Harlequin Superromance February 2016 Box Set

by Anna Sugden

  Issy nodded. “It’s okay. It’ll pass. I ate too much spicy food late last night.”

  “Of course.” Sapphie didn’t say what they were both thinking.

  Issy sipped her juice. Now that the moment of truth had come, she was strangely reticent.

  Sapphie hugged her. “Whatever the result, you won’t go through this alone.”

  “Thank you.” That was one thing she could rely on without question.

  “Okay. Let’s get this over with.” Issy rose slowly. As she walked to the bathroom, her steps grew more purposeful. She stopped in the doorway. “Wish me luck.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  TWO PINK LINES. Two blue lines. A pink + and a blue +. A freaking smiley face.

  Last, but not least, the damning word in black and white. Pregnant.

  With a trembling hand, Issy added the final test device to the array of white strips and gizmos in front of her on the bathroom floor and sat back on her heels. Not a single negative among them.

  Although her eyes burned, the tears didn’t fall.

  What a mess.

  All because of one night. A single, lousy night.

  Not a lousy night. The best night of her life.

  Still, she’d mortgaged her future, everything she’d fought so hard for over the past twelve years, for that one amazing night. And she’d done it intentionally. Even though she’d known it could be a mistake, she’d assumed she’d stacked the odds enough in her favor to escape the consequences. The costliest assumption she’d ever made.

  A knock on the bathroom door interrupted her thoughts.

  “Can I come in?” Sapphie asked.

  “Sure. Join the party.” Issy’s attempt at humor fell flat.

  Sapphie opened the door and came to sit next to her on the floor. “Are you okay?”

  “Peachy.” Issy waved her hand at the devices. “The jury reached a unanimous verdict.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her friend looked miserable. “It’s my fault.”

  “Don’t be silly.” Issy swept the used tests into a plastic bag.

  “You’d never have got together with J.B. if I hadn’t pushed you.”

  “I’m a big girl.” Issy jabbed her thumb against her chest. “I make my own decisions.”

  “But I forced you beyond what you were comfortable with.”

  “I chose to sleep with J.B.” Issy smiled sadly. “For once, I wanted to walk on the wild side. I should’ve known it would come back to bite me on the butt.”

  “It’s not fair. You were really unlucky.”

  “How many times have I heard that?” Issy’s lips twisted. “My parents and sister will laugh when they hear I’ve been hoisted by my own petard. Rosabelle always said karma was a bitch and I’d get mine for being ‘so all-fired holier than thou.’”

  “Rosa was dumb enough to believe the high school quarterback when he said they didn’t need protection.” Sapphie took a calming breath. “Anyway, she’s changed her tune since she had to become responsible for your parents. And Tinka started acting out. Rosa’s finally begun to appreciate everything you did for her.”

  The sisters had grown closer in recent years. Close enough to avoid a triumphant I-told-you-so? Issy doubted it. “The fact remains. I followed the family tradition and got caught.”

  “You did your best to prevent this happening.”

  “As our pastor used to say—the best protection is abstinence.”

  Sapphie snorted. “The one caught giving naked dictation to the church secretary?”

  “Just because he didn’t practice what he preached doesn’t mean he was wrong.”

  “Doesn’t mean you were wrong, either.”

  “Even though it’s turned into a disaster, I don’t regret that night with J.B.,” Issy admitted.

  Sapphie hugged her. “It’s not a disaster. It wasn’t in your plan and it seems like the end of the world, but you’ll get through this. You’re a strong, smart woman.”

  Issy didn’t feel strong or smart. “I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant until I was married and everything in my life was as stable and secure for a child as I could make it.”

  “We both know things never happen when we want them to.” Sapphie stood and grabbed the bag. “While I toss this in the garbage, you get cleaned up and prepare for a day of action-planning. You have decisions to make and I’m really good at project management.”

  “How many accidentally pregnant women have you project-managed recently?”

  She shot Issy a stern look. “The process of dealing with an issue is the same, whether it’s making a brand more profitable, a department more efficient or a dear, pregnant friend feel calmer.”

  “I don’t see how.”

  “You don’t need to. Leave it to me.” Sapphie pulled her to her feet. “Now wash your face and get your backside in gear.”

  “Jeez, you’re bossy... Thank you.”

  “You’d do the same for me.”

  “Like you’d be caught after one night.”

  “You never know. The important thing is we stand together, no matter what.”

  “The awesome twosome,” they said together as they fist-bumped.

  “You have five minutes,” Sapphie warned before leaving the bathroom.

  Issy was out in three.

  Feeling as though the walls were closing in on her, she went to stand on the balcony. The sun warmed her face, though the crisp edge to the breeze signaled fall was coming. Issy breathed deeply, letting the smell of cut grass soothe her jagged nerves.

  “We’ll work out here.” Sapphie set a tray laden with drinks and snacks on a small ironwork table and then sat.

  “Now we know why I’ve been craving hummus and seven-layer dip.”

  “At least your taste buds will return to normal at some point.” Sapphie took a legal pad and red pen off the tray.

  “They’re the only thing that will.”

  “Stop that. No miserable thoughts. You need a positive attitude.”

  “All right.” Issy sighed. “Do your worst.”

  “That’s positive?”

  “It’s the best I can do right now.”

  Sapphie arched an eyebrow but didn’t press. “Let’s begin.” She wrote on the pad. “First on the list is an appointment with the doctor.”

  “I know the drill from when Rosa was expecting Tinka. At least ‘no alcohol’ won’t be a problem.” Issy bit her lip. “Do you think it’s safe to use my gynecologist? The last thing I need is for someone from school to see me at her office.”

  “If you like and trust her, stick with her. You could be there for any number of reasons.”

  “I suppose so.” Issy sipped her juice. “What’s next?”

  “Informing the school, your family and J.B. Not necessarily in that order.”

  Her stomach tightened. “I’m not looking forward to those conversations.”

  “I know. Remember, you don’t have to say anything right away.”

  “I don’t?”

  “It’s your news. You decide who you tell and when. Your parents certainly don’t need to know now. They’ve shown zero interest in your life since you left and won’t be any help.”

  “That’s a no-brainer. But I’m not looking forward to telling Rosa.”

  “I suspect she’ll be more supportive than you think. Feel her out next time you speak and if you don’t feel comfortable, hold off until you’re ready.”

  It sounded so simple when Sapphie put it that way. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to tell Farlingdale Academy as soon as possible, since it’ll affect my classes and they’ll need to find a replacement.”

  “Not so fast.” Sapphie held up her pen. “You don’t owe them anything.”

  “They’re my employer.”

  “Will that stop them getting rid of you when they find out you’re pregnant?”

  The ultraconservative board of trustees would never allow a single mother on their staff. “I have to give them a semester’s notice as part of my contract.�
��

  “The notice period won’t matter. They’ll fire you on the spot, based on that stupid morality clause.”

  “I can’t hide my pregnancy from them forever.”

  “But you don’t have to tell them now. Get as much salary out of them as you can. Don’t forget, you won’t be able to work right before and right after the baby’s born.”

  Issy definitely needed the money. Buying this apartment had seriously depleted her savings. She could get by, but not for long. “You’d better add ‘find a job’ to the list. Although who’ll hire a pregnant woman?”

  “Not everyone is as straitlaced as Farlingdale. With your track record, you’ll find another position quickly. If not, substitute teach or tutor.”

  She’d rather have the stability of a permanent job, but part-time work was better than none. “That would give me more flexibility.”

  They discussed how and when to inform Farlingdale, and what Issy could do in the interim to cushion the blow of being fired. Sapphie offered to help financially, but Issy didn’t want to borrow from her friend.

  She’d try to delay informing the school until Thanksgiving. She’d be wearing a lot of loose clothes in October and November. Meanwhile, she’d investigate employment possibilities and create a résumé.

  Finally, there was only one topic left: J.B.

  “I should tell him. But I can’t help thinking that it’s not fair to ruin his life, too.”

  “You’re having a baby,” Sapphie said drily. “That’s hardly ruining anybody’s life.”

  “But he was clear about not wanting to be tied down. You can’t have anything more restricting than a child.”

  “J.B. still has a right to know. He can then decide how involved or committed he wants to be, if at all. If you don’t tell him and he finds out, he’ll be angry.”

  “But I’d be keeping it from him because I doubt he’d want to know.”

  “What he wants right now and what may happen in the future are two different things. At some point he may change his mind and want children. If you kept it from him, he might try to sue you for custody.”

  Issy wasn’t sure how she felt about the new life growing inside her. Yet Sapphie’s words spurred a fierce protective instinct. This was her baby. No one would take her child from her. Least of all someone who considered them a millstone around his neck.

  “Let him try.”

  “The thing is, you don’t know how he’ll react. He could say he wants nothing to do with either of you.”

  “Fine. I don’t need him, anyway.”

  “Or he may want to be part of your lives. This isn’t the concept of a baby. It’s the real deal. He may feel differently once he knows you’re carrying his child.”

  Issy couldn’t see that happening. “I don’t want J.B. in my life because it’s the right thing to do. No father is better than a bad one.”

  Sapphie didn’t argue. “Unfortunately that doesn’t mean you can keep this from him.”

  “I know.” Issy lost her appetite. “That’ll be a fun conversation—not.”

  “On the upside, you can control the timing of that conversation. There’s no reason why you have to tell him now, or even before the baby’s born.”

  Issy suspected the longer she delayed, the harder it would be. “Maybe I should bite the bullet and get it over with. It’s not like I don’t know where to find him.”

  Sapphie snapped her fingers. “I’ll call Taylor and arrange for us to bump into J.B. at the preseason game. We’ll gauge J.B.’s reaction to seeing you again and that’ll help us decide how to play this. Okay?”

  Issy’s heart leaped at the thought of seeing J.B. again. “Yes.”

  “Good. The game’s on the twenty-third, so we have two weeks to figure out how to make this meeting appear casual and unplanned.”

  Then Issy would know whether J.B. was the man she hoped he might be or the man she was very much afraid he really was.

  * * *

  THE PUCK LAY on the ice behind the goaltender’s leg.

  While the Cats battled the Islanders’ D-men and poked at the netminder’s pads, J.B. leaned over the melee and pushed the puck home with the heel of his stick.

  The red light flashed, the horn sounded and the fans’ goal chant began.

  J.B. shot his arms into the air and roared, “Freakin’ A!”

  His line-mates swarmed him, clapping him on the back and shoulder.

  Mad Dog grabbed him in a bear hug. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  “Sneaky move, kid.” Bad Boy knocked helmets with him. “Hope you’ve got a few more of those up your sleeve this season.”

  “I’m just getting started, old man.” J.B. grinned, then skated over to the bench for a victory pass, slapping gloves with his teammates before heading through the gate to sit.

  He puffed out a relieved breath. His first game back and he’d had a hard time getting his legs moving. Even though he’d been skating short shifts, each one had been like plowing through molasses. He’d kept trying to force his body to respond quicker, but with his muscles burning and nothing left in the tank, he’d been sucking major wind by the end of the first and second periods. At least he’d got the scoring monkey off his back. Hopefully things would be better next game.

  “Great job.” Patrick “Paddy” Mullroney, who was playing second line tonight, bumped his shoulder. “I thought we weren’t going to break their new goaltender again. He’s on fire right now. Five wins out of five.”

  “Yeah. Let’s see how he performs when the games mean something.”

  Kenny slid next to J.B. on the bench. “Man, I’m glad we weren’t shut out tonight. Two games in a row with no score would have been brutal.”

  “We’re all a little slow getting our skates under us.” Paddy leaned on his stick, not taking his eyes off the play. “Happens when you go deep in the postseason. Your body doesn’t get enough time to recover a Cup hangover.”

  “We just need to work through it and make sure we’re smart about downtime so we can go the distance again.” J.B. squirted water into his mouth. He had to be extra careful. He couldn’t afford an off year. For sure he couldn’t afford to be plagued with injuries.

  “Last minute of play in the period.”

  J.B. relaxed as he watched the final seconds of the game tick away, knowing Ike would ensure the score held up. The Cats’ veteran goaltender had been in the zone all night. Nothing was getting through him.

  Sure enough, the horn blared for the end of the game, with no further scoring. The team poured over the boards to congratulate Ike.

  J.B. touched helmets with the goaltender. “Nice game.”

  “Nice goal,” Ike replied as they skated back to the gate. “Could have used you scoring earlier, though, to take the pressure off me.”

  “Aww. Are you getting too old to handle the young bucks shooting at you?”

  Ike swore at him. “These preseason games used to be a breeze when I started playing. Guys took their time to bed in and learn the league. Now every new kid in the show has to prove themselves from day one.”

  “I hear you.” J.B. had already started looking over his shoulder. He still had plenty of good years left in him, but there was always someone gunning for his place in the lineup. Just like when he’d come up from the minors at eighteen, ready and eager to pick off an older, slower guy. “We’ve got a few days off before the next game and I plan to take it real easy.”

  “After you hit the clubs tonight,” Ike said drily.

  “You’re just jealous.”

  The goaltender laughed. “Not even close. I’m going home to my lovely fiancée.”

  As much as J.B. liked Tracy and was pleased she and Ike had finally got together, he wasn’t the least bit envious. He wasn’t ready for the whole pipe, slippers and going-home-to-one-woman-every-night thing. Not when he had New York on his doorstep. He could take his pick—blonde, brunette or redhead, tall or short, thin or curvy.

  “Ike, second star. L
arocque, first star.” One of the trainers pulled them aside and made them wait in the tunnel for the official call of the night’s three stars of the game as chosen by the attending media.

  J.B. skated out when his name was announced and raised his stick in salute. Then he searched out a teenage boy who’d sat behind the bench with his girlfriend, and tossed him a puck. The kid gave it to the pretty gal and earned himself a smooch. J.B. grinned, then gave his stick to a cute little girl with dark ringlets, blue eyes and a precocious grin. Damn, but she reminded him of Bella.

  Where the hell had that come from?

  J.B. shook his head sharply, as if that would get her out of his head.

  “You okay?” Ike studied him. “That hit from behind in the second period was late and you landed against the boards hard.”

  “It was a bonehead play, but I’m okay.” The Islander defenseman had been given a game misconduct for the dangerous check and had been ejected.

  “Are you sure? The last thing you or the team needs is concussion problems.”

  “I’m fine.” He squinted at the goaltender. “Although...do you always have two heads?”

  Ike cuffed him on the back of his helmet. “One day, you’ll have to grow up.”

  “Maybe when I’m as ancient as you.” He ducked out of Ike’s reach.

  “You’ll get yours, bro, and I’ll enjoy watching.”

  “From your bath chair.”

  The two of them continued to exchange insults as they walked to the locker room. Along the way, J.B. was congratulated by the Ice Cats’ back-room staff.

  The buzz lasted through his shower and his teammates’ razzing. J.B. humbly accepted the player’s award for being the hardest-working player on the ice—a headband with black-and-white cat ears—which he dutifully wore during the postgame interviews. He was looking forward to dinner with the guys, followed by closing down his favorite club in the city.

  “First round’s on you.” Paddy punched his shoulder. “You’ll have to open an account if you play like that this season.”

  “And leave a hefty deposit.” J.B. took off the cat ears and placed them carefully in his locker, ready to award next game. “With luck, there’ll be plenty more nights like tonight.”

  Paddy snorted. “Luck, my ass. Hard work’s the only thing that brings success.”