Sealing the Deal

by Sandy James

  She belonged to them. They were a family now.

  “I can’t believe you’re telling me this.” Beth shrugged his arm away and jumped to her feet.

  He’d been so lost in thought he needed a few moments to realize what she was talking about. “You’re pissed because of my smoking a little weed back in college?”

  She stomped to the kitchen and started slamming cabinets and pans, probably getting things ready for supper. The whole time, she muttered to herself. He caught words like irresponsible, stupid, and idiot, which told him this wasn’t going to be the nonissue he’d hoped it would be.

  A single arrest for possession, one that was expunged years ago, wasn’t something to get worked up over. Sure, his attitude about weed was rather laid back, especially as a former teacher. But a lot of people saw it as a venial sin, something not all that bad. Hell, some states had even made it legal.

  Emma had finished her milk and picked up one of her stuffed toys, but once Beth had begun her little tantrum, for want of a better word, Emma had dropped the toy and now stared at Beth with wide eyes.

  Robert got up, went over to Emma, and rubbed her back. “It’s okay, squirt. Matka’s just upset with Bobber.”

  Her brown eyes shifted from him to Beth and back again. The intelligence in those eyes never ceased to amaze him.

  He picked up the stuffed pony she’d dropped and handed it to her.

  She grabbed it and babbled some of her baby talk at the pony. That storm calmed, he went to soothe his other girl.

  Beth was attacking some ground beef in a big glass bowl, stopping every now and then to add a few more ingredients before going back at the mixture with the long-handled wooden spoon.

  With no warning, the handle snapped off.

  “Damn it!” She tossed the part in her hand into the sink and then stared at the food, her hands on her hips.

  Robert came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Although she was stiff as a crowbar, he pulled her back against him and rubbed his chin on top of her head. “I d-didn’t mean to disappoint you, B. I’m human. I make m-mistakes.”

  She sighed and nodded, bumping his chin. Then she sniffed hard a few times as though fighting back tears.

  He turned her to face him, lifting her chin with his finger so he could look into her eyes. “This is more than my youthful indiscretion. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “What if someone finds out you were arrested and tries to use that against us so we can’t adopt Emma?”

  “It was a misdemeanor. I paid the fine. The thing got expunged. Think about it. I was able to teach, right? It didn’t stop the state of Illinois from giving me a teaching license.”

  “Oh. I hadn’t thought about that.” She drew her lips tight. “I still can’t believe you smoke pot.”

  “Smoked. Ancient history. I s-swear.” He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

  At least he got a hesitant smile from her.

  Robert brushed a quick kiss over her lips. “How ’bout I finish supper while you give Alexis a call?”

  She frowned. “I need to tell her about Darren.”

  “Yep, you do. Wonder if he’ll be hard to track down?”

  “Not according to my mother. Evidently, he works at the Burger Barn back in my hometown.”

  “How does she know that?” Robert asked.

  “She saw him there when they were in town for the funeral,” Beth replied.

  “That’s great!”

  She cocked her head. “Why?”

  He grinned, hoping to give her some of the confidence that had filled him at learning where Darren worked. “What judge would take her away from a married couple who own their home outright and have great jobs to give her to a guy who smokes dope and flips burgers for a living?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Robert picked up his spatula, tossed it end over end, and caught the handle in midair. He was feeling pretty cocky since the birthday barbeque had gone so well. Why not show off a little?

  And there was even more to come.

  Beth and her Ladies were all sitting back, sipping their drinks. Ben and Connor were sprawled over deck chairs, rubbing their stomachs and grumbling about being too full. The children had eaten huge portions of the special foods Robert had prepared for them, and they were now napping in the nursery with Aubrey watching over them.

  “I’m gonna pop the button on my pants,” Connor teasingly complained. “You put on a mighty fine spread, Robert, my man.”

  “Hey!” Beth protested. “I made most of the side dishes.”

  “They were delicious,” Connor added. “But your guy knows how to grill the perfect medium-well rib eye.”

  “Amen!” Ben raised his beer in salute. “I feel like I’m going to explode.”

  “Compliments to the chef,” Jules added, lifting her drink in salute.

  The day had been perfect, the fickle Illinois weather cooperating for once, which would make Robert’s surprise come off even better. Nothing worse than trying to get people to stand outside in the pouring rain.

  But sunshine was in abundance, and the air held the scent of spring after a winter of far too much snow and below-zero wind chills. Beth had even been able to put out some flowers, although she was running out of time to decide exactly what she wanted to do with the landscaping. She’d have to choose soon, because spring had finally arrived.

  Robert closed the lid on the grill and set his spatula aside when he heard the first of the sounds he’d expected. A trumpet-trilling reveille pierced the air.

  “What the heck?” Beth set her drink aside and scurried down the deck, hurrying to the fence gate.

  “Wait for me!” Afraid she’d make it to the front of the house before him, Robert leapt over the railing, drawing a confused frown from Beth. Taking her hand, he turned back to his guests. “C’mon, everyone! I’ve got something special planned!”

  “Robert, I don’t understand.” Beth stumbled to keep up with him.

  He slowed his pace, not wanting to drag her to the driveway. He just couldn’t contain his excitement. Planning this event had taken far longer than he’d anticipated, but it was finally here.

  His heart was pounding, although he had no idea why. She’d already accepted his proposal. Surely she wouldn’t change her mind now.

  So why the nerves?

  Because Robert owed her this gesture, and he wanted her to know exactly how much she meant to him. The fear that she might change her mind about committing to him was there, niggling at him. Her declaration of love should have silenced that negative voice, but it had been there his whole life. Three little words, no matter how deeply they touched his heart, weren’t going to send that pessimism packing.

  Beth clenched his hand when they reached the concrete driveway.

  The Douglas High marching band was in formation on the street, the two drum majors standing atop small stepladders at the end of the driveway. The band director, Marty Bourne, gave Robert a wave before nodding at his drum majors. The young man and woman nodded in return, lifted their batons, and launched the band into their private performance.

  “Robert?” Beth knit her brows, and although she asked something more, her words were lost in the volume of the band.

  “Just listen,” Robert said, raising his voice in hopes she’d hear him.

  The students played “Marry You,” a Bruno Mars song he’d often heard her singing when she thought she was alone. He’d never told her he could hear her, not wanting her tendency toward being an introvert to silence such a beautiful voice. Besides, sitting quietly to listen to her happiness made him happy, too.

  Robert let his gaze wander, glad to see Connor and Ben grinning. Mallory’s eyes brimmed with tears, while Jules and Dani were laughing as though watching a Monty Python movie. Aubrey had come out to the front porch, holding a wide-eyed Emma against her hip as the equally amazed twins stood on either side of her. Most of their neighbors had spilled out into their driveways to watch the b
and’s performance.

  The only person not smiling was Beth. Standing next to him, still clasping his hand, she pressed the fingers of her other hand against her lips.

  He frowned as he stared down at her, afraid he’d gone too far over the top in an attempt to show her that he could be romantic and that she meant enough to him to deserve a grand gesture.

  * * *

  Beth couldn’t look at Robert. If she did, she’d burst into tears. As it was, she held only a tenuous grip over her rioting emotions, just enough that she wouldn’t make a fool of herself.

  Ever since Tiffany’s death, Beth had felt the need to control herself, especially where her feelings were concerned. Bottling them up was easier than dealing with them, something that seemed akin to opening Pandora’s box. She simply didn’t have time to be emotional anymore.

  She didn’t need Robert to tell her this gesture was all his idea. The song the band played said it clearly. She also knew why he’d gone to so much trouble in arranging this serenade. How many times had he apologized because he thought his proposal hadn’t been at all romantic? It didn’t seem to matter how often she told him she wasn’t disappointed. He wouldn’t get it through his thick skull. Even though she’d assured him the proposal was fine, he’d gone ahead and arranged this performance. How very like Robert…

  When the song ended and the drum majors lowered their batons, Robert squeezed her hand and turned to face her.

  Everyone was staring at them, and her cheeks were on fire. It was one thing to hold her class’s attention when she was teaching, but to be the focus of so many people? That embarrassment, added to her tumultuous emotions, pushed her close to the brink of breaking down.

  Holding her gaze, Robert dropped to one knee as his free hand fished around in the pocket of his jeans. He was really going to do this—propose again in front of her friends and students.

  Beth choked back a sob. She didn’t want to burst into tears in front of all these people, especially the band. Her heart was overflowing, and if she moved her fingers away from her lips, she’d be bawling like a starving baby.

  Robert produced a navy-blue velvet box and held it out to her. His hand shook. “B-Bethany Michelle Rogers? Will you do me the honor of b-being my wife?”

  All she could do was nod like a jostled bobblehead doll.

  The students broke out in a deafening cheer, raising their instruments in the air as they high-fived each other.

  Despite her best efforts, a tear slipped from her eye, tracing a wet path down her cheek. He held the box out to her again, so she finally pulled her hand away from her mouth to take the offering from him. No sob bubbled out, but she was trembling from head to toe and couldn’t utter a coherent sentence to save her life.

  Instead of giving her the box, Robert opened it, plucked the silver ring from inside, and dropped her right hand to take her left in his. Then he slid the ring onto her third finger—or at least he tried to. The thing was so big it slipped right back off.

  He caught the ring before it hit the ground. “I guess w-we’ll have to get it resized.” He held it out to her. “What do you think?” he shouted above the noise of the crowd.

  She grasped the shiny ring between her thumb and index finger and stared at the beautiful and far-too-large diamond. “It’s gorgeous.” Her voice wasn’t louder than a mouse squeaking.

  “What?” Cupping his ear, he leaned closer.

  “It’s gorgeous!” she shouted above the din, finally able to speak.

  The band was still whooping it up, as were Jules, Mallory, and Dani. Connor and Ben both came over to cuff Robert on the shoulder in manly congratulations.

  A hand settled on Beth’s arm. She spun around to find a grinning Alexis. She’d called earlier to tell them she’d be late to the barbeque. Robert had invited her, telling Beth he wanted her to see how happy Emma was with them so she’d know she was fighting the good fight to help with the adoption.

  “Congratulations.” Alexis pulled Beth into a quick hug. “I’m happy for you two.”

  Beth swiped at her cheek with the heel of her hand. “Thanks.”

  At least the band was dispersing, heading down the street in both directions, undoubtedly to find their ways back to their cars.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Alexis added. “But at least I got here in time for the big show.”

  The band director came striding up to them. “What did you think, Beth?”

  “You’re the best, Marty,” she replied, giving him a quick hug. “The kids were wonderful.”

  Robert shook his hand. “I owe you one.”

  “My pleasure.” Marty left with a saucy salute and a sassy grin.

  “How about we all adjourn to the deck?” Beth suggested, taking the velvet box Robert handed her. She tucked her engagement ring inside and let him put the box back in his pocket.

  She was still overwhelmed with emotions, making the proper introductions difficult. If she herded everyone out back, she could take a few precious moments to get herself under control.

  After brushing a quick kiss over her lips, Robert led the way to the backyard. Aubrey gave Beth a smile and nod and took the children back inside through the front door. The Ladies and their men followed Robert while Beth walked slowly with Alexis at her side.

  Once everyone was settled on the deck, Alexis seemed reluctant to speak.

  Beth tried to put her at ease while Robert got a plate of food for her. “These are our friends,” she told Alexis. “If you know anything about the adoption, you can speak freely in front of them.”

  Alexis frowned. “Are you sure?”

  Beth gave her lawyer a quick explanation of how important the Ladies Who Lunch were, even pulling her shirt aside enough to reveal the pink ribbon tattoo, an action Jules and Dani mimicked.

  “Thank you,” Alexis said as she took the full plate from Robert and set it on the table next to her chair. “So here’s the story… I talked to Darren Brown. To say he was shocked when I told him about Emma is an understatement. He says it’s possible he’s her father, that the timing is right. He’s also willing to take a DNA test.”

  Beth’s heart started slamming in her chest hard enough that a wave of nausea hit her.

  The pessimist who made a home in her brain already knew what that test would show. Darren was Emma’s father, and he would use the results of that test to snatch Emma away from her and Robert.

  “Don’t look so down,” Alexis said. “It’s only the first step. Darren wasn’t positive. He said it was possible but not a sure thing. He told me Tiffany never even hinted she was expecting. The breakup wasn’t good.”

  “Let me guess,” Beth said, resigned to yet another of her sister’s fiascos. “They argued about something and Tiffany up and left without a warning.”

  “Bingo. There’s one more important thing you should know. He doesn’t work at the Burger Barn,” Alexis said.

  “He’s unemployed?” Robert’s tone was downright hopeful.

  Alexis shook her head. “He owns the Burger Barn, which means we need to start preparing for what to do if he’s Emma’s father.”

  “Preparing?” Robert asked. He stood behind the chair Beth had sat in and rested his hands on her shoulders. The slight tremble in his touch told her he was also shaken by Darren’s situation.

  Owns the restaurant? Darren?

  He’d definitely come up in the world.

  Comforted by Robert’s touch, she reached up to put her hand over his. “We’re prepared, and we’ll do whatever else we have to do, anything you think will help, Alexis.”

  “Well, then…” She rubbed her hands together. “When’s the wedding?”

  Beth glanced back at him. “We haven’t set a date.”

  “I only now proposed properly,” Robert teased.

  “How soon could you arrange it?” Alexis asked.

  “Soon,” Robert said with a decisive nod. “How about spring break, B?”

  Dani hopped into the conversation. “But that
’s only a week away! We need time to plan.”

  “No plans.” Beth gave Robert’s hand a squeeze and then dropped her own hand back into her lap. “We want something small. Maybe a justice of the peace or something.”

  “Not easy to find,” Alexis said. “Despite what movies portray, it’s actually really hard to get a justice of the peace. But a judge? That, I could help with.”

  “We won’t even have time to get a proper bachelorette party together.” Dani shifted her gaze from Beth to Jules and then Mallory as though seeking support.

  “We can always have a party after,” Jules consoled. “Since when do the Ladies need an excuse for a raunchy night out on the town?” She winked at Beth.

  “Illinois only has a day wait after you get the license,” Alexis said, picking up the plate of food and putting it on her lap. “Just let me know when, and I’ll set up a nice civil ceremony. You can bring your friends. I’d keep it under ten people, though. The judge doesn’t like people crowding the courtroom.”

  “I’d bring the Ladies,” Beth said.

  “Connor and Ben,” Robert added. “Maybe my oldest brother if he could get here to be my best man.”

  “Perfect!” Alexis took a bite of the Asiago cheese dinner rolls Beth had made. She closed her eyes and hummed.

  “They’re heaven, aren’t they?” Robert patted Beth’s shoulder. “So, B? How about we get the license next Friday and have the ceremony the Monday of spring break? Maybe my sister could keep Emma for a couple of nights, and I’ll take you to Chicago for a short but sweet honeymoon. You love the museums.”

  The man thought of everything. Only one thing stopped her from telling him it was a wonderful plan.

  She didn’t want to leave Emma behind.

  But who took their kid on a honeymoon?

  They might as well drag her along. Nothing else about her relationship with Robert had happened at all like Beth had dreamed, so why not screw up the honeymoon, too?

  When she was a little girl, she’d thought a lot about how her wedding would be. Perhaps the elaborate fantasies helped her get through a childhood full of her mother’s disapproval and her father’s negligence, or perhaps they were the thoughts of all hopeless romantic girls.