“Did you forget something?” I called when I heard a knock on the door again. I thought I saw Victoria take her phone with her. I wrapped a towel against my chest.
I hurried through the kitchen and opened the door.
“Good morning, Annabelle.”
I stared at my stepmother.
Twenty-Three
Luke
I exhaled and stared at my parents’ house. I’d been sitting in the driveway for ten minutes. I wasn’t sure what I was waiting for. Only, I needed to think things through a little longer before I walked inside.
I opened the truck door and stretched my legs. I didn’t know why this was so damn hard.
I tried the handle at the kitchen door on the side porch. It was locked.
I tapped on the glass. “Mom?”
A few seconds later, I saw her smile through the glass window. “This is a nice surprise,” she said as she opened the door.
I hugged her. “Good morning, Mom.”
“What are you doing here so early?” she asked.
I strolled inside and walked to the coffee pot. It was empty. I looked at her. “Where’s the coffee?”
“Oh it’s over here now. Your sister got me one of those little one-cup machines.”
I grumbled. There was always a fresh pot of coffee in the mornings in my parents’ kitchen.
“Why would she do that?”
Mom lifted the lid on the machine. “Caroline said it made more sense with one person to do it this way.”
One person? It hit me in the stomach every time she referenced my dad in an abstract way.
“What flavor would you like? You have ten options.” She smiled. “So many choices.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I sat at the kitchen table while she dropped a canister into the top. In two minutes, there was a cup of hot coffee in front of me.
Mom sat across from me. “You still haven’t said why you’re here before work.”
“How are you doing, Mom?”
“Me?” She held a floral mug to her lips. “I’m fine.” The lines around her eyes crinkled slightly.
“Do you need help with anything? The yard? That upstairs bathroom?”
She shook her head. “I’ve got everything covered. I hired a landscaper and John Spencer fixed the tub a week ago. What’s this about, Luke?”
This shouldn’t be so damn hard, but it was.
“I came to ask you for Grandma’s ring.”
Her mouth fell open. “Luke.”
“Her name is Annabelle Simmons. She’s a photographer. She moved here from Denver last year.” As I started to rattle off Annabelle’s bio, I knew how strange this must sound to my mom.
“Can I meet her? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.”
“Of course you can meet her.” I grinned. “I want her to meet you and Caroline.”
“You’re asking for the ring because you want to marry her? Before your sister and I even lay eyes on her? I don’t understand the rush.”
My gaze traveled to the bird feeders in the yard. “Are you saying I can’t have the ring?”
“No. I never said that.” She shook her head. “But why the rush to get married? Why now? I’d like to meet her at least.”
“She’s pregnant mom,” I blurted it out across my mother’s kitchen table. “We’re having a baby together.”
Mom leaned back in the chair. Silent. Motionless.
“I-I’m not sure what to say right now.”
I hung my head. “Would it help if I told you I’m in love with her?”
“You are?” Her eyes misted over.
“Yes. I love her. I’d want to marry her regardless of the baby.” I paused. “Although, maybe I’d take things slower. But it doesn’t do any good to think about that. She’s having my baby and I want to give him or her everything you and Dad gave us. I want my kid to grow up the way I did—with parents who are married. Who made a home together. A life together. I’d like your blessing, Mom to do that for your grandchild.”
“Oh, Luke.” She sobbed.
“Will you give me the ring so I can propose?”
She nodded as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She rose from the table and circled behind my chair. She kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be right back.”
Twenty-Four
Annabelle
“Harriet, what are you doing here?”
She strolled past me, ignoring the way I had wedged myself against the door.
“I wanted to see if you had given my offer any more thought.”
“Offer?” I glared at her. “You mean to secretly pass my baby off as your own and totally lie to Dad?”
She groaned. “Why are you dramatic about every little thing? I never said it like that.”
I finally closed the door. “What’s your spin again?”
Harriet sashayed into the living room. She eyed Luke’s gaming console. “He plays video games?”
“Sometimes.”
“Huh. A hot guy like that doesn’t want to be tied down with a baby. I saw him. All of him.” She winked. “Or was that the plan? You thought you could keep him around that way.”
“Bitch,” I hissed. “You know nothing about our relationship.”
“I don’t think I can keep this secret from you father much longer. I thought if we could talk again we could figure things out. Civilly.”
“How do you expect me to be civil about this? I’m keeping this baby. I’m raising this baby. I’m certainly not handing it over to someone who married a man twice her age.”
“You think that disqualifies me from being a mother?”
I sighed. “I don’t want to fight with you, Harriet. Honestly, I want to pretend you’re so hyped up on whatever hormones they shot into your ass that you can’t think straight. Because your suggestion to raise my baby is insane.”
“It’s not insane, though.” She shook her head. “It solves everything.”
I put my hand up to stop the words from coming out of her mouth, but she continued anyway.
“You moved here to start a new life. You have an amazing career ahead of you. And maybe even a hot boyfriend. Do you even know what it would be like to have a baby? Late nights? Early mornings? I know you can’t afford to take a maternity leave. Have you thought about childcare? Do you have any clue how much that will cost you? And schools? College? You’re in way over your head here.”
“You have it figured out I guess.” More than I hated that she was here, I hated that her words were starting to work on me. My stomach twisted and my chest tightened with fear. Why she right? Could I afford even one week of daycare?
“I have your father. He’s completely on board with hiring a day and night nanny. I’m already on a waitlist for private preschool. He’ll pay whatever I want. This baby will have everything. Your dad will support me completely.”
“Of course he will,” I muttered.
She sighed. “But if you think he’s going to give you one penny for getting knocked up by some lumberjack.”
“He’s not a lumberjack,” I snapped. “He owns a lumber yard. And he’s damn good at it. You don’t know anything about Luke. He’s going to be an amazing father.”
“You two aren’t married.” She looked at my hand. “Or engaged. You can’t keep a man that hot on a short leash, Annabelle. You’ll be huge and he’ll be looking for someone else’s bed to fall into.”
“Get out.” I clenched my teeth.
It was the Denver hotel suite all over again. Only this time, Luke wasn’t here to push Harriet through the door.
“You won’t even consider this? It’s a good offer. A sensible offer.”
“It’s pure evil. I don’t care if you tell my dad. Drive back to Denver with your dirty story. Just get out of my sight.”
She clung to her purse and rose on her designer heels. They clacked against the hardwoods as she walked through the kitchen. She turned to me.
“Consider yourself cut off from your dad.”
“Get out.”
“Last chance?”
I screamed and Harriet ran for the door.
The water was still running in the shower. I turned it off and leaned against the counter. The steam was suffocating.
My phone buzzed. There was a text from Milly. The baby had a fever and she needed to reschedule. Thank God.
I got dressed, grabbed my keys, and ran out the door.
I couldn’t stay here another second.
Twenty-Five
Luke
It was hard as hell working a full day at L&L when there was a diamond ring tucked in my front pocket.
My mom swore she wouldn’t tell anyone about the baby and she knew the engagement was a secret too. The only deal I struck was I promised she could throw us a party as soon as we broke the news.
I wanted to plan something special. Something romantic. But work was hectic. The Mortimers had placed the largest order I’d had all year. It took until dark for me to work through the logistics on how to supply their latest project.
Josh stopped by my office on his way out.
“Hey, man.”
I looked up from the Mortimer contract. “Going to Scrubby’s?” I asked.
“I thought about it. Want to grab a beer?”
“Maybe another night.”
“Are you going to tell me what’s been going on with you lately? I know it involves that photographer.”
“She has a name. Annabelle.”
“Right. Annabelle. You two are together all the time. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was losing my best friend to the domestic ball and chain.”
I laughed. “Is that what you think of it?”
“Just giving you a hard time.” He slapped the side of the door. “But it would be nice to get to know her.”
I nodded. “I’d like that too.” There wasn’t a good way to explain we were fast-tracking our relationship. It was selfish, but I wanted her to myself. We barely came up for air. During those small breaks from each other we were at work. Filling the gaps with friends and family hadn’t started yet.
“Bring her to Scrubby’s,” he suggested. “Prove she’s not a fantasy.”
I chuckled. “You know I didn’t make her up.”
“Sex robot then?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Get out of here and go get your beer,” I ordered.
“All right. I’m going. But it’s not too late to join me.”
“I promise you will meet Annabelle. Soon.”
My best friend locked the shop door and I was in L&L alone. Another ten minutes and I was driving home to Annabelle. I made a quick run by Kyle’s shop, Petal Pusher. I bought two armfuls of roses.
By the time I climbed the stairs to the apartment, my heart was about to beat out of my chest.
I turned the handle, but the apartment was dark.
“Annabelle?” I placed the roses on the counter. I walked into the bedroom and ducked my head in the spare room. They were empty.
I took the escape exit down to the studio. She was probably still working on Milly’s baby photos. The lights were off.
“Annabelle!” I called through the empty building.
I ran out back as I dialed her number. There was no answer.
Where in the hell was she?
I sent a text and waited for her to respond. I scratched the back of my head when it bounced back undelivered.
I thought about calling one of my friends at Evans Mill PD, but I didn’t want to overact—yet. The thought of something happening to her tore me in half.
I jumped behind the wheel of my truck and took off.
Annabelle was missing. I had to find her.
Twenty-Six
Annabelle
I looked out across the lake. I rubbed my shoulders. It was starting to get cold. Spring had a funny way of pulling the plug on warmth as soon as the sun went down.
I’d been here for hours. I’d skipped lunch and I was coming dangerously close to missing dinner. It was as if I was glued to this bench. I imagined Luke had built it too—just like everything else. I didn’t want to move. I needed the serenity. The calm. The quiet. A place without judgement or confusion.
Every time I told myself I needed five more minutes, I stayed another five. And another.
I didn’t see the headlights in the driveway. I was too far around the house. But I heard his voice.
“Annabelle!” Luke shouted my name.
I stood from the bench. He tore through the backyard and down the slope to the edge of the lake.
“Are you okay?” He grabbed my shoulders.
I nodded. “A little cold and hungry.”
“I looked everywhere for you. You turned your phone off. I was scared, Annabelle.”
I saw the anger and worry in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I needed to think.”
“And you came out here?”
I returned to my warm spot on the bench. “It felt safe. Quiet.”
He sat next to me. “What happened? Why are you out here? And why couldn’t you tell me?”
“Harriet paid me another visit this morning,” I explained.
“What the hell was she doing in town?”
My hand rested over my belly. “The baby.”
He growled. “I will call the police if she shows up again. This ends now.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think she’ll come back again. She has told my dad by now.”
“Is that why you turned off your phone?”
I nodded. “I don’t want to know how many voice mails he has left.”
“Come here.” Luke wrapped a strong arm around my shoulder. “You are safe. Our baby is safe. That’s all that matters.”
I turned toward him. “But she said things. Things that might be true.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not prepared. I don’t know how to be a mom. Harriet already has nannies and private preschools lined up. She probably has a nursery decorated and a designer diaper bag. I don’t know the first thing about what to buy.”
He looked toward the stars overhead and started counting off on his fingers. “Car seat. Crib. High chair. Diapers. Clothes. Blankets. How am I doing?” His eyes fell to mine.
I bit my lip. How did he turn a hopeless situation into something so sweet and sexy? “I’ll let you do the shopping.”
“I’m on it.” He kissed my temple. “Shit. You are cold. Your skin is freezing. Can I take you inside and warm you up before we head downtown?”
“We could stay here tonight,” I tempted him.
“Even if it’s not a weekend?” he teased.
I elbowed him gently in the ribs. “Hey.”
“I guess we could stay.” He gave in.
I let him lead me inside.
“I’ll build a fire. You can tell me more about Harriet’s visit.”
“Do you mind if I take a shower first?” I asked. “After she showed up my entire day imploded.”
“Whatever you need.” He grinned, pausing at the door. “See you back here after your shower.”
Luke’s shower had amazing water pressure. It was better than the old pipes at the apartment. I took my time, lathering my hair with shampoo and covering my body with body wash. He had already delivered a set of my toiletries to the house earlier in the week. I had replicated my entire bathroom supplies here, including makeup.
I towel-dried my hair and pulled on one of Luke’s high school T-shirts. I tiptoed into the living room to find him sitting in front of a roaring fire.
“Wow.” He poked a log, stirring hot embers on the bottom of the grate.
He turned when he heard my voice. “Come here.”
I stepped toward him, softly.
His fingertips brushed my thighs as he curled me onto his lap. “No one should look that sexy in an Evans Mill High School shirt,” he tea
sed.
I shrugged. “It took a lot of work.” I giggled.
“Are you feeling any better?” Luke asked.
“I love the water pressure here. Do you think you could do that for me at the apartment?”
“I’ll take a look at it for you.” He kissed behind my ear.
“Mmm.” My eyes closed.
It was hard to believe hours ago I felt despair. Lost. As if I was wandering in the dark. And now I was in Luke’s arms, next to a gorgeous ball of warmth and light. Inside a home he had built. I was starting to wonder if wherever Luke was, was home.
He brushed my hair off my shoulder. His fingers dug into the softness of my leg. “I have a surprise for you,” he growled.
“Does it involve a bearskin rug?” I giggled.
“Open your eyes, Annabelle.”
My lashes lifted. My mouth opened. “Oh my God.”
Luke was holding an antique diamond ring between his fingers. The diamonds and sapphires glistened in the firelight.
“That’s—that is—oh my God.” I covered my mouth.
He laughed. “I think that’s a good reaction.” He reached for my left hand. “Annabelle, will you marry me?”
I stared in disbelief as he slipped the ring over my knuckle.
“I want to marry you.” His voice was low and husky. “I don’t care how we started. What I care about is how we write the story from now until the end. I want to do that with you. Marry me.”
I bit back the tears. I pushed away the fear. I buried the insecurities. I looked into this man’s eyes and all I saw was love and admiration. He was right. It didn’t matter how we got here. All that mattered was what we did together for the rest of our lives. If he was willing, I was going to take his hand and take control of our future.
I nodded as his lips crushed mine. “Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, and more yeses.”
“It looks beautiful on you.” He pulled my hand from his neck to study the stones.
“It looks antique,” I noted.
“It was my grandmother’s. I asked my mom for it this morning.”
Hard Love (An Evans Mill Romance Book 2) Page 9