by Leanne Banks
"We'll see," he said, glancing at his watch. "Can I get you anything to drink or eat?"
She still didn't feel like eating, but knew she had to eat for the baby. "Maybe just a little chicken noodle soup and some crackers."
He nodded. "Done." She watched him punch the intercom button and give the housekeeper the order. Just as he finished, a knock sounded at the door. Abe opened the door. "Dr. Bernard. You're here in record time."
"You sounded worried," said the sixty-plus-year-old man with a gray mustache and kind face. He glanced in Nicola's direction. "What seems to be the problem?"
"She fainted dead away while we were toasting Marc and Dana. She says she hasn't eaten much and her stomach hasn't felt well for several days."
The doctor sat on the bed next to her. "Do you mind?" he asked, putting his fingers on her wrist and looking at his watch.
"Not at all," Nicola said. "But I didn't faint dead away. I just got dizzy and blacked out for less than a second."
"Let me check your blood pressure," Dr. Bernard said.
"She would have fallen to the floor if I hadn't caught her," Abe said. "Could've ended up with a concussion."
"There you go. Exaggerating again," Nicola retorted.
"You didn't see how pale you were," Abe said.
"Abe, leave the room. You're disturbing the patient."
Abe's jaw dropped in surprise. Nicola stifled the urge to laugh. Abe was accustomed to giving orders, not taking them.
"I mean it, Abe. I need to examine Miss Granville without distraction and your presence is affecting her blood pressure."
Abe opened his mouth then shut it. His eyes lit with a sliver of amusement. "Good to know I affect her blood pressure."
The doctor chuckled as Abe walked out the door. "What a rascal. I hope you know what you're in for."
"What do you mean?" Nicola asked.
"I mean Abe Danforth usually gets what he wants and it looks like you are what he wants. Tell me a little more about these symptoms. You look a little pale. Did you drink alcohol on an empty stomach?"
"Half a sip. I'm not a big drinker. I'll be fine. This is temporary."
Dr. Bernard studied her face over his glasses. "You sound awfully confident. How long have you been nauseated?"
"Off and on for a couple of weeks, but it doesn't last long."
He frowned. "We could do a couple of blood tests—"
"Not necessary. I just had a checkup and I'm fine," she insisted, wishing the good doctor wasn't quite so thorough.
"Hmm," he said, lifting her chin and studying her. "Have you been running a fever?"
She shook her head. "No. See? Nothing serious. Abe is just overreacting."
"Overprotective," Dr. Bernard corrected. "He's always been big on protecting what's important to him." He cleared his throat. "There are several causes of nausea. Have you had a pregnancy test?"
Nicola blinked, a denial stuck in her throat. "If you have taken a pregnancy test and it was positive, then you need to make sure you're eating well for your nutrition and the baby's."
Nicola bit her lip in panic. What if Dr. Bernard told Abe… She just wasn't ready to deal with Abe's response, whatever it might be.
Dr. Bernard touched her palms which had grown damp. "Have you told the baby's father?"
Unable to lie, Nicola gave a minute shake of her head. "Please don't tell him."
Dr. Bernard nodded. "I won't, but you should," he said, rising from the bed. "Are you taking your vitamins?"
"Absolutely," she said, sagging in relief.
"Good. Stay hydrated and eat when you can. Rest when you can't eat. Don't wait too long to tell Abe. These things have a way of getting out."
Nicola nodded. Good advice, she thought, but how?
* * *
Abe insisted Nicola stay the night and joined her in her room while they watched Jimmy Stewart in It's A Wonderful Life, and she sipped chicken noodle soup.
"Another bite," he encouraged.
She smiled and shook her head. "What are you going to do next? Pretend my spoon is an airplane and fly it into my mouth?"
"If it'll work," he said and took the spoon from her. "Open the hangar so the plane can fly inside."
Nicola laughed and he fed her a spoonful of soup. "You make me feel like a five-year-old."
"Trust me. You don't feel like a five-year-old to me," he said, his eyes dark and sensual.
Nicola's pulse picked up at his expression. "I wonder, if you hadn't been busy conquering the world, what you would have been like as a father."
Abe's smile fell. "I'd like to think I would have done things differently."
Her heart raced. Was this the right moment? "If you had the chance now, do you think you would?"
His eyes widened. "Have a child now?" He chuckled in disbelief. "I'm old enough for grandchildren. I don't have any business having more children. I'll just hope that my children will allow me to enjoy my grandchildren every now and then." He paused and glanced at her. "What about you? I've always gotten the impression you've been as focused on your career as I have. No time for kids. Any regrets?"
"I don't know anyone who doesn't have regrets," she hedged, backing off because the moment didn't feel quite so right after all. "But you're right. I've been so busy with my career that I haven't had time to think about having children."
"Feel your clock ticking?" he asked.
She swallowed nervous laughter. "Not lately."
"What about marriage? I haven't met a woman yet who hasn't dreamed of white lace and the perfect groom at some time in her life."
A bittersweet memory stole across her mind. She'd been deeply infatuated with her high school sweetheart and had been so sure they would marry. She'd been so wrong. "That was a long time ago for me. There's no such thing as the perfect groom. I've learned that men can cause complications. They can bail at the worst possible moment. Better not to depend on them."
"Sounds like you had a rough experience," he said quietly.
"Most people have been bumped around a little romantically speaking by the time they get out of college. Maybe you wouldn't know because you always got the girl," she teased. "Although I thought I heard you once say you worked hard to win your wife." She made a tsking sound. "Always had to have a challenge."
He tossed her a sideways glance and groaned. "I hope I've grown a little since then. You're right. My wife was the debutante of the season. At least three of us were competing for her. The day she said yes I felt like I'd won an endurance contest."
"Why do you think she said yes?"
He turned serious and looked away, narrowing his eyes. "Truth?"
She nodded.
"I think she wanted Crofthaven."
His response shocked her. "Oh, it had to be more than that. I'm sure she was in love with you."
Abe shrugged. "We were both very young, and selfish the way young people can be. She was my prize and Crofthaven was her palace." He met her gaze. "Neither of us ended up being happy. My marriage doesn't provide a great recommendation for romantic relationships."
"That depends," Nicola said.
"On what?"
"On whether you learned anything from it," she said. "And if you've changed."
He lifted his hand to her cheek. "And what have you learned from your experiences with men?"
"Not to count on them," she said. "And not to let them take over my life."
"Committed to your independence," he mused.
She had been. Until now, she thought, putting a hand over her womb and thinking of the baby.
Abe covered her hand with his. "Stomach still upset?"
She shook her head and met his gaze. "No. I think I must have been running on pure adrenaline during those last weeks of the campaign. My body's just reacting to the letdown." With Abe close to her and his hand on hers, she felt oddly vulnerable and protected at the same time. She bit her lip.
"We've spent almost the entire past year together and I feel like I barely kno
w you," Abe said.
"We were busy with strategies and politics. We didn't have time."
He nodded. "We have time now, though, Nic."
Not much, she thought, her stomach drawing into a knot. Not much time at all.
* * *
Just two nights later after the rehearsal dinner for Adam and Selene's wedding, Abe invited the men into his study for a shot of excellent Scotch before his sons and a few of Adam's friends took off for Adam's last night as a bachelor.
Adam was reluctant. "If you guys get me in trouble with Selene, I promise to make your life a living hell."
Ian grinned. "Go ahead and try, bro. You don't have anything to worry about. We have women we have to answer to, too."
Adam shook his head. "I'd rather try to get a few more quiet moments with Selene before chaos hits tomorrow."
"Chaos has already hit, my man," Ian said. "The women are hitting the town tonight, too."
Adam's eyes widened. "They're taking Selene out? I thought she was going home so she'd get plenty of rest for tomorrow."
"She probably thought that, too," Ian said and chuckled. "But I have it on good authority that she's being kidnapped and taken to a place where half-naked men dance and serve drinks."
Abe couldn't withhold a laugh at the sick expression on Adam's face. He clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. Selene's just as crazy for you as you are for her. I'm sure they won't let her get too wild."
Adam tossed back his Scotch. "This is great," he said, disgusted. "Just great."
"I'm sure your comrades will help you forget your worries." Abe lifted his glass and spoke from his heart and sadder, but wiser experience. "To Adam, a great brother and friend, a son I'm tremendously proud of. Cherish your wife and love her well. Stay by her side and you'll both be happy."
He looked at each of his sons and saw one more millimeter of acceptance in their eyes. They nodded and murmured in agreement then downed their whiskey.
"Time to hit the road, Adam," his other brother Reid said.
"Okay, okay," Adam said and lowered his voice as he spoke to Abe. "Thanks. Better stay on your toes yourself, Dad. I think I overheard Jasmine saying she wanted to set up Nicola with some guy she interviewed for a story."
Abe's mouth suddenly tasted bitter. Jasmine was married to Wes Brooks, a longtime family friend. "With friends like these…" Abe muttered.
* * *
Seven
« ^ »
The following day Abe watched Adam kiss his bride after the minister pronounced them man and wife. At the reception, Abe toasted the couple and watched them lead the first dance. An odd emotion twisted in his chest as the music and the crowd swam around him in the beautifully decorated ballroom.
He remembered the day Adam had been born. Abe hadn't even been in the country. When Abe had returned and held his tiny son in his arms, he'd felt proud and humbled by the responsibility. He'd always wanted his children to have every advantage. He'd wanted his children to be proud of their father.
Regret burned in his stomach. He absently rubbed at his gut and caught a whiff of a familiar spicy perfume. Nicola. Standing beside him, she smiled, and something inside him eased.
"How's the father of the groom doing?" she asked.
"This is a little tougher than I anticipated," he said, adjusting his tie.
"A little choked up?" she asked, her eyes gentle.
"Yeah." The fragrance of the mounds of red and white roses throughout the room got to him. He shook his head. "I need some air. Join me?"
She hesitated only a second then nodded. "Sure."
He led her onto the screened terrace of the hotel's ballroom, welcoming the chilly blast of air. Catching her take a quick breath, he pulled off his jacket. "Here, take this."
"I'm fine," she protested, but pulled his jacket around her. "But this does feel nice and warm." She put her hand on his arm. "Are you okay?"
He shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded. "Just thinking about how many years passed that I wasn't there for them."
Nicola was quiet for a moment and the strains of a romantic melody playing inside the ballroom filtered onto the terrace. "I know it hurts," Nicola said. "You can think about what you've missed or make the best of the present and future."
"You're awfully wise for such a young woman," he said, looking into her eyes. The more he was with her, the more he wanted to be with her.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not that young."
He reached for her and pulled her against him. "Now that's pure hogwash," he said, swaying to the music.
She tried not to smile, but failed. "There's no such thing as pure hogwash, and are you dancing with me?"
He nodded. "Just following your advice. You said I should make the best of the present and the future. I'm on a terrace alone with a woman who takes my breath away. I'm making the best of the present."
She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against his chin. "You shouldn't say those things."
"Why not? They're true. You know me. Honest Abe, the last honest politician in America."
"I don't believe I take your breath away," she said.
"Then you haven't been paying attention." He brushed his mouth over the top of her head and wondered how he was going to convince Nicola to come to D.C. with him.
The evening wore on and the time arrived for the tossing of the bouquet. Abe watched the wild jockeying for position. He spotted Jasmine trying to drag Nicola into the fray, but Nic kept shaking her head. He stepped closer to hear what they were saying.
"C'mon, Nicola, be a good sport. We've got just about everyone else hooked up. Why not you?"
"Because I'm strictly single. I'm not getting married."
"Why not?" Jasmine asked, still trying to coax Nicola to the bouquet-catching group.
"Because men aren't worth the hassle."
"You just haven't met the right one," Jasmine continued.
"I've met all the right ones and they're still not right for me," Nicola said.
"But—"
The bouquet went sailing through the air and landed at Nicola's feet. Wearing a look of exasperation, she gave the bouquet a gentle shove with her foot. "Live bouquet," she called. "Better grab it before the referee calls it dead."
A melee of women diving for the bouquet ensued with Nic scrambling to get out of the way. Abe's brother, Harold, stepped beside him and chuckled. "I always thought there was something primitive about that bouquet tossing. The tossing part is okay. It's the catching that looks—"
"—like a train wreck," Abe said, wondering how many stockings would be ruined, how many fingernails left on the floor. A smiling woman with her hair mussed and a smudge on her face finally stood and lifted the bouquet up high as if it was a trophy.
"Do you think they really believe it?" Abe asked.
"I think it's like fate giving you an extra boost. And look at Nicola, standing back from it all as if she wants nothing to do with it, the bouquet or the wedding."
"Sure looks that way," Abe said, the notion bothering him for some reason he couldn't name. He'd prefer she be at least open to the idea of marriage. For her it was clearly a closed subject.
"This reminds me of how hard you chased Chloe. She was the one everyone wanted and you got her."
Abe nodded. "She was the only woman I ever courted."
"You haven't had to since then. They come to you."
Not the one he wanted. He watched Nicola smiling and shaking her head, and it hit him. If he wanted Nicola, he was going to have to court her. In order to court her, he would need to know her favorites. His first wife, Chloe, had practically broadcasted her favorites, so that her boyfriends always knew to bring her red roses and fine milk chocolates.
Abe only knew a few of Nicola's favorites—her favorite white wine, which she hadn't been drinking lately, steak prepared medium, herbal tea, crackers and Skittles when she was nervous. She wore clothes that celebrated her womanly shape and favored soft blankets and comfortab
le furnishings.
If he had more information, he could use a more targeted approach. Instead, he would have to use the spaghetti-toss method. Throw the spaghetti and see what sticks.
* * *
"I've been given two tickets to The Nutcracker. Come with me," he said the following afternoon.
She glanced up from the list she'd been compiling. "Was that an invitation or an order?"
"An invitation, of course. Would you like that?"
"I'm not big on ballet, but I've always wanted to see The Nutcracker live. It will put me in the Christmas spirit."
"Speaking of Christmas, you do plan to join us at Crofthaven, don't you? We're all expecting you."
"I don't know. I was thinking I might have a quiet Christmas this year."
"Can I join you?" he asked in a conspiratorial voice.
Nicola chuckled. "You can't mean that."
"Yes, I can," Abe said. "You wouldn't mind if I stayed with you for a few nights, would you? You could just think of it as rescuing me."
Nicola laughed again. "You're nuts. And I have a hard time believing you need to be rescued from anything."
He moved closer and crouched down in front of her. "There's this woman who is driving me crazy. I think I'm going to need some help to get through to her."
She bit her lip and her eyes darkened. "What do you want from this woman?"
"Not much," he said, sliding his hand over her knee. "Just every minute of every day, her undivided attention, her mind, body and heart."
Nicola's eyes widened. "You don't ask for much, do you? What are you offering in return? Can you offer every minute of every day, your undivided attention, your mind, body and heart?"
Abe fell silent. The woman had a point. He was asking for a helluva lot. Exactly what was he willing to give in return? "Good question. You've always been too intelligent."
"Abe, haven't you heard not to ask for what you're not willing to give?"
"Yes, I have, but I've never applied it to romantic relationships. I never batted an eye going into life-threatening situations with fellow SEALs because I knew I would give up my life if necessary and they would do the same."