by Linda Warren
Jonas was making a difference in the small town. With pressure from him, Sheriff Fisher retired and a younger, more aggressive sheriff took his place. The drug-dealing on Fifth Street was cleaned up. Jonas talked Mick into retiring and had helped him turn Mick’s Tavern into a malt shop and game room for the kids of Hope—which Mick’s daughter operated. Jonas poured money into the school system and funded special classes—two nights a week—to teach English to the Mexicans who wanted to stay and work in this country. Gail ran the program.
Abby smiled, thinking of everything Jonas had accomplished. Then she heard his motorcycle and ran for the front door.
She watched as he parked the bike, removed his helmet and grinned at her. Her heart raced. His hair was still sun-bleached and curled into his collar.
“Need a ride, ma’am?” The grin deepened.
She lifted an eyebrow. “My husband doesn’t let me ride with just anyone.”
“Smart man.”
“Hmm,” she sighed, moving around the bike to his side. “He’s also terrific, kind, generous, com—”
The word was smothered against her lips, as he pulled her close and kissed her. She leaned into him returning the kiss with the urgency that always overwhelmed her when they touched.
“Hey, you two, this is a public street,” Brenda called as she was about to get into her van.
Abby and Jonas smiled at her.
“Remember dinner tomorrow night at our house,” Brenda said.
“We’ll be there,” Jonas replied.
Brenda waved as she drove away.
Jonas put his hands around Abby’s waist and rested his forehead against hers. “If you’re through for the day, I thought we’d hit the highway for a while.”
“That sounds wonderful, but I had a special evening planned in the apartment.” Although they had renovated and moved into the mansion three years ago, they used the apartment when they didn’t want to be interrupted.
“Oh, so that’s what Rosa’s been doing at the apartment all afternoon. I thought she was cleaning.”
“No, she’s preparing a special meal for us.”
His hands moved up her back. “I know it’s not our anniversary or your birthday or mine. Did I forget an occasion?”
“No, I just wanted us to have some time alone to talk.”
“Don’t we do that every night?”
She played with the hair on his neck. “This is different.”
“Hmm.” He kissed her again. “Sounds serious.”
“In a way, it is,” she admitted. “I have something I want to talk about and it’s important.”
“Then, that’s what we’ll do,” he said, reaching for the helmet on the handlebars and handing it to her. “We’ll take a ride around Hope before going home. Okay?”
“Okay.” She smiled as she climbed onto the back of the bike. Within minutes they were flying through Hope. Abby held on tightly to Jonas and hoped the evening would end the way she’d planned.
They walked hand in hand up the stairs to the apartment. Rosa, a short, plump lady, was putting some finishing touches to the table, which was set with linen, candles and flowers.
“Wow,” Jonas said. “This must be a special evening.”
Rosa wiped her hands on her apron. “Everything’s ready, ma’am.” She moved toward the door. “I’ll be back later to clean up.”
“No,” Abby said. “You go home to your family. I’ll clean up. I appreciate you doing this on such short notice.”
“Thanks, ma’am,” Rosa said, and disappeared out the door.
Abby went into Jonas’s waiting arms. “I’m not hungry for food at the moment,” she said, pulling the shirt from his jeans.
“When you touch me, I’m never hungry for food.” He kissed her neck, then swung her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Slowly they undressed, savoring each movement, each caress. Their lovemaking was intense and powerful because they knew how to please and satisfy one another. It always felt to Abby like the first time; the wonder, the joy and immense pleasure. She treasured this love, this man.
A long time later Abby lay in Jonas’s arms feeling content and happy, but she knew they had to talk.
He kissed her hair. “What did you want to talk about?”
She sat up and faced him. It was now or never. “I wanted to talk about babies.”
He looked surprised. “Babies?”
“Our baby,” she corrected.
“Okay,” he said, and also sat up.
“I know we agreed to wait because we weren’t ready and we had so much going on in our lives.” She rushed on. “But I’ll soon be thirty-five and you’ll be forty.”
“What are you saying?”
She took a breath. “I’m saying I’m ready for a baby.”
“And you’re worried that I might not be?”
“Something like that.”
He cupped her face and smoothed the worried lines with his thumbs. “Don’t you know by now that I’d do anything you want. If you wanted the stars from the sky, I’d try to find a way to give them to you.”
She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. “I know,” she whispered. “But I want you to want a baby as much as I do.”
“Abby, Abby,” he murmured softly. “I’ve come a long way in four years. You’ve taught me more about love since I’ve met you than I’ve known in my whole life. And now I’m ready to share that love with…our baby.”
“Oh, Jonas.” She kissed him deeply, and there was silence for a while.
Finally, Jonas spoke against her lips. “And think of all the fun we’ll have trying. You’ll probably call me in the middle of the day and tell me to meet you at the apartment because it’s your fertile time and your temperature’s just right.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Since I’ve been having a problem with the pill, we haven’t been too careful.” She tried to find the right words.
He watched her for a moment. “Abby, are you trying to tell me something?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Her eyes met his. “I’m…pregnant.”
A smile split his face. The biggest smile she’d ever seen.
“Pregnant? You’re pregnant?” he whispered, as if he was afraid to say the words out loud.
She nodded, tears filling her eyes, because she could see the joy in his. Everything was going to be fine. Jonas was ready.
“Abby, oh Abby.” He pulled her to him, his hands sliding over her and coming to rest on her flat abdomen. “A baby? We’re having a baby?”
“Yes.” She laughed through the tears. “I found out this morning, and I’ve been dying to tell you all day, but I knew you had that buyer’s meeting and lunch this morning and a bank meeting this afternoon. I didn’t want to tell you and then leave. I wanted us to be together in case…”
He kissed her again. “I’m sorry you were worried, but I’m thrilled. Oh God, I’m ecstatic.”
She threw her arms around him, and they fell backward on the bed. “I love you, Jonas,” she cried as she kissed him fiercely.
“I love you, too,” he breathed between kisses.
She knew then that whatever life had in store for them, they would face it together.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8190-9
ON THE TEXAS BORDER
Copyright © 2002 by Linda Warren.
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