Page 91 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

“He couldn’t have hurt you? Or your reputation?”

He scoffs. “Sweetheart, I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of me. I know who I am and what I stand for. My reputation is just a collective opinion of strangers I’ve never met.” He shrugs.

“You have no idea how alien it is to hear you say that.” After my lifetime of hearing my parents harp about maintaining appearances, it sounds foreign and fantastical to just not care.

“I was so worried he’d ruin you.”

He gazes at me. “He did, for a couple of weeks. I missed you. Knowing you were back with him nearly ruined me.”

“I missed you, too, but I didn’t plan to stay away for good. I knew he’d hunt me down if I tried to stay away. There was no way to stop him from coming again and again, no matter how many times I’d run. My parents would push him to chase after me too.”

“Idiots.”

“He only wanted my money, my trust fund. I’ll get it—or I would have—this winter. My father will likely change it so I never see it.” I shrug. “I want nothing to do with it. The fund, my family, him. I am cutting ties.”

“You already did.”

I nod. “I did when I ran the first time, but knowing that was the end goal Jeremy had his eyes on, I figured I’d give it to him. I’d marry him so he’d stop hunting me, then when the trust fund came, I’d use just enough to divorce him and give him all the money. I’d pay him off for my freedom.”

“You’ll get that trust fund. I’ll see to it.”

“I don’t even want it. I’ll make money somehow. I just want you, for good, without Jeremy looming as a threat over us.” I kiss his hand and he sighs, smiling happily.

“If you want it, it will be there. Mark my words, Jeremy won’t see a cent from you. Neither will your father. I withdrew my investments from his vineyards.”

I gape at him. “You knew my father?”

He nods. “Not that he was your father. Of course, you were awfully hesitant to ever tell me your name.”

I smile, remembering the push-and pull of when we met.

“He stooped so low to offer you to me so long as I stayed invested. I told him to shove that offer elsewhere and withdrew. Your future is your choice, Lauren.”

I grin. “And I know it is you. You’re my future, Caleb.”

“I love you so damn much,” he growls and kisses me hard.

When we part for air, I smile at him, looking forward to all that waits.

“So, we’ll stop to see Marian, then I’ll need to adapt to the East Coast? I never thought I’d be a New Yorker.”

“Hmmm, I can do you one better. I never thought I’d want to stop being a New Yorker.”

I arch my brows, excited to consider the options. “Then what?”

“I was thinking that maybe we could call Goldfinch Ridge our home.”

I squeak in surprise.

“Maybe not full time. I can be a CEO remotely. The Wi-Fi is spotty, and I have a feeling I might want to experience a little wanderlust with you. But don’t you think that would be right?”

“That the bed-and-breakfast is where we should be? Yes!” I cozy into him, kissing his cheek. That place holds a special meaning for both of us.

“I want to buy the property next door to the Goldfinch. We can build a vacation house there, with plenty of space for Marian when she gets older. I think it’s safe to assume you love that lady like I do.”

I nod. “She’s like my fairy godmother.”

“She’s the mother I never had.”

---