Heart of Ash (18 page)

There was always the shower.

The cats probably wouldn’t follow them in there.

Chapter Sixteen

The day of the big luau dawned bright and sunny, but Ash was in a dismal mood. He and Emily had come to the Island two days early to make all the final arrangements for their big event and had the extreme misfortune of running into her friends Drew Boone, Jamie Cook and Kaitlin Stringer on the ferry.

She’d invited them all to help with the fund-raiser so he should have expected them to be there.

What he hadn’t expected was their assumption, nay, their insistence, that Emily stay at their place.

He’d loved the past few weeks, loved every minute of it, working with Emily on the coming fete. Working on something that mattered. In addition to pulling all the pieces together in record time, they’d had dinner each night, a plethora of coffee dates—with chaperones—and gone fishing together. Holt and Parker and Kaitlin had tagged along on that trip, but it had been fun nonetheless. And the excursion had gone a long way toward making peace with Holt. Fishing was legendary for male bonding.

Ash and Emily had even spent a bit of time in his studio, playing with glass. And contrary to her opinion, she did not make silly little art. Her pieces were damn beautiful. His favorite was the one they’d done together. Island Sunrise, an exquisite panel featuring their island.

Aside from all that, they’d enjoyed mind-blowing sex. And sleepy early morning sex and quick down and dirty sex. Ash had gotten used to waking up with her by his side. Kissing her good morning. Being the first thing she saw when she opened those beautiful clear blue eyes.

He’d even gotten used to sharing a bed with butt sniffers. Sort of.

The thought of sleeping alone palled.

So it was kind of annoying when they ran into her friends.

And said friends insisted she stay the weekend with
them
.

Though their house was next door, and it wasn’t so very far away, it was too far by half.

To make matters worse, Drew had assumed the role of Emily’s protector. Whenever Ash and Emily were together—setting up tables, carting supplies, coordinating the entertainment—Drew somehow magically appeared. And hovered. Clung. Like the third wheel he was. When Lane and Cam arrived to help out with the Friday night welcome dinner, he collected a couple more shadows.

Even though Emily had made it clear to them they’d worked things out, her friends weren’t convinced. They watched him like a hawk.

As a result, Ash wasn’t able to sneak so much as a kiss.

So when he awoke on Saturday, he was cranky.

He shuffled downstairs rubbing the sleep from his eyes and gratefully accepted a mug of steaming coffee from Parker, who had come to help with the event too. Ash hadn’t slept much last night, and not just because he missed Emily. All the foster boys were staying in his rec room and they’d been up until the wee hours causing a ruckus, despite the valiant efforts of their chaperones to get them to sleep.

Likely no one had gotten much sleep last night.

Parker clapped him on the back. “You look like hell.”

“Thanks.”

“I…ah…” It was unlike Parker to stutter. That and his expression caught Ash’s attention.

“What’s up?”

Parker blushed. The scar on his neck went white. “I…ah…”

Ash chuckled. “You said that already.”

“Shit, Ash.” His friend scrubbed a palm over his broad face. “I just wanted to say thanks.”

“Thanks?”

“For doing this.”

Ash stilled as Parker’s meaning hit home. He nodded. “Sure thing.” He was doing this for Parker. And all the kids like Parker who, through no fault of their own, ended up in hell. They deserved better.

“You know I love you, man,” Ash said. His voice broke on the words. Words he rarely said. But he meant them. A lot.

“Yeah.” They shared a half-hug. A man hug. The way bros do. “I guess you’re not a total jerk.”

Ash grinned.

Thunder rose as a stampede of rambunctious boys—who apparently didn’t need any sleep to create utter havoc—pounded up the stairs from the basement and burst into the great room amidst whoops and hollers. For them, field trips like this rarely if ever happened. They were abuzz with excitement. Today there would be boating, swimming, games and, if things went well, mentors.

A mentor for each of these wayward souls.

Ash was determined to make it happen.

“Are you ready for this fresh hell?” he asked.

Parker snorted. “Bring it on, baby. Bring it on.”

Ash drew in a deep breath and gazed out over the lawn. The luau was a huge success. Tiki torches burned along the beach and the smell of barbecue rode richly on the breeze. The evening was cool and clear. Stars sparkled in the sky and the sounds of music and laughter tangled with the low thrum of conversations.

All of the special guests Emily had invited had come, and they were enjoying the event to the utmost. As Emily had planned, they’d all had a day filled with fun, interacting with the foster kids, playing balloon volleyball, competing in sack races and battling out a tug-of-war in the sand.

The kids had all been on their best behavior—there had only been one “accidental” fire—and it seemed as though most of them had found a mentor. Now they sat around in clumps, feasting to the gills, groups of wealthy socialites and business people, each chatting with one or two of the foster kids. Bonding.

He glanced at Parker, sitting against a pine on the tree line talking to a young boy. From their expressions, Ash knew his friend was sharing his story. Parker rarely talked about his past. And for good reason. But how powerful would it be for a kid who had been through similar horrors, to discover that a different kind of life, a successful life, was possible?

And how rewarding was it to be a part of making this happen?

A funny lump lodged in Ash’s throat.

He loved this, he realized. Loved doing something that made a difference.

He’d taken on this fund-raiser as an excuse to spend time with Emily, never expecting
this
.

That through his journey, he would discover his purpose.

“Hi there.”

A warm presence registered at his side. Without looking away from the panorama before him, he looped an arm around Emily’s shoulder and pulled her closer. Kissed her forehead.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

“The event is a smash.”

“I knew it would be.”

“How could it not be? With you in charge?”

“It’s been fun, but I’ve missed you.”

He looked at her then, took in her adoring eyes, her bright smile. “I missed you too.” A whisper. God, she was beautiful.

She was everything.

A tender ache rose in his chest.

He loved her, this bright, beautiful spirit. He loved her so much it hurt.

The thought should frighten him.

It did not.

Instead, it filled him with a dizzying hope, a fierce satisfaction. Peace.

Had it only been six weeks since he’d met her on the beach? It seemed like a lifetime ago.

“Oh, look,” she cried. He tried not to be annoyed that something had stolen her attention. He followed her gaze and his heart swelled at the sight of Dad and Michelle making their way down the beach. Sam skipped long beside them, throwing rocks into the surf.

“They came,” he breathed. Dad was doing much better, following doctor’s orders and slowing down at work. Though Ash had made it a point to invite them, they hadn’t known if they’d be able to make it out.

He and Emily strolled over to meet them and to his surprise, his father greeted her with a big hug. “Emily,” he boomed. “As always, an excellent event.”

“Thank you, Adam.” She dipped her chin to hide her blush.

“And Ash. Son.” Dad put out a hand and they shook. Then he pulled him into a hug. “I am so proud of you for doing this.”

It was Ash’s turn to blush. “It was all Emily’s idea,” he said.

“But Ash picked the charity,” she put in.

Dad winked. “It’s a damn good charity,” he said. “One of my favorites.” He sketched a wave at Parker, who waved back.

“Sorry we’re late. Michelle…wasn’t feeling well so we had to take the later ferry.”

Michelle laughed. “And then I got sick again on the ferry. All that heaving.”

Ash chuckled. “Must be rough seas. Emily got sick on the ferry too.” He glanced at her in time to see her flush and nibble her lip and he realized he probably shouldn’t have shared that. Her stomach had been bothering her lately and her nausea seemed to embarrass her. “Anyway. I am glad you’re here.”

“The event’s going beautifully.” Emily’s voice took on a businesslike tone. “We’ve had record donations and most of the kids have new mentors.” She smiled slyly. “But there may be a few more who could use a hand up…”

Adam chuckled. “Relentless as ever, aren’t you, Emily?”

She bit back a grin. “Yes.”

As Ash watched them interact, his suspicion solidified. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time they’d met. Which surprised him. “So…um… You two know each other?”

Emily patted Adam’s arm. “We’ve known each other my whole life.”

“Really?” How had he only just met her? He shot an accusing look at his dad.

“Emily’s father and I have been friends for years. You’ve met him, Ash.”

Ash blinked. “I have?”

“Caesar? Caesar Donahue?”

Caesar Donahue?

Caesar Donahue was Emily’s father? Shock, utter and complete shock, rocketed through him.

No wonder Lane had laughed when he’d so magnanimously announced he didn’t care that Emily was poor.

Because she wasn’t.

Not by a long shot.

Shit, next to her father, his was a pauper.

Emily had mentioned her father was scary. That was an understatement.

“Are your parents here, Emily?” Michelle asked.

“Oh no,” she responded. “They’re summering in the South of France.”

“Oh.” A coo from Michelle. “Nice is nice.”

Emily nodded. “It is.”

Ash gaped at her throughout this exchange, desperately trying to process this revelation. “But…” he sputtered. “You’re a teacher.” Okay. A ridiculous thing to say, and he hated the way it came out, as though he was accusing her of something.

But she just smiled. “Of course I’m a teacher. I…” A charming flush stole over her cheeks. “I love children.”

He gazed at her, entranced by her. Ensnared. She would be a wonderful mother. She would make beautiful babies.

He was suddenly possessed of the urge to make one. Right now.

But this was hardly the time.

Because the sky exploded. All the guests turned to watch as fireworks lit the heavens, children and adults alike ooing and awing at the panoply of color.

And because they were all distracted, and because no one was looking—most especially Lane or Drew or, for heaven’s sake, his father—Ash pulled Emily into his arms and he kissed her.

But good.

“Oh Ash,” she murmured against his lips. “I have missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. How long do you think it will take before your protectors will trust me to be alone with you?”

She laughed. “They aren’t very forgiving.”

“Let’s sneak away…”

“I can’t leave.” A wail. “It’s my event.”

“It’s going perfectly.”

“Where would we go? Your house will be crawling with boys and ours is full to the brim with girls. There will be no privacy…”

He pulled her closer. “Let’s go to the island.”

“Silly. We’re on the island.” She tipped her head to the side. “How much champagne have you had?”

“I didn’t have any champagne.” He grinned. “I mean
our
island. Where it all started.”

She made a face. “That cabin is too rustic.”

“It’s remote.” He kissed her nose. “That would be the point.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead, her cheek. “I’ll make the pancakes this time…”

With a bribe like that, how could she resist?

Ash stretched and stared at Emily as she came back to the bed. She paused to gaze at the glasswork he’d brought over earlier and set on the mantel, the piece they’d made together. Sunrise over their island. A forever reminder that this was their place. The muted fingers of dawn traced the panel, making it come alive.

A smile tweaked her lips. When she turned it on him, his heart melted.

He opened his arms and folded her into his embrace as she slipped back into bed. “Everything okay?” he asked, kissing her forehead. She nodded, although, for some reason he didn’t believe her. He’d heard the noises in the bathroom, and she smelled of mint, as though she’d just brushed her teeth. Like six times.  She curled against him. He tightened his hold.

She peeped up at him. He kissed her. Couldn’t resist.

A frown flickered over her features.

“What is it, Em?”

“I, ah, have something to ask you.” She shook her head. “No tell you.”

Concern skirled through him. Something in her tone set his teeth on edge.

“I’ve been kind of sick lately.”

“Yeah?” He’d noticed. But surely it was only the flu. Surely it wasn’t something serious…

Her expression shifted. A flicker of fear. A hint of apprehension.

Oh. God. The sinking feeling in his belly returned, the one he’d felt as he’d waited in the hospital for news on his father.

What if it were something serious?

He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Emily. She meant too much to him.

She’d become his everything.

She wiggled out of his hold and sat up next to him, folding her hands in her lap. He recognized that sign. A block of ice formed in his chest. “I went to the doctor.”

He sat up too. “And? What is it?”

“I don’t know how to say it.”

“Just say it.”

She glanced at him. Her eyes, so blue, so beautiful, so pained. It nearly killed him.

“What.” A croak. “Em?”

“I’m pregnant.”

His jaw dropped. “What?”

“It’s okay. I’m not expecting anything of you. I’m not. But you deserve to know.”

Something tender and necessary dribbled through his chest. A baby? A little Ash? Or an Emily with that incredible button nose? “Is it…mine?” he blurted, then winced.