He leaned back against the Jeep and smiled. “More orders for your CEO, Madam President?”
Her eyes were huge and solemn with concern. “I want you to be very careful tonight.”
“I will,” he promised.
“Joel, I love you. You know that, don't you?”
For an instant he was stunned at the admission. Then elation soared in him. For the moment, at least, it blotted out all the other things he had been
feeling since he'd walked into his apartment and seen the evidence of Victor Copeland's ungovernable rage. He reached for Letty.
“Damn, Letty,” he muttered thickly, “you've picked a fine time to tell me.” He pulled her into his arms, fumbling for the feel of her through the plump
layers of her Thornquist Gear down coat. “You know I love you, too, don't you?”
“Well, you hadn't actually said so,” she reminded him. The comment was tart, but her eyes were brimming with delight. “However, I have been
extremely optimistic.”
“Don't ever forget it.” He kissed her mouth, the only part of her that was not swallowed up by her voluminous jacket. Her lips were warm in spite of
the cold air. Joel groaned and pulled her closer.
handiwork. One thing his background in construction had given him
was a certain skill in taking care of the little things that a husband and father was always being called upon to do.
Diana admired his ability in the home improvement department, and Colby knew he occasionally gave in to the urge to
show off.
She would
Brandon’s teeth flashed in a brief, knowing grin. “Hard to believe you’re an old married man with one grown son
and another baby on the way, huh?“
“You’re wrong,“ Colby said. “I don’t have any trouble believing it at all. The reminders are all around me. And I’ll
tell you something, kid. I wouldn’t go back. Not for anything.“
“Things are a lot better now?“
“Things are infinitely better now.“ Colby’s mouth curved faintly. “The best they’ve ever been, in fact.“
“I can tell. I’m glad you found
Diana seemed content with her role of wife, too. Colby congratulated himself. He’d chosen well the second time
around, even if he had chosen in haste again. He’d learned a lot about Diana in the past few months. She was a mature
adult just as he was, and when she made a commitment, she kept it
He could afford to do things right this time around, and he didn’t intend to settle for anything less. Colby knew he
wasn’t doing it for the baby, who wouldn’t know the difference between a shiny new crib and a cardboard box. He was
doing it for Diana. He wanted her to take pleasure in everything that had to do with the baby. She was a woman who
appreciated nice things, and he was determined that she would be surrounded by them while she cared for their child.
Colby finished adjusting the position of the crib and took one last look around the room. All was in order.
This time he was ready.
And so was Diana, he had decided
I agree with you one hundred percent.“ Diana batted her lashes. “I think you’ve made a very wise decision,
Colby.“
He ran his palm up her bare arm. “And I think you’re picking up the finer nuances of being a wife faster than I’d
ever imagined you would. How the hell did I wind up agreeing to spend Christmas with Margaret Fulbrook?“
“How the hell did I wind up pregnant and unemployed and financially dependent on a man for the first time in my
life?“
“You forgot barefoot,“ he said with satisfaction. “At the moment you’re barefoot, pregnant and unemployed.“
She started to tickle him in the ribs. A few minutes later Colby’s sexy laughter aroused Specter. The dog sighed
heavily, got up and padded down the hall to find some peace and quiet in the living room.
Colby was massaging her lower back with an automatic motion. He always knew when she was hurting.
She leaned into his warm palm, savoring the small comfort.
“You okay, honey?“ Colby asked with concern.
“I’m fine. Just the usual aches and pains. I’ll be so glad when this baby gets here.“
Colby grinned. “This from the woman who’s been worrying about surviving labor pains for nearly nine months?
next shout of anguish filled the grotto.
“It’s okay, honey. I’m here.“
“Dad? Where are you? Where’s Diana? Is she all right? Oh, Christ. Dad, she’s having the baby.“
“Trust Diana to try to do this on her own.“ But Colby’s voice was infinitely gentle and soothing as he kneeled
beside her. “Everything’s going to be all right now, little amazon. I knew you would take good care of our baby until I
got here. I knew I could count on you.“
Diana let go, giving herself up to the urgent, overwhelming need to push that was suddenly hitting her. Everything
would be all right now. Colby was here
She’s here, Diana. Our little Tabby is here. Safe and sound.“
Diana lifted her lashes and looked up at Colby. He was on his knees between her legs, holding his daughter in
Brandon’s denim jacket. In the glare of the flashlight Brandon held, she could see the brilliant expression of triumph
and happiness in her husband’s eyes.
“I love you, Diana.“
“I love you, Colby.“ Diana relaxed. This time, she thought, Colby wasn’t just practicing.
This time he meant it.
I don't know, Joel,” Letty said with a tiny considering frown. “I was just starting to get used to the idea of an affair.”
“I told you, you're not really cut out for an affair, Letty.”
“I thought I was handling it very well,” she said.
“You're not the type.
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