by Amy Field
Ruth palms began to sweat and she found it difficult to breathe. Clutching her chest tightly, she waited for it all to be over.
“Hello sir,” Riley said in a respectful tone. “I’m a friend of Ruth’s I just came to pay her a visit.”
“Oh?” David replied raising a brow.
“And where do you know her from?” he asked taking in Riley’s attire of a blue denim pants, a plaid flannel shirt and white sneakers.
“When she was in New York,” he replied casually. “I was passing through town and I thought I would pay her a visit, to catch up on old times.”
David looked behind the young man at Ruth, who hung her head . He could visibly see that she was shaking and he immediately knew that something was wrong.
“And does Ruth welcome this visit?” he asked narrowing his eyes at the boy.
“Of course she does,” he replied in a jolly voice. “Don’t you Ruth?” he asked turning toward her.
Panic flashed in her eyes but she shook her head in agreement none-the-less.
“Well I must be going now,” he said in a satisfied tone.
“I hope you remember what we talked about,” he said to her and David was sure he heard a threat in the statement.
“I’ll see you soon.”
David watched as the young man walked down the path and got into his car before turning questioning eyes on Ruth.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
She merely shook her head before turning to go inside.
David reached out a hand to stop her.
“You’re shaking,” he observed.
“I’m fine,” she said, not turning to face him.
David led her by her hand inside before turning to face her. He could see moisture in her eyes and knew that she was far from okay.
“What did that young man say to you?” he asked watching her eyes widen with fright before she turned her head.
“Nothing,” she muttered.
David grew impatient by her reluctance and held her by the chin forcing her to look at him.
“I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s wrong, Ruth,” he implored making her see that he genuinely wanted to help her.
Her tears began to flow uninhibited and it caused something to snap in him. David drew her into his arms and ran slow soothing circles against her back. Without thinking he kissed the top of her head in comfort.
“Shh, it’s okay,” he cooed. “I’ve got you; I won’t let anything hurt you,” he promised.
David found himself lifting her into his arms bridal style as he took off for the living room. Not wanting to release her, he sat in the sofa with her still in his arms as he cradled her head against his chest.
They remained in that position for over ten minutes, neither saying anything, him offering her strength. Suddenly her head turned to look at him and he found himself bending his head towards her. When their lips connected, it felt like fireworks went off in his head.
Her lips were soft and warm and sent jolts of electricity pulsating throughout his body. He had never felt anything quite like this – not even with Sarah.
When they finally came up for air, he rested his head against her forehead as they both tried to catch their breaths.
“Are you ready to tell me what has you so scared?” he asked looking down at her.
Ruth removed herself from his arms and scooted over to the other end of the settee, her head bowed in shame.
“You won’t look at me the same if I tell you,” she replied.
“You’re judging what my reaction will be. Try me,” he implored.
After a few more minutes of silence, she finally spoke.
“I had an abortion six months ago,” she dropped the bomb.
David sat silent, stunned. He knew there was more to the story.
“Riley, the guy from earlier, he told me that if I didn’t get rid of it I would live to regret it. I listened to him and I went and had my baby aborted. It was the stupidest thing I have ever done and I can’t take it back,” she sobbed.
David sat still and closed his eyes for a moment. In a flash what he’d learnt in his Amish upbringing about love and forgiveness, punishment and rejection whirled through his mind.
Suddenly he became calm.
He reached for Ruth and pulled her back into his arms.
“I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for you but I am proud of you for admitting it. That’s the first step to healing,” he told her.
This made her cry even harder as her arms encircled her tummy. He waited for her tears to subside before asking.
“What does this Riley fellow want now?” he asked.
“He said if I don’t marry him, he’s going to tell my parents and everyone what I did,” she replied her voice flat and void of feeling.
David once more kissed her forehead.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” he assured her.
Oddly enough, Ruth believed him. His arms made her feel safe and protected. She felt like she could stay that way forever and the evils of the world would never get to her.
That evening, David took Ruth home, asking her to keep Hope while he ran some errands.
The first thing he did was to return home for his checkbook and then he left for the small bread and breakfast that was run by an Amish family on the outskirts of town.
After enquiring about Riley, he found out that the young man was due to arrive back at any moment. He decided to wait for him on the porch.
“Riley,” David called out as soon as the young man made it up the steps.
Recognition dawned and he smiled mischievously.
“You’re Ruth’s boss right?”
“That is correct,” he replied in a somber voice.
“What can I do for you?”
David looked him squarely in the eye.
“How much will it take for you to disappear and never return?” he asked seriously.
The young man laughed.
“So what are you; her savior?” Riley asked jokingly.
David rose to his full height and sauntered towards the man. Riley took a step back as he recognized he was no match for David.
“It doesn’t matter what you see me as. I asked you how much will it cost for you to disappear forever?” he asked once more staring the young man down.
“Fifteen Grand,” Riley replied.
David smiled as he removed the checkbook from his jacket.
“Consider this your payment to never set foot back here,” he said tearing out the check he had just written.
Riley eagerly took it as a broad smile stretched across his lips.
David looked him straight in the eyes once more.
“If I ever set eyes on you again, you will be sorry,” he threatened, moving around the boy who swung to the side to avoid him.
As he made his way home, he felt relieved that it had been that easy to get rid of the stupid little boy. He couldn’t really say that Ruth was completely out of the woods yet but as he made his way home, he made up his mind to do something that would put him in the hot-seat with a lot of people.
The next morning, Josef dropped his daughter and Hope off at David’s.
Ruth anxiously knocked the door not sure of what to expect.
The door swung open and she stared in shock at the person before her. If it had not been for his smoky grey eyes she probably would not have recognized him.
“David?” she asked disbelievingly.
He smiled, the action causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle as she saw the lift of his high cheek bones and the defined laugh lines on his clean shaven face. He was truly a handsome man and it took her breath away – literally.
“Hi Ruth,” he greeted, moving aside for her to enter.
Hope looked at him as if unable to determine if it was her father that was before her or not. She reached up to touch his beardless face.
“Papa,” she said as if seeking confirmation.
; “Yes Hope Dopey, it’s me,” he responded. Hope reached for him and he took her.
“Come,” he gestured for Ruth to follow him.
“Why did you remove your beard?” Ruth asked him as she sat in the sofa.
“I thought it was time for a change; to stop living in the past,” he replied.
Setting Hope beside her, he proceeded to kneel before her. Taking her hands he stared intently into her eyes.
Ruth stared at their connected hands, wide-eyed.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” he started. “I need a mother for Hope, which would mean I also need a wife,” he continued to say.
Ruth simply stared at him waiting for him to continue.
“Since you came into my life, I’ve felt so alive again and try as I might to ignore it, I started developing feelings for you. I see the way you look at Hope and I know that you love her as if she was your own little girl. That makes me happy. When Riley threatened your wellbeing and I saw how distraught you were, I realized I never wanted to see you hurt like that. I would do anything to protect you Ruth,” he said the last part with much feeling.
At his revelation, tears began to run down her face as she waited for him to continue.
After a deep breath, he continued.
“What I’m trying to say is, I love you Ruth and I want you to be my wife. I can’t promise you that we won’t go through hardships but I do promise to make you and Hope my priority and I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how happy you make me feel. Even if your father or the community doesn’t agree, I still want to marry you.”
When Ruth didn’t say anything, he rushed on, “That is, if you’ll have me.”
Instead of answering she looked at Hope who was looking at their exchange with curiosity. She smiled at the little girl before turning to face him again.
“I love you,” she responded, making his heart jump for joy. “And yes, I will marry you.”
Ruth cupped his face in her hands and adjusted her head so that their lips met in a sweet endearing kiss. She then reached for Hope and hugged her to her chest as David sat beside her with his arm over her shoulder.
They were starting a new journey in life. They both decided to leave their past behind as they sought to make new memories together. To them nothing else mattered but their new family.
THE END
Secret Baby Romances
Book I
The Cowboy’s Secret Baby
Chapter One
Violet Jansen lit the last candle and blew out the match before it singed her manicured fingertips. Surveying the penthouse she’d covered with candles and white rose petals, she was pleased with all of her efforts. She needed everything to be absolutely perfect—the candles, the flowers, and the filet mignon she’d catered in from his favorite restaurant. She had to set an unforgettable scene. After all, it wasn’t every day that she announced to her fiancé that she was pregnant.
Stopping in front of the mirror in the hall, she turned from side to side, her ivory dress snug in all the right places, and her long blonde hair falling perfectly in long curls down her back. She was pleased that she wasn’t showing yet—especially since finding out about the pregnancy at her doctor’s office yesterday. When Dr. McGarity told her that she was already fourteen weeks along, her jaw dropped. When she’d go in for a routine visit, the last thing she’d expected was to find out she was going to have a baby. How had she not even noticed?
She guessed since her career as an event planner for her fiancé’s affluent real estate firm had been keeping her so busy organizing open houses, private showings and network events, she hadn’t had time to breathe, much less been aware of any changes to her body or cycle. Besides, being on Henry Preiss’s arm was a full time job in itself. When she wasn’t planning an event, she was attending one with him. Not that she was complaining—with his dark hair that had just the right amount of silver at the temples, a muscled body that wore the sharpest, tailored suits, and full lips always quick to smile or laugh, being Henry’s date to black tie charity balls and networking events across Dallas was no trial.
She smiled as she tucked the sonogram picture into an envelope and checked the time. Henry should be home any minute now. Sure, the baby wasn’t planned, but they’d been engaged for over a year now, and together for nearly four years. Violet propped the envelope in front of the silver domed tray where Henry would sit. She’d brought in a small round table, placed it in front of the floor to ceiling windows to take in the autumn sun setting over the city, covered it in ivory damasque linens, and placed candles and a vase of fresh white peonies, roses, and hydrangeas at its center. A black and white photo from their engagement session completed the table vignette.
Henry loved to celebrate, and her exciting news was certainly cause for celebration. She hurried around the apartment, making sure everything stayed perfect as she waited for him to arrive. Thirty minutes passed. She checked her phone. Another half hour came and went. She checked again to see if he’d left her a message that he was running late, but there was no message, no calls. She finally called him, but it went straight to voicemail.
Violet bit her lip. It wasn’t unusual for a showing to run late, or a broker to keep him tied up, but still—he usually called at the very least. After weighing her options, she called his assistant, Elizabeth to see if she knew anything. It went to voicemail as well, so she left a message with her, too.
Since his office was only a block from their penthouse, and she was getting increasingly worried that something was wrong, she switched out of her heels and into a pair of Keds. After blowing out the candles, she tucked the envelope with their baby’s first picture in one of her desk drawers, just in case he arrived home while she was out. Her news would have to wait. Hopefully, a quick walk over to his building might give her some answers and help her blow off steam. Frustrated and miffed at his lack of communication, tonight probably wasn’t the best night to tell him the news now anyway.
She walked the short distance to his office building and rode the elevator up to the seventeenth floor. Unlocking the door with her key, she crept through the darkened space, spying a light coming from his executive office down the long hall. The office was so quiet—maybe he had fallen asleep at his desk?
She pushed open the door that was already ajar and saw him sitting at his desk, eyes closed, head tilted back. Relief washed over her—he’d simply fallen asleep. She was mentally making a note to remind him to take some time for himself, maybe schedule a massage, when a deep sigh of satisfaction came from his mouth.
“Ooh, baby, that’s just what I needed,” he said huskily as his eyes opened slowly. They grew wide at the sight of Violet where she stood with her hand still holding the doorknob. Confused, Violet’s eyebrows furrowed, but when she saw a familiar brunette pop up from beneath the desk, she put her hand over her mouth as realization dawned on her.
“Henry? Elizabeth?” Violet managed to ask. In shock, Elizabeth hopped up from where she was positioned in front of Violet’s fiancé, while Henry hurried to zip his pants.
“It’s not what you think, Vi,” Henry started while Elizabeth stood looking like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
A wave of anger washed over Violet, and she could feel her face heat up.
“Oh, please! Save me from the ridiculous excuse you’re trying to come up with right now! I have eyes. All I ask is that you don’t come home tonight. I’ll pack my things and be gone by tomorrow,” Violet sniffed, unable to fully process all that was happening, but shock, hurt and embarrassment nipped painfully at her heart. She turned from the scene of the crime, unable to look at them any longer, Violet rushed from the office and practically ran back to their apartment, letting anger fuel her fast pace.
When she arrived back at the penthouse, the heady scent of rose petals and a faint trace of grilled steak still filled the room. Violet yanked the four carat, flawless engagement ring from her finger and tossed it into the trash. Sitting
atop the pile of food waste and empty bottles, the ring sparkled brilliantly. She gave it one last look for two seconds and then closed the trash bin lid.
After this catharsis, Violet began the daunting task of packing up her clothes and other belongings. Until she could figure out her next move, she’d check into a hotel. The last thing she needed right now was to see Henry—especially since he had a smooth way of talking her out of decisions that weren’t in his favor. She knew she couldn’t be around him, and high-tailing it out of there as fast as possible was all she could think to do.
Tears, of anger or pain - she wasn’t sure which - kept stinging at her eyes as she threw her makeup and hair products into a tote bag. Tomorrow, she’d start in on finding a position with another firm or event company, but tonight, she needed to leave and never look back.
How could he have done this to her? To them? They were the perfect couple! As the full blast of what was taking place smacked her in the face, she sank to the bathroom floor, leaned against the glossy white subway tile and sobbed.
Chapter Two
Six Months Later
Her legs ached. She tried to shift to a more comfortable position in the plastic seat, but at forty weeks and four days pregnant, there was no position that afforded any comfort. The bus lurched forward and the scent of diesel filled the crowded space. Sweat trickled down her neck to the stiff white collar of her uniform shirt.
How did she, Violet Jansen, up and coming Dallas socialite, end up on a sweltering city bus in a frumpy, wait staff uniform, pregnant and alone? Desperate for cool air, Violet fanned herself frantically with her hands.
“You don’t look so well, honey,” an elderly woman to her left said kindly.
“I’m just hot,” Violet explained, trying to be polite.
“Dallas in the middle of July and ‘bout to have you a baby? I bet you’re burning up,” the woman sympathized. She reached into her large purse. “Here you go, honey. See if this will help you a little.” She offered Violet a funeral home fan.
