1 Pretty, Hip & Dead

by Madison Johns

  Kimberly had passed this mansion every day, longing to stroll along the courtyards. When she had heard it was turned into a bed and breakfast, she was ecstatic, hoping one day to see the inside. At this point, she had no idea what would transpire, but one thing was certain —tonight was made for love. Gone were her worries and troubles. All she wanted to focus on tonight was her loving husband.

  “You devil. I had no idea you had planned to whisk me away to such a beautiful mansion,” she said, turning back from the window to face Jeremy again.

  “It’s a bed and breakfast,” he winked. “And a fine one at that. You deserve to be wined and dined and treated like a princess.”

  Kimberly pressed a hand to her chest. “Well, you certainly have outdone yourself.” She raised a brow at the maid who still stood in the doorway.

  “I’ll bring you some refreshments,” the maid said, as she whirled away.

  “Refreshments?”

  “Settle yourself on the wingback chair.” He waited patiently until she sat and then he moved a table close to her, sitting on a chair opposite her.

  Kimberly massaged the plush pink fabric of the chair. “I’m sorry—”

  “Don’t be,” he cut in. “It’s understandable. Let’s just forget about it and start anew. It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Preston. I hope your husband knows how lucky he is.”

  “I don’t know, but I hope so. We were married in such a rush. I daresay I barely know the man.”

  “You don’t say. In all seriousness, Kimberly, please feel free to ask me anything you want. I’m an open book. Everything has moved quickly, but I promise to make you and the baby happy.”

  Kimberly wrinkled her brow. “You didn’t just marry me because I’m pregnant, did you?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “You keep mentioning the baby, but... ”

  “I love you, Kimberly. I don’t know how else to say it, but I also know that you and the baby are a package deal. I love you both. I’m going to do my best to be a good husband and dutiful father, and in time, we can have a baby all our own, too.”

  “Hopefully, not too soon. Motherhood scares me. I have never even babysat before. What if I do something wrong, like drop it on its head?”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry. From my understanding, it’s instinct. You’ll figure out what to do when the baby comes. Look how you care for Weenie. You protect and nurture him.”

  She bit her fingernail. “I know, but a baby is way different from a dog.”

  There was a knock at the door and the maid brought in a silver tray layered with fruit, cheese, and crackers with a bottle of bubbly.

  “I can’t drink, Jeremy.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s sparkling grape juice.”

  Two glasses were retrieved, and with a nod, the maid left the room, closing the door softly behind her. Jeremy popped the cork and poured the bubbly into the glasses, offering Kimberly one of them. “To us.”

  Kimberly smiled as she took a sip, then laughed when the bubbles tickled her nostrils. “To forever.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Jeremy took a drink and rested back in the chair. “And you wanted to ask me some questions about my past.”

  “Yes, and I’m sure you’d like to know more about me as well.”

  “I know the father of your baby died in a hunting accident in the Upper Peninsula. What about your childhood?”

  Kimberly took another sip. “You, first.” Truth was, how could she explain her odd childhood? It was so far removed from who she was today.

  “Well, I spent my childhood in San Diego, California, but we often summered at Lake Tahoe.”

  “What was it like there?”

  “Busy and congested in San Diego, but it was a great place to grow up. Back then I liked going to parties and my friends and I had fun getting into mischief at our parents’ expense. We knocked down our fair share of ice sculptures. Unfortunately, there was also a large amount of booze around. I hate to admit it, but I drank too much as a teen. When I hit a parked car at sixteen, I headed off to court, and it was there that I was first inspired to become a lawyer. My parents hired a great lawyer who convinced the judge to go easy on me, but I had to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for a while. No way was I that messed up, but I did my time and haven’t had a drink since.”

  “That’s great, Jeremy. Were your parents mad at you?”

  “My adoptive parents, Frances and Martin Preston, were tolerant of my behavior, but they were insistent that I go through the AA classes. They were thrilled that I wanted to pursue a degree in law. I went to San Diego University’s’ School of Law, and graduated with honors.”

  “I see.” So Jeremy did have flaws of his own. “It’s great that you rose above your early mistakes. What did you do after graduation?”

  “I moved to Los Angeles and became an entertainment lawyer. That’s how I met Clive Baxter.”

  Kimberly had to wonder how a man with such a background ended up moving to Michigan. “What was being a entertainment lawyer like?”

  “I handled contracts and occasionally had to go to court.” He frowned. “Then there were the actresses who were arrested for DUI. I didn’t mind in the beginning. After all, I’d been in trouble for the same thing when I was younger, but they kept doing it over and over again.” He expelled a breath.

  “You got fed up.”

  “Exactly. I had so much pressure put on me by agents and family members, not to mention whiny clients, that I finally said ‘enough.’”

  “Is that when you moved to Michigan?”

  “Yes. I figured Michigan was far enough away from California, but that was before Clive showed up in town.”

  “I’m confused. Why did you pick Redwater?”

  “I had a cousin who lived here. He told me how the thumb of Michigan was so nice and pristine, and that the people were friendly. You have to admit, Redwater is a small town and that’s what I needed. To be out of the hustle and bustle of the big city.”

  “Were you dating any actresses or models?”

  “I’ve dated my fair share, but most of them just didn’t hold my attention.”

  “Come on. You were a player. Admit it.”

  “Guilty as charged, but I’m trying to change my ways.”

  Kimberly rubbed her brow. “With me?”

  “I fell in love with you the first moment I interviewed you for the job, but I was too stubborn to admit it.”

  “Yeah, until I was six months pregnant and offered a modeling gig for the Pretty and Pregnant lotion line.”

  He popped a grape into his mouth. “I explained to you about how I loved you already. I just didn’t want to risk Clive moving you to California. I had to make a move.”

  “Of course. I just wish you had made your move earlier, like before I got pregnant.”

  “Would it have mattered?”

  “Perhaps; not that I’m unhappy about how things turned out, though. I’m happy that I’m pregnant, but I wonder how things will play out with the advertising deal. I’ll have to learn how to deal with Clare. I know she’s just trying to rile me, but this is going to be hard. I hate the thought of you and Clare together. What if she tries to interfere?”

  “She’ll be wasting her breath. I only have eyes for you.” He stood and closed the distance between them. “I love you, my silly worry wart.” He kissed the top of Kimberly’s head.

  If only Kimberly could believe that. Sure, she knew that Jeremy loved her, but it wouldn’t matter to Clare. No doubt Claire would do her best to mess things up if she could.

  Kimberly tilted her head up so Jeremy’s lips could capture hers, exploring her lips and mouth with a plunge of his tongue. She moaned beneath the heat of the kiss and sighed when it stopped, searching his dark face, which promised of so much more, and felt his body hot beneath her searching hands.

  “I want this night to be special, Kimberly.”

  He helped her stand and he led her to the bed, wh
ere he slowly unzipped Kimberly’s wedding dress and helped her remove it, tossing it onto a chair. She pressed herself against the soft sheets and held a hand over her abdomen when the baby gave her a vicious kick. “Oh, my.”

  “You’re beautiful,” he said, breathing into her open and waiting mouth.

  Kimberly batted her eyelashes, her cheeks hot to the touch. “Hold me,” she requested. “I think we should wait until the baby is born before we make love. If it’s okay with you, I just want to get to know you more before I’m ready to take the plunge.”

  Jeremy nodded. “Whatever feels right for you. Just know that I’m here whenever you’re ready.” He removed his tux and joined Kimberly on the bed, laying down in the buff!

  Kimberly swallowed hard. Had she made a mistake? Jeremy was rippled muscle from head to toe! His tight abs contracted with each movement, whereas she felt like a bloated whale. She rubbed her stomach and Jeremy’s hands joined hers, his eyes widening when a thump from within moved both their hands.

  “He’s strong.”

  “Hey, I don’t know for sure what the baby is yet.”

  “It’s a boy from the way he kicks. I think he’s going to be football player.”

  Kimberly smiled sweetly. “You’re such a man. I don’t care what it is as long as it’s healthy.”

  “Of course, but it wouldn’t hurt to decorate the nursery in blue, just in case.”

  “How about green or yellow?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Not. Let’s just keep it white until the baby comes. So, when is your due date?”

  Kimberly rubbed her head. “Oh, I don’t know for certain. I think I have three months left.”

  He pulled away. “Why don’t you know for sure? When was the last time you went for a doctor’s appointment?”

  Kimberly hated to tell him. “About two months, give or take.”

  “You’re making an appointment tomorrow, Mrs. Preston,” he said in disapproval. “I’m not having my son or daughter arriving early.”

  He said it like this baby was his, but Kimberly would roll with it. “I’m horrible with appointments. I can barely keep Weenie’s appointments straight.”

  “That’s a dog, not a baby, dear. I’ll come with you, if you like. I’d love to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”

  “What kind of man are you?”

  “One that loves you. You need to be in tip top condition or this ad campaign isn’t happening.”

  Kimberly balanced her body with a raised arm. “You’re my husband for just a few hours and you’re already ordering me around.”

  He lifted her hand. “As long as you wear this wedding ring, I’m in charge.”

  Kimberly gasped. “Oh, no, you’re not. So just get that out of your head this minute, mister. I’ll go along and schedule an appointment, but don’t think for a minute I’m under your thumb.”

  “Fine, you win. I forgot I was married to a willful woman.”

  She winked at him. “You got that right, big boy.” She yawned, right on cue. “Let’s get some sleep. The wedding took more out of me than I thought.”

  Jeremy pulled up the covers and snuggled up to his wife. Wow, Kimberly liked the thought of that. She was Jeremy’s wife now and she’d never let anyone forget it. Then she closed her eyes and was lulled off to sleep by Jeremy’s deep breathing.

  Chapter Three

  Kimberly buried her head under the pillows when her cell phone rang.

  “Who on earth?” Jeremy bellowed, crossing the room and retrieving Kimberly’s purse for her.

  Kimberly held one hand over her eyes to block the sunrays, and with the other, extracted her pink cell phone from its case. “Hello.”

  “Where are you?” a woman’s voice asked.

  “Who is this?”

  “It’s Corrine. I need you down to the pier by noon, and it’s already eleven o’clock.”

  Kimberly sat up with a start. “I don’t think I remember you saying I needed to be anywhere today. Jeremy took me to the most beautiful bed and breakfast for our wedding night.”

  There was silence, then a giggle. “Oh, I see,” Corrine said. “Well, now get yourself together dear and hightail it out here. Mrs. Barry brought Weenie for the photo shoot.”

  “Okay.” Kimberly sneaked a peek at her husband and held the phone against her chest. “There’s a photo shoot at the pier today,” she whispered to him.

  “What? Let me talk to whoever it is.”

  “It’s Corrine. Please don’t mess this up for me. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

  He threw his hands up. “What choice do I have?”

  Kimberly placed the phone against her ear again. “I’ll be there when I can.” She then ended the call. “I had no idea anything was planned.”

  Jeremy dressed in a hurry, tugging on his clothes. “I need to set them straight. You need a schedule beforehand.” He raised a brow. “They know we just got married yesterday.”

  “I know, but it’s not like they have much time to put everything together. I won’t be pregnant forever.”

  As he tugged a hand through his hair, he retorted, “You’ll be pregnant for three more months.”

  “You don’t need to remind me, but it will only be harder for me the further along I am.”

  “That’s true, but I don’t like this last minute thing. I had plans to take you shopping and to lunch.”

  “I’m sorry. Maybe this won’t take too long.”

  Jeremy frowned. “We’ll see.” He helped Kimberly out of the high bed.

  “I need a shower before I go anywhere,” Kimberly insisted.

  “Skip the makeup. I’m sure Corrine will be dolling you up.”

  Kimberly made way for the bathroom that was down the hallway, declining Jeremy’s request to help her get ready.

  “I’m pregnant, not dead,” she teased him.

  After her shower, Kimberly waltzed back to the bedroom with two towels wrapped precariously about her body. Luckily, she didn’t encounter anybody in the hallway. When she entered the bedroom, Jeremy was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he was pulling up the car, Kimberly thought. She opened her suitcase, which Jeremy had packed, and pulled out a mini dress with a scoop neck and pink sandals with sky-high heels. Jeremy had packed wisely. She had feared for a moment that he’d pack flats, as he liked to remind her constantly that she was pregnant and should wear suitable footwear. She didn’t need any reminding, though. She knew she was pregnant, all right. She was reminded every time the baby kicked her, which was often now.

  Kimberly brushed her long blonde hair and decided to leave it wet. Who knew how Clive and Corrine wanted her hair to look? She’d find out soon enough, though.

  Jeremy bounded into the room and packed the suitcases. As he darted a glance toward Kimberly, he remarked, “You look fresh and clean.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way. You look beautiful without a stitch of makeup on, that’s all.”

  Kimberly bit her bottom lip. “I wish, but thanks.” She was glad Jeremy felt that way, but the truth was Kimberly felt the opposite. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, seeing only reddened skin and a puffy face. It had to be water weight. At least so far it had stayed away from her feet. She’d hate to resort to buying new shoes to accommodate the extra bulk. Knowing Jeremy, they’d be flats, too.

  “Are you ready or—”

  “I’m as ready as I’m gonna be. This is all so overwhelming for me. I have never envisioned myself modeling anything. I hope I can do a good job.”

  “I’m sure you will. I have faith in you.”

  “Thanks.” She glanced to the chair where she had laid out her wedding gown last night. Now the chair was empty. “Where’s my wedding dress?” she asked, confused.

  “In the car.” With a snap of his wrist, he lifted the suitcases. “This is the last of our belongings.”

  They headed outside and climbed into Jeremy’s SUV. He cranked the engine, making a turn on M-25, heading east. Jerem
y eyed the skyline that was blue as far as the eye could see. “It looks like a great day for a photo shoot.”

  Kimberly pulled her pink purse close to her body like it was a life preserver. Calm down, Kimberly, it’s only a photo shoot, for God’s sake. She held out a hand, turning on the radio, wincing when country music blasted through the speakers. “Are you a country music fan?”

  “Yes. Feel free to change the channel if you’d like to listen to something else.”

  Kimberly toyed with the idea of changing it to a pop station, but instead said, “It’s okay. I love pop music myself. I just love music that makes you want to tap your toes.”

  He smiled. “Do you like to dance?”

  “I sure do. When I’m not pregnant, that is. How about you?”

  “I can slow dance, but that’s about it.”

  Kimberly leaned her shoulder over and nudged Jeremy. “Nothing wrong with that. Perhaps we can go dancing after I have the baby.”

  Jeremy kept his eyes on the road as he pulled into the parking lot of the pier, heading for the large trailer that sat up front. Kimberly frowned. She so wasn’t ready for this today.

  “Most likely Clare is already here,” Jeremy grumbled. “I hope you’re up for this, Kimberly.”

  Kimberly flexed her fingers, scraping her fingernails along the seat. “I’m not about to let her get the upper hand. I know she’s going to try and ruffle my feathers, but I’m not about to let her.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. I should make myself scarce and let you do your thing. This is your time to shine and I really need to drum up some business, anyway. Mrs. Barry has been so busy lately that she hasn’t tried to file a lawsuit against one neighbor.” Jeremy laughed.

  “There goes the neighborhood. She’s really changed her tune of late. I couldn’t believe how involved she was with the wedding, and it was very sweet of her to take care of Weenie for me.”

  “Hopefully she hasn’t fed Weenie any beer.”

  Kimberly slapped Jeremy’s arm. “Now, that’s not very nice. So she loves her beer. It’s not a crime, you know.”