Risky Baby Business

by Debra Salonen

  She took off her gloves and handed them to him. “You’re welcome.”

  “Water?” he asked.

  He grabbed a bottle from the carton under the workbench. The concrete floor kept them surprisingly cool.

  She accepted his offer and quickly downed a long, thirsty drink. “Wonderful. Well, I’d better get going.” She looked at him. “Will you be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine, thank you. There’ll be people to help me unload at the greenhouse.”

  They lingered in the shade a moment. David had a feeling there was something she wanted to say. He wished she’d say it quickly—before he kissed her. Her lips were wet from the water. Lush and naturally dark red. Her nose was slender and long. Her cheekbones strong, like her jaw. Her beauty came from her lineage, he decided, her exotic past.

  She let out a sigh. “Okay.”

  The sun was intense and neither of them had sunglasses on. David wondered if he’d ever see her again. Maybe he’d just blown the only opportunity he’d ever have to kiss her. But that’s a good thing, right?

  She took a step toward the strip of bright sunlight streaming through the open garage door, but hesitated and turned around to face him. “Um, maybe I’m totally off base here, but I feel a connection between us.” He didn’t refute her claim. He was many things but not a liar. “Normally, if a guy made it clear he wasn’t interested, I’d let it go. But, the Rom in me says we’re not done with each other yet.” She blushed. “Darn. I’m really bad at this. I wish Grace were here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She hesitated. David could see an ongoing debate in her eyes. “I’m the healer in the family, not the seer. Mother’s sight became compromised after Dad’s death, but Grace appears to be heir apparent to those abilities. She…um…sees things.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “Well, she says she saw the gun that our cousin’s wife pulled on Nikolai. And she saw blood—she just didn’t guess it would be her own.” She grinned sheepishly. “Like I said, prophetic interpretation isn’t exactly an exact science.”

  Could she tell me if Ray’s still alive and hunting for me? “She’s coming home for your other sister’s wedding?”

  “Yes. This Saturday.”

  “At a church?” He hadn’t been inside one in years.

  “No. It’s going to be in the backyard of Kate and Rob’s new house. Very casual. No suit required.” She blushed as if mentioning his wardrobe might embarrass him. “The food will be fabulous. Did I tell you Kate and her future mother-in-law own a restaurant? It’s called Romantique. They’re both pretty amazing chefs.”

  One night in public. He’d leave the next day.

  Her brows came together above her nose. “Are you reconsidering my offer?”

  He knew what he should say, what he intended to say, but what came out of his mouth was “Yes.”

  “Really?”

  Impulsively, he was sure, she suddenly propelled herself across the distance between them, and kissed him. A quick, friendly peck at the corner of his mouth.

  But he instigated the kiss that came next. Her lips were soft and lush and inviting. Her scent curled into the recesses of his sad, empty life and made him desire every drop of goodness she could give him. Hope, kindness, love…yes, even love. A fool’s dream, of course. But for a few minutes on a sun-drenched afternoon…he’d play the fool.

  She moved closer and put one hand on his shoulder—to steady herself or to push him away, he wasn’t sure. But the little sigh that hummed between them sounded happy and content. She turned her head slightly and pressed closer, her tongue finding his.

  The first touch sent a shiver through him as crisp and potent as an electrical shock. His blood raced, making a high-pitched sound in his ears. He hadn’t felt this sort of passion dance through his veins in so long he thought he might embarrass himself.

  “Wow, where’d that come from?” Liz asked, lifting her chin, eyes still closed. Her voice was husky, sexy.

  “I don’t know, but it was probably a mistake.” Probably? He knew without a doubt any kind of connection was out of the question. What the hell was I thinking?

  He stepped back, causing her arm that had been resting on his shoulder to drop between them. Instead of arguing with him, she grinned. “Absolutely. But it was sweet, just the same. Thanks.”

  He blinked and shook his head. “Thanks?”

  Her smile made him want to grab her hand and pull her into his hotbox of a house. He was pretty sure they wouldn’t notice the heat.

  She touched her fingers to her lips. “It’s been a while. But that was really nice. Made me remember what I’ve been missing. Now that might not be a good thing, but the kiss was worth it.”

  He knew exactly what she meant. And she was right. The memory would come in handy when he was running for his life.

  Chapter 9

  A wedding. His swan song—of sorts. His backpack was fully prepared with the desert-survival gear he’d gradually accumulated over the past four years. His funds were diversified—one-third in the form of a cashier’s check made out to his new name and mailed to a post office box that he’d opened in L.A., another third was in a Vicks jar in his backpack and the last third was buried in two waterproof containers under a cactus that he’d planted on Canto Lane. Inside his billfold was a note to his landlady instructing her to sell his remaining plants and personal belongings if he failed to return from his excursion into the desert. He was ready. Almost.

  First, he was giving himself a gift. Tonight, he’d pretend to be a normal person. He’d brush off those sorely neglected manners and social skills he’d acquired in his past life and enjoy himself. Even if that requires mingling.

  He took his time as he strolled around the large, lush backyard. The grass—clearly sod—was so thick and cushiony it felt like expensive carpet. The landscaping was bland, but, as Liz had explained on the drive, her soon-to-be brother-in-law had only recently purchased the house, and most of his efforts since moving in had gone into preparing for the wedding.

  Three tents were strategically situated to take advantage of the setting sun. The smallest held an altar adorned with flowing ribbons of red and gold that danced in the early-evening breeze. Two crystal champagne flutes bracketed a thick Bible, which sat beside a thick purple pillar candle flanked by twin white tapers in ornate silver candleholders.

  Bouquets of balloons tied with bright ribbons of every color in the rainbow were affixed to the pristine stucco wall that surrounded the yard, as well as to the backs of chairs and at regular intervals along the railing of the multilevel deck.

  “Well, what do you think? A bit over-the-top?” Liz asked, joining him.

  “I’ve never seen a wedding with as much color,” he said after taking a sip of the wine he’d been handed the moment he’d entered the yard. “I don’t find it garish at all. Just…festive.”

  “Grace will be so happy to hear you say that. When she was describing what she had in mind, Alexa and I told her it would look more like a Byzantine marketplace than a wedding. She said that was exactly what she wanted.” Her laugh sounded amazingly carefree. “I told you she was a character, didn’t I?”

  He and Liz had arrived a few minutes earlier, and so far, he’d met both Alexa and Grace. Alexa, he knew, was the eldest of the sisters. She was also the tallest. Thin, but beautiful. Grace, who moved so fast she made the people around her appear to react in slow motion, had stopped long enough to shake his hand.

  “You’re David?” she’d asked, her tone skeptical. “Really? Has anyone ever told you that your name doesn’t fit you?”

  David’s advance warning system had sent a burst of panic through his veins, but, fortunately, she hadn’t waited for an answer. “I’m really glad to meet you. Liz never dates. She’s the serious one. Well, Alexa is serious, too, but she was less serious before Mark broke her heart. Liz has always been serious.”

  She’d flashed him a high-wattage smile then given him a quick hug
before dashing off. “Gotta go check on the bride. See ya.”

  The bride. Kate. He hadn’t met her yet. Which wasn’t surprising. Although this wedding seemed a bit unconventional in some aspects, he was sure certain protocols would be observed. “How come you’re not one of your sister’s attendants?”

  Liz, who looked so dazzling David could barely keep his gaze off her, smiled. “She isn’t having any. Maya, her daughter, is the flower girl. That’s it. Oh, and both mothers are lighting candles. The minister is a friend of Rob’s…or rather, she’s the sister of a friend. Kate and Rob wrote their own vows. Should be interesting.”

  He’d wanted to write the vows he and Kay spoke when they got married, but she’d been against the idea. She’d insisted she wasn’t eloquent enough to put her thoughts into words. In hindsight, he suspected she hadn’t wanted to look too deeply at why she was marrying.

  “What’s that tent for?” he asked, nodding toward the middle-sized structure. Because it was enclosed on three sides and draped with yards of diaphanous material—gold, silver, purple and red—one almost expected to see a sheik’s harem sitting on the piles of cushions set about along the walls. A wooden platform of some kind occupied the center.

  “Ah…that’s where we’ll dance.”

  He looked around. “I don’t see a DJ.”

  “There’s one coming. After dinner, which will be served in the main tent. But at some point, my sisters and I are going to perform a couple of traditional, and some not-so-traditional, Romani dances. We haven’t done this in ages—not for a large crowd, anyway. When we were younger, we danced at all the family parties. Our dad called us the Sisters of the Silver Dollar, because he’d toss us coins when we did well.”

  “Interesting. I can’t wait to see you perform.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I can.”

  “You don’t enjoy dancing?”

  “I love music and I love to watch dance, but I’m not a natural at it, like Alexa and Grace. Kate and I usually stay in the background and let the two hams fight for the spotlight, but this time Kate won’t be with us. Maya is taking her place, and she’s only four and a half.”

  He looked her over, starting at her toes. He’d never seen her wear high heels before. They accentuated the curve of her calves. She wasn’t wearing hose, not needed in the still-warm evening. Her dress, a sheath of wine-colored silk, fell just above her knees. Her perfect knees. The deep V neckline showed plenty of skin. Skin that begged to be touched.

  “I bet you’re better than you think.”

  Peeking through her thick dark lashes, she made a moue with her lips. “It’s been a while. I’m afraid I’ll be even worse than I remember.”

  “I’m sure all the moves will come back to you.”

  “I’d feel more comfortable if I’d had a chance to practice a couple of times before this.”

  A tingle of sexual awareness danced through his extremities. Were they talking dance? Or something else?

  “I’ll cheer for you. No matter what.”

  She leaned in closer, as if drawn by his smile. Was she remembering the kiss they’d shared? Lord knew he’d been thinking of little else, despite his methodical preparations for his impending departure.

  One kiss does not a relationship make.

  “Hi, Liz,” a voice called. “How are you?”

  She jerked back sharply. A ruddy blush deepened the makeup dusting her cheekbones. Pivoting too fast—her heels apparently imbedded in the soft soil—she swayed unsteadily. David caught her elbow and stepped close enough to stabilize her.

  Their bodies fit nicely together, he thought, as his hand settled casually at her waist.

  “Gregor,” she exclaimed. “Hello. MaryAnn, it’s so good to see you. Come let me introduce you to David.”

  Two of the many cousins she’d predicted he would meet tonight, he gathered. He hadn’t planned on trying to keep the names straight. Why bother, right?

  “You look amazing, MaryAnn. I’m so happy you’re here. Are you home for good?”

  The dark-haired woman, who hadn’t completely made eye contact with either of them, shook her head and looked around, uneasily.

  “Not yet, but soon, according to the doctor. Right, honey?” her husband asked, putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “The kids are really missing their mommy.”

  MaryAnn’s smile slipped and her eyes took on a haunted look. Liz handed David her wineglass and went to the couple, putting her arms around them both. She said something to them, too softly for David to hear, but he saw them both react with pleasure.

  After the couple moved away, Liz explained their situation. “MaryAnn’s breakdown caught us all by surprise. That doesn’t say much for a people that puts so much stock in family, does it?” She shook her head, making a strand of hair slip from the pretty, messy knot tied up with a ribbon.

  “People get busy with their own lives.” That had been his excuse for neglecting Kay and the children.

  “True, but my mother says things happen for a reason. What we learned from MaryAnn’s crisis was that we all need to pay more attention to those around us. Alexa has been a big help with Gregor and MaryAnn’s kids. Luca, the oldest, has really had a rough time of it.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Kids are always caught in the middle when their parents’ lives blow up.”

  She cocked her head as if hearing something revealing in his comment. He knew she was going to ask him to elaborate, but before she could speak, someone with a loud, commanding voice hollered, “Liz, you’re needed in the house.”

  She looked at him and rolled her eyes with obvious resignation. “Yes, Grace,” she called out. To David, she said, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Family is supposed to sit in the front couple of rows. If you get tired of standing, I draped my wrap across two chairs. It’s a lacy silver thing, remember? I’m really sorry to abandon you, but I have a feeling they want to take some pictures.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m going to check out the landscaping. Professional curiosity,” he added, keeping his tone light.

  He watched her walk away—struggling with her spike heels in the thick lawn. Before she was halfway there, she stopped, kicked off the shoes then picked them up and completed the trek barefoot. David chuckled as he polished off his wine.

  She was far more beautiful than she knew, although he suspected outer beauty wasn’t high on her list of priorities. He was certain she’d put more stock in a person’s integrity than looks. And she obviously didn’t worry about social or financial status. Why else would she kiss a gardener? A man who drove a run-down truck and apparently couldn’t afford a phone.

  “Hi, there. We haven’t met. I’m Rob. The groom.”

  David switched his glass to his left hand so he could shake the hand of the man who’d just walked up. “Nice to meet you. Congratulations. I’m with Liz.”

  “Yes. I know. The sisters have been buzzing about you for days. The mystery gardener, I believe they’re calling you.”

  David chuckled. “Not so mysterious. Name’s David.”

  “Glad you could come. Liz is a terrific person. She was so supportive of my mom during a recent medical scare. She helped Mom find the right doctor. Plus, her teas are amazing. If you’re ever sick or hurt, give Liz a call before you go to the pharmacy.”

  David had experienced her healing hands and herbal teas and couldn’t agree more, but all he said was “I’ll do that.”

  Rob, who seemed like a genuinely decent fellow—the kind of person David would have liked as a friend if they’d met in his former life, introduced David to some of the other guests. An accountant with twins. Two more male Parlier cousins and their kids. A young guy who had the upper torso of a bodybuilder but was holding a tiny baby dressed in pink frills.

  “Hey, do you play poker?” Rob asked when the group of friends had moved on.

  “I don’t gamble much.” A person who’s lost everything doesn’t need to risk any more, right?

  “I
don’t mean for high stakes. Just a guy’s-night-out kind of thing. A few friends—those guys and a couple of others. We call ourselves the Dad’s Group, but it’s not like I have a kid…well, I’ll have Maya after the wedding, but you know what I mean. You’d be welcome to join us. No kids required.”

  But he had kids. Three of them. And he missed them so much that at times he felt like someone had taken a dull shovel to his stomach and tried to mine for gold. Which is why he did his best not to think about Ariel and the twins. And why he couldn’t join a “dad’s group”—even if he weren’t leaving town.

  Tomorrow. He’d already laid the groundwork with his landlady. “I’m heading into the desert to collect some new stock,” he’d told her a few minutes before Liz had arrived to pick him up.

  She hadn’t appeared surprised. Probably since he’d been making regular forays into the desert for the past couple of years. He’d also taken a number of desert-survival courses and had participated in two cactus-rescue projects with a volunteer conservation group.

  In the morning, he’d drive north to Beatty then cut over to Death Valley. He planned to abandon his truck in the most remote place he could find. The last thing he wanted was anyone to conduct a “missing hiker” search. Eventually, he’d work his way into California, winding up in L.A., where he had a new identity waiting.

  “Thanks, but I’m not a joiner. And I’m planning on doing some cactus hunting in Mexico pretty soon.” That was the story he planned to tell Liz to explain his upcoming disappearance.

  Rob took something from the inside pocket of his handsome tux. “No problem. But if you change your mind or have time when you get back, give me a call. That card has my cell number on it, too.”

  David held it up to read: Robert J. Brighten, Attorney-at-Law. He smiled and made a point of tucking the card in the pocket of the new shirt he’d bought that morning. Twenty-five bucks on sale. His big splurge. Money that should have been squirreled away into his emergency-travel stash.