Tiffany Snow - Point of No Return

“I’m content, Kat,” he assured her, lifting a hand to cup her soft cheek. “You’ve given Kade so much—a life he never would have had without you. You saved my brother. If I didn’t already love you, I would for that. Things have a way of . . . working out.”

Kat’s expression eased and Blane folded her into a hug, savoring the fleeting moment when she was in his arms. They stayed like that until that twinge inside him said any longer would be unwise, then he let her go.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said, squeezing her hand. He smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “Though I won’t pretend I don’t like it when you do.”

Her lips lifted in an answering smile. “I always worry about you,” she admitted.

“I’m fine,” Blane said easily, dismissing her concern though a part of him was pleased. “You’d better go. Your husband’s going to think you forgot about him.”

Kat nodded and took a step toward the door, then turned back to him. Rising on her toes she pressed her lips to his in a quick kiss, then another. Her palm cupped his jaw as she looked into his eyes.

“You’re a good man,” she whispered, her blue gaze intent on his.

Blane was too stunned to say or do anything, and a moment later she was pulling open the front door and hurrying to the waiting car. He stood in the doorway and watched as the SUV pulled away from the house, heading into the falling snow as they drove down the road.

Blane’s lips tingled from her touch, her words echoing in his mind.

A good man.

Blane knew his life would have turned out much differently had he not met Kathleen. No doubt he’d be married to Kandi by now, miserable, possibly following in his father’s footsteps and cheating on his wife, living for his ambitions and neck-deep in whatever illegal and unethical machinations his uncle would have trapped him in. It was because of Kat and the changes she’d wrought in him and in his life that Blane could still claim he had honor and integrity.

A good man, she’d said.

Blane smiled. Yes, he’d take that.

Closing the door against the snow and the cold, he headed back down the hall, to the warmth of the library, and the woman who awaited him there.

By the time we got home the boys were barely conscious for us to wrestle them into their pajamas and tuck them into bed. Lana was out like a light as I tugged her tights and dress off, pulling on her footed pajamas. I kissed the top of her head, then settled her into the crib on her tummy. She immediately drew her knees up underneath her, sticking her bottom in the air and wedging her fist in her mouth.

Finally, it was still and silent in the house and I went in search of my husband.

I found Kade sitting in the living room, gazing past the brightly lit Christmas tree to the large picture windows beyond. Big, fat snowflakes were falling, adding to the snow already on the ground.

“That’s beautiful,” I sighed, standing next to him. He pulled me down to sit on his lap and I rested my head on his shoulder. Together, we watched the snow fall. It was like a scene out of a fairy tale, and it got me thinking of how we’d gotten here from where we’d begun. Our fairy tale, mine and Kade’s, had been filled with betrayals and blood, villains and victims. But love had flourished, too, and trust, which in the end had overcome all the rest.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” I said after a while. “You know, if I had it to do over again.” I glanced up at him. “Would you?”

Kade’s hand moved to tangle in my hair, the strands slipping through his fingers.

“No,” he said at last. “Somehow, even with all the mistakes I made, I got the girl. So no, I wouldn’t change anything.”

His words brought Blane to mind again. He’d said he was content, but maybe he’d just sought to reassure me. Kade would know the truth.

“Do you think he’s happy?” I asked. I didn’t have to specify who I meant. We both knew.

Kade took a deep breath, his brow furrowing slightly as he thought. “I think,” he said slowly, “that Blane’s life . . . is exactly what he wants it to be.”

Suddenly, I realized just how understanding Kade had been over the years, sharing me and our family with Blane. He had never protested or so much as hinted that he had any problem with Blane being around me or the kids. It was a testament of Kade’s love for Blane, and for me.

“I love you,” I said, reaching up to brush a lock of his dark hair from his forehead.

His smirk remained as he raised an eyebrow. “I know.”

Then he kissed me, the taste of him and the feel of his lips against mine pushing away thoughts of everyone and everything else. His hands cupped my jaw as he cradled me in his arms, my fingers undoing the buttons of his shirt to press against the warm skin underneath.

Kade suddenly stood and my legs automatically locked around his waist. His hands cupped my rear, supporting my weight as he climbed the stairs to our bedroom, and he made love to me on Christmas night while our babies slept in their beds and the snow fell outside.

And it may have been a rocky road getting there, but I wouldn’t have traded my happily-ever-after for anything.

The End

Thank you to my wonderful husband, Tim—the finest man I’ve ever known—and my daughters, Erica and Savannah. Your support and love have made my life a dream come true.

Thank you to my editor, Maria Gomez, for your patience and willingness to push me. Thank you for always telling me the truth and loving Kathleen as much as I do.

Thank you to my betas—Leslie and Nicole. Your enthusiasm for Blane, Kade, and Kathleen have given me the will to continue when I was sure it was absolute crap. I don’t know how I would have gotten through the series without your unwavering encouragement.

Thank you to Jennifer Armentrout for your pull-no-punches advice and ability to read really, really fast.

Thank you to Alexandra Ivy for being the shoulder to lean on when I was going out of my mind.

Thank you to my sister, Tonya, for being proud of me and telling me so.

Thank you to my fabulous Snow Angels! I so appreciate your tireless working to spread the word about this series and hook more readers. I love you all!

Last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to Montlake and all the people who work there. I’m grateful for your commitment to The Kathleen Turner Series and for doing all you can to make it the best it can possibly be.

Tiffany Snow has been reading romance novels since she was too young to read romance novels. After fifteen years working in the Information Technology field, Tiffany now works her dream job of writing full time.

Tiffany makes her home in the Midwest with her husband and two daughters. She can be reached at tiffany@tiffanyasnow.com. Visit her on her website, www.Tiffany-Snow.com, to keep up with the latest in The Kathleen Turner Series and her other projects.