He suddenly stopped and sat there panting looking all innocent. Almost like he had understood her. She picked him up and carried him off the beach just as two deputies made their way toward them. “I’m so sorry,” Kimberly said. “He just got away from me.”
“Please, get and stay off the beach before there’s a riot,” a deputy said. “This is the third time I’ve warned you this month.”
“Really, a riot,” Corrine said, her eyes searching the deputy’s badge. “Deputy Danworth, it was an accident.”
“We run a tight ship around here, miss,” he said in an authoritarian voice. His dark skin shone in the sunlight, his tan uniform molded to his muscled frame.
“Oh please, slap me in the cuffs,” Corrine said with a wink.
“Not happening miss. I was referring to the pregnant woman behind you,” he said.
“Now that’s not very nice, and I’ll have you know that she’s the spokes model for our latest perfume, Pretty and Pregnant.”
They laughed. “Who’s going to buy that?” asked Deputy Danworth.
“We have been test marketing the name with good results.”
“You have?” Kimberly wrinkled her nose to stop a sneeze. Deputy Danworth had obviously bathed in Obsession cologne before he reported to duty today. “Since yesterday?”
“Yes, we have quite an email list for women who are in our target market. It seems that women find the name and idea quite fresh and interesting.”
“I thought so too, but... ”
“No buts, dear.” She turned to the deputies. “Unless you plan to write a ticket or haul us to jail, we need to leave and go over the contracts.”
***
“I’m sorry,” Corrine said as she walked into Jeremy’s office with a disheveled Kimberly in tow.
“What happened?” Jeremy asked, noting Kimberly’s hand stroking her abdomen like it hurt.
“Well, Weenie took off on the beach.”
He shook his head. “Again?”
“Yes, and Deputy Danworth was there, again. Corrine told him to write me a ticket!”
“I didn’t either. I just told him we had to leave.”
“Yeah, and hurry with writing the ticket.”
“Was anyone hurt this time?” Jeremy asked.
Kimberly shrugged. “Nope, just a few sand castles.”
Jeremy had to smile. He couldn’t help it. Kimberly looked even more beautiful, disheveled as she was. Whoever had gotten her pregnant and took off was a fool. Before she got pregnant, Kimberly was just the girl who handled the questionnaires for new clients. He hadn’t given her more than a passing glance, but now he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. They say a pregnant woman’s skin glowed and he knew it to be a true statement. Her cheeks glowed pink as the clothing she now wore everyday. Her high heels matching every outfit she wore. He had to resist the urge to twirl a finger around a blond curl when it came loose from her ponytail. She was the perfect candidate for the perfume ads, but he’d make damn sure she stayed right here in Redwater.
Chapter Six
Kimberly took Weenie home and placed him in his kennel. That way no more accidents. Mrs. Peacock nodded at her as she pulled in and she wondered why the sudden appearance at her front yard. Had Mrs. Barry made her gossiping rounds already? She couldn’t worry about it now.
She showered and answered her phone, agreeing to Jeremy’s offer to pick her up for dinner. Kimberly squeezed herself into a pink baby doll dress with white leggings, which barely covered her growing tummy. She swore that her belly grew two sizes since this afternoon. If they didn’t hurry and take the photos, she’d be too big for the camera to capture, she giggled.
There was a knock at the door and Kimberly grabbed her white wallet purse before she answered it. She peeked through the curtains and caught Jeremy smoothing his hair back. A tiny tremor shot through her. This felt too much like a date.
She opened the door and Jeremy beamed at her. “It’s about time. I have been out here a whole hour.”
“Five minutes tops.”
He tapped his watch. “Are you sure?”
Kimberly locked up and followed Jeremy to his car - a silver Mercedes ML350 SUV. “Is this new?” Kimberly asked.
“Sure is. Do you like it?”
“You do realize I chased away the only client you had this week.”
“Of course, dear. Not to worry. Word has it a divorce is around the corner.”
He opened the door and waited for Kimberly to settle herself, securing her into the seatbelt. Kimberly held her breath, but never said a word. When she exhaled it came out in a rush. She struggled to regain her composure before Jeremy sat next to her in the driver’s seat, but even when he had, her heart pounded heavily or was that the baby again?
“It’s getting dark already,” Jeremy pointed out. “You can’t see neon lights that good if it’s daylight.”
Kimberly clasped her hands together. “Does that mean we’re going to Cluck O’Barry’s?”
“Yes, I heard it was one of your favorite places to eat in town.”
“Sure is, I just love the—”
“Company,” he grinned.
She laughed nervously. “I feel like a teenager going on my first date. You said this was business.”
“It is!” he shouted in mock outrage.
“W-Well, I hope so. You wouldn’t take advantage of a pregnant woman, would you?”
“No, I owe you a dinner after how Clare treated you at my house yesterday.”
Kimberly sighed. “She can’t be jealous of me. I’m pregnant for Pete’s sake.”
“She thought she had the advertising deal.”
Kimberly frowned. “Well it wasn’t my doing. I wasn’t trying to steal it from her nor was I interested, but now that it’s a reality, I must be honest and say that I’m glad. I could use the money for the baby.”
He navigated around a garbage can in the road, “You’re not moving from Redwater I hope.”
“I’m not sure yet.” Her fingers drummed against her purse. “I still haven’t told my parents about the baby.”
His eyes widened. “How have you covered it up?”
“They moved to Florida.”
“You need to say something before some busy body does. I’m sure one of them might be inclined to call them.”
“Busy body, here in Redwater? Where?” she laughed.
He cleared his throat. “What were you planning to do about the baby?”
“About the baby?”
“I meant that cabin you’re living in is so tiny.”
“I know, but it will have to make do for now. Maybe in a few months I’ll have enough money to move into a bigger place.”
Silence finally. Kimberly took to looking out the window until a huge red, green, and blue neon sign with a dancing rooster came into view, with the name Cluck O’Barry’s in red. “Jeremy, have you been here yet?”
“No, but I heard it has rave reviews.”
“You’re in for a once in a lifetime experience then.”
Jeremy parked in the large gravel lot. He rushed over and opened the door for Kimberly who then took his hand. She had to put her back into it when she moved up and out of the SUV. She rubbed her belly. “I swear I got bigger since we left.”
“I’m sure it seems that way, but it looks the same to me.” He glanced down at her feet. “You could lose the high heels.”
She pointed a finger in his face. “I’m wearing heels into labor if it kills me.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” He maneuvered her inside and around the line that had formed.
“Jeremy, the line is back there,” Kimberly pointed out.
“I hope you folks don’t mind, but I have been trying to propose to this woman all week.” Cheers split the air and Kimberly nearly swooned.
“WH-What?”
They were ushered to a booth before she could say more by a woman dressed as a 50’s car hop, her saddle shoes clopping the floor. They sat in the red bo
oth that had silver salt and pepper shakers and a napkin dispenser centered on the table.
Jeremy motioned to the jukebox on the table. “Does it work?”
“Sure does and it’s free. Pick out a tune.”
Jeremy flipped the chrome knobs and turned the pages featuring golden oldies. He pushed the appropriate black number buttons and “Rock Around the Clock” blared from the tiny speaker. “How cool is that!” He admired the bench with silver swivel seats across from them filled with dinner patrons. “It’s so retro.”
“No, it’s just real.”
“Meaning?”
“That they haven’t changed this place since 1950 when it opened.”
“Are you kidding me? This place is great and kept up so well if that is true.”
She shrugged. “It’s a diamond in the rough just like Redwater, despite the small town gossips.”
“That’s to be expected, and to tell you the truth, I have been thinking about that. How there is just no way anyone is going to believe the father of the baby is dead. For the purposes of the ad, it would be better if you were just... well... married for real.”
Kimberly gasped. “Like to whom?” she eyed him intently, her whole heart aching.
“To me, of course.”
“Ow,” Kimberly gasped. It was as if the baby was giving her a kick in approval.
“See, even the baby agrees.”
Kimberly massaged her temples. “I don’t know. I just told Mrs. Barry the baby’s dad died in a hunting accident.”
His mouth gaped open. “You what?”
“She started pressing me for answers and I got nervous.”
He smiled, patting her hand affectionately. “Not to worry. Nobody will care what she thinks when we’re wed, you’ll see. Plus with the ad, it’s the best thing we could do.”
“So, it’s for the ad then?”
“You need a larger place to live and you know it. Well, I have a whole big beach house that echoes ‘move in Kimberly.’”
“I could do that without marrying you, Jeremy.”
“Not in this town you can’t. I won’t have you front page news.”
“It doesn’t matter. Tongues wag. People will have their doubts and my parents will know.”
“From what you told me, I assume they don’t know a whole lot about your personal life.”
“True, but what about Clare?”
“She’s old news. I only proposed to her so she’d zip her lip, but I know now that’s not going to happen. Earlier today she demanded I come home, and when I refused, she threatened me. She said that she’s spill her guts if I didn’t fly to Vegas and marry her there.”
Kimberly bit her lip. “She can still cause problems.”
“Don’t worry about her, dear. I’ll handle it.”
She stared off into space and tried to calm her nerves. He said he’d marry her, not that he loved her. He was just doing this for the ad. Okay, so he mentioned that she needed a bigger place, but was he really ready to move her lock, stock, and barrel into his beach house?
“Earth to Kimberly.” He waved a hand in front of her face. “What are you thinking about?”
“That you’re crazy and probably should be committed to an insane asylum.” She pursed her lips and then added, “I think they closed the one in Traverse City, but I think White Pine in Saginaw, Michigan will do.”
He frowned as the car hop girl with a ponytail came over. “Are you ready to order yet?”
“We’ll both have the fried chicken and two cokes.”
“Milk for the lady,” Jeremy corrected Kimberly. “She’s pregnant.”
“I see that.”
“And obviously pregnant women can only drink milk according to him,” Kimberly added.
The girl’s eyes widened. “Do you want milk?”
“No, I don’t,” Kimberly said firmly.
“Okay, two cokes coming right up then,” she winked and then bopped off.
Kimberly folded her arms over her stomach. “Don’t think you’ll be telling me what to do if we get married.”
“What do you meanif? We’re getting married tomorrow.”
She laughed. “Not even you can arrange a license that quick. There’s paperwork and classes I think.”
“Speaking of classes, have you enrolled in Lamaze classes yet?”
“As in natural child birth?”
“Yes.”
“I know you’re not suggesting that meds won’t be used, because it’s part of my birth plan.”
“Who’s your doctor?”
“None of your business!” Kimberly snapped. “We’re not getting married.”
He patted her hand. “It’s best for the baby.”
“Is Clive paying you a fee for keeping me on the straight and narrow?”
“You’re pregnant. What kind of trouble can you get into?”
Kimberly thanked the waitress when she came back with their cokes and Kimberly took one of them, dumping the contents on Jeremy’s head. “Take that, Mr. Bossy pants!” She then stood and left with the server chasing after them. “I have your food. Give me a minute and I’ll box it up for you.”
Kimberly and Jeremy waited by the cash register and he didn’t get any sympathy from the women who stood nearby. They glared at him while he paid. “Sorry for the disturbance.” Eyes rolled and gasps could be heard.
The waitress pressed the takeout bag into Jeremy’s hand. “Take good care of this one or she might blacken one of your eyes,” she said.
With a nod Jeremy escorted Kimberly back to the car. “I hope you don’t mind. We’re going to stop at my place before I take you home.”
“And if I don’t agree.”
“We’ll be going there regardless. We have contracts to go over, remember?”
Kimberly huffed. Oh great!
Her mind reeled. Marry Jeremy?
She twitched her nose. She certainly hadn’t seen this one coming. How had Jeremy gone from aloof boss before she was pregnant to attentive as hell, and now proposing marriage?
Get a grip Kimberly; it’s just about the advertisement deal, nothing more. He doesn’t love you. It’s just a business deal. And what about Clare? She wondered how did marrying Jeremy change anything? Clare will spill her guts the first chance she gets.
Chapter Seven
Jeremy’s mind traveled as he drove along the winding road. He was a bit surprised with Kimberly’s reaction at the restaurant. He thought that was out of character for her, but who knew. He knew flaring hormones might have something to do with it too, or was she that dead set against marrying him? He could understand Kimberly’s hesitance, but yet she had to have known that it was best for the baby. The fragrance line was another solid reason behind the marriage. He wanted Kimberly to be successful, but also needed her to stay in Redwater.
Jeremy was curious about whom the baby’s father was, but he wouldn’t press her. The truth was that he couldn't care less. He just hoped whoever it was stayed long gone for both or all their sakes.
Screeching of styrofoam jarred Jeremy and from his thoughts. “Are you okay?
“Yes, I’m just hungry.”
“I’m sorry if I made you upset at the restaurant.”
She sighed. “No, I’m sorry. I totally overreacted. It’s just that you started asking all those questions and some of them I haven’t thought about yet.”
As he pulled into his drive, a white tailed deer darted away. “Such as?”
“Oh, doctors and birthing classes. I just know that I’m not that much into pain, and these days, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“What drugs can they give you that wouldn’t hurt the baby?”
“Epidural. It goes near the spine and numbs you.”
“Okay, I guess that doesn’t sound too bad.”
The SUV screeched to a stop and Kimberly handed the takeout containers to Jeremy when he opened the door. She wiggled off the seat and followed Jeremy up the sidewalk and inside the house.
“Kimberly, settle yourself on the coach and I’ll join you with the food.”
***
Kimberly admired a photo on the mantle. It was of a young girl about age five holding the hand of a laughing brunette. She emitted a small gasp and wondered if the child was Jeremy’s daughter.
Dishes clanked behind Kimberly and she whirled. Jeremy set the food down on the coffee table, and his eyes narrowed. “What?”
Kimberly eyed the picture again. “Is that your daughter?”
He laughed. “No, that’s my niece Katie, and my sister Betsy.”
“Well, Katie sure is a cutie.”
“She sure is.”
Jeremy unstacked plates, placing the food on to them. He then said, “I thought you were hungry.”
She sat on the couch, picked up a fork, and said, “We could have just eaten out of the takeout containers.”
“That’s no way to begin our marriage. I wanted tonight to be special.”
“Special how? We were supposed to be talking business.”
“Okay, then you talk and I’ll eat.”
Kimberly and Jeremy were silent now as they tore into the food. “This is great chicken,” Jeremy said.
“It’s even better than the chicken in Frankenmuth.”
“I heard about that place, but personally have never been there. It’s a German tourist town, right?”
Changing the subject, “So is the deal a good one or not?” Kimberly asked.
“Yes, it’s a pretty solid deal. You will be getting your photos taken tomorrow and there will be a commercial shot next week. It’s no longer a perfume ad. Now it’s a body lotion. They figured it makes more sense.”
Kimberly’s jaw jacked open. “Aww, what kind of lotion.”
“It’s coco butter based with shea butter. It seems that the pregnancy market is a solid one. Corrine thinks with a hipper version of an expectant mother, it will take right off.”
“And what about the money?”
“You’ll be paid twenty-five thousand to start and the rest will be paid in royalties. You’ll make more money over time that way. Every time your commercial is played, you get paid.” He poured milk into a cup and handed it to Kimberly. “There is a stipulation though.”
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