The Stud (24 page)

He kissed the tears from her cheeks. "One thing has. " His voice was heart-stoppingly tender, as ach-ingly warm as the silver in his eyes. "There's love here. Somehow we'll find a way to make things work. "

For as long as he lived, Spencer would never believe how simple it was, but that was because, never having been in love before, he hadn't known its power.

Jenna had insisted on passing the presidency of McCue's to her vice president. Spencer protested, but she claimed that she would likely have done it, anyway, once the baby was born. She wanted more time for her family, she said, and besides, she was still chairman of the board, and the company's controlling stockholder.

They were married on the Thanksgiving weekend. Spencer's parents were pleased as punch with the union—then appalled when Spencer promptly took Jenna to the South Seas for three months. Even Caroline was miffed, complaining that instead of regaining a brother she was losing a sister-in-law. But Jenna had insisted on the trip. She had known Spencer wanted to go, had gotten full clearance from her doctor, and told anyone who argued that since Spencer had won his court case but was waiting to salvage his galleon until after the baby was born, this was
definitely
the time to go.

And Spencer thought
he
had wanderlust! She had been as enthusiastic as he every step of the way, ballooning belly and all.

Now, ballooning belly and all, they were back to await the birth. After spending time in Rhode Island to make sure all was well with McCue's, they had rented a cottage on the Maine coast, far enough from Spencer's parents to let him breathe, yet close enough to a top-notch hospital should the baby come early.

It was late March and still cool enough for Spencer to light a fire in the fieldstone hearth. With flames crackling around the logs, he sat on the floor, against the sofa. Jenna was straddling his lap. Her arms were looped around his neck; her eyes were level with his; a sweet smile softened her lips.

"You're a very handsome man, Mr. Smith, " she said.

"Scar and all?"

She touched his jaw. "Scar and all. "

"Did you know that was one of the first things I loved about you? You weren't fixated on the damn scar. "

"It's just a scar. It's been part of you so long that I rarely notice it. "

"Know how I got it?"

"Uh-huh. In a jeep accident in Kenya. "

"Usually I tell women I was gored by an elephant. "

"You don't"

"I do. It's more dramatic. "

She rolled her eyes. "More drama I can do without. " She grinned. "I still can't believe you're mine. "

He took her hand to his mouth and kissed the diamond wedding band he'd so proudly given her. "I'm yours. " Leaving her hand on his neck, he slipped his under her sweater. She was due in six weeks, but there were times when he wondered whether she would explode before then. Every bit of weight she'd gained was in her stomach, which protruded from her front like a great, fallen nose. From behind she looked as slim as ever, and he did enjoy her behind, but this was what he loved, this warm, smooth, tautly stretched belly that was glasslike and alive. "Feeling okay?"

She nodded. "Feeling great. I love it here. "

"So do I. Maybe we could come back after the baby is born. "

She shook her head. "We're going south. Your ship awaits. "

"You're really looking forward to that, aren't you?"

"You bet. I've never worked with a salvaging crew before. "

"Jenna, you're not working with my crew. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"I know, I know. I'll be in your boat with a full-time captain aboard, but we'll be near the work boats, so I'll be able to see what's brought up. Are you sure your men won't resent my presence?"

Spencer wasn't sure of it at all. The boat he had bought for Jenna and him was far more luxurious than the one the men would be living on. Some envy was inevitable. If that envy reached an uncomfortable level in any of his crew, that man would have a quick, one-way trip to shore.

"My men will be fine. I'm the one who may have the problem. "

"With resentment?"

"With distraction. " His eyes widened. His voice dropped to an excited murmur. "It's moving. Whoa, feel that?" He had both hands on her stomach, fingers splayed to feel the nudge of a tiny arm or leg.

Jenna laughed. "Such wonder. Your expression is priceless. But you've felt that before. "

"It's still the most incredible thing in the world. " He kept his hands where they were. He liked thinking that the baby recognized his touch. He liked thinking that the most primitive form of bonding was taking place.

It probably wasn't But he liked thinking it. "Spencer?"

He looked up to find her eyes suddenly deep and intense. "What, angel?"

"I'm glad you're here. "

"Where else would I be?" No other place in the world held half the challenge and a fraction of the reward.

"I mean, I'm glad you're doing this with me. "

"I'm your husband. "

"But you weren't my husband when I got pregnant, and I said I could do this alone. I think I was wrong. This wouldn't have been anywhere near as easy or exciting an experience if you hadn't been sharing it with me—"

He kissed her silent, then wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes when she sighed in contentment against his cheek. He was always amazed to hear her say things like that, since
he
was the one who had been so wrong about being independent and self-sufficient. Sure, he could be both. So could she. And they were fine things to be if one had to. If one didn't, ahh, that was where true joy lay.

Since he'd been with Jenna, even the smallest things in life had taken on new meaning. Her reaction was important to him. Her enthusiasm sparked his, and vice versa.

When he thought of traveling, he thought of ways he could do it with Jenna. And with the baby. The baby was coming along, too. He was thinking of spacing out his travels, actually.
Actually,
he was thinking of going back to school. He and Jenna had spent hours talking about his experiences with the Indians in the Amazon, and it had occurred to him that a degree in anthropology might be nice. It had occurred to him that if he went on for a doctorate, he might teach one day. He could intersperse classroom work with fieldwork. He could have a life that would be exciting and diverse, yet stable enough for a wife and child. And children.

He wanted all that. More important, Jenna wanted it, and her happiness meant the world to him. She was a treasure, fallen right into his hands. Now that he'd found her, he wasn't letting her go.