INSTEAD OF falling into the family business, Tanner Waide had struck out on his own. He ran a small but steadily growing bookkeeping service out of his apartment. In fact, despite what Lilah and Tanner conveniently let their parents and guardians believe until after the wedding, David suspected that makeshift office was about the only purpose the apartment served anymore. During work hours, when Lilah was at the school, Tanner could almost always be found here.
David knocked, more relieved than he would have expected when his brother called out, Just a sec!
A moment later, the door swung wide. Dave, hey. Come on in, but watch your step. My lease is up at the end of the month, and its a maze of boxes in here.
I see that. The little one-bedroom had never been much to look at, but with so many of Tanners personal belongings already packed, the place was dingier than usual. Was this Mistletoes answer to a bachelor pad? He shuddered, wondering how close hed come to a future that looked like this.
Whats up? Tanner asked.
David sat on the lumpy orange sofa the landlord had thrown in with the deposit of the first and last months rent. I came by to see if you wanted to grab lunch, but maybe its better if we talk where no friendly neighbors can overhear us. I need to ask your help with something.
My help? Wow, knock me over with a feather.
David raised an eyebrow. Let me know when youre done making jokes.
What makes you think I was joking? Tanner dumped some haphazardly stacked CDs out of a blue milk crate, flipped it over and sat on the plastic cube. Dont keep me in suspense. What do you need?
Covert help with furniture assembly, but the simple request didnt spill out.
Instead, David stumbled over the urge to blurt out everything that had happened for the past month and get his brothers relationship advice now that hed been gifted with a second chance. But, aside from the fact he and Rachel had agreed not to discuss that with his family, David wasnt sure he was even capable of that conversation-admitting that he had made such a hash of his marriage that his wife had left.
Why was this so hard? Everyone-Tanner, Ari, their mother-had made it clear theyd be willing to listen, to provide any kind of support that was in their power. Yet, even with a close-knit family, David didnt make a practice of turning to others for help. By the time he was in fifth grade, he hadnt needed assistance with homework and by the time hed hit middle school hed been earning extra money as a peer tutor. Hed never had his heart broken as a teenager, had never had to worry about finding a job and had been blessed with a college scholarship. Even when it came to the kids soccer teams, he was one of the coaches able to manage without an assistant when they didnt have volunteers. What his mother had said to him a few weeks ago was true: You were the solution finder.
Were being the operative word. He was not only beginning to realize there was nothing wrong with occasionally leaning on others, he suspected that if he didnt start getting comfortable with that idea, he really might lose Rachel. For good. Besides, he was going to be a father. While he hoped his kid would grow up to be self-sufficient, David wanted to set the most positive example possible-and that didnt include being too proud to let people who loved him lend a hand.
He waded in slowly. Things areawkward with Rachel. Nothing I cant fix, he hurried to add, mentally kicking himself for the qualifier. What I mean is, I think everything will be fine, but were in a delicate stage. I worry that a lot of times, my foot ends up in my mouth.
Tanner laughed. Been there a time or two myself.
I want to make damn sure she knows how much I love her, even if I screw up from time to time. Tanner, you can keep a secret, right? Even from Lilah.
He waded in slowly. Things areawkward with Rachel. Nothing I cant fix, he hurried to add, mentally kicking himself for the qualifier. What I mean is, I think everything will be fine, but were in a delicate stage. I worry that a lot of times, my foot ends up in my mouth.
Tanner laughed. Been there a time or two myself.
I want to make damn sure she knows how much I love her, even if I screw up from time to time. Tanner, you can keep a secret, right? Even from Lilah.
His brother frowned. That wouldnt be my first choice, but for you, yeah.
Rachels pregnant. Just saying the words sent adrenaline through him, exhilaration building. Were having a baby.
All right! Tanner came off the crate to clap him on the shoulder. That is the best news Ive heard since Lilah told me shed marry me. Congratulations, I am so happy for the two of you.
Thanks. Were thrilled, obviously, but there are a bunch of other emotions under the surface, too.
Im sure. Tanner sobered. You guys have been through so much. Is she worried aboutwell, you know?
Losing the baby? Whether they talk about it or not, I figure all expecting mothers probably are a tiny bit scared of that during their first trimester. Multiply Rachels tiny by a million. The doctors told her last time that it wasnt uncommon and that an isolated miscarriage didnt automatically increase the chances of another one, but after the previous disappointmentsLast week, during one of those awkward conversations I mentioned, she hit me with the out-of-the-blue announcement that I handled the aftermath wrong. That I wasnt there for her in the right way and she felt alone.
Tanner shrugged. She probably did. No matter how much you love her, that was something she had to suffer through in a way youll never experience. I guess the best you can do under those circumstances is be patient, be there for her.
Yeah, it sounds so easy when you say it. David shook his head. Were working to make our relationship really solid and now we have this baby coming! I want to do something for Rachel, a special Christmas present, a grand gesture that takes her breath away and shows her how invested I am in our future as a family. The thing is, its too big for me to pull off by myself. Youre pretty handy with a hammer and power drill, right?
I dragged you marathon shopping, and your favor includes the use of power tools? Tanner grinned. Man did I get the better deal.
RACHEL KNEW it was irrational to splurge on a dress that would probably only fit for the next forty-eight hours, but she didnt care. While it would still be weeks before people could pass her on the street and tell she was pregnant, her body was definitely changing. Especially her breasts, which had gone up at least a cup size since shed taken that pregnancy test. The gown shed chosen for tonights dance was a shimmering graphite material that crisscrossed over her chest, accented by a slim band of rhinestones and hematite beading, and made the most of her ample cleavage. It fell away from the bodice in a gracefully flowing skirt that didnt cling in any unflattering places. A warm but sophisticated black wrap would keep her from freezing when she was outside.
Shed just finished curling her hair when she heard the doorbell promptly at seven. David looked positively yummy in a blue dress shirt, black blazer and slacks.
Hi. He smiled down into her eyes, making no attempt to mask the naked hunger in his eyes. You look stunning.
Thanks. You, too.
It was silly how much energy adolescents expended on being nervous about dates that included hamburgers and a guy theyd only go out with twice before moving on to the next crush. Tonight, Rachel had a date with the man who-if she was very lucky-she might spend the rest of her life with. She couldnt imagine higher stakes. As a result, she was terrified, especially since shed previously assumed all of her dating experiences were behind her.
By the way, he said as he helped drape her wrap over her shoulders, Im having something delivered here on Monday. Ill be here to wait for it, if thats okay with you. Its during work hours, so I shouldnt be in your way.
You have every right to be here. Its your house, she pointed out.
He opened his mouth and she could see that he wanted to correct her: our house. She wanted that, too, not just a house, but a loving home for them and their child. Something of that magnitude was worth working for, even if it took a little time and renewed efforts.
Once they were in the car, she asked, So, with the Wonderland dance being a town tradition, did you take dates there back in school?
Sort of.
Intrigued by the hint of laughter in his tone, she waited for more. Explanation?
Well, you know how crowded it always is. Id go with a girl, wed make sure to casually bump into her parents and my parents exactly once, then wed fade into the crush. And spend the rest of the night necking at Mistletoe Cove.
Im shocked at you. A boy with your sterling reputation exploiting a charity event for the chance to make out with girls?
Dont knock it till youve tried it. In fact He slanted a tempting sidelong glance in her direction.
I dont think so. She wasnt sure she could stop with necking. Slowly, remember? No turbo boosters.
You sure? His voice dropped to a cajoling octave. Id let you be in the drivers seat.
Ill bet. As I recall, you quite liked that last time.
His grin flashed in the darkness. So did you.
Heat zinged through her. David Waide was flirting with her! The sensation was just as heady now as when theyd first met. More so. Then, shed simply been a woman in her twenties pondering where to go next with her life, and hed been a very cute guy whod seemed empathetic. Now, she knew them both better, had seen the promise of how good they could be together and had looked into the abyss of how it could all go wrong.
Rach?
Her voice came out huskier than usual. I think wed better stick to well-populated areas tonight.
Youre undoubtedly right.
But he sounded every bit as depressed about the decision as she was, which cheered her considerably.
FOLLOWING a wonderful date Friday evening-ending in steamy kisses on the doorstep because Rachel hadnt trusted their combined willpower if she invited David in-came a night out with the girls.
Since both Lilah and Tanner had agreed they didnt want to be out partying the night before their wedding, they were holding their bachelor and bachelorette parties the weekend prior to the ceremony. Much to Lilahs relief, Ariannes talk of a wild and crazy bash had been slightly exaggerated. Still, they did drive toward Atlanta to an upscale club that featured male dancers and really, really cute waiters. One of Lilah and Quinns colleagues at the school had a minivan that seated eight, so the entire bridal party and three teachers piled in to ride together. Vonda suggested before they left Mistletoe that the women draw straws to pick a designated driver-Rachel drew admiring praise and friends for life when she volunteered.