The Doctor's Baby(53)
“Just having you here makes everything better.” He opened his arms and she moved to sit on his lap. When he wrapped her in a tight embrace, she laid her head on his chest.
“Everything is going to be all right,” she whispered fiercely against his shirt, not sure if she was trying to convince him…or herself.
“I know it will,” he said, stroking her hair. “Celeste and all the lies and deceit are my past. You and Adam, you’re my future.”
Chapter Seventeen
July snuggled up against David and watched him sleep. She’d volunteered to go home but he’d insisted she stay.
He hadn’t said any more about Celeste. Instead he built a fire and after they’d eaten, they spent the evening talking. Several times she almost confessed, but each time she backed off, telling herself it would be like hitting a guy when he was down. No matter how ready she’d been to confess tonight, this was clearly not the right time.
When they’d made love, corny as it might sound, the connection she’d felt had transcended the physical. She knew in her heart of hearts that she would never love anyone as much as she loved him.
She knew David cared for her, too. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch. The only question was, would it be enough when he discovered his wife wasn’t the only woman who’d lied to him?
July returned home on Saturday to find the household in an uproar. Mary Karen was hosting an after-church luncheon for Granny on Sunday and it seemed to have finally sunk in that the event was only a day away. With their grandparents back in town, the boys were even more hyper than usual.
“I want you to meet my parents,” Mary Karen said, dragging July into the kitchen. “Mom. Dad. This is July Greer, the one I’ve been telling you about.”
Dressed in khakis and a polo shirt, Bob Wahl stood a little over six feet. His sandy colored hair was liberally sprinkled with gray. But it was the man’s brilliant blue eyes that told July this was David’s father. He had an open, friendly smile and a businessman’s demeanor.
Linda had dark wavy hair just like her son’s. She was a petite woman, not much taller than July. Unlike her husband she was dressed more casually in jeans and a cotton shirt.
July wasn’t sure what Mary Karen had told them, but while their smiles were friendly their gazes were definitely assessing.
“I hate to run,” Bob said, shortly after shaking her hand. “But the matinee starts in thirty minutes.”
“Dad is taking the boys to the movies,” Mary Karen explained. “Mom is staying to help me clean and get ready for tomorrow.”
“I can help, too,” July said. “My day is completely free.”
“Thank you,” Mary Karen said. “I’d forgotten David was working this afternoon.”
“You know my son?”
The surprise in Linda’s eyes appeared genuine. Whatever Mary Karen had told her mother obviously hadn’t included her relationship with David. Not yet, anyway.
“David delivered Adam in the ER,” July said simply. “We’ve become friends.”
“He’s a beautiful little boy.” Linda reached over to stroke Adam’s dark head. “I hope you two will be joining us at my mother’s celebration tomorrow.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Of course, she’s—” Mary Karen paused. “You are coming, aren’t you?”
“It’s a family thing,” July said. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense,” Linda said. “From what my daughter has told me, you’re like part of the family already. My mother mentioned that you and Adam would be there. I’d hate for her to be disappointed.”
July knew Granny wouldn’t be the only one disappointed. Though David hadn’t mentioned her coming since the original invitation, she knew he wanted her there. “I’d love to come. Thank you for asking.”
“Why don’t you help me clean the living room?” Linda’s gaze lingered on the baby. “And you can tell me what my son has been up to since we’ve been gone.”
Sitting in church was a novel experience for July. But being there surrounded by David’s family made it all the more surreal.
Granny looked beautiful in her lavender dress, a corsage of white rosebuds pinned to her chest. Her hair had been freshly permed this week and Mary Karen had helped her with her makeup in the morning. Bob and Linda sat beside her then Mary Karen and the boys followed by David, July and Adam. The pews behind them were filled with David’s cousins and an assortment of aunts and uncles.