Grady (The McCade Dragon #3)(21)

 

"Yes. But nothing worked. You'd think that you had someone watching over you the way you were able to thwart my efforts. My God, Harper, what does it take to have you do what I want?" Harper let her go and backed from her. "Now, we're going to settle this like adults. I have the paperwork in my car, and if you'll just write me a check after signing off on the contract, we'll part ways. I do hope you don't think to hold this against me. I certainly won't against you for how you've treated me. I did nothing that anyone in my position wouldn't have done. You're the one that has made this go all wrong. I keep telling you, Harper, do as I say and things will go better for everyone."

 

Harper looked at Grady and knew that nothing she did from here on out was as important as keeping her child safe.

 

"Marry me." She wasn't sure what spilled from her mouth, but the moment that it did, she could see the value in it. "Today if you can. I want this baby to have all the things he can that will keep him safe. And while I'm not completely sure why, I think marrying you can give that to him."

 

"All right." Grady looked at his mom, who was now standing with Kenton. "Can you help me out with this? I mean, it doesn't have to be huge, but later, if we want, you can fix that too. But we need a marriage license, as well as a reception afterwards please."

 

"Yes. I'll make some calls." His mom was pulling out her phone as she moved away from them. When she turned back, Harper just knew that she was going to say this was a bad idea. "Honey, please see to this trash. There is a nasty stench in here that is positively horrid."

 

She wasn't sure what was going on, but when Kenton helped Winnie up, Harper knew that Aisha was talking about her stinking the place up. Before she could move to the door to leave, her heart broken, Winnie was screaming again, this time at Kenton.

 

He was helping her out the door. Well, helping might have been the wrong word, but when he asked her to unlock it for him, Harper did so without thinking. Before she knew it, Winnie was out on the street on her ass, and Harper was being hugged by Grady.

 

"We'll make some arrangements today, and Mom can get us whatever we need to get married this afternoon. I know that you're going to need something to wear, a dress or something, so I'll have her take you to the local stores to get it." Harper nodded, enjoying the arms around her a little too much. "I just realized that I don't know what Kenton told you about your visit. Are the two of you all right? Do you need to rest or anything?"

 

It took her several moments to understand what Grady was saying. "Oh, the baby. He's fine. He said he was going to be a big boy, which surprised me since neither Winnie nor Jake are. And that I'm doing well. I have to rest more, but I'm healthy. Are you really going to marry me? Today?"

 

"Yes. I want you to understand that once the baby is born, he'll have my name. Are you all right with that?" She said that she was. "Good. I know nothing about babies, so you'll have to help me a little."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"I probably know less than you do. I don't have a lot of experience with babies or children. But I think, with your mom in our corner, we can't screw up too badly." He grinned at her. "You're very charming, did you know that?"

 

"You said I was a prick before. I think I like you calling me charming much better." Harper felt the baby move and rubbed her hand over him. When Grady asked if he could touch him as well, she took his hand under hers and put it over what she thought was a small foot. "I can feel him there. He's very active, isn't he?"

 

"He moves a lot when I'm stressed out. Not as much as before, but he gets around. Now that I know he's going to be big, I think he's running out of room." She felt the baby push against the hands over him. "I watch him move when I'm resting. He flips and flops around like a kid on a trampoline. I can't wait to see him. I mean, I know that he was unplanned, but I already love him with all my heart."

 

"Well, of course you do. This is the most amazing thing I've ever felt." She felt tears fill her eyes, blinding her for a moment with emotion. Grady wiped them away with his free hand and smiled at her. "You're so beautiful. Full of life, your body pink with health. I think I could easily love you for all time. I'm pretty sure I already do, as a matter of fact."

 

"Oh Grady, I do hope you don't regret this." He said he'd not, ever. "I hope not. You're the nicest person I've ever encountered. And I see a lot of people. But to do this for us, for my child, you have no idea how wonderful you've made me feel."