A Baby On The Way

by Laura Marie Altom

  “The Silver Palace, or the lodge—or should I say, TYR. What are you going to do with your gift shop?”

  “I don’t know yet.” Fresh worry weighted Holly’s shoulders, but she didn’t want to think about that now. She didn’t want to think about Brady, either, but knowing he was inside or soon would be, she couldn’t help herself.

  “Holly, are you all right?” Miss Blanchard asked, squinting through her rimless glasses.

  In high school, Holly had confided more than once to the nurturing teacher, who was great at helping teens solve their problems. But she was no longer a schoolgirl, and this was not the time.

  “Alix’s flu wore me out, but I’ll be fine.” She forced a smile. “Guess I’ll go inside the gym now. See you later.”

  The gym looked wonderful, decorated with photos of the school and classes through the years. Overhead a glitter ball swirled slowly, showering the scarred wooden floor and tables around the periphery with shards of bright light. Just as it had at most of the high-school dances. But there were teachers dancing instead of chaperoning, and the swing music playing was from before Holly’s time.

  “I feel like I’ve stepped into a time warp,” she murmured.

  “I know what you mean,” said a seventy-something woman. “Except in my day, we didn’t have those mirror balls.”

  Her husband flashed teeth too white to be real. “We’re the Jamiesons, Barton and Nell. Nell is from the Class of ’48.”

  Nell smiled, her gray eyes warm behind her trifocals. “I haven’t missed a single reunion yet, and when I heard about Silver Cliff High closing forever…” She shook her head. “We came all the way from Sarasota for this.”

  “Wow,” Holly said. “I’m Holly Stevens, Class of ’93, and I live right here in town. Welcome. Were you at the dinner tonight?”

  “Yes, and it was lovely,” Nell said. “What a beautiful facility.”

  “Isn’t it?” Holly said as Mayor Passky, who in honor of the evening had slipped into his DJ persona, played a new tune.

  “This toe-tappin’Mills Brothers music makes me feel eighteen again.” Barton grasped Nell’s hand. “May I have this dance?”

  “You may. Nice to meet you,” Nell called out as he led her to the dance floor.

  In no time they were swallowed up in the crowd.

  At the side of the stage a group of women Holly knew, but not from her class, were dancing together. They gestured her over, but she didn’t feel like dancing just yet. She hoped to find Aileen and hear about the dinner she’d missed. She glanced at the tables around the room, which were filled with people of all ages. Some faces were familiar; others she didn’t recognize.

  What to do now? Hardly aware of her actions, she searched the room for Brady.

  She found him, surrounded by men and women, including Milton Mahoney, Silver Cliff’s beak-nosed principal for the past thirty years. In a dark suit, dress shirt and tie, Brady looked so handsome…. Holly released a dreamy sigh. He had no business looking that good. He said something and everyone around him laughed. Some of the women eyed him with more than casual interest.

  She prickled at that. How dare they? Then she caught herself. Brady was single and available. If he wanted one of those women, she certainly didn’t care.

  Turning her back on Brady and his adoring fan club, she followed an arrow that pointed to the refreshment table, which, because there was no room in the gym, stood in a hallway adjacent to it. Since most everyone here had eaten at the Silver Palace, the area was almost deserted. And, once the door shut behind her, far quieter.

  Only a few lonely hearts here, no one she knew. Two well-stocked tables held beer, wine, soda and punch, and a host of finger foods. As Holly pondered her choices and introduced herself to several people, the music stopped.

  Through the closed doors she heard the mic squeak. “Welcome to Sliver Cliff High’s all-years reunion,” the mayor said in his rich voice. “I’m Mike Passky, mayor of this fine town, proud class of ’80 graduate and your DJ for tonight.”

  While he paused for cheers and whoops, Holly finished a canapé, then wiped her hands on a napkin. Everyone else headed for the gym door.

  “You may be wondering why you’ve been listening to music from decades ago,” the mayor said. “Several of the alumni here tonight graduated as early as 1940. I’ll be playing popular music from the past sixty-seven years.” Applause again broke out. “At this morning’s dedication I promised you a surprise or two tonight and—”

  Afraid of missing something, Holly followed the others into the gym.

  Chapter Five

  Mayor Passky was long-winded, Brady decided, but he did have a smooth voice that was easy to listen to, especially with a few beers under your belt. Not wanting to block anyone’s view, he was at the back of the room, near the cinder-block wall plastered with old black-and-white photos of the school and school events.

  “To share those surprises, I’d like to introduce my lovely wife, Bonnie, Class of ’82.”

  The crowd, buoyed by drinks and good food from the dinner at the Silver Palace, cheered again.

  For a woman in her mid forties, Bonnie Passky looked good. As she walked up the four steps to the podium, her blue silk dress swished.

  The doors at the side of the room opened, drawing his attention. Several people Brady didn’t know walked in, but his gaze homed in on Holly. He barely heard Bonnie. He’d heard about Alix’s flu, and had missed Holly at dinner.

  She didn’t notice him, but he had no doubt that when she did, she’d walk the other way. Probably for the best. Last night’s party had been awkward, and he wasn’t interested in a repeat.

  That didn’t mean he couldn’t look. He’d always liked her in red, and this dress, short and snug, with thin little straps, showed off her soft curves and great legs.

  “We’re going to start off with a rousing welcome for the people from the Class of 1940,” Bonnie said. “Would you please acknowledge yourselves?”

  From a table along the side two elderly women smiled and waved. At that ripe age and having traveled a long way to get here, they deserved applause. Brady clapped, along with everyone else.

  The mayor delivered framed photographs of the school to each woman. Next, awards were given for who had traveled the farthest. Charlie Parks won that one.

  “Now for an acknowledgment to tradition,” Bonnie said. “As you all may recall, each year during senior prom, our school chooses a king and queen. This tradition started in the 1930s. I know there is ‘royalty’ here tonight. When I call your name, if you’re here, please come up.”

  The last thing Brady wanted was to stand on the stage with Holly. He noted the dismay on her face and her longing glance at the exit. As if she felt his gaze, she finally saw him. He gave a helpless shrug and she returned it.

  Bonnie was up to the Class of ’92 now. When she called Brady and Holly, they joined some forty couples, many of whom hadn’t seen each other in decades, on the stage.

  “I feel so self-conscious,” Holly whispered.

  “It’ll be over in a minute,” Brady assured her in an equally low voice.

  Only, it wasn’t. After polite applause, Bonnie ordered the floor cleared and sent the couples onto the floor to dance. Nothing to do but get this over with.

  Brady held out his arms. Looking ill at ease, Holly walked into them. Even in heels she only reached his shoulder.

  “You smell good,” he said, sniffing her hair.

  “Thank you.”

  She felt small in his arms. And stiff, very stiff.

  “It’s only one dance, Holly. Relax,” he said, careful not to hold her too tight.

  “You’re right. Okay.” She blew out a breath and let him pull her closer.

  “That’s better. How’s Alix?”

  “Over the worst of it, thanks.” She seemed more relaxed now. “Dr. Jacobs said it was a twenty-four-hour thing.”

  “Glad to hear that.” He tightened his arms.

  Despite thei
r difference in height she fit perfectly against him. They hadn’t made out for fourteen-plus years, but hot images flooded his head. He’d never seen her naked, but it wasn’t hard to picture her that way, her thighs gripping his hips…

  His body stirred. Stifling a groan, he eased back a fraction.

  Then he noted Bill, Aileen, a slew of other people watching them with interest. Brady scowled. “Everyone is watching us.”

  “That’s what people do when the prom king and queen dance,” Holly said. “Don’t you remember?”

  “How could I forget? We broke up a week before the prom, but my dad made me bring you anyway. He said a Cornell doesn’t back away from an obligation.”

  “My mother said almost the same thing. Except, she hoped we’d make up.”

  Though that hadn’t happened, they’d danced this same way that night.

  The song ended. Brady wasn’t ready to let her go, but he didn’t have much choice. The couples who hadn’t come together broke apart and returned to their spouses or friends.

  “That wasn’t so bad,” he said.

  “No.”

  Neither of them moved.

  Mayor Passky again took the mic. “That’s all the surprises for now. As they said in that wonderful movie, shall we dance?”

  A George Michael song from the early nineties filled the air, a song Brady and Holly had once made out to at the boarded-up Pecos Silver Mine, where kids went to fool around. With the music and the memories he couldn’t let her go, not yet.

  “How about another dance?” he said, snagging her hand.

  *

  AS THE BEACH BOYS’ song trailed off, Holly swiped her forehead, which was damp with sweat, and grinned at Brady. “I haven’t danced like this in a long time.”

  She couldn’t seem to stop smiling. Having fun was her goal and at the moment she definitely was. Still, she wondered at herself. Dancing to song after song with Brady, losing herself in his eyes, wanting him and knowing he wanted her, too. Was she out of her mind?

  Around her and Brady, Aileen, Bill, Monica, who had paired up with an out-of-town alumnus named Bud, and several of their former friends and classmates laughed, mopped their brows and caught their breaths.

  At least with so many people around, Holly wouldn’t dare do something foolish like throw her arms around Brady and kiss him.

  Secure in the knowledge that there truly was safety in numbers, she forgot everything but enjoying herself. Finally the music stopped. Hot and thirsty, she, Brady and most of the others headed for the refreshment table.

  “Is this punch spiked?” she asked after draining two glasses. It hadn’t tasted that way, but her brain felt muzzy. Or maybe dancing with Brady had clouded her mind.

  “Probably.”

  His gaze combed over her, spreading heat that was difficult to ignore. She couldn’t breathe for wanting him.

  “Anybody up for taking a walk around the football field one last time?” Mickey Rennant asked.

  “I am… Sure… Great idea,” most of the group replied.

  “Count me in,” Brady said.

  Given Holly’s strong attraction to him, she couldn’t go. Too dangerous. “I’ll stay here,” she said.

  “Come on, Holly, it’ll be fun,” Brady coaxed, his eyes on hers. “A walk down memory lane.”

  That was the last thing Holly needed. But with Brady’s big-eyed, puppy-dog face, how could she refuse? Safety in numbers, she reminded herself. I’ll be fine.

  She and Brady were the first out the door. Someone turned on the stadium lights, drowning out the stars and moon. Good. Who needed the romance? The air was cool, but Holly was warm, both from dancing and from walking beside Brady.

  For a moment, standing on the field, everyone was silent.

  “This may sound sappy, but even though I haven’t played here since high school, I’m going to miss this old place,” Brady said.

  Murmurs of assent filled the air. Still leading the others, Holly and Brady cut across the field and ambled toward the bleachers.

  Gradually the voices behind them faded away. Then she and Brady were alone. That wasn’t safe. Squinting in the artificial light, she searched the field. “Where did everybody go? We should catch up.”

  “We’ll find them later.” Brady smiled at her. “Tonight has been fun, Holly. Like old times, only better.”

  The warmth in his eyes matched the feelings in her brimming heart. Memories flooded her. Laughing with Brady, sharing passionate kisses and more, aching to make love with him. And always pulling back, just in time.

  Now she wished she had made love with him back in high school. At least she’d have gotten him out of her system and probably wouldn’t feel so hot and bothered now. At the moment the urge to fall into his arms and let things go where they may was almost too strong to fight.

  But sexual desire was only partly responsible for the emotion bubbling inside her. Truth was, she was still a little in love with Brady. Which was crazy and scary to boot. She glanced away. “It has been fun, but on Monday we won’t be on speaking terms,” she said, to remind both of them.

  “Does it have to be that way? This is my job, Holly. Once the sale goes through, I’ll get a big promotion.”

  “Is that why you won’t try to stop the sale—for a promotion?” Anger blazed through her, and she latched on to it like a lifeline. Better to be mad than to desire him. She crossed her arms. “I should’ve guessed.”

  Brady swore. “With or without me, this sale is going through. I could disappear tomorrow and it’d still happen. And I’ll say this again—without the sale the lodge will close. That’d put the whole staff out of work.” His mouth tightened. “So quit blaming me for something I can’t control.”

  He was right. As quickly as the anger had flared, it died. “I don’t, not really. I’m sorry.”

  And she ought to go home. She pivoted toward the gym.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Back inside. We shouldn’t be out here together.”

  “Sure we should. Our deal lasts through midnight tomorrow, remember?”

  “If you mean being civil toward each other, I think we just broke that agreement.”

  “I accept your apology, Holly, and I hope you accept mine. You have the right to be angry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper.” He searched her face. “This is my last walk around the football field. I’d like to share it with you.” He held out his hand.

  She could no more refuse him than she could stop breathing. His warm grip all but swallowed her hand, and as they wandered silently toward the bleachers, her heart swelled with feeling, and memories again crowded her head.

  “I must have watched dozens of football practices up there, and every home game.” And she’d never even liked football. She’d been that wild for Brady.

  No man had ever filled her heart and touched her soul as he had. Was it any wonder she still had feelings for him?

  He grinned. “I used to grandstand quite a bit to impress you. Do you remember the first time I kissed you, after we won our first game junior year?”

  How could she forget? She nodded. “You pulled me behind the bleachers where nobody could see. I was in awe that the school’s youngest-ever varsity quarterback wanted to kiss me.”

  “You were the cutest girl around. I couldn’t help myself,” he said, smiling into her eyes.

  Heat sizzled between them, and his grin faded. “You’re no cute girl anymore.”

  “Oh,” she said, disappointed. “That happens to every female. It’s called getting old.”

  “That’s not what I meant. You grew up and turned into a beautiful woman.” He touched her cheek. “So very beautiful.”

  The words and his tender touch warmed her. And filled her with trepidation. She swallowed. “What are you saying, Brady?”

  “That maybe I should kiss you behind the bleachers again.”

  His thumb stroked her cheek, and every nerve in her body came alive. For a whole lot more than a kiss. Right
or wrong, tonight she would not refuse.

  Holly lifted her face. “Maybe you should.”

  *

  HOLLY’S LIPS were soft and warm. Holding her felt so good. Brady pulled her closer. She made a little sound in her throat and twined her arms around his neck, and the past flooded back as though everything had just happened yesterday. Her round breasts pressed against his chest and her hips tantalized his groin. Blood roared through his head.

  He wanted her.

  He deepened the kiss. Her lips parted, and he plunged his tongue into the slick warmth of her mouth. His body tightened and hardened. He molded his hands to her sweet behind, pushing her against his need. Holly met each kiss eagerly, which turned him on even more.

  If he didn’t touch her, he’d go mad. He slid the straps of her dress off her shoulders. His fingers skimmed the edge of her low-cut top, teasing and seductive. She caught her breath and leaned back a fraction. With hands that shook he slipped his palm inside the top and down her bra.

  Her nipples were taut and swollen. She’d always been supersensitive. Growling with pleasure, Brady kept his touch light and teasing, the way he remembered she liked.

  Her breathy moan drove him closer to the edge. But this wasn’t the time or the place. He had no protection on him. Besides, as badly as he wanted Holly and she seemed to want him, making love wasn’t a good idea.

  “Holly,” he panted, removing his hand and letting her go.

  “What?” She sounded dazed.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

  *

  NEVER HAD HOLLY desired a man so much. Tangled up with her need was the realization that, want to or not, she’d never stopped loving Brady. Since he wasn’t about to get married again and she probably wouldn’t see him alone after tonight, this was her only chance to make love with him. She wasn’t the one-nightstand type, but for Brady she was willing to make an exception.

  If she didn’t, she thought she might die. “I don’t care, Brady. I want to make love. Just this once, for old times’ sake.” A memory to cherish forever.

  “There was no old times’ sake, remember?”