by JoAnn Durgin
“You’re wearing the cuff links.”
His eyes widened, and he walked closer to the bed. “Do you remember them?”
“You wore them on our date to Peppino’s.” His disappointment must have been obvious when she hastened to explain. “I don’t know for sure, but I think I gave them to you.” She hesitated. “Didn’t I?”
“Natalie,” he said, his eyes moist, “you gave them to me for my birthday this year. You even made up clues for me to try and find them.”
“Clues? Like a game?”
He sighed. “Yes, a numbers game. I’ll tell you another time. You need to rest now. The significant thing is that you’re starting to get memories back, sweetheart.” Wanting to hold her, but feeling it was best to abstain, he sat down beside her on the bed. “I wanted to bring you some kind of medicine, but the pharmacist couldn’t recommend anything safe for morning sickness. Seems a waiting period of several months is the only prescription.”
“Marc, don’t you know?” Her voice was quiet, a smile tipped the corners of her mouth.
“Know what?”
“The best medicine . . . is you.”
He shook his head. “It’s not fair, you know. Telling me something like that and then sending me on my way. It will be next-to-impossible trying to work this afternoon with those words in my head.”
“Call me later today. Maybe I’ll feel better.” When Natalie squeezed his hand, the old familiar gleam was in her eyes. “We could grab some supper.”
His day kept getting brighter. Dr. Fontaine could take his advice and shove it right out the window. He wasn’t going to bypass any prime opportunities. Tilting his head, he surveyed her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve missed your husband this week.”
“And I’d say, you know me pretty well.” She gestured toward the bathroom. “We’ve never . . . done that before, have we? You know, the sickness part?”
He winked. “No, that was a first, but our wedding vows included it, so you’re covered. Goes with my job of being a good, dutiful husband.” Dropping a light kiss on her cheek, he whispered, “I love you, Natalie.” Grabbing his coat with a quick wave, he swept out of the bedroom and down the steps. As he drove back to the office, he marveled over how sometimes the smallest victories turn out to be the sweetest.
~~**~~
When Marc spoke with Natalie later in the day, her morning sickness had extended into the evening.
“I’m really sorry, but I still feel lousy. I wouldn’t be good company for you tonight, trust me. Can we go to lunch together after my doctor’s appointment on Thursday? It’s only a couple of days away.”
“Sure. Sounds great.” He should have known he wasn’t fooling anyone, much less his perceptive wife as he swallowed his disappointment. “Besides, I’ve got Elwood to keep me warm.” Small consolation, even if the mutt was adorable and affectionate. “Have you been sick all day?”
“A little this afternoon, but it wasn’t as bad as this morning. Now I know why it’s called morning sickness.”
“Make sure you get plenty of fluids. I don’t want you getting dehydrated. No more trips to the hospital.”
“Monica and Kim are taking good care of me. I’ll be fine.”
“Do you need anything?”
“Thanks, but I think I just need to rest.”
“Sure you don’t need me to come and read you a bedtime story? I could act it out—without my shirt on.” He’d do a striptease if it made her feel better. Whatever Natalie wanted from him was hers for the asking.
She laughed, sounding more like herself. “I’ll take a rain check on that offer.”
His brows raised. More encouragement. “I’ll call you tomorrow, and we can make plans. Since you mentioned lunch, I assume you’re taking the whole day off?”
“That’s right.”
“Then we’ll make a day of it, or at least the afternoon. It’s not every day a couple hears their baby’s heartbeat and sees their child for the very first time.” Our daughter. He wondered if and when he should share his prediction with her. Perhaps he should keep that one to himself for the time being. She was silent for a long moment. “Natalie? You there?”
“I’m here.”
“You’re awfully quiet. Care to share your thoughts?” He hated phone conversations when he couldn’t see her face to gauge her reaction.
“Every day, I understand a little more why I fell in love with you. Thanks for coming over and taking care of me today. It meant so much.”
She couldn’t see, but he hoped his wife could sense the huge, unstoppable grin that spread from ear-to-ear. Oh yes, it meant so much.
Chapter 18
Marc imagined the clear, jelly-like substance the ultrasound technician squirted on Natalie’s stomach must feel really cold. An instrument that resembled a stethoscope with a large, round metal button on one end was positioned on her abdomen. Pushing down with gentle pressure, the technician moved it quickly from one side of her stomach to the other before centering it slightly beneath her navel. All the while, the technician kept her eyes trained on the small monitor. In a seemingly unconscious move, Natalie reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. Her tremulous smile tugged at him.
Without her asking, he’d waited outside, giving her privacy while she changed into the gown. He wondered if she’d be modest and self-conscious and not want him in the room with her during the actual procedure. But she’d invited him, and judging by the way she squeezed his hand, she not only wanted him there, she needed him.
“There’s your baby, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.” The technician pointed to the screen with a smile. “Here’s the head.” They both strained forward in their eagerness for the first glimpse of their child.
Stealing a quick glance, Marc’s breath caught as he glimpsed the awe in Natalie’s eyes. She looked like a child herself, eyes bright, completely enthralled. He watched the moving image on the screen, heard the swishing of the heartbeat. What a beautiful sound. They’d actually created another human being. It was surreal. Without a doubt, their baby was the best thing he ever had a part in creating. He squeezed Natalie’s hand a little tighter. If he had any say in the matter, this would be the first of many children, but it probably wasn’t the time to voice that opinion. They didn’t even live in the same house.
“Marc?”
He snapped to attention. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“The baby’s heartbeat is strong.” The relief in Natalie’s voice was apparent.
“And everything looks good?” He had to know for his own peace of mind.
“Perfectly normal,” the technician said without hesitation. If anything was wrong, he’d pick up on the cues. He thought about asking the technician if she could tell the baby’s gender, but decided against it. Let Natalie ask if she wanted.
After a short visit with the doctor, they left the women’s health center, hand-in-hand. She couldn’t stop smiling as she glanced at the ultrasound photos one last time before tucking them in her purse. Marc wanted to stare at them all day himself since they were more enthralling than any of his ad campaigns. Nothing in the world was prettier than his wife’s smile, and he hadn’t seen her this happy in way too long. He felt on top-of-the-world himself.
“I’ll bet that squishy stuff felt weird.” He helped her into the car, tucking the bottom of her coat inside the door, noting her grateful smile.
“It was really cold.” She laughed. “Did you hear my stomach growl when we were talking with the doctor? That was pretty embarrassing. But I don’t want to talk about that. Why don’t you tell me where you’re taking your hungry wife for lunch?”
“I have something very special planned for us, but it’s not Peppino’s this time.” The car purred to life, but Marc couldn’t leave the parking lot. Not yet. Not when everything in him wanted to kiss her. “I’m so proud of you, Natalie.” His eyes fell to her stomach. He couldn’t help it, given what he’d just seen in the office.
“Tha
nks. You had a little something to do with it, too, you know.” Her cheeks colored and she diverted her attention to the window.
“That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Our dau—our child,” he said.
Natalie drew in a sharp breath. “What did you say?” She turned in the seat to face him. “Marc, do you believe we’re having a girl?”
He smiled a little, relieved she didn’t seem upset. “Yes. I can’t tell you why, exactly, and I could be wrong. I just have this gut instinct, a feeling in my bones, intuition, foresight—whatever you want to call it—that you’re carrying our daughter. I hope that doesn’t bother you.”
She shook her head. “No, of course not. I have the same feeling.”
When she looked at him like that, her beautiful eyes so trusting, he couldn’t stay away. Leaning toward her, he lowered his head as she moved closer, her lips parted in sweet invitation. She sighed and settled into the curve of his arms as he brought his lips down on hers. He kept it light rather than full of passion, but felt heady and dazed with the feel, the taste, of Natalie. “Thank you,” he whispered, reluctant to release her.
“Are you thanking me for the kiss . . . or otherwise?” Nestling back into her seat, she fastened the seat belt, her eyes not leaving his.
“Both. Thank you for carrying our child and taking such good care of . . . her.”
Turning her head, still leaning back against the headrest, Natalie smiled. “And thank you for giving her to us.”
He cleared his throat. “Okay, we’re like one small step away from a Hallmark ad here. Time to take my beautiful mother-to-be to lunch.” As he drove, Marc couldn’t stop smiling as she reached for his hand.
And yes, Lord, the slightly larger victories are even sweeter.
~~**~~
Settled a short time later in Amore, one of Boston’s finest downtown restaurants, Marc’s heart skipped a beat as he spied a woman he’d hoped never to see again in this lifetime. Ashley Williams. She looked the same as the last time he saw her, a year before meeting Natalie, but she’d been spitting-nails mad at him then. His trail of ex-girlfriends wasn’t exactly a happy one.
Ashley’s long blonde hair was swept on top of her head, and she wore a tight, low-cut dress that showcased her ample assets. Bright red—her favorite color, appropriately enough—with fingernails painted to match. Her feet were encased in some kind of high-heeled, scandalous death trap of a shoe more suited for night-time escapades than daytime lunches.
Averting his gaze and praying she didn’t notice him, Marc buried his head in the menu. Of course, nothing can be easy, Lord. Darting a quick glance in her direction, he found those cat-like eyes settled squarely on him. Disgust clenched his gut the way she eyed him like prey. Flavor of the month. She wanted him for lunch, and then intended to chew him up and spit him out. She was a barracuda, embodying in human flesh every song ever written about a man-eating female. A few years ago, he’d have gladly welcomed an afternoon delight with Ashley, but that behavior was long gone.
Thank you, Lord, for saving me from myself.
Seeing Ashley cross the crowded room, headed in his direction, he rose to his feet, nearly overturning his water glass. No, no, no. This couldn’t be good. He righted the glass and smoothed the bunched tablecloth with a shaky hand. Ashley shouldn’t bother him. She was in his long-dead past, and couldn’t hurt his relationship with his wife.
Oh yes, she can.
Natalie looked up at him, a question written in her expression. The honesty in those deep blue eyes rendered him a spineless fool. Usually he was suave, self-possessed. Now he was a mess, a coward. “I’ll be right back.” He shot her a nervous smile and tried to slow his breathing. With a nod, she continued studying her menu.
Marc’s heart pounded and his pulse throbbed in his ears as he tilted his head toward the outer foyer. Ashley’s satisfied grin was much too smug. She’s just your ex. Nothing to worry about. Still, nothing would be worse than Ashley approaching the table where he sat with Natalie. These two women had nothing in common.
Except you.
“Ashley.” He greeted her with a perfunctory kiss on one cheek. He shouldn’t have done it, but social graces were long ingrained in him. He’d greet any female acquaintance in the same manner. Honey-colored eyes bore into his. At one point, he believed he was in love with those eyes, along with all the rest of Ashley Williams, but now he felt nothing. Except remorse.
She narrowed her gaze and a seductive smile flirted about those pouty lips. They looked even fuller, courtesy of a skillful doctor. A small laugh escaped, which she took as encouragement. It really didn’t take much for this woman.
“Marc, darling, how are you?” Her affected socialite accent sounded like a feline’s purr. “You’re looking well. Very handsome.” That sultry voice dripped with innuendo. Yes, it never took long for this woman to make her point. It sickened him how he could ever have been attracted to this woman enough to take her into his bed. It hadn’t been a one-time thing, either. On a purely physical level, the woman was more than attractive, but she had not an ounce of the inherent sweetness, sincerity or innocence of his wife. His taste had improved dramatically since ditching Ashley. Score another one for the Lord.
Shame swept through him, over him, and invaded every pore of his being. His only excuse was she’d come along at a time in his life when he was on top of the world—a professional athlete, full of himself. She’d fed into his ego and every male fantasy. How could I have been so stupid? Marc’s heart sank to a new low, all the way down to his expensive leather shoes. Ashley Williams was so far removed from the godly, incredible woman sitting in the dining room, waiting for him. He couldn’t take the chance Natalie would ever see this woman or know the past he shared with her. What was done, was done. Over. Finished.
Ashley ran a possessive finger up his arm, making a slow trail with her painted index finger from his wrist all the way to his shoulder, watching him with an expertly-arched brow. She stepped back, devouring him, drinking in every inch, moving upward from the tip of his shoes, up past the dark, double-breasted business suit and deep red tie before finally resting on his lips. “Why don’t you come around and see me sometime? It’s been a long time. I’ve missed you.” Leaning close, she whispered, “Same address. I’m sure you remember.”
When she licked her lips and winked, Marc bit his lip not to laugh. “I’m married, Ashley.” His voice was firm as he pried her fingers from his arm. “I’m not interested. It’s nice to see you, but if you’ll excuse me . . .”
Before he could react, she pulled his head down to her lips. “You know I’ve never been able to resist you,” she whispered. “Come home with me, Marc. Let’s share dessert.” Subtlety was never her strong suit.
With a disgusted grunt, Marc nudged her away from him. He tried not to be rough, and he’d never manhandled a woman in his life, but Ashley pushed him to the limit. Enough was enough. He had to get out of there.
But he wasn’t fast enough.
Chapter 19
He’d never forget the look on Natalie’s face, the barely-veiled contempt in her eyes, as she rounded the corner and spied her husband in a private tête-à-tête with another woman. Oh, Lord, please help me.
“I’m ready to leave, Marc.” The words matched the icy stare she gave Ashley. When Natalie turned her eyes on him, fire boiling beneath the surface, he wanted to melt into the floor.
“Hello, darling.” Ashley surveyed his wife beneath those ridiculous eyelashes. “I’m Ashley, an old friend of Marc’s.” Her words dripped meaning. She wasn’t the least bit embarrassed she’d been caught kissing another woman’s husband in public. Knowing her as well as he unfortunately once did, she’d consider it a personal triumph and take some kind of perverse satisfaction from it.
“And it’s going to stay that way, old friend.” Natalie matched Ashley’s stare before turning on her heel and striding back through the restaurant toward the entrance. Her shoulders were straight,
her head held high. Oh, but the woman was dignified and full of class. Unlike the Scarlet Woman standing beside him, her hand on his arm, as clingy as ever. It was altogether fitting her name started with the letter A.
“What a precious wife you have,” Ashley cooed.
“Oh, shut up.” Shaking off her hand, Marc stormed through the restaurant after his wife. He’d never been more proud of her. Way to go, Natalie! In spite of the rising panic in his chest, he was thrilled she sounded like she’d be willing to fight for him . . . if it ever came down to that. Which, of course, it never would. He was torn between giving into the loopy grin hidden beneath the surface or wanting to shield himself from her impending wrath. It was coming all right.
Behind him, he heard Ashley’s laugh. She’d think him weak, but he could care less. All that mattered was his wife. He had to make this right. Of all the stupid clichés, Natalie had to witness a woman from his past kissing him in one of Boston’s finest restaurants. A kiss he neither encouraged nor wanted, and now she thought the absolute worst of him.
How could things have gone from the top of the mountain to the fiery pit so fast?
Signaling their waiter, Marc handed him a ridiculously generous tip for a couple glasses of water. This day was going nothing at all like he planned. Trailing behind Natalie, he spied her heading into the ladies room. Handing the coatroom ticket to the attendant, he gathered her lightweight coat and kept vigil. He couldn’t take the chance she’d slip out the back entrance and hail a taxi. When she emerged a few minutes later, she barely glanced his way and shrugged off his attempts to help her into the coat. Apparently, he’d done enough for one afternoon. They waited in awkward silence for the valet to bring the Lexus. Glancing at her watch, Natalie turned and headed in the opposite direction.
