Pete quickly pulled the truck into the same parking place. “What condition?” he repeated.
“I’ll understand if you say no, Pete. Really, I will. But I can’t—I can’t sleep with you.” After one look at the shock on his face, she turned away and waited for his response.
One large hand snaked out to pull her chin back around to him. “Let me get this straight. You’ll marry me, but you won’t sleep with me?”
Her skin tingled from his touch, and she could understand his incredulity. She’d always responded to him like fire racing through deadwood. “Yes.”
“Janie, that’s absurd! If there was one thing right about us, it was the loving.”
“But it wasn’t loving, Pete. Remember? You don’t love me. You just want me.”
“Don’t start that again, Janie. I want to take care of you and our baby—babies. That’s enough.”
What a hardheaded man. She wanted his love so badly, she’d been willing to risk giving him up. But he hadn’t budged an inch. “Pete, you can say no. I won’t tell anyone. Everyone will continue to think I’m being stubborn.”
“You are!” he snapped.
She didn’t think he had to be so quick with his agreement. “Fine. We’ll just forget I ever offered.”
“Nope, we won’t. I’m accepting your proposal,” Pete said firmly. “I’m marrying you. But I have a condition, too.”
Such a jumble of emotions filled Janie. She was going to marry Pete Randall. But he had terms. Just like her. “What—what kind of terms?”
“I don’t want anyone to know that our marriage isn’t a normal one. I’ll go along with your terms until after the babies are born. I’m not sure it’d be safe, anyway. Then we’ll renegotiate. Okay?”
“Renegotiate?” she repeated, her voice wavering.
His eyes narrowed, and he reached out to encircle her nape. “That’s right, Janie, my girl. You get your way now. I get my way later.”
“Wait—” In one fluid motion, he pulled her close, and his lips covered hers. Instantly the longing that welled up in her was more than she could handle. She’d never realized before that life without Pete’s touch was colorless.
Her fingers fluttered against his cheeks before sliding around his neck. She settled into his embrace with a sigh that shivered all the way through her. How she’d missed his kisses! When his tongue pressed for entry, she didn’t hesitate. The taste of him was ambrosia to her.
His hands stroked her sides under her coat, then slid around to cup her breasts. Memories of their lovemaking overtook her. Pete had never done anything halfway. When he’d taken her, she’d felt completely loved—and she longed to feel that way again.
Hazily she tried to remember why they’d stopped loving each other. It felt so good. He felt so good. She slid one hand down across his broad chest, her fingers seeking an opening so she could touch his warm skin.
But her tactile exploration was cut short when a rapping on the car window interrupted their embrace. Pete looked over her shoulder and grinned at the old gentleman passing by. But Janie couldn’t even summon up a smile. Now she remembered why she hadn’t felt Pete’s arms around her for a long time—and why she’d agreed to marry him but not sleep with him.
Pete’s loving might be magical, but reality hurt too much afterward. It was a lot safer to do without his touch, she reminded herself as she fought to stay in control of her emotions.
As if he were obliging her, he immediately set the truck in motion again, pulling out of the parking space with a squeal of tires.
“Slow down, Pete,” Janie protested. “What’s the hurry?”
“What’s the hurry? I’m getting you home in front of your parents before you change your mind.”
Janie drew a deep breath. The ramifications of her offer were beginning to sink in. “I—I won’t change my mind, but we could wait awhile, to see if you do.”
“I won’t. And we’re not waiting.”
“Well, you don’t have to be so dictatorial!”
Pete pressed down on the accelerator. “Dictatorial? Janie Dawson, I’ve been following you around like a dog begging for a bone for almost a week. And you wonder why I don’t want to wait?”
“I’m not showing yet.”
“No, but at least ten people heard Mrs. Priddy ask me if I was the daddy. So just how long do you think that secret will take to spread all over the county?”
“You said you didn’t mind if people knew,” she reminded him, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
“Hell, Janie! You’re driving me crazy. I’m thinking about you, not me. People always blame the woman, you know that. If we get married at once, there won’t be that much gossip. But if we wait, after everyone knows, they’ll think you forced me to marry you.” He grinned, a teasing look in his eyes that reminded her of happier times.
“Maybe I’ll tell them you forced me.”
“And that would be accurate,” he returned, and then puffed out his chest. “But no one would believe you.”
Only the laughter on his face kept her from slugging him. He had always teased her. “A little full of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Why not? I’m having twins…and I’m marrying the most beautiful girl in the world.”
Before she could recover from such a wonderful compliment, he leaned over and kissed her again.
“Pete! You’re driving!”
“No problem. There aren’t any cars.”
“And—and we aren’t going to do that.” She was becoming concerned about the way he kept touching her, throwing her hormones into overdrive…and her control out the window.
“You’re wrong about that, Janie. We have to convince everyone that we’re a normal couple, remember? That was my condition, and you agreed. We may not have sex, but we’ll be doing a lot of kissing.”
Oh, mercy, she was in trouble.
“PERFECT TIMING,” Lavinia called out as they entered. “Hank is washing up, and dinner is almost ready.”
“Good. I’m starved,” Pete said with a grin. He gave Janie a significant look, warning her to wait until her father arrived on the scene.
“Everything’s okay?” Lavinia asked with a slight frown, as if sensing some underlying tension.
“Fine,” Pete responded, not giving Janie a chance to speak. Hank came into the kitchen just then, and Pete was glad. He wasn’t sure how long he and Janie could remain silent.
“You’re back. How’s everything, Janie?”
Janie looked at Pete and then her parents. “We—we have some news.”
Hank, who had just started to sit down, straightened quickly. “You mean you’re—”
“Having twins,” Janie said breathlessly, her gaze going from her father to her mother.
As if Samantha in “Bewitched” had twitched her nose, everyone froze. Then, with a small cry, Lavinia hugged Janie, while Hank gasped like a marathon runner on his last mile.
After they expressed their concerns and happiness, Hank turned to the next topic. “Now, see here, Janie, I don’t care what your reasons are, it’s time you gave in and married Pete.”
“She has,” Pete said quietly—and, he’d admit, with a little pride. While everyone had tried to convince Janie, or at least all the men in the two families, he’d been the one to persuade her. He set aside his disappointment that she didn’t really want him. He’d deal with that emotion later.
For the second time, they stunned Lavinia and Hank. Then the real celebration began. Lavinia had tears in her eyes as she served dinner, constantly asking questions about their decision.
Hank, relief on his face, served himself large portions of the steak and potatoes Lavinia had prepared, ignoring the broccoli.
“Hank Dawson, you put back that second steak. It has too much cholesterol. You want to be around to play with your grandbabies, don’t you?” Lavinia asked sharply.
Hank rolled his eyes and replaced the smaller of the two steaks. “You watch out, Pete. Don’t let Janie get the upper hand. You
never get it back.”
Lavinia ignored her husband’s comment. “Have you told Pete’s family yet?”
“No, Mom. I wanted you and Dad to be the first ones to know,” Janie replied.
Actually they hadn’t even discussed whom to tell first. Pete, too, had assumed they would tell her parents first. Now he was anxious to inform his own family.
“I think we should all go to the Randalls’. There’s a lot to discuss. Is that all right with you, Pete?”
“That’s a good idea, Lavinia. I’ll call.” Pete excused himself and went to the phone on the wall. Brett answered. “Brett, would you tell Red I’m eating at the Dawsons again?”
“Sure. But he may be mad.”
“I know. But we’re all coming over there after dinner. Tell Jake, will you?”
“Yeah. What’s sup?”
“I’ll tell you when I get there.”
He hung up as Brett asked him another question. They’d all find out together. And hopefully the news would bring peace back to the Randall household.
B.J. RAPPED on the back door and waited in the cold night for someone to open the door. She smiled when Megan urged her inside. The two women had talked several times since the disastrous dinner to welcome Megan and Chad. B.J. felt she’d made a new friend.
“How’s it going?” she asked as she passed Megan.
“About the same. It’s colder inside than it is outside.”
“That’s pretty cold,” B.J. returned, shivering as her body welcomed the heat.
“How about a cup of coffee?” Megan asked, gesturing to the coffeepot that was always ready in the Randall kitchen.
“I’d love one, but I really came to talk to Pete.”
“He’s on his way, according to Brett. If you have time, you can wait for him. And I can have someone to talk to.”
B.J. sat down at the table. “Come on, Megan. Things can’t be that bad. Chad speaks to you, doesn’t he?”
“Sure. He says, ‘Could I have more coffee?’ or ‘Please pass the potatoes.’” She shoved her hand through her chin-length light brown hair.
“Didn’t you explain to him that Janie didn’t feel she should marry Pete until he loves her?”
“Of course I did. And he assured me Pete loves Janie. I suggested he tell Pete he loves her so they can make up and get married before the baby’s born.” Setting two cups of coffee on the table, she joined B.J. “Then he tells me Pete doesn’t want to say those words.”
B.J. shook her head. “These Randall men are something else. Sexy as can be and as hardheaded as mules. God must’ve put them on earth as punishment for women.”
“Tell me about it,” Megan agreed with a sigh, thinking of her own struggles getting Chad to admit his love for her.
The sound of several vehicles arriving distracted them.
“Are you expecting someone besides Pete?” B.J. asked. “If so, I can see him tomorrow. It’s nothing urgent.”
Before Megan could answer, Jake hurried into the kitchen, but he paused when he saw B.J. “I didn’t know you were here.”
His frown didn’t make her feel welcome, but then Jake had never acted pleased with her presence.
“I’m just on my way out,” she offered pleasantly, standing, hoping he’d never know how his attitude hurt her.
Megan intervened. “Don’t be silly, B.J. You needed to talk to Pete. I’m sure this is him. Sit back down.”
Before B.J. could move one way of the other, the door opened to Pete, Janie and her parents.
After the initial greetings, B.J. cornered Pete. “Call me tomorrow when you have a minute. I need to talk to you about our inoculation schedule. Good night, everyone.”
“Wait, B.J.” He turned to Janie. “Do you mind if we tell her?”
Janie smiled at her rather than at Pete. “Of course not. She’s become a friend.”
“Tell B.J. what?” Jake asked.
“Our news. We wanted to tell all of you at once,” Pete added.
“Okay,” Jake agreed. “Shall we adjourn to the living room? Megan, would you knock on Red’s door and ask him to join us? I’ll get Brett.”
“I really don’t have to stay, Janie, if you want it to be just family,” B.J. whispered.
“Stay, please. We won’t keep you long.”
After her last visit to the Randall household, B.J. had vowed to avoid any more family gatherings. But she couldn’t leave now. Curiosity had won out over common sense.
JAKE CALLED for Brett and hurried to the living room. He hoped Pete’s news was good. He wanted his brothers married—but he also wanted them happy.
Chad had married Megan with everyone’s approval. And all the Randalls loved Janie, too. But if she didn’t want to be married to Pete, everyone would be unhappy.
“Janie and I have a couple of things to tell you,” Pete began once everyone had arrived.
By the grin on his face and the fact that his arm was wrapped around Janie’s shoulders, Jake assumed the news was good, that Pete and Janie had resolved their difficulties. Pete certainly looked happy, but Jake wasn’t so sure about Janie.
“Janie has accepted my proposal. We’re going to be married right away.”
There was a lot of whooping and hollering from Brett and Chad, and Jake grinned. Chad was probably hoping his problems with Megan would be at an end.
Suddenly Jake remembered that Pete had said they had two announcements to make. “Pete, what’s the second bit of news?”
Pete’s grin widened even more, and Jake sighed in relief.
“The second announcement will really bowl you over, Jake. We’re getting two for the price of one. Janie’s having twins.”
The celebration for his second announcement was even louder than the first. Jake let the others gather around Janie and Pete. He sat still, taking in the news, happiness bubbling up inside him. Two new Randalls. Two sets of little feet running around the house. And both of them before next Christmas.
Santa was coming to the Randalls. Yee-haw!
JANIE SUCKED IN her stomach as Megan tugged on the zipper. “I think we should’ve gotten a larger size. My waist is already starting to go.”
“Nope. This one is perfect,” Megan assured her as the zipper reached the top. “You’re going to knock Pete off his feet.”
“Didn’t I already do that by having twins?” Janie asked ruefully.
B.J., her second bridesmaid, answered in place of Megan. “Maybe. But this will be a different kind of blow. You don’t look anything like a cowgirl, Janie. More like a movie star.”
Janie turned to look in the mirror. Her dark hair wasn’t in its traditional braid. Instead, it flowed over her shoulders in shiny curls. The antique satin wedding gown with its matching veil gave her the look of a princess in a fairy tale, waiting for her prince to. rescue her.
“I think I’m jealous,” Megan suddenly said, gaining the attention of the other two.
“What are you talking about?” Janie asked anxiously. After all, she and Megan were about to become family.
“Chad and I got married on our own. I wore a blue suit. He wanted to come back home and have a traditional wedding, but I didn’t want to wait. But you’re so beautiful, and everyone’s so excited, I think maybe I made the wrong choice.”
Since Megan was grinning, neither of the other ladies took her seriously.
“It’s how you feel when you wake the next morning that matters,” B.J. said softly, her eyes clouding with memories.
Janie hoped the other two ladies couldn’t read her mind, because her morning would be the same as all the other mornings without Pete, even if they were married.
By her choice.
I must be crazy, putting myself through such torture.
Jake had suggested she and Pete take the two-bedroom suite near Megan and Chad. Since Pete didn’t want anyone to know they weren’t a normal married couple, one room had been designated the babies’ room, but Janie had suggested a daybed be rigged up like a sofa, filled wi
th pillows, in case she had to spend nights with the babies after they were born.
Megan, who was in charge of redoing the house, agreed. While the room didn’t have cribs yet, it had a sofa bed.
“It’s time,” Lavinia said, sticking her head in the door. “Brett’s going to seat me now. Everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine, Mom.” Janie gave her mother her best smile, a little tremulous but warm. Her mother had worked nonstop the past four days to create the perfect wedding for her only daughter.
“Your father’s waiting out here,” Lavinia whispered before disappearing.
“Ready, Janie?” B.J. asked.
She nodded and faced the mirror one more time. Was she making a mistake? Could she ever make Pete love her?
Megan opened the door and waited for Janie to go to her father. Then Megan and B.J., dressed in amber taffeta, took their places. Janie stared after them as each marched down the aisle in the small church. Though it was cold outside, the sun was streaming through the stained-glass windows, filling the church with rich colors.
The organ music swelled, and Janie realized her friends had reached the altar. Now it was her turn. She placed her hand on her father’s arm and raised her gaze to his.
“You’re beautiful, Janie, just like your mother,” he whispered, and led her down the aisle.
PETE HAD FACED some dangerous situations in his life. The first time he’d ridden a bull, his insides had been all scrambled up before he’d gotten on the bull. But getting married was tougher.
Just when he thought he wouldn’t last much longer, Janie, her hand tucked into her father’s arm, appeared at the door to the chapel and took his breath away. He was suddenly glad Jake had insisted on a professional photographer. He didn’t ever want to forget how beautiful Janie looked today.
There were a lot of things to worry about in this marriage, but today wasn’t the time to concern himself with them. Now was the time to celebrate their union…and to celebrate the babies growing inside of Janie.
His babies.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy wedlock.”
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