September Storm

by Brenda Jernigan

"You've got it all wrong,” Adrian said.

  "The only thing I know is that I was the one who picked up the pieces when she came home, heart-broken, from New York. Do Dani a big favor and stay away from her, Mr. Massimino!" Susan grasped the door and tried to shut it, but Adrian threw up his hand stopping the door before it closed in his face.

  "Wait! You have me tried and hung without a jury. I might have made a mistake, but I'm not going to let you make matters worse. Where is she?"

  "At her parents’ house."

  "Then, I need to know where they live so I can be there when she tells them about the baby."

  "Oh, really?" Susan raised her eyebrows a fraction. "Why the sudden interest?"

  Good. He had her attention now. "I just told you. Because I care.” He drew in a long, frustrated breath. “Listen, I know Dani and I have some things to work out ... but it won’t happen if I can’t talk to her.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, are you going to give me the address?"

  "I knew you loved her!" Susan grinned, then motioned for him to come into the apartment.

  Adrian started to correct the woman, but stopped himself. He hadn't said anything about love, but like it or not, he felt a certain responsibility for Dani. He wasn't even sure what he was going to do when he did find Dani. He just knew he didn't want her to face her parents alone. Since he couldn't explain any of these mixed emotions swirling through him, he decided, after he'd stepped on his plane in New York, not to rationalize what he was about to do.

  He bit back a wry grin. Every good businessman knew he should have a plan of action before he sets out, and he was a great businessman, but he didn't have a clue how he was going to handle things. Let Susan think what she wanted -- if it got him the information he needed.

  Upon landing in Dallas, Adrian wasted little time finding the Kapur's residence, but again he was met at the door by someone other than Dani.

  The maid informed him that Dani and her parents were having lunch at the country club. Not to be put off, Adrian paid the cab driver an extra fifty dollars to get him to the club the fastest way possible.

  The lavish country club really didn't impress Adrian. He'd been to many such establishments over the years and they pretty much all looked the same. The doorman gave Adrian a quizzical stare, but let him in when he said he was with the Kapur party.

  After stepping into the dining room, he paused. Dani’s back was to him, with her father and mother facing her. They were still smiling, so that was a good sign, considering what he'd heard about her parents. He still wasn't sure what he was going to say or do, but it was now or never, he thought, stepping away from the door.

  Dani had mentally practiced what she was going to say on the drive down here. Since her brother and sister had already left, she thought now was the perfect time to talk to her parents. But now that the time had come and she had their attentions, she couldn't remember one word of her speech.

  She opened her mouth to start, thought a moment, then shut it. She tried again, realizing she was beginning to resemble a fish, but the words wouldn't come out.

  "What is it, dear?" Her mother patted her hand.

  "I--I need to tell you both something. I--It's just that I don't know exactly how."

  "It can't be all that bad. Just dive in and tell us, darling." Her mother smiled her encouragement.

  "We-ell . . ." Dani swallowed.

  "Hi, sweetheart!" A male voice boomed from behind her, causing Dani to jump. "Sorry I'm late." Adrian appeared out of nowhere. "I hope you haven't told them our surprise yet."

  "She was getting ready to, young man. Do we know you?" Dani’s mother asked.

  "You're about to. I'm Adrian Massimino, your son-in-law." He extended his hand to Mr. Kapur. He barely returned his handshake.

  "What?" three people chorused and looked at him simultaneously.

  "You don't know about him either!" Mrs. Kapur stated.

  "I--I. Well--yes--no--it was supposed to be a surprise."

  "I'm sorry, sweetheart." Adrian bent over Dani and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Then he pulled out a chair and seated himself beside Dani, draping his arm over her shoulder. "You see, I should have arrived with Dani, but I was detained by business." He squeezed her to him. "We were married three months ago."

  "What!" Both her parents shrieked.

  "Wait a minute." Dani knew her eyes must be as big as saucers. She was at a loss for words. Was she dreaming? Just what was Adrian up to? Was this the same man who, two weeks ago, declared he couldn't father children trying to rescue her from an embarrassing moment? But why?

  Dani didn't have the answers, but she was determined that no one would control her life again. And, here was an aggravating, stubborn man trying to do just that.

  Could this be his non-too-subtle way of proposing?

  She could stop this whole laughable situation right now by telling the truth, but her own sense of self-preservation wouldn't let her. Instead she took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry if we've shocked you, Mother, but I was rather shocked myself." Dani gave Adrian a knowing look. "You see everything happened so fast that Adrian literally swept me off my feet. Then, we weren’t sure we’d done the right thing, so we took a few months to get used to the idea, sort of a cooling off period." Dani hoped her face didn't betray her because it must be beat red considering the way her cheeks burned.

  "And just where did you get married?" Her mother asked.

  "Sea Horse Island," Dani and Adrian said at the same time.

  "At least you both agree on that point," her father said, then grinned.

  "Oh, Danielle, I wanted you to have a big wedding."

  "I did, too, Mom." Dani drew in a long labored breath. "Sometimes, things . . .” Her voice trailed off. She started again. “It's just that--"

  Adrian looked at her tenderly. "We could always go through the ceremony again," he suggested.

  "Yes, you could, dear."

  "Let's talk about it later, Mom." It was bad enough she was playing along with the preposterous lie, but she wasn't going through a mock ceremony unless she was absolutely certain she was doing the right thing. She did, after all, have some pride.

  David Kapur cleared his throat. "What do you do for a living, son?"

  Dani watched as Adrian took a sip of water. She was dying to say, "Yes, Adrian just what do you do?"

  Finally, he put down his glass and said. "I'm in property management."

  Dani almost laughed as she thought--like beach house sitting.

  "Where are you going to live?" Her mother asked.

  "San Antonio," Dani said.

  And Adrian answered, "New York."

  Dani's father laughed. "Are you sure the two of you were meant to be together. So far you haven't agreed on but one thing."

  "You know what they say, Dad ... opposites attract."

  Adrian purposely reached over and took Dani's hand. "I admit, sir, we do have several points to work out, but I’ll make your daughter happy. And, of course, the baby --"

  "Baby!" Bonnie Kapur shrieked. Her eyes widened as the full impact of what Adrian had said fully dawned on her. The color drained from her face just before she slumped face first into her dessert.

  "Omigod! She's fainted!" Dani jumped up and hurried to help her mother out of the chocolate cake. She tried to discreetly wipe the chocolate from her mother's face, but it was no use. Everyone in the restaurant stared. It's a good thing her mother had fainted because she'd die of embarrassment if she knew just how much she was now the center of attention.

  "Help me lower your mother's head," her father barked. He glanced at Adrian. "Maybe you had best save any more good news until we get home, son."

  "I'm sorry," Adrian said, then stood to assist Mr. Kapur as he helped his dizzy wife to her feet.

  Dani gathered her mother's purse, then turned to Adrian when her parents were out of hearing range. "Just what are you doing?"

  "Providing my child with a name and you with a husband."

&
nbsp; "Your child!" She carefully lowered her voice. "Did you not tell me more than two weeks ago that you couldn't possibly be my child's father?"

  "Yes, I did. But, apparently, I was wrong. There is a slim chance the child could be mine."

  "Slim chance--" Dani was so angry, she could spit. Instead, she turned and stormed out of the restaurant.

  As she stood at the curb waiting for her father to bring the car around, the door behind her opened. She didn't bother to turn around. She knew Adrian stood behind her. Hadn't she always been able to feel his presence?

  "Go home, Adrian. You don't belong here."

  He touched her arm. "I belong where you are."

  Dani’s heart tightened. He was using all the right words, but she wasn't going to give in. He'd hurt her. It was going to take more than a lie to make her his. "What are you, my keeper?"

  "I saved your life. Twice. In some societies that makes me responsible for you."

  "In that case, I release you of your obligations."

  Adrian grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward him. "You don't understand, Dani,” he said. “I don't want to be released. Your parents already think we're married, so that will cover any talk of the baby coming before the vows. We'll get married and if you still feel the way you do after the baby is born we'll call it quits. No questions asked."

  "That was one hell of a proposal, Mr. Massimino!" Dani frowned.

  "I'm not trying to insult you, Dani. I was just trying to help."

  She shook her head and turned back to the parking lot. "Everything is happening much too fast. My life has been stormy ever since you breezed in. Forgive the pun." She took a deep breath before looking up at him. If she married Adrian, she could get half her trust fund. That meant she wouldn't have to worry about money so much.

  “I don’t want another rich playboy like Steven.” She drew in a deep breath. At least, I don’t have to worry about that with you.”

  Adrian shook his head. “Insulting as ever.”

  "How do I know I can depend on you?"

  "You can depend on me!" Adrian stated very clearly. "Let's call this a marriage of convenience. We'll even sign a prenuptial agreement so that we won't have any messy law suit if we do decide to split. What do you have to lose?"

  My heart, Dani almost said. She wanted to marry for love. She wanted the groom to look at her with stars in his eyes. This was all wrong. Even thinking about the money was wrong. But then, everything that happened when she was around Adrian was unpredictable, Dani reminded herself. Again, he was daring her to take a chance.

  "People have started with less," he prompted when she didn't respond.

  "You're willing to move to Texas?"

  "For now,” he said, nodding. “It’ll take me a couple of months to make some arrangements, but it'll work out."

  What in the world did a property manager – have to work out? she wondered. "I--I don't know," she finally said. "I need some time to think about this. I do appreciate what you're trying to do. But I need time. This is a very important decision for me."

  "All right, Dani. I'll give you a little time. After we see your parents, I'll fly back to New York, make some arrangements, then I'll be back. "But I warn you, Dani, I’ll not take no for an answer."

  “How did you get down her so fast with the holidays?” Dani asked.

  “Marty was kind enough to let me use his plane.”

  “That’s a good friend.”

  Adrian smiled, kissed her on the cheek and then he was gone.

  “Dani wasn't sure how she managed to keep the smile on her face for the rest of the evening while her parents got to know Adrian. She had to admire how well the man held up. He could go head to head with any corporate businessman, and he had no trouble winning over her parents.

  At times she had to remind herself he was the same man from the beach. Adrian seemed completely at ease with her parents. She'd thought he would be nervous, but he wasn't, and he definitely wasn't afraid to disagree with them. Despite everything she had said and did to indicate the contrary, she loved him . . . even though she knew he'd probably break her heart.

  How in the world could she marry him and then let him go? The baby--that's how she'd do it. She had someone else to think of now. He hadn't said the first word about love, and she wouldn't either. She would protect her heart at all cost, even if it killed her!

  In the blink of an eye, Adrian was gone, saying that he didn’t want to intrude on her family time. It was almost possible to wonder if he'd ever been there at all.

  Two months had passed since she'd last seen Adrian. He'd called once or twice a week, and to Dani's chagrin, she discovered that she looked forward to his phone calls and telling him all about her day.

  The chilly winter air seeped through Dani's heavy sweater as she walked back to the house with her mail. She hadn't heard from Adrian this week, but she had received a letter from The Mass Corporation awarding her the advertising contract. She was on cloud nine, and she couldn't wait to tell Adrian. Funny, how she thought of him first.

  By mid-morning she'd thrown out the second set of drawings she had been working on for a new account, and her frustrations mounted. She just couldn't seem to get them right no matter how hard she tried. Every day, she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate because one man was always on her mind.

  She rubbed her tired eyes and went to get a cup of decaf – like that was going to help. She'd just settled back to her drawing board to try again when the doorbell rang.

  She flung open the door just as Adrian raised his hand to knock. She flinched.

  He immediately asked. "What's wrong?"

  "What makes your think something is wrong?"

  "Because you're frowning." Adrian didn't wait to be invited in. Instead, he picked up his suitcase and stepped inside, heading straight for her bedroom where he deposited his luggage.

  "Make yourself at home," she clipped out before she caught herself. She realized that she'd secretly convinced herself that Adrian would never show up.

  He came back into the living room smiling that know-it-all smile of his. "I intend to. Now what's wrong?"

  "Well, for starters, it would have been nice if you'd called and let me know you were coming."

  "I told you at Christmas I'd be here, and I always keep my word."

  "I don't know, Adrian. This all seems so odd. Are you sure you want to marry me?"

  "You’re a bit grumpy, but yes, I think we should get married right away."

  "And how is that going to help?"

  "Haven't we been through this before?" His eyes rolled upward as if we were praying. "For one, the baby needs a father. As I told you before, if it doesn't work out, we'll go our separate ways. I even have--"

  "Will you sign a prenuptial agreement?" Dani didn't know how she found the nerve to ask that.

  Adrian frowned. Damn, that's just what he was going to say, but somehow the agreement didn't seem as important to him as it once did. "If that's what you’d like. I don't want anything you have, Dani." Unless it's you, he thought to himself.

  She didn’t respond.

  He took her by the arm. "Trust me, Dani. For once, don't take time to think everything out. Trust me."

  She stared at him for a long time before uttering, "All right, Adrian."

  "You're kidding. What? No fighting?" He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her toward the door. "Come on, let's go before you change your mind."

  "Now? Like this?"

  "Yep. Let's go."

  This can’t be real, Dani thought as she stood before the Justice of the Peace.

  This isn't the way it's supposed to happen.

  "I do," Dani repeated, wishing that things could have been different.

  She wanted what all women wanted: a beautiful white dress, masses of flowers, the groom dressed in a tux waiting at the end of the aisle, watching her with love in his eyes. However, that dream had shattered when she looked down at her navy-blue dress--her large, navy-blue
dress. It floated over her extra-large stomach, reminding her of the very reason her dreams had ended so differently.

  When the Justice of the Peace pronounced them man and wife, to her surprise Adrian swept her into his arms and kissed her. Not just a quick kiss, but an earth-shattering kiss that sent fire racing through her veins. His mouth opened hungrily, and she responded. God, help her, she responded with all the desire she'd stored up for this man.

  She wondered if she'd ever understand how Adrian could make her do most anything he wanted. Then she knew. In spite of his bluntness, there was a gentleness in him that she loved and needed, and she really didn't want this to be a marriage of convenience. Maybe she could make him love her. Just like she'd tried so hard to make her parents love her. This time she would be successful. There was so much more at stake.

  When he pulled back, the magical moment ended, and she reluctantly opened her eyes. Adrian smiled and murmured. "Are you ready to go home, Mrs. Massimino?"

  A shiver of delight surged through her at the sound, and Dani looked at her new husband.

  He didn't look like a man who'd been forced into marriage. He looked happy, but she knew better. However, she liked the sound of her new name, Danielle Massimino.

  Dani loved the man, but that was something he'd never know. She wouldn't lay her heart out in the open until she was absolutely sure that he felt the same.

  After they’d signed the appropriate papers, they strolled along the River Walk, each quiet with their own thoughts. The dark water reflected the twinkling light of the restaurants that lined the river.

  "This isn't too much walking for you?" Adrian asked. For the baby, I mean."

  "No, I'm fine. The exercise is good for me ... I mean us."

  "Dani, I want to tell you something." Adrian stopped and faced her. "Since we've started this relationship backwards, I'd like to start by getting to know you. I'm not sure I'm saying this right, but I don't want to have sex until after the baby is born."

  Dani glanced down at her feet. "I guess I'm not very attractive with this big belly."

  Using his index finger, he lifted her chin up. "Don't ever say that again. You're beautiful." He carefully laid his hand on her stomach. "And, our child will be beautiful, too." Suddenly, he jerked his hand back. "What's that?"