Eva's Deadline
Page 22
Striding over to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, leaned down and nuzzled her neck. “Mmm, you smell good.”
As he straightened, she turned, and their cheeks brushed. Their lips collided, then meshed in a warm kiss. Her blood stirred, as it always did when she kissed her husband.
He drew away and looked over her shoulder at the computer screen. “How’s the article coming along?”
“Just about finished. And none too soon. My deadline is next week.” Eva had been freelancing for Seattle’s Best. Her current assignment was a feature on the coastal bed-and-breakfast establishments.
“What about your novel? Heard anything from your editor?”
“I’m supposed to get the galleys next week.”
“You are one busy lady.”
“I know. But don’t worry about my column for the Herald. I’ll have it done on time. We have to hold up our image as an award-winning newspaper.” She nodded at the shiny trophy and framed certificate sitting on the shelf above her desk. Last month, they’d attended the governor’s awards ceremony in Olympia and were named Best Small Town Weekly Newspaper.
He patted her shoulder. “I’m not worried. You always meet your deadlines.”
Eva shifted in her seat. “Oh, I’m stiff. I need to stretch.” Holding her six-months-pregnant stomach with one hand, she pushed her chair away from the desk with the other.
“Here, let me help you.” Mark grasped her elbow and assisted her to her feet. He placed his own hand over hers. “How’s our son doing today?”
“Really active. He likes to let me know he’s there.”
“Only a few more months and we’ll welcome him into the world.”
“I’m sooo ready.”
“Me, too.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “Whoa, almost six. We’d better head over to Bernie and Maria’s.”
Eva closed her computer file and turned off the machine. “You never did tell me what tonight’s all about.”
He shrugged. “Just dinner with our friends. Sasha and Bella are making cookies for dessert.”
“I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Let me freshen up a bit, and we’ll be on our way. Sure we shouldn’t take anything?”
Mark pushed in her chair and turned off her desk lamp. “I asked Bernie again today. He said absolutely not.”
Ten minutes later, after a short ride across town, Mark and Eva pulled up in front of the Sanchez home. Eva gazed around the quiet, tree-shaded neighborhood, where everyone kept their lawns neatly mowed and flowers blooming in boxes and along walkways. “Isn’t that Cody’s truck over there?”
“Could be.”
“And Dora’s VW bug?” She turned to him. “What’s going on?”
He grinned and cut the engine. “You’ll see.”
“Mark…”
“Patience, honey. You’ll find out soon enough.”
He jumped from the SUV, came around and helped her to alight. Holding her hand, he led her up the walk to the porch. They hadn’t even rung the doorbell when the door was flung open.
Bernie stood there, a big grin on his face. “Hey, you two. ’Bout time you got here. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Everyone?” Eva said. “Waiting for what?”
“For you, of course.” He led them into the living room.
“Surprise!”
Eva’s mouth dropped open. She clamped it shut and gazed around the room to see the entire Herald staff grinning and clapping.
Sasha raced over to Eva and Mark. “Mommy! Daddy!” She threw herself at them.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Eva hugged Sasha close and buried a kiss in her fragrant hair and then Mark gave her a hug, too.
Sasha looked up at Eva. “Are you surprised, Mommy?”
“I am.” Eva looked at the others. “Would someone like to explain?” Her gaze landed on the coffee table piled high with wrapped gifts. “Oh, I get it. For the baby.”
Maria stepped forward to stand beside Bernie. “Yes, this is a shower for you and your baby.”
“How did you get the guys to come to a baby shower?” Eva asked.
“Don’t worry,” Bernie said. “When it comes time to ooh and aah over baby stuff, we men will adjourn for a game of pool.” He gestured toward the hallway leading to their family room. “But right now, we’re off to tend the barbecue.”
Eva sniffed. “Smells good already. What are we having?”
“Fajitas. Maria’s special recipe.” He made a sweeping gesture in his wife’s direction.
Maria grinned and pointed to the sofa, where a colorful Mexican throw was spread along the back. “You relax, Eva, while I bring in some sangria.” She waggled a finger. “But for you, without the alcohol.”
Luci rose from where she’d been sitting beside Cody. “I’ll help you, Maria.” She stopped by Eva, her eyes shining. “This is so exciting.”
“Something for you to look forward to one day?” Eva said.
“Maybe.” Luci cast a wistful gaze at Cody and then trotted after Maria.
Luci and Cody were both attending the University of Washington. Luci had confided that they’d been on a few dates. Eva wouldn’t be surprised if, as Luci seemed to hope, something more came of their relationship.
Dora left her chair by the fireplace and came to sit beside Eva. “I’ll keep you company while the others do all the work,” she said with a laugh.
Mark brought a pillow to put behind Eva’s back. “Us guys will help Bernie,” he said. “But call if you need anything.”
“I will, hon.”
Mark gave Cody a playful punch on the shoulder and motioned to Dora’s husband, Josh. “Come on, we’ll see what Bernie’s up to.”
Maria and Luci returned with trays of punch, and after serving Eva and Dora, they headed outside to serve the men. Sasha and Bella danced in and out, talking about the cookies they’d baked and school, scheduled to start next week. They both hoped to be in the same third-grade class.
After a while, they all assembled outside, sitting on the patio while a soft summer breeze blowing in from the ocean wrapped around them. After feasting on Maria’s fajitas, which everyone declared wonderful, they trooped back inside for gift opening. As Bernie predicted, when the oohing and aahing started over tiny booties and sweater-and-cap sets and crib blankets, the men disappeared.
When the gifts had been opened, the men came back and everyone gathered around for coffee and the raisin-and-oatmeal cookies Sasha and Bella had made.
“They’re yummy,” Eva told the girls.
Dora put down her coffee cup and cleared her throat. “Attention, everyone.” When the chatter died down, she turned to Eva. “Eva, on behalf of all of us at the Herald, I want to tell you how very glad we are that you came back to Willow Beach. We can’t imagine our newspaper with anyone but you and Mark at the helm. We will be forever grateful to you for carrying on your father’s work.”
“To Eva!” the others chimed in.
Tears welled up in Eva’s eyes. She looked around at her friends and colleagues. “Thank you, everyone. I am so lucky. I have my wonderful immediate family—Mark and Sasha and our son, who will soon join us.” She paused to smile at Mark and Sasha. “And I have my extended family in all of you. I’ve truly come home.” She swept her gaze around the room to include each person and then raised her cup. “I’d like to add a toast to my father. Without his vision and dreams, we wouldn’t be here today.”
“Yes,” Mark chimed in, “to Seb.”
“To Seb!” everyone shouted, raising their coffee cups.
Later, on the way home, with Sasha tucked safely in the backseat, Eva gazed at Mark’s profile, illuminated under the streetlights. Warmth and love filled her. How lucky she was to have found him.
“I love you,” she said impulsively.
He flashed her a smile. “I love you, too. And I can’t wait till we get home and I can show you just how much I love you.”
She leaned over the console to snuggle against his shoulder. “Pro
mises, promises,” she teased.
“Yep. And you know I always make good on my promises.”
“I know you do.” Delicious images of their lovemaking filled her mind, making her eager to get home and into each other’s arms.
Home. Yes, Willow Beach was home now. Although the journey had had bumps and setbacks, she was here to stay. There was no place on earth she’d rather be.
*
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ISBN-13: 9781460332344
EVA’S DEADLINE
Copyright © 2014 by Linda Hope Lee
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