Shadow of Doubt (22 page)

Barb packed one final time.   She no longer felt fury for Guy but refused to ever again let him rule her.

Jordan carried her bags as they left the apartment and caught a cab back to the airport.

“Why are you smiling like that?” she asked Jordan as the plane took off.

“Thinking about teaching you how to drive that car,” he chuckled back.

“Really?  Would you really?” she beamed excitedly, her eyes wide open.  Now that's the woman he knew.

“Of course I will.  Mrs. Jordan Scott can do whatever she wants,” he replied smugly with a peck to her lips.

“Mrs.?”

“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell ya, we're stopping over in Vegas.  I figured we'd better make it legal as soon as possible.  I'm getting tired of you up and running off anytime you damn well please.”

“Oh...you decided this all on your own did ya?” she glowed.

“Well, you were griping about us men not being able to take charge of our own lives, so I've decided to take charge.”

Barb grinned shyly and looked away.  Suddenly she felt embarrassed.  Jordan took her chin in his steady hand and turned her to face him again.  He looked seriously into her eyes.  Those damned blue eyes that seemed to tranquilize him.

“Will you marry me Barb?”

“Only if you make me one more promise.”

“Uh-oh.  Now what?”

“From this day forward I just wanna be your Dolly.  Barb just doesn't sound right.  I was your Dolly when you found me the first time, I wanna be your Dolly now and forever.”

“Another promise I can keep!” he assured.

“Then yes, Jordan, I will proudly become Mrs. Jordan Scott.”

He kissed her tender lips then reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out a sparkling diamond solitaire engagement ring.  Dolly cried as he slid it on her finger.

Dolly could only gasp at its beauty.  Then she remembered she had one more secret and knew now was finally the right time to tell him.  To give him the chance to air his feelings and giving him one last chance to change his mind.

“By the way Mr. Scott, are you planning to have children?” she asked teasingly.

“Hadn't given it much thought, but I guess a brat or two wouldn't hurt my feelings any.”

“A brat huh?”

“That's right,” he began as he held her hand tightly.  “I'm gonna spoil'em rotten if it ever happens.”

“Oh I forgot,” she teased as she kissed his cheek.  He looked at her suspiciously.  “You've already done the job.”

“The what?”

She took his hand and placed it firmly against her stomach.  “I'm nearly two months along now.”  She watched his face closely.

“Uh-oh.  I'm gonna need a bigger travel trailer,” he replied instantly.

“A Winnebago outta do it,” she suggested jokingly still trying to read his expression.

“Perhaps.  And a little baby furniture in the spare bedroom.”

“Which one?”

“Oh that's right, I have two spares now.”  He still seemed to be in shock.

“It won't embarrass Jordan Scott to be running around with kids will it?” she asked.

“Of course not.  I'm getting used to this family stuff.”  Then he paused and looked straight into her eyes.  “A baby huh?” he asked as if it had finally sunk in.

“Uh-huh,” she replied as a grin formed on both their faces.

Jordan smiled then laughed out loud.  “I be damned.  Who'd ever thought it?  Jordan Scott married and having babies.”

“Are you happy?”

“Happy?  I'm tickled shi-...”

“Jordan!  You're gonna have to watch your language.”

“Why?'

“Cause the baby's listening,” she teased feeling complete at last.

Jordan rubbed her belly with pride as he smothered her against the seat and kissed her as never before.

They spent their first night as Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Scott in Vegas before returning home to Florida to raise their family.