by D L Lane
“I was walking home from the Vanderpool’s place; they needed me to watch the boys today. A car started following me. At first, I didn’t think too much about it, until it turned when I took a left on Ash Street, then again when I went onto Downy.”
Fury flamed from Gage. “Did you see who it was?”
She nodded. “I finally slowed and looked.”
“Who was it?”
“Jordan, only he wasn’t driving his car, but one I’ve never seen before.”
Dynamite detonated inside his head, blinding him with fury for a moment as he got up and headed for the hall.
“Where are you going?” Danny was behind him.
“To go smash Jordan’s teeth in.”
She gripped his arm. “No. Don’t leave me.”
Her soft voice, those pleading words, stopped him. Then her sad face as she came around his large frame and looked up cemented Gage in place. “Danica.”
“Please, stay with me.”
Gage grabbed her around the waist, lifted her feet off the floor, and took her lips with his. Danny was hesitant at first, then she gave to his will, allowing him entrance on a breath.
She tasted of butterscotch candy.
He groaned.
In the back of his mind, he knew their first kiss should have been nice. Slow. Soft. This, more than likely her first kiss, should have been respectful, gentle, not the hard, almost punishing kiss he was giving her.
Gage almost came to his senses, but when Danny kissed him back with just as much passion, wrapping her arms around his neck and her shapely legs around his waist, any thought of how it should have been left his addled thoughts and became nothing but all-consuming need, burning him to the bone.
Spinning, Gage put her back against the wall, mouths working, tongues tangling, teeth clashing, one of his hands gripping the back of her head and neck, fingers fisting the silk of her hair, the other hand riding dangerously low on the sweet curve of her spine.
As he ate at her, something insisted, Stop!
He ignored the little voice of reason, growling low in his throat when Danny’s nails bit into the flesh of his neck, but that one word became incessant, stop, stop, stop, and wouldn’t shut up until he wrenched his mouth from hers, chest heaving, and put her down.
“I’m sorry, Danny.” A tumult of emotion ranging from want, remorse, need, anger at Jordan, at himself, lust, so much lust, all of it whirling around inside of him like a tornado made him stumble back.
Looking dazed, she touched her glistening swollen lips and whispered, “I’m not.”
He had three more months to go before Danny could ‘officially’ date, and if he did what he wanted to do, and crossed the line, they’d never get to the dating part or doing things properly—respectfully in order. No, they’d jump right into the physical.
Gage welded his eyes closed. He’d started this fight with himself when she turned fourteen, and he got it—if he touched her again, there would be no going back. How she’d always looked at him hadn’t gone unnoticed. The way she watched him when she thought he wasn’t paying attention. He knew she had the same aching attraction for him he felt for her. The same yearning was evident as they’d consumed the other just moments before.
If I kiss her again, she’ll let me.
She would, no doubt. But he wanted more, there was no denying it, so he wouldn’t quit at the lip lock, and she wouldn’t stop him.
You can’t go there with her. Not yet.
Eyelids lifting, Gage said, “I have to go” while backing farther away, every muscle in his body protesting, not wanting to move.
“No, don’t!”
Smoothing his features, pulling that blank mask down, he shook his head. “Lock the door behind me, and don’t worry about Jordan. He won’t be scaring you again.”
With that, he stormed out of her house just as fast as he’d stormed in, came across Jenny, picked her up, went to a secluded spot on the far side of the lake, and used her in a way he shouldn’t have in order to slake the hunger for the too young Danica Lorry coursing through him.
“…assume you are telling us this because you believe Gage to be the father?” Dad asked Jenny.
Blinking, Gage wondered how much of the conversation he’d missed.
“Yes, Doctor Harrison.”
“Son? Could this be true?”
Gage’s attention went to his mother, who looked ashen and was so stone still he didn’t see her blinking, then over to Jenny who didn’t look much better, and then to his father, who wasn’t happy by any means, but was maintaining his cool. “It could be. Yes, sir.”
His stomach balled so hard he thought he might puke.
Dad shook his head and steepled his fingers.
Rubbing the throbbing pain in his temple, Gage said, “I’ll do the right thing,” though saying the words was like spitting up shards of glass. “I’ll marry her.”
Every dream he’d ever had about Danica was crushed under the boot of his stupidity, and ground into the pavement by his monumental mistake.
His father held up a hand. “No, that’s not happening. You will take care of your obligations, but you will not jump into marriage at eighteen.”
Mom had yet to say a word.
“Jenny.” Dad’s green eyes swung to her. “I’m not trying to be harsh here, but I will insist on a paternity test.”
“Okay,” she said, then bit her bottom lip.
“We could have an amniocentesis done anywhere between fourteen and twenty weeks, but there is a small risk factor for the baby, so I won’t ask that be done. But, when the baby is born, I will insist on a test then.”
“All right.”
“If it turns out that Gage is the father as you have said, then we will discuss what will be done next, but that in no way means he—or we won’t help you through this time.” Dad looked at him. “Do you agree, son?”
Feeling numb, he nodded.
Chapter Nineteen
“I’m so happy you told me you’d like this job when I mentioned it during our welcoming committee at the church the other day, Mrs. Beil.” Danica’s face beamed as she looked at her once-upon-a-time Sunday school teacher, who reminded her of Elizabeth Taylor—only not as blinged-up glamourous with jewels and furs.
“Well, sweetie, I did retire last year from the school district as a bus driver and have the time. Besides, after raising six children of my own and being the proud grandmother of a whopping fourteen, I figured I would qualify for the position.”
“I couldn’t have dreamed up anyone any better.”
Mrs. Beil reached over from where she was seated next to Danica on her snow-white couch and patted her hand. “Thank you for that.”
“No need to thank me, Mrs. Beil, it’s the truth.”
“Since this is my first official day, what would you like me to do?”
Ari squealed from the playpen as Aaron tossed a stuffed toy over the top of the enclosure, then clapped his chubby hands in victory while rocking his body back and forth on his little bottom excitedly.
“The twins are just darling,” Mrs. Beil said.
“Thank you.” Danica stood, went and picked up the lion, putting it back into the pen only to have it tossed right back over, so she left it. On her way back to the couch, she said, “I thought I’d talk about our weekly schedule and daily routine.” Her cheeks flushed pink. “I guess I should say; I try to keep to a schedule and daily routine. You know, wakeup times, feeding times, playtime, naps, etc., but honestly, I don’t do a perfect job. The other day our early afternoon naps didn’t happen until four in the afternoon.”
“With all the demands of active twins, it’s understandable.”
“Active would be the word for it.”
“Ga-ga!” Aaron babbled loudly.
“Let’s see, what was I talking about?” Danica pursed her lips.
“Schedules and routines.”
“Right. Thank you. I haven’t had much sleep lately, and I’m a bit scatterbrai
ned.” She waved a hand and took a seat. “Marcus is out of the house in the mornings by six. And while I’d love to be snoozing, I get up and make him something for breakfast before he leaves for the day. Ari and Aaron are up anywhere between then and eight in the morning. But it is more likely than not, they are up. All the stuff like changing diapers and things happen, then their breakfast, followed by morning baths. By then, depending on their moods and how long it takes, it could be getting close to lunch.”
Mrs. Beil nodded.
Danica tucked a piece of unkempt hair behind her ear. “So, I guess what I’m saying is, you could come at any time during the mornings, and we’ll be up in some stage of readiness for the day. Though I must apologize for my appearance this morning, I didn’t have a quiet moment to myself.”
The woman took her in with a critical eye. “You do appear to be a bit… tired.”
You have no idea, she thought. “I am, Mrs. Beil.”
“I could be here by seven-thirty if you think it would be helpful.”
“That’s not too early for you?”
“Not at all. I’m an early riser, but I do need time to get Harvey out the door, bless him. My husband said he was going to retire two years ago, but he’s still part of the daily grind commuting to Seattle.”
“Oh, okay, then. If seven-thirty works for you, I’m thrilled about it.”
Ari started fussing, and Danica hopped up. “I better get her. If she starts to cry, Aaron will join in the lament, and we will have two grumpy children.”
“Let me get her,” Mrs. Beil said, getting to her feet. “In fact, why don’t you go draw yourself a hot bubble bath and enjoy a few quiet moments of relaxation.”
Danica’s eyes rounded. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, sweetie. A little alone time soaking in the tub will do wonders for you. You’ll see.” Going to the playpen, she bent and picked Ari up, shh-ing her, patting her small back with gentleness.
Her daughter quieted, placed her cheek on the top of Mrs. Beil's shoulder, and closed her eyes.
“Go on now. Take as long as you need,” the wonderful woman said, “things here will be fine.”
Feeling as if she’d won the lottery, Danica rose from the couch and headed for her en suite, her anticipation for a real bath instead of a fast-as-a-heartbeat shower making her move her feet quicker.
Once she closed the bathroom door, she slumped against it, glanced up and said, “Thank you, Lord,” before she straightened.
Walking over to the tub, Danica turned the faucet on, dumped two capfuls of bubbles in, and watched the water churn the liquid into pretty, white froth.
Mrs. Beil was a godsend.
~
“Chief?” Dixie’s voice came over the intercom, and Gage stopped reading last night’s activity report to answer.
“Yes?”
“You have a call on line three. Mrs. Vanderlyn.”
He frowned. The name didn’t ring any bells. “All right. Thank you.” Tapping the blinking light for the line, Gage picked up the handset and put it to his ear. “This is Chief Harrison; how may I help you?”
“Gage,” the sultry female voice said, and he knew at once who it was, though it had been a while since he last heard it, so he needed to make sure he was correct.
“Jenny?”
She gave a breathy little laugh. “Yes, it’s me.”
Gage and Jenny stayed in touch, for the most part, their correspondence having turned into the periodic e-mail and text message, but chatting via phone didn’t happen often. “It’s good to hear from you, but I have to ask, what’s going on?”
“Nothing horrible or pressing. I just wanted to let you know I’ve moved back to Seattle and thought, perhaps, we could get together for drinks or something. It’s been a long time, you know.”
“It has been,” Gage agreed but didn’t commit to drinks. “What brings you back this way? Last I knew you were living in Arizona.”
“I guess I didn’t tell you, but I married someone. It only lasted a few months, and I’ve been through a pretty awful divorce and wanted a new, or perhaps I should say, familiar change of scenery.”
He was surprised Justin hadn’t mentioned this that last time they spoke on the phone.
“Ah… I’m sorry to hear about the divorce. Those can get pretty bad, from what I hear.”
“How about you? Mom told me you were the police chief there now. Are things going well?”
“They’re going,” he said.
“Good or bad?”
“The jury is still out on that one,” he teased, her laughter tickling the shell of his ear.
“I know you’ve never married, but are you seeing anyone special?”
“No. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“I’m not asking in an attempt to wheedle my way back into your life, just want to know if you are happy.”
“I’m…” It took him a minute to come up with an answer, “okay,” he said.
“Hm… That says a lot now, doesn’t it.”
A pause.
A breath.
“Look, I’m coming this weekend to Cedar Point to visit Mom, and I’d love to see you. What do you say?”
Gage squeezed the back of his neck. “I might have some time on Friday around two if that will work.”
“Fantastic! I’ll see you then.”
“All right, see you this weekend.”
“Oh, and Gage?”
“Yes?”
“It was terrific talking to you.”
“Yeah,” he said with a nod, then hung up the phone when the buzz of the line going dead hit his ear.
Chapter Twenty
Before
“Thank you for coming,” Jenny said from her prone position on the examination table. Her small rounded bump protruded on her usually flat stomach as the technician squeezed something that looked like goo on her before placing the wand in the gel substance.
Gage rested his palm on her forearm. “You needed me, no reason for thanks.”
A second or two later, the quick thrum, thrum, thrum of something rang out in the room, then the lady performing the ultrasound grinned. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat. Strong and steady.”
While interesting, Gage didn’t feel what he supposed a father to be should—a sense of wonder and connection. But maybe that was because he’d been detached for the last few weeks, trying to come up with a way to break the news to Danny. He’d told Mase, of course, who promised he wouldn’t say a word to anyone, not even Breck, and he’d keep that promise. Mason wasn’t one to blab anyway. And as far as he could tell, the gossipmongers around Cedar Point didn’t have him and Jenny as the topic of their nattering either, which was a good thing. He didn’t want his business and epic mistakes to be making the rounds and getting to Danny before he could somehow locate the courage to tell her.
How am I going to do that?
Closing his eyes, he heard Jenny and the tech talking. Apparently, everything looked okay, which was good news. He didn’t want there to be anything wrong with the baby; he just didn’t want to be the father.
“Gage, are you all right?”
Jenny’s question had his eyes popping open. “I’m fine. Why?”
“You look as white as a ghost, that’s why.”
He glanced down at his perpetually tanned arm then back at her. “I think white would be quite a feat for me.”
She grinned. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just haven’t had much sleep lately. Homework, football, and stuff.” He shrugged.
“Mm-hm.” She was looking at him with skepticism in those hazel eyes but didn’t call him on the lie.
The whole truth and nothing but the truth? Gage hadn’t been sleeping soundly. And it started the night Jenny dropped her bombshell announcement at his parent’s dinner table. So he very much doubted his tossing and turning ’til the wee hours of the morning would end anytime soon.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Sorry
I’m late,” Danica said as she came bustling through the door connecting the garage with her kitchen. “The meeting at the auxiliary ran a bit over, and then I had to stop and get gas since I was driving on fumes.”
“Not a problem, sweetie.” Mrs. Beil grinned, her twins sitting nicely in their highchairs, eating orange popsicles, the bibs stained more than their clothes.
“I don’t know how you do this?” Danny glanced around her spotless kitchen in awe. “By this hour in the day, the place usually looks as if the Tasmanian Devil twirled through.”
“I was able to do a bit of cleaning while Ari and Aaron took their nap.”
“It’s been a month of on-time naps.” She shook her head. “I’m beyond impressed.”
“Well, I’m not doing anything special.” Mrs. Beil’s brows knitted.
“What’s wrong.”
“I didn’t want to say anything, but…”
“Tell me.”
The woman worried her hands. “The first check you gave me bounced, and so did this last one.”
“What?” Danica’s voice hit the octave of shrill, making Ari’s chin quiver. “Oh, baby, it’s okay. Mommy’s okay,” she said, going over to place a kiss on top of her curly blonde head, then looked at Mrs. Beil, dumbfounded. “Both of your paychecks bounced?”
The woman nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
Since she hadn’t set her Michael Kors bag down, she quickly plucked her cell phone free, tapped the icon, and put the device to her ear.
“Hi,” her husband said, sounding tired, maybe, not to mention it wasn’t his usual ‘Hello, sweetheart’ greeting.
“Marcus, we’ve got a problem.” She got straight to the point, not bothering to ask what was wrong with him.
“Are the babies okay?” His question had a little more life to it.
“They are fine. No issue with them.”
“Then what is it?”
She tapped her Jimmy Choo. “The checks I wrote Mrs. Beil bounced. Both of them.”
It was quiet. Too quiet.