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?"

"

to take a hike. She was always

hottest slice of apple pie at the potluck, not every girl's got a sweet tooth

even dusted his

clenched. He wanted 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 you're as

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

"Right back

bickering, Sandy overheard bits and pieces, not quite sure why they were fighting, but feeling like it was

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was cle net

corner-at least, that's what

felt like.

was Shane's oldest friend. She

big blue eyes filled with tears, her little face crumpling in disappointment. She started to cry, lips trembling. "I'm so sad Grandma Grandpa... Im just so sad. I still don't have a

to Mrs. Nelson, hugging her tightly and sobbing

so lost and

froze, her heart

to step

"Mommy, I... I just want to be

her face in Grandpa Gary's shoulder, refusing