by Cindy Kirk
“For starters it’s afternoon not morning. And the Irish Wicked Witch of the West greeting is a dead giveaway.”
A.J. laughed uproariously as if she’d said something truly hilarious. “I’m not drunk. I’m just happy.”
July added fresh mushrooms and onion to the cart and tried to figure out what might have precipitated his joyful mood. “Today’s Thursday,” she mused. “That means you’re back in Chicago.”
“Correctamundo,” he said. “Back in the city I love.”
“Now I know you’re drunk.”
“I’m feeling great. Life is good.”
July paused. After a second the puzzle pieces began to slip into place. “It’s Selena. You told her you loved her.”
Something that sounded suspiciously like a giggle burst from his lips. “I did indeed. And she said she loved me back. Can you believe it? She loves me!”
“Of course I can believe it.” Finding his joy contagious, July couldn’t help but let a giggle of her own escape. She hadn’t heard her friend this happy since, well, forever. “I’m proud of you, A.J.”
“I wish I’d done it a long time ago,” he said, suddenly serious.
“You did it now,” July said. “That’s what matters.”
“What about you? How are you and the doctor doing?”
“I’m making him dinner tonight.” July snagged a couple garlic cloves then wheeled the cart down the dairy aisle.
“Which one of the meals are you making him?”
July dropped a package of cream cheese into the cart then moved to the sour cream display. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”
“You only know how to make two things,” A.J. teased. “Which is it? Spaghetti bake? Or Stroganoff pie?”
“Perhaps I’ve expanded my culinary skills while—”
“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to.”
July heaved a resigned sigh. “The beef and mushroom Stroganoff pie.”
“A Merlot would be a good choice.”
“I’m nursing, remember? I don’t drink.”
“The doc isn’t nursing, so pick up a bottle. The wine will get him good and relaxed for what you’ve got to tell him.”
July kept her tone offhand. “Who says I’m telling him anything tonight?”
“You only cook for one reason,” A.J. reminded her. “And time is running out.”
“Okay, you’re right. I am planning to tell him tonight.” July waved to a woman she recognized from the gala at the country club. She lowered her voice even though the woman was too far away to overhear. “I have to tell him, A.J. I feel terrible keeping this from him.”
“Then do it, July. Don’t think about doing it, just do it.”
July had just slid the Stroganoff pie in the oven and set the timer when she heard the garage door go up. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Though she hadn’t known for sure how long David would be, she certainly hadn’t expected him this early.
He raced home because he couldn’t wait to see me.
July chuckled. More than likely Celeste’s old boss had stood him up.
Thankfully, she was ready for him. She’d just fed and changed Adam. Other than sautéing the green beans, dinner was in good sha—
The door leading into the house from the garage flung open so hard it hit the wall. Adam jerked in the infant seat where he’d been sleeping but didn’t wake up.
David stormed in the room then skidded to a stop, a look of confusion blanketing his face. “What are you doing here?”
“You gave me a key.” July could feel anger rolling off him in waves. She forced a smile though her insides had started quaking. “I made dinner for us.”
“I’m not hungry,” he snapped.
July took a step back, a sick feeling taking over the pit of her stomach.
David must have realized how his response had sounded because he rubbed a hand across his face and forced a half smile. “I’m sorry. This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
Something bad had happened. Something really, really bad. The look of pain on his face. The despair in his eyes…
July’s breath caught in her throat. “Is Mary Karen okay? The boys? Granny?”
She’d seen them all this morning but that didn’t mean anything.
His eyes widened. “Has something happened?”
“No. No. You just seem so distraught. I worried—”
“This has nothing to do with them, either.” He slumped into a chair in the great room just off the kitchen and exhaled a harsh breath.
Though his edginess made her want to run for the mountains, she loved David and it was apparent he was hurting. She had to try to help. July scooted an ottoman close to his chair and took a seat. “What happened?”
He met her gaze. Pain warred with anger in his blue depths. “Celeste wasn’t leaving on a business trip the day of her accident. She was on her way to meet her lover.”
July’s mouth dropped open. She forced it shut. “Who told you that?”
“Gary.” David pressed his lips together and massaged the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
July’s head spun as she tried to assimilate the information. “How would he know?”
“He was her lover.” David gave a humorless chuckle. “For over a year. No wonder she didn’t want to move here. She didn’t want to be so far from him.”
“He came all this way after all this time to tell you that?” July felt her own anger surge. “For what purpose?”
“Apparently he’s in some twelve-step program. One of the steps involves making amends.”
“Perhaps he should have just apologized to his wife and left it at that.”
“He wasn’t married at the time.” David leaned back against the chair and exhaled a ragged breath. “I never thought she’d cheat. Never. I would have trusted her with my life.”
A cold chill traveled up July’s spine. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”
“Just having you here makes everything better.” He opened his arms and she moved to sit on his lap. When he wrapped her in a tight embrace, she laid her head on his chest.
“Everything is going to be all right,” she whispered fiercely against his shirt, not sure if she was trying to convince him…or herself.
“I know it will,” he said, stroking her hair. “Celeste and all the lies and deceit are my past. You and Adam, you’re my future.”
Chapter Seventeen
July snuggled up against David and watched him sleep. She’d volunteered to go home but he’d insisted she stay.
He hadn’t said any more about Celeste. Instead he built a fire and after they’d eaten, they spent the evening talking. Several times she almost confessed, but each time she backed off, telling herself it would be like hitting a guy when he was down. No matter how ready she’d been to confess tonight, this was clearly not the right time.
When they’d made love, corny as it might sound, the connection she’d felt had transcended the physical. She knew in her heart of hearts that she would never love anyone as much as she loved him.
She knew David cared for her, too. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch. The only question was, would it be enough when he discovered his wife wasn’t the only woman who’d lied to him?
July returned home on Saturday to find the household in an uproar. Mary Karen was hosting an after-church luncheon for Granny on Sunday and it seemed to have finally sunk in that the event was only a day away. With their grandparents back in town, the boys were even more hyper than usual.
“I want you to meet my parents,” Mary Karen said, dragging July into the kitchen. “Mom. Dad. This is July Greer, the one I’ve been telling you about.”
Dressed in khakis and a polo shirt, Bob Wahl stood a little over six feet. His sandy colored hair was liberally sprinkled with gray. But it was the man’s brilliant blue eyes that told July this was David’s father. He had an open, friendly smile and a businessman’s demeanor.
> Linda had dark wavy hair just like her son’s. She was a petite woman, not much taller than July. Unlike her husband she was dressed more casually in jeans and a cotton shirt.
July wasn’t sure what Mary Karen had told them, but while their smiles were friendly their gazes were definitely assessing.
“I hate to run,” Bob said, shortly after shaking her hand. “But the matinee starts in thirty minutes.”
“Dad is taking the boys to the movies,” Mary Karen explained. “Mom is staying to help me clean and get ready for tomorrow.”
“I can help, too,” July said. “My day is completely free.”
“Thank you,” Mary Karen said. “I’d forgotten David was working this afternoon.”
“You know my son?”
The surprise in Linda’s eyes appeared genuine. Whatever Mary Karen had told her mother obviously hadn’t included her relationship with David. Not yet, anyway.
“David delivered Adam in the ER,” July said simply. “We’ve become friends.”
“He’s a beautiful little boy.” Linda reached over to stroke Adam’s dark head. “I hope you two will be joining us at my mother’s celebration tomorrow.”
“Of course, she’s—” Mary Karen paused. “You are coming, aren’t you?”
“It’s a family thing,” July said. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense,” Linda said. “From what my daughter has told me, you’re like part of the family already. My mother mentioned that you and Adam would be there. I’d hate for her to be disappointed.”
July knew Granny wouldn’t be the only one disappointed. Though David hadn’t mentioned her coming since the original invitation, she knew he wanted her there. “I’d love to come. Thank you for asking.”
“Why don’t you help me clean the living room?” Linda’s gaze lingered on the baby. “And you can tell me what my son has been up to since we’ve been gone.”
Sitting in church was a novel experience for July. But being there surrounded by David’s family made it all the more surreal.
Granny looked beautiful in her lavender dress, a corsage of white rosebuds pinned to her chest. Her hair had been freshly permed this week and Mary Karen had helped her with her makeup in the morning. Bob and Linda sat beside her then Mary Karen and the boys followed by David, July and Adam. The pews behind them were filled with David’s cousins and an assortment of aunts and uncles.
The opening hymn sounded and July rose along with David and the rest of the congregation. David had taken the baby when they’d sat down and hadn’t yet given him back. The sight of her son nestled in the crook of his father’s arm brought tears to July’s eyes.
She couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to go to bed with David every night and wake up beside him every morning? To celebrate holidays together? To raise her son as part of this loving family?
The rest of the service passed in a blur. Everyone clapped when Granny got her service award. The little boys started to cheer until Mary Karen shushed them. When Granny thanked her family, for a second July felt as if she were one of them. Until she realized she wasn’t part of this family, not really. And she might never be…depending on how David took the news this evening.
Telling him tonight wasn’t optimum, especially coming so close on the heels of his wife’s betrayal, but she couldn’t delay any longer. Not only had she promised to do the DNA test tomorrow on Adam, her job in this area was completed and there was no longer anything holding her here.
Only David.
Maybe it was because she was in a church. Maybe it was because the lie had never weighed heavier on her soul. Whatever the reason, July found herself folding her hands and bowing her head.
Dear God. Please let David understand and forgive me. You know how sorry I am. You know how much I love him. Please, please…
“July.” David’s whisper was warm against her ear. “Everything okay?”
July popped her eyes open and smiled. She slipped her arm through his. “Everything is perfect.”
She only hoped she could say the same thing after this evening.
They couldn’t have ordered a better day for a party. With an abundance of sunshine, temperature in the mid-seventies and very little breeze, the celebration had been quickly moved outdoors.
David whistled as he helped his father set up the tables normally reserved for garage sales. The women put the food out the second the tables were up. With the baby strapped to her front, he noticed July was right out there helping, laughing and talking with his mom and sister.
Celeste had hated coming to family events, claiming she had little in common with his relatives. Most of the time she’d scheduled her work trips when the events had been planned. Now he had to wonder if her unease with his family was simply an excuse. Perhaps she just preferred to spend weekends with her lover.
His heart twisted. He’d thought Celeste loved him. Sure they’d had their issues—what married couple doesn’t?—but he’d never thought she’d cheat. Gary had taken full responsibility for the affair but Celeste had chosen to step outside her marriage vows. Why?
“July seems like a nice woman.”
His father’s words jerked David back to reality.
“She’s great.” He found her across the yard talking to his Aunt Bethany and let his gaze linger. She’d confessed to him on the way to the church that the stretchy brown dress she had on was one she’d worn while she was pregnant with Adam. Since she didn’t have much money, she’d jazzed it up with a wide belt covered in brightly colored stones.
Celeste may have been stunning, but David preferred July’s quiet beauty. It was more real, just like the woman herself. Someone a man could trust.
“You seem quite fond of her and her son.”
Was there a warning in his father’s tone?
“I’m very fond of her.” David pulled his gaze from July and shifted his focus back to his father. “You have a problem with that?”
“I just don’t want to see you rush into anything.” His father shifted from one foot to the other. “Mary Karen told your mother that July has already spent the night at your place a couple times and—”
“For goodness’ sake, Dad, I’m a grown man. I don’t need lectures about my love life.”
“This isn’t all about you, David.” His dad blew out a frustrated breath. “The woman just had a baby. She’s emotionally vulnerable. And there’s the father of the baby to consider. He—”
“I’m Adam’s father,” David said, the words right and true on his tongue. Even if it turned out that he wasn’t Adam’s biological father, the baby was his son in every way that mattered.
“How?” The look on his father’s face would have been funny at any other time. “When? I mean, you’ve never spoken of her.”
“She and I met when I was in Chicago last summer,” David said. “I love her.”
The knowledge rolled through him on a slow, sweet wave. He was in love with July Greer.
“I’m happy for you.” His father’s brows drew together. “But if you two love each other, why have you been apart? And now that you have a son together, why aren’t you married?”
“July had a pretty bad childhood,” David said, trying to keep things general. “She’s a little gun-shy. I think she wants to make sure I’m the real deal before she commits.”
“Makes sense.” His father nodded and stroked his chin. “I’m just surprised your sister didn’t mention anything to your mother.”
“Mary Karen doesn’t know.” David shoved a croquet stake into the ground. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself for now.”
“How long?” His father lowered his voice. “You know your mother has this sixth sense for secrets.”
“I’m only asking you to hold on to the information until next weekend.”
“I should be able to handle that.”
“David.” His mother’s voice rang out over the sea of people. “Could you go inside and get the twins?
It’s too nice a day for them to be watching television.”
David nodded then turned back to his father. “Say nothing until next week.”
“Mum’s the word.”
David knew it wouldn’t be easy for his father to stay silent. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to keep the secret for long. Tonight David planned to ask July to marry him. And to let him be Adam’s father.
He smiled as he made his way to the house. This was going to be the start of a new life for him and July. One built on love and trust.
David found himself whistling as he headed inside to look for the twins. He located Connor in the kitchen with a handful of cookies and a guilty expression. He sent the boy outside.
He finally found Caleb in the living room. He wasn’t sure what the boy was up to but as soon as David had entered the room, Caleb’s hand went behind his back. There was tape on the coffee table and pieces of envelope.
“What’s going on, Caleb?” David forced a casual tone. The boy was up to something, that much was certain.
“Me and Connor were just doing some taping.”
“What were you taping?”
“Paper.”
“Paper like what you have behind your back?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay, Caleb.” David took a seat on the sofa. It was almost time to eat and he needed to get the show on the road. He didn’t want to leave July out there alone with his relatives, no matter how nice they might be. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“You’ll be mad.”
“Just tell me.”
“I was supposed to be watching Logan yesterday when Mommy was on the phone.” Caleb’s brows pulled together in a worried frown. “The mailman came and put the mail through the door. Logan went to get it—”
“And,” David prompted.
“Logan ripped open the envelope.” The words came rushing out. “I told Mommy we didn’t get any mail.”
“You know it’s not right to lie.”
“But I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“Mommy made me promise I’d watch him. But I let him get the mail. I didn’t want her to yell at me.”
