She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. "Because you were right." She opened her eyes and looked at him. "You would make a better parent to them." Tears burned once again and she swallowed hard. "I love them enough to do what's right, and you're the right one to raise them."
"How can you say that?" He glared at her incredulously. "You know I'm arrogant. You know I'm a slob and have no manners."
"Yes, but I don't cook and I can't even keep the house clean."
"How can you think about leaving those poor little tykes alone with me? You know I can't keep my fairy tales straight. I thought you loved them."
"I do love them," Carolyn protested.
He leaned into her, so close his breath caressed her face. "Then don't leave them," he whispered.
She tried to evade him, needing to distance herself, unable to think with him so close. She managed to duck under one of his arms and stepped toward the center of the room. "What are you talking about?" she asked breathlessly.
He raked a hand through his hair, causing it to stand on end. "Just what I said…. Don't leave them…. Don't leave me."
Carolyn's heart seemed to skip a beat, then pounded with such ferocity it echoed in her ears. "What are you saying?" She looked over at the boys, happily involved in playing with the toys, unaware of the human drama playing out. "Are you suggesting I stay here and continue being the nanny? The housekeeper?"
"No, I'm talking about you staying here and being the twins' mother." With long strides he reached her, his hands gently grasping her shoulders. "I'm talking about you staying here and becoming my wife."
She shrugged his hands off her shoulders, a flush warming her cheeks. "What? An arranged marriage, a matter of convenience? I couldn't do that, Beau…I—" She broke off, appalled that she'd almost bared her heart, that she'd almost told him she loved him.
He leaned against the dresser and smiled the devilish grin she loved so well. "Let me tell you what I want, darlin'. I want a marriage like my mama and daddy had, one like Bob and Mary shared. I want to spend the rest of my life with a petite, near sighted, non cooking woman." The naughty smile fell from his lips, replaced by a hunger, an intensity that stole Carolyn's breath away. "I love you, Carolyn Baker. I don't want to raise these kids alone. I want to do it with you."
She inhaled sharply, unable to move, unable to do anything but stare at him. "I…I…"
He shoved away from the dresser and reached for her, pulling her into his arms. He looked down at her, his eyes radiating his fear. "You what?" he asked urgently.
"I…I love you, too." Her words escaped her with a burst of laughter as he picked her up off the floor and swung her around.
"Really?" He stopped moving and brushed a strand of her hair away from her eyes. "You really love me?"
She laughed and nodded her head. "I really do."
He sobered, his gaze connecting with hers in a way that caused her to shiver in delicious anticipation. "I don't have a lot to offer you, Carolyn. Can you be happy in Casey's Corners being a mother to the rug rats?"
She reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. "I can be happy wherever you are. You make me happy."
"Then you'll marry me? Help me keep my fairy tales straight?"
"Yes, yes, I'll marry you."
His lips descended to hers, seducing her with flames of passion, warming her with fires of love. When the kiss finally ended, they both turned toward the boys, who grinned at them from their snug cocoon amid the blankets.
"Ma-ma-ma." Trent bounced up and down on his plump little bottom.
"Da-da-da," Brent added, then giggled in delight.
Beau laughed and pulled Carolyn closer. "I think they knew all along we were going to be their parents."
Carolyn smiled up at him, knowing her happiness, her love shone from her eyes. "That's because they believe your fairy tales."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't always get the stories or the characters right, but you always manage to get to the proper ending."
His lips curved upward. "And that is?"
Carolyn snuggled against him and raised her lips toward his. "And they lived happily ever after," she murmured, as his lips claimed hers again.
Epilogue
"I told you so." Regina sat on the edge of the bed and grinned at Carolyn. "I knew you and Beau would get together."
"Oh, stop being so smug and help me with this veil." Carolyn's fingers trembled slightly as she carefully picked up the wedding veil attached to the small, beaded cap. As she positioned the cap on her head, Regina moved behind her to help with the lacy folds that cascaded down Carolyn's back.
When they were finished, Carolyn stepped in front of the dresser mirror and gazed at her reflection. A bride. Today she was a bride. It was still so hard to believe.
It had only been a week since Beau's proposal in the seedy motel room, but he had insisted on a wedding as soon as possible. They'd agreed on a home wedding, with the backyard serving as their chapel. From the curtained window Carolyn could hear the murmurs of the guests who awaited the beginning of the ceremony.
"Oh, honey, you look just beautiful." Regina's eyes filled with tears and she swiped at them with a small laugh. "Drat it, I always cry at weddings."
Carolyn leaned over and kissed her friend on the cheek. "Would you mind if I have a few minutes alone?"
"Of course not." Regina looked at her watch. "But just a moment or two. I think the whole town is here to see you and Beau get hitched." With another smile, Regina slipped out the bedroom door, leaving Carolyn alone with her thoughts.
She walked back over to the mirror, once again studying her reflection. This would be the last time she looked in a mirror and saw Carolyn Baker. After today, she would be Carolyn Randolf. Her heart swelled with happiness.
Reaching up with one hand, she grasped tightly the phoenix charm that hung around her neck. Her only regret was that neither her father nor Sam was here to give her away.
"Oh, Sam, I wish you were here." As she thought of her brother, her eyes burned hotly. How she wished he could walk her down the aisle. When would the mystery of Sam be solved? Carolyn knew all the pieces to her happiness would not be in place until Sam's disappearance was resolved.
"Carolyn?" Regina knocked softly on her door. "They're waiting for you."
After taking a deep breath and giving Carolyn Baker one final look in the mirror, she opened the bedroom door and joined Regina in the hall.
As they went through the house toward the back door, Carolyn heard the music begin to play, coming from the rented sound system. Regina gave Carolyn a hug, then turned and walked out the door and down the make shift carpeted aisle between the rows of spectators.
As the stirring sounds of the "Wedding March" began, Carolyn stepped out the door, into the brilliant afternoon sunshine. People on either side of the aisle stood, all turning to look at her.
She walked slowly, self-consciously…until she saw Beau standing at the end of the aisle. He was clad in a tuxedo and babies. His smile, his eyes held the promise of a lifetime of love. As she continued, quickly now, Brent reached up and wrenched Beau's nose, and Trent yanked a strand of his tousled hair.
Laughing joyously, Carolyn increased her pace, hurrying toward her future, hurrying to her family.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6518-3
DEPUTY DADDY
Copyright © 1996 by Carla Bracale
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Table of Contents
CARLA CASSIDY
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Deputy Daddy Page 14
