Sleeping with Beauty (37 page)

Lucy went a bit pale. The other three laughed.

“We’ll have to work up to that,” Grady said.

Jana grinned and patted Lucy’s shoulder. “Well, when the time comes, I have a stack of books for you.”

Lucy just swallowed hard.

“God, I love you guys,” Jana said, pulling them both in for a clumsy group hug. “Thanks for being there for me through all this. Before and what’s yet to come.”

“Of course,” they both mumbled as she squeezed them tightly. After letting them go, she suddenly yawned hugely. “God, I’m whacked.”

Lucy and Grady immediately got off the bed. “You should get your rest,” Lucy said. “We can come back later.”

Jana settled back among her pillows, the teddy bear hooked in one arm, and her other hand on her tummy. Her eyes were already drooping, but her smile was pure Jana sass. “Yeah, sure. You’re going to go have hours of fantastic hot sex and I’ll be here eating hospital gelatin.”

“Probably not ‘hours,’” Lucy said.

Grady nudged her, and she nudged him back.

“You know,” Jana said, yawning again, “I might live to regret hooking the two of you up.”

“She’s already taking all the credit,” Grady said.

“You bet,” Jana said. “Never argue with a pregnant woman.”

“Yeah, you’ve got about six months to exploit that rule.”

Dave fussed with his wife’s blanket and moved the rolling tray down to the foot of her bed. “She’ll just have a new rule when the baby gets here,” he said.

“True,” Lucy said with a laugh.

Grady slipped his hand in hers as Dave leaned down over his wife and kissed her cheek. She was out before he straightened. He mouthed “Thank you” to the two of them, then settled in the chair beside her bed.

Lucy and Grady took their cue and ducked out of the room.

“So,” Grady said, as they wandered back down the hall toward the elevator, “where to?”

“Is this the ‘Your place or mine’ question?”

“Might be.”

“For how long?”

Grady smiled, then surprised her by ducking inside a door marked
LINENS
. “How long do you have?”

“Grady!” Lucy hissed. “We’re in a hospital ward!”

“Yeah, but I learned something back there in Jana’s room.”

She arched an eyebrow.

Grady scowled. “You know, that plucked-eyebrow thing is like a weapon. Like it’s got a personality all its own.”

Lucy grinned. “Yeah, I’m learning I have a lot of weapons I didn’t know about. First thing Monday, I’m planning on calling the tanning salon and buying a lifetime membership.”

Grady laughed, then tugged her tightly into his arms. “Speaking of lifetimes . . .” And he bent his head and kissed her.

When he finally lifted his head, they were both a little breathless.

“Wow,” Lucy said.

“That’s what I figured out in Jana’s room. That it’s going to take at least a lifetime to do all of that I want.”

Lucy wove her hands around his neck. “A lifetime. Hmm.”

Grady’s expression turned serious. “I love you, Lucy Harper. You’ve always been the most beautiful woman in the world to me. Inside and out.”

Lucy actually felt her heart swell. “I love you, too, Grady Matthews.” Saying it, meaning it the way she did now, wasn’t nearly as scary as she’d thought it would be. In fact, it felt just right. “Vivian was right. It’s all about finding the perfect inner balance. You’ve always been that balance for me, steadying me, being there for me. My sounding board, my friend, my ally, my staunchest supporter.” She grinned. “And now all that and benefits, too!”

He laughed, smoothed the hair from her face. “You do know you’re all those same things for me, don’t you?”

“I do now. Maybe if I’d understood that sooner.” She smiled up at him. “Or maybe I needed to learn about myself first. Things happen when they do for a reason. For Jana. For us.” She tugged his head closer. “And I’m thinking a lifetime sounds just about right.” She kissed him deeply, then sighed as he held her close. “Remind me to send Vivian a thank-you note.”

“Sure,” Grady said, walking her back up against a shelving unit full of towels. “Just as soon as I can stand taking my hands off of you.”

Lucy was the one who flipped the lock on the door. “Vivian would be the first one to approve that sentiment.” Then she ripped his shirt off.

“God bless fairy godmothers everywhere,” Grady said, groaning in pleasure.

Epilogue
                                                                                                                                       

L
ater that evening, after a lovely call from Lucy, Vivian sat on the lanai behind Glass Slipper, Inc., and raised her glass in a silent toast. She was quite satisfied with how everything had turned out. Dessora Claudette would be proud of her most successful assistant.

Vivian downed the shot in one fiery gulp, then smiled with intense satisfaction. Another job well done, yes. But this one was the most satisfying she’d been involved in, in a very long time.

In fact, she felt so invigorated by her success that she decided she deserved a little reward. Her smile was a wicked one. So maybe it wasn’t going to be that little. She deserved that, too. She rose from her quiet spot and went off in search of that gorgeous limo driver. The ever delicious and quite talented Paul. Ah yes, just the way to celebrate a success. The only way, if they asked her. And they often did.

The night was young. And so, at heart—and with the help of a very nice plastic surgeon, a number of other body parts—was she.

A
nd so it came to pass that the knight known as Grady, his heart steadfast and true, swept his lady love Lucy off her feet (and frankly, those four-inch spikes were killing her anyway) and carried her into the sunset of their everlasting love (which looked a lot like his apartment in Alexandria).

Jana and her true love, the valiant (and virile) Dave, became the parents of a bouncing baby boy (and future goalie for the Capitals) known as Benjamin Ross, who was followed two years later by his younger sister (Olympic volleyball hopeful Sasha Lynn), and three years beyond that, by the twins, Drew and Adria. (Who, between them, won a Pulitzer, a Peabody, and an Oscar. But couldn’t sink a foul shot if their collective lives depended on it.)

And last but not ever the least, the godmothers known as Vivian, Aurora, and Mercedes were once again free to look toward the future . . . and did so with great glee. For right around the corner was their next Once Upon a Time. . . .

About the Author
                                                                                                                                       

N
ational bestseller Donna Kauffman resides with her family just outside D.C. in northern Virginia. She recently attended her own high school reunion (we won’t mention which one) relatively unscathed and with only minimal assistance from her local day spa. Okay, so maybe it was more than minimal assistance. But she is proud to say that her yearbook accolade of Best Dancer continues to go unchallenged.

A l s o   b y   D o n n a   K a u f f m a n

Dear Prince Charming

The Cinderella Rules

The Big Bad Wolf Tells All

The Charm Stone

The Royal Hunter

Your Wish Is My Command

Legend of the Sorcerer

The Legend MacKinnon

Yours 2 Keep

with Kay Hooper, Marilyn Pappano,
Jill Shalvis, and Michelle Martin

Praise for delightful novels of

Donna Kauffman

Dear Prince Charming

“
Dear Prince Charming
kept me up all night and left me satisfied in the morning. For pure fun served piping hot, get yourself a book by Donna Kauffman!”

—Vicki Lewis Thompson,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Nerd in Shining Armor

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—Kirkus Reviews

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Dear Prince Charming
may not solve real-life romantic dilemmas, but it will certainly bring a smile to your face.”

—America Online’s Romance Fiction Forum

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Dear Prince Charming
to create an enjoyable, fast, and highly entertaining read.
Prince Charming
will entertain and enchant the reader with its cast of captivating characters, humorous dialogue, and heartfelt romance. For a story that’s guaranteed to find a place on your keeper shelf, grab
Dear Prince Charming
!”

—Romance Reviews Today

“
Dear Prince Charming
is campy, ridiculous fun. Kauffman plays happily with gender stereotypes and sexual chemistry, offering manly men for boys and girls alike. Her zippy prose and direct sensibility are a breeze to read, perfectly suited to romantic comedy. There’a bit of substance to complement the fluff, making for the perfect afternoon read.”

—Contra Costa Times

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—
BestReviews.com

“Kauffman does it again. [
Dear Prince Charming
] is light and fun, filled with zingers and humorous scenes.”

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Dear Prince Charming
is a fun-filled story with characters that will touch your heart and lift your spirits. Filled with a lot of humor, romance, and sensitive situations, the book is a fast read and a perfect solution to a lonely day.”

—Inglewood News

The Cinderella Rules

“Fun banter and sizzling sex.”

—Entertainment Weekly

“Kauffman writes with warmth, wit and swashbuckling energy.”

—Publishers Weekly

“
The Cinderella Rules
is a captivating, modern day fairytale that will delight readers from beginning to end. Well written with humor, passion and a dash of mystery,
The Cinderella Rules
delivers.”

—Romance Reviews Today

“A sexy, spicy romp.”

—Booklist

“Kauffman has written an action-packed, sexy, humorous, intricate story with zany characters who will touch your heart, tickle your funny bone and leave you wanting more. Smart, with sizzling romance and a captivating plot. It will make every woman want to follow
The Cinderella Rules
.”

—Old Book Barn Gazette

The Big Bad Wolf Tells All

“Women everywhere will be taking
Big Bad Wolf
to bed with them. Donna Kauffman writes smart and sexy, with sizzle to spare . . . and no batteries required!”

—Janet Evanovich

“Deftly spun . . . with a zippy style.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Entertaining . . . sure to find an audience with the beach-reading crowd.”

—Booklist

“Humor and suspense . . . fans of Laura Zigman will enjoy this book.”

—Library Journal

“This is one sheepish tale that stands out from the flock of chick-lit patter with a unique zest and fire all its own.”

—Bookpage

The Charm Stone

“Give me more!”

—Linda Howard

The Royal Hunter

“Kauffman . . . anchors her readers with sensuality, humor and compassion.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Action packed adventure, steamy sensuality, and a bewitching plot all come together in a surprising and dramatic ending.”

—Rendezvous

Your Wish is My Command

“Whimsical and sexy!”

—Jennifer Crusie

Legend of the Sorcerer

“Kauffman has written a spellbinding romance that is so hot it near sizzles when the pages are turned . . . a superb book to curl up with and get lost in.”

—New Age Bookshelf

“Kauffman knows how to set our hearts afire with passion and romance.”

—Rendezvous

“Ms. Kauffman is an amazing talent.”

—Affaire du Coeur

The Legend Mackinnon

“Intricately woven together . . . a terrific read.”

—Rendezvous

“A uniquely exciting, captivating and sensational read.”

—Romantic Times