Twins times two! Read online

  Cara had to give the twins credit. They'd wanted an outdoor birthday party where they could invite everyone they knew. Cara had tried to talk them out of it, citing the cold, but the girls had insisted. As if sensing the importance of the day, the weather had cooperated. The sun shone from a cloudless sky, and the temperatures hovered in the balmy forties.

  From somewhere in the other room, a door

  246 Twins Times Two!

  slammed, and children squealed as kids ran in and out of the family room where they could help themselves to hot chocolate or roast hot dogs over the fire. Balloons had been tied to every available surface and Mom Squad employees distributed ice cream and cake to the guests. Returning her attention to the twins, who were opening presents at the dining room table, Cara smiled as Zoe, Heidi, Becca and Brianne took turns unwrapping their gifts and proudly related to their friends how theirs was a special family just like those in the fairy tales.

  Cara blinked at the tears that gathered behind her eyes at the girls' innocent remarks. If she needed a sign that the children were as happy as she, Cara had just been given one.

  Returning to the stove, she stirred the pot of hot cocoa simmering on the back burner. She'd been there only a moment when a pair of strong arms slid around her middle.

  "What's the matter, sweetheart?"

  She smiled. She would never tire of Ross's open affection—just as she would never tire of his touch.

  "Not a thing," she murmured, leaning into his embrace.

  "Happy?"

  "Incredibly happy."

  Ross held her even more tightly against him, and she felt his lips brushing her hair. When his hand dropped to tenderly stroke the soft swell of her abdomen, she smiled.

  "Is it time to make our own announcement to the guests?"

  Cara blushed in delight and embarrassment, but since the twins had asked them time and time again for a baby brother, she saw no way to avoid the inevitable.

  Flipping off the heat on the stove, she was about to join the rest of the guests when Ross turned her in his arms.

  Her breath caught in her throat when she caught a glitter of tears in his eyes.

  "I love you, Cara," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "I never thought I could love like this again. I never thought that I could be so blissfully happy and complete."

  Throwing her arms around his neck, Cara clung to Ross, tearfully agreeing. Her life, her home and her future happiness were wrapped up in the heartstrings of her husband and her children. Granted, they'd had a rocky beginning, but she had no regrets for the events that brought them together, only a sweet assurance that they were always meant to be together.

  "I love you, Ross Gifford," she whispered.

  248 Twins Times Two!

  He looked down at her, his eyes radiant and warm. And in that instant she knew that whatever life had in store for them, they would always have this. A love that would last forevermore.

  There's a baby on the way!

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  Unis year we are celeoratinq

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  To enten please write, in, 250 words or less, how wearing the Harlequin wedding gown will make your wedding day special. The entry will be judged based on its emotionally compelling nature, its originality and creativity, and its sincerity. This contest is open to Canadian and U.S. residents only and to those who are 18 years of age and older.There is no purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. See further contest rules attached. Please send your entry to:

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  The deadline for entries is October 1, 200 1.

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  HARLEQUIN WALK DOWN THE AISLE TO MAUI CONTEST 1197

  OFFICIAL RULES

  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER

  1. To enter, follow directions published in the offer to which you are responding. Contest begins April 2,2001, and ends on October 1,2001. Method of entry may vary. Mailed entries must be postmarked by October 1,2001, and received by October 8,2001.

  2. Contest entry may be, at times, presented via the Internet but will be restricted solely to residents of certain georgraphic areas that are disclosed on the Web site. To enter via the Internet, if permissible, access the Harlequin Web site (www.eHartequin.com) and follow the directions displayed online. Online entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST. on October 1,2001.

  In lieu of submitting an entry online, enter by mail by hand-printing (or typing) on an 87*' x 11" plain piece of paper, your name, address (including zip code), Contest number/name and in 250 words or fewer, why winning a Harlequin wedding dress would make your wedding day special. Mail via first-class mail to: Harlequin Walk Down the Aisle Contest 1197, (in the U.S.) P.O. Box 9076.3010 Wakten Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14269-9076. (in Canada) P.O. Box 637, Fort Erie. Ontario L2A 5X3, Canada. Limit one entry per person, household address and e-mail address. Online and/or mailed entries received from persons residing in geographic areas in which Internet entry is not permissible will be disqualified.

  3. Contests will be judged by a panel of members of the Harlequin editorial, marketing and public relations staff based on the following criteria.

  • Or
iginality and Creativity—50%

  • Emotionally Compelling—25%

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  4. All entries become the property of Torstar Corp. and will not be returned. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, illegible, incomplete, inaccurate, nondelrvered or misdirected mail or misdirected e-mail, for technical, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any human error which may occur in the receipt or processing of the entries in this Contest.

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  D. L Blair, Inc.. their affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this Contest are not eligible to enter. Taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of winners. Acceptance of any prize ottered constitutes permission to use winners name, photograph or other likeness for the purposes of advertising, trade and promotion on behalf of Torstar Corp, its affiliates and subsidiaries without further compensation to the winner, unless prohibited by law 6 Winners will be determined no later than November 15,2001, and will be notified by mail Winners will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility form within 15 days after winner notification Noncompliance within that time period may result in disqualification and an alternative winner may be selected. Winners of trip must execute a Release of Liability prior to ticketing and must possess required travel documents (e.g. passport photo ID) where applicable. Trip must be completed by November 2002. No substitution of prize permitted by winner Torstar Corp and D. L Blair, Inc., their parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are not responsible for errors in printing or electronic presentation of Contest entries and/or game pieces. In the event of printing or other errors which may result in unintended prize values or duplication of prizes, all affected game pieces or entries shall be null and void. If for any reason the Internet portion of the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Torstar Corp. which corrupt or affect the administration, secrecy, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest Torstar Corp. reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest or the Internet portion thereof. In the event of a dispute regarding an online entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized holder of the e-mail account submitted at the time of entry. Authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization that is responsible for arranging e-mail address for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address Purchase or acceptance of a product offer does not improve your chances of winning.

  7. Prizes: (1) Grand Prize—A Harlequin wedding dress (approximate retail value: $3,500) and a 5-night/6-rJay honeymoon trip to Maui, HI, including round-trip air transportation provided by Maui Visitors Bureau from Los Angeles International Airport (winner is responsible for transportation to and from Los Angeles International Airport) and a Harlequin Romance Package, including hotel accomodations (double occupancy) at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, dinner for (2) two at Swan Court a sunset sail on Kiele V and a spa treatment for the winner (approximate retail value: (4,000); (5) Five runner-up prizes of a $1000 gift certificate to selected retail outlets to be determined by Sponsor (retail value $1000 ea.). Prizes consist of only those items listed as part of the prize. Limit one prize per person. All prizes are valued in U.S. currency.

  8. For a list of winners (available after December 17,2001) send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Harlequin Walk Down the Aisle Contest 1197 Winners, P.O. Box 4200 Blair, NE 68009-4200 or you may access the www.eHarlequin.com Web site through January 15,2002.

  Contest sponsored by Torstar Corp., P.O. Box 9042, Buffalo, NY 14269-9042, U.SA PHWDAC0NT2

  In September 2001 look for

  HIS BROTHER'S FIANCEE

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  Jasmine Cresswell

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  Finders Keepers: bringing families together

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  #889 SURPRISE, DOC! YOU'RE A DADDY! by Jacqueline Diamond American Baby

  After months of searching for her missing husband, Meg Avery finally found him. Only, Dr. Hugh Menton didn't remember her or their child. How could she convince him that the time missing from his memory had been spent in her arms—and that they would never be complete until they embraced once again?

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  Rebecca Martinson was startled to be confronted by Sam Winslow, the man who had adopted her child years ago and now desperately needed her help. Fate had brought her back to the daughter she Id been forced to give away; had it also given her a chance to find love with Sam?