It had been a few weeks since he had moved in. Although he would go to Riverbend Ranch for a while each day, he spent every night at her house, did much of the cooking—with assistance from his mother—and most of the cleaning. If she needed anything while he was gone, she only had to call. He answered right away or got back to her in a hurry if she left a message.
When he was due home, she found herself sitting straighter, craning her neck to catch sight of him pulling into the driveway or listening for the sound of his truck. When she heard it, or the closing of the door, she smiled. Most of the time she didn’t even question the joy that filled her. She was simply happy he was there.
Luke and Sandy handled things at the realty office, and Ben frequently picked up papers or other things she needed to see.
He helped her to the bathroom and back to bed, had learned how to take her blood pressure and check her blood oxygen level, and portion out her prenatal vitamins. He drove her to her doctor’s appointments. If anyone had thought their arrangement was odd, no one said anything. After all, he was still the local sports hero.
Lisa recalled the doubts she’d had when she had agreed to this arrangement, her worries that he wanted to impress his parents and his fans.
That thought made her squirm. She had known from the very beginning that she couldn’t depend on him long-term for anything except child support, but that was hard to remember lately.
He talked often about his trip to India, which was coming up. For days he’d had papers and schedules, player profiles and information spread out all over the dining room table. He’d asked if it was okay and she had put aside her reluctance because she felt like she owed it to him for the care he was taking of her and the babies.
As it turned out, she hadn’t minded the mess because she had loved watching him study the player statistics and the demographics of the cities where it was most likely a football team would gain supportive fans.
He had talked through issues with her, and she had enjoyed listening to him and offering suggestions. It made her happy to have him share his dreams with her.
Ben walked over to the dining table and once again became absorbed in his football project. “I’ll clean all of this up in a minute,” he said.
She only smiled.
He read silently, then said, in an absent voice, “It’s different when you’re working with kids who have played football since middle school. They know the rules, the plays, the positions.”
“But with these players, you’ll be starting with guys who know little or nothing about American-style football,” she said.
“That’s right. And they’re smaller than American boys, so that’s another factor.” He picked up a chart, absorbed in what he was reading.
Lisa watched his face, saw how his eyes scanned the page and the way he smiled with satisfaction when he found the piece of information he needed. His dimples curved into his cheeks.
She hoped one or both of her babies had those dimples. In fact, she wanted them to have his approach to life—achieve your dreams, but enjoy the journey.
Since he had moved in to look after her, she had discovered more and more things she liked about him. He was involved in more charities than she could have imagined, and served on the boards of several. He was generous and had a big heart, things she had come to admire about him.
Watching him writing careful notes, she frowned as her mind clicked through all the time they had spent together in the past eight months, the conversations, conflicts and resolutions they’d had.
Ben’s phone rang. He glanced at it, then answered. “Hey, Dan, how’s it going?” He laughed at the response, his deep chuckle sending a wave of delight through Lisa.
Oh, my gosh, she thought as a chill ran through her. I’m in love with him. I’ve been falling in love with him for weeks.
She must have sucked in a breath because Ben looked up quickly, his expression one of concern. She grabbed a magazine and opened it, staring unseeing at a page of advertisements.
She couldn’t quite wrap her mind around what she had only now realized. It had been coming on for weeks, sneaking up on her with every kind thing he did, every generous gesture, each time he’d teased her and shown concern for her.
She wanted to tell him how she felt, but she wouldn’t. From the beginning he’d made it clear that he didn’t intend to be a family man. She didn’t want him to stay out of obligation or duty or because she told him she loved him. Besides, if she told him she loved him, she would want him to love her back. That wouldn’t happen with Ben.
Because of her strange upbringing, she had never seen what devoted love was in her own family. She had seen it in the Whitmires and the Joslins, though, and had witnessed what it was like for two people to work hard on their partnership.
Lisa had long understood she might never have that kind of partnership, so she had begun making her own decisions, planning her life and working toward her goals at the age of sixteen. Because she’d been careful to cover every possible glitch, her missteps had been rare.
She had thrown caution to the wind in a major way exactly twice—both times with Ben McAdams. Once when she had slept with him and now that she had fallen in love with him. Those two decisions would have lasting consequences throughout the remainder of her life.
She shifted uncomfortably and laid a hand over her belly, cradling the children who would know their father only as a full-size poster.
“Are you okay? Do you need anything?” he asked as he ended the call, his gaze noting the protective placement of her hand and then watching her face. “Should I check your blood pressure?”
Lisa shook her head. “I’m sure it’s fine. Between you and your mother, I’m going on record as the most well-monitored pregnant woman in history.”
“She and I are in competition.” His face grew grave. “But if anything happening today is too much, I’m clearing the place out and you’re going back to bed.”
“Bossy.”
“Darned straight.”
Two cars slowed out front and pulled into her driveway.
“They’re here,” she said.
“I’ll get the door.”
* * *
OVER THE NEXT two hours Lisa met her father, who turned out to be a decent man with a regrettable past he’d overcome. She also got to know his wife, Beth, and her own half sister. Although Zoe looked like she was in her teens, she was twenty-five, finishing college with a degree in education and had a fresh, funny, outgoing personality.
Maureen had brought along mountains of food. She acted as hostess, with Clive proudly watching from the sidelines, and Ben acting as host, passing out lemonade and iced tea.
Lisa stayed on the sofa, feeling like a giant lead balloon with legs, but experiencing happiness and a sense of family connectedness she’d only ever felt during rare visits with her great-aunt Violet.
She admitted that a lot of it had to do with Ben, who used his natural charm and good humor to put people at ease. It made her love him even more and she desperately wondered how much longer she would be able to hide it.
It was early evening when everyone was ready to leave and Lisa exchanged phone numbers with Zoe, Beth and John.
Before she left, Maureen gave Lisa a hug and gripped her hands in a warm clasp. “I’ll come back whenever you need me. Before the babies come. After. Whenever. I’ve trained someone to take over the kitchen at the café, and as long as Clive doesn’t eat up all the profits, we should be fine.” She threw him a teasing glance over her shoulder.
Touched that she now had a mother she knew she could depend on, Lisa said, “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
Maureen’s lips trembled as she kissed her on the cheek and whispered, “I love you, too.”
When the house emptied, Ben helped Lisa to bed and then said he’d clean t
he house. In spite of a backache that had been bothering her for a while, she fell asleep, but woke to the sound of his footsteps going up and down the hallway. Turning over, she flipped on the bedside light and called his name.
He immediately stepped inside, dropped a packed duffel bag onto the floor and came over to the bed.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve got to go. Something major has come up with the project in India that only the board members can handle.” He looked at the bedside clock. “I managed to book a flight from Tulsa to New York. It leaves in a few hours, so I’ve got time to get over to Riverbend and get the rest of what I need. From New York, I’ll have to scramble for a flight to New Delhi.”
“Oh.” She shook her head, trying to clear it, thinking she was still in a dream. “When will you be back?”
Ben pulled up the bedside chair and sat. His usually charming, smiling, teasing expression was gone. “I won’t be back for months. Once I’m there, I’ll stay. If I—If we don’t take care of this emergency, the entire project will fall apart. People have been depending on this for employment and many others have invested in it. You understand, right?”
She nodded. After her experience with the Reston Lake development, Lisa certainly knew, but she could feel her face freezing into an expression of disbelief. She couldn’t seem to stop it, but she managed to say, “Yes, of course.”
“You knew about this, Lisa. I never tried to keep it a secret. I’ve been honest and up front with you from the very beginning.”
“I know. I know,” she said, holding up her hand to stave off a reminder. “You never wanted children, a family. I get it.” How foolish of her to have harbored a secret dream that he would change his mind.
“So, you do understand. That’s...that’s good.” He stood and moved the chair back where it belonged. “I’ve called Gemma and she’s on her way over. I’ll wait till she gets here—”
“No need,” Lisa said brightly. “I’ll be perfectly fine staying right here until she comes.”
Ben stood with his hands on his hips, ran his palms down his thighs as if to dry them, then said, “If you think that’s best, I’ll be going, then.”
“Yes. No need for you to hang around. Thanks for all your help these past weeks. I...I know it wasn’t enjoyable for you, but I appreciate that you stayed with me.”
“Not enjoyable?” he said, obviously trying to follow what she was saying. “Why would you think that?”
“Oh, come on, Ben. You were only here out of a sense of duty and...and because you didn’t want grief from your parents or to spoil your image among your adoring public.”
“What? That’s not true. I was glad to help.”
“Fine. And now you’ve helped and you’re ready to go. No surprises there.” She could feel her frozen expression beginning to thaw as the words poured out. She wanted him to go before she melted into tears. “Leave the door unlocked so Gemma can get in, okay?”
“Well, I—” He looked toward the hallway then at her. “Maybe I can wait until she—”
“No need.” She lifted her arm and waved her fingers at him in goodbye. She was quite proud of the steadiness of her hand because she was beginning to shake inside.
He frowned as he bent to scoop up his duffel bag. “Fine, but I’ll see you—”
“No,” she sang out again. “I completely understand the arrangements we’ve made.”
“So all you need is my money.”
“It’s all you’re willing to give,” she reminded him.
Ben’s dark gray eyes stared at her with irritation. Finally he said, “Right.”
He turned, hitched his duffel over his shoulder and strode out the door. She could hear his boots ringing on the hardwood and she held her breath until the back door closed with a firm thud, leaving her alone.
She held it together until the truck’s engine rumbled and he pulled out of her driveway—and out of her life.
Then the tears came in huge, gut-wrenching waves that stole her breath and sent her back into spasms. She’d been crazy to fall in love with him. She would have been better off sticking to a business arrangement and not letting emotions get involved.
Gemma and Nathan rushed in a few minutes later. Gemma climbed straight onto the bed to gather Lisa into her arms.
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Gemma said.
“I’m sorry about this, about...everything, and—” She broke off as another back pain hit her. “Ooo,” she moaned.
Gemma sat back, took a good look at her, then eased her fully onto her side as she nodded at Nathan, who immediately came over to help.
“How long have you been having those pains?” she asked.
“Several hours. I thought it was a regular backache or Braxton Hicks contractions.”
Gemma smiled. “Lisa, it’s been a tough evening for you, and it’s about to get worse. I think those are contractions. You’re probably in labor.”
“I can’t be,” she argued, struggling to sit up. “I’ve still got a month.”
“Multiples often come early,” Nathan reminded her. “We’re going to examine you and see where we’re at.”
They had a verdict a few minutes later.
“You’re already dilated to six centimeters,” Gemma said. “Congratulations. These babies are going to be born in the next few hours.”
Frantically, Lisa looked at them. “But I’m not ready.”
“Doesn’t matter, honey. They are.”
Nathan spoke up. “If you’re okay with it, Gemma, I think we’d better take her straight to the hospital.”
“I agree. We will almost certainly need more resources than what are available here or at the Sunshine.”
“I’ll call for transport.”
After that, it was out of Lisa’s control. At this moment, it didn’t matter if Ben was gone, if he would never be part of his children’s lives. She had hard work to do for the remainder of this night and she wasn’t going to think of Ben flying away.
* * *
BEN HAD HIS bags packed and had talked to Zach, glad to leave such a responsible ranch manager in charge. He had called his aunt Marie and asked if he could leave his truck parked at her house for an extended period, then phoned his parents and told them he would be in touch. They had greeted the news of his departure with coldness but had wished him safe travels.
As he pulled onto the highway and headed north toward Tulsa, his mind clicked over everything he needed to do in the next several hours. He hoped to sleep on the plane because it might be a while before he could get a flight to New Delhi.
He would be traveling almost nine thousand miles from home. Home. Ben’s thoughts ground to a halt as he considered that word. Other than the house where he’d grown up, he’d never really had a home, only places where he’d parked his things and lived out of boxes. Even at Riverbend, he was basically camping out.
Now the word home immediately brought up a picture of Lisa’s house, the comfortable place she had wrestled from the stifling chaos of her young life. She had created a haven for herself, by herself, after everyone had abandoned her. Her mother had left, she hadn’t known her father until today, her grandparents had been physically present but emotionally absent. As a kid, he’d never understood what her life had been like.
The memory of the day she’d broken him out of jail surfaced. He had never really understood why she’d done it. They had been friends, but not best friends. A whole gang of them had hung out together.
And then a blinding flash of understanding hit and he eased his foot off the gas pedal. All these years later he finally understood. Lisa had broken him out of jail because she couldn’t stand the thought of anyone being imprisoned like she was. She’d mentioned something about an uncle being in jail and how it had ruined his life, but he doubte
d she had even known that uncle.
Ben spotted a gas station up ahead. He drove into the parking lot and pulled into a dark corner to think. Lisa had made a successful life for herself in spite of all the setbacks she’d had. And then he had handed her the biggest setback of all: getting her pregnant and insisting that his obligation ended with a signature on a check. He’d been so fixated on all the things he thought he needed to accomplish, all the people and charities he wanted to help, that he’d forgotten that charity begins at home.
He placed his forearms on top of the steering wheel, leaned forward and dropped his forehead onto them as deep shame rolled through him.
“McAdams,” he muttered, “you’re a flaming fool.”
He was in love with Lisa, had been for months, maybe since Chicago, but he’d been too bone-headed and self-involved to see it. That was why he’d pestered her, stuck around, insisted she needed to take better care of herself. The weeks with her had been the best of his adult life. If he hadn’t completely screwed this up, maybe she would forgive him, marry him, make a life with him, show him how to be as good a father as she would be a mother.
Straightening, he checked his mirrors and reversed out of the parking space. Swinging onto the highway, he headed in the opposite direction, back toward Lisa. And home.
* * *
LISA WOKE UP in the Reston County Hospital to the sight of a shirtless Ben McAdams seated beside her, a diaper-and-beanie-clad baby on each shoulder.
“Hey,” she whispered through a dry throat. “What are you doing here?”
He looked up and grinned. “Skin-to-skin contact is supposed to help bonding with a newborn.”
“I know, but why are you doing it? I thought you were on your way to India.”
“Someone who didn’t just become a father can handle India.” He stood, careful to cradle the babies’ bodies and heads against his chest. He laid the sleeping infants, side by side, in the bassinet.
Lisa’s mouth dropped open. “How did you learn to do that?”
He shrugged as he filled a glass of water for her, placed a straw in it and held it so she could drink. “Basically the same as carrying a football. Best to hold it close, tight against your chest. They’re not a whole lot bigger than a football, but heavier, a little less than five pounds a piece.”
His Twin Baby Surprise Page 22