Oh, Abby thought, as their pulses returned to normal and they continued to nestle together intimately, how she needed this, needed him. It might be foolish of her, but she had never felt so loved or cherished, and she didn’t want it ever to end.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE it’s still raining,” Abby said, long moments later on a deeply contented sigh. She was lying on her side, her head on his chest, one leg thrown over his, her knee nestled between his thighs.
Tad wrapped his arms around her, aware if he moved to the left even two more inches they’d both end up sprawled ignominiously on the floor. Knowing he had never felt happier than he did at that moment, he kissed the top of Abby’s head. “I can’t believe the two of us can actually fit in this bed.”
Abby giggled and Tad thought it was the most glorious sound.
Lifting her head, she nodded at his feet, which were hanging off the end of the bed by a good six inches. “It’s made for midgets, isn’t it?”
“Let’s put it this way,” Tad drawled, aware he’d had more backaches in the weeks they’d been sharing the bed than he had in his entire life. “It was definitely not designed for someone my size.”
Her expression concerned, Abby started to get up. “I know I’m, uh, growing.” She indicated the gentle slope of her belly. “So if you want me to get up and sleep downstairs on the sofa to give you more room—”
Tad pulled her back down. “Not on your life. You’re sleeping with me, woman, right up to the very moment you run off to the hospital to deliver. So what if my feet hang off the end of the bed?”
Abby chuckled, knowing firsthand how much he liked to cuddle and kiss. She tucked her face into the curve between his shoulder and neck. The warmth of her breath caressed his bare skin. “I’ve already talked to Donna about incorporating a king-size bed in the redecoration of this room. Unfortunately it’ll be another month before we get to it.”
Wrapping her arms around him, Abby snuggled closer. Then she caressed his chest with long soothing strokes and finally gave him a leisurely kiss that sent fire sizzling through his veins. “So until then—” she paused and looked deeply into his eyes, letting him know in a glance the many ways she knew they could pass the time spent not sleeping “—we’ll just have to grin and bear it.”
“I think I can handle that,” Tad murmured playfully. He drew her to him and set about making her his all over again. “That,” he said, as he bent to kiss the enticing curves of her breasts, “and a whole lot more.”
THE GROUP GATHERED around the conference table for the end-of-September staff meeting. These brainstorming sessions were a favorite of Tad’s. Abby’s, too.
Taking the opportunity to speak out, Cindy said with the ease of an old-timer, “And the reduced price of advertising and stepped-up promotion efforts have tripled the number of ads we’re running every week.” Tad knew she was doing a good job. The entire staff was.
“Not to mention the fact that circulation has doubled,” Raymond said as he poured more coffee for Sadie, seated to his left. “We’re now printing twice the number of papers and we still sometimes run out.”
“Yes, but we’ve had a few complaints, too.” Sadie frowned as she lifted her coffee cup to her lips. “Some readers feel there is too much hard news in the editions. And not enough on ice-cream socials.”
“But people like reading the national and state news, too,” Sonny piped up, not afraid to make his case, either. “In particular, we’re getting a lot of compliments on Tad’s editorials.
“And it goes without saying Abby’s home-and-garden features—especially her series on the improvement of the white elephant—are a big hit.”
“Even with all that, we’re still struggling financially,” Tad told the group. As much as he’d like to give them all huge raises, it wasn’t feasible yet. It was a stretch to keep paying Yvonne’s wages, and those were but a fraction of what she would command in the magazine world.
“But we’re definitely in a lot better shape than last month,” Abby said cheerfully.
Tad grinned at the group. “Thanks in no small part to all of you and the newest recruit.” Tad gestured at Yvonne.
Everyone nodded. “The personal profiles on local businessmen are a big hit,” Sadie acknowledged.
“Don’t look at me,” Yvonne said. “Sonny’s the one who’s been writing them.”
Sonny beamed under the praise. “Yvonne helped me shape the material.”
“It’s always a pleasure to work with talented professionals,” Yvonne said.
Everyone grinned. “And now that we’ve given ourselves a much-deserved pat on the back for everything we’ve done right—and that’s been a lot—we need to address the complaints we’ve had about the reduced local news,” Tad said.
“I have an idea how to fix that,” Abby said.
Tad looked at his wife. More and more they were becoming partners in every aspect of their life. To the point he hoped Abby would one day want to give up her search for another magazine job and stay on at the paper permanently. “I’m all for having a happy medium,” Tad told Abby honestly, “but I don’t want to go back to the gossipy self-congratulatory tone of the original weekly news.” That would definitely be a step in the wrong direction.
“Why don’t we start a new section of the paper called, say, About Town,” Abby suggested. “It’ll be for all social events. We’ll invite people to submit any personal news and photos they’d like to share with their neighbors.”
“That’s a good way to get subscribers up,” Raymond said.
Beside him, Sadie nodded, putting in her two bits. “People like to read about themselves and see their photos in the paper.”
Sadie and Raymond exchanged looks again.
“Did I imagine that?” Abby asked after the staff meeting had concluded and everyone had gone home. She sat on the edge of Tad’s desk, crossed her legs at the knee and rested her hand on the swell of her tummy. “Or were Sadie and Raymond looking pretty cozy?”
“They were pretty cozy. You want to know what else?” Tad hooked his hands around her waist and shifted her onto his lap.
Abby laced both her hands around his neck and nestled close. “What?”
“Sadie told me Buster is no longer depressed.”
Abby smiled as she cast a look outside at the pretty September weather. “Neither is his owner.” And neither was she. When she’d first come to Blossom, that day she’d learned she’d been let go from her magazine job, she’d worried that, still married or not, unexpectedly pregnant or not, gainfully employed or not, she would never truly be happy here. But all that was beginning to change. She could see having a future with Tad and their baby in Blossom. And she could imagine them being very much a part of each other’s life in every way for the next twenty or more years while their child grew up, and that was a very comforting, very exciting thought.
“Aunt Sadie does look happy these days, doesn’t she?”
“Very,” Abby conceded, her thoughts turning all misty and romantic. “So does Raymond.”
“Ready to go home?”
Abby made a low affirmative sound as she bent to kiss him. He helped her to her feet. As they left the building, she fell into step beside him and linked hands with him. “I have a surprise for you.”
Tad unlocked the passenger side of the Jeep and helped her in. His blue eyes shone with excitement as he assisted her with her seat belt. “What kind of surprise?” he asked.
“You’ll see,” Abby promised mysteriously, glad Yvonne had agreed to cooperate with her on this.
Tad bugged her all the way home. “One hint.”
Abby laughed and folded her arms. “No way.”
“Please.”
“Oh, all right.” Abby rolled her eyes, her excitement building. “Since you put it that way. Yvonne is staying with Cindy tonight.”
“She is,” Tad replied slowly.
“Yep. Yvonne’s going to tell her all about life in New York City. And they’re doing the whole
female-bonding thing—facials, manicures, hairstyling, the works.”
Tad parked in the drive. Resting his arm on the seat behind her head, he said, “Meaning we have the whole house to ourselves.”
“Mm-hmm.” At least she hoped they did, Abby thought, if Donna had finished and gotten out of there.
“So the surprise is a candlelight dinner for two?” Tad asked after he circled around to help Abby out of the truck.
“Not exactly.”
Tad opened the front door. “Then what?” he demanded as Abby shut the door behind them and took him by the hand.
“You’ll see.” She led him up the staircase.
Tad winked at her lasciviously. “I think I could get used to this.”
“Hush.”
“Don’t tell me you actually unpacked all your stuff,” he teased.
“Not exactly.” She had, however, arranged for most of her boxed possessions to be moved to the attic for storage. And that was a start.
“Then—” Tad came to a dead halt in the door to the master bedroom. For once, Abby thought, he was momentarily speechless.
Chapter Nine
“Do you like it?”
“Like it?” Tad echoed, stunned as he moved slowly into the master bedroom. The narrow double bed, mismatched furniture, stacks of books and papers and boxes that had been there since Abby had moved in had all been removed. The walls had been painted a soothing sage green, and a slightly darker sage carpet had been laid. The king-size sleigh bed was covered with a thick feather ticking for extra softness, there were plenty of pillows, and the bed ensemble was a masculine green, burgundy and white plaid. The matching mirrored dresser and cherry wardrobe allowed plenty of storage space for their clothes and possessions, while two deep upholstered chairs, end table and reading lamp provided a cozy sitting area.
Tad shook his head in open admiration. “It’s magnificent.”
Abby smiled and released an enormous sigh of relief. “I was hoping you’d think so.” She’d spent an enormous amount of time secretly trying to please him with the decor.
Tad toured the bedroom, then kicked off his shoes and sat down on the edge of the bed. Grinning, he lay back on the pillows and folded his hands behind his head. “Now this is comfy,” he said, sighing appreciably. “Except—” he turned on his side and frowned “—have you actually stretched out on this bed?”
Abby swallowed, wondering what in the world could be wrong. “Well, no...”
Tad shrugged. “Maybe it’s just me, then.”
Abby glided closer. “If there’s something wrong with it, you need to tell me.”
Tad studied her. “You try your side and tell me what you think,” he said finally.
Abby kicked off her shoes, too. She backed onto the mattress and stretched out on the feather ticking. It felt like sinking into a huge down pillow. It was all she could do not to groan out loud in pure ecstasy. The enveloping softness was exactly the cure for the aches and pains of pregnancy, she thought, not to mention pure sensual comfort.
“Feel anything amiss?” Tad asked.
Abby turned toward him slightly and shook her head. “But you still do, don’t you?” she observed, wondering what it could be. A flaw in the feather ticking, perhaps?
“Maybe it’s just over here.” Tad scooted toward the far edge on his side. “You lie here—” he pointed to the place where he’d been “—and tell me what you think.”
He gallantly took her hand to assist her, and Abby scooted over to where he directed. “Now fold your hands behind your head,” he said. He waited. “Do you feel it?”
Abby shook her head. Never had she been more aware of the brisk tantalizing fragrance of his aftershave. “I’m quite comfortable.”
“Hmm.” Tad’s frown deepened. “Maybe if you close your eyes and concentrate.”
“Okay.” Abby closed her eyes.
“Now do you feel it?” Tad’s voice was whisper soft.
All I feel, Abby thought, both amused and perplexed, is a mounting desire for you. But then, that was nothing new. Whenever she was with him like this, whenever they were in bed together, longing swept through her with disabling force. No matter how tired they were, no matter how uncertain their future, they couldn’t seem to get through a night without reaching for each other at least once. And, Abby admitted silently to herself, she wanted it to stay that way. Physical passion might not last a lifetime, but while it was here, she intended to thoroughly enjoy every last nuance of it. And to that end, she thought, as she opened her eyes, reached up and took hold of Tad’s tie... “The ticking is really comfortable,” she murmured.
“As comfortable as this?” Tad asked softly, roguish amusement sparkling in his blue eyes as he feathered kisses down the side of her face. “’Cause when I lie here, Abby, knowing you’ve gone to all this trouble to make our marriage bed so very special, I’ve got to tell you. I feel—” he took her hand and lowered it to the most intimate part of him, then kissed her with a deep possessiveness that took her breath away “—quite a lot of this.”
Abby had never in her life experienced such sweet invigorating kisses. Knowing he was her husband, knowing they were expecting a baby, added an extra sweetness to their love play. Still kissing him voraciously, she took off his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, unzipped his jeans. She’d never been the aggressor, but as she helped him shed his clothes and took him in hand, it seemed natural, right. Moving down his body, her hair slipping silkily over his skin, she adored him with lips and hands. Beneath the need to love him was the need to make him hers, in the same way he’d laid claim to her, body and soul, so many times.
She shifted herself higher, ready for a more intimate union. “Whoa there. You’re getting ahead of me.” He gasped, struggling for control. Gently he turned her onto her back. “Way ahead of me.”
“Tad—”
“Let me love you,” he said softly, already unbuttoning the front of her short stylish maternity dress. “Let me love you the way you were meant to be loved.” His warm breath touched the soft vulnerable skin of her neck, then his lips followed. Oh, Tad, Abby thought tremulously as he began to kiss her again. I love you. I love you so much.
He deepened the kiss and pulled her close, divested her of her clothes and then loved her as only he could love her until her back arched off the bed and she was trembling, shuddering, begging for release. Bracing his weight fully on either side of her, he settled over her, the tip of his manhood pressing against her delicate folds.
Abby moved to receive him and he slowly, surely, surged upward, then inside her. Gently, gently, he rocked back and forth, until sensations hammered inside her and she strained against him, her body undulating, until she was sure she couldn’t bear any more of this, until she was sure they had to find fulfillment. And it was then that he surged against her, wanting her and possessing her until every inch of her wanted every part of him.
Afterward they were, as always, loath to part. Replete and drowsy, Abby snuggled against him in blissful ecstasy.
“What are you thinking?” he asked, running his fingers through her hair.
Abby smiled and lovingly caressed the muscled hair-whorled skin on his chest. “That you are, without doubt, the sexiest most fun guy I’ve ever met.” She propped her chin on her fist and looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “You really had me going there for a minute, you know.”
Tad grinned. “I know.” He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss into the palm. “Couldn’t resist. You looked so serious, and I wanted to make love to you so much.”
Abby listened to the steady drumming of his heart and swept her hand down her body self-consciously. “Even with me beginning to give the term ‘pear-shaped’ new meaning?” she said playfully. Suddenly, as long as they were being honest, she needed to know. Was this all going to end?
Tad’s eyes abruptly turned serious. “This is my baby you’re carrying, Abby,” he told her in an unmistakably ardent, unmistakably possessive voice. “A part of me
and a part of you.” He shifted lower and kissed her tummy lingeringly before returning to her lips. All the tenderness and passion he felt for her was in his eyes. “There’s no greater turn-on than that.”
Emotions soaring, he kissed her again. Still reveling at the happy way things were evolving, Abby kissed him back. And that was the last either of them said—or needed to say—for a very long time.
ON THE WAY to Abby’s doctor appointment the next morning, Tad and Abby passed Joe Don Jerome’s car dealership. Although the dealership did not open for business for another half an hour, at the side of the building there was most definitely a ruckus going on between Ernest Lee Scruggs, the chief mechanic, and Joe Don himself. Both were standing next to Ernest Lee’s new pickup. Ernest Lee was gesturing angrily and pointing to the engine beneath the raised hood of his truck. “I wonder what that’s about,” Tad remarked as they paused at the traffic light.
“I don’t know,” Abby murmured as she watched Ernest Lee point out something in the engine. “He sure doesn’t look happy.” She glanced at Tad curiously. “Didn’t you tell me he’d been having a lot of car trouble lately?”
“Mm-hmm. He’s broken down a number of times, which is odd, because it’s a brand-new truck, and he bought it from Joe Don.”
The light changed. Abby turned and saw Ernest Lee stomp off in one direction and Joe Don another. “Well, whatever that was about, they don’t appear to have resolved it.”
“That’s not surprising,” Tad said firmly, “since Joe Don doesn’t appear to be out for anyone but himself.”
Abby cast a curious look at Tad. “Have you had any more complaints about Joe Don’s dealership?”
“Nothing concrete,” Tad admitted as he directed his attention to the road. “But every time you mention Joe Don’s name to someone who’s bought a car there—I don’t know...” Tad frowned and shook his head. “It’s like they want to tell you something and can’t.”
Make Room for Baby Page 12
