The Lawman's Little Surprise (11 page)

“Ironic, isn't it?”

As if it was almost funny? A joke? But Morgan knew it wasn't. “I can't believe—” He stopped, ashamed that he'd said what he was thinking and corrected himself. “I'm surprised you'd do that again.”

“I never thought I could, but I've learned a lot of things in six years.”

“But you and Ben…I mean, you loved him so much,” Morgan reminded her. “I've never known two people who were so perfect together.”

He heard a sigh, and then she said, “I still love him. I always will. But the time came to move on. I don't think Ben minds. In fact, sometimes I think he's been pushing me along. And believe me, Mark was as resistant as I was.”

“So he wasn't coming on to you?”

“No, he never did that,” she said. “Not ever. He was just there, a friend when I needed one. And then it became more as time went on.”

Morgan still couldn't wrap his mind around Connie putting herself and her kids back in the same position where she'd been before. Not after what had happened. She'd been devastated when Ben was shot, on the verge of taking her own life, if it hadn't been for B.J. and Tasha.

“Are you sure?” he asked. She'd be dealing with the same things again. Those things they'd talked about, like always wondering if she'd get a phone call that something had happened, that Ben had been hurt or even killed. The memory of that night flashed through his mind. “I couldn't do anything about it,” he said, not realizing he had said it aloud.

“It wasn't your fault, Morgan. There wasn't any way you could have done any more than you did. You know that. I know that.” She sighed again, and when she spoke, her voice was softer. “Ben knows that. I'm a stronger woman for it. I've healed. And life goes on. It has to. Ben would want it to.”

“I just can't…” Morgan tried. “It's hard for me to understand.”

“Then let me tell you what I've learned,” Connie went on, her voice stronger. “I loved Ben with all my heart. He was a good man, a good father, and an unbelievable husband. I'm thankful for the years we had together. He'll always live in my heart. But loving a dead man isn't healthy. The kids needed someone who would look out for them and love them the way their father did. They felt the emptiness, too. I'm a lucky woman. I've not only had the love of one special man, but I now have the love of another.”

Confused, Morgan didn't know what to say. If he hadn't spent time with Ben and Connie and seen the special bond between them, he might be able to accept what she was saying. But it was her choice, and he had no right to question it. “If that's what you want, Connie.”

“It is. But what about you? The last I heard, you were engaged. Are you married now?”

He heard the hope in her voice and hated to disappoint her, but he couldn't lie, either. “No. I called it off.”

“Why? What happened?”

He hesitated telling her, then decided it was only right that she know. “I couldn't risk putting her through what you went through. She's too good to have that happen to her.”

“It sounds like you still love her.”

“I do. I can't stop.”

“Then you're a fool if you don't get down on your knees and beg her to marry you. And I never thought you were a fool, Morgan Rule. Not ever.”

He decided not to tell her about the baby. It wouldn't change anything. Connie's life might be turning out better than anyone would have expected, but he wasn't convinced Trish's would in the same situation.

“I just can't do that to her, Connie.”

The silence from Connie was unnerving, but she finally spoke. “Okay,” she said, the disappointment in her voice evident. “I can see that talking to you won't make you see, so I won't try. I still hope you'll come down for Ben's graduation.”

“I will,” Morgan promised. “Just tell me where and when, and I'll be there.”

He wrote down the information she gave him and then the call ended. Sitting on the sofa, his boots and shirt off, wearing only his socks and jeans, he'd never been more confused.

Sure, Connie had found a way to go on with her life, and he suspected Trish would, too, if the same happened to her. But he didn't want to test it. He'd seen what Connie had gone through. He'd held her in his arms and
calmed her, while she grieved over Ben's death. She'd said life would never be the same. For him, that was true. It never would be.

Six years had gone by like a speeding car. Ben's kids had grown up. They were teenagers now, not children. He didn't want to miss seeing his own child grow up. Was he willing to risk being a part of that child's life? Did he have a choice?

“Trish, could you take that ham out of the oven?”

Ready to head out the door for a long walk in the crisp January afternoon, Trish set her journal and pen on the table and grabbed the oven mitts. “Sure thing, Aunt Aggie. What time did you say Hettie would be here?”

“In about an hour,” Aggie called from the hallway. “If I could just find that recipe of Kate's for her sweet potato casserole…”

Trish opened the oven door and leaned over to grasp the big roaster. “The recipe book is in the drawer by the phone,” she said, easing the roaster toward her on the oven rack.

“Why didn't I look there first?” Aggie asked, now standing in the doorway.

Trish grinned as she pulled the roaster from the oven and placed it on top of the stove. “Because it was the most likely place for it, maybe?”

Aggie gave an unladylike snort. “And it's always in the last place you look.”

“I should think so. Why keep looking after you've found it?”

Aggie pulled the handwritten cookbook from the
drawer and thumbed through it on her way to the table. Settling on her usual chair, she pushed her new eyeglasses higher on her nose and stared at the open book in front of her. “Yes, indeedy.”

Trish didn't know if she was talking about the recipe or her comment, but she didn't ask. “Do you need me for anything else?”

Aggie looked at her over the top of her glasses. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Just out for walk.” Trish grabbed her journal and pen from the table. “You found the recipe?”

“I'm sure this is it,” Aggie said, stabbing the page with her finger. “At least I hope so.”

“What if Kate and Dusty don't get here until late? She said they had one stop to make before they'd be home.”

Shrugging, Aggie stood, the cookbook in hand, and crossed to the small pantry closet. “We'll have ham sand wiches, if it's that late. I just hope I can do this recipe proud.”

“I'm sure you can. I'm the one who can't cook.”

Aggie glowered at her. “That isn't so, and you know it. Not anymore.”

“Thanks to you and Kate.” Her mind spun at the thought of what she would soon be doing. She was looking forward to her sister's return, but she also knew it meant she couldn't put off telling Aggie about the baby. Moving toward the door, she stopped. “I think I heard a car door shut.”

Aggie dropped the cookbook on the counter and hurried to the window by the door. “I can't see who it is.”

Footsteps sounded on the wooden porch, then the
door opened wide. “We're home!” Kate announced and stepped into the kitchen.

Being closest to the door, Aggie grabbed her in a hug first. “So you are.” Holding her at arm's length, she looked Kate over. “How'd you get that tan?”

“It was hard work,” Kate said, laughing.

“It was a lot of time on deck,” Dusty, walking in behind her, announced. “Not to mention those nude beaches.”

After giving her new brother-in-law a playful punch in the arm for his joke, Trish took Aggie's place and hugged Kate. “It's so good to have you home again,” she said, her voice filled with emotion, while tears of happiness appeared in her eyes.

“It's good to be home,” Kate answered. Stepping out of the embrace, she smiled. “You're looking healthy.”

Trish could read the question in her eyes. “Feeling healthy, too,” she assured her.

“Sit down, sit down,” Aggie told them after returning to her seat at the table. “I'll get a crick in my neck looking up at you all.”

Dusty and Kate laughed as they pulled out chairs and joined Aggie at the table. Trish moved to sit across from them, admiring their tans and happy smiles. “Tell us all about the cruise.”

“Oh, it was marvelous!” Kate said, nearly bouncing out of her chair. “The water was so blue it was almost like looking at the sky. I couldn't tell where one ended and the other began. But how was your cruise, Aunt Aggie? I haven't talked to you since before you left on it.”

“Be honest, Aunt Aggie,” Trish whispered loud enough for all to hear.

Aggie looked from Kate to Dusty, a frown on her face. “You really want to know?”

Kate nodded while Dusty said, “Of course we do.”

Her expression still solemn, Aggie answered. “Well, I'll tell you. It was—” She stopped and a grin spread across her face. “Wonderful! I've never had so much fun in my life.”

Everyone started talking at once, and Trish sat back in her chair, enjoying the stories they shared and compared. She hadn't been sure the cruise for Aggie was a good idea when Kate had first suggested it, but now she had to agree that it had done their aunt wonders.

“No seasickness?” Kate asked.

“A little pinch that first day,” Aggie answered with a shrug. “But after that? Not a bit. How about you?”

Kate opened her mouth to answer, but Trish saw Dusty put a hand on Kate's arm. “She's a real sailor,” he announced.

Trish suspected whatever seasickness Kate had experienced was more morning sickness than anything else.

Aggie harrumphed. “And I suppose you didn't feel a twinge,” she said, eyeing Dusty.

“Oh, a little. We had a couple of days when the seas were pretty rough, but it wasn't bad.”

Trish flashed her aunt an I-told-you-so look, remembering how Aggie had predicted he'd be standing at the railing most of the trip. Aggie acknowledged it with a tiny shrug and grin.

“We have tons and tons of pictures,” Kate said.

Aggie put her palms on the table and pushed herself to her feet. “And I have sweet potato casserole to make.”

“I can help,” Kate said, standing.

“No, you won't, missy,” Aggie ordered. “I said I'd do it and I will. But don't be too disappointed if it doesn't turn out as good as yours.”

“Then that
is
baked ham I smell,” Dusty announced, sniffing the air. “How soon do we eat?”

The three women looked at each other and laughed. “You'll never change, will you, Dusty?” Trish asked, loving to tease him as much as everyone did.

“Nope. And now that I'm married, I expect my waistline will prove it.” He patted his big belt buckle and licked his lips, darting a glance at his new wife.

Aggie crossed to the stove. “If you want a taste of that ham and the rest, you'd better get out of my way. I like to do my cooking alone.”

“So how soon are we going to eat?” Dusty asked again.

Aggie snorted with laughter, while Kate and Trish looked at each other and giggled. “In about an hour,” Aggie finally answered. “Hettie will be joining us.”

Kate looked from Trish to Aggie. “Morgan, too?”

“Morgan's working the late shift,” Trish answered.

Kate's eyebrows raised slightly, questioning.

“Hettie mentioned it,” Trish explained.

Dusty sauntered to the door and grabbed the hat he'd left on the counter. “Well, if it's going to be that long, I'm going to run this luggage home.”

“I'll go with you,” Kate said, moving to join him.

“No, you stay here with Trish,” Dusty told her. “I'm sure you have a lot to talk about.” Winking at Kate, Dusty opened the door. “I'll be back in time to eat, don't you worry.”

“Oh, we'd never worry about that,” Kate said.

When he was gone, Aggie waved a large wooden spoon at the two girls. “Out of here, both of you.”

“Let's go,” Kate said, giving Trish a playful shove. “If we don't, she might smack us with that spoon.”

Laughing, the sisters ducked into the hall and up the stairs. Once they were in Trish's bedroom, Kate collapsed on the bed. “It seems like forever since I've been in this room.”

“And it's only been a few weeks,” Trish answered, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Kate propped herself on her elbows and looked at Trish. “You haven't told her, have you?”

Trish shook her head. “I wanted to wait until you were home. But you haven't, either,” she reminded her.

“You're right,” Kate said, “so why don't I tell her first?”

“Maybe I should go first,” Trish said. “You can then step in to save me before she smacks me with that wooden spoon.”

Kate fell back on the bed, laughing. “
That
brings back memories.”

Trish nodded, giggling. “Like the time you talked me into making mud pies, and we used up all the seasonings and herbs—”

“And then actually tried to bake them in the oven.”

“On broil,” Trish added, unable to keep from laughing. “There was mud all over the inside of the oven.”

“Every time I see that spoon, I remember the paddling we got for it.”

“We deserved it.”

Kate nodded. “We did. Aunt Aggie has never been unfair.” Sitting up, she reached out and held Trish's hand. “Are you still of a mind not to marry Morgan?”

“I've thought long and hard, even before I came back from the tour. It's for the best.” Trish looked at her sister and saw the concern in Kate's eyes. “He's offered to help financially. I only need to decide how we'll do that.”

“I'm sure you'll work it out. But is that really what you want?”

Nodding, Trish felt tears sting her eyes. “At this point, yes.”

“You don't think marriage would be better?”

She turned to stare out the window where the bare branches of the tree swayed in the winter wind. “Not unless something changes.” She looked back at her sister. “Not unless Morgan changes, and only he can do that.”

“I don't understand,” Kate said. “I know he's been moody and was even before you told him about your tour. And I have to say that I don't think his reason for calling off the wedding had anything to do with that, but that's just my opinion.”

“I don't think it did, either.” Shaking her head, Trish sighed. “I can't marry him, Kate, and I get the feeling that's the way he wants it.”

“Why?”

Trish shrugged. “He's only talked about money, nothing else. I'm not even sure he wants to be a part of the baby's life.”

Kate reached over and took her hand. “I can't imagine anyone, even Morgan, doing that. He'll come to his senses.”

“To be honest, if he doesn't, I'm okay with it. I guess we'll have to see what the future brings.” And if it brought a life without Morgan in it, she would love their baby twice as much.

 

M
ORGAN ROLLED
the cold beer bottle between the palms of his hands and thought about Connie's phone call. He could accept that she'd found someone to share her life with, and he was happy for her. But why another cop? It didn't make sense.

Glancing up from the table where he sat in Lou's Place, he saw Dusty walk into the tavern. Dusty acknowledged him by raising a hand in a hello, to which Morgan replied with a nod.
The age-old sign language of men.
He suspected Dusty knew Trish was pregnant, but he wondered who would be the first to bring up the subject. Morgan smiled as Trish's brother-in-law walked toward him. The smile was genuine, but his thoughts were at odds with each other.

“Have a seat, if you'd like,” Morgan said, inclining his head toward the chair across the table from him.

“Thanks.” Dusty took the seat and settled onto it, eyeing the bottle in Morgan's hands. “Drinking on duty?”

“What?” Then Morgan realized what he meant. “Not on duty. See?” He pointed at his shirt. “No badge.”

“Ah. I didn't notice. Trish said you were working late.”

Morgan nodded, not knowing what to say. When Hettie had badgered him about taking her out to the Clayborne farm to welcome Dusty and Kate home from their honeymoon, the lie came easily. He wasn't in the mood for a family get-together. At least not until he could sort through the things that had been bothering him.

Morgan suspected Dusty would understand and decided to tell him the truth about working late. “I guess I could say that plans changed.”

“You could,” Dusty agreed.

“But we both know better.”

Dusty flashed him an understanding smile. “Hettie?”

With a sigh, Morgan nodded. “It was the only way to keep her from insisting that I should be there.”

Shaking his head, Dusty chuckled. “Hettie and Aggie. I don't know any two people more…”

“Conniving?”

“That would be the word.”

“I know they mean well, but…”

“They do,” Dusty agreed, “but that doesn't mean they can't both be royal pains at times.” He waited while the newest waitress took his order for a cold beer, then tipped back his hat with one knuckle and grinned. “You might rethink that invitation, though. Aggie baked a ham and was starting a sweet potato casserole when I left. It should be ready within the hour.”

It was Morgan's turn to chuckle. “Now if you'd said Kate had baked the ham and was making the sweet potatoes, I'd bet you I could make it there faster than you could.”

“I don't know. Aggie can bake a mean ham.”

“So how was the honeymoon?” Morgan asked.

Dusty laughed before answering, and then waited as the waitress brought his beer and walked away. “I'd be crazy if I said it was awful. It was great. Kate got to see places even I've never seen, and I've done more than my share of traveling. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, even if Kate wasn't feeling up to doing a lot of sightseeing at first.”

“She was sick?”

Dusty looked down at the bottle in front of him. “Sort of.”

“That kind of sick, huh?”

Dusty laughed. “Yeah, that kind. I guess Trish mentioned that.”

“Briefly.”

Dusty shook his head. “Those two sisters tell each other everything.”

Morgan was about to get the answer to his earlier question. “So you know—” He didn't have to finish. Dusty merely nodded. “I should've figured that.” Needing to change the subject, he said, “I doubt I could ever afford a trip like the two of you took.”