Sweet Revenge (15 page)

“Don’t worry about it, dear.” The woman patted her shoulder. “You aren’t the first pregnant bride I’ve seen in here, and I doubt you’ll be the last. But we’re discreet. Wouldn’t have many customers left if we weren’t.” Jessie gaped at her. “You’ve got it all wrong. I’m not the bride, and I’m sure not pregnant!”

“Whatever you say.” The woman smiled at her knowingly.

“No, really,” Jess started.

Bridget grabbed her arm. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” She dragged Jessie from the store. “The diner is right next door.” The cold air of the café washed over her as they snagged the first empty booth, and Jessie sighed with relief as she sank onto the red vinyl seat. A waitress appeared next to them bearing water and napkin-wrapped silverware.

“What can I get for you ladies?”

“What’s the special today, Marge?” Bridget took a sip of water.

“Open face roast beef sandwiches with gravy, mashed potatoes and coleslaw.”

“Make it two, with iced tea.”

“You got it. Nice to have you back in town, Jess.”

“Thanks, Marge. Nice to be back.” She glanced at Bridget as the waitress left. “I could have ordered for myself.”

“If I’d let you order, it would have been a salad. You need something more substantial than rabbit food.” The redhead fiddled with her silverware for a moment then looked thoughtfully up at Jessie.

“Jess, could the woman at the Bridal Shoppe be right?”

“Don’t be silly, Bridg. You know I’m on the Pill. There’s no way I could be pregnant. I probably just picked up a virus from one of the kids. It’s an occupational hazard.”

Bridget leaned forward and crossed her arms on the table. “Do you remember Kelly? My cousin that got married and lives in Houston now? Well, she thought she had a virus too. Eight months later she had twin daughters. A nd she was on the Pill.”

“She probably missed one.”

“No, she swears she didn’t. They are only ninety-eight percent effective, you know. That means two percent of every woman who takes them can still get pregnant.”

Jessie ground her teeth together. “I am not pregnant. I’d have a better chance of being the sole winner of the New York state lottery.

Now, can we drop the subject?”

“If you insist.”

“I do,” she said firmly. “It’s just a virus.”

* * * * *

Chase absently shuffled the papers in his hand as he walked to the front of the sheriff’s office. “Maggie, can you file these when you get a chance?”

“Sure. Just put them in the tray with the rest.”

He deposited the papers on top of the stack, his gaze going to the clock. Three-thirty. A cross the street, he could see the “Closed” sign still hanging on the studio door. His brow furrowed. It wasn’t like Jess to close the place down during the day. But she did seem to be disappearing a lot the last few days.

Not only had she closed the studio, every time he’d called her house this afternoon he’d gotten a busy signal. No one stayed on the phone that long. If things hadn’t been so hectic around the office today, he’d have run over to her house and checked on her. Maybe he could send Harley if he got back anytime soon.

A s though the thought conjured him, the deputy strode through the door. Chase lifted an eyebrow at him. “Well?” Harley grinned. “The boy wasn’t lost. He was hiding under his bed and fell asleep. I figure he’s having trouble sitting down right about now. His mama was not a happy camper.”

“I don’t blame her. A four-year-old could get lost in that swamp real easy. Listen, Harley. I can’t reach Jessie on the phone and I can’t leave. Want to run by and check on her for me?”

“I can, but it’d be a waste of time. She’s fine.”

“You’ve seen her?”

“Yeah, right before lunch. Her and Bridget were going into the Bridal Shoppe.” Chase frowned. “Why would they be going in there?”

The deputy’s grin widened. “I’d think it would be pretty obvious. Something you forgot to tell us, Boss?” His frown deepened while a spasm of anxiety tightened the muscles of his shoulders. “Don’t be stupid, Harley. There has to be another reason.”

Harley shrugged. “A ll I know is they looked as excited as a couple of chickens who just discovered an open door on the corn bin.” Movement in front of the studio caught his attention and he turned to watch A my and another little girl stop outside the door. They conferred for a second, then started across the street toward the sheriff’s office, backpacks slapping merrily behind them.

Chase waited until they pushed the door open. “Hi, Pum’kin. How was the first day of school?”

“Okay.” She gestured toward the other girl. “This is Carrie. Her mom said she could come over and do homework with me.” He recognized the little girl as the one from the swimming pool yesterday. “Hi, Carrie.”

“Hi.” She smiled shyly, showing a mouthful of metal braces.

“Why don’t the two of you go to the interrogation room? The table is big enough for you to spread out on.” He followed them as they started down the hall, but A my stopped before entering the room. “Where’s Jess? The note on the studio said they were going to be closed until Wednesday.”

A tremor of unease hit him, but he shook his head. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her later.”

“Okay.”

When the girls were settled, he went back to his own office, leaving both doors open so he could monitor their activity. Picking up the next stack of papers, he moved them in front of him, then stared at them blankly.

What the hell had Jess been doing in the Bridal Shoppe? He could only think of one reason. But surely he’d made it clear to her how he felt about marriage. A t least, she seemed to understand. A nd he didn’t think Jess was the type to try and push him.

He shook his head. Speculating wasn’t going to get him anywhere. A ll he could do was ask her. If she’d ever get off the phone.

Suddenly his attention was captured by the conversation across the hall.

“I don’t understand what’s so great about her,” Carrie commented.

“Wait until you meet her. You’ll see what I mean. Jess is so cool. I’m going to be just like her when I grow up. Dad even said I could be a choreographer.”

“Well, it’s not like she’s your mother or anything.”

There was a moment’s silence before A my answered her. “She’s going to be. Her and my dad are getting married soon.”

“Who said?” This time Carrie’s voice held a distinct challenge.

“Jessie said,” A my shot back. “She’s in love with my dad and he’s in love with her.” Sweat broke out on Chase’s forehead, and he swiped at it with one hand. It wasn’t possible. Jessie would never tell A my something like that. His daughter was just reacting to Carrie’s tone of voice, with some wishful thinking thrown in. A pparently he was going to have to set A my straight on a few things.

“Chase?” Maggie stepped into his office. “State police just called. There’s been a really bad accident near Sylvan. A t least four cars involved, maybe more. They need some help.”

He grabbed his hat. “Where’s Harley?”

“He’s on his way.”

“I’m right behind him. Can you keep an eye on the girls for me and see that A my gets to A unt Ruth’s?”

“Sure thing.”

He stuck his head into the interrogation room. “Have to run Pum’kin. Maggie is going to take you to A unt Ruth’s.” She nodded. “Okay. Bye, Dad.”

* * * * *

Jessie clapped her hands over her eyes as the living room light came on, then slowly lowered them and scowled up at Bridget. “What are you trying to do, blind me?”

“Sorry, I thought you’d be upstairs in bed.”

“I was earlier. I took the phone off the hook and slept all day. Guess I fell asleep again after I stretched out on the couch. What are you doing here, anyway? A nd what time is it?”

“It’s a little after eight.”

A yawn erupted and she felt it all the way to her toes. “Really? Wow. I’m surprised Chase hasn’t been over here by now.”

“I heard there was a bad car accident. That’s probably where he is. Here.” She opened the bag she was carrying. “I brought you something. This,” she handed her a white container, “is chicken soup. Just in case you do have a virus. A nd this,” she pulled out a rectangular box, “is in case you don’t.”

Jessie glared at the box. “I told you, Bridg. I am not pregnant.”

“It won’t hurt to check. If you’re not I’ll apologize every day for the next year.” She sat down on the coffee table. “Come on, Jess. Just do it and I’ll shut up. It doesn’t take long.”

“Shouldn’t you be off with Howard somewhere, making wedding plans?”

Bridget grinned at her. “Nope. He’s busy tonight so I’m all yours. A nd you aren’t getting rid of me until you do this test.” Irritably, she plunked the soup down and grabbed the box. “Fine. How do you do it?”

“Don’t ask me. I’ve never used one. But the instructions should be in the box.” Jessie pulled the paper out and scanned it. “What if I don’t need to go to the bathroom?”

“Strain,” Bridget told her. “I don’t think it takes that much.”

“Okay.” She stood and headed for the downstairs bathroom. “But you just wasted your money.” A few minutes later she reappeared and picked up the soup.

“Well?”

“It said you have to wait ten minutes.”

Bridget checked her watch then settled into a chair. “A ren’t you even nervous?”

“No.” She sipped the hot liquid. “I told you, I’m not pregnant. Why don’t you turn the scanner on. Maybe we can hear Chase.”

“Because I’m too nervous to listen to it.”

“Why are you so sure I’m pregnant?” Jess looked at her curiously.

Bridget shrugged. “I don’t know. Just this feeling I’ve got. A re you late, by any chance?” Jessie tilted her head thoughtfully. “Maybe a day or so. But I’ve never been real regular. That’s one of the reasons I started taking the Pill in the first place.” She drained the rest of the soup. “How long has it been?” Bridget checked her watch. “Nine minutes.”

“Okay, let’s get this over with so you’ll leave me alone.”

She headed back for the bathroom, Bridget trailing behind her. The white stick was lying facedown on the sink where she’d left it.

Carefully she picked it up, took a deep breath, and turned it over.

“Oh, my God.” Jessie stared in horrified shock at the blue plus sign clearly showing in the window.

A ll the strength drained from her legs and Jessie collapsed on the side of the bathtub, the traitorous stick still clutched in her hand. But no matter how long she stared at it, the big blue sign stayed the same.

“Jess, are you okay?”

Slowly she shook her head. “It’s wrong. It has to be.” She looked up at Bridget desperately. “I read about a whole batch of bad tests showing up in a store one time. Half the women in that town thought they were pregnant. I bet that’s what it is.” She leaped to her feet and grabbed the front of Bridget’s blouse. “You have to go get another one. Wait. Get three. A nd don’t get them from the same store.”

Bridget was nodding her head furiously. “Okay. I’m going. Just turn loose. A nd drink lots of water while I’m gone.”

“Water. Right.” Jessie pulled out a paper cup from the dispenser and started guzzling. “For God’s sake, hurry.” Bridget spun on her heel and raced from the room. By the time she got back, Jessie had moved to the kitchen and was pacing up and down the tile floor, yet another glass of water in her hand.

“Did you get them?”

“Yes. A ll from different stores and each a different brand.” She eyed the large glass in Jessie’s hand. “How many of those have you drunk?”

“Six or seven. Come on, hand them over. I’m about to pop.”

“Read the instructions,” Bridget called after her. “They may all be different.” She worked busily for a few minutes, then opened the bathroom door. “Okay, start timing. Ten minutes for all of them.” Bridget checked her watch before joining Jessie on the side of the tub. Both of them stared intently at the sticks lined on the sink.

“How long has it been?”

“One minute.”

Jessie groaned. “I can’t take this.”

“Try to think about something else.” Bridget patted her hand.

“This is all your fault, you know.”

“My fault!” The redhead gaped at her. “How the heck do you figure that?”

“You’re the one who made me take the test in the first place.”

“Yeah, but the test didn’t get you pregnant. A nd even if you hadn’t used it, you’d still be pregnant.”

“I do not need logic at a time like this,” she ground out. “How long has it been now?”

“Three minutes.”

“A re you sure your watch didn’t stop?”

“Positive.” Just for good measure, her friend shook it, then held it to her ear. “See? Still ticking. A nd it hasn’t even taken a licking.”

“Bridget, you’re babbling.”

“I can’t help it. I’m nervous.”

“What are you nervous for? I’m the one who got a bad test kit.”

“It’s sympathy nerves. When someone I know throws up, so do I. This morning in the Bridal Shoppe I almost passed out with you.” Jessie took a deep breath. “We have to get ourselves under control. Sitting here staring at them isn’t going to make this go any faster.

Let’s fix some tea.”

Bridget stared at her. “You actually want more to drink?”

She hesitated. “Okay, maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. Time?”

“Four more minutes.”

“That’s not too bad.” She stood and moved restlessly to the door before tuning and walking back. “Four minutes and we’ll be laughing about this whole thing. A nd then I’m going to strangle you for putting me through it.”

“What if it’s true?”

“It can’t be true.”

“Jess, are you going to stay in denial right until you go into labor?”

“Maybe something in the birth control pills makes the test give a false-positive.” She looked at Bridget hopefully.

“I don’t think so. A t least I’ve never heard of it.” The redhead held her breath and glanced at her watch. “It’s time.” Jessie spun toward the sink. Gently, she turned each stick over, one at a time. Both women stared.

“Oh, God, Bridg. What am I going to do?”

“Have a baby,” her friend replied softly.

A baby. A nd not just any baby. This was Chase’s baby. Her hand moved to cover her abdomen and she stared at Bridget in wonder. A little girl, maybe, with black hair and deep blue eyes. It was nestled snug inside her right this moment and she hadn’t even known.

Chase’s baby. A bruptly, her chin quivered and moisture filled her eyes. “He’s going to hate me. He’ll think I lied.” Bridget didn’t have to ask who she was talking about. “You don’t know that, Jess. He may be thrilled with the idea. A fter all, look how wonderful he is with A my.”

“This is different, Bridg. He’s going to think I’m trying to trap him, just like Becky did. A nd this time will be even worse because he trusted me.” A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. “I may have his baby, but I’ve lost him.” Her friend put her arms around her and hugged. “Chase is an honorable man, Jess. He won’t let you go through this alone.”

“No.” She pushed away from Bridget and squared her chin. “I won’t do that to him or to me. I’ve been through worse things on my own.

I can handle this by myself.”

“Jess, you have to tell him. He has the right to know.”

She swiped the tear from her cheek, then rubbed her forehead. “I’ll tell him tomorrow. Somehow.”

“What about the studio?”

“I should be able to keep working for quite a while. I’ll just have to hire someone a little ahead of schedule and make sure they’re trained.

It may be a tight squeeze, but if I’m careful, I’ve got enough savings left to manage everything.”

“You know I’ll help any way I can. A nd I’m spending the night tonight. I don’t want you to be alone. We can talk and make some plans.”

“Thank you, Bridget. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Just remember. No matter what Chase does, you aren’t alone.”

* * * * *

Chase sighed as he slid into his jeans. Bridget’s car was still parked in Jessie’s drive, just as it had been when he’d gotten home at midnight last night. It felt like it had been weeks since he’d seen Jess. A nd since A my had stayed with A unt Ruth, he’d planned to slip quietly upstairs and into Jessie’s bed. He just wanted to hold her, be with her for a while. But Bridget’s presence had put a halt to that idea.

However, that wasn’t going to stop him today. Since he’d worked so late yesterday, he was taking today off. A nd he planned on spending every minute of it with Jess. Starting right after he had his coffee.

Barefoot and shirtless, he padded down the stairs and into the kitchen. His gaze continued to drift toward Jessie’s house as he worked. He wasn’t going to let her sneak off this time.

The odor of strong coffee was drifting through the room when someone knocked hesitantly on the back door. Chase frowned. No one knocked around here.

The frown turned into a smile when he saw Jessie standing outside. He pushed the door open and pulled her into his arms. “I was just thinking about you.”

A t his first touch, her body had gone all soft and pliant, the way he loved, and he couldn’t resist covering her mouth with his for a long leisurely hello. “God, I’ve missed you,” he murmured. “But the good news is that I don’t have to work today. We can do anything you want.

How long is Bridget going to be at your place?”

She had been hanging on to him almost desperately, but at his words she stiffened and pulled away.

“She just left for the studio. She’ll be back in a few minutes.”

For the first time that morning he took a good look at her and didn’t like what he was seeing. She was pale to the point where her skin looked blue and there were dark circles under her eyes. Fear shot through him.

“Jess, what’s wrong? A re you sick? Is that why you closed the studio? Here, sit down.” Mutely, she shook her head and took a deep breath. “I have something to tell you.” He reached for her again, but she took a step back. “Please, Chase. Don’t. This is hard enough.” The trickle of fear escalated into a gnawing ache in his middle. She was going to tell him she didn’t want to see him again. A nd it was going to kill him. He tried to brace himself, forced his voice to remain calm.

“Go ahead.”

Her hands were twisted together in a knot and he saw her swallow.

“I’m pregnant.” She blurted the words and if possible her face went even whiter.

Shock wiped away every other emotion and sent him reeling back against the counter. “What?” Her head lowered until she was looking at the floor. “I’m pregnant. I did four tests and they were all positive.” He ran his hands over his face, trying to think. “You said you were on the Pill. You lied to me, Jess?”

“No.” Her chin gave one quiver as she visibly fought to maintain control. “I didn’t lie. I was taking the Pill. I don’t know what happened.”

“Is it mine?” The words slid out before he knew they were coming, and instantly he winced.

Jessie stiffened and her head came up, eyes flashing fire. “No, Chase,” she said softly. “It’s mine. I only told you because I thought you had a right to know. But you don’t have to worry. I’m not trying to trap you into anything. I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m not even asking you to help support this baby. I can do that myself. We don’t need you.” She turned and reached for the door.

“Jess, wait. Can we at least talk about it?”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m having a baby. You aren’t. Goodbye, Chase.” She didn’t even bother to slam the door when she left.

He stared at it, wondering how his life could have been torn apart in such a short amount of time. One second he’d been happily planning a day with her, then the next she was gone. The pain lancing through him was suddenly replaced by an explosion of anger. It was happening all over again. Just like the first time.

His clenched fist sent the coffeemaker crashing into the sink. The Bridal Shoppe. She’d been planning this the whole time. While he was falling in love like an idiot, she’d been busy setting him up. Well, it wasn’t going to work.

He leaned his elbows on the counter and buried his face in his hands. But he loved her. A nd she’d said she didn’t want him to marry her.

Confusion was almost as bad as the pain. He shouldn’t have asked her if the baby was his. But he couldn’t seem to stop himself, even when he knew on a gut level that it was.

A baby. The laugh that broke from deep in his chest was bitter and the words he’d told A my came back to ring hollowly in his head.

Getting a woman pregnant doesn’t make you a father. He’d spent the last ten years loving and raising another man’s child. Who would love and raise his?

* * * * *

Jessie was shaking so badly she barely made it back to her house. A nd even then she had to keep a hand pressed over her mouth to muffle the sobs. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry, of letting him know how much he’d hurt her.

Because in spite of her fears, in spite of knowing what would happen, a stupid optimistic part of her had thought he’d take her in his arms and tell her he loved her. That he wanted her and the baby. But he didn’t even believe it was his.

A nother sob erupted, feeling as though it were tearing her heart out along with it. She’d never felt so alone in her life. It had seemed like such a miracle when Chase wanted her. But it had turned out to be a short-lived one. Now she’d lost him for good.

With tears streaming down her face, she picked up the phone and punched in a number, waiting until a male voice answered.

“Dom? It’s me.” She gave a sobbing hiccup.

“Jess? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, God, Dom. I’m pregnant.”

There was a stunned silence from the other end of the line.

“A re you there?”

“Listen, Jess. I’m catching the first plane out. Just stay there, okay?” The anxiety in his voice was clear.

“What about the movie?” she sobbed.

“Screw the movie. They can either wait until I get back or find someone else. You just hang on until I get there. We’ll work this out somehow.”

She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her. “Okay. Please hurry, Dom. I need you.”

“I’m on my way to the airport now, sweetheart. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Jessie hung the phone up then slid down the wall, her knees hugged to her chest. She didn’t know how she was going to survive this much pain.

* * * * *

The sound of a car door slamming, followed by hurried footsteps on her back porch, made Jessie force her eyes open. From downstairs Dom’s and Bridget’s voices floated up to her, but she didn’t move.

“Thank heavens you’re here. She won’t let me cancel my date for tonight and I didn’t want to leave her alone.”

“Where is she?” Dom sounded almost as upset as Jess felt.

“Upstairs in bed. I left a pot of stew on the stove. See if you can get her to eat. She hasn’t had a bite all day.”

“Do you know what happened?”

“Only that she’s been like this since she talked to Chase this morning.”

Jessie closed her eyes. She had promised herself she wouldn’t cry again.

The voices lowered until she could no longer make out the words, but she didn’t have long to wait. Dom was taking the stairs two at a time on his way up. He hesitated in the door.

“Jess?”

“I’m awake.”

Without another word, he moved to the bed, sat down and held his arms out. In spite of her intentions, a sob escaped as she threw herself into them.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Go ahead and cry. Get it all out.”

He smelled warm and familiar, safe, and the combination was too much for her. While he rocked her soothingly, she drenched his neck with her tears until she was drained dry.

When she was reduced to wet hiccups, he pulled two tissues from the box next to the bed and handed them to her.

“Blow.”

She complied, then used another tissue to wipe her eyes while he studied her.

“You look like shit.”

Jessie couldn’t stop her smile. “Gee, thanks. You flew all the way from ll.A . just to tell me that?”

“Yeah, someone had to do it.” He pushed a damp strand of hair away from her cheek. “Want to tell me what happened this morning?” Her smile faded and she sighed. “He thinks I lied about being on the Pill, Dom. A nd he doesn’t believe the baby is his.” His jaw clenched until she could hear his teeth grinding together. “Maybe I should go have a long talk with the sheriff and help him see the error of his ways. You’ll be married by tomorrow.”