by Mindy Neff
“Lie back,” he said, positioning a decorative pillow against the sofa’s arm behind her head. Her exhalation ended on a moan when he began to massage her feet.
“Oh, that feels so good.”
His body responded to her words, and to the press of her heels against his crotch. He shifted his thigh so neither of them would end up feeling embarrassed.
For long moments, the only sound in the room was the crackle of the fire.
“You didn’t come to your father’s funeral,” she said.
He glanced at her, sorry he’d even brought up the subject of his father. “How do you know? Were you there?”
“Yes.”
That surprised him. “Why?”
“Out of respect.”
He gave a derisive snort. “I didn’t have any respect for Russell Slade. Change the subject, babe.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit a sore spot.” She flexed her foot in his hand. “I called the hospital while I was upstairs. Ellie said the doctor was in again to see Daddy. He’s not settling and they want his blood pressure to come down before they do the angiogram in the morning. I just know he’s lying there letting his mind run away with him.”
“He’ll feel more at ease tomorrow. What’s next after the angiogram?”
“Ellie’s pretty sure the doctor will opt for bypass surgery if there’s blockage. If they think he’s strong enough to survive the operation.”
Linc ran through a list of things he needed to accomplish by morning. Getting married wasn’t normally an overnight process. But in small towns, and especially when someone had a direct connection to the judge, as Jerald did, rules could be bent.
Something inside him went bump when he thought of the step he was about to take. He’d gambled more, though, on the purchase of a champion Thorough-bred with a history of premature foaling. That, too, had been a temporary contract. The owner, a friend of his, had been facing bankruptcy, yet still held a fierce belief his mare would eventually come through for him. Linc had lent his own resources, providing the time his friend needed to gain his financial feet and for the mare to foal successfully.
Although he didn’t think Tracy Lynn would appreciate being compared to a horse, their temporary marriage agreement wasn’t that much different.
He ran his hands up her legs, took her right hand where it rested on her abdomen and began to massage her palm and fingers.
“Do you want me to hang out with you while your dad has the procedure? Or just meet you someplace for the ceremony?”
She tugged back on her hand, but he didn’t let go. “You don’t have to be there. And…shouldn’t we wait on the civil service? Maybe Daddy will be stronger tomorrow and I can just tell him the truth about the baby.”
“Maybe. Then again maybe not. Seems to me that telling him now will just give him a new set of worries. He didn’t sound too keen on the idea of single parenthood.”
“I never knew Daddy was so stuck in the Dark Ages. Why can’t he just not worry about me? I’m almost thirty!”
“Be glad you have the kind of father who does worry about you.”
She closed her fingers around his. “Oh, Linc. I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry for.” He quickly shifted the topic. “Look, let’s just keep things as is. I’ll arrange for the judge to meet us at the hospital around noon or before, depending on his schedule. That’ll give your father time to get through his tests and rest up. We can have the ceremony right there in his room. It’ll ease his mind.”
She pulled her hand back to push herself into a sitting position, and her ring came off in his palm. “This all seems so extreme.”
He studied the bright blue stone, slipping it on and off his pinkie. “Consider it an act of kindness—a good deed. We’re eliminating a point of stress so a man has the best chance of healing, and I’m getting my house decorated. Nothing’s permanent. When the time comes, I’ll have my attorneys take care of the annulment—or a divorce if that’ll look better. There’s nothing scandalous about a politician’s daughter being divorced.”
“There’s nothing scandalous about her having a baby through anonymous donor insemination, either.”
“No, but that’s easier to twist out of proportion. Besides, I’ve been a bachelor for so long I could use a trial run to see how I like family life. Jack and Sunny make it look pretty good.”
“You want me to prepare you for the woman you’ll eventually fall in love with and marry?”
He shrugged and slipped the ring back on her finger. “I figure you’re the best test I could have. You’re a girly girl, and I’m an outdoorsman. If I can cohabitate peacefully with you, I can live with anyone.”
She whacked him with the sofa pillow. “Thanks a lot.”
He grinned. “Hey, I’ve already heard the story about you knocking down a tent over a teeny spider.”
“It wasn’t teeny. It was nearly a tarantula. And I was twelve at the time.”
“You’re still a city girl.”
“There are advantages to city girls.” She flicked her hair off her shoulder. “We have impeccable fashion and decorating tastes that obviously impress even you country boys.”
His lips twitched. Her cheeks were pink and passion sparked in her blue eyes, instead of sadness.
“Think you can manage living way out on a horse farm with a country boy?”
“I guess we’ll soon find out.”
“Guess we will. Do you want me to stay tonight, or will you be okay on your own?”
Her cheeks colored, as though she was actually thinking about him spending the night—and doing much more than sleeping.
“I’ll be fine. You can just meet me at the hospital tomorrow.” She stood and gathered his coat from the mahogany hall tree. The perfect hostess, even while wearing sweats that bagged at the knees and butt.
Frigid air swirled in when he opened the door. He knew he should go, but he was suddenly reluctant. She was looking up at him, her lips slightly parted. It would be so easy to lower his head and kiss her. He wanted to in the worst way, had an idea she’d invite him back in for more. There was definite chemistry going on between them.
But answering that invitation would be taking unfair advantage.
So, instead, he simply stroked her warm cheek. “Try not to worry, okay? Everything will work out fine.”
TRACY LYNN WASN’T SURE what to wear to a hospital wedding. Or if there would even be a wedding.
For all she knew, her father could have rallied over-night and had a total change of heart about her condition.
Regardless, she figured she ought to be prepared, and finally settled on a simple wool skirt in winter white and a soft blue sweater.
The angiogram procedure didn’t take long, but by the time the doctor came out to report that there was severe blockage in both ventricles of the heart and bypass surgery was urgent, Tracy Lynn’s nerves were a wreck. Accepting the inevitable, she went down to the hospital cafeteria, bought a bottle of fruit juice, then sat down at a table on the outside patio, took out her cell phone and punched in the number for Becca’s Attic.
“Hey, it’s me,” she said when Becca answered.
“How’s your dad?”
“They’ve scheduled him for bypass surgery. The doctor wants to wait a couple of days, whip him into a little better shape before they put him under the knife.”
“Oh, Tracy Lynn, it’ll be all right. He’s a tough old cuss. And not that old, anyway.”
“Tough old cuss is right. He’s backed me into a corner, and…I’m going to marry Linc.”
“What! When?”
“Sometime this morning, I guess. Whenever he and Judge Timber get here.”
“You’re getting married at the hospital?”
“Daddy is in a state. He wants to see the marriage certificate. Linc thinks if Daddy witnesses the wedding firsthand, it’ll put his mind at rest. Meanwhile, will you call Sunny and Donetta for me? Just to keep everyone in the loop.”
“Of course. I’ll close up the shop, and I’m sure Donetta can rearrange her clients, and Sunny can—“
“No. Becca, it’s just a quick exchange of ‘I do’s.’ If we have a big crowd here, it’ll call attention to us, and people will start questioning the baby—which we have to keep quiet about for the next month or so. I just wanted you all to know beforehand.”
“Trace, you can’t get married without us!”
“I’m not…I mean, it’s not a real marriage. Linc is just helping me out of a tricky situation.”
“What will you do after the ceremony? Are you going home? Or to Linc’s house?”
“I’ll be staying at Linc’s—so things look normal.” She sighed, nerves churning in her stomach. “I’ll have to stop by my house and get some clothes, I suppose.”
“We can help you with that,” Becca said.
“Thanks. But not today, okay? I figure I’ll just pack a small suitcase for the time being. If Daddy comes home, he’ll need someone there to help, so no sense moving everything.”
“When he comes home, Trace,” Becca said. “And I still think you should let us come to the ceremony. You’ve dreamed about your wedding day since we were kids.”
“I know. Maybe someday I’ll find the real thing. Then the three of you can make plans and annoy me with your organizational skills…” She paused while Becca snorted a laugh—Tracy Lynn was clearly the one who had the organizational skills. “And we’ll all walk down the church aisle like we always talked about, and—oh!”
Linc was standing behind her shoulder.
“I’ve gotta go, Becca. I’ll talk to you later. Don’t worry.”
She disconnected the phone and stood up, smoothing her damp palms on her skirt. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
He wore a pair of dark jeans with a white shirt tucked in at the waist and a brown leather jacket. His suede Stetson was the color of rich chocolate that matched his boots.
“The judge is up in your dad’s room,” he said, his gray-blue eyes watchful. “Ellie already filled me in on the test results and surgery schedule. You ready to do this?”
Her hands trembled as she stuffed her cell phone in her purse. “If you are?” The answer came out as a question.
He took her hand and drew it through the crook of his elbow. “Let’s go get married.”
She was as nervous as a painted lady at a prayer meeting. Thank goodness this wedding wasn’t taking place at church.
Minutes later they were standing with Judge Timber by her father’s bed in the CCU. Linc drew the curtains around them for privacy. Jerald’s eyes filled with tears.
Tracy Lynn had to swallow back her own tears. And in that moment, she knew what they were doing was right—even if it was a lie.
“Don’t start, Daddy,” she said softly. “You’ll get me going.”
“It’s just that I always thought your mama would be here with me when you got married.”
Tracy Lynn swallowed. “I think she’s watching.”
The judge retrieved a book he’d set on the tray table, then paused when the curtains behind them were snatched open. Ellie bustled in, pushing an IV pole. She stopped.
“You all look so serious in here. Am I interrupting?”
Linc pulled the drapes closed again. “If you’ve got a few minutes, you can stand in as our witness. Tracy Lynn and I decided to move up our wedding date. I know Tracy—” he paused and pressed a kiss to her temple “—and with Jerald scheduled for surgery and then his recovery time, she’d make herself nuts trying to plan a wedding and worry about her dad, too. So we’re eloping.” He winked. “Right here to Mercy General.”
Ellie chuckled. “Well, I’d be honored.” She checked her watch, then stood at the head of the bed by Jerald’s side.
“We’ll be quick,” Linc said, looking toward the judge as though to make sure he understood.
Judge Timber nodded.
Tracy Lynn was still trying to regain her breath after that gentle kiss.
“If you two will face each other and join hands,” the judge said, “we’ll get started. Lincoln, do you come to this union of your own free will, and with the intention of being faithful in marriage to Tracy Lynn as long as you live?”
“I do.” His voice was strong, causing Tracy Lynn’s heart to thud even harder.
“And you, Tracy Lynn, do you come to this union of your own free will, and with the intention of being faithful in marriage to Lincoln as long as you live?”
She nodded. “Yes. I mean, I do.”
Linc smiled at her and squeezed her hands, which were shaking like mad. So far she hadn’t said anything to cause a lightning bolt to strike her down. The judge hadn’t actually said she had to stay married as long as she lived, just to be faithful in the marriage. And that would be easy.
The pressure in her chest eased slightly.
“Lincoln, please repeat the following after me…”
In a strong voice that held her spellbound, his eyes steady on hers, Linc followed the judge’s lead. “I, Lincoln Thomas Slade, take you, Tracy Lynn, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise from this day forward to be your faithful husband, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love and cherish you, as long as I live.”
The sincerity of his tone made her feel faint. This didn’t sound like pretend. She could almost believe that he did, and would, love her as he vowed.
When it was her turn, her voice shook. This time she couldn’t rationalize away the lifelong vow, and she didn’t even begin to try.
Because at that moment, she wanted nothing more than to have Lincoln Slade look at her just this way…for the rest of her life.
Stunned by that realization, she didn’t realize for a moment that the judge had spoken and Linc was reaching in his pocket.
He took her left hand and slipped a ring on her finger. An eternity band.
Her dizziness grew.
“In pledge of the vow of marriage made between us,” he said, “I offer you this ring.”
She stared at the circle of diamonds on her finger. She hadn’t expected…how had he found time to get her a ring? She should have reciprocated. As the diamonds winked up at her, a memory flashed in her head: a ring, with a small horseshoe of diamonds, tucked away in her ballerina jewelry box beneath a stack of camisoles in her dresser drawer.
“Babe,” Linc said softly.
She looked up. As her brain scrambled to rewind, she vaguely recalled the judge pronouncing them husband and wife, and…
Her heart leaped right into her throat.
With utter tenderness, he framed her face in his hands and kissed her.
Chapter Five
The kiss was fleeting, yet it conveyed a world of tenderness. If Linc hadn’t been holding her, she might have dropped right to her knees.
Whenever her fantasies had run amok and Lincoln Slade had played the starring role, she’d never imagined a kiss could make her feel so much. Joy, sadness, confusion. Love.
She stepped back and cleared her throat, glanced at her father. A single tear tracked from the corner of Jerald’s left eye. How could she hold his high-handedness against him when this marriage obviously meant so much to his peace of mind? He wasn’t an overbearing father. Just a worried one, set in the ways of his upbringing.
She should have considered that before she’d decided to have a child on her own—without discussing it with her father first. Oh, how she’d miscalculated on this one.
And now, after years of searching for the right man, after not finding him and giving up, Linc Slade had reentered her life. And something deep inside her regretted, for an instant, that she hadn’t waited just a little longer before seeking out a doctor to help her complete her dream.
“I’ll need you both to sign the certificate,” Judge Timber said.
Tracy Lynn signed the document, then watched while Linc and Ellie—as witness—did the same.
“Well, that’s it, I guess.” She
sat down in the guest chair while Ellie finished hanging the IV bag she’d brought in, and Linc walked the judge out to pay for his services.
“Congratulations,” Ellie said. “And thanks for letting me be a part of your happy day. I think it’s special that you changed your plans this way for your father.” She exchanged a look with Tracy Lynn that indicated she knew what was behind the hurry—fear that Jerald wouldn’t make it through his surgery.
But that was only part of it. The other part—the baby she wanted so fiercely—had to remain secret until an appropriate amount of time had passed for them as husband and wife.
On her way out, Ellie hugged Linc, who was returning. He stopped next to Tracy Lynn’s chair, resting his hand lightly on her shoulder. Just that simple touch made her pulse jump.
“Thank you both for doing this for me,” Jerald said, looking at Linc, then at Tracy Lynn, his voice still weak. “I know it’s not what you’d dreamed your wedding would be like, honey.”
“As long as you’re here, Daddy, that’s all that matters.”
Ellie came back through the curtains dragging another chair for Linc.
“No need for that,” Jerald said. “You two go on now and get started on your honeymoon. No sense in hanging around this place.”
“We’ve got plenty of time for…um, the honeymoon,” Tracy Lynn said, though she noticed that Linc didn’t sit. She figured theirs would be the most platonic honeymoon in history—and she’d be the most frustrated bride.
“Truth is, honey, I’m pretty worn out. I think I’d just like to rest now.”
“You can go ahead and sleep.” She turned to Linc. “I’ll stay here with Daddy if you want to go.”
“No,” Jerald said. “You two git. I don’t need anyone watching me sleep or hovering over my bed. I’ll feel like I’ve got to stay awake and be sociable.”
Linc urged her to her feet. “We’ll call and check on you later.” He shook hands with Jerald, then stepped back so Tracy Lynn could lean down and kiss her father.
“Bye, Daddy.” She adjusted the blanket, pulling it up to his chest. Kissing him again, she said, “Rest. I’ll see you later.”
