Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Sandy's conscience tugged at her. She bent down, her eyes a little red at the corners. "Tina, sweetheart, if I forced myself to build a family for you, but there's no real love, living in a house like that... I'm not sure you would be happy."

"I'd be happy! I really would!"

Tina's voice was full of conviction. "I know Dad can make you fall in love with him! Then we'll all be one big, happy family, right?"

With her usual cleverness, Tina grabbed her dad's big hand and tried to put it into Sandy's.

But Sandy subtly pulled away. She didn't want to give Tina any false hope when her own heart wasn't in it.

Her long lashes lowered, as if they were wings hiding her true feelings.

Shane felt a chill in his chest. His handsome face looked like it belonged in a walk-in freezer. He pressed his lips together in a thin, straight line, trying to save face as he addressed his daughter, "Hey, your old man's a catch, you know. No need to play matchmaker for me I'm not exactly desperate here. Don't want anyone to feel forced."

"

Sandy could only stand there, awkward and silent at his cold arrogance.

Whitney, standing nearby, nudged Shane's elbow and teased, "Wow, getting rejected stings, huh?"

"

a glare. He was one second away from telling her to take a hike. She was always stirring the pot-whose

of apple pie at the potluck, not

dusted

to toss her out the door. "Whatever. Laugh it up now, but wait till it's your turn in the hot seat with Ludwik. Hope

shot back, surprised to be dragged in. "How about you worry about your own drama first?

"Right back

sure why they

เวน I"

was cle net

least, that's what

felt like.

Whitney was Shane's oldest

herself. Meanwhile, Tina pulled away from her. Her big blue eyes filled with tears, her little face crumpling in disappointment. She

to Mrs. Nelson,

looked so lost and

froze, her heart

started to step

shook her head, eyes brimming with tears. "Mommy,

in Grandpa Gary's