The Texan’s Bride(52)
“A hooker.” She grimaced.
“No. A nun.”
“What?”
“She works in an orphanage in Italy.”
“And the other sister?”
“She was also a stripper and got involved in drugs and prostitution. When she was arrested, her sister, the nun, came from Italy and the police released her into her sister’s care. She works at the orphanage now, helping take care of kids who have no one.”
“Is she a nun, too?”
“Chip couldn’t find anything to confirm that. But she lives with the nuns and has done so for the past fifteen years.” He kissed her forehead. “Maybe one day we’ll go to Italy so you can meet them.”
She poked him in the chest. “You will never be able to stay away from Shilah that long.”
He gathered her into his arms. “You never know.” Stroking her hair, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“It’s like sleeping with the light off. As long as you’re here, I can do it. As long as you’re here, I can handle anything.”
He turned her face to look at him. “Please never ask me to leave again.”
“I won’t,” she said, smiling. “We’re having a baby.”
“Mmm.” He took her lips and nothing was said for some time. All the bits and pieces from her past fit together like squares of a quilt to make it complete. And that’s the way she felt—complete in a way that surprised her. There was no wonder anymore. She knew exactly who she was and the enormous price her father had paid to have her. His life was fraught with fear and that was the biggest price of all.
It was her life now and fear was not a part of it. She had Cadde and a baby on the way. That was what real life was about—loving and living. Against her will, a niggling doubt surfaced. Cadde hadn’t said that he loved her. It hadn’t ever bothered her before so why was it bothering her now?
A baby changed everything and she wanted it all, just like a fairy tale. She held on to what she had, though— Cadde in her arms and in her life. Would their marriage be like her parents’ relationship? Would Cadde be unable to love her the way Angela couldn’t love her father? No, Cadde had said they were different and they were.
But the niggling doubt remained.
THE NEXT DAY THE PREGNANCY was confirmed. Jessie and Cadde were beside themselves with joy. The baby was due in early May. Jessie was unprepared for Rosa’s reaction. She screamed, she cried, she laughed and immediately went to town to buy yarn to start knitting baby things. Even Myra was happy for them. Jessie lived in a bubble of happiness and nothing and no one was going to burst it. Not even her doubts.
Mirry was much better and Gavin removed the doughnut. It gave them a chance to talk.
“I’m sorry, Jessie, about the bill. It got mailed by mistake.”
“It’s fine, Gavin. You saved Mirry’s life.”
“I shouldn’t have said what I did about your husband. I was way out of line and I apologize.”
“Thank you, but I was thinking, for all concerned, that I need to find another vet.”
“Jessie, please don’t do that.”
She looked into his worried eyes. “I have to. Please understand.”
He sighed. “I do.” They hugged briefly. “I wish you all the best, and I hope we can remain friends.”
“That would be nice.”
They parted as friends and Jessie was happy about that.
TWO WEEKS LATER SHE WAS in town and stopped by Cadde’s office, as she often did. Chance and Kid were with him.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not interrupting,” Cadde said, and got up and kissed her.
Kid snapped his fingers. “Wait a minute, Jessie, I have something for you.”
Cadde groaned, his arm tightening around Jessie. “I don’t even want to imagine what that might be.”
Kid came rushing back. “I thought you could put this on your Suburban.” He handed her a bumper sticker.
Jessie stared at it. In big blue letters was written: Baby and Boobs on Board. For a moment she was speechless.
Cadde jerked it out of her hand. “She’s not putting that on her vehicle, you idiot.”
“Why not?” Kid wanted to know. “It’s fun. It’s a laugh. Doesn’t anyone around here laugh anymore?”
Chance looped an arm over his brother’s shoulder. “Let’s go and I’ll explain tact versus tacky to you.”
Jessie took the sticker from Cadde, walked over and kissed Kid’s cheek. “I’ll think about it, and thank you for thinking of me, boobs and all.”
“Now there’s humor.” Kid pointed a finger at Cadde.