An Officer, a Baby and a Bride

by Tracy Madison

  “Must be hard at times,” Seth said. “But it’s incredible you’re able to do that.”

  “I have Grady to thank for a lot of that.” Resting her hands on top of her rounded stomach, she smiled. “Your brother taught me how to do that.”

  “I’m so damn glad you two worked things out,” Seth said. “You’re a part of my family, Olivia. And that’s forever in my book. I guess…I guess what I’m getting at is that I love you like a sister. Not a sister-in-law.”

  “And I’ve been worried sick about you.” Olivia inhaled a quick breath. “I’m so glad you’re home safe. Why can’t you fly commercially?”

  “Someday, maybe.” Seth thought of Rebecca, of her loss. Of Jesse. “Maybe sooner rather than later. And I wish you all would believe me when I tell you my job isn’t that dangerous.” He shrugged, knowing he was fighting a losing battle on that front. “I haven’t made any decisions yet, though I’ll have to soon. But I am sorry for worrying you.”

  “I was teasing, Seth. We’re all so proud of you, and sure we worry, but we want you to be happy. Do what’s right for you.”

  “And what about what’s right for Rebecca and my daughter?” Because, despite the relative safety, his job often required him to be gone for extended periods of time. Seth held up a hand. “Never mind. I don’t really want you to answer that.”

  “Good, because I can’t. Only you and Rebecca can figure that one out.”

  Desperate for a change of subject, Seth leaned over and patted Olivia’s stomach. “Boy or girl, this kid is so lucky to have you and Grady for parents.”

  Olivia landed a soft kiss on his cheek, saying, “Your kid is pretty lucky, too, having you for her father. Don’t forget that, okay?”

  “I hope I can be even half the father that my dad and Grady are.”

  “You already love her, Seth. So you’re already more than halfway there.” Using his knee as an anchor, Olivia pushed herself to a stand. “Now, I need to finish dinner. Feel like helping?”

  “I can do that,” he said, rising to his feet. “Or you can take it easy and I can cook.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “And trust you in my kitchen all alone? I don’t think so. But,” she said with a tug on his arm, “I have many fun jobs for you. Come and see.”

  Enchiladas were on the menu, along with Spanish rice and some type of a cold, but spicy, cucumber soup that Seth didn’t think he’d like, but ended up having two bowlfuls. After eating, Seth insisted on cleaning up, so Grady and Olivia could have some time to themselves before the men hunkered down in front of the television.

  Olivia agreed. He resisted teasing her about how it was okay to leave him alone in her kitchen to clean, just not to cook. She looked tired and kept rubbing the small of her back, so really, he wanted her to rest.

  When the kitchen was spotless, Seth grabbed a couple of beers and went to the family room. Grady joined him a few minutes later, easily catching the bottle Seth tossed.

  “Olivia okay?” Seth asked, twisting the top off his beer.

  “Yup. Tired, is all. She’s lying down with a book.” Grady steadied his gaze on Seth. “How’s Rebecca doing? Was real nice to meet her, by the way.”

  “She’s good. Drops to part-time at work next week, which is a relief.” Seth picked at the label on his bottle. “I don’t think she sleeps very well most nights. Has these dark smudges under her eyes all the time. Worries me.”

  “It’s natural this late in the game, so I wouldn’t worry too much.” Grady swallowed a mouthful of beer. “Olly’s sleep is interrupted more often these past few weeks. Either she’s uncomfortable or the baby’s activity, kicking and such, wakes her.”

  Seth nodded. Logical enough, but he still wished Rebecca slept better. Another pregnancy-related question came to mind, so he asked that. When Grady answered, Seth had the next question ready to go. This went on for close to thirty minutes before Seth’s stored up concerns and curiosities ran dry.

  Fortunately for him, his brother was an understanding and receptive audience. They sat quietly, companionably for a few minutes, before Grady picked up the remote.

  “We good for the game now?” he asked. “Or…?”

  “I’m good,” Seth confirmed. Well…he did have another concern. One additional bit of information he’d like verified, but he wasn’t entirely comfortable asking. “All set.”

  Grady coughed and gave him the I-know-better-so-spill look. “You’re sure?” Aiming the remote at the television, he said, “Last chance, bro. Once I hit play, I’m not pausing.”

  “Nah, you’d pause it.”

  “Try me.” Grady brought up the DVR menu, scrolled to the appropriate game, and hovered his finger over the play button. “One. Two. Th—”

  “Okay! You win.” Seth strung the words together in his head. Nope, there wasn’t any way not to sound idiotic. “Is it strange or…I don’t know, fetishlike, to be…attracted to a pregnant woman? Strongly attracted, I mean.”

  “Depends,” Grady said evenly, as if Seth had asked about the weather. “Are you talking about my pregnant woman or your pregnant woman? Because if it’s Olivia—”

  “No! Damn, Grady, you think I’m lusting after Olivia?” Seth shook his head vehemently, wanting to strike out that notion fast. “She’s like my sister. I… No. Never.”

  “So your pregnant woman, then.”

  “Yes. God, yes.”

  “Alrighty then,” Grady said without missing a beat. “Any other pregnant women besides Rebecca that you’re drooling…ah, strongly attracted to?”

  “No.” Seth drained the rest of his beer. “Only her.”

  “Then you’re fine,” Grady said with a dismissive shrug. “Now can we watch the game?”

  “Please, let’s watch the game.” Even though Seth had reached the same conclusion, it was a relief to have confirmation from his brother. “Want me to grab a couple more beers first?”

  “If you’re bunking on the couch tonight, sure.”

  “Planned on it.”

  “Good.” Grady waved the remote in the air. “But hurry it along. I might be the boss, but I still have to work tomorrow.”

  “Give it up. Olivia already told me you’re staying home.” Seth grinned. “Apparently, you’ve missed me and have been looking forward to this and have talked of little else.”

  “I don’t know what you’re rambling on about,” Grady grumbled good-naturedly. “Just go get the beers, will ya?”

  Seth bounded up the stairs that led to the kitchen. Over his shoulder, he said, “It’s cool, bro. I’ve missed hanging with you, too.”

  * * *

  Rebecca breathed in the balmy afternoon air, sipped her fruit smoothie and sighed in contentment. Felicia sat on her left, Jocelyn on her right, and Olivia and Melanie were on the opposite side of the large, round table they’d claimed in the flower-filled, sunny courtyard.

  Four and a half hours of beauty treatments had left Rebecca in a terrific, world-is-my-oyster type of mood. And she couldn’t forget last night’s hotter than hot sex with Seth, either. That definitely contributed to her current state of boneless, satiated relaxation.

  Gracious, she felt good. Even the sporadic tightening in her lower back wasn’t going to get her down. Not today. Not when she was flat out enjoying herself.

  By mutual agreement, the women had decided to stop for lunch after leaving Melanie’s mom’s salon. Well, more of a small, intimate day spa, really. They’d ended up here, at a newly opened bistro on the outskirts of downtown Portland. If not for the sound of cars zipping by, Rebecca would almost believe they were in the backyard of a private residence.

  “This place is great,” she said to no one in particular. “And Melanie, your mother and her employees are miracle workers.”

  “She’ll be so pleased to hear that.” Melanie st
abbed her fork into her salad, spearing a cherry tomato. Sunlight hit her engagement ring, bringing a glow of sparkles to the diamond. “Mom only recently added the spa services, so she’s still nervous about the changes.”

  “Well, I think it’s wonderful,” Rebecca said faintly, staring at Melanie’s ring and thinking of Seth’s ring. Right then and there, she resolved to find it. The next opportunity that presented itself—meaning, when Seth wasn’t at her house—she’d swallow her stupid, useless pride and dig through the rosebushes. What she’d do with the ring then remained…foggy, but she could worry about that later.

  “I can’t figure out how your mom talked me into this,” Felicia said to Melanie in a shaky voice. She fingered her now chin-length auburn locks—a somewhat drastic change from her former shoulder-length, brown hair—and shuddered. “I remember saying I wanted a trim, and then she said stuff about cheekbones and eyes and warm tones, and before I knew it, I…agreed.”

  Melanie blinked. “Are you upset?”

  With a slow shake of her head, Felicia grinned. “I think I like having a new look.” She glanced worriedly at Rebecca. “This suits me, right?”

  “Hmm.” Rebecca studied Felicia carefully, knowing her friend wouldn’t believe her if she answered too quickly. “Does saucy hot with a side of sizzle suit you?”

  Felicia’s hazel eyes rounded. After a moment’s deliberation, she laughed. “I think it just might. Oh, this is so fun! Thank you for inviting me.”

  “This is fun, isn’t it?” Olivia tore off a bite-size piece of bread from the basket. “I haven’t had a girls’ day out in forever. We should make this a regular outing, say once a month or so.”

  Everyone started chatting about the possibility, reviewing their individual schedules, discussing the need for babysitters for Olivia and Rebecca when the babies were born, and ending with Melanie’s promise to make the salon arrangements with her mother.

  Through it all, Jocelyn remained quiet and poked at her French fries, alternately breaking them into pieces and dunking them into the glop of catsup on her plate. Rebecca reached under the table to squeeze her sister’s knee.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked softly. When Jocelyn looked at her with big, sad green eyes, Rebecca tried to coax a smile by saying, “Don’t tell me you’re already regretting those crazy purple streaks in your hair?”

  “Violet streaks.” Jocelyn tugged at one of the chunks framing her face. “And it’s temporary, so no regrets.”

  “Then what?”

  “I’m just now realizing how much I’m going to miss you when I leave in August,” Jocelyn said in a near-whisper. “Everything will change. Maybe I’m not as ready as I thought. Maybe when I come home again, you’ll be too busy—” Pausing, she rolled her eyes. “I’m being a dork. I’ll miss you, that’s all.”

  “You are being a dork,” Rebecca said lightly, matching her tone to her sister’s, “because I will always have time for you. And I know leaving home is scary, but it’s also exciting. You’ll love Stanford, and you are ready.”

  Felicia, catching most of the conversation, scooted her chair away from the table and leaned behind Rebecca to say, “Your sister has already asked if I’m willing to babysit next March, so she can visit you for your birthday. And I already told her yes.”

  “Yeah?” Jocelyn brightened immediately. “That’s so cool! By then, you’ll be ready for a mommy vacation and I’ll have settled in and will know all the best places to take you. Oh! And if you bring Seth, you could maybe extend your visit, make it part romantic getaway.”

  “That’s a nice thought,” Rebecca said carefully, aware of Olivia’s and Melanie’s gazes on her. “But too far away to plan right this second.”

  “You’ll be together,” Jocelyn said with an assurance that sent a burst of apprehension pummeling through Rebecca’s system, followed by the slow, relentless fizzle of hope. “Mom and I both think so, and even Dad likes him.”

  “Dad likes Seth? Wow.” Mitchell Carmichael tended to view any men dating his daughters as the enemy, so this was…interesting news.

  “I’m not surprised,” Olivia said as she stirred her straw in her glass to break up a chunk of melted-together ice. “Foster men are…very likeable.”

  “Charismatic, too,” Melanie added. “Not to mention funny, loyal, intelligent—”

  “Ridiculously good-looking,” Olivia said. “Intense. Courageous. Determined.”

  “Built,” Jocelyn said with a grin. “Very nicely built. All three of them.”

  Rebecca sighed wistfully. “And they have sinful eyes. Seth’s remind me of the richest, blackest coffee with the tiniest splash of cream.”

  “Cinnamon,” Olivia said, sighing, as well. “When I look into Grady’s eyes, I think of cinnamon and spice…and I just about melt.”

  “You’re both wrong.” Melanie’s cheeks reddened. “Well, maybe not wrong, but Jace’s eyes don’t look anything like cinnamon or coffee. They’re…warm and chocolaty,” she said with a sigh of her own. “Dark and smooth and luscious.”

  “This isn’t fair.” Felicia slapped her hand on the table, startling everyone. “I haven’t met Seth, and I certainly haven’t met…Grady and Jace? I need pictures so I can sigh, too.” Brows arched, she held out her hand toward Melanie and

  Olivia. “I know you have pictures.”

  “Of course we have pictures,” Olivia said, pulling her purse on her lap. “Get yours out, too, Mel. Between both of us, we probably have shots of all three of them.”

  In less than a minute, photos were pushed across the table. Felicia shoved her plate aside to spread them in front of her. And, if Rebecca wasn’t mistaken, her friend’s forthcoming sigh was filled with a mix of envy, disbelief and not a little lust.

  “Holy cow,” Felicia all but wheezed. “I need a Foster brother. Tell me there’s a fourth brother, please. Pretty please? Black-sheep of the family is fine. Poor is fine. As long as he has this gene pool, I’m good to go.”

  Laughing, Olivia said, “Sorry, Felicia. There are some male cousins, though. Sadly, they don’t live in Oregon. Grady’s uncle moved his entire family to Colorado when the boys were little. I’ve only met them once, when they were here for a family reunion.”

  “Do they look like this?” Felicia jabbed her finger against a photo that had all three of the Foster brothers lounging on the front porch of a Victorian house.

  “Actually, there is a strong family resemblance,” Olivia confirmed. “But…I haven’t seen them for years. So I have no idea what’s going on with them now.”

  “Well, that settles it.” Felicia gave one last, longing look at the photos before returning them to Melanie and Olivia. “I’m relocating to Colorado.”

  “Good idea, Felicia,” Rebecca teased. “Moving to another state based on a gene pool.”

  “It’s a delicious gene pool. Well worth it, in my opinion,” her friend argued.

  “In addition to the deliciousness, the Foster men are also stubborn,” Olivia warned, tucking the photos into her wallet. “I’m not talking your everyday variety of stubborn, either.”

  “I can attest to that,” Melanie said. “And sometimes, Jace is… Well, let’s just say we’ve had a ton of conversations about including me in making decisions that involve us both.”

  “Amen to that.” Rebecca finished off her smoothie, wiped her mouth and said, “Seth ordered—yes, ordered—me to marry him. Told me to pack my bags and we were driving to Vegas. And he meant it. Absolutely expected I’d salute and say, ‘Sir. Yes, sir!’”

  “That’s the problem with the Foster men,” Olivia said with a small, sweet, secretive sort of smile. “They decide they want something, and—”

  “They won’t stop until they get it,” Melanie finished off. She raised her empty glass to Rebecca in a faux toast. “You might not know it yet, but you’re as goo
d as caught.”

  “Hmm,” Jocelyn said in a dreamy voice. “Rebecca Foster. I like it, sis.”

  Rebecca shivered when goose bumps—a million of them from the feel of it—exploded into being on her arms, legs…heck, her entire body. An invisible but unmistakable force seemed to be pulling her down a path she hadn’t yet decided she had the courage to take.

  That annoyed her. Rebecca disliked being pushed into anything. She was in power of her own life, no one else. But then, out of nowhere, a picture of Seth wearing that unicorn shirt invaded her mind, softened her heart and dispelled the mad she’d had brewing.

  “They know how to love,” she said, almost surprised when she heard her own voice. “The Foster brothers…they know how to love.”

  Olivia, Melanie, and Rebecca exchanged knowing glances, shared a sigh and collapsed in their respective chairs. Then, one by one, they fanned their faces with their hands.

  “Colorado, here I come,” Felicia muttered as she, too, collapsed in her chair. A few minutes of silence passed before she aimed her vision at Olivia. “It occurs to me that Colorado is a large state. I will need an address.”

  “Sure,” Olivia said, going along with the joke. “I’ll get right on that.”

  They spent another hour or so talking and laughing. By the time Rebecca headed for home, all of her thoughts were on Seth. He’d promised a surprise for tonight, and for once, the idea of a surprise made her…happy. So much so, she couldn’t wait to see what he had planned.

  Chapter Ten

  Seth simultaneously yanked at his tie and fidgeted in his seat, wishing the waiter would hurry up already and return his credit card and receipt. Bringing Rebecca to a fancy, candlelit, soft-music-playing-in-the-background Italian restaurant—one that Grady had recommended, no less—was supposed to be the beginning of a knock-it-out-of-the-ballpark romantic evening.