Their Child?

by Christine Rimmer

  Slipping on her robe, she hurried into her bedroom and shut the door. But when she turned—

  “Chase! I didn’t expect—”

  He’d been standing at the window and now he faced her. “You said you wanted to talk.”

  Her hair was wet and she was naked under her robe. But if he wanted to talk, now was the time to convince him that they belonged together. In a black polo shirt and khaki pants, he’d never looked more deliciously sexy. His hair was still damp as if he’d toweled it quickly and left it to dry on its own.

  She approached him slowly, more nervous than she could ever imagine feeling, yet sure in her love for him. “I’m sorry. I know you said the words don’t mean anything, but I had to say them again. When I saw that e-mail, it took me back into the past. I guess I’d been hanging on to it to protect myself. If I didn’t let a man close, then he couldn’t hurt me. But I did let you get close and I was scared.”

  She stopped for a breath, then hurried on. “I never realized trust could be a conscious choice. I love you, Chase. After you left me in the vineyard, I made the conscious choice that I was going to trust you. But today, when you swam into the creek for Abby, and then told me you’d be back for me, it wasn’t a choice. I just simply trusted you. I want to marry you because I love you in a way I’ve never loved anyone.”

  When he didn’t answer immediately, she was afraid her doubt had destroyed anything they’d been building between them. But then he was right there in front of her, gazing down at her, and his expression wasn’t cold or removed or polite anymore.

  Taking her hands in his, he looked deep into her eyes. “You’re a gift to me, Jillian, a gift I never expected. I never should have reacted the way I did. I never should have gotten so angry. Your past gave you every reason to doubt. I should have known you needed more time. But most of all, I should have recognized my feelings instead of denying them. If I had told you I love you, if I had made it clear that I want to marry you because I want to wake up with you every morning, watch you play with the girls, stand beside you while you plan weddings here at Willow Creek and take you to bed every night because my body yearns for yours, then you would have had reason to trust.”

  “Oh, Chase.” The corner of her lip trembled and she was trying desperately not to cry.

  Drawing her close, he wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, Jillian. Can you forgive me for denying what I felt for far too long?”

  “Of course, I can. Can you forgive me—”

  He didn’t give her a chance to finish the question. His lips were on hers and his kiss was taking her breath away. His hunger was exciting and real and soon had her weak-kneed and hanging on to him for support.

  Finally he broke the kiss.

  “I don’t want to wait till fall to get married. Do you?” she asked. One look into Chase’s eyes and she knew he didn’t want to wait, either.

  “I don’t want to wait till fall. You’re the wedding planner. How soon can we do this?”

  “Three weeks,” she said with certainty.

  “Three weeks it is.”

  When he kissed her again, thoughts of flowers and veils and two little girls dressed in bouffant dresses faded. There was only Chase, and she gave herself up to him completely.

  Epilogue

  The scent of lilacs filled the air as spirea fell heavy with white blooms and poppies waved in the breeze. Jillian and Chase’s wedding was the first to be held at Willow Creek Estates Vineyard. As Jillian followed Eleanor to the arbor where her husband-to-be stood, she knew her heart couldn’t be any fuller with happiness.

  Kara had walked from the winery to the arbor first, her flowered, tea-length dress blowing in the slight breeze. Marianne and Abby trailed behind her with their baskets, their pink organza dresses billowing out around them as they reached for petals to toss on the ground on their way to their father. Eleanor had been as pleased as could be when Jillian had asked her to be in the wedding, and now in her rose-colored chiffon dress, she took measured steps until she reached the girls. Then she ushered them to white wooden chairs in the front row.

  Scott Paxton stood beside Chase at the arbor and both men were smiling. However, when Chase’s gaze met hers, when his eyes drifted over the strapless white silk gown with its flowing skirt, something entirely different shown on his face…something more than happiness. It was appreciation of her and the future they’d have together.

  At that moment, Jillian had to catch her breath and blink back tears. She loved Chase so deeply, so richly, so dearly. She wanted to shout it to the world. In a way, she would be in a few moments.

  When she reached the arbor, she handed her bouquet to Kara. Her best friend smiled and took it, then everyone faded away but Chase.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered as he took her hand.

  “So are you,” she murmured. “Handsome, I mean.”

  When he laughed, she laughed with him and they turned toward the minister.

  Chase said his vows in a strong, sure voice and every heart-filled word wrapped around Jillian, preparing her for a future with him. She repeated her promises, trusting Chase and loving him in a way she’d never trusted or loved a man. She knew he could see that and hear that as she repeated oaths that would last a lifetime.

  When it came to the exchange of rings, Scott handed Chase a diamond wedding band and he slipped it onto her finger, above an oval diamond. “This isn’t just a ring, Jillian,” he said detouring from the words they’d practiced. “This is a circle of love. It will remind you I will love you and our girls until my dying breath. It will enfold you in love forever. I’ve promised to be your husband, your love, your life partner and your friend. It’s a symbol of those promises, a symbol that they’re as real as I am, as real as the love I want to share with you for a lifetime.”

  Now tears did roll down Jillian’s cheeks, but they were happy tears and she knew Chase could see that. After she took his solid gold band from Kara, she slid it onto his finger. “You will be my life, Chase, and my home. This gold band represents all the love I feel for you, the pride I have for you, the respect I will always give you. Together we’ll raise our girls to understand the meaning of our promises by showing them that our love is strong and true and forever.”

  The minister mumbled, “I think you two have just covered my part of this.”

  There was soft laughter from their guests, and Chase’s arm went around Jillian as they faced the minister for their final blessing.

  Moments later, the reverend smiled broadly at everyone gathered. “I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Chase Remmington.”

  As everyone sitting on pristine white chairs under the canopy applauded, Chase kissed his new wife thoroughly. When they broke apart, they found Marianne and Abby looking up at them with smiles and questions.

  Marianne asked, “Are we married?”

  As Chase hunkered down with Marianne, and Jillian with Abby, he responded, “We are definitely married.”

  “Time for cake, Daddy?” Abby asked hopefully as Eleanor and Stan came forward to congratulate them.

  Chase grinned at her. “It’s time for cake. It’s time for us to celebrate. It’s time for us to become a real family.”

  When Chase stood, he caught Jillian to him for another kiss.

  Afterward, Eleanor hugged her and whispered, “Stan and I might be standing here soon. We’re too old to waste any time.”

  Before Jillian could comment, Eleanor took Abby’s and Marianne’s hands, and Chase guided Jillian toward the horse-drawn carriage. Ralph held the horse as they climbed in. Chase tucked Jillian’s hand into the crook of his arm and then clicked to the horse as they began their journey together…a journey for a lifetime.

  Having the Best Man’s Baby

  By

  Shawna Delacorte

  Although award-winning author Shawna Delacorte has lived most of her life in Los Angeles and has a background working in television production, she is currently living in Wichita, Kansas. She is h
onoured to include among her writing accomplishments her placement on the USA TODAY bestseller list. In addition to writing full time, she teaches a fiction-writing class in the Division of Continuing Education at Wichita State University. Shawna enjoys hearing from her readers and can be reached at 6505 E. Central, Box #300, Wichita, KS 67206, USA.

  To Margaret and Mike:

  Thank you for the fun and the photography

  And all your generosity.

  One

  Jean Summerfield froze in her tracks. Her breath caught in her throat. She spotted him as soon as she entered the private banquet room of the hotel. Her gaze remained riveted on the one face among those in the crowd that sent a shockwave of anxiety crashing through her reality. Painful memories from the past immediately shoved to the forefront. Her heart leaped into her throat and her mouth went dry. It couldn’t be…not Ryland Collier…not after all these years. Ry Collier…the boy who had humiliated her and broken her heart fifteen years ago.

  “Are you all right, Jean? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Jean turned at the sound of her best friend Susan Brundage’s voice. “I…uh…yes, I’m fine. I thought I saw someone I knew from a long time ago, but I’m sure I was mistaken.”

  She glanced toward Ry again. Her stomach knotted into an uncomfortable ball. Her throat tightened. She thought she had put the past behind her, but in a fraction of a second all the insecurities suffered by that plain, overweight and shy sixteen-year-old girl came rushing back at her.

  Susan grabbed Jean’s arm, pulling her out of her thoughts. “There’s someone you need to meet. He arrived from Chicago just this afternoon.” Susan let out a soft chuckle. “He’s what every woman’s mother always warned her about…a bad boy with looks, charm and lots of money. A dangerous combination for sure. And guess what…he’s single.”

  The knot in Jean’s stomach tightened as Susan dragged her across the room toward the man she thought she would never see again. She took a calming breath, but it didn’t help. She steeled her nerves against the inevitable, not sure what to expect.

  “Ry, I’d like to introduce my maid of honor, Jean Summerfield. Jean, this is Bill’s best man, Ry Collier. The two of you need to get acquainted. You’ll be seeing a lot of each other during the upcoming week between now and the wedding.”

  A sexy smile lit Ry’s handsomely chiseled features and a devilish gleam sparkled in his silver eyes as he made an obvious visual inventory of Jean’s physical assets. He extended his hand toward her. “Jean, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” His smooth masculine voice tickled her senses as he clasped her hand in his, sending an immediate rush of sensual warmth through her body.

  She reluctantly worked her hand out of his grasp, breaking the all-too-tempting sizzle of energy created by his touch. He was even more handsome up close than he had been from across the room. A sense of relief settled over her when he showed no outward signs of recognizing her. Perhaps the pain and emotional trauma of the past would remain safely tucked away.

  Jean composed herself and her thoughts as she returned his smile. “The pleasure is all mine.”

  “Really?” He winked at her and flashed an absolutely killer smile. “We’ll have to discuss mutual pleasure in greater detail…” He cocked his head and extended a questioning look. “Perhaps on the dance floor?”

  Ry grasped her hand again, led her to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. She hadn’t shown any signs of recognizing him, but somewhere…somehow…their paths had crossed. He was sure of it, yet they couldn’t possibly have met. He never would have forgotten this gorgeous woman with glossy chestnut hair, beautiful hazel eyes and a figure that could not be hidden by the businesslike tailored slacks and blazer she wore. It was a body that would fulfill any man’s wildest fantasies.

  A tightness pulled across his chest, an unwelcome sign saying that this woman represented far more than some sort of temporary casual association. A nagging sensation continued to pull at his senses telling him he knew her from somewhere…from someplace in his past. But where? A little twinge of uncertainty tugged at him followed by an ominous tremor of apprehension whose origins he didn’t understand. Yes, indeed. She had definitely grabbed his libido. Now, if only he could figure out where he had seen her.

  A shortness of breath caught him off guard when the delicate fragrance of her perfume tickled his senses. Just having her in his arms as they danced made his blood rush harder and his pulse race a little faster. Something about her had solidly grabbed his attention, pulled at his libido and made him want much more than just to hold her while they danced at a party.

  Ry pulled her a little closer, taking advantage of the fact that she was already in his arms. He judged her height to be about five feet six inches, perfect for his sixfoot height. He lowered his voice to a sexy whisper. “I know the bride is always supposed to be the center of attention, but you’re certainly the most beautiful woman in the room.”

  The crimson flush of embarrassment quickly spread across Jean’s cheeks as she glanced self-consciously around the room. “That’s nonsense.” A slight quaver surrounded her words, as if she wasn’t sure exactly how to respond to what he had said. “Susan is a very beautiful woman. That marvelous mane of honey-blond hair and her big blue eyes…she’ll be a stunning bride.”

  “I’m more impressed with the maid of honor.”

  Her embarrassment seemed genuine to him, not a pretense. Was it possible that she didn’t realize just how beautiful she was? That she was not accustomed to compliments? Or even pickup lines? What a welcome change from some of the vain women he had known whose primary concern was how they looked on the outside without a thought to whether they were beautiful on the inside.

  As they moved to the music, his mind drifted back fifteen years. He had known a girl in high school whom he liked very much. She was a beautiful soul on the inside and the one person he truly felt comfortable around…someone he could really talk with. He hadn’t meant to, but he had destroyed that friendship as surely as if he had told her he never wanted to see her again. And for fifteen years the guilt and anguish had lived inside him.

  Ry shook away the unpleasant memories and returned his attention to his very desirable dance partner. “This is a terrific idea…having a party so that everyone connected with the wedding can meet each other before the rehearsal and wedding ceremony. Have you known Bill and Susan very long?”

  “I haven’t known Bill that long. He moved to Seattle four years ago. Susan and I are both from Seattle and have lived here all our lives although we’ve only known each other for about eight years. We belong to the same little theater group. What about you and Bill? How long have you two known each other?”

  “We went to college together at UCLA. We were roommates in our freshman year and have been close friends ever since. I moved from Los Angeles to Chicago about six months after I graduated. That’s where my business is headquartered.”

  “What do you do for a living?”

  “I have my own company. I analyze procedures and systems of companies, locate the waste of time and materials in the operation and make recommendations to streamline the business. I’ve just signed a contract for a four-week assignment here in Seattle that starts in a week, on the Monday after Sunday’s wedding. How about you? What do you do other than belong to a little theater group and mesmerize unsuspecting men?”

  Again the heat spread across her cheeks. “Please stop that. You’re embarrassing me.” She tried to regain her composure. She wasn’t sure which bothered her more, the easy and empty flattery or the fact that it was Ry Collier saying the words. “I’m a personnel manager at a manufacturing company.”

  Ry pulled her even closer so that their bodies were pressed together as they danced. The last thing he wanted to do was discuss business with her. Every curve and angle of her body seemed to perfectly fit with his. The sexy fragrance of her perfume continued to assault his senses and stimulate his lustful desires. He wanted to nibble on her li
ps and kiss her delicious-looking mouth. And then he wanted to sweep her up in his arms, carry her off to the nearest bed and spend the rest of the night making passionate love to her.

  He reluctantly returned his thoughts to the conversation at hand. He wasn’t sure when or where, but with each passing minute he became more convinced that they had met somewhere. “I’m originally from Seattle.” He watched her for any reaction to his words. He thought he felt her muscles tense slightly and her body stiffen for the briefest of moments. Was it his imagination?

  She allowed her mind to wander as they moved to the music. It may have taken fifteen years, but she had finally ended up in Ry Collier’s arms on a dance floor. His nearness was intoxicating. The pull of his sexy magnetism played havoc with her reality. Everything she had ever fantasized about him was happening at that moment. But it could not erase the hurt and humiliation of that night fifteen years ago. A sharp pang of sorrow hit her as the memories tried to crystallize in her mind.

  “—have dinner with me tonight?”

  Ry’s words pulled her out of her thoughts. She furrowed her brow in confusion. “Dinner?”

  “Let’s say our goodbyes to Bill and Susan and find some quiet little restaurant where we can get better acquainted over dinner.” He leaned his face very close to hers, his lips almost touching her ear. “Or better yet…we could go upstairs to my suite and order dinner from room service.”

  A surge of nervous energy shot through her body followed by a wave of apprehension. “So…you’re, uh…you’re staying at this hotel? That has to be pretty expensive for an extended stay.”

  “With several of the wedding functions planned to take place in this hotel, including the dinner after the rehearsal and the reception following the ceremony next weekend, this seemed like a good place to stay. I’ll also be here through the duration of my four-week business contract after the wedding.”