EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
Page 26
“I love you too, Aunt Hollin.”
Hollin smiled. She had everything. A little girl she loved and who loved her. The support from her mother and Josephine. And soon she’d be a mother. Yes, she had everything. Except the man she loved. And damn him for not wanting them, for not wanting to be a family.
Refusing to spoil the evening, she pushed all thoughts of Griffin from her mind and took another bite of cookie.
The doorbell rang, surprising her. They weren’t expecting anyone. She’d invited Sara, but she’d already accepted an invitation to join Tonya’s family. Sara and Tonya had been seeing each other the past several months. But maybe she’d changed her mind, or had decided to stop for a short visit.
“I’ll get it,” Josephine said.
“No, let me,” Hollin offered. “Finish your card game.”
Chelsea padded along beside her as she waddled down the hall to the front door. She swung the door open and nearly choked on the cookie she’d been chewing. There stood Griffin, dressed in jeans and a brown, leather, bomber jacket, and holding an armful of stuffed animals.
“Merry Christmas,” he said, his gaze holding hers for what seemed like forever before sweeping over her mammoth stomach.
Hollin was still in shock, and totally forgetting her manners, left him standing on the porch. Snow fell and trickled onto his hair and shoulders.
It was Josephine who yelled, “Don’t let the heat out. Invite the poor man inside. It’s twenty degrees out there.”
Taking a deep breath, and trying to act casual, she asked, “Would you like to come in?”
He shook the snow from his hair. “Thought you’d never ask.” He moved past her wide girth and into the entrance hall.
Hollin shut the door behind him.
“That looks like Buster.” Chelsea pointed to one of the stuffed animals in Griffin’s arms. Hollin wasn’t surprised Chelsea remembered the dog they’d delivered to Griffin’s house. She’d asked about him several times over the last seven months.
“I thought so too,” he said, offering her a stuffed version of Buster. “And I thought, what a great Christmas present it would make! Hope you like it.”
“I do. Thank you.” She turned and ran toward the kitchen, her black patent leather shoes slapping the floor. “Grandma, Josephine, look what I got!”
Hollin looked up at him. “That was nice of you.”
He thrust the other animals at her, helping her to juggle them in her arms. “I brought these for the baby. Since I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, I didn’t know what to buy, so I just grabbed the ones that stood out, you know?”
Hollin squeezed a velvety, soft, gray elephant, a fuzzy, green frog and a pink, chenille rabbit to her chest. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. I mean, I wanted to do something.” He shrugged.
You could have been here for me, she wanted to say. She blinked back the moisture forming in her eyes.
“Are you feeling okay? You’re not in any pain, are you?” he asked, glancing at her stomach and wincing.
“I’m fine.”
“You look . . .” He paused, glancing at her stomach once more before staring at her face. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Please. I’ve already gained forty-seven pounds.”
“I’m serious. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.”
Hollin tried to swallow but couldn’t. Her mouth was so dry.
“Anyway, I wanted to bring some presents by, but the mall was about to close and I realized I hadn’t gotten anything for you. Then I thought, why not give her what she really needs.” He reached inside his pocket, and for a moment Hollin thought he might be reaching for a ring, until he pulled out a plain white envelope with her name scrolled across the front.
He held it out to her. “Go ahead, take it.”
Fumbling with the animals, she set them on the hall table and took the envelope from him. Was it a letter? Perhaps saying he was sorry, and that he just realized how much he loved her? Could she dare to hope? she wondered, digging her fingernail under the flap and tearing it open.
But there wasn’t a letter inside. Instead there was a check, with an amount so obscene it made her gasp. She looked up at him. “What is this?”
“It’s for you. I thought you might need some help, and I knew you’d never ask. Consider it your Christmas present.”
She blinked, unable to speak momentarily. Then she said, “My what?”
This time it was Griffin who didn’t speak. He looked confused.
“I don’t want this.”
“But--”
“I don’t want it!” she said, crumbling it in her fist and then shoving it at him.
“I don’t understand.”
“No. Of course you don’t.” She tried to fold her arms over her chest, but that didn’t work, with her huge stomach in the way.
“Hollin,” he said, looking hurt and disappointed.
“Sorry to be so ungrateful, Griffin, but I don’t need your money. Nor do I want your charity.”
“It’s not charity. And whether you want to admit it or not,” he said, pointing to her stomach, “that’s my baby you’re carrying.”
“Oh, so you’re finally owning up to it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, you weren’t man enough seven months ago to even acknowledge that I was pregnant.” She pushed her hands to her hips, in spite of how fat it probably made her look.
“What are you saying? You were the one who’s kept this thing a big secret.”
“A secret? Hah! As if I could keep this,” she said, sweeping an arm over her protruding stomach, “or anything else in this town, a secret. Besides, Dr. Bob told me you knew.”
“Yes, I knew. Because he told me. Not you.”
“How could I have told you when I’d only found out myself. I was waiting for you to say something that day at the hospital, and you didn’t. Then you never bothered to contact me until tonight. And somehow I’m to blame?”
He looked at her, his mouth hanging open. “Wait a damn minute. Don’t try to pin this on me. It was you who didn’t want me. You who didn’t think I was good enough to be a father to this child.”
She gave him an incredulous look. “I never once implied such a thing. I told you I loved you, and you refused to even acknowledge me. Then after Dr. Bob told you I was pregnant, again you refused to acknowledge. What was I supposed to do? Beg you to marry me? To be a part of our lives, when it was obvious you wanted nothing of the sort? My God, Griffin, you sold your house! You’re moving away from Whisper Lake. And now you shove a check in my face and that’s supposed to make up for everything else?”
He swiped a hand over his face and sighed. “Hollin, I . . . I think we need to talk.”
“Talk? It’s too late to talk. I’d like for you to leave.” She went to the door and pulled it open. “Now,” she said, when he didn’t move.
“Hollin, let me explain.”
“You don’t need to explain. I know exactly what you’re feeling. Guilt. And we don’t need it, nor do we need you.”
At those last words, he narrowed his eyes. “Hollin--”
She flung her arm out and pointed through the door opening. “Get out!”
After one more look at her, he walked out the door. Hollin shut it swiftly behind him. And then she let her tears fall.
#
Griffin was so stunned. He still didn’t know what the hell had just happened. Obviously he’d offended her with that check. Hell, he should have known she’d be pissed.
All this time he’d thought she hadn’t wanted him, and here she’d been waiting for him to make the first move. How stupid could he have been? Of course, she’d wanted him to make the first move. She’d told him she loved him, and he’d never returned the words of endearment. With the exception of the night she was sleeping in the hospital. But she hadn’t heard him say them. So how w
as she to know how he felt?
He brushed a snowflake from his nose and shivered in the cold as he made his way toward his truck. Through the foggy glass he saw Buster wagging his tail, excited that his master was returning.
And then it hit him. He still hadn’t told Hollin how he felt. Turning around so swiftly he almost fell in the slippery snow, he marched back onto the porch and stabbed the doorbell.
When no one answered, he stabbed it a few more times. He’d be damned if he was going to let her throw him out, when he’d had nothing but good intentions. Okay, so he was stupid. And dense. But he could change. If she’d give him another chance.
He was about to start pounding on the door and calling her name, when it finally opened. Hollin’s eyes were rimmed in red and her nose was running.
“Aw, baby,” he said, reaching for her. He hated seeing her cry.
She took a step back. “Don’t baby me, and don’t touch me. Go away, please,” she said.
Griffin pushed past her and into the foyer, shutting the door. “I’m not going anywhere. I love you, damnit. And unless you were lying that night, you love me too. We’re going to have a child together, and that child needs me in his life, her life--whatever.” He threw his hands up helplessly. “Whether you like it or not.”
He raised a finger and pointed it at her. “I know I don’t know the first thing about being a father, but I can learn. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and if you give me the chance I know I can make you happy. We can be a family. You, me, Chelsea, Buster and this baby,” he said, nodding to her swollen stomach. “Are you sure that doesn’t hurt?”
Her mouth flew open, and before she could yell at him, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. And to his relief, she kissed him back.
He wanted to get closer, but with her stomach in the way, he couldn’t seem to. And then, while he was expressing his love for her, something poked at his thigh. At first he’d thought it was Hollin, but then he realized her arms were twined around his neck. And then it happened again.
Griffin broke the kiss and stared down at her. “Was that . . .?”
She nodded, and fresh tears sprang from her eyes. “Yes.” She took his hand and placed it low on her belly, and the baby awarded him with another kick. “That’s your son, or daughter.”
He couldn’t describe the feelings rushing through him. The idea that his child was alive and growing inside her like that--well, the whole thing was incredible. Massaging her belly, he dipped his head to kiss her on the forehead, then he stepped back and looked her in the eye. “Hollin, I want to marry you. Please tell me you’ll at least think about it.”
She nodded and swallowed. “Okay.”
Okay, she’d think about it? Well, at least it was something. He reached for the doorknob and was about to open the door when she spoke again.
“Griffin?”
He angled his body so he could face her.
“I thought about it.”
Already? he wondered in a panic.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
She smiled. “Yes, I want to marry you.”
He was so damn happy he could cry, but instead all he could do was stare at her, mesmerized. This beautiful creature wanted to marry him. Loved him, and trusted him to be a father to their child. What more could any man ask for?
He tried to find the right words to say, but the only word that came out was, “Hollin.”
She raised a finger to her lips. “Wait, there’s one condition.”
“Anything. Whatever you want.”
“I want us to live here, in this house.”
“With your mother? And housekeeper?” That was the condition?
“Yes. I know it’ll be stressful at times, but--”
“I’ll do it.”
“You don’t know how difficult my mother can be at times.”
“I’ll do it,” he repeated. “You don’t know how difficult it’s been for me, without you. Thinking that I’d never again be able to hold you in my arms, to kiss you or make love to you.” He released a shaky breath. “You’ve made me so happy.”
She smiled and stepped forward and into his arms. Pressing her face against his chest, she said, “No, you’ve made me, us, happy.”
Griffin held her, and realized nothing had ever felt this good. But after a few moments, he broke the contact. “I should let you get back to your family. It’s Christmas eve.” He shrugged, feeling suddenly awkward standing in her foyer. “Maybe I can call you tomorrow?”
She tilted her head and stared up at him. “Do you have plans this evening?”
“No, why?”
“Then, I think you should stay.” She reached out and took his hand.
“I can’t. Buster’s outside. In the truck.”
She grinned. “Well, go get him.”
“But I--” He raised a brow. “Are you sure your mother won’t mind?”
“There’re a few things my mother’s just going to have to get used to.” And then she nudged him toward the door. “Go get Buster. No one should be alone on Christmas eve.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Moments later, Griffin was back, Buster in tow. Hollin was so excited to see the dog, she started crying again. “He’s so big! I hardly recognized him.”
“Yeah, he’s probably thinking the same thing about you.”
Her mouth opened in surprise, and then she swatted him on the arm.
“Hey, I was only teasing you.” He pulled her into his arms again and kissed her soundly, imagining what it was going to be like with Hollin in his bed every night for the rest of his life. He’d never felt so alive before.
They were really getting into the kiss and hadn’t realized Buster had disappeared until Chelsea called out the dog’s name and a woman screamed in terror.
“Who let that horrible beast in my house?”
“Grandma, Buster’s not a beast. He’s a dog.”
Both he and Hollin pulled back to stare at each, and then they laughed.
“This is going to be interesting,” he said. “Are you sure this is going to work out?”
She stood on tip-toe and smacked her lips against his. “Don’t worry, I promise to make it up to you every night in bed.”
He waggled his brows. Ignoring all the commotion in the kitchen, Griffin kissed Hollin again. He couldn’t get enough of her and then realized he had the rest of his life to enjoy her. An eternity. He smiled at that and ended the kiss. “C’mon, let’s go rescue your mother.” They started down the hall, her small hand twined in his much larger one. “And just so you know, I’m going to hold you to that promise.”
“I’m counting it,” she murmured, leaning close to him as they walked.
They rounded the corner and Griffin watched as the housekeeper was training Buster to sit. Buster knew how to sit, roll over and play dead, but he’d do anything for food. And Mrs. Crandell was holding a cookie over the dog’s head.
Hollin’s mother sat gripping the edge of the kitchen table as if she couldn’t decide if Buster could be trusted. And Chelsea was grinning, her eyes on Buster the whole while.
“Mom, Josephine, Chelsea,” Hollin said. “Griffin has asked me to marry him, and I’ve said yes.”
Griffin waited for the onslaught of shocked faces and protests, but instead Chelsea jumped up and down. “Goody. Now Buster can live with us.”
The housekeeper smiled, a knowingly look in her eye. “Welcome to the family, Mr. Wells.”
“Griffin, please,” he said.
When Hollin’s mother didn’t say anything, Hollin looked at her pointedly. “Mother? Do you have anything to say?”
The woman scanned him from head to toe and just when Griffin thought she was going to forbid her daughter to marry him, she said, “Well, it certainly took you long enough.”
“Yes, ma’am, it did. But I’m a lot smarter than I was a few moments ago.” And then he looked down at Hollin’s smil
ing face. “Isn’t that right?”
Hollin nodded and hugged him. “When is the turkey going to be done. I’m starving.” She rubbed her belly. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in days. And I’m eating for three, you know.”
Three? Did she say three? Griffin could only look at her, dumbfounded.
She took a cookie off a platter on the counter, bit into it and chewed. “Oh, didn’t I mention we’re having twins?”
THE END
OTHER BOOKS BY DEBBY CONRAD
A CHANCE AT LOVE SERIES:
Chances Are - Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Slim Chance - Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Fat Chance - Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Slight Chance -Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
ROMANTIC COMEDY:
Love, Lies and High Heels – Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Bailey's Irish Dream – Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
See Jane Love – Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Fast Ride – Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE:
Every Breath You Take - Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Prying Eyes – Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Lust's Betrayal – Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
Everything But the Truth - Amazon - Nook - Kobo - iBooks
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sexy reads with a dash of humor and a slice of suspense!
D
EBBY CONRAD has been spinning tales since junior high school when she would force her younger sister and a few close friends to listen to her fantasies and dreams. Back then she had no idea her silly tales would end up in print, or that her later dream of becoming a novelist would come true.
Debby lives with her husband in NW Pennsylvania, has two grown daughters, three grandchildren, a Chihuahua and a miniature Dachshund who does not like being ignored while she writes.