by Helen Brooks
‘I know.’ She felt giddy with emotional release, the room spinning for a moment as she held on to him. ‘And I love you.’
She saw him release a breath and then he did smile, pure relief showing on his face. ‘Some New Year’s Eve, eh? I’ll make sure it’s better next year.’
‘This year’s just fine.’
It was a little while before their paths crossed with that of Belinda’s; Jay’s ex-secretary had clearly been trying to avoid them. She was holding on to the arm of her escort and, close to, Miriam realised the man was older than she’d initially thought—sixty if a day. The gold Rolex on his wrist and the expensive suit he was wearing suggested he wasn’t short of a penny or two, though.
Jay smiled thinly at the man but Belinda he surveyed in stony silence, his eyes as hard as amber.
It was Miriam who spoke first. ‘Hello, Belinda.’ She turned her gaze on the man, smiling as she said, ‘I don’t think we’ve been introduced.’
Belinda’s escort’s eyes had narrowed—he’d clearly sensed something was amiss—but he held out his hand. ‘Graham Martyn,’ he said cordially. ‘We’re staying with my daughter, Kate Rowan, for a couple of days.’
‘I’m sorry, we’re new to the area,’ Miriam said carefully.
‘But you know Belinda?’ He half turned to the woman at his side, who hadn’t said a word.
With some effort, Belinda said shortly, ‘I used to work for Jay.’
‘Oh, yes?’ Graham looked at Jay, who stared back at him unblinkingly. ‘When was that?’
‘A year ago,’ Jay said in a tone in which ice tinkled.
‘Just before you came to work for me.’ Again Graham was looking at Belinda, but now his voice was quiet and even. ‘I thought you’d been taking a sabbatical for the couple of years preceding that? Travelling? Seeing a little of the world? Wasn’t that why your references were out-of-date?’
Jay made a sound in his throat. No one could have misunderstood the derision. ‘This is not the time or the place,’ he said, the softness of his voice coated with steel, ‘but if you’d care to ring me in the New Year I’d be happy to tell you why Miss Poppins had no current reference. Jay Carter of Carter Enterprises.’
‘I know the name.’ Graham Martyn nodded. ‘I might just do that, Mr Carter.’
Still Belinda said nothing; she clearly didn’t dare to take Jay on in the mood he was in. Miriam didn’t blame her. She almost felt sorry for the woman. Almost, but not quite. If Belinda had had her way she would have destroyed their marriage. Even when she must have realised there was no chance with Jay, sheer spite had driven her on.
Graham and Belinda left shortly afterwards, and as soon as they had gone Jayne made her way to their sides, her eyes curious. ‘I saw you talking to Graham,’ she said in a loud whisper. ‘Did you know the woman he’s with? Poor Kate’s going out of her mind with worry. She’s sure that woman’s angling to become the next Mrs Martyn and all the family can’t stand her. She’s a total gold-digger but she’s playing him like a violin apparently.’
‘Not for much longer.’ Jay told his sister who Belinda was, causing Jayne to look at Miriam in horror.
‘Miriam, I’m so sorry. I never knew. I wouldn’t have dreamt of letting her into the house. Oh, I can’t believe this has happened, not just when you two have got back together.’
‘It’s fine, truly.’ Miriam patted Jayne’s arm. ‘She did her worst but we survived it and we’re all the stronger for it. Isn’t that so, Jay?’
He tucked her hand in his arm. ‘I wanted to strangle her,’ he admitted wryly.
Miriam laughed. She was feeling light-headed with happiness and she had only had one glass of wine all evening, wanting to keep a clear head in view of Belinda’s presence.
It was then that the knowledge hit her. Mentally calculating, she wondered how the absence of her monthly cycle hadn’t registered before. But there had been so much happening.
That first Monday in December when they had gone to the hotel. She blinked, her heart racing as the noise and laughter around her faded away. And now she was three weeks late. And the odd little feeling of giddiness she’d had in the last few days, and this morning she hadn’t felt too good first thing, although it had swiftly passed…
Could it be? Her hand went protectively over her stomach. But she was, she knew she was. She felt different. She was expecting Jay’s baby.
Two days later Jay came home to the apartment to find a bright-eyed wife and a candle-lit dinner waiting for him. They had agreed it made sense to stay in the apartment until they could move into the house, which hopefully would happen within two months, their offer having been accepted. Miriam didn’t mind the apartment now—wherever Jay was was home.
‘This is very nice.’ He had kissed her until she was breathless as soon as he had walked through the door. ‘What are we celebrating? Not our first day back at work surely?’
‘Something better than that.’
‘I should hope so.’
He took the glass of champagne she had waiting for him, his brow furrowing when she lifted up her glass of orange juice.
‘A toast.’ Her voice was light, joy-filled. ‘To you.’
‘Me?’ He smiled, amused. ‘On orange juice?’
‘To you,’ she said solemnly, looking straight into the tawny eyes she loved so much. ‘And this.’ She held up the little tube she’d purchased from the chemist that day. ‘You’re going to be a father, Jay. We’re expecting a baby.’
The next minute she was in his arms, champagne and orange juice spilling onto the floor as he lifted her right off her feet with a whoop of delight, twirling her round and round before he kissed her until the whole world shifted. But when it righted again he was there. As he was always to be.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4276-4
THE MILLIONAIRE’S CHRISTMAS WIFE
First North American Publication 2009.
Copyright © 2009 by Helen Brooks.
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