Bride of Fortune

by Leanne Banks

  “We can get your ring another day,” he said in a voice that mixed stretched patience and steely resolve. “But I think we should be married within a week, so we need to go ahead and make plans for the wedding.”

  Adele’s blood ran cold. “One week,” she said in dismay. “There’s no rush.”

  “Yes, there is,” he insisted, starting the ignition and driving out of the parking lot. “You’re not getting less pregnant.”

  “But it’s not as if I’ll be showing anytime soon, either.”

  “People count weeks and months and compare them with anniversary dates. The sooner we marry, the easier it will be for the baby. I’d planned to spring the news on my parents tonight after we got your ring. I’m sure my mother will be delighted to help put together a small ceremony. Where would you like it held?”

  Numb, Adele shook her head. “I hadn’t thought about it. Why don’t we just do something with a justice of the peace?”

  “We could,” Jason said. “But I think it might be better in the long run if my parents and Lisa were included in the celebration.”

  If this was supposed to be a celebration, why did it feel like a funeral? Adele’s qualms increased. “Are you sure we can’t wait a little longer?”

  “I’m sure,” he said. “I’ve done this before.”

  Adele blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “You may have forgotten, but the first time I got married, the situation was similar. Cara was pregnant, too.”

  Adele was cut to the quick that she would be a constant reminder to Jason of the pain of his first marriage. She could see that she had gone from being a joy to a burden, and she wasn’t sure she could bear it.

  That night, after dinner, he took her to his parents’ expansive ranch on the outskirts of Pueblo. The polished wood and Southwestern decor gave the impression of luxurious warmth and tradition.

  “You didn’t eat much at dinner,” Jason said in a hushed voice as they entered his parents’ foyer.

  Dinner had been uncomfortably quiet. “I guess I was a little edgy.”

  “My parents like you,” he said. “They’ll be pleased.”

  Adele bit her tongue for a second, then her forthright nature took over. “I’m not sure they’re the problem.”

  He did a double take. “Lisa was ecstatic when we told her earlier.”

  “Yes, but what about Jason?” Adele asked.

  A muscle in his cheek twitched. “I’m doing the right thing.”

  Honor above all, Adele thought, and her heart just plain hurt. She stifled a sigh as Jason’s father approached them. Jason slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I have some news,” he said. “Where’s Mom?”

  “Right here,” Jasmine said, rounding the corner, her eyes bright with curiosity. She hooked her arm through her husband’s. “Come into the den.”

  Her stomach a jumble of nerves, Adele walked with Jason into the den. His parents sat, but he didn’t. “Adele and I have decided to get married,” he announced.

  Jasmine clasped her hands together in delight. Her eyes shone. “Oh, Jason, how wonderful!” She quickly stood and hugged both Jason and Adele. “I’m so happy. I know you two will be so happy together.”

  “Thank you,” Adele murmured, and swallowed over a knot in her throat. Jasmine was so sincerely happy for them that she felt guilty. If Jason’s mother knew everything, she might not be nearly so pleased.

  “Champagne,” Jasmine said. “Devlin, I think this calls for a toast.”

  “I’ll get the bottle we keep chilled in the refrigerator,” Devlin said, and briefly left the room.

  “This is so exciting,” Jasmine said. “Have you set a date?”

  “We’d like to do something small,” Jason said. “Soon.”

  “How soon?” Devlin asked as he returned with the champagne and glasses.

  “One week or less.”

  Jasmine gasped. “One week! There’s so much to do.”

  Devlin smiled indulgently. “If you need any help with arrangements, you might be able to twist her arm.” He turned his attention to Adele and studied her.

  Adele had the same uncomfortable sensation she’d felt when Jason had looked at her the same way just a few days ago. It was as if Devlin could see straight through her. A strong compassion, however, emanated from him.

  “Welcome,” he said simply, and hugged her.

  Adele was so moved by the loving openness of Jason’s family that she felt tears threaten. Over Devlin’s shoulder she met Jason’s distant gaze and wondered again if they were doing the right thing.

  After fifteen minutes of toasting and a silent drive home, Jason escorted her to her door. “I think it went well,” he said. “Why didn’t you drink the champagne?”

  Surprised he’d noticed, Adele tossed him a sideways glance. She’d had to pretend to drink. It seemed pretending was becoming the norm. “I’m pregnant. I have to cut out alcohol.”

  He stared at her. “Cara didn’t.”

  “I’m not Cara,” she said.

  “No, you’re not,” he agreed, but he still didn’t touch her, and his eyes held shadows of pain.

  The wedding dress hanging on the front of the coat closet door mocked her. Jasmine had been only too delighted to help Adele select the dress. She had also been delighted to help make the other wedding arrangements, too. Jasmine had been far more delighted than Adele had been, and Adele was done with pretending. Jasmine’s genuine affection made Adele feel shallow and just plain icky.

  Fifteen minutes ago as she’d stared at that wedding dress, Adele had reached an important decision. Before she could lose her nerve, she’d called Jason and asked him to come over as soon as he could comfortably fit it in his schedule.

  Adele glanced at the clock again and felt an attack of nerves. “You have to do this,” she told herself. “It may not seem like it’s the best thing, but it is.”

  The doorbell rang, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Taking a careful breath, she walked to the door and opened it to Jason. Her heart jolted at the sight of him. Would it always do that? she wondered. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

  Walking into the condo, he studied her. “It sounded urgent.”

  Feeling her nerves rattle again, she clasped her hands together. “Not really urgent, just necessary.”

  He glanced around the room, and his gaze stopped at the sight of her wedding dress. He deliberately glanced away. “I see you’ve been shopping with my mother. I think I’m not supposed to see that before the wedding day. Bad luck or something.”

  Adele waved her hand dismissingly. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not wearing it, anyway.”

  “Pardon?” he asked in a deep voice that reminded her how seductive he could be.

  “Sit down,” she said, waving her hand again.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Please,” Adele said. “Please just sit down and listen.”

  Jason did, and Adele felt his gaze on her in a wary, yet predatory manner. She had his attention, she thought. Now what was she supposed to do?

  Rolling her eyes at herself, she began to pace. “I’ve been thinking. A lot,” she added. “A long time ago there was nothing I wanted more than to have my own family. I wanted to grow up and have a husband and children, people who needed me and wanted me. People who loved me. Back when I was a little girl, I couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than belonging to a family. I used to fantasize about it for hours. As I grew older I put that dream aside. Being around you and your wonderful family, though, brought it all up for me again. As much as I told myself you and I would never marry, I think a little part of me wished I could belong to you and you could belong to me.”

  Forced to take a breath, Adele felt heat rush to her face at her confession. She couldn’t look at Jason. “For a long time I thought there couldn’t be anything worse than not belonging to somebody. But I think I may have been wrong. I think pretending to belong is a lot worse. You’re a wonderful man, but you’ve been m
iserable as hell since you decided we should get married.”

  She heard her voice crack with emotion, and bit her lip. She finally met his gaze. “I can’t marry you.”

  Jason stood, his expression incredulous. “What on earth are you talking about?”

  Her heart hammered in her chest. “I can’t marry you. I refuse to make you miserable, and pretending that I belong when I really don’t would make me miserable.”

  “I’m not miserable because I’m marrying you,” Jason said.

  “It sure looks that way. Do you realize you have not touched me since I told you I was pregnant?” she asked, her voice and hands trembling. She prayed she wouldn’t cry, but that had hurt her so.

  He winced as if in pain. “Cara didn’t want me to touch her after she got pregnant.”

  Adele saw the remnants of damage from his first marriage in his bleak gaze. “I thought we’d already covered that I’m not Cara,” she said gently.

  “But I got you pregnant and we weren’t married,” Jason said.

  “And I believe that is where any similarities end,” Adele said.

  “She didn’t want to have Lisa,” he told her. “I pushed her. She probably died because of it.”

  Adele’s head reeled. “She didn’t want to have your baby?”

  “Cara had diabetes, and she wasn’t always conscientious with her treatment. She had a miscarriage soon after we married. When she got pregnant with Lisa, I hoped it might bring us closer. No matter how much I hounded her, she didn’t take care of herself during her pregnancy. It caused a lot of damage.”

  “You blame yourself,” Adele said.

  “Some,” he admitted, and the hollow expression in his eyes scraped her soul. “I couldn’t bear it if it happened to you.”

  Her heart could have wept. She walked closer to him. “It’s not going to happen to me. I don’t have diabetes. I’m going to take care of myself and this baby. Haven’t you ever heard the expression ‘The good die young, but mean is forever’? I’m mean,” she said cheerfully. “The last time I got a cold was eight years ago. I’m so disgustingly healthy it makes a lot of people sick. In fact, the doctor said that if my pregnancy progresses as expected, she thinks I could use a midwife at home.”

  His face paled. “Absolutely not. You’ll have our baby in the hospital where you’ll be safe.”

  “The natural way God intended,” Adele said in a wry voice.

  “You will marry me,” Jason said, stepping toward her.

  Adele sighed. “There you go with the orders again,” she murmured. “You can’t make me. I love you too much to make you miserable by marrying me.”

  Jason raked his hand through his hair. “You’re the most exasperating woman I’ve ever met. I’m not miserable. I’ll be miserable if you don’t marry me.”

  Adele crossed her arms over her chest, but leaned into his personal space. “I love you,” she said, “but I don’t believe you.”

  Jason looked into her eyes and felt the familiar drag of dare and challenge. He pulled her against him and took her mouth. “I can’t lose you, Adele. I feel as if I’ve found a part of myself I never knew existed in you. I can’t lose you.”

  After drowning in dread and isolation all week, to Jason, Adele’s arms felt like Heaven.

  “Why did you stop holding me?” Adele asked, holding tight, yet pulling slightly away so she could look into his face. “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

  Jason’s heart broke in two. He covered her lips with his finger. “No, not that. All I could think about was what had happened last time and that I had royally messed up again.”

  “But it’s the best kind of mess up, Jason. As much as you and I absolutely didn’t plan this, I believe this baby is a gift.”

  Her words and touch filled him with a peace he’d never known. “I love you,” he said. “I never knew how alone I didn’t have to feel.”

  He watched tears spill from her eyes and tried to catch them with his fingers. He could see the magic his words caused in her, and he wished he hadn’t held them back so long. He wished he hadn’t been so doubtful. When he looked at Adele, Jason knew with a deep sense of eternity that he could trust her, that he could trust what they had together. “I love you,” he repeated. “Please marry me.”

  She swiped at her cheeks. “I thought I bothered you.”

  “You do,” he said. “And I want you to bother me for the rest of my life.”

  After that momentous night Jason hadn’t stopped touching her and reminding her that he loved her, and Adele had never been happier. Every once in a while she saw the worry flicker in his eyes, but she kissed it away. Their marriage ceremony was scheduled for the following morning, and the family had attended an informal rehearsal dinner just hours before. Jason, however, had insisted on a secret outing, instructing Adele to dress warmly for the cool night.

  He drove the borrowed Jeep past the construction site, then down a dirt road and stopped. He looked at her with a mysterious glint in his eyes. “Ready?” he asked.

  Her heart thumped at the seductive expression. Adele suspected it always would. “What are we doing?” she asked as he led her out of the car and helped her over a dilapidated wooden fence.

  “Trespassing,” he said.

  Adele stumbled. “Okeydoke,” she said, still literally and figuratively in the dark. “I realize most people have a bachelor party the night before their wedding, but I’m obviously not familiar with all the possible traditions.”

  “It’s a family tradition,” he told her, surprising her.

  “Tell me about it,” she said, slipping her hand in his as they walked across the desert. A full moon shone on the barren landscape.

  Jason pointed his flashlight up ahead. “There it is,” he said, squeezing her hand.

  “What—” Adele broke off when she remembered the familiar site. “The picture on your wall,” she said. “Lightfoot’s Plateau.”

  A simple structure of adobe bricks stood in front of the cave. “The Lightfoot family have been the guardians of the plateau for centuries. Natasha’s mother and father were the last couple to pledge themselves within the cave. When my grandmother Natasha gave birth out of wedlock, her family was disgraced within the community. They refused to let Natasha inherit the land and instead sold it. We intend to get it back.”

  “I can feel that it’s a special place.”

  Jason led her toward the opening of the cave. “The legend about this plateau is that if a man and woman would come to the cave to pledge themselves to each other, through their pledge, their love would then become pure and last a lifetime.”

  Adele looked into the fiercely protective, loving eyes of the man she would cherish forever. “That’s why you brought me here.”

  “I love you, Adele. I believe that I was made for you and you for me. I will do my best to help make you happier than you’ve ever dreamed. I will always belong to you.”

  His words healed the deepest wounds in her soul. “I am so in awe of you,” she said. “I want to spend my life making sure you never forget what an incredible man you are. I will always love you. I will always be here for you.”

  Jason pulled something shiny from his pocket. “I had this ring made for you, since you were so picky about the other ones,” he said in a voice more tender than dry. He pointed his flashlight on the platinum ring that featured a sparkling diamond set off by diamond baguettes and turquoise. “The turquoise belonged to Natasha Lightfoot, my grandmother.”

  Adele’s heart overflowed with emotion. Her eyes welled with tears. “Not just stuff. It’s incredible. You did it again,” she whispered. “You gave me a story.”

  He pulled her against him and made one more vow. “I’ve just started, Adele. I’ll be giving you stories the rest of your life.”

  The following morning dawned bright and clear. Jason stood at the front of the archway and watched his daughter bounce down the aisle in excitement. Adele appeared, a vision in a simple white gown. Her red
hair was a flame of curls, and her green eyes were only for him.

  She walked toward him, and Jason felt no last-minute trepidation, only eagerness to begin their life together. He still had trouble believing he had found his soul mate, the woman who matched him in fire and strength. He wanted her by his side day and night. He craved the completion she gave him.

  She smiled, and he wanted her with a power that he suspected would always shake him. As if she knew exactly what he was feeling, she stepped forward and kissed him, reassuring and claiming him with the brief caress. He heard a few chuckles sweep over the small crowd of family at her boldness, but he could only smile.

  “Am I bothering you?” she whispered.

  “Oh, yes,” he murmured. “In the very best way.”

  As he and Adele made their public vows, he remembered the private vows they’d made the night before, and Jason knew he had found a love to last a lifetime. He also knew that the real love and real work to make that love grow was just beginning.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-5414-9

  BRIDE OF FORTUNE

  Copyright © 2000 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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