The Soldier's Secret Son

by Helen Lacey

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Open it and see,” he suggested and smiled, his handsome face melting her.

  Abby took the parcel and unwrapped it, revealing a narrow velvet box. She flipped the lid and found a beautiful gold and diamond necklace. “It’s so lovely.”

  “A Christmas gift. But I didn’t know how to give it to you.” He took out the pendant and turned it over. “I had it engraved.”

  Abby read the inscription. “‘A. For always. In all ways. J.’”

  The tears she’d been battling to keep at bay tumbled down her cheeks. “Oh...that’s so—”

  “Marry me, Abby?” he asked quickly. “Please?”

  She nodded. “Yes, Jake, there’s nothing I want more than to marry you.”

  He reached around and clipped the necklace around her throat. “Until we get a ring.”

  “It has diamonds,” she said happily, still crying. “That’s good enough.”

  He kissed her passionately, and Abby was filled with so much love she could barely breathe. When he pulled back, he gently wiped her cheeks with his thumb, staring deep into her eyes.

  “No more tears, okay?”

  She nodded. “I promise. Except for happy tears.”

  “Those are okay,” he said and kissed her again. “Tell me you don’t want a long engagement?”

  Abby smiled against his mouth. “Definitely not. As soon as the law allows.”

  “And the house by the river, do you think you’d be happy there?”

  She sighed dreamily. “Absolutely.”

  “Even though it would mean moving away from your grandmother?”

  “Gran won’t mind,” she said and sighed. “You know, she’s always referred to you as my quicksand. She’s right,” she said and grasped his shoulders. “You are. I love you, Jake. You’re the love of my life. Marrying you, raising our son with you, that’s all I want.”

  He held her gently. “Me, too. So how about we go back to the ranch and tell our son that we’re getting married?”

  She nodded. “I think that’s a great idea.”

  He took her hands and gently urged her to her feet, holding her close. “Then let’s go, future Mrs. Culhane.”

  Abby had never heard sweeter words and realized she had everything she’d ever wanted. And more. A beautiful son and the love of the one man who filled her heart. Her family.

  Epilogue

  The last place that anyone expected to be on Christmas Day was the Cedar River Community Hospital. But that’s where every Culhane was, taking turns to visit the newest family member—Mitch and Tess’s newborn son. His sister-in-law had gone into an early labor late on Christmas Eve, nearly two weeks before her due date. He was glad that Abby had been at this side and knew she was remembering her own experience when their son was born.

  It had been a whirlwind twenty-four hours. And Jake had never been happier.

  The family had embraced the news of his engagement to Abby, and T.J. was clearly ecstatic at the prospect of his parents getting married. They’d spent the night at the ranch and no one said anything about the fact that Abby had spent it with him. Having her in his arms, making love to her, was like having every dream come true. They’d spent the evening celebrating, sharing dinner with his family, watching the kids play, while Joss had played Christmas tunes on the piano. It was close to ten o’clock when Mitch took Tess to the hospital. And a few hours later, the little boy was born.

  “He’s so beautiful,” Abby said as they admired the newest Culhane.

  Although he was born early, the baby was completely healthy. However, he was put in a special incubator first to ensure his lungs were working to capacity. But after twelve hours, he was given the all clear. Now they were in Tess’s hospital room, and the new mom was holding the infant, while Mitch was looking on proudly. Jake felt such happiness for his brother—he and Tess had gone through so much to get to where they were—through grief and heartache, and then forgiveness. Much like he had with Abby.

  “We think so,” Mitch said, clearly enamored with his new son.

  Jake grasped Abby’s hand, linking their fingers. She looked so beautiful she made him breathless. “Congratulations.”

  Mitch grinned. “To you both, as well, on your engagement,” he said, looking incredibly sentimental. “Who would have thought just a few short months ago that we’d both be back with the only women we’ve ever loved, and have kids?”

  Jake laughed softly. “Not me. But I think things have turned out exactly the way they were supposed to.”

  The truth of his own words made him feel sentimental. So much had changed. He’d come home to support his brother after the accident, and although he’d wanted to mend fences with Abby, the notion of romantically reconnecting with her felt about as far removed as the stars from some distant planet. But now, as he held her hand in his, as he felt her pressed against him and could pick up the familiar sent of her fragrance, Jake marveled at how his life had done such a complete 180.

  “So, when’s the wedding?” Tess asked.

  “Soon,” Jake replied and squeezed Abby’s hand. “Or if our son has his way, today.”

  Abby laughed, and the sound hit him squarely in the chest. “There’s enough excitement happening today. But yes, it will definitely be soon.”

  They stayed a little while longer, and he was utterly mesmerized by the baby, by Mitch and Tess’s happiness, by the way Abby gripped his hand, holding on, giving him strength and taking, too. It was, he figured, exactly what it should be.

  When they left the room, T.J. came bounding down the corridor. He’d been hanging with Ellie in the visitors’ lounge and was clearly delighted to see them.

  “Mommy, Mommy,” he asked and hugged his mother. “Did you see the baby?”

  “I did,” she replied and grabbed his hand. “He’s beautiful.”

  Their son looked at them quizzically. “Boys aren’t beautiful, Mommy...they’re handsome.”

  “He’s right,” Jake said and grinned. “Baby girls are beautiful. Speaking of which,” he added, once they’d said goodbye to Ellie and headed out, “we should make one of those.”

  Abby stopped walking beside him. “What?”

  “A girl,” he replied and grabbed her hand, keeping her moving and leading her toward the entrance. “Or another boy. We make cute kids,” he said and gestured toward their son, who was a few paces in front of them. “Another one would be good.”

  She raised a brow. “You want to have a baby?”

  He nodded, loving her so much he could barely breathe. “I do.”

  “You know what that means?” She smiled warmly. “Late nights. Little sleep...sometimes no sleep. Diapers. Vomit. Croup. Endless laundry.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  She laughed. “My, how you’ve changed.”

  “You changed me,” he acknowledged as they walked through the doors. He called T.J. back, and their son quickly rushed to his side. “I used to avoid commitment like the plague. But now, it’s all I want.”

  Abby reached up and touched his face. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”

  “Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he said and kissed her softly.

  T.J. giggled. “Daddy, are you going to kiss Mommy every day from now on?”

  “You bet, buddy.”

  Their son moved between them and grabbed their hands, and they swung him gently in the air as they walked across the parking lot and toward his Jeep, his laughter like music to their ears. Jake marveled at how lucky he was. He had the woman he loved and his son at his side, and he knew, without doubt or fear or any lingering resentment, that he had everything he could ever want.

  It was a perfect moment.

  And he had a whole lifetime of moments just like it to look forward to.

  How he’d gotten so lucky, Jake wasn�
�t sure, but he knew he’d be forever grateful for all they had and everything that lay ahead. A home. Marriage. More children. And a love that made him a better man.

  “What are you thinking about?” Abby asked as they playfully swung their laughing son between them again.

  Jake smiled, loving her, loving the little boy who’d brought them back together.

  “The future.”

  * * *

  Don’t miss Annie’s story,

  the next installment in Helen Lacey’s miniseries

  The Culhanes Of Cedar River,

  Coming in 2020.

  And look for Mitch and Tess’s story,

  When You Least Expect It

  Available now wherever Harlequin books

  and ebooks are sold.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Right Reason to Marry by Christine Rimmer.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Special Edition story.

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  The Right Reason to Marry

  by Christine Rimmer

  Chapter One

  It was a cloudy Friday afternoon in mid-October when Karin Killigan finally had to face the unsuspecting father of her unborn child.

  It happened at Safeway, of all places. He was going in as she went out.

  She had her hands full of plastic shopping bags. Her mind was on dinner and the thousand and one things she needed to whip into shape at the office before the baby came. She was staring straight ahead and didn’t even see him.

  But Liam Bravo saw her.

  He grabbed her arm. “Karin. My God.”

  His touch, coupled with the low, rich sound of his voice, set off a chain reaction of emotional explosions inside her. Shock. Guilt. Total embarrassment. A flare of thoroughly inappropriate desire. She let out a ridiculous squeak of surprise and almost dropped a bag full of dairy products as she blinked down at his hand on her arm. Even through the barrier of her coat and the sweater beneath it, she could feel his heat and his strength.

  Slowly, she forced her gaze upward to his gorgeous face. The cool autumn wind stirred his dark blond hair and his sun-kissed brows had drawn together over those summer-sky eyes of his.

  Somehow, she made herself speak. “Hello, Liam.”

  “Excuse me.” The impatient voice from directly behind her reminded her sharply that they were blocking both doors.

  “Come on.” Liam tugged her away from the doors and along a short concrete walkway.

  She followed numbly, despising herself for never quite working up the nerve to break the big news to him, thus forcing them both to face it now—at Safeway, of all the impossible places.

  “Here.” He pulled her in close to the brick wall of the building, between a bin full of pumpkins and stacks of bundled kindling. “Let me help you with those.” He made a grab for the shopping bags dangling from both of her hands.

  “No.” She shook her head at him. “I’ve got them. I’m fine.” Total lie. She was very far from fine.

  “You sure?”

  “Positive,” she said way too brightly. “Thanks. I’m, um, really surprised to see you here.” Understatement of the decade. He lived in nearby Astoria and somehow, since the last time she’d seen him the previous March, she’d never once run into him in Valentine Bay. Until now. It wasn’t that she’d been avoiding him, exactly. But she certainly hadn’t sought him out. “I mean, there’s a Safeway in Astoria, right?”

  “I stopped in to see Percy and Daffy and this store was on my way home.” Percy and Daffodil Valentine were brother and sister. Neither had ever married. In their eighties now, Liam’s great-uncle and -aunt lived in an ancient Victorian mansion on the edge of Valentine City Park.

  “Oh, I see,” she said, because he’d fallen silent and it seemed that she ought to say something.

  His gaze had wandered downward to her giant belly, only to quickly jerk back up to her face again. “This is awkward.” Oh, no kidding. “Please don’t be offended...”

  “No. Of course not.” How could she be? She should have told him months ago, on the night she broke it off with him. But she was a big, fat coward. She hadn’t told him then, nor had she managed to work up the courage to call him and ask for a meeting. And now the poor guy had to find out like this. Her cheeks and neck were too hot. They must be flaming red. And her heart? It pounded so hard she couldn’t hear herself think.

  “You’re pregnant,” he said.

  “How did you guess?” It was a weak joke and neither of them laughed.

  Beneath his golden tan, his face seemed to be growing progressively paler. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help thinking that...” He faltered, which broke her heart a little. Liam Bravo never faltered. He was always so smooth. Even way back in high school, he could make a girl’s clothes fall off with just his smile. He wasn’t smiling now, though. He drew in a shaky breath. “I have to know. Is it...?”

  There really was no putting this off any longer, so she answered the question he couldn’t seem to ask. “Yes, Liam. It’s your baby.”

  He flinched and his eyes widened. He started to reach for her again, caught himself and let his arm drop to his side. After that, he just stood there staring at her, his sexy mouth hanging open.

  God. What a horrible way to tell him. But at least she’d finally done it.

  People bustled by them, going in and out of the store. “We can’t do this here,” she said. When he only continued to gape at her, she went on, “Tell you what. I’m going straight home...”

  A low sound escaped him, kind of a cross between a grunt and sigh, but no actual words came out.

  “Home,” she repeated. “The house on Sweetheart Cove? I’ll be there the rest of the day. Feel free to drop by when you’re ready to talk.” Carefully, so as not to bump him with her bags of groceries, she turned and made for her car.

  He didn’t say anything or try to stop her. But she knew that wouldn’t last. He was bound to have questions—a million of them. Starting with why the hell didn’t you tell me? She figured she had an hour, tops, before he appeared at her door.

  Probably breaking the land speed record for a hugely pregnant woman on foot, she waddled toward the relative safety of her Chevy Traverse.

  * * *

  Karin lived with her dad, Otto Larson, and her two children, Ben and Coco, on the first floor of a large beach house owned by her brother, Sten. As she pulled the Traverse into the garage beneath the house, her dad came down the inside stairs, seven-year-old Coco close on his heels.

  Otto went straight to the hatch in back to get the groceries.

  Coco, in blue tights, red shorts, a blue T-shirt and shiny red rain boots, had stopped at the foot of the stairs to spin in a circle. The kid-size red blanket tied around her neck for a cape fluttered as she twirled. “Mommy, I’m Supergirl!” she shouted as Karin carefully lowered herself from behind the wheel. “Don’t worry, I will save you! I have vast superhuman strength, speed and stanima, X-ray vision, super breath and also, I can fly.” Arms out, she “flew” at Karin, who laughed in spite of what had just gone down at Safeway.

  Coco halted at Karin’s big belly. Reaching out her small arms and tipping her head back, she gave both Karin and the unborn baby inside her a hug. “I love you, Mommy, and I love our baby, too!” Coco beamed a smi
le so big it showed the gap where she’d recently lost two lower baby teeth.

  Karin bent to plant a kiss on the top of her curly head. “And I love you. Lots.”

  Otto shut the hatch. He had all the grocery bags, two in each hand.

  “I’ll help, Grandpa!” Supergirl proclaimed. She planted her rain boots wide, stuck out her little chest and propped her fists on her hips. Otto set two of the bags on the garage floor, fished out a block of Swiss cheese from one and passed it to her. The cheese in one hand, both arms spread wide, cape rippling, Coco ran back up the stairs and into the house, slamming the door behind her.

  “You gotta love that enthusiasm,” said Otto as he bent to pick up the bags again. Karin just stood there staring down at his bent head. His hair was all white now and thinning, his pink scalp showing through at the crown. He met her eyes as he stood again. “What happened?” he asked quietly.

  She replied in a small voice. “I saw Liam at Safeway.”

  “You tell him?” Her dad and her brother, Sten, and Sten’s wife, Madison, knew that Liam was the baby’s father. Sten and Otto had been after Karin for months to tell the man that he was going to be a dad. Madison mostly stayed out of it, though Liam was actually one of her long-lost brothers.

  Karin stared into the middle distance, thinking of Madison for no particular reason. Sten’s new bride had been switched at birth, of all impossible things. She’d met Sten when she came to Valentine Bay last March to find the family she’d just learned she had.

  “Karin. You tell Liam?” her dad asked for the second time.

  She blinked and made herself answer the question. “Uh. I did. Yes. I told him.”

  “And?”

  “And I said I was going straight home, that if he wanted to talk about it, I’ll be here.”