by Scott, Lisa
Some people do, she thought. Just not me. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not taking no for an answer, Kate. You need me, and you’re going to realize it sooner or later.” He pushed back his chair and stomped off into the night.
Mitch popped up from his chair, scratching his head. “I better talk to him or something.” He chased after him.
Dina crossed her arms and glared at Kate.
She just wasn’t making anyone happy today. Not even herself—because it would have been so nice and easy to say yes to Teague.
Chapter 21
“COME AND SEE the baby.”
Kate almost dropped her cell when she heard Teague’s voice. She hadn’t expected to hear from him again. It had been a long week since she’d last seen him.
When she didn’t respond, he quickly added, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I just had to share this with someone.”
“Jennifer had her baby already? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, he’s almost three weeks early, but he’s beautiful and perfect, and Jenny’s thrilled. She’s even told us who the father is, and he’s here, too. One of the fellow residents—she was trying to protect him. I guess he’s her boyfriend. The staff is still trying to figure out how they were able to …” He cleared his throat. “We’ve got ourselves one interesting situation here. But I really want you to meet my nephew. That’s all, as a friend.”
Could she do that? Just as a friend? She’d take what she could get. “I’d love to.”
Kate picked up a tiny teddy bear and a big bunch of flowers before she drove to the hospital. She tapped on the door, and Teague rushed to greet her. “Wait till you see him.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room.
Kate hugged Jennifer and handed her the gifts while Teague plucked the baby from its bassinette. “Have you ever seen anything so amazing?” He gazed at the little bundle in his arms. The man looked like he’d never seen a baby before. Kate thought back over his history and realized he probably hadn’t.
Kate offered a finger to the grunting, squirming little guy with swirls of auburn hair pasted to his wrinkly scalp. He grabbed it and he might as well have reached in and squeezed her heart. This was not the thing a twenty-six-year-old woman in love with the man next to her needed to see. She wanted a baby—a baby of her own. Teague’s baby.
She might as well wish for the moon.
“Want to hold him?”
She nodded. “What’s his name?”
He blushed a little. “Jennifer named him Teague.”
Kate looked over at Jennifer and the baby’s father, whispering and holding hands. “Will they be able to raise him on their own?”
He shook his head. “They’re both almost like children themselves. I guess an open adoption is the best scenario. The facility won’t allow me to hire a nanny for the baby … I just don’t see another option.”
It would have been very easy to say yes, let’s do this. Let’s raise this child, let’s get married. But a relationship based in lies would collapse down the road. Mama and George had shown her that. It was impossible, really.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve got to get things settled before I start filming next month. Maybe I’ll move them to be near me in L.A. I’m going home tomorrow and I’ll look into some facilities. After that, I’ll look for parents for the baby.”
Teague would never have reason to come back here, she realized. Which was just as well. “I hope it all works out for you.” She had to leave before the tears took over. “I’ve got to get going.” She forced a smile. “We’re planning a wedding for Dina and Mitch. Lots to do.” Her voice sounded thick and forced.
They faced each other, neither of them wanting to admit this might be the last time they ever saw each other. “Send me a postcard from Australia.”
“I will. If there’s ever anything you need …” He reached out his hand for her, but she wouldn’t take it, so he dropped it to his side.
There would always be something she needed from Teague. Something she could never have.
KATE DIRECTED THE catering crew setting up tables and tents in the back yard. She swiped her hand along her forehead. Tommy looked surprisingly handsome, cool and collected, and totally opposite of the frenzy Kate was feeling. She wanted to bop him over the head with one of her shoes. He came up behind her and squeezed her shoulders.
She squealed. “Don’t do that.”
“What are you so nervous about? This isn’t your wedding. And I’m still waiting on you, Katie. It’s the right thing for us. ” He grinned and nodded, like that might convince her.
She ignored him. “Did you get the keg yet?”
“Yep. And the cake and the flowers and the fifteen other things you put on my list. I’m reliable. I take care of this community. I can take care of you.”
“I can take care of myself, Tommy.” She pushed past him and decided to check on the pastries in the kitchen for the third time. If only she could see beyond their past, it might work. He still had the good looks that had buckled her knees back in school. And he certainly had seemed like a different guy these past few weeks. But he had one big thing going against him. He wasn’t Teague Reynolds.
She reached into the closet for one of the sundresses she’d worn in Hawaii. She clutched it to her chest, inhaling the scents still mingled in the gauzy fabric. She could smell Teague and suntan lotion and a dozen memories. She shoved it back in the closet and picked out her simple standby black dress. It reminded her of her life—practical and predictable.
Kate expected a nervous, quivering Dina. But she was calm and smiling. Kate helped her into the sleeveless white dress that she’d picked out and assured her she didn’t look like a Macy’s parade float, then gave her a last-minute hug.
Dina froze for a moment, then hugged her back. They hadn’t shared too many hugs growing up. Life was just changing all around her.
“Thanks,” Dina whispered. “I know we haven’t always been the best of friends, but I’m glad that’s changing.” She tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
“Me, too.”
Kate scurried out to the back yard, herded the guests to their seats and cued the school’s music teacher they’d hired to play the violin. Tommy walked Dina across the deck and down the stairs, and Kate sent a thousand curses out into the universe, hoping George would be punished for missing this. She’d called him at least a dozen times, begging him to come home.
“I’ve got auditions, Katie. Being a Hollywood actor is not an easy gig.”
Which made her even more impressed with how Teague had been right there for his sister, and he actually had a real career in Hollywood.
Dina had tried to pretend she wasn’t bothered by it, that she was happy and proud of George for chasing this dream. But Kate knew better. The girl was putting up a good front. A year earlier she would have had a foot-stomping hissy fit if she didn’t get her way.
Dina walked toward her groom, clutching her gardenias and rubbing her belly. Kate frowned, hoping the Braxton-Hicks wasn’t kicking in again.
Mitch held out his hand for her and kissed her once she reached him. Not a sweet peck on the cheek, but a kiss probably similar to the one that started this whole thing, what, nearly eight months ago?
The preacher cleared his throat and started the ceremony.
Tears pricked her eyes right from the get go. Oh, shoot. She’d never been weepy at weddings before, but this one hit her. Maybe because it was her stepsister, but more likely because she was certain she’d never be the one up there in front of a minister, in love, looking forward to a life together with someone.
A hankie appeared in front of her and she saw Tommy offering it to her. “Thanks,” she whispered.
He set his hand on her shoulder and surprisingly, she let him keep it there for the rest of the ceremony.
DINA AND MITCH danced under the twinkly lights in the reception tent. Kate frowned while watching them, thinking Dina had spent way too much time on her feet for
a mama-to-be on bed rest. When the song ended, she pulled Dina off the dance floor and plopped her in a chair. “Rest,” she commanded.
“I’m fine. It’s my wedding, what could go wrong?”
“Maybe you should,” Mitch said, squatting beside her, rubbing her tummy.
“Oh, lord. We’re married two hours and you’re already telling me what to do?”
And they’re off, Kate thought, rubbing her temples.
Dina was mid-sentence, still arguing, when she caught her breath. Her mouth turned into a tiny “o” and she looked down at the puddle between her legs. “I don’t think that’s pee.”
Mitch hopped up from his seat and started pacing. “Oh, crap. Oh, crap. Oh, crap.”
“It ain’t that either, honey,” Dina said, surprisingly calm, reaching for another piece of cake on a nearby table.
Crap is right, thought Kate. The baby wasn’t due for another six weeks. Kate scanned the crowd for Tommy. He was clear across the tent at the bar. She cupped her hands to her mouth. “Tommy! Get over here. We need you.”
He dropped his drink and sprinted over. The music stopped and the crowd stared at the commotion.
“What is it?” He surveyed the scene and kneeled next to Dina.
“Her water broke. Are you having contractions?” Kate asked.
Dina nodded, finishing her cake.
“We gotta get her to the hospital.”
“We’ll take my cruiser. Help me get her up, Mitch.”
“I’m coming, too,” Kate said, following. She caught her friend Jeanne’s eye. “You’re in charge of the party.”
“Sure thing. Now get that girl to the hospital!”
Dina was the only one not panicking.
Kate grabbed some towels from the house and lined them along the back seat. Mitch laid Dina’s head on his lap and stroked her hair. She caught her breath each time a contraction kicked in, and they were coming more quickly than Kate would’ve liked.
Kate hopped in the front and Tommy flicked on the lights and sirens and sped toward the hospital in Whitesville.
“How quickly can you get there?” she asked.
“It’s a forty-five minute drive if you’re doing the speed limit, which I won’t be. I’d say twenty-five minutes at best.”
Of all the units they’d covered in nursing school, obstetrics was her least favorite. “Can you make it twenty?”
“I’ll sure try, darlin’.” The car lurched forward and Kate gripped the seat and said a few silent prayers.
Dina was moaning every three minutes, so Kate guessed that’s how quickly the contractions were coming. She’d called the hospital and they had a crew ready to meet them at the ER. “Hang in there, sweetie, we’re almost there.”
Mitch was green and speechless in the backseat and she wondered who’d toss their cookies first.
“It’s coming!” Dina shouted. She’d lost her cool the minute Tommy flicked on the sirens.
“Hold it in,” Tommy said, hitting the gas. “We’re five, six minutes away.”
Kate slugged his arm. “She can’t hold it in. Pull over.”
Tommy pulled the cruiser into an empty parking lot. This is a bad way for a preemie to be coming into the world, Kate thought, pushing Mitch out of the way. “Get in front,” she told him.
They swapped seats and Kate shouted to Tommy to keep driving. The car pulled back on the road, and she took a deep breath before checking out the situation. She didn’t see a head crowning. “I think we can get you there in time, but I’m right here if we don’t. So relax, squeeze my hand, and breathe.” OB might not have been Kate’s favorite rotation in nursing school, but she did remember one thing: if the patient is talking, she can’t push. “Keep talking Dina, sing if you want, but do not push. Tell me again what you got at your baby shower?”
Dina started rattling off a laundry list of bibs and booties and toys and, somehow, they arrived at the hospital. The medical team was waiting and Dina made it up to the delivery room before giving birth to little five-pound-eight-ounce Ashley ten minutes later.
Kate slumped against Tommy outside Dina’s room and laughed. Then cried. “Why is everything so crazy lately?”
He kissed her head—yes, kissed her—and said, “That’s life for you. And I reckon it’s a lot easier when you’re navigating the rough spots with someone else. So whadda ya say, Kate? Don’t you think its time we end this nonsense and get hitched?”
Kate was too tired to argue. She was not going to deal with this, not tonight.
“That wasn’t a no.” Tommy seemed just as surprised.
Kate shrugged. She just didn’t have the strength to consider his question. She’d talk to him tomorrow, really explain why it just wouldn’t work. But right then, she just wanted a moment of peace.
They went back in the room to take another look at their niece. They peeked at little Ashley snoozing and sucking her thumb, and Tommy slung his arm around Kate’s shoulder as they walked out of the hospital.
“Better get back and start cleaning up the mess from the reception,” she said
“Nah, we need a drink. Let’s go celebrate.” He pulled her in for a kiss, but she leaned back from him and he dropped his hand.
“You go on ahead. I’m too pooped.” She’d raise a toast to her new niece another day.
Chapter 22
TEAGUE SET DOWN his beer and counted the hours before he could leave this town. At least he’d never have to come back and see Kate again once he moved Jennifer near L.A. He didn’t think he could handle seeing the only woman he’d ever loved; the one woman he couldn’t have.
The door to the bar burst open and Teague looked up. It was the police chief. Teague looked for Kate, but it appeared the chief was alone.
“Hey, hey, everyone! I’ve got an announcement to make,” he bellowed, and the bar quieted down. “Kate Riley has finally agreed to marry me. Drinks are on me.”
The bar erupted in cheers, everyone jostling to shake the chief’s hand. Teague resisted the urge to smash his glass against the bar and slunk out before the chief spotted him.
He slammed his hands on the steering wheel. Damn, he’d screwed up. What had he done to send her rushing back to that hound? The chief was a cheater and he’d lied to her. And Kate had said she wanted the truth. How could she go back to a guy who’d given her nothing but lies?
And suddenly it was like the clouds had blown out of the sky and he got it. Kate wanted the truth. That was it. He wasn’t going to get her unless he could be truthful about everything. Could he do that? How long had it taken him to admit the truth to himself?
He stared out the window at the trees swaying in the warm midnight breeze and shook his head as the realization sank in. But could he be truthful about everything? Jennifer? The baby? All those damn newspapers and TV shows. If not for them, they’d have no problem making this thing work.
He ran his hand down his face wondering how he could fix everything. Then he realized those damn newspapers and TV shows might be able to help. He didn’t believe for one minute she wanted to be with the police chief. He had to take a chance. But if it didn’t pan out … he’d blow everything for nothing.
KATE TROLLED THE produce aisle, looking for the strawberries Dina had requested. She was enjoying being waited on, and Kate was happy to do it. Her mama would have been doing it if she were still here.
“Hi, there, Kate.” Delores looked up from the cantaloupe she was poking. “That was some big news about the baby.”
The last two days had been a whirlwind—cleaning up from the party, visiting Dina in the hospital, dealing with questions like this one. “Yes, but Dina’s fine and everything’s good.” Was there anyone in this town who didn’t know about the dramatic race to the hospital? That’s Willowdale for you.
Delores put her hand on her hip. “I was talking about Teague Reynolds’ baby.”
Kate said nothing. The words just wouldn’t come out. But Delores must have understood her confusion from the terror
in Kate’s bulging eyes.
“You didn’t hear? He’s adopting a baby. His sister’s baby. I just saw it on Entertainment Tonight … and he talked about you, too.” She pointed a finger at her. “I would have gotten a bundle for that scoop.”
Kate left her half-filled cart parked next to the melons, raced back home and flipped on her computer. Come on, come on! She logged onto the ET website and clicked on the video links. Teague was holding the baby as the reporter interviewed him. “This is not the T-Rex we’ve come to know. Tell us about this baby, Teague,” said the beautiful blonde.
And Teague explained how he’d gotten a call that he had a twin sister, also given up for adoption years ago, and that she was having a baby she wouldn’t be able to raise, for reasons he didn’t want to discuss. He didn’t talk about her mental challenges.
“All these years and you didn’t know you had a sister?”
“No. It was a thrill to meet her.” He smiled his gorgeous Teague smile—the sincere one.
“And so you’re going to raise this baby on your own?” the reporter asked.
Teague looked at the camera. “I certainly hope not. I’ve proposed to a woman I hope says yes. So, I’ll ask her again—Kate, will you marry me?”
“Kate?” the reporter asked.
“Kate?” Tommy asked behind her.
She slapped the lid of her laptop shut, but it was too late.
“Teague Reynolds just proposed to you?” Tommy asked, palming his gun.
She nodded.
“But you said yes to me last night.”
“I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t say no. I took it as a yes.”
“Tommy, I just didn’t feel like fighting after everything with the baby.”
He blinked for a moment and deflated. “Guess that means you won’t be wanting this.” He held a small white box in his hand. He popped it open to show her the engagement ring, which appeared to be a honking two-carat solitaire. “I thought I’d get you a new one, start with a clean slate and everything.” He rubbed his hand over his eyes and sighed. “I told everyone at the bar you said yes. When I said we should go out and celebrate, and you didn’t argue, I just thought … well, I thought you were on board. ”