Hawk's Haven (19 page)

“No she didn’t,” he said sadly. “She just threatened to come when she wanted more money.”

A cold chill ran along her spine. "Why did you tell me she died?"

"Because I thought it would ease your fears if you thought she could never come back. And it seemed to work. I spent a lot of years and money keeping up that lie. But she
had
her revenge in the end.”  He glanced pointedly at the manila folder- the personal effects and last laugh of her mother.  "Didn't she?"

A long silence hung between them. Her mind couldn't absorb all the information she’d just learned. So, maybe she hadn’t had all the answers before. She gazed at her father, who was fidgeting with his tie clip.

"I think I should go.” He rose and walked, shoulders slumped, toward the door. Without turning back, he added, "I told June that she could come live at the house while her daughter went to college. She might even go to school, herself."

Gillian's heart sank. She should have known there was a punch line coming to this joke of his. How much more did he plan to throw at her before he realized that she couldn't be bought, bribed or blackmailed?

"Don't you get it yet? I'm not moving back home. Hawk and I are getting married and we're going to raise a pack of half-breeds.”  She deliberately taunted him with his own bigoted words, but she didn't receive the expected reaction.

"I know. He told me," Aaron said. No argument, no anger, just simple acceptance.

Had she misjudged his motives for helping Elena and June? Confusion clouded her mind, rendering any logical conclusions impossible. She’d to go on her gut feelings, something she hadn’t wanted to rely on lately. "And you won't try to do anything to hurt his career?"

"No, I won't interfere."

Wary, she couldn't quite accept his easy consent. "Why?"

"Because I'll lose you if I try. I made that mistake with June.”  Well, at least he was honest. He would tolerate Hawk in her life to be able to see her. It was a start.

She thought about what he'd said. Twenty years of covering up a lie, of keeping a tight control over everyone who came in contact with her, just to maintain the lie. It was wrong, but he’d acted with the best of intentions.

Aaron reached for the handle of the door, his hand shaking. "Good bye, Gillian."

"Just because I'm not moving back, doesn't mean we wouldn't come to visit," she blurted out and hoped it didn't sound like an afterthought.

His voice cracked as he mumbled, "I'd like that."

"Daddy?"

"Yes?” Speaking to his back, she couldn't see the emotions playing out on his face. He wiped a handkerchief across his forehead and she realized that he didn't want her to see. Not because he was faking the emotions, but because he was displaying them.

"I thought you were staying for dinner. I haven't forgotten everything you've taught me. I can't have a guest leave without eating first."

He straightened his spine and gulped in an audible breath. His tentative smile faltered as he turned to meet her tear filled stare. He didn't try to touch her, which was just as well. Until he was ready to accept Hawk into his home as family, it would be an empty gesture. As long as her father made an effort, she would give him time. She’d every faith that Hawk would win him over given half a chance.

"Have a seat. I have to kill someone in the kitchen. I mean, I have to check something in the kitchen."

Gillian pushed open the door to the kitchen. Hawk stood by the stove with a sappy grin of self-satisfaction covering his face. She tried to rally her anger over his arrogant interference, but she just felt too excited to argue. He was right. She’d needed to confront her father and learn the whole truth. And if he was right about that, he was probably also right about her being afraid of making a commitment. Yet she’d announced to her father, without the slightest hesitation, that she planned to marry Hawk. Deep down she must have known it was what she really wanted.

"You're pretty sure of yourself," she said casually.

He nodded and leaned against the refrigerator. "Quarter breeds."

"What?"

"I'm the half-breed. Our kids will be a pack of quarter breeds. Didn't you study math when you were in college?"

Her cheeks burned with a flush of embarrassment. She could only imagine how that must have sounded to him. Yet he seemed to understand that there was no malice intended. If fact, she was just as proud of his heritage as he was. "Of that entire conversation, that's all you picked up on?"

"No. I also noticed that you said we were going to get married.”  Hawk motioned to her with his finger and she gladly complied. "So...when are we going to start on this little pack of ours?"

She pressed in closer, sighing as she made contact with the hard line of his body. "I'd say right now, but I know how the idea of making love in the kitchen offends your sense of propriety."

"Your father is just on the other side of that rather thin wall," he whispered.

"That's a good point," she said.

"Not to mention that I'd like to be married before I start my family."

"Are we back to that again?” She giggled and nuzzled closer, reveling in erratic sounds of his breathing as she nipped at his earlobe. Derailing his train of thought was a pastime she’d become thoroughly fond of. More often than not she succeeded. But not today.

He caught her hands in his and held her at arm’s length. "When are you going to say yes to me?"

If she'd had this conversation with him this morning, she probably would have side stepped the question. Just like she’d put off the meeting with her father. By the way Hawk braced himself, he probably expected her to try again. "I did say that if I found a lawyer crazy enough to fight my father and smart enough to win, I'd marry him."

"Is that a yes, Gilly?"

She twisted her fingers through his silky hair and pulled him closer. "Yes, it's a yes."

His smile reflected his relief. "You just let me know when and I'll be there for the big event?"

She poked a finger into his shoulder. "It's not going to be a big event and if you try to make it into one, I won't show up for the wedding.”  As she waved her hand for added emphasis, she knocked an empty pot off the stove.  Aaron's gasp carried from the living room.  She elbowed the door open and smiled at her father. "Sorry. Dinner will be right there."

"Is everything all right in there?" Aaron asked.

"We're just having a disagreement," Hawk called out. "Perhaps you could offer some advice.” He ducked to avoid her playful smack. He stood in full view of her father as if that would stop her from trying again.

Aaron shrugged his shoulders. "I can't help you out. I've been banned from interfering in her life."

"You could offer an opinion," Hawk suggested.

"It is my opinion...” Aaron paused, looked at his daughter and said, "...that I should stay out of this if I want to get fed today."

"A wise decision," Hawk agreed. "She's an opinionated little tyrant. I'm sure between us we can figure out some way to curb her dictatorial tendencies."

Gillian smiled and left them alone to conspire against her once again. It wouldn't make a bit of difference. She’d learned how to stand up to both of them in the last month. She would have the small wedding she wanted, on the day she chose. But more important, she would be marrying the man she loved.

* * * *

Gillian settled into a chair in the back office. Her Mexican wedding dress, a present from Elena, fell in soft waves on her outstretched legs. Her cousin sat across from her, grinning in that all knowing way that made her crazy.

"I told you, you were gonna nail him."

She glanced at the gold wedding band on her left hand and smiled. "I thought you meant get him in the sack."

Elena placed a hand on Gillian's stomach. "You already did that. Have you told your father yet?"

"No," Gillian said with a laugh. "I figured I'd wait until I gave birth to one of those eight pound premature babies that are a phenomenon in Butler Square."

"How did Hawk take the news?"

Remembering Hawk's reaction warmed her entire body. "Haven't you noticed that silly smirk on his face? You would think he was the first man to father a child. I'm not sure I can contain him for another month before making an announcement."

"You're married now, Gilly. What's the difference?"

"Hawk and my dad have been getting along so well. I'd just as soon not jeopardize my winning streak. Let him get used to the idea of our marriage first."

Maya came crashing through the door with Shadow trailing at her heels. Her calico dress swirled at the knees, revealing the crinoline slip below. "You're missin' your party, Aunt Gillian. And they won't let us have any cake until you cut it first."
"I'm just catching my breath, Squirt.” Shadow scampered over, heading for her lap. She caught the animal's front legs before he landed on the white lace dress. "Now, cut that out. I'm a married woman. I can't be getting wet kisses and pawed by other men."

"You got that right.” Hawk stood in the doorway, looking particularly handsome in his black tux. Of course, she preferred him in nothing at all, but it might be hours before the party broke up and they could leave.

"Just as long as the same rules apply to you," she said with a trace of possessiveness.

* * * *

Hawk smiled. As if he would want any other woman!  He still couldn't believe they were finally married. "Same rule
s
apply. This is an equal partnership."

"Oh," Elena sighed. "I want one like him."

"There's a room full of men out there wondering where the beautiful maid of honor disappeared to," he offered helpfully.

"Well, I can't keep my public waiting.” Elena sprung from the chair. "Come on, Maya. I need my favorite dance instructor."

"Hurry up, Aunt Gillian. I want my strawberry cake,” Maya said as she skipped out the door with Elena. At the mention of strawberries, Gillian started to follow.

Hawk caught her wrist and spun her into his arms. "Not so fast. I haven't had a moment alone with you for days."

The need to be with her had made the past few days a torment. From the first time he'd held her like this, he knew he wanted her for his wife. The thought of his child growing inside her only added to the love he felt.

"Are you happy?" he asked, stroking his hand over her abdomen.

"Yes," she said without hesitation. She began to sway to the music filtering in from the party. "Does this celebration really go on all day and night?"

He laughed. "I warned you, but you insisted on having the reception here instead of at the White Sands Country Club like your father offered."

"Are you sorry?” Her blue eyes flickered with uncertainty.

He shook his head emphatically. "I would have married you anywhere you wanted. Even that damn kitchen you seem to be so fond of."

She wound her arms around his neck and molded her body to his.  "Did I tell you today that I love you?"

"In front of witnesses. But hey, if you feel the need to say it again, I'll never get tired of hearing it."

"I'll make sure you don't," she promised.

"You already have," he muttered, before claiming his wife with a passionate kiss.

Like most authors, I didn't start out as a writer, but rather as a reader. My passion for romance novels began in my late teens and left me with an itch to discover the world.

After living in places as culturally diverse as Athens, Greece and Cairo, Egypt (where I met and married my own romantic hero), we returned to the States.

From a very young age, I showed an aptitude for telling stories. Of course my mother called me a pathological liar, but I prefer to think back on those days as an apprenticeship for my future craft.

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