Pretty and Pregnant (5 page)

Jeremy came forward and thumbed through the documents and pointed to where Kimberly needed to sign.

As she held the pen and began signing, she added, “Why do I feel like I’m signing away my life?” She muttered out loud. “Getting married clause indeed.”

Corrine gave Jeremy a hard stare and he escorted her outside.

Chapter Eight

“You told her what?” Corrine exclaimed. “I can’t lie to that dear girl.”

Jeremy nodded. “I know how you feel, but it’s best for both Kimberly and her baby.”

Corrine leaned against the fence on the deck and nearly toppled over it when a piercing voice said, “Hello.” Mrs. Barry’s cheeks were bright red and she held a can of Busch beer in her right hand. “I heard congratulations are in order.” She put a hand along one side of her mouth. “It
’s awful nice of you to marry the girl after the baby’s daddy died in a hunting accident.”

Jeremy’s eyes widened. “Well, it was love at first sight.”

“Really?” Corrine asked. “And was that before or after you found out she was pregnant?”

“After I’m guessing,” Mrs. Barry said. “But I’m not one to gossip.”

“No,” Mrs. Peacock blurted out. “That’s a good one, Mrs. Barry. You’re the president of gossip mongers anonymous.”

“Be a dear and run in and get me another beer,” Mrs. Barry spouted.

“Mrs. Barry is a lush,” chirped Birdie the Macaw.

She shook a fist at the bird. “One more word and I’ll make you into soup,” Mrs. Barry told the bird.

“Get the bitch a beer,” shouted Birdie. “Hurry she’s losing it!”

Corrine laughed. “That’s amazing, that bird can really talk up a storm.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Peacock said. “Sometimes a little too much if you get my meaning,” pointing toward Mrs. Barry.

“Why I never…” Mrs. Barry said.

“Quit drinking,” Birdie added.

Mrs. Barry trounced in and said over her shoulder, “See you two love birds at the wedding.”

Mrs. Peacock shrugged and followed after Mrs. Barry through the door. And Birdie hid his face behind a wing.

“I’m not sure, but I wonder if Mrs. Barry gave that bird a headache.” Corrine said.

Jeremy’s smile faded as he gazed toward the beach. “I’m in love with Kimberly, and the marriage clause sounded like a good idea.”

“That’s one hell of a secret,” she grinned. “I just knew there was something between you two. I’m good when it comes to things like this.”

“I know, but I need some time before I can make Kimberly fall in love with me.”

“What makes you so sure she hasn’t already?”

“She told me she wasn’t sleeping with me or cleaning up my house.”

Corrine nudged Jeremy. “Smart girl. I mean who could blame her? After all, it’s supposed to just be a business deal. How are you planning to handle it if the press gets a hold of the story?”

“I’m hoping it won’t come to that, and it’s another good reason for us to marry. I know how the press can be. I want to protect Kimberly at all costs.”

“I wish you luck with that one, Jeremy. They are like vultures.” She gazed up at the sky. “It’s a beautiful day. We can work the whole rags to riches if we have to. Pregnant girl goes from small cabin by the lake to a chalet. I love it,” she clapped her hands. “It doesn’t bother you that she’s pregnant with another man’s baby?”

“If it did, I wouldn’t be marrying her.”

Weenie yapped as he flew down the steps. “We’re not interrupting you two are we?” asked Kimberly. Her eyes shot toward Mrs. Peacock’s cabin and she lowered her shoulders a notch like it relaxed her with them absent.

Clive rushed forward. “Kimberly, pose over there by the rail.” With a wave of his hand, Corrine and Jeremy moved away.

“What should I do?” Kimberly asked.

“Look like your lips taste, like strawberries and sunshine,” Jeremy suggested.

She shot him an “if looks could kill” look. Her lips curved into a smile as she leaned back against the rail and flung an arm over her face peeking just under her elbow. “Like this?”

Clint clicked away. “I just knew she would be a natural. Don’t be afraid. Keep posing. I’m going for natural. Pretty and pregnant on the beach with her Weenie dog.”

With that Kimberly dropped down and hugged Weenie close. More clicks and then a gasp. “Will someone please, help me up?” Jeremy gave her a hand and the camera clicked away. He swooped her into his arms and more clicks. He then positioned himself behind her and placed both hands on Kimberly’s round tummy, his head peeking out.

“You both are great,” Clint said. “I’ll have the test shots ready tomorrow.”

“Great,” Jeremy said. “I hate to break up the party, but we need to apply for a marriage license today.”

“Of course. We’re leaving. Clint’s taking photos of Clare later today. One of the reasons you’re not doing the perfume ad Kimberly, was that I thought the coco butter line was more fitting for Pretty and Pregnant.”

“I agree,” Kimberly said. “Perfume named Pretty and Pregnant might be hard to sell. I use coco butter every day and I’ll bet women would snap that off the shelf. I can’t remember the last time a new product has been added for pregnant women, lotion wise that is.” She gripped Jeremy’s arm and gave him a pinch. “It looks like I’ll soon have a husband to rub my lotion on for me. When can I get a sample bottle?”

Corrine pulled a bottle from her bag. “Right here. The label hasn’t been designed yet, but we should have it ready by next week before your wedding.”

“I thought Jeremy hinted we needed to marry in three days.”

“No way am I having our spokes model getting married without a proper wedding dress. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at noon,” Corrine told Kimberly. “We’ll have a real girl’s day of it,” she winked.

Kimberly let Weenie back inside and they all walked to the door leaving right behind Corrine and Clive. Weenie pawed at the screen door to be let out, but Kimberly waved a finger at him. “You have to stay home.” She locked up and Jeremy opened the door for Kimberly, who took about five minutes t
o get comfortable inside his SUV. He then rushed over to the driver’s side and jumped in.

“This is so exciting, isn’t it?” Jeremy beamed at Kimberly.

“Yes,” Kimberly said. “Like getting a tooth pulled.”

“You shouldn’t feel that way, Kimberly.”

She scratched her arm, “And how would you expect me to feel? It’s not like we’re in love and this isn’t even your baby.”

“I don’t care, Kimberly. It doesn’t matter to me.”

She frowned. “Well, it should bother you. It would most men.”

Jeremy peeled out of the gravel drive. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not like most men, wouldn’t you agree?”

She drummed her fingers in her lap in time with a Taylor Swift tune, “Our Song.” “I’d agree with that, but how do you feel about children?”

“I think children are great. I had hoped to have a houseful by now.”

Kimberly’s eyes widened. “A houseful?”

“Sure, and you?”

“I don’t know. I had hoped to be married before I got pregnant I guess.”

“I promise, Kimberly, that I’ll make you happy if you give me a chance.”

She gasped. “Seriously, how about if we just stick to the plan? I marry you within a week and we divorce in two years time. I can handle the baby all by myself. You don’t need to even be there when the baby is born.”

It wa
s his turn to gasp. How cold could she be? “No way am I letting you go through this alone. I’m going to be there at your side the whole time.

They pulled up to Redwater’s courthouse and Jeremy helped Kimberly out. “See, I can be handy at times. Just trust me, Kimberly.”

She walked toward the small brick courthouse and Jeremy was surprised when she let him lace her fingers with his. Was he melting her resolve? He sure knew that kiss earlier was out of this world. She did taste like strawberries and sunshine.

Chapter Nine

Kimberly couldn’t believe what Jeremy had said. Would he really be there for her when she gave birth? That made her a little nervous too. This man hadn’t even been intimate with her, so why did he think he had to be the stand up guy? She wondered when she should tell Jeremy the truth about the baby’s dad. That he really had died in a hunting accident way before she realized she was pregnant.

She wanted to shake his hand from hers as it made her heart ache for him. Kimberly worried, what if she couldn’t make this man fall in love with her? Would he send her and the baby away after two years time like the contract stated or..
.
stop thinking Kimberly—stay focused. It’s a business deal not a love arrangement, although it did seem like an arranged marriage
.
She could have just said no, but she needed the money and she loved the idea of a lotion line for pregnant women. She hardly felt like a good role model though.

They approached a tiny window of the county clerk’s office and Jeremy took the clipboard, which was given to him by the cute blond who worked the counter.  The clerk’s face fell when he told her he was getting married. Kimberly wondered if Jeremy knew her. No time to get jealous, she chastised herself. He’s marrying you not the cute girl at the counter.

Jeremy filled out the form for the two of them as Kimberly recited her information. When he was done he turned it in, and was told he could pick it up in three days.

How did Corrine think they could find a dress for the wedding within a week? Redwater didn’t have a maternity shop, and even if they did, Kimberly was sure they wouldn’t have a wedding dress. Who six months pregnant gets married? Sure she knew that she wasn’t the first to make haste for the alter, but in those cases, the woman in question was marrying the father of her baby.

They left and went back to Jeremy’s chalet. The wind had picked up a bit and Kimberly stared toward the beach. “It looks like a storm is brewing.” She bit her finger. “Maybe I should go and get Weenie He gets scared all there by himself.”

“Are you kidding me?” he said. “You could have told me on the way.”

“How was I to know you’d come here?”

“I was just hoping to talk to you about our living arrangement.”

“Jumping the gun, aren’t you?”

He sucked in his breath and let it out in a rush. “No, I just wanted to show you the rooms available is all. You made yourself quite clear that you won’t be sharing a room with me.”

Why did that bother Kimberly so much? “I—”

He held up a hand. “You don’t have to say anything. How about you relax here while I go back and get Weenie.”

Kimberly grinned. “That sounds great, but he can be a handful,” she fretted.

Jeremy led the way inside, and once he opened the door, he punched in a code disabling his alarm system.

“You have an alarm?” Kimberly asked astonished.

“Of course I do. It’s just a little added protection and now that you’re staying here, it will make me feel more comfortable when I’m away.”

“You mean after the wedding, right?”

“Why not start staying here tonight? I can’t see any harm in it.”

“No thanks, Jeremy. I’d rather stay home until after the wedding. I don’t want people gossiping.”

Jeremy laughed. “I think it’s a little too late for that,” he said as he eyed her belly. “But I’ll honor your request. “Let me show you around before I take you home.”

Kimberly smiled. “Why not?”

He led her into the kitchen that had an island countertop with drawers and a granite top, which matched the other kitchen counter tops. All appliances, including the double oven, were stainless steel. Kimberly controlled her astonishment when she spotted the double door refrigerator. It was huge.

“Do you entertain often?” Kimberly asked dreading the answer.

“Sometimes, but not as often as I’d like. I have a huge family and unfortunately they live out of state.” A grimace came over his face. “I miss my nieces and nephews.”

“Have you ever thought about having children of your own?”

“Sure I have. I know that sounds unbelievable coming from a man, right?” he laughed. “I just never met the right girl. I met plenty of the wrong ones though.”

“Like Clare?”

He stretched upward revealing tight abs. “She was okay in the beginning. It’s strange looking back now. It wasn’t until she started being nasty to you that it bothered me.”

Kimberly had to ask. “You don’t think she’ll cause any problems for me do you?”

“Well, Clive did give her a modeling gig and I think that’s all she ever wanted. I think I was more a means to an end for her.”

“How’s that? I thought she had a wealthy family.”

“She does, but I used to be an entertainment lawyer, that’s how I met Clive. He’s an old acquaintance. He primarily handles publicity or advertising. You might want to say that he discovered you. He has a good feel for the business. You have a
n
‘it
’
face Kimberly, with a killer last name.”

Kimberly blushed. “Do you really think so?”

“If I didn’t you wouldn’t be standing here. When I saw your application come across my desk it wowed me - Steele with an e. Very unique.”

She glanced behind him. “I’d love to see the rest of the house before it gets too late.”

“Sure, would you like a beverage?”

“No, I’m fine thanks.”

“You sure are. I mean just say the word. I can pour a glass of milk like nobody’s business.”

She laughed and then suggested, “You s
hould be running an ad for milk …does a pregnant woman good.”

“It does a baby good or so I have read.”

Kimberly followed Jeremy into another room that had a glass top table and china cabinets filled with blue etched china and crystal glassware. The walls were decorated with ornate leaf patterned wall hangings. The most amazing thing about this room, were the sliding glass windows that faced Lake Huron. It was quite dark now with rain coming down by the bucketfuls.

“Yikes, we might be here longer than I thought. Unless you want to get soaked,” he added.

She shook her head swatting him with her hair. “Ouch,” he said laughing. He took ahold of a strand of hair and wound it around a finger. “Do you want to see the bedroom now?”

“Sure, but don’t get any ideas. I’m six months pregnant you know.”

“Really,” he teased. “I hadn’t noticed.” He released Kimberly’s hair and sauntered into a bedroom that was located across from the living room.

When they strode into the room she couldn’t contain her gasp. There was a white wire framed bed with a pink down comforter with white roses etched on the fabric. There was also a small dressing table with an oval mirror and an iron-cushioned chair in front of it. Four huge windows faced the beach and Kimberly had tears in her eyes when she finally choked out, “It’s so b-beautiful.”

“On a clear day, yes,” he agreed. He motioned to the opposite wall. “There’s plenty of room here to set up a crib, and heck, anything else baby related you’d like.”

Kimberly bit down on her lip to still the trembling. She felt like Cinderella and wondered when the bell would strike twelve. It was surreal. She pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. Nope, she felt the pinch and tasted blood as she had bitten too hard on her lip. “That’s a great idea, Jeremy.” She giggled and cried at the same time. “You’re being too kind to me and this room is amazing. I’d much prefer the baby to be in the same room as me than in a nursery down the hall.”

He folded his arms. “There’s another bedroom downstairs that you can decorate and use for a nursery.” When she began to cry he added, “The master bedroom is upstairs and that’s where I’ll be sleeping.”

She exited the room and gazed up the steep steps leading to the second floor. “Thanks. It would be too risky for me to be going up and down the stairs.” She batted at her tears. “I don’t mean to be so emotional. It’s hormones I guess.”

He led her to the couch and she sat as Jeremy darted off and returned with a box of tissue. “Who could blame you? Things are moving so fast. I can’t imagine what it would be like to carry around all that extra weight.”

“It doesn’t bother me, but I hate to rethink constantly about what I should or shouldn’t do. I mean, I need to think of the baby now. It’s no longer all about me anymore.”

The sky outside flashed and a boom rattled the whole house causing Kimberly to leap into Jeremy’s arms. He held her against him and whispered into her ear, “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you or the baby.” His lips brushed against her temple and he eased her back onto the couch. “Take it easy. Are you thirsty now?”

Kimberly was thirsty all right, for his kisses, but instead said, “I’d love a glass of milk. Do you have any chocolate milk? It’s my favorite.”

He rushed off and came back with two large glasses of chocolate milk. “I hope it tastes okay. I haven’t made any since I don’t know when.”

She grinned. “N
ever short change yourself. I bet it’s tasty.”

He passed her a straw and she slam-dunked it in the glass, dribbling some on her lap. “Is your family coming out for our wedding?”

He paused and tousled his hair. “They’ll be there if you like. I didn’t want a whole crowd showing up and scaring you off. I don’t want a runaway bride on my hands.”

“If I did that I’d be easy to catch.” She belched. “Oh my, sorry.”

He leaned back in his chair and laughed. “If that’s the worse I have to worry about, we’ll have a happy marriage for sure.”

Say something, Kimberly
!
“If this was a real marriage you mean,” she corrected him. “Unless you’re planning to tell me you love me, then it would be real all the way around.”

“You first.”

“Me first what?”

“If for arguments sake I told you that I loved you and couldn’t live without you. That the whole charade of a stipulation for an advertising deal was just that, a well orchestrated charade by me so that you’d marry me. What would you think?”

“I-I—” Her breath caught in her throat. “That would be cruel.”

“Cruel how?” he pressed.

“You can’t do things like that to people. You can’t use trickery to get your way. What if the other person doesn’t feel the same way about you?”

He moved in and reached out and took her hand in his. “I have loved you from the first moment that you clomped into my office with those sky high heels of yours.” His lips curved up. “I hadn’t known at the time you were pregnant, and when I did find out, it never mattered. If anything, it made me love you even more. You opted to carry the baby of a man who left you high and dry.”

Kimberly tried to pull her hand away, but he held it steadfast in his grip. “There’s something you need to know about the baby’s father—”

He cleared his throat and said, “I respect you more than you’ll ever know. I was adopted and I always wondered who my real mom was. I had my fantasies about it too. That she was some movie star and I was a love child. I think that’s why I originally went into entertainment law. I never did meet anyone that looked like me though, but I still look every where I go.”

Tears gathered in Kimberly’s eyes at his story. Her heart ached, yet she was so confused. Do I tell this man and my boss that I love him too or what? She was miffed that he had lied to her, but yet...

“Earth to Kimberly,” he waved a hand in her face. “I know this is so much to lay on you girl, but I can make you happy. I can make you both happy, and if the father of your baby ever shows up, I’ll show him the door.”

“Can I get a word in edgewise?” She put a finger to her lips silencing him. “About the baby’s dad. Do you remember when I told Clive, Corrine, and you, that I could say the baby’s father died in a hunting accident?”

A look of confusion came over his face. “Yes.”

“Well, I said that because it’s the truth. He really did die in a hunting accident last fall in the Upper Peninsula.” She frowned. “David never knew I was pregnant. We were high school sweethearts and had dated on and off for years. Obviously we were on when I got pregnant.”

His eyes darkened for a moment. “How awful. No wonder you wanted to keep the baby, but what about his family? They might try and come into the picture.”

“David Hines was an only child and his parents both died in an automobile accident when he was just eighteen.”

“I’m sorry, Kimberly. I’m sure it was rough for you finding out you were pregnant after he died. I’m sure you must still be mourning his death and I understand if you don’t want to marry me. I’m sure you still love him.”

She expelled a long breath. “Listen, I had feelings for David, but nothing like I have for you. You are the kindest man I have ever known. What man would trick a pregnant woman to marry him and not care a fig that the baby isn’t even his?” She struggled to her feet. “That’s better,” Kimberly said. She moved in and gave Jeremy a hug as close as her tummy would allow and whispered into his ear. “I love you, too.”

As she pulled away his eyes widened when the baby thumped from deep within Kimberly. “Wait, I’ll be right back.” He raced up the stairs and returned with a hand hidden behind his back. He bent down on one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?” He placed a hand against her stomach. “Will you both?” They both paused and then Kimberly gasped as the baby kicked her.