Sweet on You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 4)

by Leeanna Morgan

  Jacob looked around the room. His mom and dad were sitting in front of a window, quietly talking to each other. As soon as his mom saw him, she rushed over and gave him a hug.

  “I’m glad you’re here.” His mom had tears in her eyes. He’d never seen her this worried about anything.

  “How’s Emily?”

  “We don’t know. The doctors took her into the operating theater about twenty minutes ago. Alex went with them.”

  “When did Emily start bleeding?”

  “About an hour and a half ago. She called for an ambulance and they brought her straight into the hospital. They did an ultrasound and her placenta has broken away from her uterus. They’ve taken her into surgery to find out exactly where the placenta is. If it’s covering the cervix, they’ll deliver the baby by cesarean.”

  Jacob’s dad came across to them. “I need to go outside for a minute. I just got a text from Emily’s parents.”

  “We’ll stay here,” Jacob’s mom said. She turned back to Jacob and sighed. “Emily’s parents are in Florida. We’re sending them updates as soon as we hear anything.”

  “How’s Alex?”

  “He’s scared. Emily had been trying to get hold of him on his cell phone, but he was on the ranch. He was riding back to the barn when he saw the ambulance arrive.”

  Jacob could only imagine what had gone through his brother’s head when he’d seen the ambulance. Emily meant everything to him. Losing her or the baby would be devastating.

  “We tried calling you on your cell phone, but you must have turned it off. Alex said you were going on a date with Molly, so we tried her landline. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Jacob hugged his mom. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

  The door opened and Molly walked into the family room. “Is everything all right?”

  Jacob’s mom wiped her eyes. “We don’t know yet.”

  Molly kissed her cheek. “It will be okay, Mrs. Green. The doctors will look after her.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, Molly. Come and tell me about the photos you took of Emily and Alex. She showed me them last week. They’re stunning.”

  A soft blush warmed Molly’s cheeks as they walked toward some chairs. “I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Alex and Emily did all of the hard work. It was a lovely photo shoot.”

  Jacob looked at his mom and Molly.

  Molly patted the seat beside her. “Sit with us and I’ll tell you the story.”

  He walked across to Molly, drawing strength from her direct gaze. She waited for him, then began the story that was meant to distract them from what was happening in another room.

  “Do you remember the rocking chair your dad made for your family?”

  Jacob nodded. His mom had told them it had taken his dad months to finish the chair. He’d started it before Jacob was born. He’d milled the wood from their ranch, prepared each piece by hand. By the time he’d finished, his dad had created more than a rocking chair. It was a work of art and part of their family history.

  Molly smiled. “Emily knows how special the chair is. She asked me to take some photographs of her and Alex. We used the rocking chair as our prop. Alex wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but when he saw the finished photos, he was amazed at how good they were.”

  Jacob watched Molly’s face become animated as she talked about the photos. She had a gift for painting words into pictures, making a conversation come alive in front of whoever was listening.

  Jacob frowned at the floor around her feet. “You didn’t bring your camera?” Along with her jacket, she’d grabbed her camera on the way out of her apartment. It was like her third hand, going everywhere with her.

  She shook her head. “It’s in your truck. I’ll not be taking any photos until Emily’s baby is safely in her hands.”

  Jacob’s dad returned to the family room.

  “How are Emily’s parents?” Jacob’s mom asked.

  “They’re okay. Their flight leaves in three hours. I’m meeting them at the airport and bringing them straight to the hospital.”

  Jacob’s mom nodded. “I expect they’ll be hungry when they get here. Once we know how Emily and the baby are, I’ll go and buy something for them to eat. The nurse said there’s a small kitchen that we can use.”

  Jacob could only admire his mom’s ability to think beyond what was happening and plan for the arrival of Emily’s parents.

  They sat in the family room for what seemed like hours, flicking through magazines, talking about small things that helped fill in the time.

  Molly nudged Jacob’s elbow. “I looked at the website for your land. You’ve done a grand job of putting everything together.”

  Jacob turned his head toward Molly. She was leaning against him. Her face was inches from his. Molly felt right beside him, so right that all he could think about was leaning forward, nudging her lips with his mouth, and kissing her until neither of them could breath.

  His heartbeat sped up, throbbing through his body and making him mighty glad he’d grabbed a magazine off the coffee table.

  Molly frowned. “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  He closed his eyes and thought about Emerald Lake…ice-cold water…anything to take his mind off where his body wanted to be. He was in a hospital, for Pete’s sake. His sister-in-law was in a life and death situation and all he could think about was how good Molly would feel pressed against him.

  Molly nudged him again. “What’s wrong?”

  He opened his eyes and stared at her. Molly’s eyes widened. She got the idea about where his imagination had been taking them. A smile as big as a ball of sunshine filled her face, caught him off-guard, and left him wondering if he was going insane.

  He could have sworn he was turning into a love-sick, totally falling for the wrong kind of woman, guy. But Molly wasn’t the wrong woman. She was so right for him that it almost hurt thinking that she couldn’t see what was in front of her.

  He changed gear, focused on something that didn’t involve his heart. “Have you got everything ready for your exhibition?”

  “I think so.”

  “You don’t sound sure?”

  “I’m worried that something will go wrong.”

  Jacob wrapped his hand around hers. “You’re a great photographer. If I can help with anything, just let me know.”

  The doors to the family room opened and Alex walked toward them. “I’ve got some news.” He looked exhausted.

  Their mom stood up. “Is everything all right?”

  Alex reached out and wrapped his arms around their mom. “Emily had a cesarean. She’s tired, but happy. We’ve got a healthy son.”

  “Oh, Alex. That’s wonderful news.” Their mom hugged Alex tight, then stepped back so that everyone could offer the new daddy their congratulations.

  “What are you going to call your little man?” Molly asked.

  Alex sat down in one of the chairs. “We don’t know yet. It all happened so fast.” He dropped his head to his chest and their mom sat beside him.

  She held Alex’s hand. “It’s all right.”

  Tears fell down Alex’s face. He turned to his mom and cried against her shoulder. “Emily could have died, mom. I shouldn’t have left her alone.”

  “You didn’t know this was going to happen. Emily was able to call for an ambulance. She did the right thing, and so did you.”

  “Here, son. Take these.” Their dad handed Alex a big bunch of tissues.

  He wiped his eyes and blew his nose. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

  Their dad sat on the other side of Alex and wrapped his arm around his shoulders. “You did everything you could. Emily and your son are all right. You don’t need to worry about living without her.”

  More tears fell down Alex’s face. All he could do was nod.

  The doors to the family room opened again, and a doctor about Jacob’s age walked toward them. “You must be Alex and Emily’s family? I’m David Brooks, the surge
on who performed Emily’s cesarean.”

  Alex stood up. “Is Emily okay?”

  “She’s fine. I wanted to let you know that I’m heading into another surgery now. I’ll see Emily in the morning.”

  “How long will she be staying in the hospital?” Jacob’s mom asked.

  “At least five days.” He glanced at Alex. “Are you okay?”

  Alex nodded. “Better now.”

  David handed him a business card. “If you need anything, call this number. The staff at the patient and family support center will help in any way they can. What happened was a shock for both of you.”

  Alex put the card in his pocket. “Thanks, Doc.”

  “You’re welcome. Emily will be in the recovery room for another couple of hours. As long as only two people are visiting at the same time, you can spend time with her.”

  Alex shook the surgeon’s hand. “Thank you for looking after Emily.”

  “It was a good outcome. We’ll talk again in the morning.”

  The doctor left and everyone’s attention turned to Alex.

  He gave a dramatic sigh, then smiled. “I guess you want to see your nephew and grandson? Who’s coming with me?”

  Their mom opened her bag and pulled out a small present. “I came prepared.”

  “In that case,” Alex said, “I think you should go first.”

  Their mom kissed her husband’s cheek. “I’ll only be five minutes.”

  “I’ll be watching the clock,” he grumbled.

  Alex held his arm out and his mom hooked her hand under his elbow. “Lead the way, daddy.”

  A proud grin filled Alex’s face as he walked out of the room. “Our baby’s got Emily’s toes and my chin.”

  As the doors closed, Jacob heard his mom’s soft voice, then his brother’s laugh. He sat back and looked at Molly. She was blowing her nose and had tears in her eyes. Of all the women he could have fallen in love with, it had to be someone who was determined not to fall for anyone.

  He thought about his brother’s idea of a strategic plan aimed straight at Molly’s heart. It might be a good thing. At least that way, Jacob would know what on earth he was going to do about her. Because right now, he didn’t have a clue.

  ***

  Molly pressed the shutter on her camera. “Turn a little to the right.”

  Rachel moved to the right, then frowned at Molly. “You don’t think there’s a limit to the number of bridesmaids’ dresses I should wear, do you?”

  “You’re frowning.”

  Rachel sighed. “I could be jinxing my chances of ever getting married.”

  Molly lowered her camera. “What might you be talking about?”

  “Men. Love. Marriage. It’s like the old saying, ‘Always a bridesmaid, never a bride’. I want to get married some day. Wearing all of these dresses might be bad luck.”

  Annie laughed from behind the ironing board. “If that were true, Tess wouldn’t have gotten married and Sally and I wouldn’t be engaged. Wearing the dresses could give you the best luck in the world.”

  Molly took Rachel’s photo as a smile replaced her frown.

  “In that case, we could start a little business on the side. We could call it the, Find a Bridegroom Club. There must be other women who’d like to try their luck with our dresses.”

  Molly looked down at her camera and scrolled through the digital photos she’d taken. “I’m happy with what I have.”

  “Are you talking about your photos or men?”

  Molly smiled at Rachel. “I’m not interested in finding myself a man. It’s the photos I’m happy with.”

  “Thank goodness for that.” Rachel sighed. “I thought I was going to be the last single woman in the room. How many bridesmaids’ dresses did I wear today?”

  “Six,” Annie said quickly. “And I ironed each and every one of them.”

  “You’re a saint,” Molly cooed. “And when you bring your delicious baking with you, I love you even more.”

  “Wait until you taste the apple and huckleberry crumble I made last night. You’re lucky there was any left. Dylan thought I’d baked it all for him.”

  Molly grinned. “It’s just as well he loves you. From the delicious smell coming from the kitchen, there wouldn’t be many men who’d give up the chance to eat your dessert.” After two hours of emptying boxes, pressing dresses, and photographing them for their catalog, Molly knew they were all ready for something to eat.

  Rachel slipped the dress she was wearing over her head. “When is the next group coming in for a fitting?”

  Annie walked across to the computer Tess had set up in a corner of the room. She opened a file and ran her finger along the spreadsheet. “There’s no one until next Friday. I’ll be here for that.”

  “And I’ll be in Los Angeles,” Molly said. In-between helping Jacob and seeing newborn babies, she’d been working hard, putting the finishing touches on the photos she’d be exhibiting.

  Annie closed the spreadsheet and headed over to the small kitchen. “Are you nervous?”

  “I’m so nervous that some days I don’t know if I’ll make it through opening night.”

  “You will,” Rachel said confidently. “And we’ll be there to support you.”

  Molly folded the light umbrella and leaned it against the wall. “You might be a little biased.”

  “Or maybe a lot.” Rachel grinned. “But it doesn’t change how talented you are. If any of those Californian art critics can’t see that, then that’s their problem.”

  “I’ll remember that when someone asks me who has influenced my work the most. I’m not sure Walt Disney counts.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Tell that to the billions of people who have watched his movies or been to Disneyland.”

  “Or to the people who believe in happy-ever-after,” Annie said. “And speaking about happy moments, stop what you’re doing and taste this crumble.”

  Molly didn’t need much encouragement to join Annie at the kitchen counter. “It smells lovely, just like my grandma used to make.”

  Rachel slid onto one of the kitchen stools beside Molly. “What was your grandma like?”

  “She was five-foot-one at a stretch, with sparkly blue eyes, and a temper that could fry an egg on a hot Sunday afternoon. We loved her so much.” The knot of grief in Molly’s chest tightened. She took a deep breath and worked her way through the memories of her gran.

  Annie passed Molly and Rachel a slice of crumble. “When did she die?”

  “About six months before I moved to Bozeman. I’d been traveling around the world for two years, making a name for myself in the fashion world. It didn’t seem so important after gran died.” Molly dipped her spoon in the crumble topping. “I wasn’t there for her last birthday before she died.”

  Rachel gave Molly a quick hug. “Did she mind that you weren’t there?”

  “No. I was on assignment in Italy at a fashion show. She said she’d be looking forward to the loveliest present in County Wicklow. Gran was partial to Italian leather shoes. She said they made her arthritis easier to live with if she knew her legs looked pretty.”

  “Did you buy her some shoes?”

  Molly smiled. “Three pairs. She wore them to the shops the same afternoon that I gave them to her. She showed her friend, Mavis O’Shea. It was a wonder that Mavis let her go home without trying them on herself.”

  Annie squirted some cream on the side of Molly’s plate. “I found this in the fridge. I think we could all do with a little more sugar. It sounds like your gran had some good friends.”

  “She did, and so do I,” Molly said. She turned to Rachel and watched a smile slip across her face.

  “This crumble is delicious,” Rachel said between mouthfuls. “I need the recipe.”

  Annie smiled. “It’s so easy. You won’t burn it.”

  Rachel waved her spoon at Annie. “I’m getting better. Last week I made quiche.” She put a big spoon of huckleberries and apple in her mouth and sigh
ed.

  “Has anyone spoken to Marsha recently?” Molly asked.

  Rachel held her hand in the air. “I have. After you told me we were good to go, I met with Marsha and her fiancé. Doug is such a sweetie. They think they’ll be able to strap Doug to the back of a four-wheeler and get him to the lake that way.”

  Annie put a cup of tea in front of Molly, and a coffee in front of Rachel. “We’ll have to be careful he doesn’t fall off.”

  “They’re going to do a test run, if that’s okay with Jacob?”

  Molly didn’t think there’d be a problem, but she thought she’d better check. “I’ll ask Jacob if this weekend suits him. Speaking of Jacob…” Molly slid off the stool and got her camera. “I took these photos of Emily’s little man yesterday.”

  She took her camera across to Rachel and Annie and showed them the photos. Tomorrow afternoon they were all going to the hospital to see Emily and her new baby.

  “Emily looks so happy,” Rachel said a little wistfully.

  “And their baby is adorable. Look at his cute button nose.” Annie handed Molly’s camera back to her. “I can’t wait to have children.”

  Molly took another look at the photos of Emily’s baby. “Tess said the same thing before she got married. We’ll need a nursery in The Bridesmaids Club.”

  Rachel laughed. “We could ask our brides if they have flower girl and page boy outfits they’d like to donate. Imagine the dress fitting appointments. We’d have adults and children everywhere.”

  Annie shook her head. “Not going to happen. It’s like Grand Central Station in here at the best of times. We’d have sticky fingers on all the dresses.”

  “Talking about sticky fingers…” Rachel picked up her bag from beside her and hunted through its cavernous insides. “I know it’s in here somewhere…”

  “Have you ever thought of downsizing?” Annie asked with a smile on her face.

  Rachel frowned. “I wouldn’t be able to fit my kitchen sink in here if I did that. Here it is.” She pulled a red envelope out of her bag and put it on the counter. “What do you know about this?”

  Molly and Annie stared at the envelope.