I dont have a fever, Jennifer murmured. Im pregnant.
Ryan snatched his hand away, startled by her sudden confession. He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Had he heard her right? Had she just told him she was pregnant? Youre
Pregnant, she repeated, glancing at his hand, which still hung in mid-air. I dont have the plague. Im going to have a baby. And its not contagious.
He coughed softly to cover his embarrassment. IIm sorry. Its just thatwell, you dont look pregnant. In truth, he felt a little guilty for his fantasies, considering her condition. It was like lusting after a nun!
She stared down at her stomach with a morose expression. I am. Nearly five months. Pushing up on her elbow, she stared at him. I havent told many people. Its hard to say the words.
Andand your husband? How does he feel about this?
Jennifer giggled. And here I thought you were so smooth, she teased.
Ive got a pregnant woman swooning in my office, Ryan retorted. And no juice to be had. Give me a break.
I dont have a husband. She ran her hand over her stomach, a barely noticeable swell the only evidence of her admission. I dont even have a boyfriend. The father, he doesnt want anything to do with me or the baby, and I think thats for the best.
Connie appeared at the door with a can of cranberry juice and an orange soda. He pushed to his feet and grabbed the drinks, then returned to Jennifers side. Here, he said, offering her the juice. Try this.
She took a long sip, watching him over the rim of the can. Im really sorry, she said, licking her lips. I shouldnt have come. This is my life, my problem, and Im going to have to deal with it on my own. I shouldnt have brought you into it.
You got a little dizzy in my office, Ryan said. Thats all.
Thats not all, she said, a contrite expression suffusing her face. I came here to ask a favora favor I probably have no right to ask.
Ask, he said. What do you need? Money? A place to stay? Some things for the baby? Whatever I can do.
I need a fiancé, she said. I need you.
This time Ryan was taken completely off guard. His jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. What?
My parents dont know yet, she said, the words tumbling out. And I think it would be easier for them to accept if they thought I hadnt been completely stupid. I need a fiancé, someone I can take home and introduce as the father of my baby. It wont be a long-term job. After a few months, well have a fight and then youll just disappear from my life. Please dont feel any obligation. Like I said, this is my responsibility and Im going to
Ill do it, Ryan said softly.
have to deal with this sooner or later. Its just that I come from a very strict Catholic family, and when Diego and Carmen find out theyll
I said, Ill do it, Ryan repeated.
The rest of her words froze in her throat and she blinked, as if she werent certain shed heard him right. A slow smile curled the corners of her mouth. You will? Youll pretend to be my fiancé?
Yes, he replied.
With a squeal of delight, Jennifer threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. ¡Gracias! ¡Muchísimas gracias! Le estoy muy agradecida.
Ryan drew back and looked down into her eyes, which were sparkling with excitement and relief. Con mucho gusto, he said. Youre welcome. Without thinking, he took her face between his palms and dropped a gentle kiss on her mouth. As soon as their lips met, he realized his mistake. But the urge to kiss her had been too much to deny and he couldnt regret his actions.
Slowly, he pulled back, prepared to see indignation, perhaps even anger in her eyes. But her wide gaze showed only surpriseand a tiny hint of curiosity. Ryan was tempted to kiss her again, to see if shed respond. After all, they were engaged, werent they? But his better judgment won out. Im sorry, he said. I didnt mean to
No, Jennifer interrupted, placing a finger on his lips. Its my fault. My family always tells me Im too impetuous. I shouldnt have kissed you first. I have to learn to think before I act. Her gaze dropped to her lap. After all, thats what got me into this trouble in the first place.
But thats what attracted me to you in the first place, Ryan teased in a feeble attempt to lighten the moment. Your passion and fire. The way you jump into a situation without even considering the consequences. Im usually so careful and conservative. Its our differences that made me fall in love with you.
In love?
He grinned and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. Im just practicing. Do I sound convincing?
Practicing for what?
For when I meet your parents, he said, turning to pick up one of the lunch bags. He plucked out a sandwich bag filled with Oreos and handed her one. Im sure theyre going to wonder how we met. We should have a story worked out.
Jennifer frowned. I never thought that far ahead. I guess I didnt expect you to agree to my plan.
See, you are too impetuous. Now, when is this meeting going to take place?
Im supposed to go home to El Paso on Friday afternoon. This Saturday is my sisters quinceañera. Her fifteenth birthday. Its a big deal in our culture, kind of like your sweet sixteen and a debutante ball rolled into one. Theres a mass Saturday afternoon and a huge party with dancing and food on Saturday night. All the family will be there, my aunts and uncles and cousins. I figure my parents will be so distracted with the party plans, they wont have time to focus on my news.
So when do we practice? We should at least get our story straight.
How about dinner at my house? Jennifer suggested. Tomorrow night. Ill make pozole. Its my specialty. Actually, its the only thing I know how to cook. Its kind of like a thick soup made of pork and hominy.
Ryan forced a smile. Hominy? He couldnt say that hed ever tasted hominy. Sounds good. Ill be there.
Jennifer swung her legs to the floor and Ryan helped her to her feet, wrapping her delicate fingers in his hand. Ill drive you home, he offered.
She tugged her hand from his, then shook her head. I have my car. Ill be fine. I just needed something in my stomach.
What about lunch? Ryan asked. Why dont you let me buy you lunch?
Roy and Ralph need me back at the office. Im working on a big parental abduction case and Ive got a lot of work to do before I leave for the weekend.
Ryan didnt want to let her go and searched for any excuse to get her to stay. But in the end, he accompanied Jennifer to the lobby and watched as she walked out. Then he strolled back to his office, stepped inside and closed the door. A satisfied smile quirked the corners of his mouth.
Once again, Jennifer Rodriguez had barged into his life and turned it upside down. Only this time, he planned to make sure she stayed a little longer.
* * *
MAMÁ, I promise, Ill be there in time for Tía Yolandas arrival. Were leaving right around lunchtime and well be there before dinner Friday night. She reached for the spoon and gave the pozole a stir, then bent down and adjusted the heat.
We? her mother asked. Who is this we?
Jennifer drew a deep breath, all too familiar with her mothers nosy nature. Im bringing a friend home.
Ah, youre bringing that sweet Elena? That girl from your building? I like her. Shes a good girl. She listens to her mother.
No, Mamá, not Elena. Im bringing aa friend. A friend whos aboy. A man, actually. A manI mean, a boyfriend. Im bringing home my boyfriend, all right? A long silence echoed over the phone lines between El Paso and Odessa. Mamá?
Who is this boy youre bringing? Whats his name? Who are his parents?
Hes not a boy, Mamá. Hes a man. His name is Ryan. Ryan Madison. Hes very nice and very successful. Papi will love him.
Madison?
Yes, Mamá, Madison. Not Ruiz, not Hernandez, not Castillo. Madison, like the fourth president of our country.
Does he go to church?
The doorbell rang and Jennifer glanced down at the dish towel tied around her waist. Mamá, thats him at the door. Im cooking dinner for us tonight. You can interrogate him on his religious beliefs when we get there.
Well, Ill tell your Papi that he isnt in danger of losing his daughter, Carmen said.
And why is that?
Because once this man tastes your cooking, he wont be back.
Goodbye, Mamá. Ill see you on Friday evening. Well see you. She dropped the phone in the cradle, then hurried over to the table and adjusted the colorful hand-painted Mexican stoneware on the bright tablecloth. She reached for the matches to light the candles, then decided candles might not send the right message.
After all, this agreement they had was strictly between friends. But they really werent friends yet. Perhaps acquaintances was a better description. But then, they were more than
The doorbell rang again and Jennifer threw the dish towel onto the kitchen counter next to the stove and hurried to the door. At the last second, she raked her fingers through her hair and smoothed her palms over the skirt of her new dress. Though it wasnt a maternity dress, it did have an empire waist. Her clothes had suddenly stopped fitting yesterday, as if shed swallowed a basketball for breakfast, and shed been forced to buy something new. Pasting a smile on her face, she pulled the door open.
Jennifers breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. She knew he was handsomein a suit, in faded jeans, it didnt really matter. Tonight, he wore immaculately pressed khakis and a pale-blue cotton polo shirt that set off his dark tan. His hair was still damp from a shower and it looked like hed combed it with his fingers. Hi, she murmured, her knees going soft.
He pulled a bouquet of sunflowers from behind his back and held them out. Hello, mi prometido. Im sorry Im a little late. I got tied up at the site.
Jennifer laughed and took the flowers from his hand. Come in. And its promitida. Thats the feminine form of fiancée. Youre my prometido.
Ryan shrugged. My Spanish is pretty lousy, isnt it? Ive been trying to learn. That way, when the guys on the drilling site are talking about me, Ill know what theyre saying.
Come. Sit down. Dinner is almost ready.
How are you feeling? he asked as he closed the apartment door behind him.
Fine, she said, grabbing a vase from an end table near the window. No more dizzy spells.
Did you see your doctor?
Jennifer shook her head, secretly pleased by his concern. No, its nothing. I just have to be more careful about how I eat. Now, sit down and Ill get you a drink. Would you like a beer?
He nodded, slowly sat down, then frowned. Do you smell that?
Thats my pozole, Jennifer said proudly.
Ryan stood and stepped around her. No, I really think something is He cursed and hurried over to the kitchen, where flames rose from the stove.
Jennifer screamed and hurried after him. ¡Ay, Dios mío! Ill call the fire department. No, theres a fire extinguisher . She paused, trying to remember where shed put it. Throw some water on it!
Ryan calmly grabbed a stockpot from the rack over the breakfast bar and dropped it on top of the burning dish towel. Then he grabbed a saucepan and filled it with water, holding out his arm to keep her back. Itll go out in a few seconds.
When he was satisfied that the fire was out, Jennifer hurried to the stove and pulled the cover off the pozole. But in her haste, she forgot to use a pot holder and the lid burned her fingers. She cried out and let it clatter to the floor, where it hit her big toe, which was sticking out of her sandal. The kitchen filled with the smell of scorched hominy and burned terry cloth as Jennifers eyes filled with tears.
Once again, the baby inside her seemed to hold the controls over her emotions, turning her from a babbling idiot to a blubbering fool in the blink of an eye. She couldnt stop the tears from coming even though she wasnt sure why she was crying. It wasnt the ruined meal or her stinging fingers or even the smoke stain on her kitchen ceiling. It waseverything.
Jennifer buried her face in her hands and slid down to sit on the kitchen floor. A few moments later, she felt Ryan beside her, his fingers stroking her temple. Its all right, he said. The fires out. No damage done.
She looked up at him through her tears and a giggle slipped from her throat. I dont care about the fire or the food. Thats the least of my worries. Im such a mess. I cant seem to control my emotions. I start crying at the drop of a hat. My life is in chaos and Im not sure if Ill ever be able to set it right.
I know how you feel, Ryan said, tipping her chin up and capturing her gaze with his.
Yeah, I guess you do.
He grabbed her hand and gave her fingers a squeeze. Why dont we sit down on the sofa and relax. Ill call for a pizza and well get to work. You can make pozole for me again some other night.
He gently helped her to her feet and led her over to the sofa, then returned to the kitchen to order the pizza. Ryan found a beer in the refrigerator and brought her a glass of orange juice. Then he settled on the sofa beside her, his arm draped over the back. So, where do we start?
Well, since I know pretty much everything about you, we should start with me.
How do you know about me? he asked after taking a sip of his beer.
I did a pretty extensive investigation before I came to see you at the drilling site. A bachelors and masters degree from Texas A and M, deans list, graduated cum laude, bought your first well with money you made in the stock market, built your business into a multimillion
All right, all right, Ryan said. Lets start with your family.
My papi, Diego, came from Mexico when he was fifteen. He worked picking vegetables in California until he found a job in a factory. He got his high school diploma going to night classes. He lived the American dream, working his way up, saving his pennies, until he and my mother bought a small electronics factory in El Paso. Now its huge and he makes components for the auto industry. I think youll have a lot in common.
And your mother?
Jennifer slid down to the end of the couch and stretched her feet out in front of her, leaning back onto a throw pillow. Mamá. Shell be a little tougher. Her name is Carmen and shes the glue that holds our family together. Shes lived in this country nearly all her life and she has very high expectations for her children. We all must go to college, find a good job and marry a nice Catholic.