The last of her doubts and fears faded away. She leaned toward him. “Then I guess you’re going to have to show me.”
He smiled. “Gladly. As often as you’d like.” He kissed her. “I still want to marry you, but for different reasons. I’ll understand if you want a little time so I can prove myself.”
“I might make you wait a day or two until I say yes.”
They kissed again, slowly, deeply, ignoring the movement around them as the jet was unloaded. Finally Zane raised his head.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said. “Back to your place where we can have a serious reunion.”
“Do we need to stop by the hospital so you can get some stitches?”
“I’m fine. More than fine.” He touched her cheek. “I’ll go anywhere you want, Nicki. If moving to Tucson is important to you, I’ll go.”
She shook her head. “I’d rather stay here,” she told him. “It’s where we belong.”
He stood and walked beside her as she moved to her van. “So who do you like for the game on Sunday?” he asked
She started laughing. “You never learn, do you?”
He smiled. “You’re wrong. I’ve learned the most important lesson of all. But I still believe I can beat you in a football pool.”
“In your dreams, big guy. In your dreams.”
Epilogue
Christmas—2028
Christmas Greetings from the Rankin family. Once again, we’re thrilled to bring our loved ones up to date on the happenings in the household.
Starting with the youngest member of the family—Zoe is a senior in high school. She’s—if you’ll excuse the pun—kicking butt on her soccer team and it looks like she’s going to be offered several athletic scholarships at various colleges. She still hates math, loves history and has had seven boyfriends this year. It is a record, even for her. Zane says it’s because she’s as pretty as her mother. Zoe says it’s because she’s also very picky.
Sean is in his last year at the University of Washington where he will graduate with a degree in chemical engineering. He still plans to go on to get his Ph.D., which his sisters find really scary. Sean has a “serious” girlfriend, but says we’re not allowed to talk about her in the newsletter.
When he’s not studying, Sean spends his time boating and plans to crew on an entry in the next America’s Cup.
April and her new husband are blissfully happy. After six months of marriage, they swear they’d do it all over again, which is lovely to hear. April is still enjoying the law and plans to make partner before she turns thirty. Charlie, her husband, has two more years of his pediatric residency left before he can hang out his shingle.
As for Nicki and Zane, we celebrated our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with a month-long trip to Australia. The security firm is still successful and growing, although rumors that the president insisted on members of the Ritter/Rankin team accompanying her on her Far East tour are slightly exaggerated.
Nicki’s computer firm has doubled in size…again.
The entire family feels blessed by the love they share. We all send holiday greetings to you and yours. May all your dreams come true.
A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT—
Readers’ Ring
Discussion Questions:
Nicki being in a wheelchair is an important element of this story. Would the book have worked as well without that element?
In many romances the characters are physically perfect. Is that an important part of the fantasy/reading experience for you? Why?
How do you feel about characters with disabilities? Do they make you uncomfortable?
A Little Bit Pregnant takes place in Seattle. Do you think of that as a fun, romantic city? What cities are the most romantic?
Nicki and Zane make love on the sofa. Other than the bedroom, what rooms are the most fun for making love? What room would really turn you off?
Zane is keeping a secret from his past. What is the worst secret a boyfriend or husband has ever kept from you? Are you keeping any secrets?
In A Little Bit Pregnant, Zane feels guilt about his late wife’s death. Has grief ever played a role in your romantic life?
When is it all right for a character to let go of the past and move on? Do you have different expectations for characters than you do for “real” people?
Nicki and Zane are good friends who become lovers. Have you ever had the experience of falling in love with a friend?
Every major character in a romance has an emotional “flaw.” How do these “flaws” make people right for each other?
This book has a unique epilogue. Did you enjoy finding out about the characters’ future in that way? Do you like epilogues that wrap up all the loose ends and “prove” the happily-ever-after ending?
In the beginning of the story, Nicki thinks of Zane as the one man she’ll never have. Do you have a “one who got away”?
If you were to star in your own romance novel, who would you be? Who is your perfect hero?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4224-5
A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT
Copyright © 2003 by Susan Macias Redmond
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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*Hometown Heartbreakers
‡Brides of Bradley House
‡Brides of Bradley House
**Desert Rogues
**Desert Rogues
**Desert Rogues
‡‡Lone Star Canyon
‡‡Lone Star Canyon
‡‡Lone Star Canyon
**Desert Rogues
**Desert Rogues
*Hometown Heartbreakers
**Desert Rogues
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
*Hometown Heartbreakers
†Triple Trouble
†Triple Trouble
†Triple Trouble
A Little Bit Pregnant Page 20
