Caught Between an Oops and a Hard Body (Caught Between series Book 2) (12 page)

Was it the thickening of her waistline or something else entirely?

Dressed only in her bra and panties, she padded silently out of the bathroom to stand behind him and look over his shoulder. “What are you doing?” she asked, simply because she hated the deathly silence that always seemed to hover around them.

He glanced over his shoulder and met her eyes before his gaze swept over her barely covered body. Then without even a hint of emotion, he turned back to the screen and tapped more keys, and more code spread across the screen. “Nothing that would interest you.”

This wasn’t how she wanted to spend the next three days, alone in bed, alone in the house. She laid one hand on his shoulder, gave it a squeeze, and leaned into his back. “Jim, I’m going to lay down and have an—ummm—nap.”

His body tensed beneath her touch. “Fine. I’ll wrap this up and get out of your way.”

Grace removed her hand and stared down at the top of his head, sorrow welling up from deep inside her. They had nothing in common anymore. It was like he didn’t care about anything but golf and computers.

She turned and climbed into their big bed. Alone and lonely.

Grace stared at his back, willing him to come to her and make love to her with all the passion that they’d shared in the early days of their relationship. But the only movement was his fingers flying across the keyboard.

He should’ve been jumping her bones by now, because she’d been on the road and away from home for an unusually long time. Or maybe they’d never had anything between them but the sex. Maybe that wasn’t enough for him anymore. Maybe it wasn’t enough for her either.

She closed her eyes and listened to the click of the keyboard, the whir of the computer. And then there was only silence.

Grace didn’t have to open her eyes to know that he was gone. She felt it in the hollow pit of her stomach, in the ache behind her eyelids, in the pounding of her heart.

She pushed out of bed and headed to the closet to find something comfortable to wear for Liz’s dress fitting. Halfway there, she felt a tear escape the corner of one eye, and she sat down on the edge of the bed to have a good cry.

Just once, she wanted Jim’s attention.

Just once, she wanted to know that she was more important than that stupid game of golf.

Just once, she wanted reassurance that the life they’d built together had been for only naught.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Stone headed down the pathway toward the cottages on the east end of the estate. All he wanted to do was shut off all thoughts of babies and marriage and sexy wedding planners. In fact, he’d been so self-involved that he’d barely given Liz—and the reason he was here—the attention she deserved.

When he reached the Eight For Mulligan cottage, he bounded up the steps and knocked on the door. Kevin Donahue, his best friend from way back, answered the door. “Hey, Kev, great to see you.”

The other man stepped onto the deck, wrapped him in a bear hug, then gestured toward the chairs. “Thanks for letting me crash here.”

“No problem.” Stone sat down. “How long are you staying?”

“A few days. Then I ship out again.”

The crunch of footsteps on the pebble path alerted him to someone’s approach. Stone saw Mariam and Dora stroll along the path toward them. Dora held Mariam’s toddler as though she might never let him go.

If Stephanie was pregnant, he had no doubt that the child would be welcome into both families with open arms. He, on the other hand, would probably be put in front of a firing squad.

Stephanie’s mom appeared to be doing most of the talking, which he’d discovered that she was very good at, while Mariam…

Mariam looked like she wasn’t eating, wasn’t taking care of herself, and it worried him. Her divorce had been the toughest case he’d ever handled, mainly because he’d hated to see her in a world of hurt.

And Liz wanted to marry some guy she’d barely known for more than a few weeks. Unlike their mother,
she
didn’t have a career that depended on hiding an unhappy marriage. So if things didn’t go well, he’d find himself with her in his office, asking him to represent her in a divorce.

It had nearly killed Stone to watch Mariam go through her painful divorce. He wanted to protect Liz from her own foolish jump into the matrimony pool.

As the women approached the cabin, Mariam glanced up. Her warm smile vanquished the sadness from her face. “Stone, what are you doing way out here?”

Kevin slowly pushed to his feet. “Hello, Mariam.”

Mariam’s gaze went to the other man and as she changed course toward the cottage, Dora at her side, she cocked her head. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

A small smile escaped Kevin. “Kevin Donahue.”

“The pest?” she exclaimed and laughed. Her cheeks flushed, vanquishing the wanness from her complexion. “I’m sorry. That was mean. I was mean.”

He shrugged and the smile changed to self-conscious and unsure. “Yeah, you kinda were.”

Stone glanced between the two of them, and as the silence stretched, he came to his feet.

At the same moment, Dora came up the steps, the toddler in one arm, and grabbed Kevin’s hand. “I’m Dora Goodwin.”

Kevin shook her hand. “Hello, Ma’am.”

She beamed at Stone. “I was just telling your sister about Morty and Elvira’s wedding.” She turned her attention to the other man. “It’s where Stone met my Stephanie, you know.”

Stone felt Kevin’s gaze on him and he glanced toward the other man to explain. “Liz’s wedding planner.”

Jim Junior reached out his chubby arms and when the toddler screamed for his attention, Stone took him from Dora’s arms. “How are you doing, little man?”

Dora reluctantly released him into Stone’s arms. “Do you like babies, Stone? Stephanie loves children. Someday she’ll be a great mother. All she needs to do is find the right man.”

He recalled how terrified she’d been when he’d rescued her from Mariam’s baby, and he bit back a smile. “I’m sure she will be.”

“Why I remember when Stephanie was born. Tom and I were scared we’d break her.” Dora turned her attention to Mariam. “I love babies. As I was telling Stone earlier, I want lots and lots of grand babies. Is Liz planning to start a family right away?”

Mariam shrugged. “I believe her and Roger have decided to wait a while.”

“They are young. It’s better to have time alone with your new spouse before the demands of little one’s become priority.” Dora slid her hand over Stone's and gave it a friendly squeeze. “Stephanie is at the prime age for having children.”

Stone resisted the urge to squirm. “Yes, Ma’am.”

If Stephanie was pregnant, he only hoped he turned out to be half the father Tom Goodwin appeared to be. He attempted to push the thought away, determined not to think of babies and all things related to the possibility of fatherhood. Although until Stephanie took the pregnancy test, he doubted he’d have much success.

Mariam’s phone buzzed and she glanced down at the screen, then peered up at Dora. “Liz is having her dress fitting and wants me to rescue her from Mother’s interference. Would you like to join us?”

“I would love to.” The older woman reached for the toddler. “Here, let me take him off your hands.”

Stone released the boy into her arms, then watched as she dabbed at the drool running down the toddler’s chin, ignoring the drool marks that made their way onto the shoulder of her blouse.

Before Mariam turned away, she smiled up at Kevin. There was a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there since before the divorce. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

Kevin shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, his gaze never once leaving the woman on the path. “I’ll be here till the end of the week.”

And as they left, Stone eyed his best friend and noticed the way the other man’s gaze followed Mariam’s progress. “Is there something going on between you and my sister?”

Kevin blinked and as he turned to face him, his cheeks flushed with color. “No, of course not.”

Stone didn’t believe him. “Because if there is, I know I can’t stop you. But she’s been hurt before, really badly, and the last thing I want to see her do is jump into an affair while she’s vulnerable and still hurting.”

The other man’s gaze turned opaque. “You have nothing to worry about, man. She doesn’t see me that way.”

Unwilling to correct the other man, Stone pulled out his cell. “I’ll catch you later, bud. There’s something I need to do.”

Meeting Liz’s fiancee would have to wait till later.

Right now, he felt the need to rescue the woman who might be the mother of his child.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Stephanie needed a nap.

But instead, as Liz stood behind the divider changing, the seamstress assisting her, she reviewed her To-Do list, of which there were far too many things to do in such a short time. She’d have to be a miracle worker to get everything done. Maybe it was a good thing that her mom had tagged along to help.

Liz came out from behind the divider, drawing her attention. “What do you think?”

Stephanie walked around the pedestal so she could see the gown from all sides. Despite the blood red color of the silky material, and the entrails sewn into the lace, the color suited Liz’s black hair and matched the red stripe that wound through her hair. “The gown is beautiful and you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” Liz smoothed her hand over the delicate fabric. “I can’t wait for my friends to see me in it.”

Stephanie frowned.

There it was again. Not the groom, but her friends.

The bit of concern that had plagued Stephanie earlier returned full force. She swallowed it back and maintained her smile.

Liz grimaced. “I’m sure Mother will find fault, though. Nothing is right unless she has complete control over the job.”

Stephanie’s phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen and saw a message from Stone.

How is the dress fitting going
?

“Excuse me. Another client.” She turned her back on the bride.
Liz looks beautiful, well, except for the blood and guts on her gown, so no worries
.

Grace Kincaid will find fault
.

Exactly what Liz said.

There was a tap of heels in the hallway outside the room. Glancing up, she saw Grace come through the open doorway. A moment later, Mariam and Dora followed her in.

Keeping one eye on the new arrivals, she typed,
Are you on your way to rescue your sister
?

I’m afraid of my mom, remember
?
Liz is on her own.

Stephanie snickered.
Chicken
.

But I’ll man up and come rescue you
.

She could almost hear the husky tone of his voice and she repressed a shiver. Wow, if a text could turn her knees to mush, she was in deep trouble.

Her fingers flew over the keypad.
Sweet, but I don’t need to be rescued
.
Don’t worry. If I can’t handle your mom, my mom will help out. You can go hide under your bed
.

Dora stopped beside her and squinted at the small screen. “Who are you texting?”

“Nobody.” Stephanie tucked away the phone before her mom could see the messages. “Where have you been?”

“Mariam gave me the grand tour. And Grace gave me my own guest cabin. Isn’t that lovely?”

She angled a look at her mom. “So you’re serious about abandoning Dad?”

Dora frowned. “I’m not abandoning your father. If he can’t do without me for a day or two, then we’ve lived our married life wrong.” With the back of her hand, she checked Stephanie’s forehead. “You look like the walking dead.” She lowered her voice and glanced toward the bride. “Although truth be told, your paleness fits in perfectly with the wedding theme.”

“I’m okay, Mom. If there’s a break in my schedule, I’ll lie down and have a nap.”

“Good. Well, since I’m here to help, tell me what you want me to do.”

Stephanie checked the list on her phone. “There’s a delivery of flowers today at two. The plan is on my tablet. If you could make sure all of the flowers are here and set up properly, I’d really appreciate it.”

“Lovely. This is an excellent warm up for Mandy’s wedding preparations.”

Stephanie touched her mother’s arm to regain her attention. “Mom, I’m worried—”

And just like that, Dora refocused on her. “I knew something was wrong. It’s not just the flu, is it? What’s going on with you?”

“Don’t you think Mandy’s wedding is too soon? She barely knows Dane.”

Her mom blinked, clearly startled. “They grew up right across the street from each other.”

“Yeah, but they were kids. They barely know each other now.”

Her mom leaned closer. “Honey, what are you really worried about? Is it that nice lawyer?”

“No, Mom. This had nothing to do with Stone. I don’t want Mandy to get hurt. I mean, I’ve seen so many disappointed brides. I give them the fairytale wedding, and in the morning instead of waking next to their prince, they realize they’re sleeping with a frog.”

“Your sister is very much like you—well, except for the fact that she can talk to Grandpa George. Mandy is smart and practical and independent. She’s not going to let a man pull the wool over her eyes.” Dora patted Stephanie’s cheek. “I’ve always trusted her to make the right choice, just like I’ve trusted you.”

“But Mom—”

Her mom put the tips of her fingers against Stephanie’s mouth. “Do me a favor and keep your doubts to yourself. And if in five or ten years, your sister is miserable, you can say
I told you so
.”

She pushed her mom’s hand away. “Fine. I’ll be quiet for now, but I swear, if Dane tries to sleep with any of the bridesmaids—”

Dora chortled. “Dane? Oh my, you know nothing about your future brother-in-law.”

“I swear, I’ll rat on him, Mom.”

“If you catch him trying to sleep with a bridesmaid, you have my permission to spoil your sister’s wedding.” Dora got a calculated look in her eyes. “Now, about your lawyer.”

“He’s not my lawyer.”

“But he could be.” She reached out and pinched Stephanie’s cheeks, then smoothed back a strand of hair. “All you have to do is put on a sexy dress and some makeup, and before you know it, he’ll be popping the question.”