by Robyn Grady
Cait lifted sympathetic eyes to his but Jack only growled beneath his breath. He wanted to take Beau from her, comfort him—feel the connection—but he wasn’t sure that was such a good idea right now.
Instead he stormed up the steps. He strode into his room and slammed the door, so hard that the walls rattled. The photo on the drawers wobbled and crashed to the floor. The ring fell, too, bouncing with a tinkle on the wood. Then it rolled over the timber boards until it stopped and dropped at his boots.
A burning arrow tore through his heart and he flinched. Hunching over, Jack pressed the butts of his hands hard against his stinging eyes. Every muscle in his body felt wound tight enough to snap. He wanted to yell. Wanted to put his fist through that door.
He wanted back what he’d lost.
After a few moments, he blew out a shuddering breath and hunkered down. He reached for the wedding band. The gold felt warm, felt familiar. Keeping it close to him these past years…was it commitment?
Or was it time?
Jack wasn’t sure how long he sat on the end of the bed, holding that ring and working through things in his mind. When Cait tapped on the door and asked if he was okay, he told her not to worry.
His hands were steady when he unclasped the chain from around his neck. He moved across the room, collected the photo off the floor and slid open the top drawer. Closing his eyes, remembering and cherishing it all, he kissed the frame then put the photo and both rings safely away.
Thirteen
Maddy’s cell call connected at the same time the regional airport loudspeaker announced her flight was ready to board.
She’d checked in her luggage, had grabbed that coffee. Now she needed to do something that would lift a great weight. She was tired and done with carrying it.
Her father’s smooth voice filtered down the line from Sydney.
“Madison, you said it was urgent. I meant to get back to you sooner.” Papers shuffled. “I’ve been busy.”
On Monday she’d left a message that she didn’t know when she could get back, that the baby needed her and he should find a replacement account executive for the Pompadour account. A lot had happened since then.
“Dad, I need to resign.”
“I’ve already taken care of that. Gavin Sheedy’s taken on the Pompadour account—”
“I need to resign from Tyler Advertising.”
Maddy pressed her lips together as the silence at the other end stretched out.
Drew Tyler’s voice was deep and wary. “You’re in love with that man, aren’t you? I spoke with a colleague the other day. He said he saw you at a—”
She cut in again. “Jack Prescott has nothing to do with my decision.” And as the words left her mouth she knew it was true. “Daddy, you love what you do. I wanted so badly to make you proud. I wanted to prove to us both I could make it.” Be strong. Survive. No matter what. “But since I’ve been gone…” There was no easy way to say it. She sucked in a breath. “Advertising isn’t what I’m meant to do. It’s not who I want to be.”
“I see.” His tone was reflective, calm. “And what is it you do want to do?”
Her gaze wandered around the busy terminal, people arriving from exotic destinations, families flying off to find new adventures. She saw the shining opportunities and experiences glowing around them like auras.
She shucked back her shoulders and felt herself grow. “I want to travel.”
When her father laughed, not in derision but an uncommonly merry sound, she almost fell over.
“Sweetheart, that’s a marvelous idea. I wish now I’d had time off when you were younger to take you myself. And when you get back—”
“You’re not angry?” Maddy shook herself. He’d spent so much time helping her, coaching her.
“Honey, advertising can be cutthroat. At least it is at Tyler. It’s not you. Never was.”
The rest of his words faded. Maddy had pivoted around. Now her attention was hooked on the terminal’s automatic sliding doors—or rather, on who was striding through them.
The air left her lungs in a whoosh.
“Jack…?”
His purposeful gait pulled up. Long denim-clad legs braced apart, he cast a hawkish gaze around. The thunder in his face said he was ready, and able, to tear the place apart if need be.
Maddy swallowed to wet her dry throat. “Dad, I need to call you back.”
She didn’t hear the reply. The phone dropped from her ear at the same time Jack spotted her. He marched over with such masterful purpose, Maddy almost wanted to hide. What was the matter? What on earth had she done? Was something wrong with Beau?
He stopped a foot away. Before she could think, he drew her in hard against him and kissed her—kissed her with what felt like everything his soul could gather and give.
One hot hand cupping her neck, the other winging her shoulder in, his caress penetrated every aching, wanting layer—of her mind, of her heart, of her spirit. She’d schooled herself to accept she would never feel the divine skill of his mouth on hers again. She’d fortified her willpower and was determined not to break and go back.
But as the kiss deepened and the pounding of his heartbeat melded with hers, Maddy couldn’t bury the truth. She loved this man. Like no woman had ever loved a man before. Every day, every minute of her life, a part of her would be with him. How she wished she’d met him first.
As thrilling as this hurricane display of affection was, a man couldn’t be in love with two women at the same time. Although she couldn’t think badly of Sue, it broke her inside to know she wasn’t the blue ribbon one.
The kiss broke softly. She went to speak, but his fingertip touched her still-wet lips.
“I’ve tortured myself,” he said. “I can’t count the times I’ve asked why people I love keep leaving me. Maddy, you had the answer.”
“Jack, I so don’t have any answers.”
She tried to wiggle free—nothing could change her mind, make this work—but his hold remained firm.
“You told me that night in Clancy. What happened in the past was out of my hands. This isn’t. I’ve made mistakes before. No doubt I’ll make more in the future. But letting you walk out of my life won’t be one of them.” He lifted her chin and scanned her eyes. “I love Leadeebrook. But I love you a thousand times more. Whatever it takes to keep you in my life, I’ll do it. If you want to live in the city, we’ll do that. And we’ll live every day to the fullest. We have enough money to live three lifetimes in luxury.”
Maddy’s jaw unhinged. Her brain was stuck way back.
“You’d sell Leadeebrook?”
“If it means having you—” he smiled with his eyes “—in an instant. I’d shut down. Closed myself off. You and Beau opened me up again—to hope. To feeling. To all the things that make living worthwhile.”
When Maddy grew dizzy, she remembered to breathe.
He was deluded. Must have fallen off his horse and bumped his head. He couldn’t know what he was saying.
“I—I can’t let you sell.” That sheep station was a part of him, as much as an arm or a leg.
But he seemed to think her confusion was funny. He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ve never thought more clearly in my life.” His smile changed. “Driving here I wondered…Do you think Dahlia might’ve hoped for something like this?”
“You mean for us to—”
She couldn’t say it. If she did, this wild wonderful dream would dissolve and she’d wake up.
But he nodded and said the words for her. “For us to fall in love. Maybe Dahlia could see the three people she loved most in the world finding happiness together.”
Tears raced from the corners of her eyes as her gaze slipped to the open V of his shirt. The chain was gone. She honed in on his naked left hand, just in case, and a sob caught high in her throat.
He’d put away the ring. He wanted to move on? Could he honestly, truly give his heart to another woman…to her?
Another possibility came t
o mind and her throat swelled.
“Are you doing this for Beau…so he’ll have a mother?”
Somehow she couldn’t hate him if he was.
He came close and his warm breath murmured against her temple. “I love you, Maddy. Please…let me love you. Say you’ll marry me.”
Something in his voice, in the way his lips brushed her skin, told her it was safe. Not just for now but forever. And suddenly it didn’t matter where they lived or what they did. As long as they were together. The three of them together from now on.
Her cheeks were hot and wet. Her voice was a desperate, elated whisper needing to be heard.
“Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, Jack.” Her breath caught on a joy-filled laugh. “I want to be with you so much. Wherever that is. Every day. Every night.”
When she answered him again with a kiss that was created from deepest faith and sealed with the promise of everlasting love, smiling into her eyes, Jack swept up his bride-to-be.
And took her home to Leadeebrook.
Epilogue
Maddy’s silk gloved hands tugged back on the ribbon reins and Herc’s brief journey came to an end.
Pink-and-white petals littered the outdoor aisle, which led to a gazebo laced with climbing roses and gold satin bows. Friends, seated on either side, kept their rapt, so-happy-for-you faces turned her way. But Maddy’s gaze was drawn to only one.
Jack’s shoulders in that crisp dark jacket had never looked broader. She already felt the rasp of his freshly shaven jaw, could already smell the masculine scent that made her feel so warm and prized. His eyes were dancing. Dancing with love. The same unique love she’d felt thrive these past nine months. Today she could barely hold back from shouting and telling the world.
Drew Tyler, in his morning suit, took her hand and helped the bride from her sidesaddle onto an elevated platform then down two steps to the lawn.
“I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.” Her father’s eyes glistened as he smiled. “I’m so pleased for you, sweetheart. Your mother would be, too.”
Emotion filling her throat, she squeezed her father’s hand while three bridesmaids fussed to arrange her sweeping train. Her wedding gown’s white silk and organza bodice hugged to the hips before flaring out into a fairy-tale skirt, which was highlighted by scatterings of sequined leaves gold flecks that echoed her fiancé’s eyes.
Adoring eyes that were pinned on her.
The music swelled. Her father looped her arm through his and Maddy closed her eyes. Her mother and Dahlia were close. She felt their wishes for happiness drifting over her.
Her father whispered near her ear, “You ready?”
Smiling, she opened her eyes and together they took the first measured step.
Standing beside Jack, Snow looked splendid in a black-tie dinner suit. He’d even trimmed his beard. As he winked at her, Maddy’s gaze, through the fine net of her veil, tracked over to Cait, sitting up front. Year-old Beau was perched quietly on her lap, his big eyes glued on “Mummy.” Nell sat beside them, well-behaved, too, wearing a pale pink tutu Cait must have organized for the occasion.
Then the music was fading and she was standing beside Jack, tears of pure joy misting her eyes. He’d never looked more handsome. More proud. Carefully he folded back her veil and the minister raised his book.
When the vows and rings were exchanged, Beau clapped harder than anyone. He jumped off Cait’s lap and, blond curls bouncing, scampered up in his tuxedo playsuit to hug his parents’ legs extra-tight.
The wedding breakfast was served in a twinkling marquee with a billowing white silk ceiling. When Jack led her to the dance floor for the bridal waltz, Maddy wanted to warn her husband that she hadn’t forgotten her promise: today she’d ridden a horse and changed her name. He needed to get ready to dance the polka.
But she had far more important news and she couldn’t hold back a moment more.
Her gaze on his bow tie, she ran her hand down his satin lapel. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“News? I wonder if it’s as good as mine. But you first.”
She met his gaze. He looked so enthused, she smiled and tipped her head. “No, you.”
“Snow and I’ve come up with an idea to turn Leadeebrook into a sheep station museum. We can dress it up for the public, have sheepdog shows, shearing displays, outback extravaganzas. You were right. This place is too special, has too much history, to let lie around and decay.”
Maddy beamed and hugged his neck. Jack was kept busy enough with his investment portfolio as well as being a great dad to Beau, but some days she caught the restlessness in his eyes. This museum plan was exactly what he needed.
But they spent a good deal of time in Sydney now, coming back here to Leadeebrook for quiet times in between. It wasn’t a compromise on either one’s part. They were simply enjoying the best both their worlds had to offer.
“Does that mean we’ll be spending more time here than Sydney now?” she asked.
He dropped a kiss on her inside wrist. “We’ll spend as much time here as you want.” He grinned. “Although Beau’s social calendar is pretty full in Sydney. Play groups, swimming classes.”
“He’s a popular kid.”
“With a popular and extremely beautiful mother.” His forehead rested upon hers but as he rocked her around to the music, the laughter faded from his eyes. What replaced it made her heart swell and cheeks heat with that familiar desire she could never get enough of.
“Thank you for bringing me back to life,” he murmured as wedding guests danced around them. “I love you so much, I just want to grab on and never let you go. In fact…” Taking her by surprise, he gripped her high on her waist and swung her in a circle so that her feet left the ground and her train flew out in a glittering white river around them.
She was laughing, out of breath, when he set her down. Giddy, she righted her diamond-and-pearl tiara. “We might need to go a little easy on that kind of spontaneous stuff for a while.” When his brows knitted, questioning her, she teased, “Just for seven or eight months.”
Jack’s pupils dilated. Then his chest expanded to a breadth and width she hadn’t witnessed before. He drove a hand through his hair and again.
“You mean you’re…” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “You and I…Maddy…we’re having a baby?”
She bit her lip but couldn’t contain the ear to ear smile. “Uh-huh.”
He whooped then dipped, about to grab and spin her around again. But he stopped then stepped back.
His smile disappeared. “Do you need to sit down?”
A flicker of unease brushed her stomach but she quickly assured him. “I’m fine. Fantastic. The doctor says everything’s better than good.” She held his hands, searched his eyes. “But if you want to postpone our honeymoon in Paris… I mean, if you’re worried about me flying right now or anything…”
I’ll understand.
He blinked slowly and a line creased between his brows.
“We’ve been to New York,” he said, “Hawaii and New Zealand with Beau. I don’t see why this little one can’t experience France—” he settled his warm palm over her belly and grinned “—even if it’s from in here.”
Maddy flung her arms around him. He wasn’t going to wrap her in cotton wool? Wasn’t going to even hint that they should hibernate here at the station, at least until after the birth?
She pulled back. “Are you sure?”
“No. I’m positive.” His strong arms gathered her in. “Know what I love most about you?”
“I think I do.” Playful, she craned up and skimmed her adoring lips over his.
He chuckled and the rumble vibrated through to her bones. “Besides that.”
“Tell me.”
“I love that every day I discover something new and wonderful that only makes me love you more.”
A surprise tear escaped and rolled down her cheek as his head slanted over hers. Their lips brushed again and again.
After she murmured how much she loved him, too, she rested her cheek on his chest and contemplated their fabulous future together.
A cry of “Dad-da!” brought them to attention.
They turned. Cait was holding Beau. “Your son wants to dance.”
Laughing, Jack scooped Beau onto the swing of his sleeve and Beau clapped his hands while Maddy welcomed the wonderful sense of completeness.
Contentment.
She’d always wanted to belong, but no one belonged to a job or address. Dancing with Jack and their son on their wedding day, with another beautiful baby on the way, Maddy knew exactly who she was and where she needed to be.
With her heart.
With her family.
Wherever their love was, God willing, so was she.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5513-9
BARGAINING FOR BABY
Copyright © 2010 by Robyn Grady
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