She looked away. “I guess I shouldn’t have come. I just wanted to see you, to make sure you were okay. But I’ll go. I’m sorry.” She turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She swung back around. Her soft green eyes met his and his chest grew tight.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to see you. I—I thought you’d blame me for your brother.”
Her eyes washed with tears. “At first, I blamed myself for getting involved with you, but then I got to thinking about how he was. He was always getting himself into trouble. He wasn’t a bad person, but he was always making bad decisions.”
“Sort of like me,” Billy said.
She shook her head. “We all make mistakes. Maybe you made some bad decisions in your past. But you saved two people’s lives, Billy. You were willing to die to save that cop.”
He hated hearing all that crap, and he blurted out what he hadn’t been able to say to anyone else. “It’s not like I thought about it or even meant to do it. I just reacted!”
Her eyes widened. “Yeah, but not everyone would have reacted like that.” She stepped closer. “That’s what I saw in you. Even in the beginning, in your letters, you were kind and good. You owned up to what you’d done. You’re not a bad person. And sometimes I got the feeling you felt like you were. People make mistakes, but it’s not so much our mistakes that make us good or bad, but how we clean up the messes and what we learn from them.”
His chest filled with a lightness he hadn’t felt since he’d left her at the beach house. Not even learning that he might not have to go back to prison felt this good. “My lawyer says…she really thinks I won’t have to go back to prison.” He moved away from the counter and pressed his palms on the back of a chair. “I want to go to school. I’ve got a lot of plans.”
She looked at him. “That’s good.”
“I need to get my life together. It could take some time.”
“I understand.” She started backing out of the kitchen, hurt in her eyes, and Billy realized Ellie didn’t understand. Her next backward shuffle took her farther away from him. Leaving. She was leaving.
“Would you help me?” His words came out fast.
She bumped into the side of the door frame. Her gaze shot up. “You want me to?”
“More than anything in this world.”
They met in the middle of the kitchen. And when he stood directly in front of her, he thought he’d die if he didn’t touch her. So he reached out and placed his hands around her waist. Pleasure that bordered on pain flowed from the touch and filled his heart.
She leaned in and placed a hand on his chest. Her soft mouth came so close that what came next was as natural as breathing. He kissed her. Drank the sweet taste of her lips and swore to himself that he’d become the man Ellie thought he was.
“You kids, don’t get too carried away in there!” Nan called.
Billy laughed and pulled back. Then he brushed the soft blonde strands of hair from her cheek. “Have I told you I love you?”
Later that afternoon, Jake got the courage to just do it. He checked to make sure Macy wasn’t working, then called Nan to make sure she was at home.
“She’s home. Just talked to her.” Nan paused. “You’re gutsy. What do you have up your sleeve now?”
“Just watch the news.” Jake guessed that Nan was smart enough to have figured he was responsible for the signs.
“Will do. By the way, you owe me and my daughter.”
“For what?” He liked this woman and hoped he could call her part of his family soon.
“Do you know how many love letters we wrote to the news station saying we’d marry your sorry ass? We figured it might help if Macy thought somebody else wanted you.”
Jake laughed. “Which one of you wanted to lick me like a Popsicle?”
Nan giggled. “Got that out of a romance novel.”
“Okay,” Jake said. “I owe you. Name your price.”
“How about making my granddaughter happy?”
“I’m hoping I get the opportunity.”
An hour later, Jake pulled up at Macy’s house. He waited until the two news vans pulled in behind him to go to the door.
He knocked.
Macy’s voice sounded through the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s Jake. Let me in, please.” His request met silence. His heart ached and he sent out another prayer. “Please, I’ve got all sorts of media right behind me. I’d rather say what I have to say to you in private. Unless you want it on tonight’s news.”
Her front door opened. She stared out in horror at the reporters approaching her front lawn.
“Crappers!” She motioned him inside, then slammed and locked the door.
Once he was in, she glared at him. “I don’t know why I rescued you. You did this to yourself.”
“Guilty as charged.” He half smiled, hoping to put her in a good mood. God, it felt good to see her.
She rolled her eyes. “Why would you do something so…”
“Public?” he finished for her. He took a step closer and ached to touch her.
“Yeah, public.” She took a step back.
That little step hurt. He fought to hang on to hope. “I thought you’d figured that out by now.”
“Well, I guess I’m not as smart as you think.”
He heard the reporters nearing the front door. “I did it to show you that my pride isn’t as important as you are. Nothing…is as important as you are.”
She took another step; then, swinging around, she walked into the living room. At least she hadn’t told him to leave.
He followed and watched her drop on the sofa. Elvis scurried over and did figure eights around his ankles. Kneeling, he petted the feline. “Your cat’s happy to see me.”
“And his rations will be docked for it, too.” She glared at Elvis.
Jake rose, then moved to the sofa and sat beside her, careful not to touch her too soon. This might be his last chance. That thought had all kinds of emotions racing around his heart.
“Macy—”
“Don’t.” She pressed a finger to his lips, then jerked away. “I can’t do this, Jake.”
The weight of her words burrowed into the pit of his gut. “Do what? Forgive me? Do you really think I don’t love you? I was so angry for so long at my brother, I wasn’t thinking straight. Do you really think I meant what I said?”
“It’s not just that.”
She closed her eyes. Her dark, thick lashes rested against the tender skin beneath. The bluish circles told him she hadn’t slept well. He liked thinking she’d missed him, but knowing she’d been hurting, that he’d been the one to cause that pain, only deepened his guilt.
“Then what is it?” he asked.
She opened her eyes and looked right at him. The vulnerability and fear he saw pooling there had his mind reeling. And just like that, everything made sense.
“This isn’t about what happened at my mom’s, is it? This is about your dad, and you not trusting men in general.” When she didn’t answer, he knew he was right.
He stood up and paced across the room. “What do I have to do to prove to you that I’m not your dad, Macy? I’m not going to walk out on you. I’m not Billy, who took you for granted. And I sure as hell am not like that asshole of an ex who had a slice of heaven and didn’t know it.”
She blinked, and her baby blues filled with tears. “You’re still like my grandpa. You could get killed. You put your life on the line every day. You get shot at. You shoot at bad guys. On the day Billy was shot, I thought you were dead. They said there was a casualty. I thought it was you. I can’t take that. I can’t take losing someone else.”
He watched one of her tears slip down her cheek. “Well, I wasn’t killed. I’m right here. I’m alive.”
“But you could have been killed.”
He gritted his teeth. “What are you saying, Macy? You want me to give up my job? Is that what you’re saying?” The thought sent a bulldoze
r through his life plans. He’d never wanted to be anything but a cop. But if it meant—
“No. I wouldn’t…I don’t…”
“Then, what?” He dropped down on his knees in front of her. “I love you, Macy. I love you so much that I can’t imagine my life without you.”
She blinked, and a couple more tears fell from her eyes. “I’m scared. I’m scared you’ll get killed. I’m scared you’ll start cheating on me. I’m scared that I’ll fall so deeply in love that I couldn’t handle losing you. Then you’ll leave me and I’ll be…I’ll become my mom.”
He took her hands in his. “I’ll never willingly leave you. Never cheat on you. Damn it, Macy, you can’t go through life not trusting anyone because they might die.” Right then Elvis skittered past. “You love the cat right? But you damn well know it’s going to die before you. It doesn’t stop you from loving it.”
Macy blinked, and it appeared as if he was actually getting through to her. But just in case, he kept going. “Besides, even your mom has dealt with this, and she’s letting herself give love a shot. And to be honest, I’m scared, too! I think that’s part of the reason why I didn’t tell you about Lisa and Harry. I thought if you knew one person had dumped me, you’d think twice about wanting me. I felt as if you had one eye on the door at all times, waiting for me to make a mistake.”
“You did make a mistake.” She said the words as if it were her last stand.
“I know, and it was a champion of mistakes, too. Which is why I did the whole billboard thing, to show you that—that I’m sorry. That you’re more important than my pride.”
She let go of his hands. “You should have told me about Lisa and your brother.” She released a shaky breath. “And the things you said, they—”
“They were horrible. I know. And I’ll regret that all my life. Just don’t make me have to live that life without you.” Their eyes met and held, and he’d never been more certain she loved him. His chest swelled with hope. “I need you in my life.”
A knock sounded at the door. Macy glanced up and then shot him a panicked look. “What do they want?”
He leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. “A fairy-tale ending?”
“I’m not sure I believe in fairy-tale endings,” Macy said.
“Then I’ll have to spend the next forty to fifty years proving you wrong.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “Marry me, Macy Tucker.”
“If I say no, will you keep posting billboards?”
“Probably.”
“Will you end up marrying the woman who wants to lick you like a Popsicle?”
He laughed. “Sorry, but Nan doesn’t do it for me.”
Macy’s eyes widened. “She…”
“Yeah.”
Macy shook her head, then focused on him, but the look in her eyes told him everything was going to be okay. “You’re a lot of trouble,” she said.
He arched an eyebrow. “So are you.”
“Oh, pleeaase! What did I do?”
He held his hands out to count. “One: you messed with the family jewels. Two: you told the FBI I was a dirty cop. Three: you convinced me you were about to become a nun. Four: you made me go with you to buy tampons. Five: you wouldn’t admit I was your boyfriend. Six: you don’t eat bacon. But remind me to tell you that I found some vegetarian bacon I bought at the specialty grocery store. Seven: you stole my towel and my mama saw me naked…with a stiffy! Eight: you made me fall in love with you.”
He touched her face. God he loved touching her. “Nine, and this is a biggy: you named my penis Mr. Dudley!”
She leaned against him and laughed. “So I guess we’re both trouble, and that makes us perfect for each other, right?” She sat up.
“Right.” He studied her. “Is that…a yes?”
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think I gotcha.” He smiled. “But I need to hear you say it.”
“You got me, Jake Baldwin,” She leaned in and kissed him.
He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her to show her just how right he and Mr. Dudley thought they were for each other.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to give credit to all those who have supported me. To my husband who reads my galleys faster than he reads any other books, who recommends my books to all his friends and rightfully takes credit for being my inspiration for all the good stuff. (Seriously, babe, those are your abs.) To my son, Steve Craig Jr., who said, “Next time, can you please put my name in the acknowledgments so people will believe you are my mom?” To Faye Hughes, the kind of friend who will stay up most of the night proofing revisions, and only complain for a few months…and counting.
To every fan who has ever e-mailed me and used the word/words, “wow,” “great,” “love it,” or “can’t wait to read the next one.” Seriously, thank you. And Mom and Dad, if that’s you getting different IP addresses, you can stop now. To Betty Hobbs and her daughter Tina Soltesz who pimp my books to everyone they meet and let me know when they spot one in a Goodwill store. (Hey, someone used me to get a tax write off. Cool!) To Val and Pat Sturman, for nothing less than a stomach virus keeps them away from an autographing, and whose own personal love story inspires my sense of romance. To Katy Budget Books for supporting me and so many Houston authors. You rock girls. To the real Faye Moore, another fan and friend whose zest for life is an inspiration to so many. To friends who believed in me as a writer before I did: Francyne, Nita, Leah, Linda and Janece—at one time or another you’ve all held my hand and given me just the right nudge—or shove—onto the correct path.
Thanks to my editor Chris Keeslar and to my agent Kim Lionetti for continuing to put up with me. (It isn’t easy, ask my husband.) And finally, to Renee Yewdaev, Cindy Johnson, and Tracy Heydweiller in the Dorchester Production Department for taking my editor’s handcuff idea and making it look awesome.
Rave Reviews for Christie Craig!
DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DATING
“This sequel to Craig’s Divorced, Desperate and Delicious is another delightfully entertaining novel with an intriguing mystery. Peopled with interesting new characters and familiar old ones, it also has its share of animal friends that add a lot of humor and warmth to the story.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“I was simply delighted by this breezy, snappy, good-time story…. This book is sure to brighten your day.”
—Beyond Her Book Blog, Publishers Weekly
“Christie Craig is the jewel of my finds when it comes to new authors to add to my favorites list. Her characters draw you in immediately, make you care about them in no time flat, and her humor is to die for.”
—The Good, The Bad, and The Unread
“Ms. Craig seems in touch with the readers’ desires. She does a great job of blending and sifting all the elements we love (heat, emotion, wit, and action) into one great story.”
—Once Upon a Romance
WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER
“Although the plot is threaded with sassy humor, a lighthearted touch, and misaligned lovers hinting strongly of Shakespeare, a deranged psychopath, a trail of murdered brides, and threats of real danger keep the story on the suspenseful side.”
—Library Journal
“Once again Craig brings a wonderful story to life with a number of likable and interesting characters. There’s a quite decent mystery, a fair amount of suspense and two lovely romances.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“If you want a sexy romance that will put a smile on your face, a Christie Craig book is the way to go!”
—Night Owl Romance
Critics Love Christie Craig!
WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER
“A story that twines emotions and feelings with sizzle and steam, all wrapped around bits of humor…Weddings Can Be Murder combines passionate and intense characters with a plot that’s well-balanced and fast-moving. It’s edgy and fun.”
—Once Upon a Romance
DIVORCED, DE
SPERATE AND DELICIOUS
“Christie Craig delivers humor, heat, and suspense in addictive doses. She’s the newest addition to my list of have-to-read authors…. Funny, hot, and suspenseful. Christie Craig’s writing has it all. Warning: definitely addictive.”
—New York Times Bestselling Author Nina Bangs
“Readers who enjoy Jennie Crusie and Janet Evanovich will fall head over heels for Divorced, Desperate and Delicious, a witty romantic adventure by debut author Christie Craig…. A page-turner filled with humorous wit, sexy romance and just enough danger to keep you up long past midnight.”
—New York Times Bestselling Author Dianna Love Snell
“Suspense and romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat…until you fall off laughing…. Christie Craig writes a book you can’t put down.”
—RITA Finalist Gemma Halliday
“This is an entertaining, fast-moving mystery and romance peopled with interesting, likable characters, as well as warm and cuddly animals. The main romance, as well as the secondary ones, are delightful, and the suspense is well done. This is an all-around enticing and fun story to read.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Divorced, Desperate and Delicious is funny, witty, suspenseful, and very entertaining…. This is a wonderful book. The characters are charming, and there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Christie Craig has a winner.”
—Romance Reviews Today
Other Love Spell books by Christie Craig:
DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DATING
WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER
DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS
Copyright
LOVE SPELL®
June 2009
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Gotcha! Page 34
