Baby, Be Mine (Holiday Brides Series) Page 10

  “No. It’s a motherly question. One that stems from genuine concern.”

  “About what?”

  Emma met her eyes. “About the fact that maybe you’re making a mistake. That maybe—just maybe—the guy who’s meant for you has been right under your nose all along.”

  “I don’t need to sit around and hear this,” Nikki said, standing. “You’re supposed to be happy for me.”

  “Happy about what?” Tony asked, walking in.

  “Your sister’s getting married,” her mom said flatly.

  Tony turned to her with pleased surprise. “To Jack?”

  Jack clicked through the remote again then switched off the TV with a grumble. “Nothing decent’s on.”

  Angie spoke from where she prepared homemade pizza by the stove. It was loaded with meats and cheeses, all the ingredients Nikki couldn’t eat. “We’ve got over a hundred channels!”

  “Yeah, and all of them are lame tonight.” Jack had previewed lots of shows, but none of the details had registered. He couldn’t believe it was already February eighth. So much had happened since Christmas Day, and very little of it was good.

  “What makes you so grumpy tonight?”

  “I’m not grumpy. Just hungry.”

  Angie smiled sympathetically. “Pizza will be ready in ten minutes.” She slid it in the oven and poured them some wine. Jack hated that she was so nice to him. That only made his realization more difficult.

  She joined him on the sofa and handed him a glass. “Let me see if I can cheer you up,” she said, giving him a peck on the lips. Jack set down his wine.

  “Angie…”

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  He looked in her eyes, hating to break the news to her. “I can’t…don’t think that I can do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Keep pretending that everything’s all right.”

  Her eyes misted slightly. “But it isn’t?”

  “You’ve got to believe me when I tell you, you’ve been the best.” He took her hand. “The absolute best girlfriend a guy could want.”

  “Any guy except you?” she asked with hurt in her voice.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t get over—”

  “Nikki,” she finished for him. “Jack,” she said gently. “She’s marrying somebody else.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then why…?”

  “I can’t explain it. This just feels wrong. You and I…feel wrong.”

  “How long have you known?”

  He spoke past the burn in his throat. “In some ways I guess I always have.”

  Angie hung her head. After a few quiet moments, it sounded like she was weeping. Jack released her hand, and she used it to wipe her cheek. “She doesn’t want you, Jack,” she said, looking up. “You know that.”

  But he didn’t know that. Didn’t know that at all. That might be what she’d said, but it wasn’t what Jack believed in his heart. He’d convinced himself he didn’t want Nikki either, but he’d been wrong. Categorically. He couldn’t help but think perhaps Nikki had been mistaken too. There’d been something there when he’d kissed her, and in that motel room… Even at the arena, when she’d fallen into his arms. There was something more to their relationship now than mere friendship. Maybe there had been all along.

  Jack stood and grabbed his coat. “I’m sorry. Really sorry about everything.” The pizza timer went off as he reached the door. “But there’s something I need to do.”

  Nikki opened her apartment door, stunned to see him. “Jack? What are you doing here?”

  He strode into her small apartment and spied an open suitcase on the bed in the next room. “I came to tell you I think you’re making a mistake.”

  “What?”

  “Nikki, listen to me. You can’t marry Kurt. That’s crazy.”

  “All of this is crazy, Jack. You know that. But in its own crazy way, it also makes sense.”

  “But Vegas? You’re going to Vegas, Nikki? Who’s going to marry you? An Elvis impersonator?”

  “Now you’re sounding like my mom.”

  “I’ll bet she thinks this is nuts too. Especially not knowing the details.”

  “She thinks it’s a little sudden, yeah. But I explained to her I’ve always had a thing for Kurt. That I’d never really gotten over him.”

  “But you know that’s not true.”

  “I… Hang on, Jack. Just what are you doing?”

  He stepped toward her, and she inched back. “Trying to get you to think about this.”

  “I have thought about it.”

  “Not in the right way,” he contested.

  “There’s something you don’t know.” She squared her shoulders and stared up at him. “I went to see your cousin Dave.”

  “The lawyer?”

  “Yeah. And do you know what he told me?”

  Jack shook his head, feeling like this had come out of left field. “No.”

  “He said it would take money—big money—to contest Aunt Mallory’s will. Certainly a lot more money than I’ve got in the bank.”

  “I’ll lend it to you.”

  “You can’t do that. Your money’s tied up in your dad’s restaurant.”

  “I’ll untie it, then. Take out a loan.”

  She met his gaze with urgency. “There isn’t time.”

  He closed the distance between them. “Time is all we’ve got, Nikki. You and I both. We’ve got plenty, and without your Aunt Mallory’s money. We can find a way to make it and to help your mom. Yes, and Tony too. We can do that.” He paused and drew a breath. “Together.”

  Her words came out as a gasp. “What are you talking about?”

  “Us, Nikki. You and me. We belong together. We always have. Don’t you think there’s a reason you’ve never kept a boyfriend, and no girl’s ever worked out for me?”

  “Maybe we’re both relationship-challenged.”

  “Of course we are. Because we’ve been pursuing the wrong relationships. One of us is as guilty as the next.”

  “You can’t mean that…? Jack! Just listen to yourself! What about Angie?”

  “I broke up with her.”

  “You what? When?”

  “Tonight.” He took her in his arms, and this time she didn’t resist. “I can’t be with her when all I can think about is someone else.” He dove into her eyes, his head and heart reeling. “Tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me you’ve never felt anything between us and I’ll walk away.”

  She stared up at him, blue eyes deep and soulful. It seemed an eternity before she finally spoke. “I’m marrying Kurt, Jack. The truth of the matter is I do need that money, and everything’s been worked out.” Although her words were harsh, her face softened with resolve.

  He tightened his arms around her and pulled her close, so close it was impossible not to recall what his body felt like lying on top of hers. “Oh yeah?” he said, his mouth hovering over hers. “Then put this in your suitcase and pack it.” Then he kissed her hard, bringing his lips to hers with all the ardor he’d bottled up for a decade. She sighed into his kiss, accepting it willingly, her tongue tangling with his, igniting a fiery passion in his soul. This was his Nikki, utterly and completely. Mind, body, and spirit: all three. He broke their embrace, leaving her breathless, and zipped up his coat.

  Her hair was disheveled, her lips deep red. “Where are you going?” she asked, looking dazed.

  “Away.”

  “Away?” she asked weakly.

  “You have twenty-four hours to think about it. Then I’m not doing this anymore. It’s all in or nothing, Nikki. If you get on that plane to Vegas, you and I are through.”

  Chapter Ten

  Nikki walked toward the sofa on wobbly knees, holding on to furniture for support as she went. What just happened, and how had she suddenly lost all sense of reason? The truth was it was hard to think about anything at all besides being wrapped up in Jack’s kiss. He’d totally blown her socks off, and nearly the r
est of her clothing too. She’d never known she could experience that kind of passion with Jack, although a little voice in her soul said this was something she’d always suspected. Year after year, she’d fought her attraction to him, telling herself she was mistaking friendship for desire. She loved Jack. She always had. But in a way that was more about the two of them being buddies, right? Nikki sank down on the fluffy cushion, her heart careening wildly out of control. Jack! Her Jack had turned out to be a powerhouse kisser, and—okay, so she’d admit it—one incredibly sexy, desirable man. Plus, he desired her. That much was clear. While he’d hinted at that forever, he’d never so completely shown it until now. And wow, had he shown it. Full force.

  Nikki stretched out her left hand and surveyed her empty finger. In another couple of days, a man was going to put a ring upon it. But was Kurt really the right man? Nikki tried to imagine herself being married to Kurt. Really imagine. She saw a future of peewee games and late nights of him grading school papers while she did her stitching. It would be a comfortable, practical existence. Fine for a stable future, and a partnership between… Nikki sat up with a start, slammed by the realization. It wasn’t Jack she thought of as a friend, but Kurt! When she thought of her and Jack being married, she saw…roses and champagne and rumpled sheets in hotel rooms, and heavens! Babies! More than one, with dark wavy hair and Jack’s gorgeous brown eyes. She recalled the feel of his body pressing hers and the fire of his kiss, and knew she longed for more of him. What they’d had together hadn’t been enough. It could never be enough. She was glad Jack had broken up with Angie. She couldn’t bear to think of him with her or any other woman. Not having the knowledge that he could be all hers. And—Nikki swallowed hard—understanding that she wanted him to be. Nikki stared in a sweat at the suitcase in the next room. She had to do something about her arrangements with Kurt, and soon. She checked the clock. It was nearly eleven. She couldn’t go see him tonight. Kurt had a plane to catch in the morning. She’d head over there first thing.

  When Nikki got out of bed, the sun was streaming through the window. The snow had let up, and the sky was a brilliant blue. She showered and stepped into her clothes, her heart bounding. For once in her life, she didn’t feel nervous. Nikki knew precisely what she had to do. Jack was right about everything. Dean nailed it too. It was impossible for Nikki to fall for another guy as long as Jack was in the picture. And she wanted him there, all in. Nikki wasn’t just attracted to Jack, she loved him. As in, Love with a capital L. The sort that went way beyond friendship and shot her straight up to the moon. Nikki set down her coffee and did a little pirouette around her apartment. “Wheeee!” So this is what it feels like? It’s like floating…or flying…or— Bonk! Nikki called herself up short and rubbed her head. She’d just danced clear into the refrigerator. “I’m a hazard to myself!” she yelped with a happy laugh. And boy, doesn’t it feel good!

  Thirty minutes later, Nikki stepped off the bus and headed up the steps of Kurt’s apartment building. He met her coming out the door with his suitcase in tow. “Nikki!” he said in surprise. “I was just on my way to pick you up.”

  She stopped him as his feet met the slush on the brick step. “Do you mind?” She lightly patted her lips in an invitation to a kiss.

  Kurt glanced at the passersby busily bustling down the street. “What? Here?”

  She nodded and pushed him back toward the landing. He backed up a step and took her in his arms. “Well, all right. But just a quick one. We wouldn’t want to miss our—” He gazed past her shoulder. “Wait. Where’s your suitcase?”

  While she felt sure in her heart, Nikki wanted to be one hundred percent certain in her body too. She’d lied to her mom about Kurt. The truth was, back in the day, his kiss had rocked her world. Before he could stop her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted one firmly on his lips. Hmm. They were there. Warm and all. But sizzling? Jack Hudson-hot? Not.

  “What was that for?”

  She licked her lips, then told him primly, “Just checking.”

  “Checking what?”

  Nikki looked up and saw the sun had darted behind some dark clouds. Light flurries suddenly dotted the air. “Kurt,” she said solemnly. “I have something to tell you.”

  He cocked his head to the side.

  “I’m not going to Las Vegas.”

  “But what about the—”

  “It’s not you. It’s me.”

  “Well, yes. I guessed that. Nikki, has something happened?”

  “Yeah. I’ve learned that love can’t be bought.”

  “Hang on a second. I never said the L word.”

  “Didn’t have to. I’m planning to say it to someone else.”

  He studied her a beat. “Is this about Jack?”

  Nikki glanced down at her chest to see if she was wearing a sign. Then she recalled that, in a manner, she was. That beautiful necklace Jack had given her. Though it was underneath her coat so Kurt couldn’t see it. It was hard to say it, but Nikki knew she had to tell him the truth. “I’m so sorry, Kurt. I guess it’s always been about Jack.”

  He floored her by breaking into a grin. “You and he will make some mighty fine babies.”

  “What?”

  “I’m just saying, Nikki. I’ve seen that one coming for a very long time. Honestly, I was stunned you didn’t ask him first.”

  “You’re not…mad about this?”

  “To be honest, I was having second thoughts myself.”

  “You were?”

  “It’s hard to marry a girl who’s hung up on somebody else. No matter how great she is.”

  A taxi pulled up to the curb. “That’s my ride.”

  “Thanks for being so understanding, Kurt. I wish there was something I could—”

  “There is.” His eyes twinkled. “If you ever come into that cash, do me a favor and throw a few dollars in the direction of my school.”

  “But it’s private. The board’s got tons of money.”

  “Yeah, but there are kids who should go there who can’t afford it. Boys on my team who could really change their futures given that sort of chance. I was going to set up a scholarship fund with some of that money. I mean, once I had it.”

  Her heart melted. She’d been so right about Kurt. He really was terrific. His goal was worthy too. If Nikki ever found herself in a position to help with that, she wanted to. “I promise,” she told him. “I’ll do that.”

  Nikki’s next move was finding Jack, but he sure didn’t make it easy. She went to his apartment, but his car was missing. She checked at the restaurant, but his dad said he’d gone down to the docks to speak with their fish supplier. Nikki fitted her knit hat more firmly on her head as she followed the wooden walkway toward the marina. The snow was coming down harder now, pounding in heavy wet flakes. She wasn’t even to the end of the slip when she saw him approaching. He strode toward her, repressing a smile.

  “Don’t you have a plane to catch?”

  She sighed, surveying his handsome face. “Not anymore.”

  Snow dusted his dark cap, and in that instant, Nikki had a glimpse of how Jack might look at eighty. She knew without a doubt she’d love him just as much then.

  The wind whipped up around them, howling off the water. “Nikki?”

  “I was just thinking about how great you’re going to look old.”

  “Thanks, I think.”

  “And I want to be there, Jack.”

  “What?”

  “All in. Every step of the way.”

  She grabbed his hand and dropped down on her knees. Geez, the dock was frigid!

  “Kiddo?” He stared down at her in shock. “You’re going to get frostbite.”

  “Yeah? Well, I don’t care.” She tugged at his hand, holding his worn leather glove in both her mittens. “Because here’s the thing, Jack Hudson. I may be a bit of a ditz when it comes to some things, but with others, I’m crystal clear. I mean, a little slow on the uptake, maybe… And I know sometimes my emotions
get the best of me…”

  “Only sometimes,” he agreed.

  “But, Jack—”

  Man, he was gorgeous. The most impossibly hot guy she’d ever seen. How on earth did it take her so long to notice?

  “You’re the most wonderful guy I’ve ever met. Thoughtful, genuine, kind. And you kiss like a house on fire!”

  Jack’s eyes widened.

  “Which is why I know you’re right. You and I were destined to be. Mind, body, and spirit. All those connections rolled into one. I’ve felt it for a long time, only I didn’t understand it. Didn’t know what it was, because I couldn’t give it a name.”

  “But you can now?” he asked, staring down at her. There was warmth in his heady dark eyes. Warmth and encouragement too. “Say it, Nikki. I need to hear those words.”

  She tried to speak forcefully, but her voice fell apart, cracking up as her eyes brimmed with tears. “I love you, Jack. I love you so much. Please forgive me for taking so long.”

  He tried to pull her up and into his arms, but she stopped him.

  “Wait. I have something important to ask you. And, this has nothing to do with Mallory’s money.”

  His brow rose in expectation.

  “Will you marry me, Jack? Marry me and have my babies?”

  “Did you say babies?” he asked in wonder. “With an S?”

  She nodded as tears streamed from her eyes.

  He yanked her up on her feet then, and into to his arms. “You crazy, marvelous woman, I love you back.”

  Hope welled in her heart. “Does that mean yes?”

  “Baby,” he said with a grin. “You bet!”

  Then he kissed her so fiercely that Nikki’s knees went weak, and the snow melted away as if they were in a dream.

  Five days later, they were kissing again, this time before the neighboring county’s sheriff. Jack’s dad called in some favors and helped arrange a quickie ceremony. He, Emma, and Tony all stood by as witnesses. After breaking the happy news to her mom about this wedding, Nikki fessed up about Aunt Mallory. Since she and Jack were determined to be together anyway, they couldn’t see the point in tossing away a million bucks. They’d worry about the second million when the time came, though they weren’t going to let that rush them starting a family.