1 PROLOGUE

Leslie Brooks stared at the love of her life as he packed his bags wondering if this was the last time she would ever see him,his vagueness and the uncertainty in his eyes was enough to know that he was lying through his perfect teeth.

The moment he walked into Tropic Island,the bed and breakfast she co-own with her best friend Daniel McGraw,she had known he would totally change her life,forever.

The scraping of wheels on wood brought her back from her reverie, "Richie,at least think of Lizzy,what do you want me to tell her when she asks of you?, why won't you tell me the truth?, what's going on Richard?, what are you keeping away from me?".

The same stiff back,the same downcast eyes and then the heartwarming voice - sweet and cool,the voice she fell in love with - a little different though but still the same voice nonetheless, "Lizzy?, I'll....tell Lizzy I'll definitely be back,for both of you, it's just a business deal my brother couldn't handle on his own. Leslie don't you ever forget how much I love you and only you. You have given me hope,peace,love and a beautiful daughter,what more could I ask for?",the tears pooling on the rim of his eyes was definitely not because of a business deal,she knew it,he knew it and his doctors knew it.

"I'll call you when I get to New York",he whispered, drawing his arms tight around her, " We will Skype and FaceTime, anything you want and I would be back in no time like I never left", Richard buried his tear stained face in her hair. The first thing he noticed when he first set his eyes on her was her hair,bright red,fiery and beautiful,it smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. He had only checked into the cottage lookalike B&B because he was tired from driving and needed a place to rest before he hit the road again to look for a five star hotel-his specialty-but one look at the caramel brown eyed,fiery headed owner and he had succumbed to her innocent seduction. It was love at first sight for both of them.

"Promise me Richard,promise me, You have never had a reason to leave before. Why now?." Leslie clung to him and muttered into his chest just as she sniffed again, "Elizabeth would be devastated".

"I know and that is why I have to leave before Daniel drops her off,but I promise to do anything so you would not feel my absence much,I have to go before Elizabeth...."

The banging of a door,an "Elizabeth,get your diaper ass back here" and then a mini Leslie ran smack into her father's leg.

"Daada,Uncle Dan made me cry", Elizabeth said in-between her father's legs.

"Well,I guess you would have to say good bye yourself",Leslie muttered as she looked into his eyes,"I love you, okay. Let me give you guys some space". She moved out of his hesitant embrace only to be almost knocked over by her daughter in an attempt to climb over her father's legs and into his arms.

"Shit....I mean shoot,I swear I am going to put that lying goddaughter of mine on lockdown", Leslie overhead Daniel grumble as he carried an over full baby bag over his shoulder,she hurried out of the bedroom and into the living room to assist him,"Is everything okay?,you look down".

As quick as quick can be,Leslie brightened up,put on her killer smile and then smirked at him,"Now what has my daughter done to you,I mean you look very miserable right now and do not tell me a two year old child did that to you, and yes everything is fine".

"Good,You wouldn't believe Elizabeth,all through picnic,she would throw me this pathetic look like I took her to see dogs get killed instead of the park and she almost assassinated me with those toys of hers,she was very determined to frustrate me enough so I would bring her home. At first I thought it was the sugar high from her birthday cake and then when she started to cry and scream for her "Dada" everyone started to stare at me like I kicked a puppy,I had to pack up and leave. I almost...",

"Richard is leaving..."

"...what?,what does that mean?,why would he leave?."

"He said business but....I am scared,I am so scared,what if....",and just like,the sob sneaks out of her throat and rack through her body. Daniel draws her close holding her tight as she cries quietly into his shoulder.

"Hey, Richard does not lie,why don't you give him the benefit of the doubt and he will be back,when did he say he would come back?".

"A couple of months,four months tops except I am tied to my desk and chair with chains,which is very unlikely". At the sound of Richard's voice Leslie tears away from Daniel's arms and right into Richard's. " Hey,Sugar, don't cry please, I'll be fine,you will see".

Leslie nods sheepishly and then looks into his stormy eyes only to find love and desire swarming to take first place.

"What did Elizabeth say".

"Well,after she threatened me,she made a whole list of things to buy for her from New York,so I guess my daughter wants me out of her sight", Richard jokes and despite the somber mood every one was in,they all chuckled.

"I love you,My Prince charming".

"Love you more,Sugar".