Another Chance with You

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “I told the d-doctor that I’d t-try to p-push harder,” Jordin said between sobs.

  “Honey, if they think a C-section is best, there’s nothing wrong with delivering your babies this way.” Eleanor wiped Jordin’s face with a tissue. “You will still be able to bond with your babies and Ethan will be in there with you.”

  “How are you doing?” Jadin asked her brother-in-law.

  “I’m fine. I’m just ready to see my babies.” He looked down at her.

  “It won’t be long now,” she assured him.

  Lowering his voice, he asked, “Why is she so upset about having a C-section?”

  Jadin gestured for him to step outside the room.

  “Some mothers feel guilty over not being able to have their children naturally. I don’t think I’d be one of those women, but I guess Jordin was really looking forward to the whole labor and screaming-her-head-off experience.”

  “I don’t care how my babies are delivered,” Ethan said. “I just want Jordin and them all healthy.”

  When it was time, Ethan went with Jordin to the delivery room.

  Jadin, Bree and Eleanor made their way to the waiting area. She sat down beside Landon.

  “How is Jordin?” he asked.

  “She was upset because she has to have a C-section, but I think she was feeling better about it when they took her to the delivery room.”

  “The way that woman was screaming in the room next to Jordin’s, I think I’d rather have the C-section,” Bree said.

  Austin kissed her cheek. “I got you, baby. We are going to breeze right through labor and delivery.”

  Eleanor smiled. “You keep up those pep talks, and Bree will do just fine.”

  Jadin looked at Landon. “What are you thinking about?”

  “I’m imagining what it will be like when we have our first child. I think that you’ll be very calm. You would’ve already made a list of everything months ahead of time. I’d be running through it in my mind, making sure I don’t forget anything...like the car seat.”

  She laughed. “I believe you’ll actually be the calm one. I have a very low tolerance for pain, so I won’t be in a very good mood.”

  “That’s where the foot massages and back rubs come in,” Landon said.

  “What do you know about that?”

  “I’ve read books on pregnancy and parenting.”

  She was surprised. “Why?”

  “Because one day, I will be a father. Like you, I don’t like waiting till the last minute to try to figure out stuff.”

  “I suppose you’ve read books on marriage, too.”

  Landon nodded. “Unfortunately, none of them really applied to our unique situation.”

  She broke into a grin. “No, I guess they wouldn’t.”

  An hour and a half later, she and Landon met their newborn niece and nephew.

  “They are so adorable,” Jadin murmured.

  She looked up at her husband and Landon’s eyes looked bright with tears.

  “They’re beautiful,” he said.

  “Do you want to hold them?” Jadin asked.

  He shook his head no. “I’ll wait until they get much bigger. Ethan Jr. looks like he’d fit in the palm of my hand.”

  “Erin... Hey, cutie,” she whispered. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  They spent another hour at the hospital before going home.

  “I should have packed up a couple of pieces of your mom’s fried chicken,” Landon said. “I’m hungry.”

  “I can make you a sandwich.”

  He kissed her. “I’ll do it. You want one?”

  “Sure.”

  Jadin followed him into the kitchen. She sat at the counter while Landon pulled packages of ham, cheese and condiments out of the fridge. “I remember the late-night grilled cheese sandwiches you used to make to get us through those study sessions. I don’t think I’ve had one since I left law school.”

  Landon looked up at her. “Really?”

  “It’s true.”

  “I’ll have to change that,” he said while placing her sandwich in front of her.

  When they finished eating, Jadin and Landon settled in the family room to watch television.

  “I’m glad you were there with me at the hospital.” Jadin knew that Michael never would have gone. He and Landon were so very different. It was a wonder that she could care for them both. She was realizing that her feelings for Michael did not run as deeply as she had thought.

  Landon’s laughter put an end to all thoughts of Michael.

  Jadin turned her attention to the TV, as she drank in his nearness.

  He placed an arm around her.

  She felt wrapped in an invisible warmth. Jadin looked over at him, trying to assess his unreadable features.

  Landon turned to face her. “What are you thinking about right now?” he asked.

  “How much I’ve missed this... Us...” Jadin slowly brought her gaze up to his, her stomach dropping like a book toppling off the top shelf as his eyes meshed with hers. The feel of his fingers wrapping around her own was like a surge of electricity through her body, one she felt right to her core.

  “We had a lot of good times.”

  She nodded in agreement.

  “Jadin, we were meant for each other. I know right now you may have some reservations, but I intend to prove it to you.”

  She cleared her throat, pretending not to be affected by his words.

  Landon gathered her in his arm and held her snugly. “I’m going to prove it to you, starting now.”

  His fingers loosened a fraction, but he did not release her. His eyes were dark and unreadable as they held hers. Before she realized what was happening, Landon kissed her.

  He pressed gently against the lush fullness of her lips, relishing the softness of her mouth as it responded to his. Her lips were slightly parted, and he took full advantage of it.

  Jadin gave herself freely to the passion of Landon’s kiss.

  Burying her face in his neck, she breathed a kiss there.

  Landon recaptured her mouth, his tongue sending shivers of desire racing wildly through her.

  His body responded to Jadin’s closeness with a painful throb of primal need.

  “Stop,” she breathed raggedly, but his answer was to kiss her again. Jadin pulled away. “Landon, stop. Please.”

  He froze, struggling to breathe.

  Finally, her eyes met his. They were wide, the pupils dark with arousal and tinged with fear. “I can’t... It’s just too soon.”

  “Can’t?” He said it softly, but it came out strained.

  She searched for the right words. “We have so much at stake, Landon. We are trying to rebuild our relationship and a marriage. I don’t want to complicate it by rushing into sex.”

  He blinked slowly, holding her tethered with his eyes. “I take it that this means you want to make love, but you think it’s too soon. Honey, it’s not like we’re dating. You’re my wife.”

  “This is an awkward situation, I know.”

  “You’re right, of course,” Landon replied, his voice strangely thick. “We just got caught up in the moment.”

  “I think I’m just going to go take a bath—”

  Landon cut her off by saying, “The image of you in a bathtub is definitely not what I need right now.”

  Jadin planted a quick kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you in the morning.” The fire that was ignited within her still burned. Part of her wanted to grab Landon by the hand and drag him upstairs. She wanted more of his slow, drugging kisses. She wanted him. Making love to him right now would only confuse matters more. Jadin had to keep a clear head if she wanted to make sure Landon was her happily-ever-after.

  * * *

  Uncontrollable.

  Desir
e pulsed through Landon’s body like a raging tide, pounding through his veins, swelling him, extending him until he was as trigger-happy as a teenager having sex for the first time.

  Jadin’s sweetness was intoxicating. If she hadn’t pulled away, Landon thought he would devour her right there on the sofa. He did not want to think of himself having so little control over his impulses. Especially since he remained celibate most of the past five years.

  She is my wife.

  Landon knew he had to be patient with Jadin. He could not expect her to just jump into bed with him so soon after breaking up with Michael. She was not that kind of woman and it was one of the qualities he loved about her.

  He was also aware that she had to really sort out her feelings. Landon believed she loved him still, but that those feelings were buried deep down somewhere.

  Landon showered, slipped on a pair of pajama pants and crawled into bed.

  He could not get his mind off their kiss, could not stop reliving it. The way Jadin’s lips had felt, the way his tongue had played with hers in such a tantalizing manner.

  Landon smiled. If that kiss was any indication of whether their marriage had a real chance, then he had nothing to worry about.

  * * *

  After a long day at work, Jadin entered her home through the garage entrance. The first thing she noticed was the Crock-Pot on the counter. She lifted the lid and the appetizing smell of corned beef and cabbage wafted out. Her stomach rumbled in appreciation.

  Landon strolled into the kitchen. “Hey, I didn’t know you were home.”

  She kissed him. “I just got here.”

  “I hope you’re hungry. I made your favorite... Well, it used to be your favorite.”

  “I still love corned beef and cabbage, Landon. Thank you, and yes—I’m starving. I’m gonna run upstairs to change and I’ll be right back.”

  They made small talk over dinner.

  Jadin was touched by Landon’s thoughtfulness and his willingness to share in the cooking and other household chores.

  She had a lot of work to do, so while Landon was at the gym, she settled in her office.

  Jadin had no idea how much time had passed. She hadn’t heard Landon come back, so she assumed it couldn’t be too late.

  She stifled a yawn.

  “Time for you to take a little break,” Landon said, entering her office with a slice of pound cake and a steaming mug.

  “Oh, goodness...” She accepted the hot drink. “Peppermint tea?”

  “Yes.”

  Jadin was touched and surprised that he had thought to get her something herbal. “Thanks. This was so thoughtful of you.”

  “My mom used to drink it all the time. She said that peppermint tea had a way of easing away any stress she was feeling.”

  “I’ve had a very stressful day. Mondays are always a challenge for me.”

  “I feel the same way,” Landon said.

  Jadin leaned back in her chair. “Blaine Herndon says that he didn’t kill his wife and I believe him.”

  “Okay, let’s just look at the facts,” Landon responded. “Around midnight, Millicent was stabbed ten times. Herndon was home but says that he never heard her scream. However, he does hear the housekeeper screaming the next morning.”

  “Doesn’t make him a murderer.” She bit into her cake. “This is sooo good.”

  “Jadin, why don’t you ask to have the case reassigned?”

  “Because I don’t want to give it up. Landon, this is the type of case that can make or break my career.”

  “I can understand that,” he said. “I just don’t want this case to interfere with our marriage.”

  “Then don’t let it.”

  “I won’t if you agree to do the same.”

  Jadin nodded. She took a long sip of tea, then said, “Aunt Rochelle has decided to host a party for us.”

  “How does your mother feel about it?”

  “Apparently, she’s fine with the idea. She says it will give my aunt something other than the charity fund-raiser to focus on. Aunt Rochelle is driving my mom nuts. She and Mom can’t agree on the theme.”

  Landon laughed. “I’d hate to get in between those two women.”

  “You and me both.” Jadin finished off her cake.

  “How much longer do you plan on working?”

  She stretched and yawned. “I think I’m going to call it a night. What time is it anyway?”

  “Almost one.”

  “Really?” Jadin opened her laptop to check the clock. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”

  “Go on upstairs,” Landon told her. “I’ll be up shortly. Need to clean up the mess I made in the kitchen.”

  “Tell me something... Are you doing all this to impress me?”

  He broke into a grin. “Is it working?”

  Chapter 9

  The next day, Landon spent most of his morning going over every piece of evidence found at the Herndon house. He was surprised that there were not surveillance cameras installed inside the home, although he had been told that they were a fiercely private couple. The knife came from their kitchen. There was a lot of blood in the bedroom, but none on Herndon’s clothing. Crime scene investigators were thorough but found no traces of any bloody clothes. A damp towel had been found on the floor of the master bathroom, confirming what Landon suspected—that Herndon must have been naked when he committed the heinous act. He’d then returned to the media room and slipped back into his clothes.

  From all accounts, Herndon loved his wife. Everyone agreed that Millicent had appeared to be very happy in her marriage. They had even planned to take a trip to Greece later this year as a second honeymoon. Herndon bought the tickets a month ago.

  Landon frowned. Why would he buy airline tickets if he had planned to kill her? Unless, he purchased them just to throw the investigation off track.

  He left the office at six o’clock. Landon was looking forward to seeing Jadin.

  Music was playing softly when he entered the house, and the table was set for two, but Jadin was nowhere to be found.

  He smiled. Now she was trying to impress him.

  He walked upstairs and there Jadin was, dripping with moisture and half-naked.

  “I—I didn’t expect you to be home so early.” She carefully wrapped the white towel tighter around her. “I was making dinner. When I got out of the shower, the timer was going off. I have chicken in the oven.”

  He sat his attaché case on the floor, outside his bedroom. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured before rushing off to her room.

  When she came downstairs, Jadin was dressed in a pair of jeans and a tank top. Her damp hair was pulled up in a ponytail.

  “I see you’ve learned to cook.”

  “Ha. Ha,” she responded. “I picked up a few things from my mom and my cousin.”

  “I like Aubrie’s restaurant,” he said. “I’m addicted to the bread pudding.”

  Jadin smiled. “I know. Everybody loves it.”

  Right before they sat down to eat, her cell phone began vibrating.

  Jadin picked it up. “I’m sorry. I really need to take this call.”

  She disappeared up the stairs.

  When she returned, Jadin had changed into a pantsuit and had her hair pinned neatly into a bun. “Something’s come up and I need to meet with a client. Sorry about abandoning you like this.”

  “It comes with the job. I understand.”

  She blew a kiss in his direction. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  * * *

  Jadin had agreed to meet Blaine Herndon at the law firm. She called ahead to notify the building security that he would be coming. She also knew that there would be DuGrandpre attorneys and paralegals working late hours, especially if they were
preparing for trials.

  He was in the lobby, waiting, when she arrived. Blaine Herndon might be a billionaire, but he had none of the trappings of old money. He was a self-made man. He was not wearing some custom-designed suit, choosing instead a pair of well-worn jeans and a crisp linen shirt.

  “Hello, Mr. Herndon.”

  “Thank you for seeing me.”

  “It sounded more like an order than a request,” Jadin said flatly as she walked with him to the elevator.

  “I apologize. I sometimes forget that I don’t have to bark orders at everyone.”

  “Why did you insist on seeing me at this late hour?” Jadin asked when they entered a conference room.

  The office was oddly silent. No ringing phones. No one putting their head around the door with questions or requests. The only sound for what seemed like minutes—but was only seconds—was the pounding beat of her pulse in her ears.

  Finally, Blaine decided to cut into the silence. “There’s something you need to know. Millicent and I had a good marriage, and I loved her...” he began. “A year ago, I met a flight attendant named Sandra. She and I...”

  “You were having an affair.”

  Blaine nodded. “I never intended on leaving Millicent. In fact, I ended my relationship with Sandra a couple of months ago.”

  Jadin began to relax as she made notes while they talked. “Did you have a prenup?”

  “Yes. Millicent would get a five-hundred-million-dollar settlement if the marriage ended.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Jadin, I’m telling you the truth. I did not kill my wife. Someone came into our home that night. I haven’t told the detectives about Sandra because I knew how it would look to them. Milli and I were going on a second honeymoon in the fall. We were going to Greece.” His eyes filled with unshed tears.

  “Investigators are going to find out about Sandra eventually. You know that?”

  He nodded. “That’s why I wanted to tell you first. I was very discreet, but... I’m hoping this doesn’t have to come out. Because if it does, I’m sure you have an idea of what will happen. It’s already a freaking media show out there. Everybody’s tweeting about me and trying to determine if I’m guilty or not.”

  “Take me back over that night, Mr. Herndon.”