by Lisa Alder
***
Jake had come back. When she’d heard the door open, a joy had filled her. But when he’d said they needed to talk, she’d feared the worst. Hadn’t Tom told her Jake was leaving? He’d probably just come home to say goodbye in person. That was the kind of man he was. Decent, honest, and—
Lilah forced herself to hold her head high and kept her shoulders back as she walked down the stairs. A lady never slouches. She could hear her aunt’s voice in her head whenever the urge to hunch her shoulders overcame her. Most ladies weren’t five nine and sporting a D-cup. But she shoved the urge down and held her head high.
If Jake was going to leave her, she was going to be a dignified and proper lady. Then once he left, she would cry her eyes out and throw things.
She’d put on her favorite dress, a bright red with tropical flowers and left her hair down as she rarely did. Lilah glanced at the clock. It was only six a.m. He must have left immediately to get here this fast.
He’d come back. And she really hadn’t thought he was going to.
She heard sounds coming from the kitchen. Lilah slowly entered through the arched doorway. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say. She’d spent the last three days hoping he’d come back and now that he was here, she wished he’d go away again. Knowing was going to be ten thousand times worse than not knowing. Oh, she was contrary.
Coffee gurgled in the pot on the counter. And Jake rubbed a hand through his hair. He looked tired.
Lilah cleared her throat. “Hi.”
He turned around, a welcoming smile lit his eyes. “Hi,” he said softly, as he ran his gaze over her. A huge grin brightened his whole face, but he said nothing.
She couldn’t look at him, darting her gaze around the kitchen, looking for something else to settle upon. “You made coffee.”
“Yeah. It’s decaf.” He turned to look at the almost done pot. “You want some?”
“Yes, please.”
What the heck was he doing? For that matter, what the heck was she doing? They sounded like total strangers. She knew this man intimately, had made a baby with him.
Lilah sat down at the table. Jake took the chair next to her.
“I’ve come up with a solution to all of our problems.”
Problems? Just peachy. She was a problem. He’d probably talked to his lawyer. “Jake. I don’t want your money.”
“I know that.”
“I mean, if there is a baby—”
“Can you take a test yet?”
“No,” she said regretfully.
Jake relaxed a bit at that. Why would he relax? Didn’t he want to know?
Things would be so much less complicated if she weren’t pregnant. Lilah placed a protective hand over her stomach. But she really did want this baby.
She forced herself to continue. “If there is a baby, I would like a college fund. So she—”
“Or he.” Jake smiled uneasily.
“Doesn’t have to work two jobs to go to school like I did but—”
“Absolutely. We’ll do a college fund.”
“But I thin—”
“We should stay married,” he said emphatically.
“What?” It sounded like everything she’d thought she wanted three days ago. But he didn’t love her. She was a problem. Not a partner.
“We should stay married. You don’t have to worry about work. If there is a…baby, we’re all set.”
He still couldn’t say the word, baby, without gulping.
It was everything she’d hoped for and nothing she wanted. “I already spoke with Rita, my boss,” she said slowly.
“What did she say?”
“I think everything will be okay.”
Lilah thought back on what Rita had said. She’d said what Lilah was coming to believe. She wasn’t wild. She was spontaneous. And even spontaneity she held in check far too often. Rita had just wanted to know that Jake would treat her right.
“My job is safe.”
“Oh, good.” Jake unclenched his fists. “You don’t have to work if you don’t want to.”
“I’ve been working my whole life. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. Besides, I love my work.” Lilah wasn’t about to quit her job. After all what would happen if he left? When he left.
“You don’t have to stay married. To me.”
“I want to.”
“What if I am pregnant?” Lilah blurted out baldly. Oh, she shouldn’t have asked.
Jake reached out and pulled her onto his lap. “Then we’ll deal with it.”
We’ll deal with it. But he didn’t want a baby. Her heart ached. It was ironic. She’d just figured out who she was and Jake liked that person. But he didn’t want a baby.
And now she had to add the baby to who she was. Lilah didn’t say anything. She just clasped her arms around his neck and rested her forehead on his hair, breathing in the clean scent of him.
“And I realized that I didn’t want to leave just yet.”
Just yet. But he would someday. She just knew it.
SIXTEEN
He’d blown it.
Lilah had been distant the past two days. He didn’t know what he’d done.
“I blew it.” Jake stared morosely into his fourth or his fifth, no, maybe his sixth glass of scotch.
“Me too.” Tom stared into his own glass, ignoring Jake’s misery.
“You aren’t even paying atten-shun,” Jake accused, enunciating with preciseness.
Tom straightened up, and put his glass on the old oak bar with a solid thunk. “Sorry. Sorry.” Tom turned toward Jake. “What did you say?”
“I blew it.”
“What?”
“Everything.” Jake waved his arm in the air, taking care not to spill. “Lilah.”
“What did you do to Lilah?” Tom stood up, weaving to and fro like a flag in the wind. He clenched his fists and took a step forward. “I love Lilah.”
“You can’t love Lilah. I love Lilah.” Jake thumped his chest with his hand.
“You do?”
“Yep.” Jake peered through the hazy, smoke-filled air. “Stay away from Lilah. She’s mine.”
“I don’t love her like that.” Tom spit the words out. He sighed and sank back down onto the barstool. “I love Marion.”
“S’what’s the problem?”
“No one else knows I love Marion. Even Marion doesn’t know I love Marion.” Tom stared balefully at the rich brown liquid.
“Well so go tell her.”
“What if I’m wrong like I was wrong about Lilah?”
“Do you think about her all the time? And not jus’ about you know.”
“You know?”
“Sex,” whispered Jake.
“Oh,” Tom whispered back. “Yeah. I think about her constantly.”
“Do you…find yourself liking everything about her, even stuff you used to not like?”
“I’ve never not liked anything.” Tom shook his head ponderously.
“What about those awful dresses?” Jake propped his hand on his chin.
“Marion doesn’t dress awfully,” Tom said belligerently.
“Oops. Off-track.” Jake took another gulp. “Can you imagine a day without her?”
“Empty,” Tom mourned into his glass.
“Yeah. I spent three days without her and it was hell.”
“You spent three days without Marion?” Tom stood again.
Jake shoved him back onto the barstool. “Lilah. Lilah. Focus, here, Tommy.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” Tom slumped back down. “You love Lilah. I love Marion.”
“You gotta tell her.”
“I gotta tell her.” Tom frowned into his glass.
“Better sober up first.”
“Good point.” Tom motioned the bartender for some coffee. “So, uh, how did you tell Lilah?”
“Well,” Jake pursed his lips and took another large gulp of scotch. “I….”
Jake frowned, recalling the conversation wh
en he told her they should stay married. He’d known she had doubts. She’d tried to tell him she didn’t need him. That had hurt.
So he’d bulldozed over her objections. But had he ever said he loved her? No. He hadn’t. Because he’d been afraid.
“Holy Mother,” Tom straightened in surprise. “You didn’t tell her?”
“No. I didn’t.” Jake gulped down the coffee the bartender put in front of him.
“You gotta tell her.”
“What if she doesn’t want me?” Jake spoke the fear that had been haunting him ever since he’d figured out he was in love with her.
“How could she not want you? You’re a great guy.” Tom slung his arm over Jake’s shoulder. “You just need to stick around.”
He’d left everyone he’d ever loved. Well he wasn’t going to leave Lilah. Jake slapped Tommy on the back. If only he could convince her that he was a great guy. Miss Priss would probably frown on sitting in a bar at eleven on a Saturday morning three sheets to the wind.
“I gotta go home.” Jake jumped off the stool.
“Me too. Let’s go get our women.” Tom grabbed for Jake’s arm to hold himself steady.
The bartender scooped Jake’s keys off the oak counter. “I’ll call old Gus. He can get both of you home.”
“Good idea. I’ve got to get home.”
But when Jake got there, she was gone.
And then he found the note.
***
All around them, members of the church bustled, assembling and decorating booths for the annual Carnival fundraiser.
In a morning, the parking lot had been transformed from mere cement to a fun-filled, fantasy wonderland, with games and prizes, food and soft drinks, and last but not least, a DJ with a karaoke machine.
Lilah shivered nervously even though the heat of the humid morning probably registered at least eighty-five degrees and she had covered up with one of Jake’s shirts.
“I don’t know if this is such a good idea.” She licked her lips nervously. “I wonder if I can sneak home and pick up that note before Jake sees it.”
“Not a chance.” The baby rested against Peggy’s chest in a snugly wrap. “You were the one who came up with the idea.”
“I wish you would approve of Jake. He’s a wonderful guy.”
“He’s who you want, that’s all that matters.”
“Bu—”
”Do you want him?”
“Yes.” Lilah had no hesitation there. She wanted Jake. But she wanted him to love her. And they couldn’t keep on living together like this last week. It had been terrible.
“Why do you want to do this so badly?”
“Because Jake needs to be shown that I love him. I can’t just tell him. He needs to know. Inside.”
“And you think this,” Peggy waved a hand at Lilah’s outfit, “is the way to do it?”
“Yes. Maybe.”
Peggy took another look at Lilah and grinned. “If your aunt could see you now, she’d roll over in her grave.”
“Do I look bad?”
“Depends on your definition of bad. You look…hot.” Peggy leaned closer, and covered Peter Junior’s ears. “You don’t have to give me details, but how’s the sex?”
“Peggy!”
“Come on. You’re looking at a woman who hasn’t had any for over two weeks and I’ve got a good three or four left before I get some again. So give. How is it?”
Lilah blushed. “Incredible.”
“Well, that’s something.” Peggy sighed dreamily.
“But, I want more than just…you know.”
“I know.” Peggy hesitated. “Are you really sure that it’s Jake you want more with?”
“Absolutely.” Lilah replied. “I want what you and Peter have. I want what Tom and Marion have.”
“Tom and Marion?”
“Oops.”
“Really? Tom and Marion?”
“Look at the time.” Lilah glanced at her empty wrist. “I’d better go make sure all the cables and speakers are set up.”
Lilah teetered away but Peggy hurried after her. “Are you sure?”
Lilah knew what Peggy referred to. “Yes.”
“When did this happen?”
And so Lilah told her. She told her about coming to Tom’s house and seeing him with Marion. She told her about Jake’s help. And Lilah could see Peggy softening, finally, toward Jake.
“So maybe Jake Forrest does have some redeeming qualities.”
Lilah smiled. Now would be a bad time to bring up the fact that she thought she was pregnant. “He has lots.”
Little Peter Jr. hicced quietly. Peggy said, “I’d better go feed the prince. See you later.”
Lilah wiped sweaty palms down the sides of her outfit and wiggled trying to settle the tight mini-skirt further down her thighs. She wasn’t used to wearing such clingy fabric and this skirt was on the tight side of snug. But it would be worth it if she could convince Jake to stay.
Peggy was right. Her aunt was probably rolling over in her grave. Ladies do not make spectacles of themselves.
Well this lady was about to.
***
Jake scoured the carnival looking for Lilah. He was anxious to find her. Her note had said to meet her at one o’clock, but not where. She’d said he’d be able to find her.
He’d drunk a gallon of coffee in the last two hours. He was ready to find her. Ready to tell her he loved her.
Children squawked and screamed. The scent of cotton candy and popcorn drifted in the air. The Dixie Chicks blasted from speakers somewhere nearby. And Jake tapped his foot while he searched for Lilah.
“Jake!” Peggy hurried up to him, a huge smile on her face. Apparently his status as the anti-Christ had been downgraded. “There you are. Come with me.”
Peggy tugged him through a gathering crowd. He could hear murmurs and gasps, but he was too intent on Peggy to pay much attention. “I’m looking for Lilah. Have you seen her?”
“We’ll be there in a second.” She pulled him off to the side of the booth where the Dixie Chicks were still singing and pushed him into a chair. “Sit right there.”
“Where is Lilah?”
“You’ll see.” Peggy waved and scurried away.
“Holy cow, is that Lilah Mason?” The awed tone in the guy’s voice made Jake scowl. Lilah was his.
“And folks, this year we’ve got ourselves a Kar–EE-Okee machine, donated for the day by the Knights of Columbus.” He cued up a song. “First up to try it is Lilah Mason.”
Lilah?
“This song is for Jake. Hopefully he’s here and listening.” Her voice was husky and tinged with emotion. Just the way it sounded right after they made mind-blowing…love.
What could she possibly be doing? Jake got up from the chair and rounded the partition. He stopped in shock when he saw her. She stood in front of a crowd that encompassed at least half the town. Her back was to him, and he was pretty sure she didn’t know he was there.
Christ. It was another of his fantasies come to life. The black skirt skimmed her legs at mid-thigh. An equally tight tank top molded her torso and she stood balanced on three inch heels.
The soft sounds of a guitar strummed through the crowd, but Jake barely heard it. Then, Lilah began to sing. She crooned of love. And Jake knew, she was singing to him.
Finally, he walked slowly toward her. Wanting to hope, wanting to believe that she loved him. That she would do this for him. Miss Priss had been buried deep for her to do this.
Jake went up behind her and touched her shoulder softly.
She whirled around, then stood still as the final words of the song echoed in the silent crowd.
Jake took the microphone from her limp hands. He looked into her eyes, as clear as the Pacific on a summer day, and brimming with love and hope. And Jake knew everything would work out.
He knelt down on one knee, and looked up at her. He figured if she went out on a limb, he could too. “Lilah Mason Forrest, I love you
.”
A soft ‘oh’ went through the crowd.
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife. Again.”
Lilah put her hand over the microphone. “What about the baby?” she whispered.
A gasp went through the crowd. Apparently her hand hadn’t stopped the sound from carrying.
“I promise you, our child will grow up in a house full of love.” His child had a lot more going for it than Jake ever had. Jake loved Lilah. They would make it work. She could show him. “I’ll get there.”
She tugged him up to stand in front of her. “I love you too.”
She loved him. Joy buzzed through his body. How had he ever gotten so lucky? All from one wild night in New Orleans.
Lilah glanced at the crowd and thought about what her aunt would say. Her aunt would never have believed what Lilah had just done. She’d be appalled.
“Yes. I’ll marry you.” Lilah pressed her lips to Jake’s for what was supposed to be a quick peck.
But when her arms went around his neck, he pressed her closer and she was lost. They broke off the kiss to the sounds of catcalls and hoots.
“This keeps happening to us,” she murmured against his mouth. “Have you noticed that?”
Jake grinned at her. “Yeah.”
And her heart stopped. He was hers. And she was his.
“Show’s over folks,” Jake called.
Someone in the crowd yelled, “When’re ya getting married?”
“Tomorrow,” Lilah said clearly.
“Can’t tomorrow,” Jake replied.
“Why not?”
He gestured over to where Tom stood with Marion. “Reverend Tom and Marion are getting married tomorrow.”
Another gasp went up in the crowd.
Marion and Tom waved back, smiling.
“How about the weekend after that?”
“Sounds good to me.” Lilah’s eyes filled.
“Don’t cry.” He curled her into the sweet embrace of his arms.
“Tears of joy,” she whispered.
His arms held her tight. Jake’s wild bride had found her home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Alder has a split personality. Naughty Lisa writes HOT Demons, Fae and Humans in a post-apocalyptic world. Nice Lisa writes sexy, contemporary romantic romps.