Surprise Double Delivery

by Therese Beharrie

  ‘No, you can’t, and I for one will never get sick of hearing you say it. Along with that “our family”, thing you casually tossed in there. You don’t know how happy that makes me, knowing that I’m going to be part of this.’ He rested his hand on her bump and she couldn’t imagine anyone else she would rather spend the rest of her life with, raising these precious babies. It was important he knew that because she didn’t intend wasting any more of her life regretting things she did or didn’t say.

  ‘You’re very much part of this, daddy Cal, and once we know for sure these two are going to behave and stay where they are until we’re ready for them, I want to make it official. Calum Armstrong, will you marry us?’ She hadn’t known she was going to ask him until the words came out of her mouth, but it felt so right for all of them to make this relationship as solid as possible.

  It was the first time she’d ever seen him lost for words as his jaw flopped open and shut without him making a sound. If he hadn’t looked so utterly thrilled by the proposal she would’ve worried he was searching for the words to let her down gently.

  ‘Is that a yes?’

  ‘That’s a yes to being your husband, yes to being daddy Cal and yes to spending every day of the rest of my life with you. On one condition.’ His forehead crinkled and turned his handsome face serious again.

  Izzy swallowed, concerned that he might impose some impossible demands, but had to trust that belief she had in him that he would never do anything to hurt her.

  ‘Name it,’ she said, feigning a bravery she would need to see her through the next months.

  ‘You get some rest.’ He kissed her all too fleetingly on the lips.

  Now, that she could do. She snuggled down into the bed, exhaustion washing over her in waves now she’d laid herself bare emotionally, but knowing Cal was sticking with her gave her enough comfort to give in to slumber.

  ‘Where will you be when I wake up?’ she mumbled, refusing to let go of his hand as she drifted off to sleep.

  ‘Where I belong. Right here beside you.’

  She smiled with the soft pressure of his lips against her cheek and knew everything would turn out fine when she woke up because now she had a future with Cal to look forward to. This family of convenience had become one she was going to cherish for ever.

  Epilogue

  ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife.’

  The registrar legally confirmed their commitment to one another, although Cal and Izzy had done that almost a year ago in the hospital.

  ‘I can kiss the bride now, right?’

  As if he would’ve let anyone stop him. Izzy would never tire of letting him either. Being able to kiss Cal any time she pleased was one of the many good things to come her way.

  The registrar nodded her approval as Cal dipped his new bride back for a true Hollywood-romance-style kiss, which still had the ability to make Izzy spend the rest of the day walking around in a daze.

  A chorus of whoops and cheers rang out from the congregated guests as they finally made their relationship official. They had planned an altogether different wedding from the one currently taking place, but seeing the sea of smiling faces cheering them down the aisle, Izzy was grateful at how things had turned out.

  Originally, she’d envisaged a quick, quiet ceremony with no fuss so the twins would be born into a stable relationship but, as Cal had pointed out, they were going to have that regardless of a piece of paper. They’d also decided they didn’t need the extra stress of wedding preparations when she already had an increased risk of going into premature labour.

  She’d been true to her word and stuck to complete bed rest and Cal had gone above and beyond the duties of a loving partner and father-to-be. He’d taken time off work to play nursemaid as well as crawl into bed to watch movies with her and cook every meal for her to make sure she didn’t die of boredom or malnutrition in the run-up to the birth.

  That time together had been precious for them as a couple, getting to know each other again minus their baggage. She believed it was a major contributing factor to the babies hanging on until her thirty-fourth week. The amniotic sac had resealed itself after that terrifying episode and, although a little on the small side, their girls had been born healthy and able to come home after just a few days. Then the fun had really started, and those quiet moments together had become few and far between. There was never a dull moment in the Armstrong household now and she was thankful for it.

  The extra time since the birth and announcing their intention to get married had given them a chance to share their special day with the important people in their lives. Mac and the guys from work were here to celebrate with them and Cal’s sisters had travelled with their families to be with them. Perhaps it wasn’t too late for any of them to be a real family.

  ‘I love you, Mrs Armstrong, but I hate to break it to you: I’m leaving you for the other two special girls in my life.’ Cal stopped halfway down the aisle and let go of her hand to reach for the beauties who’d caught his eye on the way past.

  ‘Oh, well. It was fun while it lasted.’ Izzy knew she could never compare to the other important people in this marriage but for once she was happy to come second in Cal’s affections when she was equally enamoured with their daughters.

  ‘Come here, Nelly Belly.’ Cal reached for the cute bundle trying to wriggle out of Helen’s arms to reach her daddy and Izzy did the same with Nell’s sister, Rae. She had her best friend and her husband to thank for the twins’ still pristine flower girl outfits as they’d juggled the childcare duties during the ceremony. But neither she nor Cal would be parted from them for longer than necessary. They’d named the girls after Cal’s parents, Ray and Eleanor, and Cal was the most devoted father anyone could ever wish for. These girls would be as spoiled and happy as she was with him in their lives.

  ‘Well, husband, I think it’s time this family really got the party started. Everyone back to our place for champagne and cake.’ Their home was their favourite place in the world and the natural choice for a venue in which to celebrate their big day with friends and family. On this occasion Cal had delegated the cooking to caterers so he could spend as much quality time with her and the girls as possible.

  Izzy’s heart was so full of love for this man she knew it wouldn’t be long before the Armstrong family would be growing again...

  * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from A Brambleberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne.

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  A Brambleberry Summer

  by RaeAnne Thayne

  Chapter One

  Summer Saturdays in a busy tourist town like Cannon Beach, Oregon, were not for the faint of heart.

  As always, the sidewalk outside Rosa Galvez’s gift shop, By-The-Wind, was packed with tourists. Kids in swimming suits. Parents with sunburned noses, their arms loaded with buckets and towels and umbrellas. And, her favorite, older people arm in arm, enjoying an afternoon of browsing through the local stores.

  The long, wide stretch of beach that gave the town its name was only a half block from her store, which meant she had a nonstop view of the action, both in front of her store and farther down the beach.

  One could never grow bored watching the kites, the recumbent bicycles, the children building sandcastles.

  Some hardy souls were even swimming in the shallows, though Rosa always considered it entirely too cold. Maybe her childhood in Honduras had left her too warm-blooded.

  Instead, she was busy working the cash register at her gift shop while her newest employee and dear friend, Jen Ryan, rearranged a display of tiny hand-carved li
ghthouses an artist in Lincoln City had crafted for her.

  Nearby, Jen’s six-year-old daughter, Addie, giggled at something in the small children’s area Rosa had created, complete with a miniature kitchen and dollhouse. The children’s area worked beautifully to keep little hands away from the more breakable items in the store while their parents browsed.

  While she finished ringing up a cute handmade teapot for her customer, she kept a watchful eye on Jen. This was only her second day working in the store, though she and Addie had been in town for a few weeks. She still seemed anxious, and was constantly looking toward the door as if she expected something horrible to burst through at any moment.

  Rosa hoped that with time her friend would lose that skittish air, the impression she gave off that at the slightest provocation, she would grab her child and bolt out the door of the shop.

  How could Rosa blame her, after everything Jen had been through? It was a wonder she could even go out in public. All things considered, she was doing remarkably well and seemed to be settling into life here in Cannon Beach. Having her living at Brambleberry House was a joy.

  She finished carefully wrapping the customer’s teapot in bubble wrap so it would be safe in whatever corner of luggage it was stuffed into.

  “There you are,” Rosa said, handing over the bag. “Thank you for shopping at By-The-Wind.”

  “Thank you. This is such an adorable shop. We’ve been to every store in town and you have the best merchandise. Authentic and charming souvenirs. I’ll definitely be back before we leave town.”

  “I am very glad to hear this.” She smiled and waved the woman and her husband on their way. She was replenishing her supply of bubble wrap under the counter when the front-door chimes rang out again.

  She happened to be looking in Jen’s direction and didn’t miss the way her friend’s features tensed with fear and then visibly relaxed when a woman came in, trailed by a young teenager.

  Rosa’s day, already good, immediately brightened even further, as if the sun had just come out from behind the clouds.

  “Look who it is,” she exclaimed. “Two of my favorite people!”

  “Hola, Rosa,” the girl said, beaming brightly at her with a mouth full of braces.

  “Hello, my dear.” Her friend Carrie Abbott brushed her cheek against Rosa’s.

  “What a wonderful surprise. How may I help you? Are you looking for a gift for someone? I have some gorgeous new purses in and also some fantastic jewelry from an artisan in Yachats you might like.”

  “Where’s the jewelry?” Like a little magpie, Bella was instantly drawn to anything shiny.

  Rosa showed her the new display and they spent a moment looking over the hand-beaded pieces.

  “Ooh. Those turquoise starburst earrings are gorgeous! How much are they?”

  She named an amount that had the girl’s shoulders slumping. “I better not. I’m saving for an electric scooter.”

  “You know, that’s the markup amount. I can probably drop the price by ten dollars.”

  Bella looked tempted. “I’m babysitting this weekend. If they’re still for sale, I’ll come back and get them.”

  “I’ll set them aside until you can get back in,” Rosa promised, which earned her another braces-filled smile.

  “You’re too tempting!” Carrie said, shaking her head. “I could blow my entire mad-money budget in here. Believe it or not, we didn’t come in to buy earrings, no matter how lovely they are.”

  “Is there something else I can help you find? You should try the new soaps from Astrid Larsen.”

  Carrie laughed. “Stop. We’re not supposed to be shopping! I came in because I need to talk to you.”

  Against her will, Rosa’s gaze shifted to Bella and then back to the girl’s mother. “Oh?” she said, hoping her voice sounded casual.

  Carrie leaned against the counter. “Yes. How are you, first of all? I haven’t talked to you in forever.”

  Carrie did not usually drop in just to chat. What was this about? She looked back toward Bella, who was holding the turquoise earrings up to her ears and looking in the mirror of the display.

  “I have been good.” She smiled. “Summer is always such a busy time here but I am glad for the tourists. Otherwise, I would not be able to keep the store open. And how are you?”

  “Good. Busy, too. Bella is going in a hundred different directions, between babysitting and softball and her music lessons.”

  Such a normal, happy childhood. It warmed her heart. “Oh, that is nice.”

  “Did I tell you, we have tickets to the theater in Portland next month?” Bella said. “It’s a traveling Broadway production of Hamilton. And then we’re driving down the coast to San Francisco. I cannot wait!”

  Rosa hid a smile. Bella had only mentioned the upcoming trip about a hundred times since spring, when she and her parents had first started talking about it. “That will be wonderful for you.”

  “Other than that, everything is pretty good,” Carrie said. “Well, okay. I do have one small problem I was hoping you might be able to help us out with.”

  “Of course. What can I do?”

  “Don’t answer so quickly. It’s a huge favor.”

  Carrie had to know Rosa would do anything for her. Theirs was that kind of friendship.

  “I was wondering if you’ve found a tenant to sublease your empty apartment until fall, when your renters come back.”

  Rosa lived on the top floor of a sprawling old Victorian, Brambleberry House. She managed the property for her aunt and her aunt’s friend, Sage Benedetto Spencer.

  Right now, Jen lived in the second-floor apartment, but the older couple who had been renting the furnished ground-floor apartment for the past year had moved to Texas temporarily to help with an ill family member.

  “It is still empty for now.”

  She didn’t have the energy to go the vacation-rental route, with new people constantly coming in and out.

  Carrie’s features brightened. “Oh, yay! Would you consider renting it for the next month or so?”

  Rosa frowned. “Why would you need a place to rent? Are you doing something to your house?”

  Carrie and her husband lived in a very nice cottage about a mile from Brambleberry House. She had recently remodeled the kitchen but perhaps she was thinking about doing the bathrooms.

  “Not for me,” Carrie assured her. “For Wyatt and Logan.”

  Rosa tensed at the mention of Carrie’s brother and his young son. While the boy was adorable, seven years old and cheerful as could be, his father was another matter.

  Wyatt Townsend was a detective for the Cannon Beach Police Department and always seemed to look at her as if she was up to something illegal.

  That was surely her imagination. She had done nothing to make him suspicious of her.

  “I thought he was staying with you while his home is being repaired.”

  “He is. And I would be fine with him living with us until the work is done, but everything is taking so much longer than he expected. It has been a nightmare of wrangling with the insurance and trying to find subcontractors to do the work.”

  Wyatt’s small bungalow had been damaged in a fire about a month earlier, believed to have been caused by faulty wiring. It had been a small miracle that neither he nor his son had been home at the time and that a neighbor had smelled the smoke and called the fire department before widespread damage.

  Rosa knew from Carrie that the fire damage still meant he had to renovate several rooms and had been living with his sister and her husband while the work was being completed.

  “That must be hard for Wyatt.”

  “I know. And after everything they have both been through the past three years, they didn’t need one more thing. But he’s doing his best to rebuild.”

  Rosa certainly knew what it me
an to rebuild a life.

  “The work will take at least another month.”

  “That long?”

  “Yes. And to be honest, I think Wyatt is a little tired of sleeping on the sofa in my family room with his leg hanging over the edge. Since the insurance company will cover rent for the next few months, he said last night he was thinking about looking around for somewhere to stay temporarily. He even brought up the idea of renting a camp trailer and parking it in his driveway until the repairs are done. I immediately thought of your empty apartment and thought that would be so much better for him and Logan, if it’s still available.”

  The apartment was available. But did she really want Wyatt Townsend there? Rosa glanced over at Jen, who was talking to Addie in a low voice.

  She could not forget about Jen. In the other woman’s situation, how would she feel about having a police detective moving downstairs?

  “I know it’s a huge ask. You probably have a waiting list as long as my arm for an apartment in that great location.”

  Rosa shook her head. “I have not really put it on the market, to be honest. I have been too busy and also I know the Smiths want to move back if they can at the end of the summer, after June’s mother heals from her broken hip.”

  That still did not mean she wanted to rent it to Wyatt and his son. She could not even say she had a compelling reason not to, other than her own unease.

  The man made her so nervous. It did not help that he was extraordinarily good-looking.

  He always seemed to be looking at her as if he knew she had secrets and wouldn’t rest until he figured them out.

  That wouldn’t bother her, as she did not usually have much to do with him. Except she did have secrets. So many secrets. And he was the last man in town she wanted to figure them out.