Baby on the Way

by Lois Richer

  Jordan stepped through the door, puzzled by her calm demeanor and elegant dress. Surely that oaf Matthews wasn’t going to show up again?

  “Uh, Mom said you needed me?” He let her take his coat, then followed meekly when she led the way into her apartment.

  “Yes. Yes, Jordan I do.”

  Inside the door, he stopped short and stared. There were candles everywhere, flickering on the soft light of late afternoon. A fire glowed in the hearth, flowers bloomed on the mantel. To Jordan it looked like home.

  “Come on in. Dinner’s ready whenever we are.” She smiled at him and he got lost in that look. Her eyes glowed with something warm and exciting. What was it?

  Jordan swallowed when she turned around, and followed her, trailing behind, through to the dining room.

  “Have a seat.”

  He stayed where he was, his eyes fixed on the gorgeous bouquet of red roses sitting in the middle of a table prepared for an intimate dinner for two. He looked at her again. She was smiling that smile again. His palms started to sweat. Something told him this wasn’t a dress rehearsal for Clay.

  “Uh, Caitlin?”

  “Yes?” She stood there, waiting, her hands clasped together in front of her.

  “What exactly is this about?”

  She smiled. It started in her eyes, but the effect was transported across her entire face.

  “I just thought you might like to enjoy a nice romantic dinner before I ask you to marry me.”

  Jordan gulped. He couldn’t move, couldn’t look away from her. His whole body was on full alert. Was she serious? It was too good to be true, wasn’t it?

  Then he saw her fingers knot together and knew that she was just as nervous as he. That unlocked the block of his chest He walked over to where she stood and took her hands in his, warming their icy coldness with his warmth.

  “You’re going to ask me to marry you?”

  She nodded. “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I love you. I have for a long time. I’ve tried to run from it, pretend it isn’t there, blame it on Micah. I can’t do it anymore. I’m too old to play games. I don’t even want to.”

  “What do you want?” He didn’t know how he got the words out of his mouth, his heart was beating so fast.

  “I want to be your wife, to live with you, to share your dreams. I don’t want to run away anymore, Jordan.”

  He pulled her into his arms, prepared to forgive anything as long as she loved him.

  She tugged back. “Wait a minute, Jordan. I have to say this first.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Lyn. None of it. I love you, you love me. That’s what counts. And Micah, of course.” He grinned, ecstatic that he wouldn’t miss any time away from the little girl.

  “It does matter, Jordan. Micah is Michael’s daughter. I can’t change that. I don’t want to.” She took a deep breath and continued.

  Jordan watched the flicker of candlelight on her face and wondered uncertainly if they would ever get past Michael and find their own place.

  “When I married Michael, I was a child. A girl who was so afraid of life that she grabbed on to the first anchor she found. I loved him without knowing what love meant and he was gone before I could find out.” She searched his face, eyes dark with worry: “Do you understand?”

  He nodded.

  “When you came back, I realized that I didn’t really know anything about love. Michael was the giver, I was the taker.”

  “He wanted it that way, Lyn. Michael loved you.”

  “I know.” She sighed, unshed tears making her jade eyes glisten. “But I’ve grown up now, Jordan. I’ve learned that God is the only shield I need against trouble. He’ll always be there, no matter what. I can face anything with you. Anything.”

  “I love you,” he whispered. Then he kissed her as he’d longed to do so many years ago, just last week, early one morning when he’d visited her at the hospital and found she was coming home.

  “I love you so much.”

  She relaxed against him, her fingers twining about his neck. He would have kissed her again, long and satisfyingly, except that she tilted her head back and raised one eyebrow.

  “What?” He was half-afraid to ask.

  “Well, I was just wondering if this means you’ll marry me. Please? Forever. As long as we both shall live.”

  A sparkle in her eyes told him she already knew the answer, so he pretended to prevaricate.

  “Hmm. I’ll have to think about it. Does Micah come as part of the deal? She’s already my daughter in here.” He tapped his chest.

  She frowned. “Of course!”

  “And will you promise to love, honor and obey me?” He burst out laughing at the dour look on her face.

  “You’re pushing it, Jordan! I meant for this to be a happy evening. I mean, I have the ring and everything.” She pulled the black box out of her pocket.

  “Oh, you got me an engagement ring?” He flipped the lid open and lifted out the ring he’d chosen weeks ago, shaking his head as he turned the ring from side to side. Its facets shimmered and shone in the candlelight.

  “I have to tell you, Lyn, this is a little gaudy for me.”

  She held out her left hand and slipped her finger inside the ring before he could move.

  “I’ll just look after it for you then, shall I?” Her eyes sparkled up at him.

  “For how long?” he demanded, replacing his arm around her waist.

  “Forever,” she promised, sealing the deal with a kiss.

  A long time later Jordan glanced at his ring on her finger.

  “I have to tell you, I don’t think this is such a good deal,” he complained, snuggling her head against his shoulder as they both watched the baby sleep.

  “Why?” She stared at her hand, twisting her finger this way and that in the moonlight. “I think it’s a great deal.”

  “What do I get as a reminder of your promise of love?” he demanded. “How do I know that you won’t run away the first time I muddy the kitchen floor or forget to wash the porridge pot?”

  “You never mentioned porridge.” Caitlin frowned.

  “I didn’t?” He brushed a knuckle down her nose. “I love porridge. Especially if it’s a day old or so.”

  She reached up to stroke one hand across his chin.

  “I’ll tell you what. The day we’re married, I’ll give you my promise embedded in gold and fixed on your finger for life. As long as you promise to wash the pot when you’re finished.”

  He pretended to consider it.

  “I guess that would be okay. When and where are we getting married?”

  “At Wintergreen, of course!” She looked scandalized that he hadn’t thought of it. “After all, it’s only fitting that the Widow of Wintergreen renounce her status as an independent, self-reliant woman. And when else would we get married but at Thanksgiving.”

  He nodded, liking the idea more and more.

  “The garden will be buried in snow, of course, but we could have everything in here. That way, we’ll be well and truly married before Christmas.”

  “Why’s that so important?” He blinked at the glitter of mischief in her eyes.

  “Because I’ve got the perfect thing to go into your stocking. So what do you think?”

  He must have liked the idea. Jordan was too busy kissing her to reply.

  Epilogue

  “I can’t believe I let you talk Caitlin into this.” Jordan glared at his mother with a look that wasn’t totally pretend.

  “All this falderal when all we wanted was to get married. Look at me! I look like a turkey.”

  “You can say that again.” Robyn grinned as she straddled Eudora on her hip. “Smile!” She snapped yet another picture, giggling at his threatening look. “I love it.”

  “Mother!” Jordan clenched his fists to stop himself from strangling them both. “Can’t you do something?”

  “Of course I can. Go away now, Robyn, dear. I have to get you
r brother calm so he won’t forget his vows. I want everything to be nice for Caitlin.”

  “We wanted Thanksgiving you know,” he sputtered, shoving the huge poinsettia out of his way. “We were going to have a small ceremony. A private ceremony.”

  “How ridiculous! I’m glad I was able to help her see the light. Now bend down, Jordan. Your bow tie is crooked.” When he didn’t obey immediately, she pinched his arm. “I don’t know why you men fuss so much. It’s only a wedding, after all.”

  Jordan rolled his eyes, but controlled the groan. She wouldn’t thank him for pointing out the ruckus she’d created over the wedding cake, nor the fact that she’d ordered more flowers than three weddings required.

  “Caitlin’s home, our home,” he corrected himself, “looks like a garden.”

  “Do you think so, dear? Oh, thank you.” She hugged him tight and then bustled out of the room. “Try not to get dirty, Jordan. And stay put. I have to go help Caitlin.”

  Jordan grinned and then checked his watch for the umpteenth time that morning. Six more minutes. Then they could get on with this production and he’d be one step closer to being married. He fell into thought dreaming about that.

  “Good grief, Jordan!” Robyn shook her head in disbelief. “The whole place is waiting for the groom to come out. Caitlin thinks you’ve changed your mind. What’s the problem?”

  “Robyn, you’re a wonderful wife and I’m truly glad that you love me as much you do. And I thank God every day that you’re not afraid to stand up for what you believe. But right now darling, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, go away.” Her husband gently eased her out the door and smiled as she stomped away.

  “I told you I can take care of my wife.” He winked at Jordan. “Ready, big guy?”

  “Yes,” Jordan sighed happily. “More than ready.”

  He sucked in his breath when Caitlin moved slowly down the stairs. Her suit was the palest pink, the short trim jacket giving way to a long straight skirt with a scalloped hem. She held dark-pink roses and lilies. A fluffy little veil sat perched on her head.

  To him she was the most beautiful sight in the world as his father led her down an aisle formed between rows of chairs and up to the area circled by dark pink poinsettias, where he stood with their minister.

  “You’re late,” he whispered, taking her hand.

  “So were you.” She smiled and the tension left him. This was right, this was good, this was blessed.

  “’Old things are gone. Behold, all things are as new.’” The minister’s words rang around the room like the bells on Christmas morning.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  From her grandmother’s arms, Micah mewled a tiny cry, then shoved her fist in her mouth. Seconds later her lashes flopped closed and she slept, a furtive smile curving the corners of her bow-shaped mouth as her parents celebrated their love.

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss the next book in

  Lois Richer’s BRIDES OF THE SEASONS

  series, DADDY ON THE WAY,

  coming in November from Love Inspired.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you’ve enjoyed Baby on the Way. I’ve learned so much from writing Caitlin’s story. Have you ever had one of those weeks when nothing seems to go right? Or maybe it’s lasted months, or years! It’s hard during those times to remember that God loves us more than we can ever know or understand. Isn’t it amazing that in spite of our frustration and anger and worry, He can make something beautiful out of us, if we’ll just allow Him to work?

  My hope is that you will find the silver lining in every cloud that God sends your way. I wish you peace and joy, but above all, I wish you abundant, restoring love in every moment of your life.

  eISBN 978-14592-5785-6

  BABY ON THE WAY

  Copyright © 1999 by Lois Richer

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 300 Bast 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

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