You want to marry Jenny?
Who else?
Well, I dont know what the hell you did in D.C.
I accepted a job and bought a ring.
Coles tone turned to surprise. You took the job?
Where is she, Cole? Help me find her.
The line was silent for long seconds. Can I tell Emily youre proposing?
No! Its bad enough that you know before Jenny. Youre not telling her best friend.
I dont know how else Im going to-
Lie, cheat, steal. I dont care.
Youre not asking much, are you?
Id do it for you.
Cole hesitated a beat. Fine. Ill talk to her tonight.
Now.
Tonight. Summon up a little patience. Its not my fault it took you this long to make up your mind.
I didnt- Fine. Mitch would own that mistake. He should have realized he was in love days and days ago. If he had, if he hadnt been such a stubborn idiot, hed already be engaged to Jenny.
Assuming shed have said yes.
Of course shed have said yes.
He was sure of it.
Almost.
Jenny knew deep down inside that coming to Lake Angel had been the right decision. She was still nauseous in the morning, and it took her a good hour to get her stomach calmed down. People were bound to have noticed, especially Mitch.
He would have arrived back from D.C. yesterday. Shed kept her cell phone deliberately turned off. In her more optimistic moments, she was afraid he might try to call. But then pessimism would take over, and she was afraid he wouldnt bother.
She told herself it was better not to know. And, if he did call, shed probably break down and cry, confess everything, humiliate herself and back him into a corner where, heaven save them both, he might decide to try and do something noble.
She couldnt live with that.
So the cell phone was staying off.
It was nearly ten in the morning. Shed managed a slice of toast and some orange juice earlier, taking great care to eat slowly. Coffee was definitely out of the question. Just the thought of it made her stomach roil.
Now, she wandered through the compact two-bedroom lakefront cottage, opening up each of the windows and letting the breeze flow through. Emilys family truly did have the most beautiful, picturesque spot on the lake. The cottage was nestled into a small cove, backed by a lush green forest. A dock stretched out from the crescent strip of sandy beach that ended in big piles of jagged boulders on either side.
Other cottages were visible in the distance across the crystal-clear blue lake. When the sun went down, their lights twinkled on the airwaves. The neighbors on either side of the property seemed friendly, but not at all cloying. Mrs. Burroughs kept busy in her massive gardens, while the Claytons said they commuted most days to jobs in the nearby town of Rex Falls.
Jenny eased into the big cushioned wicker chair in the corner of the airy living room. Shed managed to keep down a prenatal vitamin this morning, and now she planned to sip her way through a glass of milk, taking up where she left off reading in a mystery novel. She forced herself to read her way through the words on the page, banishing her speculation on where Mitch was and what he was doing right now, and fighting the memories of their amazing days and nights together.
She could do this.
She focused.
Thirteen
Über-detective Norma Wessil had just broken into a luxury penthouse hotel suite, discovering the body of Terrance Milhouse, ex-hit man and prime suspect in the murder of socialite Bitsy Green. Terrances body was in the bedroom, halfway out of the bed. The cops were on their way up the elevator. And Norma had foolishly touched the murder weapon, leaving her prints behind.
As Jenny read Normas internal debate on whether to hide the weapon or wipe it clean, the door to the cottage suddenly burst wide open. Jenny nearly jumped out of her skin. Her head shot up, and her gaze focused on Mitch. Mitch? The book dropped to her lap.
She found her voice. How on earth-
It was my fault, Cole confessed as he barreled in behind him.
Jenny jumped to her feet, backing toward the wall.
What are you doing here? Mitch demanded without preamble. Why did you leave Royal?
What? she rasped at Cole, her heart pounding fast, stomach contracting in dread.
Dont blame Emily, Cole quickly elaborated. I tricked her into giving you up.
What?
Emily had told Cole? Cole had told Mitch? Emily had actually betrayed her confidence?
Mitch was moving toward her. His blue-eyed gaze was compassionate and gentle. Jenny, he breathed in what sounded like sympathy. She quickly realized he wasnt mad. He was something else entirely. And there was only one explanation. He knew she was pregnant.
No, no, no. This couldnt be happening. What had Emily done?
Please dont blame Emily, Cole repeated.
Then Emily rushed in, breathing hard. Jenny, please, I didnt mean to-
But Jennys brain was a haze of shock and fear. Tell him I was pregnant? she finished Emilys sentence.
The entire room went stock-still.
Emily cringed, and Mitch gave a long, slow blink.
I tried to phone you, Emily put in helplessly.
Youre pregnant? Mitch rasped.
Jenny opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
He hadnt known? Then what was he doing here?
Emilys hand went to her forehead. I only told him where you were. I didntI wouldnt
Mitch stepped forward, blocking Jennys view of Emily. His blue eyes had gone hard, and his mouth was grim. Youre pregnant? And youre hiding from me?
Her world contracted to him alone. I didnt-
Didnt what? Didnt want to tell me? Didnt think I deserved to know? What the hell is the matter with you?
Jenny tried to swallow, battling a paper-dry throat. You had made it abundantly clear, she managed, voice trembling, that you werent in this for the long-term. You didnt make a commitment, and I didnt ask you to make-
So you decided I was an irresponsible son of a bitch whod walk out on a woman who was pregnant with my child? He raked a hand through his hair. What have I ever done, Jenny? What have I done to make you think so little of me?
He didnt understand, and she wasnt explaining it right. Dont you see? she pleaded, fighting tears. Thats the point. I knew you wouldnt walk out on me. I knew youd stay. I knew youd try to be noble, and youd hate me for it in the end. Her hand went to her stomach. I cant live my parents nightmare all over again.
His expression cleared, and his eyes softened, and his shoulders dropped from their tense position. Id never hate you, Jenny. I-
You cant change your feelings just because Im having your baby. She gave a watery laugh. If only things worked that way. If only Mitch could feel about her the way she felt about him.
He reached for her hands. But I dont have to-
Youd feel frustrated and trapped. She tried to tug away, but he wouldnt let her. And youd get angrier and angrier-
I would-
-until one day, the fighting would start. And it doesnt end, Mitch. The plates hit the wall one after the other, after the other. She involuntarily cringed at the last memory of her fathers harsh voice, and her mothers helpless pleas. In my house, my father finally started throwing the china cups. And then he walked out the door, and my mother told me it would be all right. We just have to clean it up.
Jenny stopped talking, breathing hard.
Mitch drew her toward him, his voice going soft and gentle. Im not your father, Jenny. He didnt love your mother. I love you. Thats the difference.
She looked him fully in the eyes, knowing she had to be strong. If ever there was a moment in her life she had to say everything exactly right, this was it. Words are easy, Mitch. Especially for you.
You think Im lying about loving you?
I think you want to be a good guy.
Im not a good guy.
You are.
And you are unbelievably stubborn. He smiled.
You took a job in D.C., Jenny accused. How is that love? How is leaving me love? Even as she spoke, she steeled herself against the persuasive words he was sure to speak.
It is, he insisted.
You dont even know what youre talking about.
But I do.
Something tightened in Jennys chest, but she warned herself not to believe him. Mitch was the consummate diplomat, and right now he thought his mission was to sway her. She had to stay strong for both of them.
Then his voice went lower, more intimate. Love is when you know deep down in your soul that youre never going to look at another woman. It doesnt matter where you go, or what you do, or who propositions you. Your mind is full of one gorgeous, feisty, funny woman back in Royal, Texas, and shes spoiled you for the rest of the world.
He stopped and waited.
Youre so good at that, Jenny responded with all the emotional strength she could muster, fighting hard against the desire to buy into his fantasy. What happens when its time for you to talk your way out of my life?
Feel inside my pocket.
Her brows went up at the bizarre request. Excuse me?
He chuckled. Not that pocket. Then he let go of one of her hands and tapped the breast pocket of his suit jacket. Feel it.
Her mind still full of suspicion, she reached up. Gingerly, she pressed against the spot hed indicated. It was a hard lump, and she shrugged her shoulders in incomprehension.
His mouth was curved into a smile as he reached inside and extracted a small box. It was pale green leather, almost silver in its sheen. He tilted it toward her, and she read the embossed words, Marry Me.
Something the consistency of concrete slid through to the bottom of her stomach. It wasnt possible. There was no way.
Mitch lifted the lid to reveal a stunning diamond solitaire against a tiny satin pillow.
She blinked, while goose bumps tingled to life across her skin. I dont understand? she managed.
Guys who arent in love and who, by the way, have no earthly clue their girlfriends are pregnant, do not buy engagement rings and wander around with them in their pockets waiting for exactly the right moment.
Hes right about that, Cole put in, and Jenny saw Emily press an elbow into his ribs.
Mitch gave Jennys hand a squeeze. Will you marry me, Jenny? Please.
She gazed up at him. How could this be happening? He hadnt known she was pregnant. Hed had no idea there was any reason for him to be noble.
I dont understand, she repeated.
His smile was tender, and his eyes shone blue-silver. I love you, and I want you to marry me. And it has absolutely nothing to do with you being pregnant. Though, Im thrilled about that. And I am going to be a fantastic father. And I am never, ever, ever leaving you, Jenny.