Read Online Fairy Tale Weddings by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online

Cinderella expected?”
    Cindy nodded because speaking was impossible. She leaned forward enough to rest her head on her aunt’s shoulder.
    â€œAnd now?” The older woman probed.
    â€œAnd now Cinderella realizes what a terrible fool she was because at midnight she turned back into plain, simple Cindy Territo.” A tear scorched her cheek and her arms circled her aunt’s neck. Just as she had as a child, Cindy needed the warmth and security of her aunt’s love.
    â€œMy darling girl, you are neither plain nor simple.”
    Cindy sniffled and sadly shook her head. “Compared to other women he knows, I am.”
    â€œBut he liked you.”
    â€œHe probably thought I was a secretary.”
    â€œNevertheless, he must’ve been impressed to have spent the evening in your company. Does it matter so much if you’re a secretary or a cleaning woman?”
    â€œUnfortunately, it does.”
    â€œIt seems to me that you’re selling your prince short,” her aunt said soothingly, stroking Cindy’s hair. “If he’s everything you said, it wouldn’t matter in the least.”
    Cindy said nothing. She couldn’t answer her aunt’s questions. Her own doubts were overwhelming.
    â€œDo you plan to see him again?” Theresa asked, after a thoughtful moment.
    Cindy closed her eyes. “Never,” she whispered.
    Â 
    Monday morning Thorne walked into his office fifteen minutes before he usually did. Ms. Hillard, his secretary, looked up from her desk, revealing mild surprise that her boss was early.
    â€œGood morning, Ms. Hillard. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
    His secretary’s mouth dropped open. “It’s barely above freezing and they’re forecasting a snowstorm by midafternoon.”
    â€œI love snow,” Thorne continued, undaunted.
    Ms. Hillard rolled out her chair and stood. “Are you feeling all right, sir?”
    â€œI’m feeling absolutely wonderful.”
    â€œCan I get you some coffee?”
    â€œPlease.” Thorne strolled toward his desk. “And contact Wells in Human Resources, would you?”
    â€œRight away.” A minute later she delivered his coffee. The red light on his phone was lit, and Thorne sat down and reached for the receiver.
    â€œThis is Thorndike Prince,” he began in clipped tones. “Would you kindly check your files for the name Cindy . She works on the executive floor. I’d like her full name and the office number.”
    â€œCindy?” the director repeated.
    â€œUnfortunately, I don’t have her surname.”
    â€œThis may take some time, Mr. Prince. I’ll have to call you back.”
    Thorne thumped his fingers against his desk in an effort to disguise his impatience. “I’ll wait to hear from you.” He replaced the receiver and leaned back in his chair, holding his mug of coffee in both hands. He gazed out the window and noted for the first time the dark, angry clouds that threatened the sky. A snowstorm, Ms. Hillard had said. Terrific! He’d take Cindy for a walk in the falling snow and warm her with kisses. They’d go back to the park and feed the pigeons and squirrels, then head over to his apartment and drink mulled wine. He’d spent one restless day without her and he wasn’t about to waste another. His head was bursting with things he wanted to tell her, things he found vitally important to share. Today he’d learn everything he could about her. Once he knew everything, he’d take her in his arms and tell her the magic hadn’t stopped working. The spell she’d cast on him hadn’t faded and it wouldn’t. If anything, it had grown stronger.
    The phone rang, and he jerked the receiver off its cradle. “Prince here.”
    â€œThis is Jeff Wells from HR.”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œSir—” he paused and cleared his throat “—I’ve checked all our