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?"

"

was one second away from telling her to

up, "Come on, even if you're the hottest slice of apple pie at the potluck,

dusted his shoulder,

Laugh it up now, but wait till it's your turn in the

you worry about your own drama first? No wife, no

"Right back

sure why they were fighting,

เวน I"

was cle net

least, that's

felt like.

then again... Whitney was Shane's oldest friend.

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 real home.

Nelson, hugging her tightly and

so

heart aching terribly.

to step

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

face in Grandpa Gary's shoulder, refusing