The Only Thing

by Marie Harte

  She laughed. “I’m with you on that. What about your favorite food?”

  “Caesar salad.” At her look, he felt the need to defend himself. “What? I like the croutons, and I like it with chicken. I know, it’s weird. Next question.”

  “Favorite color?”

  He stared into her eyes. “Brown. Like, honey-brown. That golden color between yellow and mocha. I’m all about colors.” He reached out and stroked her cheek.

  “Stop.” She didn’t shy away, he noticed.

  They sat that way, staring into each other’s eyes. He knew it was beyond insane to kiss her again, but he felt himself leaning in…

  “Well, well. Who do we have here?”

  He and Hope sprang apart as his sister plunked her sorry ass at their table. “What luck! Mike and Colin and I were wanting to bowl, but this place is packed. Can we join your little party of two?” Del smiled at Hope, but her eyes narrowed on him with an expression clearly not friendly.

  “Sure.” Hope nodded. “We’re on a break before our next game anyway. We can wait.”

  Mike and Colin McCauley soon joined them. They looked like the big and small versions of the same person. Dark-haired, blue-eyed, and smiling. They even dressed alike, wearing jeans and Chicago Bulls T-shirts.

  “The Bulls?” J.T. asked.

  Mike sighed. “From Grandpa. He’s got this Chicago bug up his butt lately.”

  Colin smirked. “I’m telling Grandpa you said that, Dad. Oh, hi, J.T.!”

  “Do it and die.” Mike grabbed Colin and hung him upside down, then tickled him.

  The boy shrieked with laughter. “Save me, J.T.! Save me!”

  Del covered her face with her hand. “Mike, if you get us kicked out of here, I will personally geld you.”

  “What’s gelding?” Colin asked between giggles. “Hi, Hope. Can I have some of your fries?”

  Hope grinned. “Sure. Want some root beer too?”

  “No,” Mike said and walked away with his boy, still upside down and clinging to him like a monkey.

  Del watched them go, then turned to study him with Hope.

  “What?”

  “You’d better not be on a date,” she growled.

  “Hey.” J.T. took offense.

  “Don’t worry, Del.” Hope smirked. “He’s not ruining your ecosystem.”

  Del blushed. “He told you that?”

  “I sure did.” J.T. gave his sister a mean smile. “So did you tell them about the baby yet?”

  “Shh. I’m going to Monday night.”

  “What the hell are you waiting for?”

  “For the doctor’s appointment, dumbass. I had to reschedule last Monday for this coming Monday. But I took a half dozen more tests, and they’re all positive.” She looked excited and nervous.

  Aw, his little sister was gonna have a baby. He stood up, rounded the table, and yanked her into his arms. “I’m so happy for you, Del.”

  She hugged him back, and she was no slouch. His sister had plenty of muscle. When she pulled back, he saw tears in her eyes.

  “Damn it, stop. I’m trying not to cry when I think about it. These are tears of happiness,” Del said hurriedly. “So don’t stress out just because of the waterworks. I’m super excited.”

  Hope smiled. “That’s so awesome. Mike’s having another baby. I bet Colin will be pumped. He’s been wanting a sibling for a while. Cousin Jane isn’t impressive. Not only is she too little, she’s a girl. Cam told me Colin’s hoping for a little brother someday.”

  Del laughed. “He’s such a little punk. Just like Mike.” She looked so happy, she glowed. Or maybe that was the baby. J.T. didn’t know. He only knew that this was what he’d always wanted for his sister. Happily ever after.

  And if Mike ever did anything to mar his sister’s joy, J.T. would pound the guy into the ground and make sure no one ever found the body.

  “So how’s Jekyll?” The puppy Colin claimed as his own was now a huge bundle of fur and over a year old. Not so little, yet still young enough that he had more energy than J.T. could handle.

  “He’s still growing. Can you believe that? He’s seriously almost as big as Hyde.”

  “Brody’s dog?” Hope asked. Brody was her cousin, a pseudo-adopted McCauley.

  “Man, there are just too many McCauleys and Donnigans in Seattle,” he complained. “I mean, I’m bowling with Hope. You married Mike. Then Dad’s dating Sophie, and Hope works for Cam… I could go on.”

  “Please, don’t,” Hope said.

  Del laughed. “Yeah, don’t. And don’t even think of getting romantic with her,” she warned him.

  Hope raised a brow, and he watched her icy transformation with fascination, not having seen this side of her. “What if I want to get romantic with him?”

  Del looked puzzled. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I want to take a walk on the wild side.”

  “Hey.”

  Hope ignored him. “We’re fully grown adults who can make our own decisions.”

  Del gaped. “Oh my God. You’re so channeling your mother right now.”

  “That was just mean.” Hope frowned.

  “Ack. I’ll be back with reinforcements. I can’t handle Linda Donnigan when I haven’t had dinner yet.” Del darted away.

  Hope groaned. “She just ruined my night.”

  J.T. grinned. “Yeah? She made mine. Hope, when you get all bossy like that, you make me…”

  “I make you what?” She gave him that stare, and his entire body went haywire.

  He quickly sat across from her, taking Del’s spot. “Never mind. I suggest we shelve the getting-to-know-you conversation. Even though you pretty much got all my high points.”

  “Okay. But I reserve the right to ask one or two more questions.”

  “Sure.” He nodded. “You earned them for taking on Del and winning. That girl has a mouth that doesn’t quit. And you sent her running to her big, bad husband with her tail between her legs.” He cupped his chin in his hand, his elbow on the table, and gazed at her. “My hero.”

  “Shut up.”

  He just laughed.

  * * *

  By the time Del and family returned, they had more soda and two pizzas on order, and Hope had added their names to the computer. Del studied her brother and Hope, wondering what his game was. He knew better. He’d accepted her marrying into the McCauley clan, and she knew he liked Mike, loved Colin, and respected her in-laws. Heck, he got along with all the McCauleys and their wives—he was right, there were a ton of them all over Seattle.

  Colin idolized her brother, not that Del blamed him. J.T. had taken care of her for a long time. Her big brother had protected her from bullies, taught her to swear, to hold a wrench (though her father still claimed that he’d been the one to show her how to use one), and to deal with not having a mother.

  Del couldn’t have asked for a better brother. His one weakness—relationships with the opposite sex.

  While Del had thought herself not good enough to marry for the longest time, J.T. had no delusions about his worth. Her cocky brother knew he looked good and capitalized on the fact. But he was a commitment-phobe, scarred, no doubt, by their father’s inability to connect after losing Bridget.

  But this… J.T. had always dated a certain kind of woman. People like the Websters—hardworking, street-smart, those who knew the score. Oh sure, the women he entertained wanted more than a few nights or weeks in the sack with him, but J.T. inevitably drifted away.

  Here, with Hope Donnigan? Hope was different than his usual type. For one thing, she wasn’t dressed in hooker heels, low-cut tops, and short skirts, which J.T. seemed to favor. For another, her brother charmed women. He seduced them, which meant dinner, followed by a night at the lady’s place. A movie, maybe. A party, a night spent staying in, just th
e two of them. Not bowling, something J.T. did with family or the guys.

  Del had heard he’d brought Hope to Ray’s as well. And that the pair had been laughing, finishing each other’s sentences, and in general looking good together.

  Together—her brother and a Donnigan.

  This had disaster written all over it.

  And after she’d personally educated him on the McCauley ecosystem, which she thought the perfect way of describing their new relationships via her marriage to Mike.

  Mike caught her eye, glanced at Hope and J.T., who were chatting with Colin, and glanced back at her.

  Later, she mouthed. He nodded. Then he drew her in close and kissed her.

  Every worry darted from her mind, and she sighed, so blessed to have found her soul mate, a concept she’d found corny as hell before Mike. She’d rather be tortured than tell anyone that, but he knew.

  She pulled away, wanting this kind of love for her brother. Yet J.T. had to be ready for it. And he…

  Was totally looking all moony and swoony at Hope.

  “Oh my God.”

  J.T. turned to her with a frown. “What’s your problem now?”

  “Nothing.” She felt Mike’s pinch on her arm and slapped at him.

  “Now, now, Delilah. No hitting in public. Set an example for the boy.” He nodded to Colin.

  “Shut it, McCauley.” She gave him a mock glare, then pointed at J.T. “We’ll talk later.” She glared at Hope, feeling free to treat her as family. “You too.”

  “Ooh, I’m so scared.” Hope scrunched up her face and put her hands in the air like fake claws. “Grrr.”

  Colin laughed and edged even closer to J.T., practically sitting on his lap. “Hope’s so funny! J.T., show her how you can knock down all the pins. He’s so good, Hope. You should see.” Colin had a clear case of hero-worship for his favorite tattoo artist.

  J.T. smiled. “Well, now that you’re here, Colin, I can take the kid gloves off. You’re in for it now, Donnigan. Colin told me to show you how good I really am.”

  “Yeah?” Hope snorted. “Bring it, Webster. If your ego doesn’t get in the way.”

  “Oooh, fighting words,” Colin whispered.

  Mike laughed. “Your family is so dramatic,” he said to Del.

  “My family? You’re kidding, right?”

  They watched J.T. and Hope continue to taunt each other, with Colin getting a few insults in edgewise.

  “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Mike said in a low voice.

  “Yeah.” But she didn’t know if that was necessarily a bad thing. J.T. seemed to be…more. Happy, alive, real. He used no gloss with Hope. No suave facade or player vibe.

  As usual, women around them paid attention to her brother. The women in lane four. The older moms with kids in lane six. Her brother attracted the ladies without trying. So she could see Hope liking him.

  Yet Hope wasn’t dating, or hadn’t been in months. Del had heard all about it from her mother-in-law, who’d heard it from Cam, who’d heard it from Hope herself. So was tonight an actual date? A meeting between friends with loose ties? Or something more?

  Del wanted to know. And she knew how to get answers.

  “Before you start grilling my cousin, I need to talk to you,” Mike said. In a louder voice he added, “We’ll be right back. Colin, stay with J.T. and Hope.” He dragged her to a quiet area near the restrooms. The joy in his eyes told her he knew. Damn.

  He crossed his massive arms over his chest. “So?”

  “So what?” She felt nervous.

  “Are you or not?” He scowled. Big, burly, tough Mike McCauley, Mr. Marshmallow to his kid and those he loved. And he loved her, of that she had no doubt. He looked nervous, hopeful, and scared. His first wife had died in childbirth. This would not be easy, but they’d get through it. Together.

  She sighed. “How did you know?”

  He shrugged and fiddled with his keys, unable to keep still. “I saw the trash overflowing with pregnancy tests, genius. Way to keep it a secret.”

  She wanted to be mad at his attitude, but his nerves made her want to cuddle him, tell him they’d be okay. “I put that trash in the bin outside.”

  He sighed. “You didn’t tie off the bag, like you’re supposed to. We don’t just dump trash in the can.”

  “Obsessive-compulsive much?” she muttered.

  “What’s that? Speak up, smart-ass. I can’t hear you.” He stopped fiddling and smiled, his blue eyes filled with so much love. “I swear if you are, I hope it’s a girl. And she’s just like you.”

  Del sniffed. She would not cry. “I might be.”

  “Might be?”

  “I see the doctor on Monday.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  They smiled at each other, and Del laughed. “I love you, Mike.”

  “I love you, Delilah.” He kissed her, then hugged her until she squeaked. “Oh, sorry. Don’t want to damage the goods.” He rubbed her tummy, and she saw tears in his eyes. “I promise I’ll try not to freak out for the next nine months. But Del…” He paused and glanced at J.T., Hope, and Colin waving at them to return.

  “Yes?”

  “I know how much you love J.T. Colin idolizes him, and he really wants a baby brother.”

  “And?”

  “And as much as I’d do anything for you, I’m not naming my next kid Jethro Tull McCauley. Just sayin’. One J.T. in the family is enough.”

  She snickered with him. “And that’s why I love you. We’re so totally on the same page.”

  Chapter 9

  Sunday afternoon, Hope waited for Noelle to show up at their favorite coffee shop. She still didn’t know what to make of last night. Bowling with Del, Mike, and Colin had been so much fun. But mostly because J.T. had her laughing all night long.

  She’d known he was funny. She’d enjoyed herself with him and his friends at Ray’s. But around his sister and her family, he’d shared a part of himself she hadn’t realized he’d been keeping separate.

  He’d seemed more relaxed, were that possible, than he normally was. And he shone as an uncle. God, but Colin loved him. J.T. was the fun uncle, the one who swore, snuck Colin candy when Mike wasn’t looking—though Del had encouraged him—and generally made anyone passing by smile when he laughed. Because his laughter was so genuine.

  The entire evening had felt surreal, as if Hope was out with her own family. Included, amused, entertained. She hadn’t had that much fun in a long time. And she’d gotten to know more about J.T. Not just his history that he’d shared, but seeing him take care of Del and Colin, and even Mike when her cousin wasn’t looking.

  When some belligerent guy had come near with words for Mike, who’d apparently once run into him at Ray’s, J.T. had smoothly stepped in, intercepting the guy before he could ruin the tender moment of Mike helping Colin bowl, being all dad-like and supportive.

  The angry man had left as suddenly as he’d arrived, but not without a fearful look in J.T.’s direction.

  Hope sighed and toyed with the vanilla latte in front of her. She’d been worried that they’d go back to being flirty and a bit uneasy with each other on the drive back. Instead, J.T. had continued to be amazing, charming, and to-die-for sexy. He’d walked her to her door, then kissed her before she could go inside.

  And the kiss…

  “Man, I’m doomed.” She stared glumly at her coffee.

  The kiss had been tender, sweet, and all lips, no tongue. And it had shattered her conception of what he meant to her. Platonic? Just a friend? Nothing could be further from the truth. The man made her heart race and those ooey-gooey feelings rise. The kind that turned her into a blathering idiot who started throwing around words like boyfriend and living together and relationship.

 
“Excuse me, miss?”

  She blinked into the concerned stare of one of the café employees. “Yes?”

  He smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but the gentleman said to give you this. Said it looked like you needed it.” He handed her a plate with a sticky bun on it. Her favorite, and a treat she liked to give herself every Sunday she met with Noelle.

  “The gentleman?” She glanced around.

  “He left as soon as he ordered it. Nice guy wearing a hat.”

  She hadn’t seen anyone in here with a hat. “Was he tall or short? White? Black? Deep voice, maybe?”

  “Um, I’d call him average in size, nothing special about his voice. Average, really. He wore a sweatshirt. Sorry, but the hat hid his face. Not sure what he looked like. We were so busy I wasn’t paying attention. I’m working the food counter today, not the register.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  The employee left, and she stared at the treat. Had this same person left her the flowers? Should she feel creeped out or complimented? Why hadn’t this person stuck around to give it to her himself?

  “There you are,” Noelle huffed and sat across from her. “You ordered already?” She took a piece of the sticky bun and ate it. “Oh, man, I needed this.”

  “Noelle, I have no idea who bought me that.” She told her friend about the flowers too.

  “Oh, a secret admirer. How cool!” The identity of the admirer didn’t seem to bother Noelle, who continued to nibble at the pastry.

  “Hey, get your own. I’ll wait here.” Hope rolled her eyes. “Mooch.”

  Noelle grinned and moseyed over to the pastry counter. Thirty years old, with a cap of short red hair, bright-blue eyes, and the build of a college basketball player—which she’d been when she’d attended Washington on a basketball scholarship—she’d glommed on to Hope years ago when they’d met working for a horrible boss at a boutique clothing store.

  Since then, they’d become best friends going on… Wow. Six years now.