Oh, Baby! (The Townsends Book 2)

by Angie Campbell

  “Thank you for not letting me fall. Would you put me down, please?” She was trying to give him her best ice queen imitation, but she was shaking too much, and he could hear it in her voice. Besides, he knew way too much to ever think of her as an ice queen. The woman was more than hot. The memories had been making him crazy. Now he was groaning, and he was going to have to kiss her despite the fact that he was trying to give her space, like she had asked for.

  She seen it coming and tried to protest, but it came out really weak. “James, don’t.” The second his mouth touched hers, her lips parted. She couldn’t stop him. Denying him a kiss was like trying not to breathe. All it was going to do was cause her pain.

  He knew he was going to have to stop. He was close to throwing her back up in the truck seat, and crawling in with her. He wasn’t sure there would be enough room for them to make love on the bench seat of his truck. Between her being as far along as she was and him being so big, it would probably be nearly impossible, but he sure would be willing to try.

  By the time he finally managed to pull back, she was gasping for air, and ended up laying her head against his shoulder trying to catch her breath.

  He turned and sat her back down on the ground, shaking himself. There was a right place, and a wrong place for everything, and this was the wrong place for what he was wanting to do. “Come on, let’s go in.”

  He wasn’t going to be able to take much more of this. He was starting to feel like he needed to try and tell her he loved her, and pray for the best. He felt like he was living in limbo, and it was driving him insane.

  He waited for her to head for the door, and took a deep breath, then followed after her.

  They were standing over in the produce section, picking out tomatoes when someone walked up behind him and ran a finger across his shoulder. He knew without looking who it was. She had been trying to get him in bed with her since high school. That hadn’t changed since she had found out Lisa was pregnant. If anything, it had gotten worse. He wasn’t even slightly tempted, but it was starting to get really annoying.

  “Bridget, what do you want?” He must have gotten ruder than he thought, because Lisa turned and gave him a questioning look.

  “Oh, come on, James. You know what I want,” Bridget said, her voice dripping sugar. She had either missed his tone, or decided to ignore it. James was starting to think the woman was truly slow in the head.

  “The answer is still no.” He didn’t even bother to turn and look at her.

  “Seriously, are you still waiting on this one?” Bridget asked, curling her nose up in disgust.

  Lisa gave her a dirty look and walked over to get carrots and leaf lettuce. She figured the best thing to do was ignore her.

  “You know, Bridget, I would rather sit around waiting on her, then date you. She’s the only one I want.”

  Lisa couldn’t help but laugh. She was walking back over with the carrots and lettuce to toss in the cart when she noticed how angry Bridget had become. Knowing James, this was probably the first time in all these years he had actually come that close to insulting her. And he was being rude to boot. Besides, he had just said she was the only one he wanted. It wasn’t I love you, but it was close.

  “I don’t get it. I realize she was most likely your first,” Bridget said, shaking her head, like she just didn’t understand that at all. “But I would think, once you got a taste for it, you would be wanting more. Unless she just wasn’t that good.” Now she looked like she was about to laugh. “But apparently, she doesn’t even want you.”

  Lisa saw James start to say something. She should have let him deal with her, but she opened her mouth, and was almost yelling at the top of her lungs. “For your information, you little... Oh, there are no words to truly describe how vile you are. But if I didn’t want him, I would hardly be carrying his child, now would I. And if you don’t back off, after this baby is born, I’m coming after you with a baseball bat. He’s mine, and you best not forget that.” That said, Lisa pushed her cart to the registers without looking back.

  James and Bridget both stood there with their mouths hanging open. When they finally recovered, Bridget stormed off in a huff, and James followed Lisa with a big cheesy grin. She had just made his night. Probably his year.

  When James caught up to Lisa, he was still grinning. He couldn’t help himself. She just looked at him with a sour look on her face. This just made him laugh. “Don’t. Not a word,” she said, almost growling.

  They were standing in line at the register when Joe, the store owner, walked by. “Hey, you two. Are you two getting married yet? Please, tell me this big guy has figured it out.”

  He scrunched up his nose, not sure if he was angry or just perplexed. “I know I’ve asked this before, but does everybody know what you want, except me?”

  Joe just laughed. “I guess that answers my question. Sorry, Lisa. You know, he’s a smart guy. He just over thinks everything. He’ll figure it out. Just hang in there,” he said as he walked off, shaking his head.

  “Yeah, and I’ve heard that from everyone, too.” Now he really was irritated.

  *******

  By the time they had reached Carl and Jamie’s, he had forgotten about Joe. He was thinking about what she had told Bridget again. This time when he stopped the truck, she let him get to her door before she opened it. When he went to help her out, she didn’t fight him. He figured she didn’t want to take a chance of falling out this time. He pulled her up against him, with her feet still on the nerf bar. “So, Tiger, you want me, huh?”

  She just snorted. “Obviously. Why would you need to ask?” She had decided honesty would be better. It might even help.

  She stood there for a few minutes, wondering if she should even ask him this, but she really needed to know. “Can I ask you something?”

  He could tell by her tone, something was bothering her. “Of course, Tiger. What’s wrong?”

  “Something Bridget said.”

  “You shouldn’t let Bridget bother you. She’s an idiot.”

  “Please, James, just listen.” She sounded like she was in pain, and it caused him to frown.

  “Okay.”

  “That night we...” Her eyes dropped to a spot on his chest. She couldn’t look him in the eyes and ask him this. “Well, the night we spent together, was the most amazing night of my life. It was more wonderful than I could have imagined. I was wondering if you felt the same way, or if it was more to me than it was you.”

  “Lisa, do you really have to ask me that?” When he called her by her given name instead of Tiger, it caused her head to pop up, and she stood there staring him in the eyes. “She doesn’t know anything. Don’t ever pay any attention to her.” He cupped her head in his hands, and looked her in the eyes. “It was so amazing, there are no words. I could never dream of being with someone else like that. It would never be the same. You’re the only one I want. And you’ll always be the only one I want.”

  He stood there looking at her, thinking about telling her he loved her, but he still couldn’t do it. He was still too afraid it was just his wishful thinking, and he let the fear win again. “Are you okay now?”

  “Yeah, I’m much better.” She decided there was no way she could keep up with the keeping space between them. It was just making both of them miserable. So before asking him to put her down, she leaned over and kissed him.

  It was several seconds before she managed to pull back, and she could feel the reluctance in him when she did. “James, we really need to go in. I’m getting cold. Can you put me down?”

  *******

  She knew she had screwed up. He had been relentless the last few weeks, but she knew he was about to get ten times worse. She wasn’t sure why, but something had just short circuited her brain. She would never have gone off on Bridget like that normally, but to blurt out so openly that she wanted him in the middle of the store like that. She was obviously losing her mind. It had to be a combination of stress and pregnancy hormo
nes.

  She had already rinsed the vegetables and was cutting them up for salad, and she had her back to the door to the living room. She was in her own little world, and giving herself an internal lecture. She hadn’t realized the room had gone completely quiet. If she had, she would have been on the alert.

  He walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, placing his hands on her rounded belly, and pulled her up against him. “You do realize I’m going to drive you crazy now. You’re going to see me every day. You’re going to see me in your dreams at night.”

  “I already do.” She groaned, “Dang it! I have no control over my mouth right now. I think I’m turning into Hannah. It’s like my brain and mouth are no longer working in unison.”

  He sucked in a sharp breath. He was wondering if she had really said that, or if it was wishful thinking on his part. “Tiger, I wish you’d tell me what it is I’m doing wrong.”

  “You’re not doing anything wrong. There’s just something you’re not doing.”

  “What is it? I’ll do it. I promise.” He was nearly begging, and she had to pause for a few seconds to keep from telling him what it was she wanted.

  “If I’ve got to tell you, it’s not the same.”

  “Tiger, you’re making me crazy. Please, give me a clue.”

  She turned around and looked him in the eyes. “James, it’s really simple. Just stop thinking so hard.”

  He wanted to believe she was trying to ask him to tell her he loved her. He was just too afraid that was his heart talking and not hers. What if he did tell her and she laughed, or rejected him entirely. He couldn’t live with that. Not after coming this far. He’d just crawl into a corner somewhere and die.

  When he stood there just staring at her, she turned back around and started working on the salad again. His hands came back up and spread across her belly again. She could feel him shaking. He had figured it out, she knew he had. He was just too afraid to say it. “Come on, James. Just do it.”

  In that moment, he knew that was what she was wanting, but the fear was still clogging his throat. He pulled her back against him. He wanted to say it, but he just couldn’t get the words out. He swallowed a couple times, trying to work up the courage, but the fear still had a hold of him. “Oh baby, please help...” He swallowed again, and tried once more. “I know...”

  Just then Luke walked in through the batwing doors. “Hey guys. How’s it going?”

  James looked over at his best friend and had to struggle to resist the temptation to snarl, get out, at him. He knew as close as he had come, it was going to take a lot of work to get there again. The moment was lost, and he was feeling very frustrated. “We’re good.”

  “So, James, figured it out yet?”

  “Shut up, Luke.” That just frustrated him even more, but it wasn’t Luke’s fault. He decided he needed to make himself busy, so he went to the cabinet and got the plates out to sit the table.

  “Sorry.” Luke walked over to the counter. “Hey, Lisa. How are you and the little one doing?”

  “We’re good.” Lisa kept her head down. She was feeling really frustrated. She was still certain he had figured it out. She needed to be able to press the issue. She was afraid if she didn’t get a chance to tonight, she would lose any advantage she had just gained.

  Luke could tell something was bothering her, and leaned in closer. “What’s wrong, Lisa?”

  “Nothing. I’m just frustrated. Your timing stinks.”

  “What did I miss?”

  “I think he’s figured it out, but he’s scared. I really believe he was trying to...”

  “Crap. Lisa, I’m sorry.” The man truly sounded as frustrated as she felt.

  “You didn’t know what we were talking about before you walked in here. I don’t blame you. I’m just afraid if I can’t press him tonight, I’ll lose the ground I gained. You know how he’s going to start thinking.”

  “Maybe I can figure out a way to get out of here without being too obvious and making him nervous. Then you can try again.”

  All the sudden James started chuckling. “Luke, you missed it. Lisa threatened Bridget Hart with a baseball bat.”

  “What?” Luke started laughing. “Who are you, and what have you done with Lisa? She would never threaten someone with violence.”

  “Stop it, Luke,” she said, turning pink with embarrassment.

  “What was Bridget doing?” Luke asked, turning back to James.

  “Her usual. Wanting to know how big my...” James just stopped and shook his head, realizing he had already said more than he had ever intended to.

  “Wanting to know how big your...” All the sudden it hit Luke what James was referring to. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, that’s what it’s always been about,” James said, embarrassment ringing in his voice. If his skin hadn’t been so dark, he would have been glowing right then. “She asked me once if I would just show her. At first, she offered to have sex with me as payment for the show. As if I would ever want that. That woman is evil.”

  “Wait.” Lisa turned around with a really irritated look on her face. “She wants to know how big your...” Lisa paused for a second, trying to find a less vulgar word than the one that had popped into her head at first. “Package is?”

  James just looked at Lisa. He was afraid to say anymore. She already looked like she could commit murder, and he didn’t like it when she got that upset. She was too far along, and he didn’t want her going into labor early.

  “Will you let me do something?” Lisa asked, trying to appear innocent, and doing about as good of a job as Zane always did.

  “What?” James asked, eyeing her with concern.

  “Give her a comparison.” Now Lisa was wearing a really mischievous look. “That ought to make her really green.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” James’ eyes had gotten so huge, he looked almost scared.

  “Don’t worry, I still know where to find a baseball bat. And I know how to use one too.” Lisa slammed the knife she had in her hand down on the counter and slid off the stool. She walked over to him, and looked in his eyes. “I’m tired of her treating you like a piece of meat, and it’s going to stop. It may have to wait till this baby is born, but she is done, whether she knows it or not.” After a second thought she added, “And she can just stop thinking about your... assets, because she’s never going to see them, much less touch them.”

  “Well, I see the side of Lisa that threatened her a while ago. It’s the part that protects you. You Townsend’s are very protective of the people you love.” Luke hadn’t even realized what he had said, but Lisa had, and she was trying to figure out a way to steer the conversation before it got awkward.

  “Well, she tried to tell him I didn’t want him. What was I supposed to do?” Now she was embarrassed again.

  “Yeah, she really went off on her.” James decided to ignore what Luke had said. There was more than one type of love, and he wasn’t going to dwell on it right now.

  “What exactly did you say?” Luke asked, looking back at Lisa, trying not to laugh. It appeared that she had turned back into the Lisa he was used to.

  Now when she spoke, it was barely above a whisper, and she kept her head down. “If I didn’t want him, I would hardly be carrying his child, and if she didn’t back off, I was going to come after her with a baseball bat.” By the time she was done retelling what she had said, she was the color of a fire engine.

  “Wow!”

  “She also told her, I was hers, and she best not forget it.” James just grinned when Lisa’s cheeks got even redder.

  “This is great. I’ve got to tell Mindi this,” Luke said, holding back a chuckle. Just then Mindi walked into the kitchen.

  “Tell me what?”

  The next thing Lisa knew, the kitchen was full again, and they were finishing dinner preparations. She didn’t know when she’d get another chance like that. She could tell when she looked up at Luke, he was thinking
the same thing.

  By the time everyone had got sat down to eat, they had all heard about the store incident. Which meant it had to be retold once again, starting from the beginning.

  “Lisa, why would you threaten her with a baseball bat?” Jamie just sat there with a mixed expression. She couldn’t decide whether to be angry or awed. Lisa was usually one of her quiet, gentle children.

  “I’m tired of her treating him like he’s a piece of meat, and ignoring him no matter what he tells her. She thinks she can have whatever she wants just because she wants it.”

  “Well, you didn’t really have to threaten her with a baseball bat, did you?” Jamie asked, still trying to understand.

  That was until Teresa chimed in. “I’ll tell you why she did it. Bridget was messing with her man, and she’d had enough.” Lisa flushed scarlet, and the whole table laughed. “I can assure you, Mom, if she had been doing that to Jake, I would have reacted the same way.”

  “Yeah. I expect that kind of reaction out of you, but not Lisa.”

  Chapter 21 – Friday, January 30

  James knocked on the door and stepped back waiting for someone to answer. Jamie opened the door and looked up at him. “Hey, James. Have you come to see Lisa again?” She stepped back to let him in the house, not really needing an answer. This was the fifth time he had been here this week. He had only missed Sunday, and he had seen her at church that day. He had warned her she’d see him every day. He hadn’t been kidding.

  It seemed the closer Lisa got to her due date, the more desperate he became. If he didn’t get it soon, she was seriously considering telling him. He may cover it well, but the man was on the edge of insanity. One more nudge, and he’d be over it. He’d give her anything just to get her to marry him. The problem was, the only thing she wanted, he really needed to figure out on his own.

  Of course, at the rate he was going, he was likely to start ranting at any minute. If he did that, he might just accidently hit on the one thing Lisa needed from him before she would agree to marry him. A mother could hope and pray. Couldn’t she?