Pregnant by the Texan

by Sara Orwig

  The crowd had become silent and Gil had a lapel mike so it was easy to hear him. “We have some people onstage—I imagine everyone here knows them, but in case they don’t, I want to briefly tell you who is here. Please save your applause until I finish. I’ll start with our sheriff, Nathan Battle.” Gil ran through the list, reeling off the names of the town council members and heads of various agencies, and when he was done, the audience applauded.

  “Now as you know, Mayor Vance was critically injured by the tornado. He is off the critical list—” Gil paused while people clapped. “He is still in the hospital and unable to join us tonight, but he has sent a letter for me to read, which I will do now.

  ‘To the residents of Royal,

  I am still recovering from the storm and most deeply grateful to be alive and that my family survived. My deepest sympathy goes out to those who lost their loved ones, their homes, their herds or crops. We were hurt in so many ways, but from the first moment after the storm, people have helped each other.

  It was with deep regret that I learned that Deputy Mayor Max Rothschild was also killed by the tornado. Since I will not be able to return to this job for a few more months, Royal will temporarily need an acting mayor. I have talked to our city officials, agency heads and concerned citizens, and one name comes up often and we are all in agreement. I hope we can persuade Ms. Stella Daniels to accept this position.’”

  Gil paused to let people applaud and cheer. The noise was making her ears ring. Just then, Aaron leaned close to whisper in her ear, “I told you everyone wants you.”

  She smiled and threw kisses and waved, then put her hand down, hoping Gil could calm the crowd. She was stunned by the turnout and the crowd’s enthusiastic support— for the first time in her life, she felt accepted by everyone. She glanced at Aaron, who smiled and winked at her, and she was certain he was the one behind this crowd that had gathered.

  Gil raised his hand for quiet. “Folks, there’s more from Mayor Vance.

  ‘Please persuade Ms. Stella Daniels to accept this position. Since the first moments after the storm Stella has been doing my job. Now that I have recovered enough to read the mail I receive, I have had texts, emails, letters and cards that mention Stella and all she is doing for Royal and its citizens. I urge Stella to accept this position and I am heartily supported by the town council, other officials of Royal and by its citizens.

  Merry Christmas. Best wishes for your holiday,

  The Honorable Richard Vance, Mayor of Royal, Texas.’”

  There was another round of cheers and applause and Gil motioned for quiet. “At this point, I’m turning the meeting over to Nathan Battle.”

  Nathan received applause and motioned for quiet. “Thanks. I volunteered to do this part of the program. Royal needs an acting mayor.” Nathan turned to Stella. “Stella, I think you can see that Mayor Vance, the town council and the whole town of Royal would like you to accept this position that will end in a few months when Mayor Vance can return to work. Will you be acting mayor of Royal?”

  Feeling even more dazed, she looked up at Nathan Battle’s dark brown eyes. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at him. “Yes, I’ll accept the job of acting mayor until Mayor Vance gets back to work.”

  Her last words were drowned out by cheers and applause. Nathan shook her hand as he smiled. “Congratulations,” he shouted. He stepped back and applauded as she turned and Aaron gave her a brief hug.

  Everyone onstage shook her hand and tried to say a few words to her. The audience still cheered so she waved her hands for quiet.

  “I want to thank all of you for this show of support. I’m stunned and amazed. I’ll try my best to do what I can for Royal, as so many of you are doing. Let’s all work together and, hopefully, we can get this town back in shape far sooner than anyone expected. Thank you so very much.”

  As the crowd applauded, Gil stepped forward and motioned for quiet again. “One more thing at this time. We can go from here to the dining hall. There’s a buffet with lots of tables of food. Everyone can eat and during dessert we’ll have Stella perform her first task as acting mayor and make presentations of gifts. There will be singing of Christmas carols in the dining room and then dancing back in this room, games in other rooms and the children’s center will be open for the little ones. We have staff to take care of the babies. Now let’s adjourn to the dining hall.”

  They applauded and Stella started down the steps to shake hands with people and talk to them. She lost track of Aaron until he showed up at her side and handed her a glass of ice water.

  Gratefully, she sipped it and continued moving through the crowd toward the dining room. “You did this,” she said to him.

  “All I did was tell people we would do this tonight. No one would have come tonight if they hadn’t wanted you for acting mayor and hadn’t wanted to thank and support you.”

  “Aaron, I don’t know what to say. I’m still reeling in shock.”

  “Congratulations. Now you’ll get paid a little more for what you’ve been doing anyway. That’s the thing, Stella. You’re already doing this job and you have been for the past two months.”

  “If people know I’m pregnant, they might not want me for the job.”

  “It’s most likely only for a couple more months and you’re doing great so far.”

  “How many more surprises do you have in store tonight, Aaron?”

  “I’m working on that one,” he said, and she rolled her eyes. “The band is coming in now. Let’s head to the dining room and nibble on something while they set up.”

  “I don’t know how long I’m going to feel dazed.”

  “It’ll wear off and life will go right back to normal. You’ll see.”

  Cole suddenly appeared in front of her. “Congratulations, Stella. You deserve to have the official title since you’re doing all the work that goes with it.”

  “Thank you for coming tonight, Cole. I appreciate everyone showing their support. I had no idea.”

  “Well, Aaron organized this and I’m glad to be here because you should have this position. Just keep up what you’re doing,” he said, smiling at her.

  “Thanks so much,” she said.

  “I’m touched you came tonight, Cole. I’m really amazed.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed this.”

  As they moved on, she leaned closer to Aaron. “I’ll remember this night all my life. I’ll go see Mayor Vance tomorrow and thank him. But I suppose my biggest thanks goes to you. You must have been really busy talking to everyone.”

  “It didn’t take any persuasion on my part. Everyone thought you’d be the best person for the job.”

  “Well, I’m amazed and touched by that, too. I just did what needed to be done, like hundreds of other people in Royal.”

  Gil Addison appeared again. “Stella. As acting mayor you should take charge of the next event on tonight’s schedule. We’d like to tell people to pick up their envelopes and their presents whenever they want. Some families have little children and they won’t want to stay long. Also, as acting mayor, you really should be at the head of the food line.”

  “I don’t want to cut in front of people,” she said, laughing and shaking her head. “I’ll just get in line.”

  “Enjoy the few little perks you get with this job,” Gil said. “There won’t be many.”

  As they headed toward the dining room, people continued to stop and congratulate her. Paige walked up while the Battles talked to Aaron.

  “You look gorgeous,” she said. “Your necklace and bracelet are beautiful.”

  “Thank you. Aaron gave them to me.”

  “Aaron? I’m surprised, but glad Aaron is coming out of his shell. All our lives are changing, some in major ways, some in tiny ones, but the storm was a major upheaval for all of us. At least it looks as if we’re all pulling together.”

  “I’m astounded, but oh, so thrilled. Thanks, Paige, for your part in this evening.”

  “Whatever I can
do, I’m glad to. After I eat, I’ll be at the table with the envelopes we’re giving out. Members of the TCC will help us and we’re doing this in shifts.”

  “Great, thanks.”

  Paige moved on and Aaron took Stella’s arm to walk to the dining room. Enticing smells of hot bread, turkey and ham filled the air, and the dining room had three lines of long tables laden with food. The rest of the room was filled with tables covered in red or green paper where people could sit. At the back of the room was a huge decorated Christmas tree. Presents surrounded it, spilling out in front of it, lining the wall behind it. There appeared to be hundreds of wrapped presents. Paige, Lark, Edie, Megan and four TCC members sat at two tables to hand out envelopes of money some families would be receiving.

  Gil appeared again. “Stella, you’re the guest of honor—you get to go to the head of the line.”

  “I feel ridiculous doing that.”

  “We need you to go anyway so you can make the announcement about the gifts. Aaron, you go with her. Everyone’s waiting for you to start.”

  Aaron took her arm as they followed Gil to the head of a line.

  She had little appetite, but she ate some of the catered food that was there in abundance—turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and cream gravy, ham, roasts, barbecued ribs, hot biscuits, thick golden corn bread, pickled peaches, an endless variety.

  When they finished, Gil excused himself and left the table. He was back in minutes to sit and lean closer to talk to Stella. “We’re ready to start matching people up with their gifts. People can pick up their things all evening long until eleven-thirty. The volunteers will change shifts at regular intervals so no one has to spend the whole evening handing out presents. If you’re ready, I’ll announce you. Aaron, go onstage. You’ll be next about the Dallas TCC.”

  “Sure,” she said. “Excuse me,” she said to Nathan Battle, who sat beside her.

  At the front of the room, Gil called for everyone’s attention. “As I think all of you know, some people in Royal lost everything in the storm. A good number of Royal residents have been badly hit. So many of us wanted to do something about that. This was Stella’s idea and I’ll let her tell you more about it—” He handed a mike to Stella.

  “As you all know,” Stella began, “we decided to do a Christmas drive to provide presents and support for the people who need it most. All the Texas Cattleman Club’s members, along with the ladies from the Christmas-drive committee volunteered to help. Those who could do so, both from Royal and other parts of Texas have contributed generously so everyone in Royal can have a wonderful holiday.

  “Each family receiving gifts tonight has been assigned a number. First, go over to the table where the volunteers are seated near the west wall and pick up the envelope that matches your number. That envelope is for you and your family. Also, there are gifts that correspond to those numbers under the Christmas tree and along the back wall. Just go see a volunteer, who will help you. You get both an envelope plus the wrapped gifts that correspond to your number.

  “We want to give a huge thanks to all who contributed money, time and effort to this drive to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas. Thank you.”

  People applauded and Stella started to sit, but Gil appeared and motioned her to wait. He took the mike. “I have one more important announcement—some really good news for us. Aaron Nichols and Cole Richardson are members of the Dallas, Texas, Cattleman’s Club, but they are spending so much time and money in Royal trying to help us rebuild the town that the Texas Cattleman’s Club of Royal invited them to join, which they did. Aaron Nichols and Cole will tell you about the rest. Aaron,” Gil said, and handed the mike to Aaron while everyone applauded.

  “Thanks. We’re glad to help. This is Cole’s hometown and I feel like it’s mine now, too, because I’ve been here so much and everyone is so friendly. We’ve talked to some of our TCC friends in Dallas. I’ll let Cole finish this.” Aaron handed the mike to Cole, who received applause.

  “It’s good to be home again.” He received more applause and waved his hand for quiet as he smiled. “We have friends here tonight from the Dallas TCC. They told us today that they wanted to make a presentation tonight. I want to introduce Lars West, Sam Thompkins and Rod Jenkins. C’mon, guys,” he said as each man waved and smiled at the audience.

  Tall with thick brown hair, Lars West stepped forward. “Thanks, Cole. We know the TCC suffered damage along with so much of Royal. We talked to our Dallas TCC and we want to present a check to the TCC here in Royal,” he said, turning to Gil Addison. “We’d like the Royal TCC to have a check for two million dollars to use for Royal storm aid however the TCC here sees fit.”

  The last of his words were drowned out by applause as the audience came to their feet and gave him a standing ovation.

  Aaron motioned to Stella to join him and he introduced her to the men from Dallas. “Thank you,” she said. “That’s an incredibly generous gift and will do so much good for Royal.”

  “We hope so. We wanted to do something,” Sam said.

  They talked a few more minutes and then left the stage while Cole lingered and turned to Stella.

  “I was about to go home,” Cole said. “I thought Aaron could do this by himself, but he talked me into staying for the presentation. There are other Dallas TCC members here for a fun night. These three guys insist on going back to Dallas tonight, so we’re all leaving now,” Cole told them as Gil shook hands and thanked the Dallas TCC members.

  “Cole, again, thanks so much for coming out,” Stella said.

  “I want to thank you, too,” Aaron added.

  “I hope all of this tonight brightened everybody’s Christmas,” Cole said. He left the stage to join the TCC Dallas members, moving through the crowd. He passed near Paige Richardson, speaking to her, and she smiled, speaking in return, both of them looking cordial as they passed each other.

  Gil left to put the check in a safe place. Aaron took Stella’s arm to go back to the great room where a band played and people danced. People stopped to congratulate Stella, to thank her. Some thanked Aaron for the TCC Dallas contribution.

  “I’m going to dance with you before we leave here,” Aaron said.

  “I just hope we didn’t miss anyone tonight in terms of the presents and money we’re giving to families.”

  “Everyone could sign up who felt the need and some people signed up friends who wouldn’t come in and sign up themselves. I don’t think anyone got overlooked, but there’s no way to really know,” he said. “And with that, let’s close this chapter on Royal’s recovery for tonight and concentrate on you and me.”

  Startled, Stella looked up at him.

  “Let’s dance,” he said, taking her into his arms. “We can’t leave early, Stella. All these people came for you and they’ll expect you to stay and have a good time. They’ll want to speak to you.”

  “Aaron, in some ways,” she said as she danced with him, “all my life I’ve felt sort of like an outsider. I’ve always been plain—I grew up that way and my mother is that way. For the first time tonight, I feel really accepted by everyone.”

  “You’re accepted, believe me. Stella, people are so grateful to you. I’ve talked to them, and they’re grateful for all you’ve done. And as for plain—just look in the mirror.”

  “You did that for me,” she said solemnly, thinking the evening would have been so wonderful if she’d had Aaron’s love. It was a subject she had shut out of her mind over and over since their arrival at the club tonight. Tears threatened again and she no longer felt like dancing.

  “Aaron, I need a moment,” she said, stepping away from him. She knew the clubhouse from being there with members for various events and she hurried off the dance floor and out of the room, heading for one of the small clubrooms that would be empty on a night like this. Tears stung her eyes and she tried to control them, wiping them off her cheeks.

  A hand closed on her arm and Aaron stopped her. He saw her tears and fro
wned.

  “C’mon,” he said, holding her arm and walking down the hall to enter a darkened meeting room. Hanging a sign, Meeting in Progress, on the outside knob and switching on a small lamp, he closed the door.

  She wiped her eyes frantically and took deep breaths.

  He turned to face her, walking to her and placing his hands on his hips. “I was going to wait until we went home tonight to talk to you, but I think we better talk right now. What started out to be a great, fun evening for you has turned sour in a big way.”

  “Aaron, we can’t talk here.”

  “Yes, we can.” He stepped close and slipped one arm around her waist. His other hand tilted her chin up as he gazed into her eyes. “This is long overdue, but as the old saying goes, sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. I’ve missed you and I’ve been miserable without you. I love you, Stella.”

  Startled, she frowned as she stared at him. “You’re saying that—I don’t think you mean it. It’s one of those nice and honorable things you do.”

  “No. I’m not saying it to be nice and not out of honor. It’s out of love. After I lost Paula and Blake, I didn’t think I would ever love again. I didn’t think I could. I was wrong, because there’s always room in the heart for love. I just couldn’t even see that I had fallen in love with you.”

  Shocked, she stared at him. “Aaron, I didn’t know about your wife and son until this past week.”

  He frowned. “I thought everyone around here knew that. I just didn’t talk about it.”

  “That’s been a barrier between us, hasn’t it?”

  “It was, but it’s not now. I’m in love with you. I want to marry you and if you’d found out today that you’re not really pregnant, I would still tell you the same thing. I love you. When I lost Paula and Blake, I didn’t want to live, either. I hurt every minute of every day for so long. When I finally did go out with a woman, I think it was three or four years later and after the date, I just wanted to go home and be alone.”