Текст книги "Until You"

Автор книги: Jeannie Moon

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

“I’ll be about twenty minutes. Will you be all right out here?”

“No problem. Don’t rush.” Kate was grateful for the delay. If she could have, she would have procrastinated for another week.

*

Kate checked her watch. It had been just about twenty minutes when she heard footsteps. Freshly showered and walking up the bleacher steps, David was in faded jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt, and carried his leather jacket in one hand. Her heart did the little flip it always did when she saw him, then settled into a regular rhythm. Once he settled next to her, he leaned so he could have a look at the pile of papers on her lap.

“What are you doing?”

“Grading papers.”

He picked up one of the essays she’d been reading and smiled at all the colorful marks. “Guess this one isn’t so good?”

“It needs some work.” She took the paper from him and put it in the folder, then slipped it into her bag. “So…”

“Yeah. So…” He put his hands together and moved them back and forth. “What do you want to talk about?”

Kate looked at his face, into his eyes, and saw what everyone said was true. He had a right to know, but how was she supposed to tell him? He had no idea what was coming, that his life was about to change. She just hoped he wouldn’t offer to marry her. She didn’t need a pity groom, she needed him to man up and be a father to their child.

“Okay, there’s no easy way to say this.”

He took her hand and held tight. “Just tell me.”

The words came out of her mouth so quickly she didn’t have time to temper them. “I’m pregnant.”

Kate sat and waited for David’s reaction, but for what felt like an eternity, he didn’t say anything. He stared at her hand and traced circles around her palm with his thumb. It was driving her a little crazy, until he looked up and drew her hands to his lips. He planted a soft kiss on her knuckles and flashed the same gorgeous smile that seduced her in California.

“If it’s a girl,” he said, “I hope she looks like you.”

That did it. All the control, all the practiced words, all the cool consideration she’d given to this moment slipped away with those sweet words. One tear slipped down her cheek, then another, and pretty soon Kate was bawling into David’s shirt. She hadn’t lost control like this for almost a week, but seeing him, realizing what they were facing, broke her reserve. David let her cry, soothing her as best he could, but Kate felt more overwhelmed at that moment than ever before. She knew if he was to be part of this pregnancy, her family, her friends, people at school would all find out about their affair. It wasn’t like she and David were going to be together, even though she wished they could be. When she was honest with herself, Kate wanted that more than anything. Instead, she was a joke—the divorcee who couldn’t practice safe sex, the one who tried to trap a younger man, the cougar. Richard’s attorney would crucify her, she wouldn’t be able to face her daughter, and she would more than likely lose her teaching job.

But she was going to deal with those things anyway, so to protect this child, to make sure he, or she, only knew love, Kate made the tough call. Their baby needed a father, and knowing how it felt to be cut out of her own child’s life, she wouldn’t do that to anyone else.

Kate pulled away and wiped her wet face and runny nose with her sleeve, decorum be damned. She was a wreck, she knew it, and David still stared at her with eyes that were telling her everything would be alright.

He took both her hands in his and gazed deeply into her eyes. “What do you want from me?”

“I don’t even know. My doctor said that you should know so the baby’s full medical background is clear. My sister and my best friend told me you had rights as the father.”

His eyes narrowed and his face looked far more serious. “And what about you?”

Kate’s eyes filled again, and her breath hitched. Facing her fear for the first time, she told the truth. “I’m scared to death. I don’t want to do this alone, and you’re the only other person who could love this baby as much as I do.”

She couldn’t tell for sure, but it seemed she wasn’t the only one fighting tears. David blinked hard and then pulled her close, kissing the top of her head gently. “When’s your next doctor’s appointment?”

“It’s today. I’m having my first screening test.”

“Screening test?”

“Since I’m over thirty-five, they do tests to detect possible birth defects.”

David’s face dropped. Reality struck. This was a real baby and it could have real problems. She could see this was something he hadn’t had time to consider. His hand squeezed hers. “I’m done for the day, if you want me to come with you.”

Kate nodded frantically. She hated the idea of going alone. He stood and helped her up, and without any hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. David’s arms did just what she hoped—they enveloped her in a protective blanket.

“I should have told you right away. I’m sorry I waited.”

“Is that why you called me last week?”

Again she nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I knew.”

Kate stepped back and glared. He was grinning, but she was floored. “You knew? How?”

He took one of her hands in his and held it tight. “When you were at your doctor’s appointment, you signed an autograph.” She didn’t respond but lowered her eyes and he continued. “Amanda is married to one of my teammates. She was telling the story to some of her friends and I overheard her.”

“Oh. Small world.”

“Very.”

Kate drew a shaky breath and looked at him. “I’m surprised you didn’t come to see me.”

“I was giving you one more day,” he said. “If you didn’t tell me, I’d have been at your front door.”

Kate laughed. She had pictured his reaction a thousand different ways. Panic, fear, anger—but that wasn’t what Kate saw. He wasn’t angry; in fact, he looked genuinely happy. Then again, he’d had time to adjust to the idea of being a father. “I’m glad I got to you first.”

“Me too.” He hadn’t let go of her hand yet, and didn’t seem like he had any intention of doing so. “I’m going to follow you home.” His free hand came to her face and his thumb brushed away the remaining tears. “You can change, or whatever you need to do, and then I’ll drive you to your appointment. I just need to stop home and change my shirt.”

“I can meet you there. I don’t want to put you out.”

“You aren’t. After the doctor, I’ll take you out to dinner. How does that sound?”

Kate felt better than she had in a week. She sniffled and wiped her face again. “It sounds wonderful.”

Chapter 17

‡

Kate’s house was a testament to her. It was traditional, classy, and warm. He pulled his truck up the long driveway and parked it next to her Volvo. Not only was the house beautiful, but the area itself was exactly what he’d always wanted for a family home. David didn’t like the city, he lived there because it was easy, but Kate’s home was more his style.

The house was a good size, but not unwieldy, and there were at least two acres of land. At the end of a dead end street, it was secluded and private. There were Christmas lights strung on the trees and bushes, beautiful wreaths on all the doors, and candles in the windows.

They entered through a door on the side of the house, near the garage. A pergola protected the small stoop, and based on the dormant vines he saw, David imagined in summer it was alive with flowers.

They walked into a small mud room where Kate hung up her vest, then brought him into the kitchen. The walls were a soft yellow and bathed in sunshine. He noticed the entire main level had huge windows.

“This house is awesome,” he said. “When was it built?”

Kate grabbed a glass from one of the cherry cabinets and pulled a pitcher of water from the refrigerator. She stopped to think. “1927?”

“It’s amazing.”

“Thanks. It’s too big for me, but I love it too much to leave it.” It dawned on her she’d forgotten her manners and made a face. “I’m sorry. Would you like anything?”

“Water’s good. Thanks.” She poured and handed him a glass, and David continued to take in everything he saw.

On the memo board he saw the information about the practice written, and it made him smile. On the fridge was proof this woman was a mother. There were old drawings made by a child’s hand, and at least ten different pictures of the same girl at different ages. Her daughter, no doubt.

“Your daughter is gorgeous. She looks just like you.”

Kate smiled. “That’s not her most recent picture. Hold on.” Kate walked into the den, which was really just an extension of the kitchen, and pulled a framed picture off a sideboard. “This was taken a couple of months ago.”

David examined the picture. “Just like you.” He could see that made her happy, but a hint of sorrow shadowed her eyes when she took the picture back and ran her hand over the smooth glass before placing it on the counter behind her.

“Thank you.” Changing the subject quickly, Kate put her glass in the sink and stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I’m going to change. Make yourself comfortable. There’s stuff for sandwiches in the fridge if you’re hungry.”

“Okay. Want me to make you something?” She looked shocked at the offer, but then David remembered she wasn’t used to someone wanting to take care of her—someone like him, who was in love with her and wanted to take care of her like this forever.

Kate bit her lip and looked at him in a way that could only be described as coy. “Would you? I’m starved.”

“Sure. Go do whatever you have to do.”

“Thank you.”

David walked over to where she was standing. She’d taken off her sneakers, so she was at her smallest, and he towered over her. “I’m not a bad guy, you know.”

“I know.” She dropped her head and stared at the floor.

David rested his hands on her shoulders. “Then why don’t you want us to be together?”

Kate looked up, and the saddest look he’d ever seen washed across her pretty face. She looked hopeless, and it pained David to see her so unhappy.

“I just don’t know how long I can keep your interest.”

There were times understanding came slowly, and other times when it hit like a slap to the face. This was a slap. Kate was afraid he was going to leave. It was clear to him now—if they had any chance, David had to prove he was in this for the long haul, especially since the baby was in the picture. He had to show her he could be a grownup.

He decided he wouldn’t make any sweeping statements, and proposing was too predictable, but he’d have to show her he wasn’t going to let her down. He’d have to build her trust, and that would take time.

“I suppose I can understand why you feel that way, but I’m not going to let you down.”

Kate took his hand, seeming to be comforted by the simple statement. But he could see she still didn’t know if David had sticking power. He’d have to show her he did.

*

At least he didn’t lie. Kate had to appreciate the fact David didn’t try to soothe her with empty promises.

Maybe they could be friends. That wouldn’t be bad, would it? They could depend on each other and take care of their child and it would all be good.

Kate looked at herself in the mirror on her dresser. Why couldn’t she just admit what she wanted? She wanted to wake up next to David each and every morning for the rest of her life. She wanted them to be a family. Friends may be what they were destined to be, but Kate wanted more. If only she had the nerve.

Pressing play on her iPod, music filled the room. Music always managed to improve her mood. She undressed and was checking her profile. Still no belly, but soon enough she would have one—big one, if her pregnancy with Laura was any indication. Laura was a big first baby at eight and a half pounds, and Kate wondered about this baby.

An old Motown song blasted out of the speakers, and Kate started dancing around the room in her underwear. She zoned out, forgetting that David was downstairs, fixing her lunch. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she turned around and he was standing in the door, smiling. It was complete humiliation.

“Jeez! You scared the crap out of me!”

He laughed out loud and stepped in the room like he belonged there. He didn’t flinch, even though Kate stood before him in her pink polka dot bra and panties. Granted, he’d seen her in less, and that stifled her impulse to grab for something to cover up.

“Don’t sneak up on me! I’m… pregnant!”

“I heard that someplace.” He stepped closer and all the air left her lungs. “You look fine to me.”

“Yeah, well…”

“I made your sandwich. It’s downstairs.” He was obviously amused, and Kate was wondering how long it would take before her latent insanity sent him running.

Feeling the blush creep into her cheeks, she turned off the music and went into her closet.

“Kate?” he called.

Kate poked her head out of the closet. “What?”

“Don’t stop dancing on my account.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Annoyed, she went back in the closet and found pants and a shirt. When she came out, David was sitting on her bed, looking at one of the pregnancy books. So much for staying annoyed. He looked adorable, with a shock of hair falling across his forehead, and he was so absorbed in the material Kate didn’t know if he was aware she was watching. Then he looked up, and smiled his sweetest smile. Oh crap. She wanted to crawl into his lap.

“I need to get one of these,” he said.

“I don’t know how well that will fit in your library.” She smiled when she remembered his extraordinary collection. Kate slipped the pink top over her head, and that was when she noticed her rounder figure was causing some wardrobe issues. She tugged the top a few times, trying to cover her breasts, which were popping out of the scooped neck. No matter what she did, nothing helped. She caught David looking and smiling.

“Stop it,” she said.

“I didn’t say anything!” He was still grinning and staring.

“You didn’t have to.” She smiled back and then tried to get her head around what was happening with them. This wasn’t how she’d expected the day to go.

He flipped pages in one of the books and glanced at different illustrations. “Man, if I went into a bookstore and bought this, people would think I’d gone off the deep end.”

She giggled just picturing it. “They have books for expectant dads, too.”

“Yeah? After dinner, we’ll stop by the bookstore by my house. Is that okay?” He stood and took the book to a chair she had by the window, while she put on her makeup and fixed her hair. It was all very easy. David blended into her life. If he was nervous or felt at all trapped by the pregnancy, he didn’t show it.

Kate rose from her dressing table and walked toward him, knowing getting this close to him was asking for trouble. He put the book aside, met her gaze, and then he did the most unexpected thing. One of his hands slipped around her to the small of her back, and the other slipped under her shirt and touched her bare belly. Then slowly, he rested his head against her middle and planted a soft kiss right near her belly button.

Kate almost cried.

It was an intense moment, and probably the most intimate they’d shared. Kate’s hand stroked his dark hair, and although no words passed between them, the message was clear. He was there with her by choice, and she’d made the right decision in telling him. It would have been criminal to keep this man from his child. Whatever doubts Kate had about David Burke’s commitment to her, she had no doubt he would be a wonderful father.

*

The doctor’s visit was very routine from a medical perspective. Kate was only supposed to have a couple vials of blood drawn, but when Dr. Emmaunel saw David was there, she made time for a consultation. David had concerns of his own, mostly about what the doctor was going to do to keep Kate and the baby healthy. For Kate, this was totally new. Holding her hand the whole time they were with the doctor, David probably asked a hundred questions. He also did something that cemented his commitment. He made himself her emergency contact. It was a small thing, but if anything went wrong, he’d know first. David didn’t hesitate, and it was strangely soothing to know he would drop everything to be with her.

David picked up every pamphlet in the office, especially the ones about prenatal testing. The man was an information junkie, and Kate was certain at some point in the pregnancy he would drive her crazy. But he was so excited and so happy, she just enjoyed it.

David worried she might slip since the temperature had dropped and there were ice patches everywhere, so he left her in the lobby to get his car. If he was worried now, Lord knew how he’d be when she got big.

“Kate? Kate Nicholls?”

Kate turned and stuttered when she saw John Connor, a trustee at St. Andrews and the father of her former student and David’s ex. Crap. “John!” She actually wondered if she could find a hole to crawl into. A pothole would do. “This is a surprise.”

He walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Well, I do work here. What about you? Is everything okay?”

His concern was really very genuine, which shouldn’t have surprised her because basically, John Connor was a nice man.

“Oh, yes. Fine. Just something I had to take care of.”

He smiled at her and Kate knew what was coming next—an invitation. The man had asked her out five times, and she’d turned him down on each occasion. He was pleasant enough, but she just wasn’t into his type of flashy, I-have-money lifestyle.

“Do you need a lift?”

“No, my friend went to get the car. It was on the fourth level.”

“Oh.” An awkward silence fell between them because that’s just the way it was. But after a minute, he raised his hand and said, “We should make plans to have dinner sometime.”

Just as the words came out of his mouth, David’s midnight blue Range Rover roared to a stop at the lobby entrance. “There’s my friend.”

John nodded. “It was good to see you. I hope—” But his words stopped as David walked around the car and right up to Kate. Blinking hard, Kate wondered why the gods were conspiring against her. Things were finally calming down and this was going to unleash a whole new shit storm.

Not another word was exchanged. John turned quickly and drowned his expensive Ferragamo’s in a nice big puddle. He shook his foot unceremoniously and stormed off. The man actually left in a huff.

“Who was that?” David asked while holding her door open.

“You don’t know?” Kate climbed in the passenger seat, focused her gaze, and felt her jaw tense. “You’re going to love this. That was Dr. John Connor.”

David’s brows drew together and then his eyes widened in shock. “Chelsea’s father?” His words were nothing more than a whisper.

“The one and only.”

David closed her door, walked around the front of the car, and got in the driver’s seat. “How does he know you?”

It suddenly occurred to Kate he didn’t know about her connection to Chelsea. She’d never mentioned it. No time like the present. “He’s on the Board of Trustees where I teach.”

“Oh, shit,” he said quietly.

“He’s going to tell Chelsea he saw you with me. That should be fun.”

They were stopped in rush hour traffic. David leaned on the steering wheel and fixed his eyes on her.

“You know Chelsea?”

“I taught Chelsea.”

David was frozen in place. Kate was sure he had something to say, he just couldn’t get it out. The blinks and twitches told her he was still alive but, Kate pretty much decided he’d gone into some kind of wakeful coma. Someone laid on their horn, and David realized he was holding up traffic.

“You didn’t tell me you were her teacher.”

“I tried to block it out. I had her twice.”

“She’s gonna go crazy.”

Kate nodded, although she did think crazy was an understatement. Chelsea was never the most stable young lady while she was in school. Oh, on the surface she was peaches and cream, a real daddy’s girl. She was a cheerleader, class officer, and had the headmaster’s ear whenever she needed it. With her society connections and influential father on the board, she pretty much got whatever she wanted. That meant if anyone crossed Chelsea, she might be sweet to your face, but behind your back, she was plotting your demise. She had a small, tight circle of friends, but even they didn’t cross her. The truth was most kids Kate taught were nice, decent people. Chelsea Connor was not the rule.

Of course, it was possible she’d changed.

But not likely.

*

Later, they sat in David’s den poring over the books they’d picked up after dinner. He’d bought every pregnancy book he could get his hands on, including a few for expectant fathers. She sat next to him on the big suede sofa, intermittently filling in the pregnancy journal and dozing off. Part of him just wanted to tuck her into his bed upstairs and let her sleep, but the other part of him knew that wouldn’t be such a great idea.

The doctor told him the best thing he could do for Kate was keep her relaxed, because pregnant women her age tended to have more anxiety. The issue with the doctor’s plan however, was logistics. He didn’t live with Kate, and he couldn’t see her while she worked. Sure, he’d do his best, but he wasn’t really part of her life.

Technically, David was still a free man. He could date if he wanted, go out with his buddies. Kate never would have gotten in touch with him if she wasn’t pregnant and scared. She needed him, but he still wasn’t sure she wanted him. That was a problem, because the more time they were together, the more he knew he could never give her up.

“I guess I should go home,” she said so quietly he could barely hear.

“Okay.” He gently moved her body and stood, immediately seeing the worry clouding her eyes. “Everything is going to work out.”

“I hope so.”

He came back with her coat and held it as she slipped her arms into the sleeves.

“How much did you weigh when you were born?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.

He chuckled. “I probably shouldn’t tell you.”

She turned to him, her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“I was big.”

“How big?” she demanded.

“According to my mother I was well over ten pounds and twenty three inches long.”

“Holy shit.” Kate’s voice was nothing but a squeak.

He took her shoulders and guided her toward the door. “You’ll manage. You’re tough.”

“Oh, my God.”

“It’s going to be fine,” he said reassuringly, but the whimper from Kate told him she wasn’t so sure she believed him.

*

For the first time in a week, Kate felt like everything was going to be okay. Telling David had been the right thing to do. Seeing John Connor would bring her job to an end sooner than she expected, but fortunately she had her writing career, and as much as she loved teaching, she didn’t need it. Walking into the kitchen, she nearly had a heart attack when she saw Laura standing at the kitchen table.

“Good grief! What is it with people sneaking up on me?!”

“Hey, Mom.” Laura was rigid. Her arms were folded and her face was stone cold.

“I didn’t expect you to be home. I’m sorry. I would have been here.”

“That’s okay. I had some stuff to do.” With those words, Laura moved just enough for Kate to see everything her daughter had collected on the table.

Kate felt all the feeling go out of her legs as she fought to keep herself from collapsing on the floor. She leaned against the counter and looked away. “What did you do, Laura?”

“I found out the truth about you.”

“Really?” Kate looked back and focused on Laura’s face. “Why did you feel the need to go through my things?”

Laura glanced away and then put on her best show of arrogance. “I needed to know what you were doing and now I do. You’re pregnant?”

Kate took two steps toward her and then stopped. Resting a hand on her stomach, Kate looked right in Laura’s eyes. She felt so angry, so violated, that for the first time in her life she could have slapped the child. She didn’t, but Kate couldn’t ever remember feeling so angry.

“I am pregnant. About twelve weeks, and I’m not unhappy about it.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“Disgusting?” Kate advanced and Laura stepped back. “Weren’t you the one who told me to ‘get a life’?”

“Who’s the father? The sleaze who dropped you off?”

Kate grinned at the irony. If only Laura knew who she was calling a sleaze. Eventually it would come out, and on that day her daughter would gag on her words. “That is none of your fucking business.”

Laura’s shocked expression was worth the guilt Kate felt about the ferocity of the outburst. Kate rarely cursed aloud and she never raised her voice, but she’d been pushed too far. It wasn’t a secret anymore. She and David had spent the evening in the city. But just looking at what Laura had gathered made her furious. She’d been all over the house, but the majority of what she found was in Kate’s room. Laura was looking for information and there was no doubt who’d put her up to it.

“Why did you do this?”

Laura didn’t answer, looking around for someone to save her.

“Dad put you up to it, didn’t he?”

Laura wouldn’t make eye contact. In every expression and every movement, Kate could see she was panicked.

“Daddy has a right to know what you’re doing!” She sputtered. “He’s trying to protect me.”

“Protect you? From me?” Kate couldn’t decide what to do. She really, really wanted to blow the whistle on Richard and tell Laura what a creep her father was, but she shook her head. “I’ve done my best to take the high road and never bad-mouth your father, but using you to spy on me is despicable, and that should tell you what kind of person he is. It’s wrong, and if you need protecting from anyone, it’s him.”

Laura turned away and almost looked guilty. Kate could tell she knew what her father asked her to do was wrong, but Laura always did what her father wanted. Always.

“You won’t tell me who was in the SUV?”

“Eventually. Not now.” Kate waved her off. “Go to bed. Get out of my sight.”

Laura took a final parting shot. “It doesn’t matter if you tell me, Dad will find out. He’s hired people.”

“Is that so?” Kate smiled, because now she knew what he was up to. “Thanks for the information. He must be getting pretty desperate, because he has far more to hide than I do.”

Laura dashed from the room without responding, and Kate was fairly sure in about thirty seconds she’d be on the phone with Richard or Marie.