“No, I want this.” She cradled the baby’s head in the palm of her hand. “She deserves this.” Lena looked up at Jay. “Does this mean you’ll be gettin’ married?”
Jay laughed and tried to mask it as a cough when Victoria frowned at him. “Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“But not right away,” Victoria said, kissing the sleeping baby’s cheek. “First we need to get used to living together and taking care of this sweet baby girl.”
It didn’t matter to Jay whether it happened a month from now or a year from now; in his mind, they were already his family.
“You guys have made me so happy,” Lena said, reaching for both of their hands. “I can’t thank you enough for doin’ this for me.”
“You’re the one who’s given us a gift,” Victoria said, smiling. “And I promise we’ll never let you or her down.”
“Hey,” Jay said, resting his hand on Victoria’s shoulder. “There’s a whole bunch of people out there waitin’ to meet our little princess. How ‘bout we take her out there and make the introductions?”
Victoria wrinkled her nose. “A hospital waiting room… with all those germs?” She shook her head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Okay, let me see what I can do about gettin’ us somethin’ a bit more private.” He stepped outside the room and beckoned Trey over.
Jay knew there was very little the world at large wasn’t willing to grant Trey Turner when he asked. “Can you set up a private room, man? Victoria and I need to talk to y’all about somethin’.”
Trey clapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, is everything okay? There’s no problem with the baby is there?”
“No, everything’s good. Great, in fact.”
“Okay, just give me a few minutes,” Trey said.
Jay watched him walk up to the admissions desk and chuckled as Trey flirted with the pretty young nurse on duty until he got his way. He hoped like hell his little girl would never fall victim to a sweet-talking cowboy like him, but he knew the day would come eventually. He just hoped twenty years would be enough time to prepare himself.
Victoria sat in a chair cradling her baby and staring at the expectant faces gathered around them. Like the sweet, over-protective daddy she knew he was going to be, Jay insisted they all give the baby some space instead of crowding around her, oohing and aahing over how pretty she was.
“So, I’m sure you’re all wonderin’ what’s goin’ on,” Jay said, grinning. “Let’s just say, Victoria and I are a couple now.”
Ashley bounced up and down in her seat and clapped her hands. “I knew it. I knew it was all gonna work out.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “I think ya know how my wife feels about welcomin’ you to the family, Victoria.”
Family. Victoria looked around the small room and, with a lump rising in her throat, she realized these people were going to be her extended family. Jay and their baby, Ava, were her family now. The one thing she’d always wanted, but was always afraid to hope for: a family of her own.
Jay sat down on the arm of the chair beside her and drew both her and Ava against his body. “What’s more…” He took a deep breath. “Lena’s asked us to adopt Ava and we’ve agreed.”
There was a collective gasp around the room before everyone jumped up and started the screaming, crying, back-slapping, and hand-shaking. Mike was the only one to hold back. He looked at both his brother and Victoria before asking, “This is a huge responsibility. You sure you guys are ready for this?”
Jay and Victoria exchanged a brief glance before she smiled and said, “We’re sure.”
Mike gripped Victoria’s chin in his hand and shocked her by pressing a kiss to her lips.
“Hey.” Jay pushed against his brother’s shoulder and chuckled. Nothing, not even Mike’s antics, could bring him down today. “You do that again and I’ll have to kick your ass.”
Ashley slipped her arm around Jay’s waist and pressed her finger to her lips. “Sssh, not in front of my beautiful granddaughter.”
Derek grinned at Victoria as he nodded his head toward his wife. “You do realize you’re gonna have a doting nana over at your place twenty-four seven, don’t you?”
Victoria smiled up at Jay. “We don’t mind. Family’s always welcome in our home.”
Jay kissed her hand as he looked into her eyes. “God, I love the way that sounds.”
“Okay,” Trey said, making his way toward the door. “It’s time to give the happy little family some alone time. Let’s go.”
Jay waited for everyone to file out of the room before he dropped to his knee in front of her. “I know you said you wanted to give it a little time before we got married, but promise me you won’t make me wait too long to make you my wife?”
Victoria giggled. “It only seems fair to make you wait. I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.”
About the Author
To learn more about this author or the rest of the books in the Nashville Nights series, visit
www.cheryldouglasbooks.com.
To comment on this book, or ask the author a question you can email her at
[email protected]
You can also visit Cheryl on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cheryldouglasbooks
Please consider leaving a review for this book, or other books in the Nashville Nights series
at www.amazon.com
Thank You
Coming September 2012
Careless
Book Eight in the Nashville Nights Series
Other Books in the Nashville Nights Series
Shameless – Book One
Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts, but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra that their love deserves a second chance.
Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a man who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancé isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?
Fearless – Book Two
Lexi Brooks has overcome adversity to build a successful real estate business that will enable her to live life on her terms. The life she envisions includes travel, fun and excitement, not marriage, kids or commitment. But will Trey’s sexy bodyguard throw a wrench into her plans?
Being a cop has taught Josh Cooper to take calculated risks, but he’s tired of living with the daily threat of danger. He’s ready to settle down with someone who wants to be a step-mother to his two teenage sons. Too bad Lexi isn’t that woman. She’s sexy, smart, head-strong, and they’re totally in sync in the bedroom , but she isn’t willing to settle for a life of domestic bliss. Or is she?
Ruthless – Book Three
Marisa Turner has wanted Luc Spencer forever, but she also wants a baby and it seems Luc isn’t up to the challenge. She has to choose between the man she loves and the family she hopes to have. Fortunately, there’s another man waiting in the wings who would love to make her baby fantasy a reality.
Luc Spencer is tired of hearing about marriage and babies. He loves Marisa, but he’s not a forever kind of guy. After two years together, she tells him it’s over. He’s not worried, he believes she’ll be back. But what will happen when he finds out there’s another man waiting to take his place?
Reckless – Book Four
As a publicist, Avery Collins knows that mixing business with pleasure is a recipe for disaster so she has one rule. Her bedroom is off limits to clients, no matter how enticing and persistent they may be.
Ty McCall is country music’s newest rising star, but he needs the best team in the business of help him make it to the top. That team includes Avery, who gave him the most unforgettable night of his life only to disappear the next morning.
Avery agrees to work with him, but Ty isn’t willing to settle
for a professional relationship with the woman of his dreams. Can this sexy cowboy convince her that rules were made to be broken?
Relentless – Book Five
Nikki Spencer is all grown up, but the world still sees her as the cute little girl she used to be. She’s ready to prove to her adoring public and a certain rough riding rodeo champion that sweet little Nikki isn’t as innocent as everyone thinks.
J.T. McCall has a reputation as a rough rider, both on the bull riding circuit and with the ladies. So, what’s he to do when an innocent, like country crooner, Nikki Spencer, sets her sights on him? He plans to do what any good old country boy would do, save the lady from herself. But who will save J.T. when this little firecracker sets his world on fire?
Heartless – Book Six
Derek McCall was devastated when his girlfriend married his best friend, Josh. He respected the boundaries of friendship for years, but one night they gave in to temptation. Feeling guilty for betraying his best friend, Derek left town, determined to put the past and Ashley behind him.
Ashley Cooper has loved two men in her life, her ex-husband, Josh, and her ex-boyfriend, Derek. This single mom is finally ready to start dating again when Derek returns to town, ready to throw his hat in the ring. Her kids are dead-set against the relationship, but will she risk their disapproval for a chance to re-write history?
Hopeless – Book Seven
When Jay Cooper has to hire a black belt instructor for his karate studio, he doesn’t expect the most promising candidate to come with a huge chip on her shoulder. He knows there must be a story behind those tortured brown eyes. If only she would let him get close enough to find out why she seems to determined to keep her past a secret.
Victoria Pierce grew up in the foster care system. For her, martial arts was more than a hobby. It was her best hope of survival. She learned at an early age that the only person she could count on was herself. She doesn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt her, not friends, boyfriends, and definitely not her new boss. She shuts Jay down at every opportunity, so why does he keep coming back for more?
Careless – Book Eight
Detective, Mike Cooper, loves a challenge. So when his father, Josh, ask him to consult on a tough case, he can’t resist the temptation. He agrees to take a brief leave of absense from the police force to accompany country singer, Tori Warner, on tour. His objective? To find the crazed fan who’s been stalking her. If only Tori wasn’t so determined to play hard and fast with the rules.
Tori is tired of living in a bubble. She’s been allowing this stalker to control her life for months, and she’s sick of it. So when some hotshot detective decides to become her self-appointed bodyguard, she’s determined to show him that she’s the one calling the shots.
Tori is the most infuriating woman Mike has ever met. She refuses to take orders, even when her life is at stake. He’s tempted to let her fend for herself, but Mike can’t walk away knowing some maniac is out to get her. Especially not after one explosive night makes him lose his objectivity. Suddenly, this case is personal, and Mike can’t rest until he knows Tori is safe.
Coming Fall 2012
A brand new eight book series featuring all of your favorite characters as they guide their grown children on an unforgettable journey toward the ultimate destination…happily ever after.
Nashville Nights… The Next Generation
Hopeless Page 20
