by Sue MacKay
I hope I’m doing the right thing. ‘I hear there was a hold-up with the new kitchen and that they’re working overtime this weekend to finish it.’
‘It’s all hands to the fore tomorrow to lift two of those units inside. That’s a big kitchen you’ve got there, son.’
Son. If only. ‘It’s the kitchen Sasha liked when she was flipping through the catalogue.’
‘Yeah, I figured.’ Ian stopped talking to him to call up the control tower again and Grady sat back to enjoy the flight over the hill. In the weeks he’d been in Auckland he’d missed Golden Bay and the relaxed lifestyle. He’d missed Sash even more. He’d been gutted eleven years ago when he’d sent her packing, but this time had been so, so much worse. He loved her in so many ways, for so many things. He did not want to go back to life without her. He was being patient, but patience sucked big time.
‘Virginia’s cooking you dinner tonight. We’re looking after Nicholas while Sasha and Jess have their fortnightly girls’ night. It had been arranged before we got your call to say you were coming down.’
Grady sucked in on the wave of disappointment rolling through him. He could wait another day to see Sash. Just. ‘I look forward to dinner.’ How lame did that sound? But what else could he say? Virginia and Ian had gone out of their way to make him feel at home with them, which on a positive day he took for a good sign.
He stared down at the sun-kissed waters of Tasman Bay as they flew along the coastline. So different from the icy night he’d first bumped into Sash again. Ian had opted for the long way round instead of going over the hill. Ahead he saw Totaranui and the camping ground, which prompted him to ask, ‘How’s Kevin settling in with helping Virginia on the orchard?’
Ian grimaced. ‘He’s got a lot to learn but I think he’ll come right. His heart’s in the right place. He wants to provide for his unexpected family.’
It had been a surprise for everyone when Kevin and Tamara had decided they wanted to live in Takaka with little Jordan, and not return to Christchurch to her family. ‘At least he’s stepping up for them.’
Which was a hell of a lot more than Sash’s Freddy had done. But if he was honest he was kind of glad about that. He’d hate it if Sash decided she had to marry the guy because he was her baby’s father.
Ian was still talking. ‘I like that Kevin’s there for Virginia. I hate that she might do something strenuous when I’m not around. Thank goodness I’ve only got a few months before I quit the job.’
‘The Wilson women can be so stubborn.’ Grady grinned across at this man who’d accepted he was trying to win over his daughter.
‘Forget that at your peril.’ Ian grinned back, before preparing to land at Takaka’s minuscule airstrip.
*
Sasha walked out of Grady’s house with Jess right behind her. The workmen were about to lift the huge main unit into place and had asked the women to get out of the way for their safety.
Grady apologised, looking very disappointed when Sasha told him she’d be off home. ‘You just got here.’
‘I’ll call in again later. Jess has to pick up Nicholas from his friend’s house.’ Shock still held her in thrall. Had to be why she’d made that promise, but the relief in his eyes had been worth it. But ‘Why did he choose that particular kitchen style?’ she asked Jess when they were in the car.
‘Why wouldn’t he?’
‘It’s the one in the brochure I liked.’ Sasha shook her head, trying to clear it. Grady had rung that morning to invite her over to see how his house was progressing. Like an idiot, she’d given in to temptation. She’d missed him more than she’d have believed possible. To the point she had even looked at airfares to go up to Auckland for a weekend. But Flipper was too close to arriving and she’d had to be sensible. Another first.
Jess chuckled. ‘The guy will try every trick in the book to get you back.’
Sasha rubbed her lower back before getting into the car. ‘You reckon?’
‘Yep. He’s up front about wanting you. Now all you have to do is admit that you love him, too.’
‘If only it was that easy.’
Jess slapped the steering-wheel. ‘Sasha, when are you going to learn? It is that easy.’
‘You’ve been in this situation?’ Sasha rubbed her back again. It ached like crazy.
Jess ignored her question. ‘Grady’s nothing like he was when his dad died and he had to cope with his responsibilities. His mother and sisters needed him then. I know you did too but give the guy a break. He was only eighteen and trying to do the best for all of you. Now he could cope with all of that and some.’
‘I get all of that.’ Really got it. To the point she didn’t understand why she was stalling.
‘You’re made for each other.’ Jess went on and on.
Sasha tuned out. Until an icky sensation of moisture made her mutter, ‘Jess, shut up. My waters have broken.’
‘What? They have? In my car?’ Jess shook her head and pulled to the side of the road. ‘No, you’re wrong. I’m the midwife. I’ll tell you when your waters have broken.’
Sasha gaped at her friend gone mad and started to smile. The smile stretched into a grin, and then she was laughing hard enough to bust her sides. ‘Jess, you idiot.’ Laughter poured out. ‘Don’t stop here. Get me somewhere.’
Jess had turned in her seat to stare at her, her eyes shining as she began laughing, too. ‘What’s funny?’
‘I don’t know. I’m having a baby? Like now. In your car.’
‘You can’t. I— We— Okay, what should we do?’
More laughter burst out of Sasha. ‘Aren’t you the midwife around here?’ Then pain struck and the laughter disappeared. ‘Oh. My. God. That really hurts.’
Jess immediately started driving again. ‘We’ll go to the birthing unit and I’ll time your contractions. Though it is much too soon for the baby to come. You’ve only just started. There’s a way to go yet.’
‘Watch out for those bumps. They hurt.’
Jess waved a hand at her. ‘If I go any slower the car will stall.’
‘Seems too soon to go to the unit.’ She hadn’t really started full labour, had she?
‘What else are we going to do, then? We can’t just creep around aimlessly. One of Toby’s men will lock us up in the police cells for loitering.’
Another pain gripped Sasha. Her hands clasped her belly. ‘Call Grady. Now.’
*
Through every contraction Grady held Sasha with his strong arms as she stood, leaning into him. It was the most comfortable position she could find. Which was excruciatingly painful. His hands rubbing her back soothed, irritated, comforted and annoyed her. He took it calmly and reasonably when she had a momentary loss of sanity and swore at him. Then when she blamed men in general for her predicament he hugged her.
He never left her side for the fourteen hours Flipper took to make her entrance into the world.
Tears were streaming down Jess’s face when she finally handed over the precious bundle. ‘Say hello to your beautiful baby girl, Sasha.’
Tears poured out of Sasha’s eyes as she hungrily peered into the folds of the soft pink wrap to see her daughter. ‘She’s so beautiful.’ She repeated Jess’s description. ‘So, so beautiful,’ she whispered as a humongous lump clogged her throat.
Tears slid down Grady’s cheeks too as he leaned over to get his first glimpse of her little girl. ‘Hey, gorgeous, you look just like your mum. Beautiful.’ He choked out that last word and smeared the tears across his face with the back of his hand.
Sasha smiled at him and went back to studying her baby. Her baby felt so light and tiny and yet real and precious. ‘Hello, Melanie. I’m Mummy.’ Then she couldn’t utter another word for all the love clogging her throat.
Grady’s hand curved over her shoulder, squeezed gently. ‘Your mummy is going to be the best in the world, Melanie. You are a very lucky girl to have her.’
She couldn’t remove a hand from her baby to touch him. N
ot when she’d waited so long for this moment, to hold Melanie, but she managed to look up into his eyes and smile. ‘You reckon?’
‘I know.’ His return smile cracked her heart wide open.
So wide that she could no longer hold onto her doubts about him. Not when she didn’t believe them any more, hadn’t for months, if she was honest. No, now she wanted to show him how much she loved him. Words alone wouldn’t cut it. There was only one thing she could give him at this moment that showed her true feelings. ‘Grady, would you hold Melanie?’
His face lit up as though she’d given him the best gift possible. ‘Can I?’ His mouth split into a big grin as he ever so carefully took her baby from her arms and held her to his chest, his hands enormous against the small baby. His eyes were filled with wonder as they fixed on Melanie, drinking in the sight of her. And those tears started again, fatter, faster this time. ‘Hello, sweetheart. Anyone told you how cute you are?’ he whispered.
Sasha felt her own eyes watering up again. What a perfect picture. Grady holding Melanie as though he’d give his life for her. Which he would. Without a doubt. Her body was exhausted and yet exhilaration sped along her veins. Now she really was a mum. For ever. There’d be no going back. ‘I’m a forever mum.’
Grady raised his head, locking those love-filled eyes on her. ‘Goes with those forever legs.’
More tears slid down her cheeks. She’d turned into such a crybaby lately. Running her hands down her cheeks to wipe them away, she said, ‘Guess these aren’t babymones making me topsy-turvy any more.’
‘You reckon?’ Jess grinned. ‘I’m going to head out for a while, give your parents a call while you three have some family time.’
‘Family?’ Her lungs stalled. Family. Yeah. Her gaze tracked back to Grady, found the same stunned look in his eyes as must be in hers. ‘Family,’ she whispered to him as the door closed quietly behind Jess.
Wariness filtered into his gaze. ‘Sash? What are you saying?’
‘I love you.’ Okay, that was little bit blunt. ‘It’s taken me a while to admit it. I’ve been holding out for some crazy, inexplicable reason, denying it to myself.’
‘Babymones,’ he croaked.
Laying her hand over the one of his that rested on Melanie’s blanket, she shook her head. ‘That’s an excuse. I’ve hung onto the fact that you dumped me for too long. If I’d been more mature, less self-centred that day, I might’ve seen what you were doing. I should’ve seen your pain and dilemma.’
His hand turned over to wrap around hers. ‘Neither of us knew how to cope with everything going down at that time.’
Squeezing her fingers around his, she told him, ‘Maybe, maybe not. But I know we can manage anything thrown at us now if we’re together. I love you so much.’
‘Patience. I knew it.’ A hint of smugness?
‘Pardon?’ She smiled at this wonderful man.
‘I had to keep putting the brakes on my need for you. I’d have had you in my bed that same night we met on the hill if I’d had half a chance. I had missed you so much it hurt. But it was like putting my hand in the fire every time I tried to get close. So I kept telling myself to be patient, take my time, and hopefully I’d win your trust, your heart.’
‘You do love me.’ Relief and happiness and excitement poured through her, made her hands shake.
‘Never stopped. I admit to trying bloody hard to forget you, but some things are impossible. You’re a part of me, Sash.’
‘I love it when you call me Sash.’
‘I know.’
‘Looking smug doesn’t suit you.’ She grinned and leaned in for a kiss, careful not to squash her baby girl between them. ‘You’re looking quite the dad, too.’
Grady looked as though he never wanted to let Melanie out of his arms. ‘She’s lovely. Hello, Melanie Wilson.’
Sasha said quietly, ‘Melanie O’Neil.’
Grady’s eyes bored into her. Did he think she’d finally gone totally bananas? She drew air into her lungs, reached for Grady’s hand, locked gazes with him and said loudly, clearly, ‘Why not? I love you. So…’ Her voice faltered. Huffing out the breath she’d been holding, she drew another and quickly asked, ‘So will you please marry us?’
Melanie was placed, oh, so carefully in the baby crib and then Sasha gasped as Grady scooped her off the bed and into those strong, safe and trustworthy arms.
‘Typical Sash. Got to get the first word in.’ He grinned. ‘That had been my next question for you.’ His lips brushed hers. Teasing, tantalising. ‘My answer is…’ He stopped to kiss her, more thoroughly this time. ‘Yes. I love you so much, Sash. So, yes, try stopping me now that you’ve asked.’
Sasha kissed him this time. ‘I won’t be stopping you. I think I’ve done too much of that already.’
Their kiss deepened, holding so much love and promise Sasha knew winter had gone for good. Finally tugging her lips away from that wonderful mouth, she asked, ‘Let’s have a summer wedding. Just a small one.’
Grady groaned. ‘You’ve never done anything small in your life, Sash. Why start now?’
There was a tiny cry from the pink bundle in the crib beside her. Sasha reached in and lifted her daughter out, feeling her breasts tighten in response. Oh, my. This motherhood thing was amazing. Her baby might’ve left her body but they were still so connected. ‘They don’t come much smaller than this.’ She grinned at him through another deluge of tears.
‘You done good.’ He grinned back. ‘Summer wedding it is.’
*
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ISBN-13: 9781460333969
A FATHER FOR HER BABY
Copyright © 2014 by Sue MacKay
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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