Major Dad

by Shelley Cooper

  "I don't really know for sure. Everything went wrong from the beginning. The weather was bad, and the plane went off course. I broke my leg when I parachuted. Next thing I knew, I was staring up the wrong end of a submachine gun."

  "Did they treat you badly?" Eileen asked, her concern obvious. "Is that why you're so thin, why you're limping?"

  Not even for Eileen would he recount the horror of those years. "I limp because my leg was never set properly. As for my accommodations, let's just say they weren't the Ritz. But I made it through. A few didn't."

  "I prayed for you every night," she said softly. He could see the tears gathering in her eyes.

  Emotion made it difficult for Brady to speak. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

  Pete cleared his throat, and Brady knew the professional wrestler known as Killer was as moved as he'd been by Eileen's words. "Let's not talk about this anymore," he declared. "Brady's back, and that's all that matters."

  The slice of pie Eileen placed in front of him was large enough to feed three men. "I want you to eat every bite," she ordered as she took her seat at the head of the table.

  "What are you going to do now?" Pete asked.

  "For starters," Brady said, picking up his fork, "I quit the army."

  "Hallelujah!" Eileen cried. "Does this mean you've finally had your craving for danger knocked out of you?"

  "Like candy from a piñata."

  "It's about time," she said with satisfaction. "What are you going to do with yourself, now that Uncle Sam has released you to your own devices?" Pete asked.

  "I haven't the faintest idea."

  "Talk about a midlife crisis." Pete took a bite of pie and chewed.

  Brady followed suit. The home-baked pie tasted so good he thought he'd die from the sheer pleasure of it. "Tell me about it." Eagerly, he forked up another mouthful. "And I'm only thirty-two."

  "You'll figure out something to occupy your time," Eileen said. "I have faith in you."

  Brady wished he had that much faith in himself.

  He surprised himself by polishing off the entire piece, plus seconds. He waited until he'd swallowed the last crumb, placed his folded napkin on top of the table and loosened his belt a notch before dropping his bombshell.

  "I'm getting married this Saturday. I was hoping the two of you would stand up for me."

  As he'd expected, a deafening silence greeted his announcement. Eyes wide and mouths hanging open, Pete and Eileen stared at him.

  "Hey," he joked, "what's going on here? You two look like I just asked you to rob a bank."

  "You're getting married?" Pete asked at the same time Eileen sputtered, "You're in love?"

  "To a woman?" Pete added, while Eileen said, "With a woman?"

  This was it, Brady thought. His first test. He smiled what he hoped was the smile of a man looking forward to his coming nuptials. "Yes, I'm getting married to a woman. And yes, we're in love. Isn't anyone going to congratulate me?"

  Pete reached out a meaty hand to cuff Brady on the arm. "Congratulations, brother," he said heartily. "This is great news. Isn't it, honey?"

  Eileen still looked bewildered. "Who is she? How'd you two meet? I thought you just got back."

  Rubbing his now-sore upper arm, Brady related the story he and Haven had concocted on the drive to apply for their marriage license. They'd decided that, to allay suspicion, they would tell everyone they'd met years ago, when he was dating Melinda. Thank goodness Haven was a runner. The story they'd fashioned was that they'd run into each other again while both were out jogging, and had struck up a conversation. A conversation they'd continued for the next twenty days, at which point they realized they were in love. He made no mention of Anna, other than to say she was Haven's ward. Nor did he mention his paternity or the custody suit. The truth would come out soon enough. When it did, hopefully their saying that their initial meeting had been through Melinda would explain the strange coincidence of his turning out to be Anna's father.

  "I don't know," Eileen said when he'd finished. "It's too soon. What if this Haven person breaks your heart?"

  Brady choked. He'd expected her to demand that he have a prenuptial agreement drawn up to protect his fortune. Her question about his emotional welfare caught him completely off guard. Could Haven break his heart? A few days ago he would have said he didn't have a heart to break. But a few days ago he hadn't met Anna or Haven.

  "Hey," he said. "This is me you're talking to. The one who helped you elope, remember?"

  "Come on, honey," Pete said. "Give the guy a break. After what he's been through, he deserves a little happiness, don't you think?"

  "Of course I do." Her expression cleared, and she reached across the table to give his hand a hard squeeze. "Congratulations, Brady. I'm very happy for you. But I'm warning you right now. Come Saturday, I'm going to have my eye on this Haven person of yours. If I don't like what I see, when the justice of the peace gets to the part about anyone objecting, expect to hear my voice loud and clear."

  "All I expect to hear," Pete told Brady, "is a lot of loud sobbing. You may or may not be making a mistake, but my wife is most definitely a sucker for weddings."

  * * *

  Haven's nerves were stretched to the breaking point by the time Brady arrived that evening. She didn't know how she was going to make it through dinner, much less pull off the act she and Brady were slated to perform. She could tell from the questioning looks the older woman kept tossing her that Josephine knew something was up. But so far, her former nanny hadn't pried. Haven knew better than to think that state of affairs would last for long.

  Brady took one look at Haven after she opened the door and asked, "Are you okay?"

  The smile she gave him was shaky at best. "The truth? I think I'm going to be sick."

  "No, you're not," he stated confidently. "This is for Anna, remember? Don't worry, you won't be alone. I'll be right by your side."

  Strangely enough, his words comforted her.

  "Ready?" he asked.

  She drew a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. "As I'll ever be."

  "Let's go, then."

  "Hi, Unca Bwady," Anna said when they reached the dining room. "Did you bwing me sumfing tonight?"

  "Anna!" Haven admonished, bending down to the little girl. "It's not polite to ask for gifts."

  "Sowwy."

  "That's all right. Why don't you go sit down while I introduce Uncle Brady to Josephine. Scoot."

  Obediently, the little girl skipped over to the table and climbed into the booster seat that had been set atop a chair. Haven straightened. When her gaze met Josephine's, the woman's raised eyebrows let her know that she was now aware that Anna had already met Brady, and that he'd obviously been to the house. Frankly, Haven had been surprised to get through breakfast that morning without Anna mentioning her newfound uncle and the teddy bear he'd brought her. Coward that she was, she'd been vastly relieved when all the little girl could chat about was the clown they'd booked for her birthday party next week.

  Taking Brady by the arm, she walked him over to Josephine. "Josie, this is Brady Ross. Brady, this is Josephine, my right hand."

  "Hello, Josephine," Brady said with a smile. "I've heard a lot about you."

  Josephine looked Brady up and down. "Well, I, for one, certainly haven't heard enough about you. Have a seat, child. Let's chat."

  Things were going well, Haven thought later, as dinner drew to a close. In fact, they were going much better than she'd anticipated. Oh, Brady didn't seem to have much of an appetite, which wasn't surprising. And he was still hesitant around Anna, treating her as if she were a porcelain doll who might break if he didn't handle her just right. But Josephine seemed genuinely charmed by him. Yes, things were going well. Maybe all Haven's worries had been for nothing.

  She waited until Anna had climbed down from the table and disappeared into the den to play before summoning up what she hoped was a brilliant smile. "Brady and I have an announcement to make, Josie. We're getti
ng married this Saturday."

  Josephine's fork clattered to her plate. "What?"

  Brady reached over and threaded his fingers through hers. "We're getting married."

  The older woman was silent for a long moment before directing her gaze at Haven. "May I speak to you in private, please?"

  The way she was feeling, if Josephine got her alone, her story would fall apart in less than thirty seconds. She had a feeling Brady knew that, too, because he gave her hand a supportive squeeze.

  "Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Brady."

  "All right, then. I don't like it, child. I don't like it one bit." Josephine glanced at Brady. "No offense."

  "None taken," he said. "I understand your concern."

  Haven felt awful. She hated lying, especially to the woman who'd been more of a mother to her than her own mother. What distressed her even more was how skilled she was becoming at it. Even though she kept telling herself it was all for Anna, it didn't make her feel any better.

  "Why are you so upset, Josie? You certainly seemed happy enough a couple of days ago, when you found out there was a man in my life."

  "A couple of days ago you said nothing about marriage. You two first met, what, four years ago for a very brief time? And then you ran into each other again just three weeks ago? Child, you don't begin to know thing one about him. And he doesn't know you. What's the rush?"

  "I know it seems sudden," Haven said. "But we love each other. I'm twenty-eight years old. I think I'm old enough to recognize love when it finally comes my way. My mind is made up, Josie. I know I'm doing the right thing."

  "You really love him?"

  Would there be no end to the lies she would have to tell? And would Josephine ever speak to her again when she found out about Brady's paternity and the custody suit? She was doing this for Anna, Haven reminded herself. Right now, that was all the justification she needed.

  "Yes, Josie, I really love him."

  Josephine turned her gaze to Brady. "You love her?"

  "With all my heart," he replied solemnly.

  "You don't have to worry," Haven assured the woman. "You'll always have a place here. We both want you to stay."

  Josephine shook her head. "No, child. The minute you two marry, I'm moving out."

  Stunned, Haven stared at the older woman. "But … why?"

  "Because of an old saying. Remember the one about two being company and three a crowd? Once you're married, you're on your own. You two have to build a life together. I'd just be in the way."

  "But you can't…" Haven protested.

  "Can't what?" Josephine asked.

  Leave me alone with him. "Nothing," she replied. Deep down, she felt a sense of relief that Josephine would be leaving. That way, Brady could bunk down in the spare bedroom, instead of having to share with Haven.

  "Where will you stay?" she asked.

  "With Jackson, of course. He's been asking me to move in with him for months now." The woman smiled. "Who knows, I might even be able to get him to follow your example."

  Haven was happy for her friend. She hoped things worked out the way Josephine wanted them to. "I know you don't approve, but will you stand up for me? Will you be my maid of honor?"

  Josephine's brown eyes filled with the warmth of love. "Of course I will, child. You know I'd do anything for you. What time's the wedding?"

  "Saturday at noon."

  "I'll be there in my best dress." The woman cleared her throat and stood up. "Now, come on, you two. Help me clear this table."

  * * *

  Chapter 6

  « ^ »

  Saturday morning arrived with indecent haste. After spending a couple of hours playing with Anna, Haven left the little girl to Josephine's gentle ministrations and retired to her room to dress. It didn't take her long to get ready, which left her some much needed time to compose herself before facing the man who would shortly become her husband.

  Her husband. Haven drew a deep breath as desperation hummed through her.

  "Talk me out of this," she whispered to her reflection in the mirror.

  The face that gazed back at her remained mute. Instead of looking drawn and pale with anxiety, she appeared almost serene. The only hint that something out of the ordinary was happening was the flush in her cheeks and the sparkle of—could it be anticipation?—in her eyes. Anyone who wasn't in the know—which was everyone, really—would think she was actually looking forward to this marriage.

  "Ridiculous," she said out loud. The color in her cheeks was surely the result of too much sun, and the sparkle in her eyes could be explained as a desire to get this farce over with as soon as possible. If she was looking forward to anything, it was to getting the Zieglars out of Anna's life forever.

  A glance at her watch told her it was almost time to leave. Haven ran a comb through her unruly curls and checked to see that her lipstick was on straight. Then, squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath, she went downstairs.

  The living room was empty, but she heard a low murmuring coming from the kitchen.

  "You two ready?" she called in a voice that wasn't quite steady.

  "Be there in a minute," Josephine called back.

  Too restless to sit, Haven walked to the window and parted the drapes that had been drawn to protect the dark-blue carpet from the midday sun. To her surprise, sheets of rain pounded the earth. When she'd gone upstairs to dress an hour ago, she could have sworn there hadn't been a cloud in the sky.

  "Happy is the bride the sun shines on," she murmured.

  A stirring of unease flitted up her spine. At least it wasn't lightning and thundering, she told herself. That would have been too much.

  She wasn't superstitious, and she didn't believe in omens. But if the rain that was falling with a force greater than a waterfall wasn't a sign, she didn't know what was. It didn't take a genius to decipher its meaning. She was making a mockery out of the institution of marriage, and there most certainly would be a penalty to pay.

  Haven allowed the curtain to fall back into place. She'd gladly pay any penalty, no matter how steep, if it guaranteed Anna's safety and happiness.

  "Pwetty, Binny," she heard Anna say.

  Whirling, she turned to face the doorway, where Josephine stood in her Sunday best, Anna beside her. The little girl looked adorable in a pink cotton dress and white patent leather shoes, her hair pulled back with a lacy bow. Josephine had used matching lace to fancy up the cast on the child's wrist.

  "You look pretty too, sweetheart," Haven said, her heart squeezing with love. Seeing the child gave her renewed courage. She was doing the right thing. She wouldn't allow herself to falter again.

  Standing in silence, she waited while Josephine's brown eyes narrowed shrewdly to study the pale-blue silk dress Haven had bought the day before. She hadn't set out to buy anything new for the ceremony, hadn't wanted to make more of the occasion than it really was. But when she'd seen the dress hanging in the store window, she hadn't been able to resist. It was sleeveless, with a curved neckline dipping low enough to reveal a hint of cleavage, and the soft silk fell in layers from an empire waist to swirl around her calves. Haven felt almost like a princess wearing it. That she'd chosen to wear it this day was a puzzle she didn't care to solve just now.

  When Josephine finished her inspection, there were tears in her eyes. "Oh, child," she said softly, "you are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen." She sniffed. "I think I'm going to cry."

  To Haven's dismay, she felt tears welling in her own eyes. She'd been counting on Josephine's no-nonsense approach to life to get her through the ordeal with some modicum of dignity.

  "Don't you dare go getting sentimental on me," Haven warned sharply, "or I swear I'll … I'll…"

  "You'll what, child?"

  "I'll fire you, that's what."

  "Never happen," Josephine said with a confident smile and a shake of her head. "I'm indispensable. Surely I've taught you that by now. You couldn't manage with
out me."

  Relieved that the emotional moment had passed, Haven chuckled. "What can I say? When you're right, you're right."

  "Ready to go?" Josephine asked.

  "Ready as I'll ever be. Guess we'd better grab some umbrellas. though. It's raining like crazy out there."

  A quizzical look crossed Josephine's broad features. "What rain? It's not raining."

  Sure enough, when Haven parted the curtain again, the sky had cleared and the sun blazed down. Bemused, she shook her head. Had she just imagined the downpour? No, the puddles on the sidewalk bore mute testimony to the fact that it had been raining just minutes earlier.

  "Must have been a cloudburst," she murmured. The kind that was over almost as soon as it had begun.

  A gentle hand squeezed her shoulder. "Let's go," Josephine said tenderly. "We don't want to keep your bridegroom waiting."

  "Come on, Binny," Anna added. "Let's get mawwied."

  The guilt that had been her constant companion for the past few days stabbed at Haven again as she followed Josephine and Anna outside. If only Josephine were still suspicious, still leery about the wisdom of this marriage, the whole ordeal might have been easier for Haven to bear.

  But Josephine no longer opposed her marrying Brady. The act she and Brady had put on must have been more convincing than she'd realized at the time, because somewhere during the last three days, Josephine had taken it into her head that this wedding was the most romantic happening since King Edward VIII had abdicated the throne for Wallace Simpson. The older woman's unexpected reaction had made Haven feel so miserable she'd nearly blurted out the truth a dozen times. Only the knowledge that she was carrying out this charade for Anna's sake had kept her quiet.

  Last night, though, had nearly broken her. While she was making a last minute run-through of the center prior to locking up, she'd heard voices coming from what should have been an empty cafeteria. A chorus of "Surprise!" when she'd opened the door to investigate had nearly scared ten years off her life. It had taken the better part of a minute to understand that she'd stumbled upon a surprise wedding shower, a shower arranged by Josephine, and that she was the guest of honor.