Love, Lies and High Heels

by Debby Conrad

  “You have such a way of flattering me, Luke,” Rusty said sarcastically, a thin smile pasted on her lips, her eyelashes fluttering like twin hummingbirds.

  “My pleasure, Princess,” he returned.

  That was the way it had been between them the last two months. Rusty took everything he said, twisted his words, then threw them back in his face. She made him out to be some kind of dumb hillbilly who wasn’t fit to eat her gourmet meals, let alone sit across from her at the kitchen table.

  And heaven forbid if he got a little too close to her. Once he’d accidentally brushed her arm with his hand, and she’d tensed up and shuddered as if he were some kind of deadly parasite. How quickly she’d forgotten the places on her body he’d seen, touched and tasted not so long ago.

  He’d given up trying to talk to her about that night. Every time he’d tried, she’d wrapped her arms around herself, closed her eyes and said, “Please, don’t be crude. We both made a huge mistake. Let’s just try to forget about it.”

  Well, he’d tried to forget about it. And he’d tried to forget about her. But he simply couldn’t forget the way she’d felt and tasted and smelled. Or the cute little way she’d moaned those soft words of encouragement to him when he’d done something particularly creative beneath the sheets.

  “After dinner, you’ll have to try on your dress for us,” Becky said to Rusty, breaking Luke’s concentration. “We’ll all want to see what a beautiful maid of honor you’re going to make. Right, everybody?”

  Luke raised his beer glass in a toast. “Absolutely,” he said. He had no desire to see Rusty all decked out in a fancy dress, but Becky had made the dress herself, along with her own wedding gown. The least he could do was check it out and smother her with the compliments she deserved.

  Becky had been so excited about making the gowns. She’d said since Rusty was taking care of most of the wedding details, it would free her up to sew. There wasn’t a day that had gone by since she and Sam had announced their wedding plans that Becky hadn’t mentioned that fact.

  So, he was doomed. After dinner, they’d all retire to the living room and sit back and enjoy the show. The show Rusty would be starring in.

  “Hold your breath, Rusty,” Becky said. “That’s it. Suck it in. A little more.”

  Rusty couldn’t suck it in anymore or she’d totally deflate. There was no use, she decided, releasing her breath on a long windy sigh.

  “Oh, honey. I almost had it,” Becky complained. “Just another inch or so.”

  Rusty pivoted around to face her. “I’m sorry. But I don’t want to rip it. You did such a beautiful job.” She’d helped Becky select the ice blue taffeta fabric, which they’d both decided would be perfect for a June wedding. “Is there any way you can let it out a little more. I must have gained some weight since the last fitting.”

  Becky stared at her helplessly for a moment, then helped her step out of the gown. While Rusty got dressed, Becky chewed on her lip as if deep in thought. “Have you started taking birth control pills or something?”

  “No, why?”

  “I just remember when I took them—before I had Jeremy—they had a tendency to enlarge my breasts and thicken my waist.”

  Facing the mirror Rusty put her hair back to rights and traced her lips with a coral lipstick. Mostly so she wouldn’t have to look at Becky.

  “But you wouldn’t have any reason to take the pill, would you?”

  Rusty swallowed, refusing to meet Becky’s eyes in the mirror. “No.” Turning around, she slipped a shoe on.

  She’d been about to step into the other shoe when Becky asked, “And there’s not a chance you’re pregnant, is there?”

  Rusty twisted her ankle and tumbled across the bed.

  “Are you okay, hon?”

  “I’m fine. I just lost my balance.” She picked up the shoe, pretended to inspect it and slipped it on her foot. All without looking up at Becky. Pregnant? Was it possible? Could that be what was wrong with her? Of course, it all made sense now.

  “Rusty?”

  After a long uncomfortable silence, she finally met her eyes.

  “I mean, it’s none of my business, but you’ve been awfully tired lately, too.”

  “I’ve been busy. I’ve been planning the wedding, and I have the fund raiser coming up in two weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying myself, but sometimes it does get a little exhausting.”

  Becky smiled, as if she accepted her answer. “Like I said, it’s none of my business.” Slowly she turned to walk away. “It’s getting late. We should get home. Jeremy has school tomorrow.”

  Rusty looked down at her trembling hands, then lifted her head. “Becky, wait!” When Becky turned around, Rusty said, “I didn’t know. I swear, I didn’t know. Oh, dear, do you think I’m really pregnant?”

  Becky walked over and sat down on the bed beside Rusty. Patting her hands, she said, “It’ll be okay, honey. Does Luke know yet?” Rusty’s eyes grew huge. “It is Luke’s, isn’t it?”

  She nodded, and felt her eyes fill with tears. “I’m still not sure I’m pregnant. I mean, I haven’t seen a doctor, or anything like that. In fact, up until a few days ago, the idea that I might be pregnant had never even occurred to me.

  “But when I started thinking about the last time I’d had a period, I began to get a little nervous. I told myself it couldn’t be true. And . . .” She buried her face in her hands, and then leaned into Becky. “Oh, God, Beck, what am I going to do?”

  “Shhhh. Everything’s going to be okay. First, you need to see a doctor. I’ll call my gynecologist tomorrow and see if she can get you in right away. Then, if she confirms it, you have to tell Luke.”

  Rusty lifted her head. “I don’t know if I can. He despises me.”

  Becky laughed. “Like I’d believe that one. You two are so much in love a five-year-old could recognize it.”

  Shaking her head, she said, “You couldn’t be more wrong. I mean, I thought I was in love with him, once. But …”

  Smiling, Becky said, “Let’s take one thing at a time. First you see the doctor, then you worry about the rest. Okay?”

  “Okay. Will you go with me?”

  “Of course. You didn’t think I’d let my maid of honor do this alone, did you?”

  Rusty hugged her hard. “Sam’s so lucky to have found you.”

  “I found him, remember?” Becky said. “If I wouldn’t have made the first move, he’d still be walking around with his head up his behind.”

  The two of them shared a good laugh. It felt good to laugh. It had been a long time since Rusty had done so. The last two months would have been unbearable if she hadn’t busied herself with fund raisers and Sam and Becky’s wedding details.

  What she’d told Becky was the truth. Until a few days ago, she’d never dreamed in a million years she could be pregnant. Then it had all hit her like a ton of bricks, but she’d refused to admit the possibility, even to herself. Maybe it was best that Becky had confronted her. Now, she’d be forced to do something. Only she just wasn’t quite sure what that something was.

  Two days later, Rusty’s fears were confirmed. She was pregnant with Luke’s baby. She wasn’t as terrified at the thought of becoming a mother as she was about telling Luke he was about to be a father. In fact, she was secretly looking forward to motherhood.

  But how would Luke take the news? Would he be happy, or angry? Rather than worry herself to death wondering about his initial reaction, she planned to tell him. Today. It was only fair she tell him immediately. He was entitled to know about something of this magnitude. Although, a part of her wished she could keep the news to herself just a few days longer, it wouldn’t be right.

  And she intended to do the right thing, no matter how scared she was. She knew Luke would be at the stables this morning. It was only a mile down the road. There was a promise of a beautiful spring day, a perfect day for a walk. A perfect day to announce she’d be a mother in seven short months.
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  As she headed down the road, she took in her surroundings. She loved Kentucky. She loved the fresh air smell, the rich green grass, the clear blue skies. They reminded her of Luke.

  What kind of father would he be? Strict and stern? Or a softy? Would they have a little boy with Luke’s olive eyes and square jaw, or a little girl with green eyes and thick, red curls?

  Hank Garvey came speeding past in his pick-up. He hit the brakes when he recognized her, and backed up alongside her. “Hey, Miss Rusty. Where you off to?”

  “Good morning, Mr. Garvey. I’m headed for the stables to talk to Luke.” To tell him he’s going to be a father.

  “Well, hop in, and I’ll drive you. Wouldn’t want you to ruin those pretty little sandals.”

  “No, thank you, Mr. Garvey. I’d rather walk.” When he pulled away, she waved. She’d been cooped up in the house for too long. And the cool morning air felt wonderfully exhilarating.

  When she rounded the bend, she saw Hank Garvey’s bright red pick-up parked in front of the barn. He was nowhere in sight, but Luke stood beside the truck, his deep penetrating gaze on her every step. As if he were waiting for her.

  As she got within speaking distance, she smiled at him. “Good morning, Luke.”

  He didn’t return her greeting, or her smile. “Garvey said you wanted to talk to me.”

  “Yes, I do.” She looked around to make sure there were no prying eyes or ears. Not that her news would be a secret for very long.

  “So, hurry up and talk. I’ve got work to do.”

  Well, if that’s the way he wanted it, that’s the way he’d get it, she thought. “I’m going to have a baby.” There. It was said and done.

  Luke blew out a noisy breath. “You’re not going to start that crap again, are you?”

  Crap? Maybe she hadn’t made herself very clear. “I’m pregnant.”

  Luke didn’t answer, but simply let his gaze roam to her stomach, then back to her face. When he still didn’t answer, she squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “I said, I’m pregnant.”

  “I heard you the first time.”

  She shrugged. “Well, you didn’t say anything, so I thought—”

  “Jesus, Rusty.” He took her by the arm and pulled her around to the side of the building. “How long have you known about this?”

  “I,” she began, then said, “Let go of my arm. You’re hurting me.” When he dropped her arm, she rubbed it gingerly. “I just found out this morning, about an hour ago to be exact.”

  He nodded, brushed her hand away from her arm, and gently massaged it. “Thank you for telling me so soon. I’m sorry I hurt your arm. Does that feel better?”

  “Yes.” His warm caress was suddenly almost unbearable. She wanted him to hold her, whisper nice things in her ear, but she knew that wasn’t about to happen. She’d already known how this would play out. And it was better to let him know her intentions right away.

  Backing away a step, she announced, “I’m planning on staying in Kentucky. Right here in Red Ridge.”

  Again, he didn’t answer.

  “I’ll agree to joint custody, if that’s what you want. And you certainly don’t need to pay me child support or anything, in case you were worried about that.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Oh,” she said, feeling startled. She pulled the edges of her cardigan sweater together, suddenly feeling a little chilly. “I’m due in December, about a week before Christmas.”

  He nodded again.

  Swallowing nervously, she said, “I think we should try to be civil toward one another, for the sake of our child.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Well, that about covers everything, I think.”

  Before she could move away, he stopped her. “You’re wrong, Princess. That doesn’t begin to cover a thing.”

  “What are you saying?” She took another step back.

  He took a step forward. “I’m saying you forgot something vitally important.”

  She crossed her arms in front of her. “Like what?”

  “Like the wedding.”

  “The wedding? Sam and Becky’s wedding?” she asked, confused. What did their wedding have to do with her being pregnant?

  “No, Princess,” he said, shaking his head back and forth as he came to stand toe to toe with her. He lifted her chin, and looked deep into her eyes. “Our wedding.”

  She licked her lips nervously, and twirled a piece of hair between her fingers. “Are you crazy?”

  “No, but you are if you think I’m going to let my kid be born a bastard,” he said, refusing to back down.

  She gasped with indignation, and let her hands fall to her sides. “What a horrible thing to say.”

  “Trust me, I know firsthand what it’s like to be called one. And my kid isn’t going to know that kind of pain and torture. We’ll get the marriage license today.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to marry you.”

  “Tough! It’s not as if I’m thrilled with the idea either.”

  She spun away from him and started walking toward the road. Luke hurried after her. He deliberately kept his gaze off her soft, shapely butt and her pale bare legs. She had no business walking down the road in those little yellow shorts. “Don’t start getting all high and mighty on me now, Princess. We have some things to talk about.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, but kept walking. “Like what? Like how you plan to club me over the head and make me your subservient slave?” She lifted her chin in the air. “You being the cave man you are,” she murmured loud enough for him to hear. With a toss of her hair over her shoulders, she increased her pace.

  “Now there’s an idea.”

  She shot him a hateful look.

  Matching her pace, he said, “We have to tell Sam. That’s not going to be easy.”

  That slowed her down for a moment, then in a huff, she said, “I’ll tell him, if you’re afraid.” She sped up, kicking gravel and dust with her sandals. Dirt gathered between her toes and on the tops of her feet, a look she was unaccustomed to, yet she didn’t seem to mind.

  “We’ll tell him together,” he suggested, and was treated to a shrug of her shoulder. “Rusty, let me get the truck, and I’ll drive you up to the house.”

  “Forget it.”

  He laid a hand on her arm to slow her down. “I thought you said we should try to be civil to one another?”

  “This is as civil as I can be when you act the way you do.”

  Luke tugged on her arm, bringing her to a sudden stop. “Oh, for chrissakes! I offered to marry to you. What the hell do you want from me?”

  She reeled on him, thrust her hands on her hips. “I don’t want anything from you! Including marriage.”

  Luke pressed his hands to his temples, trying to collect his thoughts. When she’d told him she was pregnant, he’d felt as if he’d been shot in the chest with a cannonball. He still felt a heaviness in his chest and lungs. It took extreme effort just to breathe. She had no idea what those words had meant to him.

  Her announcement had brought back painful memories. Memories he’d tried to forget for ten long years. The day Christine had told him she was pregnant with his child. The day he’d asked her to marry him. The day she’d turned him down. He refused to think about the rest.

  “It’s because of my record, isn’t it?” he asked, lowering his hands to his sides. “You don’t want our baby to find out his father was in prison. You’re afraid it will mar him somehow.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You were just a boy who made a stupid mistake. You can’t punish yourself for the rest of your life, Luke.”

  Someone had been talking to her. Because he’d never given her any details of that night. “So, it’s the money thing, then? I’m not good enough for you because I can’t afford to keep you wrapped in furs and clothed in designer labels.”

  She rolled her eyes, and resumed walking. But slowly, this time. “I don’t care about the money. If it bothers you that much, I’ll give it all away.
”

  “So, if it’s not my record that’s bothering you and the money’s not an issue, what is it? Why don’t you want to marry me? You said I wasn’t half bad in bed, so it can’t be the sex thing.”

  He thought he saw her shiver. She pulled her sweater tightly across her front and kept moving. “Ahhh,” he said, “It’s Jack. You don’t like my dog.”

  “He’s okay. As long as you bathe him once in awhile. He seems to like me and as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve grown rather fond of him.”

  Fond? He remembered the night they’d gone ice skating and Jeremy had told him Rusty was fond of him. “And what about me, Rusty?” he asked softly. “Are you fond of me, too?”

  She came to a halt in the middle of the road. “Don’t.” Biting her bottom lip, she looked away. “Please don’t play games with me.”

  Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and said, “I’m sorry. But give me one good reason why we shouldn’t at least give the marriage thing a try, for our child’s sake?”

  “Do you want this baby, Luke?”

  He didn’t even have to think about his answer. “Yes, I do. More than you’ll ever know.”

  She studied him for a moment, then looked away.

  “Rusty?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “Rusty, look at me.” She tilted her head and met his gaze. Tears bordered her green eyes. Instinctively, he reached for her hand. “Please don’t cry. It will all work out. You’ll see.”

  As she sucked in a huge gulp of air, he saw the tops of her breasts swell above the low-cut tank top she wore beneath the white cardigan. “Promise?”

  He smiled. “I promise.” They stood looking at each other for a long time, before they resumed their walk. Soon they were in front of the house. Sam and Becky sat on the porch swing, drinking coffee, a routine they’d started since Sam had been able to get around on one crutch.

  At the end of the drive, Luke slowed down and reached for Rusty’s hand. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded unconvincingly. “I think so.”

  “Let me do the talking. I can be tactful.” She raised her eyebrows as if to say she highly doubted it. “Trust me,” he added, giving her hand a squeeze.