His smile warmed her from head to toe as he greeted her. She slid into the passenger seat and wondered if it was so wrong that just being around him brought her pleasure. That being in his presence made her feel strangely safe and secure. Surely it wasn’t wrong to feel that way about a man who would be in her children’s lives? In fact, it had to be good that she felt that way about him.
“How was your day yesterday?” he asked, once they were on the road.
“It was good. I had lunch with a couple of coworkers.” She told him about Chad and Danny and how they had helped her so much, especially during the past couple months. She told him about them being responsible for the shower that had taken place at work and how they checked in with her often to make sure she was doing okay.
“I’d like to meet them. I definitely appreciate everything they did for you while I wasn’t around,” he replied. He cast her a quick glance. “Maybe they have a crush on you.”
“What on earth would make you think they have a crush on me?”
“You are a very attractive woman, Avery.”
She laughed. “Thanks, but no way. Chad is divorced and has become the biggest womanizer you ever want to meet. He likes his women blonde and dumb. He would never have any kind of a crush on me. I probably remind him of his ex-wife, and he hates her.”
“And what about this Danny?” Dallas asked.
She started to reply with a firm “no way,” but instead took a minute to think about the sweet, shy, dark-haired man. “I suppose it is possible Danny might have a little crush on me, but I’ve never done anything to encourage him and he’s never spoken to me about it. He’s so shy it’s hard to know what he’s feeling about much of anything.”
“It’s really none of my business. I was just curious,” he replied. “I like to know about anyone who is going to be in the twins’ lives.”
“I understand that and I feel the same way about wanting to know who is going to be around when they are at your place,” she replied.
For the rest of the ride to the doctor’s office they spoke about the weather and other inconsequential things. She was just grateful that Dallas displayed none of the quiet, closed-off man she’d seen at the end of their time together on Saturday evening.
She still didn’t know what had happened that night and wondered if he was just a moody kind of man. It was a reminder that there was still a lot to learn about each other.
By the time they reached Dr. Julia Sanders’s office, excitement about her appointment began to bubble inside her. She knew the doctor would be doing an ultrasound and Avery was always eager to see pictures of her babies. It was also exciting that for the first time she wouldn’t be experiencing it all alone.
She couldn’t begin to count the minutes she had sat in the waiting room amid happy couples sharing the experience.
Today she was finally with the father of her children, and for the first time since she’d been coming to the office, they were the only ones in the waiting room.
Dallas stood right behind her as she checked in at the receptionist’s desk, then they took seats side by side to wait to be called back to the examining rooms.
“Do you like the doctor?” Dallas asked softly.
“I love her. She’s relatively new to town and I’ve been so impressed with her I’ve recommended her to several of my friends and coworkers. I not only like her, but I trust her.”
“That’s good,” he replied. “I would assume it’s important for a pregnant woman to trust her doctor.”
“I think it’s important for anyone to like and trust their doctor,” she replied.
“You said she’s new to town. Where does she come from?” he asked.
“She’s originally from Whisperwood but went to medical school in Kansas City. She had a thriving practice there, but when her parents got ill a year ago she moved back here.”
Before they could say anything else, the nurse called her name. Once in the examining room Dallas sat on a chair in the corner while Avery sat on the edge of the padded table.
The nurse, Jennifer Malkin, took Avery’s blood pressure, her temperature and her pulse. After charting the results, she told them the doctor would be in soon and then left the room.
“It’s a good thing she didn’t take my blood pressure because I’m sure it isn’t normal right now,” Dallas said.
Avery smiled at him. “So, you’re excited to be here?”
“Nervous...excited...anxious...” His voice drifted off and he changed positions in the plastic chair.
At that moment Dr. Sanders walked in. Her gray-blonde hair was cut in a pixie style that emphasized her big blue eyes and delicate features.
Avery introduced Dallas and the doctor greeted him with a delighted smile. “So, Daddy is finally here. Do you plan on being in the delivery room when these precious babies make their debuts?”
He shot a panicked look at Avery. “Uh...we haven’t really talked about that yet.”
“Really?” The doctor looked at them both in surprise. “Well, it’s something you should probably decide fairly soon. Before you know it these babies are going to make their appearance.”
For the next few minutes Dr. Sanders asked Avery questions about her general health. Once the inquiries were over she asked her to lie on the examining bed. “Now, let’s get a look and a listen of those babies.”
The nurse came in to assist, and helped Avery lift the navy blouse she was wearing to the bottom of her bra and then push her pants down low enough to bare her belly. Even though nothing really private was showing, Avery was suddenly shy, with Dallas in the room and her belly completely exposed.
“Come on, Daddy. Pull that chair up here next to your woman,” Dr. Sanders instructed. “Surely you want to get a good view of these babies you created.”
Dallas moved his chair to Avery’s side and offered her what appeared to be an awkward smile. And that smile made his presence next to her something wonderful.
“Let’s take a listen first.” The doctor placed a special stethoscope on Avery’s stomach and instantly the sound of a heartbeat could be heard. “Ah, there’s mama’s heartbeat, nice and strong. Let’s see what else we can find in here.” She moved the instrument around and suddenly two more heartbeats could be heard. “There they are...”
Avery looked at Dallas. His eyes were wide, and he grinned. “And they sound okay?” he asked.
“They sound exactly like they are supposed to, nice and healthy,” Dr. Sanders replied. She took off the stethoscope and squirted some warm gel on Avery’s stomach. “Now, let’s take a peek.”
She began to move the wand around on Avery’s bulging belly and all three of them looked at the screen on the machine.
Dallas gasped as the image of two little beings appeared. The little boy was curled around the little girl, as if already showing himself to be a protective brother. The sweet baby girl was sucking her thumb. Dallas grabbed Avery’s hand and a well of emotion surged inside her chest.
For just a moment she felt a closeness with him that even transcended the night they had made love. For just a brief, crazy moment she wished he was in love with her and they would go home together and plan their life as a family.
With his hand tightly clasped around hers as they looked at the children they had made, she wanted him to be in her life not just as her babies’ father, but also as the man who loved her.
* * *
As Dallas heard the two little heartbeats fill the air and saw the picture of the two babies, his heart expanded to a capacity so great he couldn’t speak. Tears blurred his vision as he stared at the screen where the twins appeared.
They were his children and he already loved them more than he’d ever loved another soul in his entire life. He’d never known he could love like this.
He was determined to be the very best man he could be for them. He
would protect them from any and all danger, and he would be the absolute best father he knew how to be.
He released Avery’s hand and smiled at her. He would always care for Avery, because she was the mother of his children. But if there ever came a time when he believed she was doing something that wasn’t in their best interest, then he would fight her tooth and nail.
Minutes later he and Avery walked out of the doctor’s office. He now had a photo of the twins in his pocket and the assurance from the doctor that the babies appeared to be doing well. Dallas was feeling on top of the world.
“I think we need to do something to celebrate,” he said, once they were in his truck.
“What do you have in mind?” she asked.
“Ice cream. What do you think about going to Edwards’s Ice Cream Parlor and indulging in a big sundae or cone?”
She laughed. “Oh, Dallas, you’re definitely speaking my language.”
“All right then.” He started the truck and headed to Main Street, where the small shop sold ice cream in dozens of flavors.
“I’m so glad the doctor said that Hansel and Gretel are thriving and doing well,” he said, knowing it would make her laugh. And it did.
He enjoyed the sound of her musical laughter. At the moment he felt as if he would enjoy anything she said or did. And she’d never looked more beautiful.
She was wearing a navy blouse with a light blue stripe down the sides, and navy slacks. Her hair glittered with the sunshine that drifted through the truck window. He knew he was riding an emotional high after seeing the images of his babies thriving in her stomach. And that high made her the most beautiful and enchanting creature on the face of the earth.
“Do you really think I’m going to be good with burdening the children with names like Hansel and Gretel?” she asked. “Besides, didn’t they end up in a witch’s oven?”
“I really don’t remember my fairy tales very well. It was just a thought,” he said teasingly. “And it’s definitely better than Fred and Ethel.”
“I agree, but I think you need to keep on thinking,” she replied, and laughed once again.
They arrived at Edward’s and together entered the store, which sported a long counter, high parlor tables and chairs, and pink-and-white-striped wallpaper.
“Order whatever you want,” he said to her. “Be as self-indulgent as you want to be.”
“Trust me, put me in an ice cream shop and I can be very, very self-indulgent.”
Walt Edwards greeted them with a cheerful smile. “You two look like a couple of ice cream lovers to me.”
“You’ve got that right,” Dallas replied. “She needs enough ice cream for three.”
Walt’s bushy eyebrows danced upward as he looked at Avery. “Ah, twins! What a blessing for the two of you.”
“Yes, it is,” Dallas agreed.
“What can I get for you?” he asked Avery.
“I’d like a hot fudge sundae with extra hot fudge and whipped cream,” she replied, and then looked sheepishly at Dallas. “You said for me to indulge.”
He grinned reassuringly at her. “Go for it.”
She turned back to Walt. “Okay, then add sprinkles...lots and lots of sprinkles.”
“You got it,” Walt replied.
“And I’ll have a banana split,” Dallas said.
“Have a seat at one of the tables and I’ll bring them out to you,” Walt replied.
They chose a table near the window and settled in, and within minutes had their ice cream concoctions in front of them.
She took a bite of hers and moaned deep in the back of her throat. A sudden, sharp, sexual desire spiked through Dallas. She’d made that same sound when he’d made love to her.
Suddenly his mind was filled with memories of that night. Her skin had been so soft and her body so welcoming. Her lips had been hot and eager beneath his. They had moved together as if they’d been lovers for years and knew from long practice what the other needed to heighten the pleasure.
He stared down at his ice cream as the erotic memories continued to race through his brain. He was shocked to realize he wouldn’t mind going there again with her. Not that he would... That would be unfair to her because he had no interest in having any kind of long-term romantic relationship with her other than as a coparent.
“Dallas?”
Her voice pulled him from his thoughts and he looked up at her. She gave him an uncertain smile. “Is everything okay?”
He realized he’d been lost in his own head for several minutes. She’d eaten half her sundae, while his banana split was melting into a puddle of goo in front of him.
“Sorry,” he said, and smiled. “I guess I got caught up in trying to think of alternatives to Hansel and Gretel.”
“We still have plenty of time to settle on the absolute perfect names for them,” she replied.
“I still can’t get over being able to see them.”
She nodded. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I’m just so grateful they are both about the same size. Dr. Sanders said sometimes with twins one is larger than the other and takes more of the nutrition.”
“Then it’s good to know they’re already sharing nicely,” he replied.
She stirred her spoon through the last of her ice cream. “I know you’ve set up a nursery in the cabin, but I’ll be honest with you...” She paused and stared down at the table, as if afraid to say what was on her mind.
“What, Avery? You’ll be honest with me about what?” A faint tension filled his chest. Was she going to tell him he couldn’t have the twins at his place? That certainly was going to cause a major issue between them.
She gazed at him once again. “I’d like to have the babies full-time at my house for the first eight weeks or so. I want to work out a reasonable custody plan with you,” she hurriedly added. “I just hate to have them taken out in those first weeks.”
“Actually, I agree with you about that,” he replied with relief. “As long as I can come over and spend time with them in those first few weeks, I’m good with them being at your house.”
She visibly relaxed. “Thank you. I just don’t like the idea of them being shuttled back and forth between your house and mine as newborns. And of course during that time you’ll be welcome to spend as much time at my place as you want.”
“Thanks. I’m glad we’re definitely on the same page with that,” he agreed.
She offered him a wide smile. “I like it when we’re on the same page about things.”
“Me, too.”
They finished their ice cream and got into his truck to head back to her house. “You want to come in for a cup of coffee?” she asked, when he pulled up in the driveway.
“That sounds good.” It had been such a wonderful day, starting with the ultrasound. He was reluctant to see it all come to an end.
Lulu greeted them as they walked in, dancing around their feet and barking her happiness. Dallas laughed and picked up the wiggling ball of black fur.
“How is this little princess going to cope with Mommy having two new babies in the house?” he asked.
“She’ll be fine,” she replied as she led him into the kitchen. “She has been around some of my friends’ babies and she loves them. I don’t see any problems looming with Lulu and the new kids in the house.”
He set Lulu on the floor and she immediately disappeared out the doggie door. Dallas sat in one of the chairs at the table while Avery made him a cup of coffee and herself a cup of tea.
He was pleased that he was feeling so much at ease with Avery. There was still a lot they had to learn about each other, but so far things were going wonderfully well and he felt optimistic about the future.
“I forgot to tell you, I did some research and I have two names for you,” she said. “I’ll give them to you before you leave.”
Just that quickly he had murder on his mind. God, he wished something would break on the mummy murders. “Thanks, I appreciate any help I can get.”
“How many men do you have on your list so far?”
“Your two names make ten. We’ve already given the others to Chief Thompson.” He frowned. “Going back in time to try to find people stationed in the area forty years ago is more difficult than I thought it would be.”
“And you’re sure that one of those soldiers is the killer?”
“No, I’m not sure of anything, but there’s got to be a reason those army buttons were found next to Patrice’s body.”
“What does Chief Thompson think about all this?” she asked.
Dallas felt the frown deepen across his forehead. “He thinks the killer from forty years ago is possibly active again.” Dallas, along with his brother Forrest, had been trying to aid the overworked chief.
Archer Thompson had his hands full, not only with running the department and dealing with other crimes, but also now trying to investigate murders that were both heinous and seemingly inexplicable.
“But didn’t Elliot Corgan go to prison for those murders that happened forty years ago?”
“Yeah, and then he hanged himself in his cell, and there was a lot of speculation that he might have been helped along to his death,” Dallas said.
“But why after all this time would the killer start up again?”
“That is the million-dollar question,” he replied drily. “All I know is I intend to keep digging into finding anyone who can potentially be put on our suspect list. But I don’t want you thinking about murder right now.”
“Dallas, I’m not some delicate flower,” she scoffed. “I like to think of myself as a tough district attorney. Murder is a part of my world, along with drug dealing and other criminal activity.”
“For the next six weeks, until you deliver, I’d like you to treat yourself like you are a delicate flower,” he replied. “I want you to only think happy thoughts and translate those to our babies.” It felt odd yet wonderful to say those words out loud: our babies.
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