The Baby Bargain (Men of Maine Series Book 3)

by Diana Tobin

  “Freaked?” she supplied.

  “Blanked out.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “Yeah, freaked. I didn’t hear half of what you said because I was too busy fighting the flashback going on in my head.” JC reached for her hand, praying she wouldn’t reject him, yet. “I’ve never told anyone how stupid I was.

  “I’m not sure how Suzanne and I ended up engaged. She probably suggested it and I went along. Even as I was trying to convince myself it would be nice to no longer be alone, have someone who would be waiting for me at the end of the day, work with me on building a life, I knew none of that would happen for the two of us. I was telling Suzanne it wasn’t going to work for us and we needed to go our separate ways. She said we had to make it work because she was pregnant with my child.”

  Lynn sucked in a sharp breath. “JC, you have a child?”

  “Please, just listen.” He explained how he and Suzanne made wedding arrangements, how she supposedly miscarried on their wedding night. How she used sex to get what she wanted until he stopped letting her use his libido to get her way. And, finally, when she wanted a divorce, she had admitted there never had been a baby. He’d had to sell part of his farm to buy his freedom from his ex-wife. “When you talked about a baby I–lost it. I’m not sure what I said to you, but I’d bet it wasn’t nice.”

  He gripped her hands tighter, afraid she’d run away from him before he could make amends. “I’m ashamed to say it was days before I realized you weren’t coming to the stand. I was hurt and angry, so I avoided the stand until Pam Simpson left a nasty note on my door. When I saw all your things gone and your key on the counter, I knew I’d lost you. I finally admitted the reason I couldn’t sleep was because you weren’t next to me. Some of what you said started getting through my thick head.” He leaned closer. “I was letting all that crap with Suzanne determine my future. Just as you’ve been letting what happened with Chyster determine yours.”

  “Wh-what do you mean?” She tried to draw her hands free, but JC wouldn’t let go.

  “Why would you want a baby without a partner? A husband? Do you think no one is going to love you enough to give you all you deserve?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise that he’d dared to say such a thing to her. Why wouldn’t she plan to have a baby alone? “I’ve yet to see a man willing to stay for the long haul. Every man in my life has disappointed me. My father, wanting me to be something I never could be. Donald making promises he never intended to keep just so I’d make his life easier for him. Even you.”

  “Especially me,” he agreed.

  She spoke over him. “Always hounding me at school, getting too close to me, looking at me as if you were stripping me naked, and inviting me to meet you behind the bleachers to make a real woman out of me.”

  He pushed a strand of hair off her face. “You are all woman, and you did it yourself. Of course I pictured you naked back in high school! Even then, I knew the real deal when I saw her. But, I was a typical teenage boy, more concerned with quantity than quality. I finally grew up and realized the difference. I still don’t deserve you, but I’ll gladly spend the rest of my life making amends.”

  Lynn turned her gaze to stare out the kitchen window, seeing none of the beauty of the faint sunrise. Wil had waited years to have the one woman he’d always loved. Micki and Ethan hadn’t been married long, but he’d willingly taken on her daughters, and there was no denying the love between the four of them. Anyone with eyes could see Gusta and Web thought the sun rose and set on each other. Web’s parents had been together for years and still acted like newlyweds. Even Stan Yablonski showed his love and devotion to his wife, Catherine, the mayor of Webster. Despite her bossiness, Stan did all he could to ensure her happiness.

  Was it possible Lynn could have a lasting love, too?

  She focused on JC as he slipped to the floor on one knee. “I know I should have a ring for this. If you say yes, we’ll make that a priority.” He swallowed hard and his eyes shimmered. “Yesterday, when I saw you slumped over in your car,” he had to stop to draw in a couple of breaths. His fingers tightened on hers. “I thought I’d lost you forever. Without you, there is no future for me. I’ll give you all the babies you want—if you’ll be my wife. I love you, Lynn. I didn’t know it was possible to love another person this much.”

  Lynn looked at JC, amazed this proud, strong man would humble himself for her. “You really love me?”

  “Yes,” he whispered. “I promise to tell you, more than once, everyday. I’ll make sure you never doubt my love for you. Please, say yes.”

  She cupped her hand to his face, capturing the tear that spilled from his eye. “I love you, JC. You’ve shown your love for me in many ways. I was afraid to believe it, to trust it.”

  “Are you willing to trust me now? To believe I love you?”

  “Yes. Yes! I’ll be your wife and love you as long as I live.”

  Air escaped him like a deflating balloon and he bent his head over their joined hands. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Then, he gave a whoop and scooped her into his arms.

  “Oh. Ow.”

  “I’m sorry, honey.” He sat down, cradling her gently on his lap. “I really want to show you how much I love you, but I guess we have to wait until even kissing you doesn’t cause pain.”

  She pressed her lips to his despite the discomfort. “I’ll heal as fast as I can.”

  “How soon can we be married?” JC kissed her hair, her nose, her ear, anywhere he thought wouldn’t cause her pain.

  “Not until my face is a normal color. I’m not having our wedding photos taken while I have an ugly purple face.”

  He turned her head so her eyes met his. “You are beautiful. I’m sorry you’re hurt, but no matter how you look, you’ll always be beautiful to me.” He placed butterfly kisses to her bruises. “Please don’t make me wait too long to make you Mrs. Benjamin. I’ll try to be patient, because I want our wedding night to be the best.”

  Lynn wrapped her arms around JC’s neck and gave him a saucy smile, or as much as her bruised lips allowed. “Lover, you always give me your best.” Snuggling her face into his neck, she said, “I hate getting married so near the holidays, but we might as well do it this year. The rest of the family has. What do you think about the first week in December?”

  “I think it can’t come soon enough and I’ll be counting the days.” He scooped her up and headed for the stairs.

  “What are you doing? I don’t want to go back to sleep yet.”

  “I’m fixing a hot bath for you to soak in. Then, we’ll get dressed and announce our news to your family.” JC continued up the stairs with his love in his arms. “Do you think Wil would agree to our marriage if we promise him another grandchild?”

  “You mean that, JC? You’re ready for us to have a baby?” Lynn whispered.

  “I’m ready for everything, as long as it’s with you.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “It might take a lot of practice.”

  Lynn’s laugh bubbled out, her heart filled with love.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I’ve always loved to read, devouring books the way some might a box of chocolates. Soon, visions of writing my own books danced in my head…someday. The sudden death of my mother showed me you can’t wait for the elusive someday. Someday is now. So began my learning years. I wrote, met other writers, wrote, joined writing groups, wrote, attended writing seminars and conferences, and wrote.

  The bumps in life’s road derailed me for some years and my creativity took other outlets. I dug out the knitting needles and crochet hooks, and as my grandmother had done, passed this knowledge along to my own granddaughter. My daughter and I learned to scrapbook and set aside days to enjoy this craft together. Perhaps the generations of farmers before me inspire me to see what I plant grow and flourish. However, books and reading remain a passion and the need to write came back to me. If nothing else, I would write and leave my stories for my grandchildren who would have an insight into me they might
not have learned.

  I have the good fortune to have gained a readership asking for more and have made my family proud. More than half my life has been lived in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. My brightest stars are my beloved grandchildren. I eagerly look forward to the next adventure, whether it is in the pages of the next book I read, or the next I write.

  Ethan Reigh, a former NHL player, takes a position coaching a new junior hockey team, the Webster Wolves. With no thought of settling down, his plans change when Michaela Sparks returns to her hometown with her two daughters to open a beauty salon. Michaela yearns for a relationship built on truth—but Ethan could lose her if he’s honest. Just how far will he go FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE?

  Amazon Link

  SANTA NICK — Jenny’s heart has been betrayed by her deceased husband, and she’s not sure she can ever trust again. Can Nick bring the joy of Christmas and a loving relationship into Jenny’s life? Making Jenny and little Faith his own family could be the Christmas magic they all need! Amazon Link

  KISSING COUSINS — Augusta Thompson arrives at a beautiful old home in Maine with her shattered dreams. Will Charles Webster prove to be her salvation—or her nemesis—with their inheritance at stake? Amazon Link