by Judy Duarte
Ellie sat at her desk, her back to the doorway, the telephone receiver pressed to her ear.
“It’s an invasion of privacy,” she snapped, “and it’s an example of low-life quasi journalism.”
Steven took a repentant step back, planning to shut the door quietly and slip off without her noticing when her chair turned and he saw her expression and realized she was clearly disturbed, if not angry.
He assumed it was due to his unannounced arrival until her chair turned again and she spoke directly into the receiver. “I’m canceling my subscription, and you’d better hope that’s all I do.” Then she slammed down the phone, ending the call without saying goodbye.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you. The door was open, but I should have knocked.”
Ellie let out an unladylike sound and waved him in. Then she handed him the newspaper and pointed to an article in the gossip column.
After reading it, he realized why she’d called the paper to complain. “Who wrote that crap?”
“An anonymous junior reporter, I was told. But check out the picture of the columnist on the top. It was probably taken ten years or more ago and Photoshopped, but I know exactly who wrote it.”
He did too. He recognized the woman in the photo. The rude, loudmouth brunette they’d seen in San Antonio.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“And I’m furious. I ought to make the official announcement and get it over with. But I’d hate to have a bad decision I made a year and a half ago dog me all over town.”
He figured she was referring to the day she’d met the father of her baby. “How long are you going to beat yourself up for misjudging someone’s character?”
“As long as it takes.”
He wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but her frustration was evident when she combed her fingers through her hair, only to make a cute mess of the tidy topknot she wore in professional situations.
“I offered you a solution,” he said. “Are you going to take me up on it?”
Ellie pushed her chair away from the desk, got to her feet and crossed her arms. “As much as I appreciate the kindness behind it, I can’t marry you. I’m not going to saddle you with a wife and child.”
“It would only be temporary. Besides, we’re friends, right? You wouldn’t be a burden.”
“Don’t you think marriage is a good way to ruin a friendship?”
“I won’t let it,” he said. “I give you my word.”
She furrowed her brow—pondering his offer, he hoped.
“Ellie,” he continued, “I really like you. And even when we bump heads about one thing or another, I respect you. Believe me when I say that I don’t want to lose that. I give you my word, when this is all over, we’ll still be friends—maybe even better ones than we are now.”
“You make it sound so easy. But it’s a wild and crazy solution.” She slowly shook her head, but stopped abruptly. She blinked a couple of times. Her breath caught, and she paled. Then she placed both hands on her desk, bracing herself.
Steven hurried toward her, watching her sway, and reached her just as she crumpled against his side.
He glanced at the phone, prepared to hold her tight with one hand while dialing 9-1-1. The fire department was just down the street. It wouldn’t take paramedics long to get here.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his heart pounding like a jackhammer at a construction site.
“I...feel a little...faint.”
That was normal, right? Something pregnant women experienced all the time? Nothing to be concerned about?
He helped her take a seat. “Let me get you some water. Are you going to be okay if I leave you sitting there?”
“I’ll be fine. I just got a little light-headed. That’s all.”
“No, that’s not all. The stress is getting to be too much, and your body is rebelling. You’ve got to relieve some of the pressure, and I suggested a way for you to do that. Wait here. I’ll be back.”
Moments later, Steven returned with a disposable cup filled with water. He handed it to her, then knelt at her feet, watching until she drank half of it.
“Thanks.” She managed a weak smile and set the cup on the desk.
“You’re welcome. But just for the record, Ellie, I asked you a question. And I’m not going to take no for an answer.”
She didn’t respond right away, but by the look of resignation in her eyes, he could tell she was about to agree. That is, until she gazed at the open doorway and gasped. Her expression morphed into one of mortification.
Steven glanced over his shoulder and spotted an older Hispanic couple standing in the doorway, their brows furrowed, their eyes clearly troubled.
“Papa,” Ellie said, her voice soft. “Mama.”
Damn. What were her parents doing here? She clearly hadn’t expected to see them. Had they read the gossip page in the newspaper and connected the dots?
Steven had no idea what thoughts were running through their minds, but he wasn’t going to remain on his knees. He got to his feet, rose to his full height and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez. We haven’t been formally introduced, but I’m Steven Fortune, one of the owners of Fortune Brothers Construction.”
“I know who you are,” Ellie’s father said. “Most people in town do. And they’re aware of the business you’ve brought to town. But they’re not all happy about it.”
Whether the older man was for or against the new businesses that had popped up, he didn’t say. He merely looked Steven up and down, assessing him. Or maybe he was assessing the awkward situation he’d just walked in on—his daughter pale and uneasy, a man kneeling beside her.
“Ellie is an amazing woman,” Steven said. “And she’s a good mayor. The townspeople love her. You must be very proud of her.”
Mr. Hernandez didn’t speak, but his wife did. “Ellie has been nothing but a joy and a delight. She’s been a real blessing to our family. We’ve always been proud.”
“And up until today,” Mr. Hernandez said, “she’s never kept any secrets from us.”
Steven glanced at Ellie, who appeared to be a little too overwhelmed to speak. And why wouldn’t she be? First she’d read that shocking article, then she’d had the argument with the newspaper editor. She’d nearly fainted after that. And now her parents had arrived, their moods not difficult to discern.
“Mija,” Mr. Hernandez said, “I can see what’s going on in here.”
“I know it looks a little odd, Papa, but I can explain. Steven stopped by city hall unexpectedly, and...” She looked first to Steven then back to her father, whose face had reddened to the point he might explode.
“Stopped by to what?” Mr. Hernandez asked. “Do all your constituents kneel at your feet, pressing you for an answer?”
She sucked in a deep breath. “Steven isn’t just a constituent, Papa. He’s my f—”
When she paused, Steven stepped in to help her out. “I’m her fiancé. I asked her to be my wife, and she agreed.”
Chapter Ten
Ellie hadn’t wanted to go along with Steven’s scheme, but she’d just fallen into it. Now here she was, sitting behind the mayor’s desk, nodding in agreement like a dumbstruck schoolgirl rather than a competent city leader.
“You’re engaged?” Papa asked, his voice sharp, his brow furrowed. “And you haven’t even introduced your mother and me to the man?”
Mama eased a step closer, her soft brown eyes wounded. “Why didn’t you? Were you ashamed of us?”
“Oh God. No, Mama. I’ve never been ashamed of you! I never will be. It’s just that...” Flustered, Ellie shot a tight-lipped frown at Steven that all but said, You and your big ideas. Now what?
As if reading her thoughts, Steven placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Ellie and I wanted to surprise
you.”
“When?” Papa remained in the doorway, his shoulders straight, his chest expanded, his expression a cross between anger and disappointment. “After the wedding?”
“Later today,” Steven said.
Papa shot Steven a look of disapproval. “My wife and I don’t run in the same wealthy, highfalutin social circles as you, so I don’t know how you people handle things. But in my family, in my culture, a man is expected to approach a young woman’s father first and ask for his blessing.”
“I’m sorry, sir. You’re right. I should have done that.” The contrite expression Steven wore was one Ellie hadn’t seen before. She rather liked it today, especially since his crazy idea had just blown up in his face. Hers, too. Yet at the same time, sympathy fluttered in her heart and up to her throat.
“Steven planned to ask for my hand, Papa. But things happened rather quickly. I’m afraid it’s a little complicated.”
Papa nodded at her desk, where the newspaper lay open to the gossip column. “I can see how things got complicated.”
Guilt warmed Ellie’s cheeks. Her parents had read the morning paper and then they’d marched right over to city hall to ask her if it was true.
“Are you really expecting a baby?” Mama asked.
Ellie tried to hold her head up while kicking herself for not telling them sooner. “Yes, it’s true. I’m so sorry you had to find out like this.”
“When were you going to tell us?” Mama asked, her eyes watering.
Soon. Maybe tonight. But before Ellie could respond, Iris, the lobby receptionist, peered around her father’s back and said, “Excuse me. I don’t mean to interrupt.”
Ellie cringed. How long had she been standing there? How much had she heard? “What do you need, Iris?”
“I wanted to remind you of that meeting at the water district this morning. It’s at eleven.”
Ellie didn’t forget meetings, although that one might have slipped her mind today. “Thanks. I didn’t forget. It’s on my calendar.”
Iris scanned Ellie’s office, taking in the three people who stood in the room while Ellie sat at her desk. “Is everything okay?”
Heck no. Ellie’s fairy-tale life had taken another hit. A big one. And she didn’t want the Rambling Rose rumor mill getting wind of it. “Everything is fine, Iris. Please close the door on your way out.”
The friendly—sometimes overly so—receptionist took a step back. “Oh. Of course.”
When the office door snapped shut, Steven cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez, this is partially my fault.”
Papa chuffed. “Partially?”
Undaunted, Steven continued. “Ellie wanted to tell me about the baby before she told you, but we hadn’t been dating very long. We’d also kept it on the down low for political reasons. And even though we had strong feelings for each other, she wasn’t sure how I’d feel about her pregnancy—or how she wanted to break the news to me. So she’s been dragging her feet.”
“How do you feel about it?” Mama asked him.
“I’ll admit, the baby took us both a little by surprise. But I’m happy. We both are. In fact, I got on bended knee and proposed just before you two arrived.”
Mama looked first at Ellie, then at Steven. “Have you set a date?”
“Not yet,” Steven said, “but under the circumstances, I don’t think we should wait very long.”
“The sooner the better, I’d say.” Papa raked a hand through his thinning gray hair.
“A wedding takes time to plan.” Mama took another step into the room. “You’ll need a dress. And invitations will need to be ordered. Then there are the flowers. Cake tastings. It can get expensive, mija. But don’t worry. We’ve been setting money aside to pay for your wedding, just like we did for college. It’s there for you now.”
Another pang of guilt struck Ellie. Her parents had been saving and going without vacations, new cars and God only knew what else to provide for what they assumed would be a special day. “Thank you, Mama. I promise not to use it all. It’s going to be a small wedding. Just family and a few close friends.”
Papa chuffed. “The Fortune family alone will take up the entire church.”
Mama had softened and gotten on board, but Papa was clearly not happy and still had a long way to go. If this was his reaction to a fiancé on one knee, how would he have reacted if she’d faced him without a husband in sight and told him she was pregnant?
“Will you let me help you plan it?” Mama asked.
“Of course. I’d love that. Daria is going to be my maid of honor. So the three of us can plot and shop together. It’ll be fun.”
Mama’s sweet smile offset the tension in the room. “I can’t wait. I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time. I’ve also dreamed of holding a grandbaby in my arms. When is it due? Have you seen a doctor yet?”
Ellie smiled, happy to have her mother’s full support. “The baby is due in mid-August, and the doctor said everything is going well. I have another appointment next week. Would you like to go with me?”
“I’d love that!” Mama turned to Papa, her eyes watery but bright. “Mi amor. We’re going to be abuelitos. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Papa let out a humph, announcing that he wasn’t as delighted as Mama. At least, not now. He could be tough at times, but he had a good heart.
“I can’t wait to tell my bunco group,” Mama said. “They’ll want to throw a shower for you. Actually, two of them. One for the wedding and then for the baby.”
Ellie looked at Steven, wishing they could speak telepathically. If they could, she’d tell him that his solution to her problem had gotten way out of hand. And now she felt like Sandra Bullock onboard that runaway bus with Keanu Reeves. She just hoped that the two of them would end up living through it all and saving the other unwitting passengers.
Like Keanu, Steven might be a gorgeous, sexy hunk. But that didn’t mean he could help her save the day. They’d have to talk more later, when they were alone and could put their heads together to slow the bus and steer it in a better direction.
“Mama,” Ellie said, “for political reasons, I’m not ready for the news to leak out until I have a solid game plan in place. So would you and Papa please keep it to yourselves for a few days?”
“Of course, although it’s going to be hard to keep quiet. It’s all so exciting.”
Papa didn’t look too excited, but hopefully, after Mama worked on him and he had a chance to cool down, he’d come around.
“By the way,” Ellie said, “you didn’t ask, but I found out two weeks ago that the baby is a boy.”
Mama lifted her hands to her face, placed them together as if in prayer, then she gave a muffled little clap and turned to Papa. “Did you hear that, George? We’re having a grandson. Now you’ll have someone to take fishing. Maybe he’ll help you fix up that old car you’ve been storing in the garage.”
Papa had wanted to restore that 1973 Bronco for ages, but since he couldn’t seem to tell his boss at the auto repair shop that he was going to retire, Mama had feared it would sit there for years.
Ellie got up from the desk chair, slowly and carefully so she wouldn’t risk getting light-headed again. Then she crossed the office to embrace each of her parents. “I love you both so much. I hope I haven’t disappointed you too badly.”
“We were a little taken aback at first,” Mama said. “But we’re not disappointed. Are we, George?”
Papa offered up a smile. “No, Ellie. You’ve always made us proud.” Then he turned and eyed Steven carefully. “You’re the one who’d better not disappoint me, young man.”
“I won’t, sir.”
Steven’s lie didn’t sit well with Ellie. When the time came for them to announce their divorce, Papa wouldn’t be pleased at all.
She glanced at the clock on the wall. “I hate t
o rush everyone off, but I have a meeting at eleven. Can we talk more about this later?”
“Yes, of course.” Mama kissed Ellie’s cheek. “Call me tonight after you talk to Daria. Then we can plan our first shopping trip.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Mr. Hernandez,” Steven said, drawing her father’s attention. He extended his arm, and Papa, thankfully, took his hand to shake. “You’ve raised a fine daughter, and we both have the utmost respect for you. When the baby gets here, we’re going to name him George.”
Papa blinked back his surprise. Or was it a tear welling his eye? “That would...” He cleared his throat. “That’d be... Well, I’m honored.”
Ellie had known her father wouldn’t stay angry very long, and he seemed to be feeling better about the situation already, which was a huge relief. At least the hardest part of the announcement had been made. And tomorrow morning, she’d call a press conference and ask Steven to stand beside her.
His phony marriage plan wasn’t going to work out in the long run, but they were too deep into the pretense to change course now. Still, she wasn’t looking forward to facing the community.
George and Alma Hernandez weren’t the only Rambling Rose residents who read the San Antonio newspaper, and not all of them were on Team Fortune. At Mariana’s Market, Jackson had implied that Ellie was a traitor for fraternizing with the Fortunes. So news of their upcoming marriage might not go over very well. And when everyone learned she was pregnant, they’d conclude that she’d actually slept with the enemy, even though she and Steven had barely kissed.
On the upside, Ellie always had been able to charm the press, as well as the community at large. So she wasn’t overly worried, especially if Steven was at her side.
If he could handle Papa, the rest of the town would be a piece of cake.
* * *
After Ellie hurried to her meeting at the water district, Steven left city hall and returned to his office at Fortune Brothers Construction, where he spent the afternoon going over spreadsheets and blueprints, meeting with the accountant, and then taking part in several lengthy conference calls.
