Daniel’s eyes cut to hers. “This is none of your business.” She wasn’t going to ruin this for him. No one was. “It’s between me and Jade. She wants this and so do I. The rest of you are just going to have to get on board.”
The screen door slapped, and he caught sight of Jade entering. She looked between them. She was too far away to have heard, but their body language gave away too much.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Daniel stepped toward her, smiling, and pulled her into a hug. He forced a light tone. “Nothing. Just talking about the wedding. Please tell me PJ didn’t talk you into a four-course meal.”
“Uh, no. But I did get sucked into dress shopping tomorrow afternoon.”
“But nothing’s going to fit,” Mama Jo said.
Jade pulled back. “I know, right? I tried to tell her, but you know PJ. She’s outside doing back handsprings. You two want to come along?” she asked her mom and Madison.
Mama Jo smiled at Jade, then at Daniel. “Wouldn’t miss it, baby girl.”
“Sure,” Madison said, then turned on the water and resumed washing dishes.
Half an hour later, Daniel and Ryan were called away on a fire run. Mrs. Harper had a grease fire that wiped out half her kitchen. Afterward her old gnarled hands were shaking, and her waxy skin was pale against her floral nightgown. Daniel stayed to settle her down and help her find someplace to stay the night. It was almost midnight by the time he got home.
He’d showered off the smell of smoke and was climbing into bed when the text came in. He smiled at Jade’s name on the screen. EVERYTHING OKAY?
YEAH, JUST A KITCHEN FIRE. YOU SHOULD BE SLEEPING.
TONIGHT WENT PRETTY GOOD, I THOUGHT. THEY WERE SURPRISED, BUT I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY. ON MY END AT LEAST.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN ON YOUR END?
UM . . . YOUR PARENTS?
I’LL HANDLE THEM. IT’LL BE FINE. TRUST ME.
IF YOU SAY SO.
GRANDMA LOVES YOU. :)
THERE’S THAT.
STOP WORRYING AND GET SOME SLEEP.
YES, DEAR.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
JADE EXITED THE BOUTIQUE BEHIND HER MOM AND PJ. HER back was killing her, her feet were the size of blimps, and she was done shopping for a dress she couldn’t get past her hips.
“Have you shown Jade the cake for the baby shower?” Mom asked PJ.
“She did. It’s adorable.” Mom was hosting the shower next Saturday. Jade had tried to keep it small, but her mom had an endless circle of friends.
“I can’t wait to make it.” PJ stopped at the curb. “Hey, let’s go to Louisville. There’s this great little boutique down from the bakery—”
“Oh, no. I’m so done.”
PJ sulked. “Party pooper.”
“We’ll have time to shop after she’s gotten her figure back,” Mom said. “We’ll leave the twins with your dad and have a girls’ day out.”
“I’m starving,” PJ said. “Let’s go out to eat and show off your new ring.”
“Sounds good,” Mom said.
Jade glanced down at her beautiful ring, a small princess diamond in a band of delicate leaf swirls. “I think I’ve flashed it around enough for today. Besides, I need to get my feet up. I can hear the water sloshing around in them.”
“You look tired.” Mom pulled her close. “Let’s get you home.”
“I’ll take her,” Madison said. “You two can grab a bite to eat. I told Beckett I’d fry up pork chops for supper.”
Jade sank into the cool confines of Madison’s car, her back loosening pleasantly at the change of position.
Madison started the car and backed from the diagonal slot. The town was quiet now that tourist season was over. Dry leaves scuttled across Main Street, piling against storefronts, and the afternoon sun dipped low on the horizon.
Madison had been quiet today. Jade wasn’t stupid. This ride home wasn’t going to come cheap.
“So you’re really going through with this.”
Jade sighed. “Was it the announcement or the ring that gave it away?”
“Jade. I’m not trying to rain on your parade here, but—”
“Why can’t you just be happy for me? Is that too much to ask?”
“Because I can see the train wreck coming from here.”
Madison might be older, but that didn’t mean she knew best. She had her husband and cozy little home. That was all Jade wanted, and she wanted it for her babies. She set her hand on her stomach. She and Daniel were good together. She could give him a real home, a family. He deserved that.
“This is what we want. That’s all that matters.”
“I just want what’s best for both of you, and this isn’t it. You both deserve more than this.”
Jade shook her head. Madison was wasting her time. Jade wasn’t changing her mind.
But what if she got hold of Daniel? What if he listened? Dread shimmied inside like a thousand leaves under gale-force winds. Daniel seemed to want this as much as Jade. But Madison could be persuasive. What if she changed his mind?
“You need to stay out of this, Madison.”
“You’re going to want more eventually, you both will. What happens if Daniel actually falls in love one day? What then, huh? What if you fall in love with someone else? Can’t you see what a disaster that would be?”
“That won’t happen.” She would never do that to Daniel. Would never betray him like that. “We know what we’re doing.”
“What about his parents? They’re not exactly fans of the McKinley family. They’re never going to accept you or us. Have you thought about how hard that’ll be for Daniel? With him right in the middle?”
“I’ll win them over. When they see how happy I make Daniel, they’ll come around.”
“You’re being naïve.”
“And you’re being intrusive. Butt out, Madison. I mean it.”
Madison was out of line, and the thought of her taking Daniel away made Jade’s heart quake. She needed this. She needed him. She hadn’t realized how much until now.
Daniel had put it off as long as he could. The dishes were cleared, the leather bill folder perched on the table ledge, his dad’s Visa poking out the top. This was his only meal alone with his parents this weekend. The remaining hours would be filled with networking events designed to broaden Daniel’s reach. He’d told his grandma about the engagement before he’d left town. She’d been thrilled. His parents were another story.
He’d already broken the news that the transportation department had voted to buy their own ferry. Louisville would partner with them, and the plan would solve multiple problems. His dad hadn’t seen it that way. He’d been too upset about messing up the deal with the Crawfords. Neither of his parents would be happy about his next announcement either.
While Mom and Dad discussed details for the next day’s benefit auction, Daniel finished his Perrier and thought of Jade. Thought of her beautiful green eyes, her dress-the-way-I-want clothes, her dry sense of humor. He thought of her kissable lips and the tender way she unconsciously cradled her stomach. He wanted a lifetime with his girl, and nothing was going to stand in his way. Not even his parents.
“Mom, Dad.” He waited until he had their attention. “I have something to tell you.”
His mom fixed that go ahead, I’m listening smile on her face while his dad flagged the server and handed him the folder. Dad clasped his hands on the white linen tablecloth and waited.
Daniel drew a deep breath. “I’m getting married.”
His mom gave a little gasp. Her ruby lips turned up. “Oh, Daniel! I had no idea things had gotten so serious with Courtney. This is just splendid! Why didn’t you invite her along to celebrate?”
“Not Courtney, Mom. I’m marrying Jade.”
Daniel glanced at Dad, who gave nothing away. A lifetime of politics had cultivated a convincing poker face. Daniel hoped he never got that good.
“Jade . . . who’s Jade?” Mom asked
.
“Jade McKinley,” Daniel said.
Mom’s lips flattened an instant before her eyes turned to blue ice. “No.” She lifted her linen from her lap and slapped it on the table.
Daniel flexed his jaw. “Excuse me?”
“You cannot marry that girl. I won’t allow it.”
“The girl you brought to dinner?” Dad asked.
Daniel took a short break from Mom’s cold eyes. “Yes.”
“Daniel, she’s . . .” Mom looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “She. Is. Pregnant.”
Daniel sat back in his chair. “Yes. With twins.”
“Twins?” His mom looked away, her cheeks going red, her face struggling for composure. He almost felt sorry for her until he remembered she was standing between him and the woman he loved.
“She trapped you. That’s what she did.” Mom’s harsh whisper cut across the barren table.
“That doesn’t even make sense, Mom. We’ve established that the babies aren’t mine.”
“She is using you!”
Dad set his hand on Mom’s chiffon-covered arm. “Victoria. Settle down.”
“How can you sit there so calmly when this, this girl is trying to ruin him?”
“She’s not trying to ruin me, Mom. She loves me. And I love her. She makes me happy.”
His mom rolled her eyes toward the dimmed chandelier hanging overhead. “Talk some sense into him, Allen.”
The server set the folder on the table. “Anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you.” Dad signed the bill and slipped his Visa into his wallet as the server left.
Mom’s hands were clasped tightly on the table, her rings glittering under the lights. She stared at her glossy red nails.
“I think perhaps we should table this discussion until tomorrow,” Dad said.
Daniel looked between them. “Fine.” He tossed his own napkin on the table. “But I’m not changing my mind. I’m marrying Jade. The sooner you adjust to the idea, the better for everyone.”
When he got back to his hotel room, he checked his phone. He’d missed some texts during dinner.
HOW’D IT GO?
EVERYTHING OKAY?
YOU THERE?
HELLO?
He smiled. It was as close to panicked texting as he’d gotten from her. Was she worried he’d change his mind? That his parents would persuade him to break the engagement? Not a chance. He texted her back.
NO WORRIES. THE DEED IS DONE. EVERYTHING’S FINE. :) JUST GOT TO THE HOTEL. IT’S LATE. YOU SHOULD BE SLEEPING.
LIKE I COULD SLEEP. HOW UPSET ARE THEY? I SHOULD’VE COME WITH YOU.
IT’LL BE FINE. THEY WERE JUST . . . CONCERNED.
IS THAT CODE FOR FURIOUS?
IT’S CODE FOR GO TO BED.
I GET TO SLEEP IN. ARE YOU TRYING TO GET RID OF ME?
WHO ME?
CAN I DO ANYTHING TO HELP? CALL THEM? INVITE THEM FOR A VISIT? FORGE AN IMPRESSIVE PEDIGREE?
HA. THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE TIME.
LIKE AN EON OR TWO? SERIOUSLY, I KNOW TONIGHT WAS HARD. YOU’VE NEVER REALLY BUCKED THEM BEFORE. YOU OKAY?
It was true, he realized. When they’d encouraged him to go to his father’s alma mater, he’d given in. When they’d pushed him to run for mayor, he had. When they suggested he ask out some woman who was perfect for him, he’d capitulated.
Even this run for the House. Was it what he really wanted, or was he only following a course they’d mapped out for him? He loved serving the public. Well, most of it. He liked being on a first-name basis with everyone in town. He liked having the authority to make positive changes.
But if he were honest, he didn’t like some of it too. He didn’t like schmoozing for campaign dollars. He didn’t like the thought of representing people whose needs he didn’t know, and he especially didn’t like the spinning and dishonesty that infested politics.
He thought of his dad’s poker face. Was that who Daniel was going to become? It was what his parents wanted. And Jade was right. He’d always gone along with them. Did everyone think he was a total wuss? Was he?
YOU THERE?
His thoughts heavy, he replied. They went back and forth for almost an hour, the conversation shifting to their plans for the immediate future. When he finally turned out the lights and closed his eyes, thoughts of Jade filled his dreams.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
JADE PULLED THE NAIL POLISH FROM HER BAG, ADMIRING THE deep purple as she shook it.
Beside her, Daniel tapped out an e-mail on his laptop and clicked Send. It whooshed into cyberspace. “Sure you don’t want to go for a boat ride tonight?”
Her back ached at the mere thought. “I can’t get comfortable in a bed, much less a boat.”
They’d fallen into the habit of having supper together at his place after work. She stayed until bedtime. Sometimes Daniel worked out, sometimes they watched TV. Other times, like tonight, they did their own thing, simply sharing the same space. It was what their marriage would be like, only with two babies in the mix.
She uncapped the bottle of Purple Prose and pulled her foot to the edge of Daniel’s sofa. She could barely reach her toes these days. She was eight months, her scheduled C-section only a week and a half away.
Soon she’d be holding her babies in her arms. How would she feel when she looked into their eyes, held their tiny hands? What if they looked like him? What if she couldn’t love them the way she was supposed to?
She slammed the door shut on that thought. She already loved them. Seeing them, holding them, wouldn’t change that. Would it?
Daniel set the laptop on the end table. “What are you doing?”
“Painting my toenails?”
“You’re holding your breath.”
She finished the big toe. “The fumes can’t be good for the babies.”
“Neither can lack of oxygen.”
She shot him a look.
He held out his hand. “Give me that.”
She raised a brow. “Seriously?”
He patted his lap. She handed over the polish and moved her feet onto his lap, turning in her seat.
Her toes were probably going to look like a four-year-old had gotten hold of them. Oh well. She could breathe now, and her knee wasn’t shoved into her protruding belly.
She leaned against the stuffed arm, watching Daniel as he bent over her feet. He swiped the polish along her nails in slow, meticulous strokes. His tongue came out, parting his lips.
“This stuff reeks,” he said between toes.
“But it’s pretty and sparkly.”
He smiled briefly before his tongue came out again. His lashes swept down, long and dark against his skin. The light from the lamp cast a golden glow on his skin.
“You’re pretty good at this, Mr. Mayor.”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“I should film it and turn it in to the news. ‘Mayor paints assistant’s toenails. Details at eleven.’ ”
“There goes my career.”
She imagined him painting her daughter’s toenails—presuming one or both were girls. She imagined their wiggling feet, his large hands patiently steadying them while they giggled.
A few minutes later he capped the bottle. They watched a sitcom while her toenails dried. His arm lay across her legs. His hand rested on her bare ankle.
During the commercial, Jade picked up his guitar and played around with a song she’d written in Chicago. She’d built her calluses up over the past couple months.
“Nice melody,” he said after she’d played through a verse and chorus. “Kind of haunting.”
When the show ended, Daniel held out his hands. She passed him the guitar, shifting her bare feet to the coffee table.
He settled the guitar in his lap, his hand finding home on the neck. “I’ve been working on something.” He started strumming.
A few measures later, Jade recognized the lullaby: “All Through the Night.”
He continued, picking ge
ntly with his fingertips. The melody floated quietly through the room, the strains soothing and peaceful.
Daniel wasn’t a gifted player—he’d be the first to admit it. He worked hard on new songs, and his thick fingers made playing cumbersome. But he had this one down. She wondered how many hours it had taken.
He gave the final strum. The last chord was still ringing out as he looked up at her. “I was thinking about what you said earlier. About the babies being able to hear sounds. If I play this every night until they’re born, it’ll become familiar. And later it’ll remind them of being all snug inside.” A flush crept up into his cheeks.
Her eyes stung at the beauty of the thought. At his sweet, selfless nature. How had she gotten so lucky? An aching lump swelled in her throat.
Daniel’s face fell. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
She scooted over on the couch. Took the guitar from his hands, setting it on the table. She pulled him into her arms, sighing. “That’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
She blinked back the tears, telling herself to pull it together. What was wrong with her? “Plus, these hormones are killing me.”
He smiled against her temple. A shiver went down her spine, and she wondered if he felt it. She felt him. The warmth of his hand at her back. The solidness of his shoulder against her cheek, the movement of his chest rising and falling against her.
He drew back, his fingers softly pinching her chin. He leaned forward, and his lips brushed hers. Her heart stopped. It was a chaste kiss, soft and supple. Almost over before it began. Not enough.
He drew away. “I hope that’s o—”
She clenched his shirt in her hand, pulling him in. She grazed her lips across his, and her heart began beating again.
She felt his surprise in the pause. A heartbeat later, he took the lead. His hands cradled her face, his lips moving against hers in a way she felt to the core. When he deepened the kiss, she barely suppressed a moan.
This was Daniel. It should be weird. Awkward. But it wasn’t. They had sparks or chemistry or something. How could that be? Maybe it wasn’t chemistry at all. Maybe it was the pregnancy. The hormones? She hadn’t really had a chance to take them for a spin until now.
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