“I brought some,” she whispered, and motioned to the nightstand where a pile of gold-foil-wrapped packages lay.
He was grateful. Really he was. He wanted to make love to Katie. But there was a sorrow that lessened his pleasure. She was prepared for tonight.
And for leaving him.
He dismissed that thought. He would focus on the here and now. Maybe he could persuade her to give their marriage a chance.
He snatched a packet and prepared himself even as his lips covered hers. She wanted him. That was a start to their future. It would be up to him to convince her.
KATHERINE AWOKE ALONE.
Her hand reached out to the place where Gabe had been. It was cold. She drew his pillow beneath her head and inhaled his scent.
Three times they’d made love last night. Three glorious times of losing herself in him. Of discovering the glory of loving someone in every way possible.
Her eyes filled with tears.
The bedroom door opened and Gabe stared at her. “You’re awake? I—what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Katherine hadn’t realized the tears had spilled over onto her cheeks. She hastily scrubbed her cheeks with her hands. “I’m still tired.”
He didn’t move, and she wasn’t surprised. Men didn’t like to deal with tears. Sex, yes, but tears, retribution, remorse, no.
But he proved her wrong. Instead of disappearing, he came into the bedroom and shut the door behind him before crossing to the bed and sitting beside her. “Did I hurt you? Are you in pain?”
Oh, yeah. Mortal pain. But not the kind he meant. “No, of course not. You were a wonderful lover.”
Her compliment didn’t appear to interest him. He studied her, a solemn look on his face. “Katie, we have to talk.”
Dread filled her. “I guess I wasn’t as competent as the women you’re used to. But I’ll get better, Gabe. I’ll work at it.”
He groaned. “Damn, woman, if you get any better, I’ll never get out of bed.” He bent to kiss her as relief flooded her. The kiss immediately zoomed from lips touching to total involvement.
But before she could start removing his clothes, he pulled back. “No. This time we talk.”
“About what?”
“I lied to you.”
She frantically tried to think of what he’d told her, but it couldn’t have been about the will. After all, Mac had confirmed what Gabe had told her. “About what?”
“About my reason for marrying you. Do you remember my first day back in town? When I was so angry?”
She nodded.
“I was angry because I wasn’t indifferent to you.”
As a declaration, it was lukewarm, but she found his words encouraging. “You weren’t?”
He looked down at his hands, tightly clasped between his knees. “Katie, I married you because I love you, more than I did ten years ago. I don’t want to let you go. Ever.”
His words were so exactly what she wanted to hear, she was afraid she’d imagined them. “You were very angry.”
“Will you forgive me?”
“You were justified. I didn’t know what Gran was going to do, but it was my fault.”
He’d been leaning toward her, reaching for her, but her words stopped him. “How was it your fault?”
“After Darrell was killed, I was over visiting with Gran and we talked about him. I didn’t have anyone to talk to. It all just burst out of me.”
“What burst out of you?”
“How miserable our marriage was. And how guilty I felt. I was honest with Darrell. I told him I didn’t love him, but he thought it would be all right. But I didn’t tell him I was still in love with you.”
Gabe stared at her. Then he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her toward him. “You were in love with me?”
Hanging her head, she said, “I still am. But I promise I won’t hold you to the marriage. When you’ve got your inheritance—”
She didn’t get to finish her promise. Gabe was kissing the life out of her. Like a starving man before a feast. Several minutes later, they came up for air.
“Dear God, Katie, you mean you’ve loved me all this time? You loved me when I yelled at you? When I stormed into your shop?”
She nodded.
“Did you hear what I told you? That I love you? That I don’t ever want to leave you?”
She reached out a shaking hand to touch his lips. “Did you really say that? I thought I imagined it.”
He chuckled. “Let me give you some more to imagine, sweetheart.” He stood and ripped his clothes off before joining her in bed.
It wasn’t long before the moment came to don a condom. But Gabe made no move to do so. Katie was enjoying his activities, but she surfaced long enough to point out his neglect.
He raised his head and stared at her. “Don’t you want children?”
“Well, yes, but—” Then, as reality dawned on her, she beamed up at him. “We can have children! Oh, Gabe, yes, I want your baby.” She threw her arms around his neck and almost cut off all oxygen.
He kissed her, easing the hold on his neck. “I’ll use a condom if you want to wait, but I’m ready. Just like I’ve been ready for you for the past ten years.”
Tears seeped from her closed eyes.
“Katie? Are you all right?”
“Oh, I’m more than all right. I’m the most fortunate woman in the world.” She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “You were worth the wait, Gabe Dawson. Definitely worth the wait.”
He grinned. “So were you, but there’ll be no more waiting around here. We’re going to have it all.”
Epilogue
Katherine signed the contract for her carrot cake recipe in Alex’s office six weeks later. There had been details to work out, and, of course, she’d gone on her honeymoon.
She smiled, thinking about the four days in Colorado Springs. People had asked her if she liked the Rockies. She’d assured them the Rockies were spectacular.
Someday she’d need to go see them.
She’d been much too busy on her honeymoon to pay any attention to a pile of rocks.
“I know it’s a good contract,” Alex said, staring at her, “but somehow I think you’re remembering something about Gabe. That’s the look you always get when you talk about him.”
Katherine blushed. “You know me too well.”
Alex smiled. “Or maybe it’s because I’ve been there, done that…thank goodness.”
“Yeah, we’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?”
“Yes. This town is magic. The next thing you know, you’ll be throwing up every morning.”
Katherine didn’t say anything, but her cheeks burned. The bag at her feet contained a home test she intended to use when she got home.
“Katie Dawson! You’re pregnant!”
“I don’t know yet. Maybe.”
“When are you going to see Samantha?”
“I’m going to take the test today. Then when Gabe gets home, I’ll tell him. After that, I’ll shout it to the world.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! All our babies will be in school together,” Alex enthused. “I think Melanie and Spence are working on another one, too.”
“Don’t say anything to Gabe, please,” Katherine pleaded. “I want to surprise him.”
Alex assured her she’d keep silent.
GABE LEFT THE OFFICE at two. It was Friday, and he wanted to be home with his wife. She’d cut back on her hours at The Lemon Drop Shop since their return. They spent every minute they could together.
She was in the kitchen when he came through the back door. He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around her and greet her with a kiss.
When he started walking her toward the door that led to the bedroom, his mouth still on hers, she stopped him.
“Wait.”
“What? You don’t love me anymore?” His grin, he knew, was big enough for her to know he was kidding. Their weeks of marriage had been absolute paradise.
She slapped
his arm. “Silly! You know better. But I have something to tell you.”
He nibbled at her mouth, then her throat, losing interest in anything she had to say. He wanted her…as he always did.
“Gabe! You’re not paying attention.”
“Yes, I am, sweetheart. I’m paying attention to what’s important. You’re the one still talking.”
With a warm chuckle that only increased his ardor, she abruptly agreed. “You’re right.”
He scooped her into his arms and headed for the bedroom.
An hour later, as they lay in each other’s arms, sated, their breathing having returned to normal, he drew lazy circles on her stomach with his finger. “What announcement did you have to make when I got home? Another contract for your cobbler recipe?”
“Oh! I forgot about that. Yes, they’re going to pay me the same amount for it as they did for the carrot cake.”
“Terrific. I love having a rich wife.” His fingers traveled up her body to her breasts.
She grimaced as he stroked her. Frowning, he looked at her. “Did I hurt you?”
“Not really, but you’ll need to be a little more careful for a while.”
He froze, then he grabbed her, pulling her close. “Something’s wrong! Did you go to Samantha? What is it? Do you need to go into the hospital? What can we do?”
That throaty laughter that warmed his soul relieved some of his panic.
“Nothing’s wrong. I’ll go to Samantha next week. I don’t need to go to the hospital yet.”
The panic returned. “But you’ll have to go to the hospital? Dear God, what’s wrong? Tell me!”
“Well, I could stay here, but I don’t think you’ll want me to.”
“Katie, you’re killing me! What’s wrong?”
“I told you nothing was wrong. But the hospital is better for delivering babies. And I won’t have to stay long, just a day or two.”
“Oh, good, I—delivering babies?” he thundered, staring at her. When she nodded, he swooped her up into his embrace again.
Minutes later, when he’d asked every conceivable question, kissed her a thousand times, and laughed with heady delight, he said, “If it’s a girl, I’d like to name her after Gran. Would you mind?”
“I don’t even know Gran’s first name. What was it?”
“Rachel.”
“I love the name Rachel. We’ll name her Rachel Margaret, after Gran and my mother. How about that?”
“I love it. And I love you. And if it’s a boy, we can name him…” He paused, considering names.
“How about William Grant? That way he’ll have your initials, but he won’t have to be called Junior.”
Gabe had been named William Gabriel after his father. “That’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. Hey, we’re good at choosing names. We’re going to have to have a lot of kids to fill all the names.”
She grinned. “Let’s take them one at a time, Mr. Dawson. You might be tired of losing your sleep to a screaming baby after just one.”
“One at a time sounds perfect,” he assured her, kissing her again. “In fact, everything about our life is perfect, Mrs. Dawson. Absolutely perfect.”
She couldn’t agree more.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5867-3
THE $10,000,000 TEXAS WEDDING
Copyright © 2000 by Judy Christenberry.
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*4 Brides for 4 Brothers
*4 Brides for 4 Brothers
*4 Brides for 4 Brothers
*4 Brides for 4 Brothers
*4 Brides for 4 Brothers
†4 Tots for 4 Texans
†4 Tots for 4 Texans
†4 Tots for 4 Texans
†4 Tots for 4 Texans
‡Tots for Texans
‡Tots for Texans
The $10,000,000 Texas Wedding Page 18
