by Starla Kaye
Alex grinned and glanced at her rounded stomach. “I can’t believe you’re having twins. I’m not sure my buddy deserves that much happiness.” Except she knew that he was glad his friend was finally moving on from the past.
Her father stepped out of the house onto the porch with her mother. They’d been putting up the Halloween decorations she’d gone a bit crazy purchasing for the surprise welcome home party for Chad the next night. Chad, Ted, and Alex had thoroughly enjoyed Halloween. Especially the ‘tricking’ part on their friends and neighbors. She’d enjoyed getting a new costume each year and going to parties, or having one at her family’s home. She wanted this night to be extra special for Chad and for all of their friends and family.
Her gaze shifted back to the string of lights, ready to be hung along the porch railing.
“Not a chance, daughter. We’ll take care of it. You should go inside and lie down a while.” Her father was concerned about her and eager to finally be a grandfather.
Her mother looked gently at her. “Or you could decorate the cookies I just baked.”
When they’d shown up this morning to help her, they’d brought the Halloween decorations she’d treasured while growing up. And ever since she’d mentioned to Elsie Mae at the café last week that she wanted to decorate the house as a surprise for Chad and have a party, so many people in town had stopped by to drop off a decoration for them. She’d been fully accepted back into the community and had made friends again. And Chad hadn’t known it, but a lot of the town had been worried about him.
“I’d rather help out here.”
“Stubborn woman,” Alex grumbled.
She laughed. “You sound like Chad.” She missed him so much she ached inside.
Alex’s eyes warmed. “He’s a good man.” He lowered his voice and asked, “Have you told him yet?”
Actually she’d only told Chad about her decision to set a wedding date. He had asked The Question months ago, but she’d known that he wasn’t really ready for that big step. But as her pregnancy advanced, he’d begun letting the pain of his past go. He looked forward to his babies. And he’d started nagging her about getting married before the children were born. She’d made the date decision last night while watching a movie with Alex. Their friend had been relieved and happy for them.
“I’m going to tell him tomorrow night, after the party.”
The loud roar of a powerful motorcycle coming in their direction captured her attention, probably everyone else’s as well. Beside her Alex stiffened. He inched closer protectively as the bike stopped in front of the house.
It took Toni a couple of seconds before she recognized the visitor as one of her college friends. But as the petite woman climbed off the big Harley and pulled off her helmet, she hesitated in shock. Her friend’s beautiful waist-length hair had gone from blonde to bright shades of pink. It made her smile and hurry across the yard.
“Dakota!” The other woman hugged her carefully because of her enormous stomach. “I thought you’d changed your mind about coming.” She would be staying temporarily in Chad’s house.
Dakota Endsley shook her head, the thick mass of hair swaying around her slender form. “Just running behind a little.”
Alex walked up and studied her friend, his brow pinched, looking disapproving. Dakota frowned right back. Toni had forgotten they’d met years ago when Dakota had come here with her over a short college break. He’d been home on leave at the time and somehow they’d gone out one night. They’d avoided each other after that. When she’d asked her friend about what had happened, Dakota refused to talk about it. So she’d put it out of her thoughts.
“I guess it’s time for me to leave. Duties I should get to.” Alex shot a final scowl at Dakota and hurried to his truck parked down the street. He hadn’t even bothered to tell the others goodbye. And Toni knew he had taken the day off.
“Hmmm, that will be interesting,” she said quietly, gazing at Dakota.
“What?” Dakota asked, continuing to watch Alex walk away. There was something wounded in her gaze, making Toni even more curious.
“You two being in the wedding party. You’ll be my maid of honor. He’ll be Chad’s best man.”
Dakota started to respond, but instead smiled hugely, looking at something behind Toni.
Toni’s heart raced as she recognized who had walked up behind her. She knew his smell, his walk. Somehow Chad had arrived and intended to surprise her. She flung herself at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming early?” But she didn’t really care. She was just so happy he was home.
He grinned. “Wanted to surprise my woman.” He looked curious from her to Dakota and back. “Did I hear you two talking about a wedding party? Whose party?”
She’d wanted to tell him her decision in private, but just like the proposal incident, they were going to have an audience. Ethan and her parents moved closer. Ted and Elsie Mae, who had been helping inside the house, stopped next to them. Everyone looked at her expectantly.
She sighed, looking up at Chad in resignation. “Our wedding party. But it’s not actually a party. I’m talking about who will stand up with us when we get married.”
“Married?” he asked in surprise, beaming. “You’re finally going to make an honest man of me.”
She nodded, barely able to control her excitement. “I’ve decided we’re both ready now.” She giggled and patted her stomach. “Well, all of us are ready.”
He swept her off her feet and swung her around, then set her down, gasping, “Damn. I shouldn’t have done that. Are you all right? Are the babies okay?”
“We’re fine.” She motioned toward the house, ready to share her other surprise with him. “We’ve been decorating for Halloween. We’re having a party here tomorrow night.” She lightly punched his arm. “It was supposed to be a surprise for you.”
He studied the partially decorated house, the gathering of family and friends, and looked back at her. Tears glistened in his eyes. “Thank you.”
“I love you, you know. With all my heart,” she said as her voice shook.
“As do I, sweetheart. More with every passing day.” Then he grinned again. “A Halloween party. Really? It’s been a long time since…”
He thumped his forehead, looking sheepish. “I got distracted, sorry. So when is my big day? The one I’ve been waiting patiently for.”
“Impatiently waiting for,” she countered, with a chuckle. “Our big day will be on Thanksgiving Day. I want to celebrate that day with our friends and family. I want everyone to know how very thankful I am for coming home and finding the man of my heart.”
Everyone moved around them, talking all at once, excited that they were finally setting a date. Even Alex returned to share in the moment, but he kept his distance from Dakota. She would have to find out about what had happened between them. Whatever it was, they both were wary now of each other.
Chad scooped her up into his arms. He looked at the others with clear intent. “How about we finish this decorating stuff tomorrow? I want some private time with the woman who has at long last agreed to drag me to church for a wedding.”
The crowd laughed and Toni bopped him lightly in the shoulder. “You’re going to pay for that.”
He focused on her as the others moved away. “I hope so, Antoinette. I hope you wear me out trying to make me pay for the taunt.”
“Oh, I will. Count on it.”
The end
About the author
Starla wears many hats professionally and as a writer. She is the community coordinator for a Midwestern accounting firm, a gerontologist who volunteers with an active group of senior adults, a mentor/teacher of writing and a multi-published author. She dabbles in writing romances of many sub-genres: contemporary, historical Western, medieval, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal and Regency. To date she has published 20 novels, 37 novellas, 7 anthologies and 15 short stories.
Also by Starla Kaye
Their Lady Gloriana
> Holly’s Big Bad Santa
Cowboys in Charge
Her Cowboy’s Way
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Black Velvet Seductions