Windy City Romance: Boxed Set: Prequel - Book III

by Barbara Lohr

  “Sure you’re up for that?”

  Alex was already nodding. “Positive.”

  Sunshine poured through the open drapes, and Bo was edging toward the sliding glass doors. “Mom, look! Water!” He pointed down to a pool.

  “Later, okay? First we have to order some food.” Bo had fallen asleep on the plane and hadn’t eaten a thing.

  “Plenty of restaurants downstairs,” Alex suggested.

  “Mommy, I don’t feel good.” Turning from the window, Bo clutched his stomach.

  “You’re hungry, sweetheart. We can’t wait, Alex.” Impatience splintered her voice.

  Bo started to cry.

  “Just give me a minute, sweetie.” Snatching the room menu from the desk, she quickly made some selections and ordered room service while Alex tried to comfort Bo. “The hotel is going to bring up some grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup.”

  Head drooping onto Alex’s shoulder, Bo wrinkled his nose.

  “But you like chicken noodle soup.” Maybe this was more than the heat.

  “After we eat, we can go down to the pool,” Alex suggested.

  Shaking his head, Bo leaned toward Vanessa, and she opened her arms. Alex didn't know it, but he was still on probation.

  “Why don't you unpack, Alex,” Vanessa suggested softly. “Either room is fine with me.”

  Looking relieved, Alex grabbed his suitcase and disappeared into one of the bedrooms.

  Once the food arrived, Vanessa set Bo up at a little table in the kitchenette area. To her surprise, Alex took over. She started to unpack in the other bedroom. Sun filtered through the palm trees outside their balcony. The resort was a little piece of heaven and pretty romantic at that. But today everything felt off kilter.

  When she heard Bo’s choked wail in the next room, she dropped everything and ran.

  The next fifteen minutes were total chaos. The grilled cheese hadn’t gone down well. Bo was sick and didn’t make it to the bathroom.

  The look on Alex’s face was priceless. “What should I do?”

  “Warm washcloth?”

  “Mommy, I don't like this!” Bo began to cry. Alex dashed into the closest bathroom. Bo always hated messes, and, boy, this was messy.

  “Maybe I should call a doctor?” Handing her the damp cloth, Alex took a phone from his pocket.

  “Good idea. He's burning up.” Bo wasn't warm from the Florida heat. He was sick. Where was her head?

  “Probably the flu. A lot of stuff going around right now,” the doctor said half an hour later, stashing her stethoscope back in her leather bag. Baby aspirin and fluids were all she could suggest. “This might not be the vacation you were planning.”

  “I want to sleep in your bed, Mommy,” Bo protested when Vanessa was changing him into his Spiderman pajamas after the doctor left. No protest from Dad on that one. Alex looked concerned when she turned back the cool sheets on her king-size bed. Once tucked in, Bo curled up, a little lump of misery. Didn’t take him long to fall asleep.

  Leaving the bedroom door open, Vanessa dragged herself back into the suite. She felt grimy, and her headache wouldn't quit. Getting ready to leave had been so hectic.

  Glancing up from the TV, Alex wore the perplexed face of a new father. “Everything okay?”

  Vanessa took a small bite of Bo’s discarded grilled cheese. “Not really, but it’ll get better.” Tears bubbled past the grilled cheese, but she swallowed hard. If she started to cry, she knew she wouldn’t stop. “What are you watching?”

  “Golf, I think.” He clicked the TV off. Turning toward her, he looked like he’d had a big day. “Look, I’m not good with words, Vanessa, but you have to know…”

  The grilled cheese flopped over in her stomach. “Excuse me.” She ran for the bathroom.

  A few minutes later, she was tucked into bed next to Bo. “I'm so sorry, Alex,” she murmured. Her whole body ached. Mind fuzzy, she just wanted to sleep.

  “Can I get anything else for you, sweetheart?” he asked, a worried frown creasing his forehead as her eyes flagged.

  “Just sleep,” she mumbled. Sweetheart? She must have imagined it.

  When she woke up hours later, the only light was a narrow column of light falling through the bedroom door. Beside her, Bo still slept, one hand pillowed beneath his cheek.

  Throwing the covers aside, she stepped onto the plush taupe carpet. At least the headache was gone. Her pink sleep shirt and gray shorts felt so cozy, although she didn't remember putting them on.

  When she tiptoed into the living room, the TV was on with the sound muted. Alex lay asleep on the sofa, one hand tucked beneath an end pillow. Like father, like son. The sight filled her heart.

  Blinking, he pushed himself up. “Everything okay?”

  “A lot better.” Throwing him a rueful smile, she rubbed her forehead.

  “Soup? Soda? Crackers?” Jumping up, Alex looked like a guy who seriously wanted to do something. In fact, he’d been like that since they arrived. Anytime Jillian and Vanessa had gotten sick, her father had taken off for Bonkers, the local bar.

  “We like cinnamon toast when we’re sick,” she murmured. As she brought one knee up to balance on the arm of the sofa, the room began to spin.

  “Whoa!” Grabbing her, Alex gently nudged her onto the sofa next to him. “You shouldn’t be standing up.”

  “Thanks, Alex.” The room settled. When she brushed the hair from her eyes, Alex caught her hand, one arm snug around her. Her head fell onto his chest. Gosh, it felt so good, so right. “I had the strangest dream.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “Alex, I thought you said…oh, never mind.” She played with the button on his shirt.

  “Tell me.” Fingers gentle on her chin, he tilted her face up.

  “I thought you called me sweetheart,” she whispered before she lost her nerve.

  His brown eyes sent a rush of heat through her. Maybe she still did have a fever.

  “Isn’t that what you call the woman you love?”

  Her heart slammed to a halt. “You do?”

  “You know I do.” His dark eyes said it all. Had she been too busy, too preoccupied?

  “No. No, I don’t. I thought I was in this alone.”

  “Absolutely not. Oh, Nessie,” he murmured. His kisses convinced her.

  “A girl likes to hear the words,” she chided when they came up for air. Suddenly, she felt like she could fly. Like this sweet man was forever.

  “Alex, I love you so much.” Sometimes words just didn’t make it.

  “Oh, Vanessa. I’m an idiot,” Alex told her after they’d both caught their breath. “I think I loved you from that first time I saw you in Vegas. I’m not good with words, so let me show you, okay?”

  “Deal.” Cuddled against his chest, she sighed. Would she really have this to look forward to every morning?

  He tilted her chin up. “Give me the rest of our lives to show you how much. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” She could barely get the word out. Was the room starting to move again? Must be that protective wall around her heart tumbling down.

  “Yes, you’ll marry me?” His voice spiked.

  “Yes, we’ll marry you,” she said with a little laugh.

  Lordy, wait until the folks back in Chicago heard about this.

  Alex looked very pleased with himself. “A package deal. I like it.”

  She socked him lightly in the arm, but started to feel dizzy again. Maybe proposals were heady stuff.

  “And now it’s back to bed. You shouldn’t be up.” Scooping her up, he carried her back to bed. She nestled close to his chest, where his heart beat steady and strong.

  In the morning, the sun shone bright through the sliding glass door. Somewhere below, she heard the splash of water and children’s laughter. Beside her, Bo stirred. “Hi, Mom.” Mom, not Mommy? Yep, feeling better. Pushing himself up, he yawned.

  “Want breakfast?”

  Shaking his head, Bo wiggled to the
floor. “Is Alex still here?”

  She laughed. “You bet.”

  On the table in the suite was a tray of cinnamon toast and cereal with a banana on the side. Her heart squeezed. This man was totally amazing. When Alex appeared in the doorway of his bedroom, he smiled sheepishly. Freshly shaven, he looked ready for the day in navy shorts and a white polo. “Are we up?”

  “Sure are.” The man filled her eyes and her heart.

  “Alex, can we go to the pool?” Bo was almost bouncing in his red and blue Spiderman pajamas as he headed for the table.

  Alex gave a hesitant nod. “Let's just see how breakfast stays down. Try the cinnamon toast.”

  After getting Bo into a chair, she sat down next to him. “This is terrific. Does room service do cinnamon toast?”

  Alex looked so cute when he blushed. “No, I made it.”

  “That’s so sweet.” Okay, he was more than amazing. When she kissed Alex, Bo’s eyes lit up. Soon they’d have to tell him. Alex scooted the toast his way. A sippy cup sat in front of the plate.

  “Now let's take it easy, buster,” Alex cautioned.

  “Maybe we should just have a laid-back day,” she suggested, relieved when the toast didn’t make her stomach churn. “The rides can probably wait until tomorrow, but the pool might be fun today.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Grabbing a spoon, Alex proceeded to persuade Bo to try some cereal.

  When she thought about how Alex had handled the whole scene the day before, her heart filled. Was it possible to love this man more? She hardly tasted breakfast. While Alex and Bo finished up, she changed from her sleep togs to her aqua bikini, swirling a multi-colored wrap around her hips. Alex’s eyes bugged out when she reappeared.

  “Too revealing?”

  “No such thing.” With visible reluctance, Alex dragged his gaze back to Bo. “How about you? Let’s get you ready.”

  That afternoon at the pool, whenever they needed anything, like soda to settle a woozy tummy or more cinnamon toast, Alex got it. They stayed in the shade under one of the umbrellas. Around them, families splashed and played.

  “Can you clone him?” one woman commented, glancing over at Alex. Her twins were having a water fight in the pool. “Your husband could give the rest of the guys lessons.”

  “Pretty good, isn’t he?” No one seemed to notice the absence of a ring on her finger. Maybe a lot of women didn’t wear diamonds to the pool. In her heart, Vanessa already wore a ring.

  Bo looked so cute in his dinosaur trunks. More than once she caught him studying the other little boys and girls, eyes round and watchful.

  “Hey, Bo, it’s not polite to stare. You feeling okay, honey?” Concerned, she laid one hand on his forehead, but he shrugged it off, bottom lip jutting out. She picked up her lotion. “Let's put some more block on you, buddy.”

  Forehead furrowed, Bo shook her off. “Mom, when can I have a dad?”

  She choked. Thank goodness no one else was close enough to hear.

  But Alex heard.

  Sitting up in his lounge chair, he motioned to Bo. Head down, Bo trudged over and slumped at the foot of Alex’s chaise. Alex met Vanessa’s gaze. Excitement quivered in her stomach, like a butterfly trying its wings. She nodded.

  Alex dipped his head. “What would you think of having me for a dad, Bo?”

  Bo’s head jerked up, eyes wide. “Amazing.” A new term he heard on Dora the Explorer.

  “Really?” Alex waited.

  “You bet.” Edging closer, Bo gave Alex a cautious hug. “Okey doke?”

  “Okey doke,” Alex repeated, like he was learning a whole new language. She’d never seen him look so happy.

  She’d always remember this moment. Alex may have loved her at first sight, but right now? This was the moment when he really won her heart.

  THE END

  Epilogue

  Three Months Later

  The candlelit wedding in the stone chapel on the Near North Side of Chicago couldn’t have been any more perfect. Kate had done a bang up job. Small but tasteful, his sister’s very words, and Vanessa agreed. What could be better than a holiday wedding? Red poinsettias everywhere with huge green bows. Cinnamon tickled Alex’s nose, probably from the strategically placed baskets of pine cones.

  Standing in the front, he fooled with his teal bow tie, heart pounding while he waited.

  When Vanessa emerged from the shadows in the back, his heart just about stopped. Might have been the beads on her gown, but she glowed in the candlelight. In front of her, Bo was swinging a basket full of rose petals. A few fell out and Grandpa scurried around, picking them up. Grandpa would be so surprised when he saw the whipped cream cakes at the reception.

  When Bo looked up and saw Alex, he beamed and took his place in front of Vanessa, just as they’d rehearsed last night.

  Grabbing the pew next to him, Alex sucked in a deep breath. Standing in the front pew next to his father, Mom threw him a steadying look. She looked so pretty in her pale green suit. Straightening, he winked at her and gave his father a nod. They’d had some good talks over the last few days. He’d never felt this settled, this certain about his life.

  The harpist began to play Pachelbel Canon.

  ~.~

  Vanessa stopped fidgeting when she heard the music. “Oh, it’s time.” Excitement spiraled through her. Everyone was watching. This wasn’t her thing. “The aisle is too long.”

  “Look at the man, not the aisle. Let’s straighten the veil.” McKenna fussed with Vanessa’s hair, arranging the beaded Juliet cap and pulling the long veil out behind her so it fell to the floor in soft folds.

  “Soon I can call you sister,” Kate joked, taking her place.

  Tears brimming in her eyes, Amy gave Vanessa a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Oh, Amy, I never thought this would come true for me. Never.”

  “Neither did I.” Jillian turned around, her hair a cap of soft brown curls above the sophisticated black dress. Coming close, she hitched Vanessa’s pinkie with her own, and they both squeezed. The look in her sister’s eyes told her that she was thinking of that day in June at the TV station. “Thought you two were never going to just get on with it.”

  “This aisle’s way too long,” Vanessa fretted again, old anxieties surfacing as she peeked over Jillian’s shoulder at all the faces.

  “Think of how far you’ve come,” her sister told her. One final pinkie squeeze and Jillian started down the aisle, followed by Amy, McKenna and then Kate.

  “Your turn, Bo. Go on.” She waved him forward. If her little boy could handle this, she sure could. He started down the aisle in his miniature tux and teal bow tie.

  Taking Grandpa Joe's arm, Vanessa knew she’d never felt so happy. In front of her, Bo tossed ruby red petals, mainly at people he recognized. Maybe they hadn’t rehearsed this enough last night, but she didn’t care. He was just so pleased with himself. Every couple steps, he waved to Alex, who smiled encouragement.

  The last three months had been so hectic. They’d flown out to Massachusetts to meet Alex’s parents, and Kate had come along. So interesting to see the buffer Kate created between their parents and Alex. The visit with Iris and Nathan Compton had gone better than either one of them hoped. Every family has some shortcomings, and the Comptons were no exception. Still, they loved Alex and they adored Bo. They just hadn’t known how to show their love and admitted they’d confused their family life with the classroom. The two seemed determined to be better grandparents than they had been parents.

  “Here, Grandma.” Bo handed Iris a handful of petals when he reached the front of the chapel. Alex’s mother held the delicate pink flowers as if they were gold.

  As her bridesmaids took their places on the left, the groomsmen went right. Michael Morgan had been flattered to be asked to be in the wedding party, along with two of Alex’s basketball buddies and Mallory Thornton, Amy’s new husband. Although her wedding had been canceled, Amy had ended up married to a Savanna
h man. They all liked Mallory a heck of lot more than Jason. But that’s another story.

  “I’m giving you to this good man now, sweetheart.” Grandpa kissed her cheek. “You certainly deserve each other.”

  “Oh, Grandpa. That’s so old-fashioned.” Her eyes filled as she squeezed his arm.

  “I’ll take care of her, sir.” Alex had stepped up, just as he’d stepped up in so many ways over the past three months.

  “I know you will, son.” Dashing one hand under his eyes, Grandpa slid into the front pew. Christine took his arm, looking so pretty in her red dress. They were married now and looked it.

  Their black gowns brightened by velvet red sashes, Amy took her bouquet, while McKenna arranged her veil. The bridesmaids looked fabulous in the dresses originally chosen for Amy’s September wedding, canceled at the last minute. So easy to add the red sashes. Funny how life can bring surprises, Vanessa thought, turning to face the minister.

  The harpist stopped. It was time.

  Looking up, she saw her future unfolding in Alex’s brown eyes. “Hi.”

  “Still think I’m your mistake?” he whispered as they turned to face the minister.

  “Oh, no,” Vanessa said, squeezing his arm. “You are my forever man.”

  From the Author

  If you enjoyed Her Favorite Mistake, I’d sure appreciate it if you would take a minute to post a review. My heartfelt thanks for taking the time!

  HER FAVORITE HONEYMOON

  Windy City Romance

  by BARBARA LOHR

  Her Favorite Honeymoon

  Copyright © 2013 Barbara Lohr

  All rights reserved.

  ebook ISBN: 978-0-9896023-4-1

  Print ISBN: 978-0-9896023-5-8

  Purple Egret Press

  Savannah, Georgia 31411

  Cover Art: The Killion Group

  Editor: Nicole Zoltack

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