My Sweetheart (15 page)

             
As she and Tate studied the dessert menu, Kam cleared his throat. “There’s a strange little man who keeps staring at you Jane. He’s sitting at the bar, turned around in his seat and watching you with a frown.”

             
Tate whipped his head around and Jane turned to see who was staring at her.
Alex Foster
. She looked away quickly and stared down at her hands, feeling cold all of a sudden.

             
“Jane, I need you to get up so I can get out please,” Tate said quietly but in a firm voice that had her moving quickly.

             
She grabbed onto his sleeve before he could walk away. “Tate,
please
. . .” she began but he shook his head at her.

             
“Sweetheart, sit down and pick a dessert for me. I’ll be right back,” he said gently and waited as she sat down again.

             
They all watched as Tate walked over to Alex and shook his hand. She couldn’t hear what was being said but she could see Alex’s expression. It went from shock, to anger to rage within minutes. Jane swallowed sickly and looked down at her lap.

             
Kam reached over and touched her shoulder. “Jane, no worries now. Tate will take care of him. You have me now to look out for you too. We protect our own,” he said, his eyes kind and serious.

             
Jane shivered a little but nodded her head. “Thanks Kam,” she whispered and then sighed in relief as Tate returned and sat down next to her.

             
Jane looked at Tate’s hard face and glanced over at Alex. He was still sitting at the bar and still looking at her. But now he looked enraged.

             
“What happened? I applied for a restraining order. Can he even be here in the same restaurant as me?” she asked, trying to hide behind Tate’s shoulder so Alex couldn’t watch her.

             
Tate shook his head, glaring hotly. “Your order doesn’t go before the judge until Friday. Then after it’s approved, which it will be, an officer has to deliver a copy of the protective order to Alex. That’s when it goes into effect. Until then, our hands are tied.”

             
Jane closed her eyes, wishing heartily that she had gone in last week like she’d originally planned on. Kam made a sound of disgust and turned and stared at Alex.

             
“He’s not the only one who can stare and intimidate,” he said, staring at Alex as if he dearly wanted to tear him apart.

             
Tate grinned and turned to see Alex’s reaction. Alex glared back for a moment and then finally turned around and went back to his drink and his dinner.

             
“See that? You can relax now Jane,” Kam said as Meredith looked at her worriedly.

             
“Kam that’s the same guy that grabbed Jane at the movies. The same guy Feke had to pull off her,” Meredith said, scooting closer to Kam.

             
Kam and Tate both turned and glared at Alex’s back and Jane could feel the tension in the room multiply. The way Kam and Tate were staring at Alex was absolutely predatory.

             
Meredith cleared her throat nervously and put her menu down. “You know what, I’m not that hungry for dessert. Why don’t we just go see a movie?”

             
Tate agreed immediately and signaled for the check. As they walked out, she could feel the pressure of Alex’s eyes on her back and moved into the safety of Tate’s arms. He looked down at her and quickly glanced over his shoulder at Alex. The stiffening of his whole body let her know that she’d been right. Alex wouldn’t stop.

             
They went to the movies, but for Jane, the evening was ruined. Tate took her home right after and they sat in his car silently for a few moments.

             
“I don’t want you to be scared Jane. Cautious, yes. But I don’t want you to be upset. When I talked to Alex tonight I told him I was personally watching out for you and that you and I were a couple now. He didn’t take it well but at least he knows he can’t bother you anymore.”

             
Jane nodded and massaged her temples. “Thanks Tate. But I just can’t get rid of this feeling that he’ll never stop,” she said, her voice sounding as shaky as she felt.

             
Tate reached over and touched her shoulder. “I won’t let him hurt you Jane. You mean more to me than anything.”

             
Jane looked at Tate and tried to smile. He opened his door and walked around to her side, opening the door for her. He walked her to her door and waited for her to unlock and open it. He stepped inside with her and then pulled her into his arms. She clutched at his back, holding tight as he rubbed her back slowly up and down.

             
“I’ll patrol your street more until the restraining order is in place,” he said.

             
Jane looked up at him, frowning. “I just don’t think a little piece of paper will stop him Tate.”

             
Tate frowned. “No, it’s the power behind the paper that will. And that’s me. If he comes near you, I’ll arrest him.”

             
Jane smiled and nodded. She was being silly. Alex was just a strange intense guy and if he did step over the line, she had Tate to smack him back. “All right then. I think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

             
Tate smiled gently at her and nodded. “Good. Don’t think of him at all. Dream about me instead.”

             
Jan laughed, leaning into his chest. “That sounds interesting. Set the scene for me. What are we doing in my dream?”

             
Tate closed his eyes and smiled. “You and I are swimming in the ocean. I’m trying to teach you how to snorkel, but you’re scared of all the little fish swimming around your toes. They want to nibble on you because you’re so sweet. Afterwards, we swim to shore where a feast awaits us. We eat until we’re full and then I take you on a hike through the hills until we come to a private waterfall. It’s just you and me,” he said, his voice sounding dreamy.

             
Jane snuggled deeper into his arms, smiling at the vision in her mind. “It sounds like we’re in Hawaii on vacation.”

             
Tate paused and made a humming noise.

             
Jane laughed and looked up. “What?”

             
Tate shook his head and laughed. “I’m pretty sure I was picturing our honeymoon,” he said, grinning down at her.

             
Jane gasped, laughing up into his face. “You’re crazy Tate. Stop teasing me.”

             
Tate’s eyes went warm and melting as he looked down at her with a half-smile. “Isn’t that what people do when they love each other?”

             
Jane blushed and put her face up against Tate’s hard chest. “Well, yeah, but Tate, this is our first week together.

             
Tate frowned at her and shook his head. “But I’ve loved you forever.”

             
Jane closed her eyes, melting in happiness as he feathered kisses all over her face. “How about we talk about marriage in a few months?”

             
Tate sighed and kissed her softly on her lips. “You’re a hard woman Jane.”

             
Jane looked up at him and shook her head. “You’re thinking marriage now all of a sudden because you’re just worried about my safety and Alex Foster. I’m right, huh?” she asked quietly.

             
Tate looked away frowning and shrugged. “You have to admit that I’d be able to protect you a lot better if I was right here with you in your house.”

             
Jane laughed and stepped out of his arms. “Officer Matafeo reporting for duty huh? No, I think I’ll wait for a real proposal,” she said and then blushed bright red. “I mean, like um, if you ever wanted to at some point uh,
later
in life,” she said, stopping and closing her eyes because she was just making it worse.

             
Tate’s eyes turned warm and melting and he hugged her tightly before opening the door. “Dream of Hawaii Jane. You and me Sweetheart,” he said and whistled as he jogged down the stairs to his car.

             
She smiled and waved before closing and locking the front door. Tate had mentioned marriage. Jane jumped up and down and did a little silent screaming before running up to her room to look at her wedding dress. If she was going to dream of Hawaii that night, she might as well dream a little of getting married to Tate as well.

             
The next couple days passed by quickly with all of the extra work her cupcakes were giving her. Word had gotten out about her cupcakes and people were crowding their bakery to get their share. Layla pushed her regular desserts to the side to help Jane make room in the display cases for the demand.

             
Jane walked over to the door and switched the sign to OPEN and turned around with a smile. “I’m so glad today is Friday. I need a weekend,” she said walking over and staring down at the rows and rows of cupcakes now covering the shelves.

             
“You know, we should name these cupcakes. You could give them some wild name and we could get an article written about us in the paper. What do you think Jane?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

             
Jane smoothed her apron down and walked around the counter to join her sister. Layla walked in the door with a tray of croissants and looked at them curiously. “What is this? A meeting?”

             
Jane grinned and shook her head. “Nah, Kit wants me to name the cupcakes. She thinks it will add to the mystique. That and get us a newspaper article write up.”

             
Layla set her tray down and walked around the counter to join them. She frowned at the gorgeous cupcakes. “Hmm, how about
The Best Dang Cupcake You’ll Ever Eat
?”

             
Jane laughed and shook her head while Kit looked at Lalya dubiously. “Seriously Layla?”

             
Layla shrugged her shoulders and walked over and sat down on a chair looking tired. “Sorry, it feels like my brain isn’t working the way it’s supposed to.”

             
Jane looked over her shoulder at her older sister worriedly for a moment. “You okay Layla? You do seem off lately. You’ve been tired all week long.”

             
Kit turned and looked at Layla. “I overheard you making an appointment with a doctor yesterday. Anything you want to share with us?”

             
Layla swallowed and closed her eyes for a moment as she shook her head slightly. “It’s nothing. I think I caught something when I was over in France. I was watching Discovery Health Channel on TV last night and I swear I have a parasite. I’m tired and sick all the time. I hate it,” she complained, running a hand over her pasty forehead.

             
Jane walked over to Layla and grabbed a chair, bringing it close to her sister’s side. “A
Parasite
? Holy crap that’s disgusting.”

             
Kit walked over slowly staring at Layla with a faint grin. “Actually I think you might be right Layla. What do you call something that lives inside of you, growing and taking in nutrition and oxygen?” she asked softly. “You didn’t catch a parasite in Paris Layla.
You caught a baby
.”

             
Layla’s eyes went big as she looked up at Kit and Jane gasped, covering her mouth with her hand as she slowly stood up.

             
“Layla! You’re pregnant!” Jane breathed out.

             
Layla’s face went white and slack as Kit and Jane stared at her and then each other. Kit and Jane reached out and grabbed each other’s hands as they jumped up and down screaming excitedly. Layla blinked a few times, ignoring her sisters as color rushed back to her cheeks and her face softened with a smile. She laid a hesitant hand on her flat stomach and closed her eyes as she slowly stood up.

             
Jane and Kit immediately stopped yelling and gently hugged Layla in the middle of them.

             
“Layla, you’re going to be the best mother in the world,” Kit whispered, kissing Layla on the cheek.

             
Jane sighed happily and laid her head on her sister’s shoulder already thinking of a cute little blond girl, the spitting image of Layla. “Lucky, lucky little girl,” she murmured.

             
Layla wiped a tear off her cheek and kissed Jane on top of her head and then reached over and hugged Kit tightly. “You two are a little partial. But let’s not get exited yet. I have an appointment Monday.”

             
Kit bit her lip. “Forget that, let’s go to the store and get one of those stick pregnancy tests
now
.”

             
Layla grinned and looked excited. Jane clapped her hands. “I’ll cover for you guys. You two run to the story and hurry back. I can’t wait!”

             
Layla nodded her head and Kit ran for her purse. Jane took care of a customer but waved happily as her two sisters rushed out the front door. Life. Was. Good.

             
Tate walked in, his eyes gleaming happily at her as she rung up a customer. He looked up and down the cases staring at all the desserts, croissants and bread, waiting patiently for the last customer to leave.

             
Jane couldn’t stop smiling thinking about Layla being pregnant but she knew she couldn’t tell Tate.
Yet
. It wouldn’t be right for him to know before Michael.

             
As soon as the door shut, Jane rushed around the counter and jumped into Tate’s arms. He laughed, catching her easily and spinning her around before setting her down and kissing her breathless.

             
“Now what put that sparkle in your eyes this morning Miss Kendall?” he asked tilting his head as he studied her.

             
Jane shrugged but stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his chin. “Seeing you always makes me sparkle. But I’m glad you’re here. I need your help. Kit wants me to name my cupcakes. You know, so they’ll become famous. She’s hoping we’ll get a newspaper article out of it. What do you think?” She asked pulling him over to the case holding her dozens of cupcakes.

             
Tate smiled and his eyebrows rose as he stared at the cupcakes. He glanced at her and shook his head. “It’s so obvious. You should call them Matafeos. You created them for me. At least that’s what you said,” he said leaning against the case and crossing his arms over his chest as he smiled at her teasingly.

             
Jane tapped her chin as she stared at her creations and nodded her head. “I love it,” she whispered and took two steps into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and grinning up into his face.

             
“Can I have a dozen Matafeos please?” she said in a New Jersey accent making Tate laugh.

             
Tate smoothed her hair down, playing with the end of her pony tail. “Have I mentioned lately that you’re the perfect woman for me? Beautiful, talented, sweet and incredibly generous. I never knew I could be so filled with love and happiness until I met you,” he said looking serious.

             
Jane blushed and leaned her head against his heart. “Oh Tate and to think that what you feel for me is just a fraction of what I feel for you. It’s kind of mind-blowing,” she said, grinning as she felt a growl rumble in his chest.

             
Jane giggled as Tate tickled her mercilessly, making her squeal and run around a table. Tate stalked her glaring at her. “You better take that back. I refuse to allow you to think that your love for me eclipses mine for you. I won’t have it,” he added, sprinting to the side of the table and snagging the back of her shirt, making her shriek and giggle.

             
Tate held her firmly from behind. “I won’t let you go until you admit I love you more,” he whispered in her ear.

             
Jane pulled at his hands and shook her head. “I refuse on the grounds it would be lying. Now let me go before a customer comes in,” she said primly.

             
Tate held her tighter against his chest, nibbling on the back of her neck. “
No
.”

             
Jane laughed lightly, feeling Tate’s strength and warmth surround her. “Need I remind you Officer Matafeo that
I
chased
you
, flirting with you non-stop from the moment I first set eyes on you. And of course we can’t forget that I asked you out on a date and you flat out refused me.”

             
Tate sighed and kissed the side of her neck before turning her around in his arms. He looked down into her face, his eyes sad and serious.

             
“Couldn’t you tell I felt the same way? I took one look at you and knew I was in big trouble.”

             
Jane frowned and looked away. “But you turned me down. I did think you felt the same way. I thought we had great chemistry and I could swear you were flirting with me sometimes. The only reason I asked you out was because I was positive you would say yes. Then when you said no, I was completely shocked.”

             
Tate grinned. “
And furious
. You forgot furious. I still remember the feeling of having a cupcake hit me up side the back of my head.”

             
Jane grinned, laughing slightly. “Because I
knew
you liked me. I couldn’t figure out why you would turn me down. Besides that, you hurt my feelings,” she admitted, blushing.

             
Tate nodded, caressing her cheek. “I knew if I went on even one date with you that I’d never be able to let you go. I knew I had a choice. You or my family,” he said, his eyes going grim as he looked over her head for a moment.

             
Jane hugged him tightly, feeling her heart break for Tate and the choice he had made. “Does it really have to be me or them? Has Kam been able to change their minds?”

             
Tate shrugged a little and tried to smile. “They’re very old fashioned Jane. It will take a while. But Kam’s in just as much trouble as I am right now. They’re not happy that he’s dating Meredith.”

             
Jane winced and shook her head. “So they’ll have to bend or break.”

             
Tate nodded his head, his eyes hard and determined. “I’ve given you my heart, so if they want me in their lives, they’ll accept you or we’ll say our goodbyes.”

             
Jane closed her eyes, feeling some of the agony that Tate must have gone through in order to be with her. “I take it back. You win Tate. You love me the most,” she said quietly, lifting her face up to look at him.

             
Tate smiled at her gently, cupping her face in his large capable hands. “I think we both win,” he said and kissed her with so much intensity, that she felt herself go weak in her legs.

             
The bell over the door, had her pulling away from him, blushing pink and flustered. Tate smiled at her. “I’ll see you at the courthouse at two o’clock sharp. It shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes. Bye Sweetheart,” he said and slipped out the door.                           

             
Jane sighed, her heart flipping over as she hurried to help an elderly couple. She’d almost forgotten that she needed to be in court to get her restraining order approved. Mandee , their part time clerk would have to watch the bakery for them because Layla and Kit insisted on being with her.

             
Kit and Layla rushed through the doors and Kit came and relieved her while Layla ran upstairs to her old room. Jane went in back to deal with the bills while she waited for Layla.

             
Ten minutes later, Layla walked into the kitchen, her face blank and her eyes wide. Jane bit her lip and hurried into the front store and called Kit’s name before hurrying back to Layla. Kit rushed in, sharing a glance with Jane as they both moved to stand in front of their sister.

             
“Layla, what did the stick say?” Jane asked softly as Kit reached out and took Layla’s hand in hers.

             
Layla blinked once and then burst into tears. Kit frowned and threw her arms around her as Jane spotted the stick and grabbed it, trying not to think of what germs were on the thing. She held it up to her face and saw what had brought Layla to tears.

+

              Jane’s face bloomed into a grin as she jumped in the air, doing a perfect cheerleading kick. “My sister is having a baby!” she yelled to no one as Layla continued to cry and Kit grinned at her.

             
“
Really?”
Kit asked, letting go of Layla to grab the stick.

             
Layla sniffed and nodded. “
I’m having Michael’s baby
,” she said wonderingly.

             
Jane looked at her carefully. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I’m having trouble reading those tears.”

             
Layla laughed a little and shook her head. “I’m just super emotional, but it’s a
very very
good thing,” she said softly. “It’s just so soon.”