Darcie folded her arms over her chest. “Just exactly when did you two consummate your…friendship?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Jake insisted.
“Since Joanie is only ten months old, and we were to be married in May a little more than a year and a half ago… My God, did you two go to bed together the night of the damn wedding?”
Ali blushed, but refused to look away.
“It’s none of your business when it happened,” Jake said. “Ali and I have a child and we’re going to be married.”
Darcie paced the room. “This is too crazy to believe. You and my sister. You can’t be serious.” She threw up her hands and stomped out of the room, then a few seconds later she raced up the stairs.
Ali couldn’t hold the tears any longer, and they poured down her cheeks. “I knew this would happen. Oh, Jake. She hates me.”
“She has no reason, Ali. You did nothing to her.” He tried to pull her into his arms, but Ali resisted. She couldn’t let her feelings for Jake confuse her now.
She brushed the tears from her eyes. “I have to go help Gran June with dinner. Go up and talk with Darcie.”
“Why? We have nothing else to talk about. Besides, do you really think she’s going to listen to me now? Let’s give her some time to cool off. She made the right choice going to New York. She just needs to remember it.”
Ali stared at Jake. Did he really believe that? How had he felt when Darcie walked through the door? She was beautiful and sophisticated. He had to have some regrets.
“Please, Jake, go up and see if she’s okay.” Ali took her daughter from him.
“I’ll go, but I’m not going to like it.” He frowned as he drew her against his side. “I had other ideas on how we were to spend our first Christmas together.”
Ali had, too. She trembled, not wanting to leave the safety of his arms.
He pulled back. “We’re going to make it through this, Ali. We’ve come too far to let anything pull us apart.”
Ali nodded, but in her heart she didn’t believe it. No matter how much she loved Jake, he was never going to be hers. She’d seen the look in Darcie’s eyes. Her sister still wanted him, and what Darcie wanted, Darcie took.
She’d let nothing—and no one—stand in her way.
Ali felt the age-old pain of being second-best and wished she’d never let herself dream. But Ali had dreamed. She’d dreamed about a life with Jake for her and her daughter. Had Darcie’s return put all that in jeopardy?
Two hours later, Ali went up to the nursery to check on her napping daughter. She found Jake in the room and told him she wanted to talk to him. They went out into the hall.
Looking up into Jake’s face, Ali was suddenly nervous. “I’d like to wait to announce our engagement until the first of the year,” she said.
“You don’t want anyone to know?” Jake asked.
“No, it’s not that,” Ali insisted. “It’s just with Darcie home, maybe it would be best if we wait…awhile.”
Jake folded his arms across his chest. “You’re not considering giving me back the ring?”
“Oh, no,” Ali breathed. “I just…feel that it would be better for…Darcie if we don’t officially announce the engagement until after the holidays.”
Jake was so angry, he saw red. Instead of showing his temper, he decided this woman needed a little convincing about how he felt. Glancing around to make sure no one was in the hall, he grabbed Ali’s hand, yanked her into her bedroom, shut the door, then pinned her against it. When she gasped, he bent his head, rubbed his lips against hers teasingly, then finally, hearing her moan, he took her mouth in a searing kiss.
With her soft sigh of surrender, he shifted his body against hers, letting her feel what she did to him. When she moved her hands restlessly over his chest, then began to tug at his shirt, he knew the fire in her was lit. He pulled her sweater up and unfastened her bra while she worked the buttons of his shirt. Soon they were pressed together, skin to slippery skin, sharing an intimacy that he only wanted to experience with her—no one else. It made his heart dance just to touch her. His hands traced her body in a rhythm that pushed them both higher and higher.
His mouth continued to devour hers, his tongue pushing inside to find her sweetness. He released her mouth, muttering her name. Then he rained kisses down her neck until he found her breasts. His lips closed over her nipple, sucking until she cried out.
They were quickly out of control. Heat exploded between them, igniting the inferno of their passion. He reached down, unfastened her slacks and his hand slipped inside to find her heat. When he stroked her, she nearly came apart in his arms. Not long after, Ali arched her back and moaned out his name. Jake felt her release and held her tight.
She clung to him until her breathing slowed, then she raised her head. “Why did you do that?”
He smiled, hiding his own painful need. “You needed to know how much I want you.”
“But what about you?”
Her wide eyes were like emeralds, her hair slightly mussed, her lips swollen from his kisses. She looked as if she’d just been thoroughly loved.
“You give me all I need, Ali.”
She groaned and buried her head against his chest. He held her close for as long as he dared. Wanting Ali seemed to be a constant condition. “C’mon, I think we better put in an appearance downstairs.”
Just then Joanie cried out.
Jake sighed. “I’ll go and take care of the baby. That will give me a little time to…cool down.”
Ali smiled.
He bit back a grin. “So, you like what you do to me?”
Her eyes grew wide and innocent.
“God, woman. You make me crazy. I’m not happy that we’re keeping our relationship a secret, but I’ll go along with it.” He pushed her back against the door. His head lowered to hers. “I’ll just have to keep trying to convince you that we belong together.”
Ali tried to push him away. “Jake, we have to get Joanie. What if someone comes looking for us?” she argued.
Jake didn’t budge. Without a word, his mouth closed over hers. The kiss was gentle, but he didn’t feel in a giving mood. He wanted to brand her. Tell the world that Ali was his woman. Maybe then she’d believe that he truly cared for her. He broke off the kiss.
“Don’t treat me like a stranger, Ali. We’re engaged. You and me. This has nothing to do with Darcie, so quit pushing me at her. What happened between your sister and me was over a long time ago.”
A slow smile crossed Ali’s face, and Jake felt as if the sun just came out.
“I believe you, Jake. But give us all some time. Please?”
He finally nodded. “Just remember, Ali Pierce. I can be a very convincing man.”
Later that day, the Pierce house quickly filled with people. Friends and neighbors stopped by to share Christmas. Margo and a couple of the other nurses from the hospital showed up. Ray and LaVerne were there with far too many gifts for Joanie. Everyone was polite to Darcie and welcomed her home, but they still hadn’t forgiven her for leaving her family to deal with a church full of wedding guests. It didn’t stop Darcie from vying for attention by telling all about her wonderful new career in New York.
It was Joanie who stole the spotlight from Aunt Darcie, though. Even a beautiful woman had trouble competing with a cute ten-month-old for attention. Jake spent the day playing the doting father, and Ali could see that Darcie didn’t like that, either. In all fairness to her sister, Ali knew it couldn’t be easy to return home and discover that your twin had had your ex-boyfriend’s baby. It all sounded so sordid, almost like a soap opera.
Ali spent the day helping her grandmother in the kitchen. About five o’clock, a huge buffet of ham and numerous salads had been set up in the dining room. Pies and cakes covered the sideboard, then everything quickly began to disappear through the course of the evening.
About nine o’clock that night, the house had quieted considerably. Joanie was in bed asleep, after
putting up a pretty good fight.
The last Jake had seen of Ali, she was in the kitchen cleaning up. He didn’t want to know where Darcie had gone. He’d spent the day avoiding her, especially when she tried to lead people to believe they were going to pick up where their relationship had ended nearly two years ago. Jake wanted no part of Darcie—or her scheming.
He wandered into the living room, where he found Ray. “Too much excitement for you, Sheriff?” Jake teased.
“I ate too much.” The older man patted his slightly rounded stomach. “Seems to be a problem of mine around the holidays.” He sighed. “Now Laverne and my doctor will be on my case.” He tossed Jake a sideways glance. “I have high blood pressure.”
“Can’t that be controlled with medication?”
“It’s better to control it with diet.”
“Yeah.” Jake sighed, staring at the tree, remembering how he’d held Ali in his arms last night. “Too bad we can’t control more things.”
“Son, you’re too young to sound so troubled.”
Jake came out of his trance. “Sorry. I was just thinking how much things have changed. A year ago, I was career military.” He looked down at his cast. “I never thought that I’d be back in Webster and thinking about getting married. I’m even going to work for my father.”
“You’re not happy about that?”
Jake shrugged. He didn’t have much choice. He couldn’t ask Ali to follow him around the country until he found out what he wanted to do with his life. “I have a child to support, and soon a wife. I’m sure the job will be interesting, but it’s no secret that Cliff and I don’t exactly get along.”
“Maybe this is your chance to get closer.”
“Yeah, it would take a miracle.”
“Who’s to say you’d have to make a career of the plant. Something else could come down the road.” The older man smiled. “I never thought about being a sheriff after I got out of the service, but here I am nearly thirty years later.”
“You plannin’ to retire?”
Ray raised his hand. “Elections aren’t for another year, but LaVerne’s been making noises that we’re not getting any younger.” He sighed. “But it’s hard to give up something that you love doing.”
Jake thought back to his visit with his commanding officer just a little over a week ago. The army had been good to him during the past six years, and he’d loved it, but that career was over. He had to think of a future for him and his family, even if it meant spending his life at the plant. He’d do anything for Ali and Joanie.
“So, Jake, you ever think you might be interested in law enforcement?”
Ray’s voice brought Jake back to attention. “I don’t know. Right now I’m more interested in getting my leg back in shape.”
“Wouldn’t hurt to maybe mull the idea around. I watched you with those high-school kids when you gave the talk for career day. You were good with them. You had their attention.”
The only thing Jake remembered was being asked a lot of questions about his football days. “They seemed more interested in my skill as a quarterback than anything else.”
“The point is, they communicated with you. You have their respect. Believe me, as an officer of the law, that’s most of the battle. With your military background and your knowledge of Webster, you might be a good candidate.”
Jake was taken aback. Sheriff? What a crazy idea.
Besides, he’d already committed to the job at the plant, and despite the fact that he’d be working for his father, Jake had been looking forward to helping get the new division off the ground. He’d be able to work regular hours, and do the therapy needed to strengthen his leg.
Most important, he’d be able to spend time with his family.
The Pierce household was finally quiet after everyone had gone to bed for the night. Ali was especially grateful that the busy day had come to an end. Exhausted, she slipped on her flannel nightgown, then pulled the blanket back on her bed. She started to climb in, when there was a soft knock on her bedroom door.
The clock on the beside table showed that it was well after eleven. Was it Jake coming upstairs to say good-night? Excitement raced through her as she hurried to answer the door. Her smile died quickly when she discovered Darcie waiting in the hall.
Her sister didn’t wait to be invited in. She just pushed past Ali, the satin of her long black nightgown trailing behind her. Quickly, Darcie glanced around the dim bedroom.
“So you are alone,” she said with a look of satisfaction. “Why does that not surprise me? When Jake and I were together, he’d never leave me—”
“Look, Darcie,” Ali interrupted her. “I’m tired and I have to be at work early in the morning.” She wasn’t in the mood for any of her sister’s games. “What do you want?”
“I want what belongs to me.”
Ali folded her arms over her chest.
Darcie looked hurt. “How could you do this to me, Ali? I’m a laughingstock in Webster now. The whole town knows that the man I was supposed to marry slept with my sister—my twin sister.” She paced a while, then swung around. “And you. Don’t you have any pride? Couldn’t you get a man of your own?”
Ali winced as if her sister had slapped her. The bitterness in Darcie’s voice only added to the pain. As much as Ali tried not to let her sister’s words affect her, they’d hit the bull’s-eye.
“I wasn’t out to get your man, or any man,” Ali began to explain. “What happened between Jake and me wasn’t planned. It just happened. But the result is that I have a child, and Jake is her father.” Ali was shaking now. “We’re going to be married.”
Darcie jammed her hand on her hip. “Then you really are a fool. You know that Jake will always love me.”
Another direct hit.
“We were together a long time.” Darcie’s gaze swept over Ali. “You were just my skinny sister who he used to tease.”
Ali stiffened her spine. She had to fight back. “Obviously Jake’s done a little more than tease me.”
Darcie’s nostrils flared. “I guess you don’t care that you’re second in his heart.”
“I’m not second.”
Darcie went still. “We’ll see about that. Anyway, if you think that a man like Jake Hawkins can survive in this town, you are crazy. The one thing we did have in common was wanderlust. That was the reason Jake went into the military. He never wanted to settle in one place. Jake and I talked about traveling together, but I just couldn’t see myself wasting away on a military base. So at the last minute I chose New York. But the point, Ali, is that he wanted to leave this hick town as much as I did, and never look back.”
Darcie shook her head. “And you’ll never leave Webster, Ali. You’re just like Gran June. You love this old house and this stupid town. You like knowing your neighbors and going to town council meetings.” Darcie sighed. “You’d better think long and hard, Ali. All too soon, Jake will get bored with this bucolic life here…and with you.”
Ali’s heart pounded so loudly, she heard the sound in her ears. “Okay, Darcie. You’ve had your say—now get out.”
With a smirk of satisfaction, Darcie tossed her hair off her shoulders and marched out of the room. Once the door closed, Ali sank to the mattress, her trembling hands clutched together, her feigned confidence gone.
Was Darcie right? Would Jake grow tired of her…or of Joanie? Her thoughts went back to her own parents, how devastated she’d been when they divorced, then later deserted her and Darcie.
“No.” Ali stood and pushed aside Darcie’s cruel words. Jake wouldn’t do that to her. And he loved Joanie. He was starting a job at the plant on Monday. They were going to have a future together, a house, more children…. Ali stopped. Oh, God! Was Jake taking the job at the plant for her? She couldn’t let him do that. She had to find out for sure. Didn’t he know that he didn’t have to take the job at the plant?
She reached for her robe and slipped it on, then she walked out the door. Somehow she
had to try to convince Jake that the plant wasn’t his only option.
Mostly she needed to let him know how much she wanted them to have a future together.
“What the hell are you doing here, Darcie?” Jake sat up in bed. The unmistakable scent of her perfume gave her away the second she came into his room. He never thought she’d be brazen enough to try to seduce him.
“C’mon, Jake. You know you’ve missed me.” She sat down on the edge of the bed, then reached out and began to stroke his bare chest.
“Cut it out, Darcie. You’re going to regret this in the morning.”
“Oh, Jake. Are we going to do some regrettable things? That sounds exciting.” She leaned forward, her breasts threatening to spill out the top of her satin nightgown.
He grabbed her hand and moved it away. “We’re doing nothing. Ali and I are going to be married.”
She laughed. “Right. Like my mousy sister can keep you satisfied.” She moved closer.
“As a matter of fact, she does. Ali is an incredible woman and a wonderful mother.” There was a subtle beauty about Ali that drew him, unlike the brassy made-up woman who was before him now. He’d outgrown his taste for women like Darcie. Even her perfume turned him off.
“That’s it, isn’t it. You wanted children and I didn’t.”
Jake closed his eyes and prayed for patience. “That’s part of it. But there’s more, Darcie.”
Her hands were back on his chest. This time she pressed her body against his. “What we had was good, too. Jake, remember the time we—”
Jake pushed her away. “Stop it, Darcie. It’s over between us.” He got out of bed. Wearing only his boxer shorts, he limped to the closet, grabbed a robe and jerked it on. “I guess you have a short memory, but nineteen months ago, you walked out on me. You said that you didn’t want to live with me, or my choice of career. Well, I finally woke up. It took me almost dying to realize that I wanted something else, too. You were right to go after what you want. I plan to, as well. I want your sister.”
She looked sad as she walked across the room to him. “I guess you’re right, Jake. We did want different things back then.” She looked up at him and flashed those big green eyes.
Baby, Our Baby! Page 17