by Day Leclaire
A greedy light dawned in Wynne’s eyes. “I’ll second that. Lead the way.”
“Jonah, there’s something I want to tell you,” Nikki began.
He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “There’s something I want to tell you, too. Care to guess?”
Her gaze slid downward, examining the line of his trousers. “You didn’t—”
A suggestive grin spread across his mouth. “No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.” They reached the entrance to the ballroom and he brushed her mouth with a quick kiss. “Afraid it’ll have to keep.”
“But, I—”
“Hang on, love.” Jonah offered his hand to Rafe Beaumont, then introduced Nikki. “So, we meet again.”
“Under more congenial circumstances, I hope,” Rafe replied.
Jonah glanced at a very pregnant Ella and his grin widened. “Most definitely. I’m relieved to see the two of you worked out your problems.”
Amusement crept into Rafe’s voice. “Or added to them.”
“With children, you never know,” Jonah acknowledged. “Scares the hell out of me.”
“You aren’t alone, my friend,” Rafe said wryly. “Enjoy your visit.”
Jonah caught Nikki’s hand in his and guided her into the crowded ballroom. “Come on, honey. Let’s dance.” His hazel eyes gleamed suggestively. “Remember the last time we danced here?”
“Is that what you call it? I thought it was a blatant attempt to seduce me.”
He gave his most innocent look as he swung her onto the floor. “Isn’t that the point?”
“It certainly was a year ago.” She sighed as their bodies melded, moving together in perfect harmony. “Jonah... We never did finish our conversation.”
“Too true, my love. What were we discussing? Ah, I remember. Undergarments.”
“No, you were discussing undergarments. I was discussing—”
“Well, hello there,” a cheery voice interrupted from the edge of the dance floor. “Remember me?”
Nikki turned, searching her memory for a name. “Of course I remember. Wynne, isn’t it? Wynne Sommers?”
“It’s Hondo, now.”
“I was nervous about finding a husband and you let me practice on—” Her gaze switched to Jake and she gave a chagrined laugh. “Oops. Hi, again.”
“She let you practice on me, did she?” Jake asked dryly. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“It was harmless,” Wynne insisted blithely, cradling their baby against her shoulder. “You weren’t ready to admit defeat and marry me. And Nikki needed to get over her nervousness. Hey, have you tried the desserts yet? They’re—”
“Hang on, elf,” Jake interrupted. “I think there’s a lady behind you who needs some help.”
Nikki glanced over her husband’s shoulder, her breath catching in a soft gasp. “Oh, Jonah. It’s Ella Beaumont.”
“Looks like she’s gone into labor,” Wynne predicted. “Let’s go see what we can do.”
The four hurried to Ella’s side. She stood in the doorway between the ballroom and the salons, clinging to the wooden frame as though her life depended on it.
“Easy, Mrs. Beaumont.” Jake gently lifted her into his arms. “Looks like you could use a ride to the hospital.”
“My husband,” she gasped. “I need Rafe.”
“You need to get to the hospital,” Wynne corrected gently.
“I’ll find your husband and let him know what’s happened,” Jonah offered. “We’ll be in the next car out of here. I promise.”
“You do enjoy playing the knight in shining armor,” Ella murmured with a pained smile.
“I’m not sure it’s a role I enjoy. Just one I seem to get stuck with.” Jonah glanced at Jake. “Can you get her to the hospital?”
“No problem. Wynne, drag the boys away from that dessert table and we’re out of here.”
“Do you mind if we stick around a while longer?” Nikki asked a short time later. She took a seat in the waiting room “I don’t want to leave the hospital until I’m sure Ella and the baby are both okay.”
“Mrs. Beaumont seemed to be handling it like a trooper.” Jonah ruffled her auburn curls and chuckled. “If you want to worry about anyone, save your concern for Mr. Beaumont.”
“Did you understand anything he said?”
“Aside from rapido? Not a word. My Spanish is a bit rusty—which I believe is just as well.” He shook his head. “This is not an ordeal I’m anxious to experience.”
Nikki gripped her hands together. “Listen, Jonah—”
“Hi, again,” Wynne greeted them, excitement sparkling in her bright green eyes. “Did you decide to hang around, too? Do you mind some company?”
“Not at all,” Jonah replied. “The more the merrier.”
“Jonah—”
“With all these kids, I can supply the more,” Wynne said with a chuckle. “If you’ll supply the merry. I wonder if Ella will take as long to deliver as I did. I swear, I was in that labor room for a solid week.”
Jake leaned against the door jamb between the waiting area and the hallway. “Doesn’t look like we’ll have quite that long to wait. Beaumont’s on his way right now.”
“Jonah,” Nikki tried again, exasperation edging her voice.
Rafe walked in and grinned. “I just wanted to stop by and tell you Ella had a boy. I’d offer cigars, but I fear my wife would not approve. So instead I offer you my most sincere thanks and appreciation.”
“Jonah—”
“Congratulations, Beaumont.” Jonah stuck out his hand. “We were happy to help.”
“Honey—”
“I guess we’ll be leaving now,” Wynne said. “It’s time we got our troop to bed. Please give Ella our best.”
“Jonah!”
Rafe inclined his head. “Of course. If you’ll excuse me. I have a wife and son waiting me.”
“Jonah!” Nikki shouted. “I’m pregnant, dammit.”
“Hey, lady. You’re not supposed to cuss,” Chick informed her earnestly.
“I know and I’m sorry.” She looked at Jonah apprehensively. “I’ve...I’ve been trying to tell you all evening. But we keep getting interrupted.”
“In that case, we’ll be going,” Wynne said firmly. She gave Nikki a quick hug and kiss. “Take care of yourself. And stay in touch.”
And then they were alone.
“You’re pregnant?” Jonah demanded. “With a baby?”
“That’s the normal procedure,” Nikki said tearfully. “Unless you know something I don’t.”
“Why...why didn’t you tell me? I mean, before tonight. You must have known.”
“I’ve been trying to work up the nerve. I—I didn’t think you wanted a baby.”
“Didn’t want...?” He closed his eyes. When he looked at her again it was with such fierce desire that her tears overflowed. He hauled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ever gave you that impression since it’s the furthest thing from the truth. I love you, Nikki. And the thought of you carrying my child...” He touched her with gentle tenderness, his enthralled expression giving weight to his words. “This is the best gift you’ve ever given me.”
“Even better than tickets to the Anniversary Ball?” she teased.
“Those come close.” His hand sank into her hair and he feathered a kiss across her mouth. “But only because this is where it all began for us. And where—it would seem—it continues.”
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Ella whispered, stroking her son’s cheek with a gentle finger.
Rafe peered over her shoulder. “If you like things that are small, red and squished, he’s attractive enough I suppose.”
“Rafe!”
“I am joking. He’s the most beautiful son I’ve ever had. Of course, he’s also the only son I’ve ever had.” He hesitated, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “There is something I have been meaning to tell you for a very long time.”
Busily counting fingers and toes, Ella simply nodded.
“I love you, amada. I love you with all my heart and soul.”
She stilled, instantly losing count. “What did you say?”
“I said, I love you.” He frowned pensively. “I do not know why I found the words so difficult to say when actually, they come with ease—Amada, why are you crying? Is there something wrong? Should I call a nurse?”
She shook her head, wiping her cheeks before she soaked the baby. “No, you just caught me by surprise. I love you, too, Rafe.”
He stole a slow, gentle kiss. “I am finding that it is as good to hear the words as it is to say them.”
“I’m glad you finally came to that conclusion. You have a lot of catching up to do, you know.”
“I’ll go to work on it right away, I promise.”
“We should call my parents and Shayne and let them know about the baby.” She caught his frown and understood the cause. “Don’t worry. Her chance will come again. The happiness we’ve found, she’ll find, too.”
“It is possible...” He took a deep breath and then said, “It is possible she will find love at the next Cinderella Ball.”
It took a full minute for his words to sink in. “What did you say?”
“The next Cinderella Ball. Maybe Shayne will—”
Tears welled up in her eyes again, turning them to molten gold. “Do you mean it? You’re willing to carry on my parents’ tradition?”
“How could I not? The money goes to a good cause. And from the research I’ve done these past months, there has only been one marriage to fail in all the years your parents have held the ball.”
“Shayne’s?”
“Technically, it cannot be considered a failure, since the marriage was not legal.”
“Rafe?”
He sighed. “I am...I am willing to give it a try, amada, if you are. And perhaps...”
“Perhaps?”
“Perhaps we don’t have to wait a full five years.”
ISBN : 978-1-4592-6957-6
SHOTGUN MARRIAGE
First North American Publication 1997.
Copyright © 1997 by Day Totton Smith.
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