Taking Charge Read online

Chelle gave him a playful shove. “You will pay for that one.”

  “Bring it on,” Mason said with a laugh.

  David groaned.

  All smiles, Lucy hugged him while watching Chelle and Mason. “Our friends are crazy, but I love them.”

  David kissed the top of Lucy’s head. “Me too.”

  Mason handed the envelope over to David and said, “I heard you didn’t have plans for your honeymoon yet. I have a yacht ready and waiting in Galveston with instructions to tour the Caribbean for two weeks.”

  “Really?” Lucy squealed happily. “Mason, that is too generous. David, we’re going away on a yacht!” She rushed over and hugged Chelle, then Mason. “I can’t believe you would do this for us.”

  Mason made a face. “There’s only one thing you should know. I meant to change the name of it, but haven’t had a chance to yet. It’s called Little Fucker. It was a joke from when I was younger. I could see if I can have something done fast if it’ll be a problem.”

  “Little Fucker?” David repeated, remembering the toy that Lucy had affectionately, officially given that nickname to the second time they’d used it. He winked at Lucy. Life had a way of circling back, and this time with a wicked sense of humor. He liked it. “Sounds like our kind of yacht.”

  Lucy blushed, but she agreed with a naughty smile that meant she knew what he was thinking and completely agreed.

  Acknowledgments

  I am so grateful to everyone who was part of the process of creating Taking Charge. Special thanks to the following:

  My very patient beta readers. You know who you are. Thank you for kicking my butt when I need it.

  My editors: Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, Marion Archer, and Krista Stroever.

  My Roadies for making me smile each day when I log on to my computer. So many of you have become friends. Was there life before the Roadies? I’m sure there was, but it wasn’t as much fun.

  My husband, Tony, who is a saint—simple as that. I don’t know how I’d meet a deadline without him.

  About the Author

  Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of eleven children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, and New York before coming full circle and moving back to Rhode Island. She now lives in Massachusetts. Before turning her attention to writing, Ruth was an educator for twenty years, eleven of which she spent as a kindergarten teacher. She is the author of over twenty novels, including Bedding the Billionaire, which was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Taking Charge follows Tycoon Takedown; Taken, Not Spurred; and Taken Home as the fourth book in the Lone Star Burn series. Learn about Ruth’s new releases and sales by signing up for her newsletter at www.RuthCardello.com/Signup.