A Texas Family Reunion (17 page)

“Sure I can tell you that. But why?”

“I’m not going home tonight,” Alex announced just as Will and Jim came into the office.

They came to an abrupt stop.

Will asked, “Is something wrong with your place?”

“Uh, yes, there’s something wrong with it.”

“Then you can stay with us. We have plenty of room,” Will said.

His generosity shook Alex. “No, I can’t. There’s nothing wrong with my place. I just…I need to stay somewhere else tonight.”

“Like I said, you’ll stay with us.” Will nodded, as if it was settled. “I’ll call Vivian and tell her we’re having company.”

Will left the room and Alex stared after him.

Jim looked at Carrie. Then he said, “Alex, is there some way I can help you?”

Alex shook her head.

“You’re sure my brother isn’t the problem?”

“No, it’s not David’s fault.”

“Why not?”

“I…I led him on.” She looked away. Then she turned back to face Jim. “It’s because I can’t face him that I can’t go home tonight. He’s going to wait up for me.”

“You’re sure he didn’t do something he shouldn’t have?”

“I’m sure, Jim.”

Will came out of his office. “Vivian said you should join us for dinner. Betty will serve it at seven.”

“Thank you, Will. I have to do some shopping, but I think I can be there by seven.”

D
AVID WAITED UP
until one in the morning. By then he’d given up, realizing Alex wasn’t coming home. Because of him.

She probably hated him.

But he’d had no idea she was a virgin. A cop who was a virgin. Somehow, he’d assumed…but he should’ve asked. He should’ve taken better care of her. He still had to talk to her, but it wouldn’t be here. He’d go to her office and talk there. Where there were no beds. She’d feel more comfortable in an office setting.

He got a couple of hours’ sleep. Then he got up early and packed his new wardrobe. He even stripped the sheets, putting them in the washing machine.

As he expected, Alex didn’t come home last night or
this morning. He took all his clothing to his new house. He hoped Alex would visit him there. But he had no idea if he’d ever see her again.

It felt good to get some of his belongings in the house. But he wanted Alex there more than anything. When she was beside him, everything seemed easier, happier. He didn’t want to live there without her. The dog! That thought pleased him. He’d forgotten his promise to her about the dog. Surely she’d go with him to find a dog.

Then he let out a breath. It was a possibility that she wouldn’t. But he’d try. He would definitely try.

After he’d put his things away, he decided to go to Alex’s office and ask if he could speak to her.

L
AST EVENING
had been pleasant for Alex. She’d bought a new nightgown and robe and a new outfit to wear to work the next day.

She’d been welcomed with open arms, including Betty’s. Alex figured she’d weigh double her weight if she lived with Vivian and Will. With all that hospitality and good food, she’d thought—hoped—she’d get a good night’s sleep.

But no, she hadn’t.

She’d had nightmares that had kept her awake half the night. She’d tried to cover the dark circles under her eyes. That didn’t work well, either. Betty, having noticed the circles, had tried to feed her more food.

At the office she got right to work, after asking Car
rie not to pass on any calls to her unless it was business. She thought that would stop any calls from David. After all, Carrie would recognize his voice.

She’d been working about half an hour when David came into the office.

“Carrie, I’d like to talk to Alex for a couple of minutes in private.”

“Yes, of course, David, if Alex…that is, if she wants to. You can use Will’s office. He won’t be back for a while.”

“Alex?” David asked softly, waiting for her answer.

Alex got up from her chair and walked to Will’s office without looking at David.

He followed her, carefully closing the door behind him.

“I waited up for you last night.”

“I’m sorry. I spent the night at Will’s.”

“You could’ve told me you didn’t want me there. I could’ve spent the night at the house.”

Alex shook her head. Then she muttered, “It was my fault, not yours.”

“Your fault? What do you think you did wrong, sweetheart?”

“I misunderstood.”

David took a step toward her, but stopped when she took a step back. “I don’t understand.”

“I thought you—I didn’t understand that you wanted sex.”

“What did you think I wanted?” he asked slowly.

“It doesn’t matter. Let’s just pretend last night, I
mean, two nights ago, didn’t happen. You’ll move into your house and everything will be okay.”

“Are you sure? I don’t think I like that idea.”

“I think it’s the only way to handle it.”

“So, as long as I’m not living with you, you’ll be glad to help me out? Help me buy furniture, find a dog?”

“I…I will if I have time.”

“Alex, this isn’t going to work.”

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t want to be around me. Look, I didn’t know you were…inexperienced, sweetheart. I wouldn’t have….”

“I didn’t want you to know. I didn’t realize… I’ve heard some men don’t like an inexperienced lover.”

“Is that what the problem is? You’re embarrassed?” he asked, his voice rising.

“No! That’s not the problem.”

“Then damn it, tell me. I can’t fix it until I know what went wrong.”

“You mean besides my being inexperienced?”

“No, I don’t consider that a problem.”

“It’s too embarrassing,” she said abruptly.

This time he stepped forward and she didn’t back away. “Sweetheart, I can be patient, but I need to know we’ve got a chance for a future.”

“What kind of future?”

He frowned. “You don’t know what kind of future?”

“I don’t— You said you wanted me.”

“Well, of course, I want you. I hoped you wanted me.”

She let her gaze fall to the floor. “I did. But I don’t want an affair,” she said in a low voice.

“Mercy, sweetheart, I don’t want an affair with you, either! I want you to be my wife, to share my bed every night, to have children and a dog. Isn’t that what you want?”

“You’re not just saying that because it was my first time?”

He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. “No, I’m saying it because I love you.”

“Oh, David!” Alex cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, that’s what I want, too.”

He wiped away the tears with his fingers. “I think we’ll be very happy, Alex.”

“Yes, I’ll be Mrs. Barlow.”

“You think so? I have to tell Mom first.”

“Yes, you do. I want the Barlow name. I think it’s magic.”

“You don’t think it will hurt Susan?”

With her arms around his neck, she said with a grin, “I don’t think so. She’ll soon be Mrs. Dansky.”

“You’re right. I’d forgotten about that. Well, I’ll take care of that explanation tonight when I ask your mother for your hand.”

“You’re really going to do that?”

“I really am.”

The Greenfield house was full of family members and a few others who knew the two couples being joined in matrimony today.

Since David and Susan’s mother refused to participate in the wedding or accept their choices into the family, she wasn’t missed.

The house was full with the five Barlows and their spouses or soon-to-be spouses. Susan was upstairs with Alex, preparing for the wedding. When Susan suddenly jumped up and ran for the bathroom, Alex and Vanessa heard the sound of her throwing up.

“Damn, another one bites the dust,” Vanessa said.

“What are you saying?” Alex asked.

“I’ve seen this before. She’s pregnant.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“She’ll come out telling us she must have the flu. But she won’t have any fever and she doesn’t know of any
one who’s been sick. Most important of all, she won’t meet our gazes.”

When Susan returned to the bedroom and told them all the things Vanessa had said, Alex stared at her.

“You’re pregnant?”

“No, no, of course not. I just ate something….”

“You’re pregnant, Susan, and I think it’s wonderful,” Alex said, hugging her cousin.

“I thought you’d be mad at me,” Susan said with a sob.

“No, honey. I don’t think you did it on purpose.”

“No one will, Susan,” Vanessa said softly. “You’re not the first one this has happened to. What does Pete think about it?”

“He doesn’t know!” Susan exclaimed with fear in her voice.

“You haven’t told him?”

Susan shook her head.

“What happens when you throw up in the mornings?”

“I just wait until he goes downstairs. Then I go throw up.”

“Honey, he promised to marry you, didn’t he?” Alex asked.

“Yes, but what if he calls off the wedding?” Susan asked tremulously.

“Good heavens. No wonder you’re throwing up. I’m going to go get David,” Alex said. “Can you stay here with Susan?”

“Sure.”

Even though Alex wore her wedding gown, Alex knew David wasn’t going to refuse to marry her. And she didn’t believe Pete would refuse to marry Susan, either. But Susan was driving herself crazy and probably causing more uneasiness.

When she reached the first floor, Betty came out of the morning room. “Child, what are you doing here? No one’s supposed to see you!”

“I need to see both grooms, Betty. It’s an emergency. Can you find them and send them to the top of the stairs, please?”

“Okay.”

A couple of minutes later, Alex heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Both men, when they became visible, looked worried. When he saw her, David ran to Alex, his arms going around her. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“Where’s Susan?” Pete demanded, anxiety in his voice.

“I’m fine, David. Pete, um, Susan has a problem she should’ve told you about. She’s afraid you won’t want to marry her.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Pete snapped.

“Have you noticed her throwing up?”

David’s eyes widened. Reality hadn’t hit Pete yet.

“Well, yes, but I figured it was just nerves. Is she really sick?”

David smacked his friend on the back of his head. “Don’t you know how babies happen, Pete?”

It took Pete a few seconds to put it all together. Then light dawned and he stared at Alex. “You mean—you mean Susan’s pregnant? We’re going to have a baby?”

“Can you promise to marry her, anyway, Pete? She’s feeling miserable right now.”

“Where is she?” he asked eagerly.

“In here,” Alex said, opening the door to the room they were using. “Vanessa, can you come out here?” Alex asked. Then she shoved Pete inside and closed the door.

A
N HOUR LATER
, two beautiful brides entered the living room, walking together down the center aisle, with the room full of friends and family. Vanessa had preceded them as their only bridesmaid.

A man stood on each side of the minister. When the brides reached the altar, they each took the arm of the man she intended to marry. Vanessa moved from one side to directly behind the two brides, prepared to take their bouquets at the appropriate time.

After a beautiful ceremony, the grooms kissed their brides. Then the minister turned them to face their guests. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dansky,” and everyone clapped. Then he turned to the other couple. “And may I present Mr. and Mrs. David Barlow.”

More applause.

Even bigger applause came when Betty announced refreshments were ready in the dining room.