by Aliyah Burke
“Come on,” he said.
“She loves you,” Vicki stated as she walked up the few steps and entered his home.
“I know. I love her, too.”
“That much is obvious to anyone who sees you with her, Chase.”
She stood there in his kitchen, wringing her hands. He shut the door behind him, grateful to be out of the heat. While the tux wasn’t like full combat gear in the desert, he still would prefer something lighter.
“I’m going to change.”
She just walked to his cabinet and pulled down a glass, which she filled with tap water then drained swiftly. He furrowed his brow. Something was different about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He propped his hip on the fridge.
“What’s going on?”
She jumped as if he’d startled her. “I thought you were going to change.”
He loosened the bow tie at his neck. “Change of plans.” He moved toward her, trapping her between him and the counter. “You’re skittish.”
“Just a little tired is all.”
He tsked. “Vicki. Vicki. It’s more than that.” He slid his fingers along one freed tendril before skimming them along her cheek. “What’s going on?”
“Are you planning on moving back to Cottonwood Falls?”
He cocked a brow. “Wedding got to you that much? Want to get hitched, is that it? So sure you want to tie your name to mine?”
Pain flashed in her gaze before ice replaced it. “You know, Chase, sometimes, you’re one hell of a man; then others, you’re just one hell of an ass. Never mind.” She shoved him out of the way and yanked his door open.
He grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here.” She glared at him over her shoulder. “Let go of me.”
“We’re not done talking.”
She snorted. “Yes, we are. You want to make stupid jokes and not be serious, I don’t want to waste my time.”
The cop in her overflowed and put the steel behind her words.
The moment he released her, she stepped outside.
“Running away, Vicki?”
“No, but I have more important things to do than entertain a boy who only wants to play man on occasion. I asked a serious question, and you have to get stupid.” She slammed her car door and drove away with a flurry of wheels.
“Chase Ellery!”
Jogging over to the porch next door, he waited for the further admonition from the woman there.
“Yes, Mrs. Candace?”
“Boy, some days, I don’t know what gets into that head of yours. I suggest you track her down and make nice.”
“She’s fine. I’ll apologize later.”
“I suggest sooner rather than later.” She pruned some dead leaves off her ivy. “Before you lose her altogether.”
“She’s on her way to work soon.”
“Did you even look at her, Chase? I mean really look at her. Take in the circles under her eyes. The exhaustion. I could see it from over here, and I’m an old woman. Not to mention the other thing.”
Yes, he’d noticed the exhaustion. But the “other thing”… He wasn’t sure he understood her meaning. “What are you talking about?”
“Think on it. Really think. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Think fast.” She disappeared back in her house once more.
Chase yanked the bowtie off his neck with a curse.
“None of that on my porch,” she called out.
“Yes, ma’am.” He jumped off it and cursed all the way back to his place and up the steps. He recalled Vicki as he went to his bedroom and stripped out of the tux. It hit him, and he wavered on his feet.
“No way. Right?”
His suspicions hummed with life. He changed swiftly and set about tracking down the woman who’d just been in his place. She wasn’t answering his calls.
Like that would stop him.
Chapter Six
“What are you doing here, Chase?” Vicki asked, looking up from her computer.
“You weren’t answering my calls.”
“It’s two in the morning. I’m working. I don’t have time to play games.”
“No game.” He put his hands flat on her desk.
Her belly quivered at the look in his eyes. Damn her for having these emotions. Can I blame my condition? As much as she wished she could, she knew it wasn’t fair. He’d been doing this to her long before she’d gotten knocked up by him.
She flicked her attention back to the information she was typing in. Tim was horrible with his paperwork, and since the night was slow, she was helping him with some of his.
“I don’t mind doing this right here, Vicki,” he announced, snaring her attention once more. “However, I’m not sure you want everyone to know our business.”
Panic set in, but she forced herself to remain calm. With a calculated yawn, she said, “Let me finish this entry then I can give you five minutes.”
He snorted. “You’ll give me more than that.”
“This isn’t a hotel, Chase. You don’t get to demand my time.”
“Aren’t you an officer of the law? Aren’t you here to protect and serve?”
“Just sit down,” she snapped.
He did with a cocky grin and stretched out long, muscled legs. It took her longer than it should have to finish up, but she did. She angled her chair toward him and said, “What can I do for you, Mr. Ellery? Do you have a complaint to file?”
“Are there any people here other than us?”
“Two people down in the tank sleeping off a rough night. Why?”
“Can they hear us?”
“No, Mr. Ellery. Your complaint will be confidential.”
She knew she was pushing him to his limit. His gaze sharpened and honed to a dangerous edge she’d not seen since he first rolled into town.
“Keep going,” he warned.
She picked up a pencil and tapped it on the notepad at her wrist. “What would you like to discuss?”
“The real reason you called me back to Cottonwood Falls.”
“You came for the reason.” Her toes scrunched up in her boots.
“Not the only one.”
She tossed her pencil down. “Look, I get it. You’re the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. I was the spoiled girl who made your life hell. I had wanted to talk to you, but apparently, you’re still living in the time of high school. I don’t have that luxury and no time or desire to play that game. When you want to grow up and talk, let me know. Otherwise, go, do whatever you do.”
“Fair enough. What’s going on between us?”
“Besides a pending murder charge? Nothing.” Her grin was anything but pleasant.
“What good is it going to do you to kill the father of your child? What type of message would that send our baby?”
Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped open. She recovered but knew he’d already realized the truth. “What are you talking about?”
☼
The comprehension hit Chase like the broad side of a barn. It couldn’t miss. He’d had to think about Mrs. Candace’s comments for a while until her implication dawned on him. Now, Vicki’s reaction solidified that.
“No more lies. No more partial truths. Give it to me straight.”
She held up a hand and answered the ringing phone. Her tone professional and kind. Even so, he wondered how he’d missed it before. During their time together, he’d learned her body until it was an extension of his own. There were subtle changes he shouldn’t have missed.
“I’m almost two months along.”
He thought back. “The night at the falls.”
“That’s what I figured.” She sighed. “Look, I’m not after anything from you—”
“I’ll move back here, and you’ll move in with me until we find a bigger place.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Wait, what?”
“You’re carrying my child, Vicki. I plan to be there for every facet of this progression.”
“Didn’t you just move to Atlanta for a job?”
“I did. I’ll have them get me something in Macon.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to be something you had to do.”
He captured her chin in his hand. “I’ve missed you, Vicki. More than I wanted to admit to myself. I missed your body against mine. Lying there, just being with one another. Watching you dance like you think no one is looking.”
“No.”
“Let me finish.” He swiped his thumb over her lip. “I can’t promise it’s love, not yet. But my feelings for you are stronger than anything I’ve felt for anyone. I want to make you happy. I want to wake with you in my arms and sleep the same way. You know I had an obsession with you in school; this is so much more than that.”
“I can’t be part of something to get back at my father and brothers, Chase. I just can’t. Especially with a baby—”
He covered her mouth. “Nothing about this is revenge. You’re right. I have to let it go and stop fracturing everything good that comes into my life.”
“I don’t want you to wake up one day in the future and regret this.”
“A child is a precious being, nothing to ever be regretted. My old man was an ass, and yours still is. We can be better parents than we had.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” The word slid easily from his lips. For the first time in his life, he had absolutely no doubts. “Positive.”
She kissed his palm and nodded. “Okay.” A swift touch of her tongue to her lips. “I would have told you.”
“I know.”
“How did you know?”
“You’re different. A bit fuller, and there’s a glow about you I didn’t see before. This look in your eyes like you’re protecting the most precious of secrets.”
“There’s the Chase who makes my knees weak.”
Her smile touched him. “I’m always in there, just don’t tell. If knowledge like that were ever to get out, it would ruin my bad boy image.” He leaned close and kissed her. Slipped his tongue along the same path hers had just taken before delving it into her mouth. She whimpered and pushed closer. “It will work out; we’ll figure it out.”
“Are you positive?”
“Absolutely. When are you done with work?”
“Not soon enough,” she said.
He agreed.
Epilogue
Vicki heard the chime of the doorbell. “Can you get that, Chase?”
“On it,” he called back.
She bent her head to kiss the sole of the tiny foot on the changing table before her. “He’s on it,” she said to their daughter. Nitsa Ellery was three months old and an absolute doll. I suppose most parents think their children are perfect at this age. “Like he’s still in the Army. I’m still wondering why you have his last name instead of mine,” she groused as she fastened the outfit.
“Because, you will be marrying me,” he said voice full of confidence. “No point in having to change her name then.”
“Says the one who had seconds’ worth of work in creating you,” she said, kissing the other foot.
Nitsa giggled and smiled. She reached out to her father and Vicki rolled her eyes. “See, I get you all clean and pretty and you just want him.”
“I’m handsome; she has good taste in men.”
Vicki snorted as he took their daughter into his strong arms. Once Nitsa had been born, there’d been a change to Chase she’d not been expecting. He was a pile of mush. There were times she’d come home from work to find them sound asleep, Nitsa secure in his arms, or on his chest. No matter how much work he put in at his job, he never missed spending time with his daughter.
“And don’t think,” he said smacking her on the ass as she tidied up, “I didn’t hear that comment about seconds. I’m sure I kept you busy for well over an hour.”
“I was in labor for thirty-two because your daughter was being stubborn about coming into the world.”
“She wanted a grand entrance.”
“I wanted her out.” She tossed her hair back and faced the man she loved more than anything. Nitsa held so safe in his arms did something to her. “Who was at the door?”
“A box.”
She drew her eyebrows together. “A box was at the door?”
“Someone dropped it off.”
The cop in her was immediately suspicious. “Any identifying marks?”
He nuzzled Nitsa’s dark hair. “Like a return address, Deputy?”
“Smart ass.” She punched him in the shoulder as she walked by him.
“I like yours, does that count?”
“Bleeding kid…” She braided her hair as she made her way to the door to find the box that had been delivered.
“I heard that,” he shouted behind her. “And I’ll have you know, I’m like a full grown teenager now.”
“Doesn’t even deserve a reply,” she muttered to herself.
The box sat on the coffee table in the living room and she stood over it, ice coating her heart. The handwriting familiar enough to recreate the sour taste in her mouth all without opening it.
“You just going to stare at it?”
Vicki glanced to her left where Chase stood. Nitsa had a stuffed animal in her arms and the bear’s ear in her mouth as her father held her.
“Was actually planning on throwing it out.”
“You could just open it and see what it is.” He neared her and brushed his lips along her temple.
“Burning it is another option.”
“I hear grandkids make people reevaluate a lot of things. Not saying you need to give them a chance, but it may not hurt to at least see what they are trying to give you.” He moved away, cooing to the girl he held.
She reached for her utility belt hanging over the back of the sofa. “I’ll do it later, I have to get to work or I’ll be late. You have everything you need?”
There wasn’t any answer so she spun on her heel to find him dancing with Nitsa, the two of them in their own world.
“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” he said, stopping to stare at her.
“If you need anything—”
“Babe, I got this. We’ll be fine and I know Mrs. Candace will be by at some point, she has been by every day.”
“Nitsa is what she has for a granddaughter right now. At least until Sarah gives birth.” Vicki reached for her slicker. The rain outside coming down in heavy sheets.
Chase laughed. “That’s going to be a while. She’s pretty married to her career.”
“How’s she doing?” Vicki asked while doing one final mental check to ensure she had everything she’d need.
“Good. Says she’ll be back soon to meet the baby and bring gifts.”
“I did get a note from her stating she would be bringing some Marine items so Nitsa didn’t grow up surrounded by Army.”
Chase shook his finger at her. “Mind your tongue.”
She held up her hands. “Her words, not mine.” Patting her once again, flat belly, she approached the two loves in her life. “I’m out of here. You two be good. There’s dinner for you in the slow cooker, ribs.”
She pushed up on the toes of her boots and kissed him before brushing another over her daughter’s cheek. “Love you, Ni,” she murmured.
At the door Chase’s touch stopped her. She glanced over her shoulder at him. His eyes held hers as he turned her back to him. Instinctively seeking her child, Vicki flicked her gaze to the playpen in the living room. Nitsa lay in there, safe.
“Yes?”
“I have something to ask you before you go.”
Vicki sighed. “I thought we’d gone over this already, Chase. Living here in your old house is fine. I don’t care if it’s a singlewide trailer. I have you and I have Nitsa. That’s what matters. We have a roof over our head and Lord knows a babysitter right next door. Not to mention any of Mrs. Candace’s friends. Can we drop it please?” She’d grown weary of this discussion. “I just didn�
��t see the point in spending money on rent when you own this one outright.”
He held her stare until she arched an eyebrow. “Finished?”
“Yes.”
“Good. That wasn’t what I was going to mention.”
Well, damn. “Sorry. What?”
“We keep talking about it and even joking about it.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a ring. “I’m serious about making you my wife, Victoria Boshay. You’re the mother of my child, hopefully the first of many, and I love you. Will you marry me?”
She alternated between gawking at the ring and his face. Complete seriousness. The ring was white, gold, silver, or platinum she didn’t know, nor did she care. It could have been tin and she wouldn’t have minded.
“Yes,” she uttered, cupping his face and kissing him. “Damn you for springing this on me right now, Chase Ellery. I have to leave for work.”
The quirk of his lips informed her he’d known exactly what he was doing. “Something to keep your mind off your parents and for you to look forward to celebrating when you get home.”
“You sure you’ll be awake?”
He cupped the nape of her neck and planted a kiss on her that nearly had her calling in to work. Her limbs were shaky when it ended. “Positive,” he promised. “I’ll be in bed, hard, and naked waiting for you. Go on.”
One final kiss and he slipped the ring on her finger before flicking away the tears at the corners of her eyes. At the door, she gazed back at him. He stood there, watching her, love in his eyes. He may be gruff to others but he loved her without reservation and their child.
“Love you, Chase,” she called out before slipping out into a rainy day that didn’t stand a chance of dampening her mood. She was officially engaged. From where she stood, the future was looking particularly bright.
Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:
Megalodon Team
Kincade’s Rose
Harrier’s Healer
Connelly’s Flame
Greeley’s Spyce
Vittano’s Willow
Dimitri’s Moon
O’Shea’s Love
Chayton’s Tempest
Haikon
A Love for Lera
