by Lori Foster
“And never quite measuring up?”
Eli shrugged. “I have a lot of years and experience over him.”
“Not to mention a different background?” Ray shook her head. “You know, Eli, I don’t think being born rich or having things given to you is necessarily a favor.”
“But our baby will have advantages, Ray. Things you didn’t have. It’ll be up to us to teach him about hard work, about earning and then appreciating what you get.”
It’ll be up to us . . . Ray squeezed her eyes shut on that daunting thought. She’d be responsible for a person, not just for a short time, but from birth on. This wouldn’t be like crawling through a bug-infested swamp, or climbing barbed wire. It wasn’t something she could resolve with a few well-placed hits.
This was important—and she could really screw it up.
“You look more like yourself now.”
Ray jumped, then wanted to curse herself. “What do you mean?”
“Your color is back. You don’t look so exhausted.”
“Oh.” Eli was so good at reading her thoughts, she often felt exposed, and wary. “It’s a beautiful day, and for once my stomach is at peace. Probably because of all this fresh air.”
“And here I thought it was me.”
“You?”
Eli nodded, dead serious. “You’ve been worried, thinking about the future and how to handle raising a baby on your own. Now you know you don’t have to. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
He had read her thoughts! “Now you’re the cure for morning sickness? Well hell, Eli, we’ll neither one need to work. We’ll make a fortune just passing you around to all the preggo ladies.”
He didn’t mind her teasing. “I’m only saying that you’re more comfortable with me near.”
True. With Eli’s return, a bubble of happiness had slowly expanded inside her. At first, she’d tried to call it nerves, annoyance, but she knew deep down what it really was. And that forced her to accept how miserable she’d been without him. Unacceptable.
“Your ego knows no bounds, Eli.”
“At least admit you missed me.”
The smile came without her permission. “I did.”
“Just a little?”
Her voice softened, as did her heart. “Actually . . . a lot.” Eli looked so pleased by her admission, she was glad she’d given it to him.
Nothing had really been settled yet, but Eli was here, claiming he’d stick around. She didn’t have to worry about being a bad mother, because she knew instinctively that Eli would be one hell of a dad.
Exhaustion pulled at her, and Ray settled back to take a small nap. She didn’t feel nearly as self-conscious with the weakness as she thought she would, probably because Eli was so matter-of-fact about it. He didn’t see it as a weakness, just the natural course of her pregnancy. His easy acceptance of her body’s changes helped her to accept them, too. And that did make her stomach feel more settled.
At the subtle shake of her shoulder, she jerked awake with a start. She was so sluggish, she knew she’d been totally out. “What?”
“Time to get up, sleepyhead.”
Ray stretched. Had Eli driven all that way without her company? God, she hoped she hadn’t snored. He came around to her side of the truck and opened the door.
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stepped out, and blurted, “I thought we were going to your home.”
“This is it.”
No. She looked around at the expansive yard, the white fences, and the enormous two-story building. It had to be a hotel. “How many bedrooms?”
“Ray . . .”
“How many?”
“Eight, and before you ask, there are five private baths. Which only means you’ll be comfortable.”
No, it meant she’d get lost trying to find her way around. She stepped away from the truck, staring around herself in shock. Behind the house were several more buildings—two enormous wooden barns, one with ten stall doors and one with twelve doors. There was a smaller shed, a sixty-foot round pen with six-foot sides, and a walk-through gate. More training areas, another building with an enormous loft, and a black walnut grove helped fill the landscape.
The house had two stories, each with a beautiful railed balcony and an abundance of sparkling windows. Stately oaks flanked each side with lush, mature landscaping, shrubs and flowers everywhere. The white brick with black shutters and shingles looked very elegant. The double front door was an aged oak with elaborately leaded sidelights and transom. Breathtaking.
And intimidating.
And now . . . open.
“Ah, here’re my grandparents.”
Ray held her breath as two elderly people emerged, the man dressed in a flannel shirt despite the heat, with suspenders and using a cane, the woman wiping her hands on a snowy, starched apron. They paused there in the sunlight.
It was like a fricking Norman Rockwell painting, complete with the homey feeling.
Shading his eyes, Eli’s grandfather visually raked Ray from head to toe, then scowled ferociously at Eli.
Her old nausea returned in one staggering wave. Ray clamped her hand over her mouth, but didn’t know where to go.
“Hold on.” Eli grabbed her arm and hustled her up the porch steps so fast that his grandparents had to scurry to get out of the way. Belatedly, he shouted, “Excuse us, please,” and Ray barely heard a woman’s softly spoken, “Oh my,” before Eli dumped her into a small guest bathroom. She fell to her knees before the toilet, hung her head, and quickly prayed for some way to disappear.
“I’ll be right outside the door,” Eli told her, giving her the privacy she badly needed.
Some minutes later, when Ray finally quit heaving, she crawled up to the cream-colored porcelain sink, splashed her face, and rinsed her mouth, then looked around for a way to escape. She did not want to face those old people again.
Unfortunately, the only window was octagonal cut glass, meant to let light in, not to let mercenaries out.
Eli tapped at the door. “Ray? Are you all right?”
Just dandy. “Unfortunately, it looks like I’ll live.”
She could hear Eli’s smile when he said through the door, “That bad, huh?” Then the door opened a crack and Eli dared to show himself. “Come on out and I’ll get you some tea.”
Ray groaned and sank back against the sink. “No way. I can’t imagine what your grandparents think.”
Ray’s eyes flared and her spine stiffened when a female voice, cool and commanding, said from behind Eli, “They think Eli hasn’t told them quite everything.”
“Uh-oh,” Ray whispered. “The fat’s in the fire now.” She would rather have faced a legion of guards in Central America than go through an inquisition with Eli’s grandparents.
Eli laughed, caught her arm, and towed her out. “I wasn’t given a chance, Gram. I didn’t know until I found her, and there wasn’t time to call. I was in a hurry to get home.”
“To check up on me, you mean,” came a grouchy male voice.
“It’s a nasty job,” Eli teased, “but someone has to keep you in line.”
Ray stared. Up close, she could see that Eli’s grandfather had enough eyebrow hair for three men. Deep, permanent creases left him in a perpetual scowl, and his watery brown eyes were direct and mean. But he stood straight and proud, and as Ray took in the sight of him, he thumped his cane on the floor, making her jump.
Eli rubbed the back of her neck. “If you’re feeling okay now, I’ll finish my introductions.”
Ray nodded. No way in hell could she smile, but she did square her shoulders and lift her chin.
“Granddad, Gram, this is Ray Vereker. Ray, my grandparents, Hank and Lily.”
“How far along are you, girl?” Hank demanded in a tone that brooked no arguments.
That particular tone prodded Ray. She narrowed her eyes and said, “I’m not a girl.”
Lily smiled. “Obviously not, since you’re carrying a baby. Still, we wo
uld like to know when to expect the birth.”
Ray didn’t know what to think. Eli stood there grinning like a half-wit, his hand still firm on her shoulder, and his grandparents were watching her expectantly. Grumbling, she admitted, “I’m about five weeks along.”
Hank groaned, making her expect the worse. Maybe now he’d throw her out, or question her character.
Instead, he said, “That’s not very far along at all. I may not make it another eight months!”
Taken aback, Ray said, “Uh . . .”
Eli shook his head. “She can’t make the baby come any earlier, so stop trying to make her feel guilty.”
Lily shushed both men. “Can’t you two see she’s ill? She needs to sit down, for heaven’s sake, and she needs something to eat.”
Ray’s stomach gave a violent lurch at the thought of food. “No, thank you. I’m not hungry.”
“Nonsense. You should nibble on dry toast or crackers whenever you feel queasy. It really helps to settle your stomach.” Lily spoke with absolute conviction and confidence. “And you should concentrate on getting a lot of small, fresh meals, rather than three large ones. I can help with that. In a month or so, the sickness will probably be gone completely.”
Ray’s heart picked up speed. “Really?” This was more information than she’d ever gotten from her condescending doctor. That fool had acted like her pregnancy was a crime against nature. She would have stopped going to him—but that would mean breaking in a new doctor, and she had no time for that.
If Lily spoke the truth, she could handle a month. It was the thought of being sick for the rest of her pregnancy that beat her down.
Lily took her arm. “The time will fly by,” she predicted. “I’ll show you to the kitchen, since Eli doesn’t seem capable of doing anything but grinning. We’ll have you chipper in no time.”
Chipper? Not likely. That wasn’t a word that had ever been applied to her.
Still, she went along willingly. Lily offered her some bread and sharp cheese, and a cup of hot, sweet tea. It didn’t sound particularly appetizing at first, but once she started, Ray ate every bite. And a moment later, she did feel much better.
Lily chatted at her while she ate, and the woman was constant motion. She’d no sooner sit down than she’d be up again to refill a cup, to offer more food, or just to fuss around. She cleaned the countertop at least three times, even though it was already clean. And she’d look out the kitchen window at a bird or a squirrel and smile.
Ray liked her. Before getting pregnant, she had detested idle time, too, so she could relate. “Your house is incredible.”
“Thank you.” Lily beamed. “It’s seen its share of repairs and additions, but we’ve been here forever. I can’t imagine any place else being home.”
Ray nodded. Instead of being the mansion she’d envisioned, it was the kind of home every young girl dreamed about. It was homey, warm, and well lived in. There was a mudroom off the kitchen, and on the floor sat several pairs of scuffed, dirty cowboy boots. Rain slickers and windbreakers covered hooks on a wall, and there were shelves lined with fresh canned goods.
Lily was telling Ray about the time the creek flooded when Lily noticed her yawning. It was only four o’clock, but to Ray, it felt much later.
“You go up and take a nap. Getting plenty of rest early on is important. I remember I slept away the first three months of each of my pregnancies.”
Ray didn’t want to go to bed. “How many children did you have?”
“Only two. Eli’s father, who sadly enough died some time ago in an automobile accident on the freeway, and a daughter, Jessica, who lives in California now with her husband.”
“Do you have other grandchildren, then?”
“Oh, no. Jessica can’t have children, though they did try for several years. And since Eli hadn’t seemed particularly interested in any one woman, we’d about given up hope of enjoying any babies. You can understand why we’re so pleased the two of you will be getting married and giving us a great-grandchild.”
Eli chose that propitious moment to saunter into the kitchen. His eyes held Ray’s as he said slowly and grievously, “The marriage part is still up in the air, Gram.”
Hank, who had followed on his heels, was instantly enraged. “What the hell do you mean, up in the air? You got her pregnant and you’re still dodging marriage?”
“Actually,” Eli said, his eyes glinting with humor, “I’m not the one doing the dodging. It’s Ray who refuses to say yes.”
All eyes turned to Ray, and for the first time in a very long time, she felt herself blush. When she got him alone, Eli was dead meat. But until then, she didn’t think his grandfather would appreciate a display of her combat abilities. And though she hated to admit it, she didn’t want these gentle, loving people to know the truth about her.
At her venomous look, Eli told them, “Ray didn’t think you would like her because she doesn’t have a ton of money.”
Ray sputtered.
“She also happens to be very independent and self-sufficient.” Eli reached over and smoothed a knuckle over Ray’s cheek. “She thought she’d have a hard time fitting in.”
Ray was overwhelmed by the response that comment generated. Hank and Lily both rushed to reassure her. They wanted her to stay—but then, they didn’t know what they were asking.
She hated deceiving them, allowing them to believe that she and Eli would make a nice little family. She hated letting them think she was an average woman with maternal skills.
Hank gave her another glare, and Ray decided it was simply his normal expression. “Where else would you go with my great-grandchild, I’d like to know?”
“It’s not that easy,” Ray admitted.
“You’re pregnant and Eli’s the father. Sounds pretty easy to me.”
Eli grinned at her. He must have known the reception she’d get—and how starved she was for acceptance. She’d given up dreams of her own family a long time ago.
At that moment, the kitchen door opened. Jeremy stood there, his hands planted on his hips, his face stony. His smile was not a pleasant thing. “Well, if it isn’t Ray Vereker. Who needs rescuing this time?”
“Jeremy.” Ray pushed back her chair and came to her feet.
He looked her over. “Hey, you’re dressed this time. But still wearing boots, I see. Army boots?”
Eli started to step forward, but Ray put her hand on his sleeve. She and Jeremy had to come to terms sooner or later. By the looks of it, he wanted it sooner—like now. “They’re not military issue, no.”
“You packing any weapons?” He grinned. “Got an Uzi hidden up your pants leg? Maybe a machete?”
He was full of the beans today, Ray noted. And he did look better, healthier than last time. Strange, but she kind of preferred him snoring.
She took a step toward him, her own smile a threat, and flexed her hands. “I don’t need a weapon, remember?”
Alarm skittered across his features until Ray laughed, then his expression darkened and he turned to his grandparents. “Is she here looking for more money?”
Eli put his arm around Ray and said, “More? She never got paid the first time.”
Ray shook her head. She’d taken off that night without the money they’d originally agreed on. To her mind, nothing had gone as planned, and she’d broken so many of her own rules she didn’t deserve pay. As far as she was concerned, nothing had changed on that score. “I don’t want it.”
“Buddy might.”
She lifted her chin. “I paid him out of my own account.”
“Ray.” Eli’s tone was chastising but not really annoyed. “That won’t do and you know it.”
“What’s all this about pay?” Hank demanded.
“She’s a hired killer,” Jeremy accused.
Ray felt her stomach sink. She could have truthfully denied the killer part, but said calmly instead, “I prefer the term ‘mercenary.’ ”
Hank and Lily went wide-eyed.
“Whatever you call it,” Jeremy said, “it doesn’t change who you are.”
“No,” Ray agreed, “it doesn’t.”
That admission didn’t appease Jeremy. “You still live and fight like a man.”
“Better than a man, actually.” In for a penny . . . “Which is how I saved your sorry butt.”
“Saved me?” Jeremy laughed. “Yeah, right. You knew the guys who took me, and it was your friend who poisoned me.” He shook his head, his look calculating. “I’ve thought about it, and I’m not so sure you weren’t in on the kidnapping all along.”
Chapter Thirteen
Eli immediately stepped in front of Ray, blocking her with his body. He could feel her tension, and he already knew her mood was volatile, thanks to the added pressures of impending motherhood. No telling what she might do.
His grandfather seemed genuinely annoyed now with the way things were going. “I don’t know what all this is about mercenaries and money, but do you really think you have to protect her from your own brother?”
“Protect Ray?” Eli laughed. “Actually, I was hoping to protect Jeremy. He doesn’t seem to have too much sense these days.”
To his relief, Ray sighed. “For God’s sake, Eli. I won’t hurt your baby brother. I already told you he wasn’t worth the effort.”
Eli wasn’t quite convinced. He turned slightly to confront her.
And almost missed Matt’s arrival.
Chaos exploded as Matt stepped in carrying a large load. He “accidentally” rammed into Jeremy, sending him into a sprawl across the hardwood floor, and seconds later Precious was on him, grabbing him by the hem of his shirt and jerking about ferociously in a maddened frenzy. Matt raised one brow and said politely, “Oh. Excuse me. I didn’t see you standing there.”
Eli supposed Matt had overheard Jeremy’s opinion of Ray. He reached down and snatched up Precious, patting the dog absently until it wagged his tail and licked Eli’s face.
“Gram, Granddad, this is Ray’s brother, Matt.”
Jeremy scrambled to his feet, a little astounded by that disclosure.