“Coward.”
“Guilty.” He bent down, kissed her stomach, and spread his hands over the enormous bulk. “Enjoy the beach, sweetheart. Your mom and I can’t wait to spend long summer days with you, building sandcastles, playing in the water.” He rubbed her stomach, slow, soothing, and arousing. Annie pulled away, since now was not the time to jump him. Just looking at him left her hot, and she didn’t need any more stimulation. Jumping him would have to wait until she got Zach sorted. “Don’t stay out too long. It’s damp tonight.”
“Yes, Dad.” Winking, she waddled to the front door, feeling like a bowling ball with legs, and took a thick, hand crocheted shawl off the coat rack, wrapping it around her. “We’ll be back soon. I hope.”
She left, enjoying the cool, fog-laced air on her flushed cheeks. Who knew pregnancy would turn her into a love machine? She smiled, started the short walk to the beach. Eric certainly wasn’t complaining.
The tile and stone chess table came into sight, set into a slab of concrete on the lawn that followed the curve of the boardwalk. Annie headed for one of the matching stone chairs, knowing Zach would have to pass by on his way to the house. Claire had trained him too well for him to ignore her. Easing herself to the cold seat, she settled in to wait.
Zach was not going to be happy to see her.
THREE
Kicking at the sand with his foot, Zach Wiche let himself sink deeper into pout mode.
Annie had been at him, again, to go and talk to Mom. This time he had to physically run away to get her to stop. And didn’t get dinner because of it.
He just couldn’t face his mom. Not after what he’d said. Not when he didn’t know what he’d say when he saw her again. Annie may have thought so, but six months was not long enough to accept everything he’d learned about himself the night he left.
How do I live with the fact that I was an angel? That I wanted to be human so badly I threatened and caused harm, and that Mom gave up her very essence so I could do it?
Talk about selfish.
He just wasn’t sure who he was mad at—her or himself. Or both.
With a sigh, he moved up the beach, swinging his tennis shoes in one hand. And halted when he saw Annie, sitting at the stone chess table next to the boardwalk. He let out a bigger sigh, and went to face whatever she had planned for him.
Annie stood, her stomach leading the way, one hand planted on the arm of the stone seat. She adjusted the long blue shawl she wore, a gift from his mom. He couldn’t get away from her completely, no matter how hard he tried. “Missed you at dinner, punk.”
Punk—it was her latest nickname for him. He missed being called bud, or sweetheart, or even Zach. She hadn’t used his name since he yelled at her, telling her to back off about Mom.
“I wasn’t hungry.” Actually, he was starving. He’d hoped to pick up something at Lily’s, but her tiny storefront takeaway was closed when he got there.
“Right. You are always hungry. It’s your natural state. Come on,” she said, tilting towards the sidewalk. “I saved a roast beef sandwich for you.” His stomach grumbled, giving him away. Laughing, Annie held out her hand, and Zach knew he was forgiven. For now. “You’ll eat, and I’ll talk. No.” She raised her hand as he opened his mouth to argue. “You will listen this time, and not run out mid-sentence. It’s been six months, and I can’t stand watching your mom, my best friend, suffer for saving your life.”
“She lied to me—”
“She was protecting you.”
Zach let out his breath, tried again. “She kept the truth from me.”
“And would you have believed her?” Annie stopped, holding her stomach. “Baby, you are getting too big for my britches.”
Panic shot through him. “You’re not—”
Laughter burst out of her. “Not right this second.” She draped one arm over his shoulders, leaned against him. Zach supported her around the waist—or where her waist used to be. She really was enormous. Not that he’d ever say that out loud. Again. “Thanks. Now keep holding on while we walk home. I do enjoy a captive audience.” He snorted, and Annie smiled. It faded, telling him he wouldn’t like what she said next. “It’s time for you to settle this.”
He was right. Those words shot his good mood to hell. Before he could pull away, she anticipated him, her fingers digging into his shoulder. “Annie—I can’t.”
“You can, Zach, and you will.” He stared at her, startled by the lack of snark. She sounded—concerned. It completely freaked him out. “Claire risked her life to help you, and believe me, at the time, you didn’t deserve it. The you that came back was a much improved version. But I see you headed back to that selfish, self-centered prick we first encountered. I don’t want that to happen to you. You’re a good kid, and you have too much going for you to blow it now.”