SIN CITY WEDDING

by Katherine Garbera

  "No need to ask how things are in here," Harold said.

  Jake stiffened under her. Larissa got to her feet and walked over to the hospital bed to check Peter. She rested her hand lightly on his chest to feel each breath he took. "You know me, Dad. Can't keep my hands off a pretty girl."

  "I do know you, son," Harold said. There was a pride in his eyes that Larissa realized Jake didn't see.

  "Your mom and I wanted to check on Peter before we went home for the night."

  "He's sleeping," Jake said.

  "I'll go get your mother," Harold said.

  Jake cursed under his breath and pushed to his feet, joining Larissa by Peter's side. Jake settled his hand over hers on their son's chest. "God, I hope he beats this thing."

  "Dr. Gold said there's a chance he could outgrow the asthma."

  Jake said nothing, but Larissa felt some of her anxiety wane. She knew that with Jake by her side there was nothing they couldn't handle.

  "What's up with you and your dad?"

  "Nothing," Jake said, pacing across the room.

  "Jake?" She turned to face him, but he wasn't paying the least bit of attention to her.

  "Leave it be, Rissa."

  She crossed the room to Jake and wrapped her arms around him.

  "Talk to me," she said at last. She'd been so caught up in her own feelings of inadequacy that she hadn't noticed the tension between Jake and his father before.

  "I don't want to get into that. You've got enough on your mind with Peter."

  She tilted her head back and met his eyes. "Peter's resting now. Tell me about your dad."

  "It's nothing," he said, moving away. It seemed he couldn't stand still. "I've never been able to please the old man."

  She stopped his pacing with a hand on his arm. "I don't get that from him. He seems really proud of you." That was the truth. Harold had taken her aside earlier and told her when the chips were down there was no better man to have by her side than Jake.

  "Yeah, right. What dad wouldn't be proud of a son who can't keep his hands off his wife while his grandson struggles to breathe?"

  "I'm sure your dad understands that we need each other now."

  Jake shrugged.

  Larissa wasn't sure what else to say. She thought Harold was probably relieved that their marriage wasn't just for the media, but she didn't want to open that topic of conversation. "It wasn't like that. And I think your dad knows it. You should talk to him."

  "I don't think so."

  She raised herself on tiptoe so they were almost eye-to-eye. "Well, I do. I think you should do it. And I'm not going to stop bringing the subject up until you do."

  "We've only been married two days and already you're nagging me."

  For the first time since they arrived at the hospital she felt like smiling. "Start out as you mean to go on, I always say."

  "Good thing I know how to keep you quiet."

  "How?" she asked, smiling teasingly up at him.

  "Like this," he said, lowering his head and taking her mouth in a kiss that said things he'd never say with words. That embrace said thank-you and I'll be there for you. She clung to his broad shoulders and kissed him with the same intensity.

  * * *

  When his parents returned to the room, he reluctantly let Larissa go. A storm raged inside him. He'd never felt so helpless as he had on the drive to the hospital. He was used to focusing on a goal and achieving it. And tonight had shown him that life with Larissa and Peter was going to be anything but predictable.

  Since they'd landed back in Savannah, he'd realized that the only thing he wanted was some peace and quiet with his small family. He wanted what his folks had always had, but he didn't know that he was worthy of that kind of bond. He'd played around with women for so long that, even though Larissa made him feel things that he'd never experienced before, he wasn't sure he could be the kind of man she needed.

  She moved across the room toward his mother and Jake wondered how Larissa felt about suddenly having an extended family. He wouldn't give up being a Danforth for anything, he realized.

  "How's Peter doing?" his mom asked.

  "Better. He's finally sleeping," Larissa said.

  "I hope this attack wasn't brought on by anything at our house."

  "I'm sure it wasn't, Miranda. He had a great time visiting with you."

  "We enjoyed having him there. God, I miss having a little boy in the house."

  Jake loved his parents, but he wanted them to go so he could hold Larissa in his lap again and keep an eye on both her and Peter. "It's been a long night."

  "Yes, it has," his dad said.

  "I'm thirsty, I think I'll go down to the vending machine and get a Diet Coke. Want to go with me, Miranda?" Larissa asked.

  "Sure, dear. Do you want anything, Jake?"

  "Coke would be great, Mom."

  Larissa followed Miranda toward the door. At the entrance, she paused and looked at Jake. Talk to your dad, she mouthed. Bossy woman, he thought as she disappeared.

  His father leaned over Peter, brushing back his hair. "He looks so much like you."

  Jake crossed to the other side of the bed and leaned down over his son. "Yeah, he does."

  "This takes me back. Remember that summer you broke your arm?"

  "Do I. I couldn't play soccer for six weeks."

  "That's right. You missed out on winning that MVP trophy you'd had your eye on."

  "I got it the next year."

  "You were always good at winning."

  "Yes, I was."

  "You okay, son?"

  Jake shrugged. It didn't matter that he was over thirty and owned a successful business. He still felt like a boy in his dad's presence. His father was a man who had it all and made it look easy. Not even the disappearance of his youngest sister, Victoria, had phased Harold. He'd still held the family together and kept everyone focused on finding her. Jake didn't think he'd ever be the man his father was.

  "Having a kid is a double-edged sword," his dad said suddenly.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Just that you do your damnedest to protect them and then out of the blue something you can't control happens." His dad reached out and touched Peter's forehead. In that moment he saw on his father's face the same vulnerability that Jake felt toward his son.

  "Like with Victoria," Jake said. He'd never really gotten over the guilt he'd felt at her disappearance. And he'd never shared with his dad the responsibility he bore toward the incident.

  "Yes," his dad said, running his hands through his hair. "Good news on that front. The body in the attic at Crofthaven isn't hers."

  Jake felt a sense of relief at the news. No one in the family had given any credence to the theory that the body had been Victoria's. They all knew she'd disappeared in Atlanta, not in Savannah. "I never believed it was."

  "Me either. God, I wish I knew where she was," Harold said. Another crack appeared in Jake's image of his dad. His old man had always appeared so capable and confident. Jake hadn't realized that underneath was a man who had as many vulnerabilities as Jake had.

  "Me too. You know I've never forgiven myself for not attending the concert with her. I shouldn't have bought her those tickets."

  His dad gave him a sad smile. "You never could tell her no."

  That was the truth. He'd loved having younger sisters who looked up to him. Jake had always been indulgent with the women in his life. "It scares me sometimes to think that I might screw up with Peter that way."

  "I wish I could tell you it ends, son."

  "It doesn't?"

  "No."

  "How do you do it, Dad?"

  "I lean on your mom. That woman is the best thing that ever happened to me. And you kids … well you're extensions of her."

  Jake looked at his dad and for once didn't feel like a failure. "I hope I'm half the dad you are."

  "I know you will be."

  Before he could respond, the women returned with some cold soft drinks and
a couple of bags of snacks.

  "How's Peter?" Larissa asked.

  "Still sleeping," Jake said.

  Larissa crossed to his side and slipped her arm around his waist. He held her close and watched their son sleep. A moment later, he glanced across the bed at his dad.

  His dad winked at him and for the first time, Jake felt like a man that his dad was proud to know.

  * * *

  Twelve

  « ^ »

  The next evening Peter was doing much better, but Dr. Gold wanted to keep him one more night for observation. Larissa was tired—she hadn't slept in more than twenty-four hours. She was emotionally drained. Jake's family was wonderful, but they could be a little overwhelming. Jake's sister Imogene had breezed in on her lunch break wearing a power suit and looking totally gorgeous. Larissa had felt unkempt and frumpy by comparison.

  Though obviously a workaholic, Imogene had spent part of her lunch break sitting at Peter's side and reading to him. Jake's brother Toby had called and Peter had talked to him on the phone. Wes had stopped by with a new electronic game for Peter, and all and all her son had seemed as overwhelmed as she'd felt at having so many people care about them.

  But they were alone now. Jake was outside talking with his dad. She wasn't sure what had happened last night, but she felt like all the superficial reasons she'd been using for keeping Jake at arm's length had disappeared. She wasn't protecting her heart, because it was too late to do so. She'd fallen in love with Jake a long time ago and now that they were married she couldn't stop her feelings from deepening.

  Peter had wanted her to sleep next to him, so she'd crawled into the bed with her son. Peter slept quietly, resting his head on her arm. She bent close and listened to his breathing. It was deep and steady. Relief flooded her and she hugged his small body close.

  "Hey, lady," Jake said from the doorway. "How's our boy doing?"

  She glanced up at him and felt her heart jump in her chest. Damn he looked good. Tired but good. He had two days' worth of beard stubble on his cheeks and he'd never looked more attractive. Sensual awareness flooded her body. Not now, she thought—I'm doing the mom thing.

  "He's resting now. We were watching SpongeBob before he fell asleep. A show that Peter informed me you said he could watch. Correct me if I'm wrong but SpongeBob wasn't on my index card of approved television shows."

  "Really? I'm sure I saw it on there," Jake said with a sly grin.

  Peter loved having a daddy and it was just as clear that Jake loved being one. Jake had spent just as much time as she had at the hospital. He'd played games with their son and made plans to go camping this weekend down in St. Augustine. Listening and watching the two of them had convinced Larissa that Jake was in their lives for good.

  "I'm going to let it slide this time, but once he's out of the hospital we'll go back to our normal TV schedule."

  "Whatever you say, Larissa," he said in the bland tone that told her he was going to do whatever he thought was best for their son. She had to admit Peter had bloomed since Jake had come into his life. Her little boy had always been quiet and reserved. But lately he'd come out of his shell.

  "Why do I get the feeling you're placating me?" she asked.

  He shrugged, but there was a sparkle in his eyes that told her he liked sparring with her. "I don't know. You always were a smart woman—you tell me."

  She prided herself on her intelligence, which made it even harder to believe that she'd actually thought she could live with Jake and not be his lover. Now she just had to figure out a way to bring the topic up so he'd know she'd changed her mind.

  "Did your parents go home?"

  "Yes. Mom said they'll be back in the morning when Peter is released."

  Jake stopped at the side of the bed and ran his fingertip down her bare arm. She must look a mess. She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear but Jake brushed her hand away. "Leave it alone. I like it when you don't look all tidy."

  "It's safe to say I'm not tidy at this moment." She carefully pulled her arm out from under Peter's head and stood up. Jake didn't back up and they were pressed almost body to body.

  "No, you're not."

  "Neither are you," she said, running her hands over his rough jaw. He felt earthy against her soft fingers and she wished they were alone. She leaned up and kissed him. Jake responded with a longing that took her by surprise. The kiss was carnal and deep and when he stepped away she shivered with desire.

  "Rissa, is there something you're trying to tell me here?" he asked.

  "Well, maybe I am."

  "I'm not going to make any more guesses where you're concerned any longer."

  "I'm sorry about that last morning in Vegas. I guess I freaked out."

  "Our wedding night was incredible."

  "Yes, it was. I don't want that to be our only night together."

  "It won't be."

  "Good, then we're on the same page."

  "Larissa, we're not in a meeting with the library board."

  She flushed. "I know. But it's easier to talk about it in business terms."

  He shook his head. "Are you saying you want to be my wife, in every sense?"

  "Yes," she said softly and cuddled closer to the man she'd given her heart to.

  * * *

  Jake felt he'd been through the ringer. He was used to blithely skating through life. Keeping his emotions in a nice safe place that was only breached by his siblings, parents and cousins. Over the past twenty-four hours he'd come to realize that Peter and Larissa had found their way into his heart.

  Peter was naturally easy to love. The boy was a blend of Jake's rambunctious go-get-'em attitude and Larissa's quiet intelligence. It was an odd combination and it awed Jake to think that part of him was going to live on through Peter after he was gone.

  And he'd realized he didn't want to lose this family he'd found, the family he'd created when he was still so self-involved that he'd never noticed. The family that he knew he'd never be able to survive without.

  Larissa yawned behind her hand and her shoulder slumped with fatigue. She looked as if she was about to collapse. "Why don't you take the Suburban and go home and rest?"

  He liked to think that he'd helped her through this crisis. And it had been a crisis. He could handle any major problem at D&D's, but nothing had made him sweat like watching Peter struggle to breathe. It had made him realize how fragile this life was. It had reminded him of all the reasons he'd started hiding his feelings when Vicky had disappeared. Only now he knew that hiding wasn't the solution. Celebrating life and remembering the reasons why it was good were important.

  "Thanks, but I think I'd better stay here in case Peter wakes up."

  "Don't you trust me to take care of him?" he asked. He had to wonder. She'd scarcely left him alone with Peter since they'd been at the hospital. Her quiet strength surprised him, but it shouldn't have. Larissa was a survivor.

  She closed her eyes, hiding from him. As always, she was a mystery to him.

  "Of course, I do. It's just I don't…"

  "You don't what?" He wondered sometimes what she saw in him. She'd always been the one person that had slipped past his guard. The one person he could tell his dreams to who didn't make him feel like an idiot. The one person he'd always wanted to impress. And he had the feeling that sometimes he came close to doing that.

  "I don't want him to need someone else," she said in a rush of honesty.

  He understood. Sometimes it was easier to be everything to someone than to share the responsibility. "I'm not some stranger, Rissa. I'm his dad."

  "You're right. I'm still not used to trusting men in general."

  "Me in particular?" he asked. Hell, he sounded like a sap. Why did it matter if she didn't trust him? Because you love her, a voice inside him said. The thought staggered him.

  She pivoted to face him. He couldn't read her expression, but he didn't care anymore. Now he was concerned with hiding his own weakness from her. He'd alway
s been the strong one and he wasn't going to let anything—not even Larissa—change that. "I trust you, Jacob Danforth, more than I'd ever thought I could trust any man."

  Her words went straight through him. The mantle of responsibility felt heavy on his shoulders and he vowed that he'd never do anything to make her doubt the faith she'd placed in him. God, he needed to be alone with his wife. He needed to know that his son was safe and healthy and then take his wife to bed and reaffirm the bonds they'd tentatively forged in Vegas.

  "Come here, woman," he said.

  "Why?"

  Because I need you, he thought but didn't dare say. "Just get over here."

  She gave him a flirty smile and walked across the room with slow hip-swaying steps. Each move she made seduced him. And made the barriers he'd thought he'd built around his heart crumble.

  She stopped a good six inches from him. Her gaze skimmed over his body and he couldn't help it, he stood up straighter and flexed his muscles.

  "Very impressive," she said.

  "I know."

  She laughed and he realized it had been too long since he'd seen Larissa smiling. He promised himself that from now on she'd have lots of reasons to smile.

  He reached out and dragged her close. He wanted to clutch her to his chest but forced himself to just hold her loosely instead, carefully so not to reveal the intensity of the emotions swamping him. But deep inside he knew he'd never be complete without Larissa by his side. She made him a better man and he knew that if she ever left he'd be incomplete. How was he going to keep her by his side without letting her know?

  * * *

  Larissa left Jake and Peter at the hospital. She felt more certain than ever that she and Jake were going to make it. That they were going to be one of those couples that succeeded despite the circumstances under which they'd started their marriage. She returned to Jake's town house on autopilot and when she entered the house she went straight to his bedroom and crawled into his bed.

  Surrounded by his scent, she fell into a deep sleep. The doorbell woke her four hours later. She stumbled from the bed and shrugged into Jake's robe.