up at her mother. “She was beautiful, wasn’t she? No wonder my father fell for her.”
    “I think he still loves her.”
    She glanced across her shoulder at him. “I know he does. But I wish sometimes he would’ve let her go after she died. He never could, and now with me getting married, he’ll be all alone.”
    “That must’ve been hard.”
    “ What?” She switched the bag in her hand to the other one.
    He stared up into the painted deep brown eyes of a dark haired version of the woman he loved. He understood Hank’s love because Tate doubted he’d ever find another woman who could take Jamie’s place in his heart. At least, Jamie was alive. He’d be able to enjoy having her around, watching her grow old and into motherhood, even if it would break his heart because he wasn’t the man in her life. Hank’s love was long dead due to a horrible accident. “Losing your mother so soon after you were born.”
    “I can’t imagine it either. Maria has always been the closest thing I’v e ever known to a mother. She’s wonderful, as is Daddy, but...” As she looked at the painting again, pain flickered across her profile. “I wish I would have known her.”
    Tate wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him, kissing her temple. “C’mon. Let’s get checked in.”
    He glanced up at the painting as he turned her away. Those dark brown eyes seemed to be staring back at him with an intensity he couldn’t explain. The sudden chill skittering down his spine had him shivering.
    Jamie looked up at him. “Are you cold?”
    He shook his head in as much as an answer to her, as a way of shaking the sudden unnerving of whatever he’d just felt.
    They checked in and a limo waited to take them to their beach house. The small A-frame sat along the edge of the lake upon a slight rise above the water’s edge. Pines and aspens surrounded the structure almost to the water’s edge.
    Jamie came around the car to stand beside Tate. “This place is amazing.”
    He smiled. “Do you forgive me yet?”
    Her blue eyes danced as she fought the smile tugging at the corner of her very kissable lips. “Nope. But let’s go in. I’m hungry and can’t wait to see you all decked out in a suit and tie.”
    He groaned and wasn’t sure if it came from the thought of kissing her or the dreaded suit.
    ****
    The limo driver unloaded their bags and purchases, including the gowns Jamie had bought. Her heart pounded as she stood on the porch facing the lush green of the mountain as Tate tipped the driver and requested a car to return at seven to take them back to The Lake House for dinner. Birds chirped in the trees and flowers filled the garden around the front of the cabin. From this view, it was all mountain and trees, but the soft whisper of waves breaking on the beach behind the house reminded her that this place truly was a paradise of both worlds.
    “You ready?”
    Tate’s question startled her. He stood by the