“I’ve been sick. It’s not fun, I’ll tell you that. But I’ve decided I want the baby. I really do. Before we found out about the pregnancy, I was trying to talk Austin into a temporary marriage, so I could get my inheritance.” Alexis knew all about the money from Brooke’s grandmother and how her parents were refusing to let her open an art school.
“Do you think you can trust this man? He’s practically a stranger. I don’t like the idea of him having a shot at all those millions.”
Brooke frowned. Alexis’s concern made perfect sense, but she felt the need to defend her husband-to-be. “Austin is a decent, wonderful person. I have no worries on that score at all. In fact, he was the one who insisted on a prenup. He doesn’t want people thinking he’s a fortune hunter.”
“Maybe he’s just saying that to win your trust.”
“He’s not like that. He’s a widower who loved his wife.”
Alexis snorted. “And widowers can’t be villains?”
“He’s not a villain. He’s a great guy.”
“But he knocked you up, so there’s that.”
“It was an accident,” Brooke said. “Neither of us did anything wrong. It just happened.”
“Are you in love with him?” Alexis asked.
“No. We hardly know each other.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
“I could love him, I think,” Brooke said. “But he’s still hung up on his dead wife.” She released a heavy sigh. “They were college sweethearts. I can’t compete with that. Besides, Austin has told me flat out that he’s not interested in a relationship.”
“Was that before or after you found out about the baby?”
Brooke gaped, trying to remember. “It doesn’t matter. We’ve been very careful to talk about everything as short-term. I’ll admit that the baby complicates things.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Brooke. I understand why you need to get married. But this can’t be a paper commitment only...not with the baby. You and Austin are going to be inextricably involved, indefinitely. Life will be messy. Particularly if you fall in love with him.”
Having all her doubts spoken aloud was sobering. “I hear what you’re saying... I do. But I have to make the best of a difficult situation. Austin has offered to support me until the inheritance comes through the courts. He’s renting a house for the three of us.”
Alexis arched a brow. “He’s being awfully accommodating for a guy who buried his heart with his dead wife.”
“Don’t be like that.”
“Like what?” Alexis’s cynical smile was disturbing.
“I want the fairy-tale romance,” Brooke cried. “Don’t you think I do? When you and Daniel tried to run away as teenagers and then everything went south, I ached for you. And then all these years later you reconnected. Of course I want a love like that. But not everyone gets that chance. I have to make do with what I have.”
Alexis stood and prowled, her expression tight. “You can forget about Daniel and me. Nothing has changed even though we’re back in the same town. Ours was no grand love affair, believe me. All the reasons we couldn’t make it work as teenagers are still there.” She thumped her fist on the mantel. “I told you I don’t want to talk about Daniel.” She wiped her face, though Brooke hadn’t realized until then that Alexis had been crying. “When is the wedding?” she asked.
Brooke pulled her knees to her chest. “I don’t know,” she said glumly. “We’ll go the courthouse, I suppose. In Joplin, maybe. Not here.”
“Do you want me to be there with you?”
Brooke nodded, her throat tight. “I’d like that.”
“Okay, then.” Alexis sighed, visibly shaking off her mood. “What can I do to help tonight?”
“Well,” Brooke said, “I have two large suitcases and four boxes upstairs ready to be packed. I wouldn’t mind a hand with that.”
“Only two suitcases?”
“None of my clothes are going to fit...remember? I’ll get the other stuff later. When my parents have had a chance to get used to the idea of me being gone.”
“And being pregnant. And being married.”
“You’re not making me feel better.”
“Sorry.” On the way up to Brooke’s room, Alexis ran her hand along the banister. “I wonder how many nights I spent in this house over the years.”
“Who knows? But it was certainly a lot. I think my parents liked having you here, because you were a Slade and thus a good influence on me.”
“Not after I tried to run off with the help and got banished for my indiscretions.” The bitterness in her voice was impossible to miss.
Brooke paused on the top step and turned, looking down at Alexis. “I’m really sorry. This stupid town puts far too much emphasis on social standing. My mother actually called Austin a handyman. As if that was the worst insult she could come up with at the moment.”
They walked down the hall and into Brooke’s childhood bedroom. The toys and school trophies had long since been packed away. The room had been professionally redecorated and painted. But Disney posters still hung inside her walk-in closet. At one time, Brooke had considered becoming a graphic artist. She loved color and design.
Alexis flopped down on the bed and stretched her arms over her head. “I feel like I should throw you a party. After all this time, you’re finally escaping your parents’ clutches.”
“I love my mom and dad.”
“I know you do, darlin’, and that’s why I love you. Despite the way they’ve treated you, you won’t turn your back on them. Not everyone is as forgiving as you are.”
Brooke gave her friend a pointed look. “Don’t make me out to be a saint. I’m not inviting them to the wedding. In fact, I’m not even telling them when it is. My mother would probably call in a mock bomb threat to the courthouse.”
“Or she’d have your father fake a heart attack.”
They dissolved into laughter, and the conversation moved onto lighter topics. In an hour, the packing was done.
Alexis studied the partially denuded bedroom. “Do you want to come to my place tonight? I hate to think of you staying here all by yourself.”
“I appreciate the offer. But honestly, I need some time to think. To make sure I’m doing the right thing.”
“It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
There was no criticism in Alexis’s statement...only quiet concern.
Brooke shrugged. “I guess I have. I like Austin. He’s willing to help me get my inheritance. He’s interested in supporting his child, and he wants to play a role in the baby’s future.”
“What about you, Brooke? What do you want?”
“I’m not entirely sure. But I’ll figure it out soon. I’m running out of time.”
* * *
Austin drove to Joplin on Saturday. He didn’t have to. There sure as hell was plenty going on at the club that needed his attention. But he had learned—when Jenny was ill—there was more to life than work.
His sister was thrilled to see him. A pot of his favorite chili bubbled on the stove, and she had gone the extra mile to make chocolate chip cookies. He shrugged out of his light jacket and hung it on the hook by the back door. “Hey, sis. Smells great in here.”
Audra hugged him. “It’s a sad day when I have to bribe you to get a visit.”
Not for the world would he ever tell her this house held too many painful memories. Jenny had died in the bedroom just down the hall. Six years had passed. The raw grief had healed. Still, the house was not comfortable to him. Perhaps it never would be.
They had lunch together, talking, laughing, catching up. Audra was almost six years older than he was. In many ways she had been a second mother to him. She had been married briefly when he was in high school. But apparently the guy was a jackass, because the relati
onship ended after eighteen months. Audra never spoke of it, and she never dated seriously since.
Come to think of it, she and Austin had a lot in common. Too much pain in their pasts. Too little inclination to try again.
He knew that sooner or later she would grill him because of the phone call he had made to her the day he discovered Brooke was pregnant. She waited until he was on his second cup of coffee and his third cookie.
“So,” she said, leaning her chair back on two legs and looking at him over the rim of her pink earthenware mug with the huge daisy painted on the side. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
He sighed inwardly. “Brooke’s pregnant.”
“The cute blonde from the bar?”
“Yep.”
“Did she set you up?” Audra’s suspicious frown had mother hen written all over it.
“Stand down, sis. This was entirely an accident. I won’t go into details, but the kid is mine.”
“What now?”
He told her about Brooke’s inheritance and her dream of opening an art school and her crazy-ass parents. “I’ve rented a condo as of Monday. And I’ve offered to marry Brooke so she can get her money. Temporarily only.”
Audra scowled. “You are so full of crap.”
“Hey...” He held up his hands. “Why the attitude? I’m the good guy in this scenario.”
“Are you planning on sleeping with her?”
“The condo has three bedrooms.”
“That’s not an answer and you know it. Tread carefully, Austin.”
His neck got hot. “I don’t follow.”
She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “I love you, little brother. But you’re not the same man you were before Jenny got sick. When you were younger, you were the life of the party, always joking and laughing. After she died, you changed. I miss that old Austin. Honestly, though, I doubt if he’s ever coming back.”
His stomach curled. Nothing she had said was news to him. “What’s your point?”
“Don’t hurt this girl.”
“I don’t plan to hurt anyone.”
“But that’s the problem, kiddo. You think everything can stay light and easy. But you’re not able to see this from a young woman’s perspective, especially the one I remember from the bar. She still had stars in her eyes, Austin. I’ll bet when she looks at you, her heart races and she starts imagining a future where the two of you grow old together.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he said defensively. “I’ve been very clear about that. I told her I don’t want another relationship.”
Audra’s visible skepticism underscored his own doubts. But what could he do? The course was set. He and Brooke were getting married.
Twelve
While Austin was busy with his own agenda Saturday morning, Brooke sat in her car in front of Natalie Valentine’s bridal shop and tried to think of a cover story that wouldn’t sound too unbelievable. Her phone said it was 9:57. The store opened at ten.
After Alexis left last night, Brooke had spent an hour wandering from room to room of her family home, wondering if she was jumping from the proverbial frying pan into the fire. How could she marry a man she barely knew?
On the other hand, how could she not?
She had eventually slept from midnight until seven and then spent an hour in the bathroom that morning retching miserably. This pregnancy thing was taking a toll on her body already. Her weight was down five pounds.
When she saw the hanging placard in the glass doorway flip from Closed to Open, she climbed out of the car and marched inside.
Natalie greeted her with a smile. “Hi, Brooke. You’re out early. Can I help you find a dress for the auction? I assume that’s why you’re here. I’ve sold ten gowns in the last week already. If my business is any indicator, the charity bachelor gig is going to be a huge success.”
“I’ll just browse for a bit if that’s okay,” Brooke said, avoiding the question.
“Of course. Make yourself at home. There’s coffee in the next room if you get thirsty.”
When Natalie moved to greet another customer, Brooke breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t prepared to explain why she needed a dress. The traditional wedding gowns in the back half of the salon beckoned with their satin and lace and bridal splendor, but she wouldn’t let her wistful imagination go there. Reality was her currency. She had plans to make and a future to plot out.
She tried on six dresses before she found one that didn’t make her feel self-conscious. The winning number was an ivory silk affair, strapless, nipped in at the waist, ending just below the knee. It was sophisticated, elegant and bridal enough for an informal courthouse wedding.
With the dress draped over her arm, she bumped open the fitting room door with her hip and nearly ran into Tessa Noble. The curvy African American woman with the sweet smile greeted Brooke warmly. “Hey, Brooke. I haven’t seen you in forever. Are you shopping for a charity auction dress...like me?”
Brooke hugged the other woman. “You’re going? Tripp, too?” Tessa’s brother was as popular as his sister, though Tripp was an extrovert, and Tessa definitely preferred staying out of the limelight.
Tessa chuckled. “Would you believe that Ryan Bateman has talked Tripp into being one of the bachelors?”
“Oh, wow. Your brother is a hunk. The bidding will go wild.”
Tessa rolled her eyes. “Yeah. That’s what I think. He’ll eat it up. But it’s all for a good cause.”
“So what kind of dress do you want? I bet you would look amazing in hot pink. Or scarlet maybe. Even emerald green.”
Tessa chewed her bottom lip. “Oh, I don’t know, Brooke. I was thinking something a little less flashy.”
“I can understand that. But every woman deserves to look her best. Do you mind if I hang around and see what you try on?” She sensed that Tessa might need a gentle push in the right direction.
“Of course not. Is that what you’re going to wear?”
Brooke felt her face get hot. “Maybe. I have a couple of other occasions coming up during the holidays, so I wanted to be prepared. Here,” she said, pulling two outfits off the rack when she saw what size Tessa was eyeing. “Humor me.” The red or the fuchsia—either choice would be sensational.
Tessa seemed dubious. “I’d prefer something with a little less wattage. This one might work.” She held out an unexceptional gown that was perfectly plain.
Brooke wrinkled her nose. “Basic black is acceptable for a formal occasion, of course, but you have a majestic figure, Tessa. Play to your strengths. Don’t hide in the shadows.”
“I’m not hiding,” Tessa insisted. “I love my body. Or at least as much as any woman does.” She grinned. “But that doesn’t mean I want everyone gawking at it.”
“Isn’t there something in between? Then again, my life isn’t exactly going according to plan lately, so who am I to hand out advice?” Brooke admitted the truth ruefully.
Natalie had apparently been watching the good-natured standoff. She joined them and gave Tessa a reassuring smile. “You’re not the first woman to be nervous about stepping out of your comfort zone. Here’s an idea. Take all three possibilities home overnight, plus another one or two if you like. Try them on in the comfort of your own bedroom with your own shoes and jewelry. Keep the tags attached, of course. I think—under those circumstances—you’ll end up with exactly the right outfit for the occasion.”
While Tessa took her time selecting from a wide array of choices, Brooke said her goodbyes and followed Natalie back to the cash register to pay for her purchases. Natalie took Brooke’s credit card, then slid the dress into a clear garment bag. “This one is lovely. You can dress it up or down so many ways. And if it’s a cooler evening, some kind of golden, gauzy shawl would be pretty.”
Brooke nodded. “Yes.” She w
as almost tongue-tied. It had never been her intention to hide her pregnancy forever. But now it seemed difficult to dump the news on people without divulging far more than she wanted to about her personal life.
By the time she made it back to her car and spread the dress bag out in the trunk, she was starving. She still had two stops to make, but they would have to wait. Instead, she drove the short distance to the diner and grabbed chicken noodle soup and a chicken pita sandwich to go.
It wasn’t the easiest meal to eat in the car, but she didn’t want to run into anyone she knew. How was she going to explain Austin to the world? How was she going to explain her pregnancy? The deeper she got into the chaotic whirl of events she herself had set in motion with one crazy night in Joplin, the more out of control she felt.
Babies were amazing and wonderful. She truly believed that. But this little one was turning Brooke’s world upside down and backward in a big way.
She parked beside the courthouse and ate her lunch slowly, huddling in her navy wool sweater and wishing she had dressed more warmly for the day. The weather, as predicted, had taken a nasty turn. The skies were dull and gray. The temperature had dropped at least fifteen degrees. A steady, driving rain stripped any remaining leaves from the trees. Fall, her favorite season, would soon turn to winter.
Royal’s winters were mild, for the most part. Still, it was a good thing she had finished the outdoor murals. She couldn’t risk getting sick. Not with so much at stake.
What was Austin doing right now? Was he at the club? Working on the new addition? It pained her that she had no idea.
When she couldn’t put it off any longer, she got out and locked the car. The wind made her umbrella virtually useless. The lawyer her parents used occupied an office in the annex across the street from the courthouse. Brooke had an appointment.
The dour older gentleman took her back to his overly formal suite right on time. He didn’t seem happy to see her, particularly after a tense fifteen-minute conversation. “So you see,” Brooke said, “I’ll need the prenup right away. And I’ll need your assurance that what we’ve discussed doesn’t leave this room. I know my mother tries to twist people to her way of thinking, but you are obligated to keep my confidence. Right? I’ve told her I’m getting married. I just haven’t said when.”
Million Dollar Baby Page 11