Sealing the Deal (21 page)

Robert had never expected to pledge his life to one woman. He’d always enjoyed playing the field, even if the field in Cloverleaf was a bit limited. The chase had always excited him, while boredom kicked in almost immediately after he caught the woman who’d captured his fancy.

But that was before Beth. In some ways, he’d been faithful to her from the moment they started working together. He’d dated less and less, and his sex life had rapidly dwindled until it went into full hibernation. The days he could spend with her as she helped decorate the homes he built were what he looked forward to, even finding reasons to call or meet with her that were downright frivolous. Hell, he’d lived for whatever time she could fit him into her busy teaching schedule.

Yet he’d never told her, he’d never found the balls to ask if she wanted to try for a relationship. It had taken Emma coming into Beth’s life to finally get him to realize all he could have with Beth. With them both.

Just looking at her now made him feel as though someone were squeezing his chest too tightly for him to breathe. How he’d managed to get a woman like her, someone so beautiful in mind, body, and heart, to fall in love with him was still confusing, but he thanked God every day she’d looked past his flaws and loved him for who he was.

Judge Layton loudly cleared his throat, drawing Robert out of his meandering thoughts.

“Sorry.” Heat spread across Robert’s face.

“Will you, Robert Stuart Ashford, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I will,” Robert replied in a strong, steady voice.

The judge gave him a grin; then he glanced at Beth. “Will you, Bethany Michelle Rogers, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”

* * *

Beth clenched the nosegay in her hand so tightly some of the stems snapped. A couple violets broke off and tumbled to the floor as the gravity of the situation slammed into her.

She wanted to say the words, but they’d stuck in her throat and refused to budge. Doubt crowded out all the reasons she should be taking these vows with Robert. Uncertainty about whether he truly loved her. Doubt about what the future would be if Darren Brown was Emma’s father. Doubt about whether Robert would want to be tied to her if Emma wasn’t a part of their lives.

He’d hesitated, had been lost in his thoughts when Judge Layton had asked “the” question. What had Robert been thinking? About whether he really wanted to do this? About whether they were rushing into marriage?

If only she could read his mind.

The judge cleared his throat again, the same way he’d gotten Robert to stop standing there, daydreaming. It didn’t have the same effect on Beth. Instead, she only worried more as she wondered exactly what had seized Robert’s thoughts so tightly he’d forgotten he was in the middle of getting married.

Dani stepped closer and leaned in to whisper in Beth’s ear. “Beth, you need to answer the judge.”

Beth gave her a brisk nod, but she couldn’t spit out the words.

“If you don’t want to do this,” Dani began. “We can—”

“We need a moment, please,” Robert said as he took Beth’s elbow and pulled her away from the judge and their friends.

Beth hurried after him as he marched several steps toward the door. Then he abruptly stopped, turned to face her, and grabbed her shoulders. “Why don’t you want to marry me?”

There was no anger in his voice. Instead, she heard fear and a note of hurt. Those are what she reacted to by wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her cheek against his chest.

“Please, B. I need you. Marry me.”

Her hesitation wasn’t fair. She was embarrassing him, shaming him in front of all these people. “I’m so sorry. I was just… worried.”

“What are you worried about?”

She wasn’t about to tell him her concerns. Her heart wanted him. Emma needed him. There was no turning back. “It was only cold feet.”

“Do you want to marry me?”

Easing back, she looked him in the eye. “I do.”

“Try saying that for the judge now,” he teased, dragging her back to the gaping folks who’d come to see a wedding.

“I’m sorry,” Beth said to Judge Layton. “May we please continue?”

“If that’s what you’d like to do,” the judge replied. The concern on his face made her pat his arm.

“It is. It’s exactly what I want.”

“Will you take Robert as your lawfully wedded husband?”

Beth nodded and stated clearly and loudly, “I will.”

Chapter Nineteen

All Beth could do was stare at the computer printout and wonder why the results of one stupid little test could have the potential to destroy her life so thoroughly.

Just as she’d feared, Emma was Darren Brown’s biological daughter. DNA said so. According to the laws of the state of Illinois, it also gave him the right to contest the adoption and perhaps take Emma away.

The normally optimistic Beth couldn’t stop herself from dreaming up sinister reasons Darren might fight for custody. The one she finally settled on was money.

Tiffany’s life insurance policies provided a rather large sum of money for her daughter. Beth had sunk all the funds into secure investments to earn interest as Emma grew. Once she was of age, Emma could use that money for her education or to buy a home. There was nothing that required Beth to do so because there were no rules for Emma’s guardian on what to do with the money. Darren would surely see it as a windfall.

“Don’t look so down,” Alexis said, dragging Beth back into the present.

Robert frowned. “Why not? The guy’s her father.”

“
You’re
her father.” Alexis drummed her fingers on her glass desktop. “He was just the sperm donor. Doesn’t mean the fight is over. Not by a long shot.”

“I thought it was a done deal,” he said, looking as upset as Beth felt. “Biological fathers always get custody in court, don’t they?”

“Not at all,” Alexis replied. “First off, I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet, at least not at length. Just a quick phone chat to get some pertinent facts. He hasn’t retained a lawyer, either, which means he hasn’t decided exactly what he wants to do.”

Beth’s heart leapt at that news. If she had just discovered she had a daughter, she’d be hunting down a modern-day Clarence Darrow to start whatever needed to be done to get her home. And she sure wouldn’t spare a thought for the people who tried to keep her from her true mother.

I’m a hypocrite
.

She tried to switch tactics. Maybe Darren didn’t want kids. Why hadn’t she thought about that sooner instead of wallowing in worry? None of the guys Tiffany hung around were exactly “dad” material. With Darren’s past, he might not even want Emma around. He had a business to run; he didn’t have time to care for a child.

“He wants to come here,” Alexis announced. “We have an appointment next Monday.”

“Here?” Beth’s voice cracked. “He’s coming
here
?” So much for him not wanting Emma.

“He’s driving to Cloverleaf with his girlfriend—his pregnant girlfriend.”

Even better! Why would he and his woman want Emma when they were starting a family of their own? Unless…

What if they thought Emma belonged in their growing family?

“Beth?” Alexis’s voice was soft. “You’re very quiet today. What’s on your mind?”

“Worry,” Robert replied. “She’s worried, and so am I.”

Alexis shook her head. “It’s too soon to be concerned. The game’s just beginning.”

“Game?” Beth clenched her hands into fists. “You think this is a
game
? I could lose my daughter.” Even saying the words hurt.

“Easy,” Alexis said. “I wasn’t making light of your situation. I promise you that I take it every bit as seriously as you and Robert do.”

“Then why call it a game?”

“Because that’s how I view the law. It’s a chess game, a matter of finding the right strategy and seeing it through until there are no moves left.” A smile lit the lawyer’s face. “I promise you this—I’m a pro at it. I’m going to do everything I can to keep Emma with you two. I’ve seen how great you are and how she’s already found her family. Darren might have helped create her, but Robert is her father. And you’re her mother, Beth.”

Robert took Beth’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Hear that? You’re Emma’s mother, B. Never forget that.”

“I guess I just don’t understand why Tiffany’s wishes aren’t being considered. Shouldn’t the court follow what she wanted for Emma?” Beth asked.

“I’d be dishonest if I told you we weren’t fighting an uphill battle,” Alexis replied. “Despite Tiffany’s wishes, biology has the upper hand in the law, especially since Tiffany never told Darren about Emma. Legally, he has the best chance at custody. But I intend to make a sound argument about what’s in Emma’s best interests. As an officer of the court, I believe staying with you is what’s in her best interests. If Darren fights for her, the court will also appoint a guardian ad litem whose only concern is what is the right thing to do for Emma.”

* * *

It wasn’t until after supper that Beth was able to find the time to think hard about the future. She’d been too busy all evening being a wife and a mother. Making their meal. Doing a couple of loads of the never-ending laundry. Picking up the things Emma always discarded around the house.

Sometimes she was surprised just how quickly she and Robert had settled into married life. Like any couple, they had spats. But most of the time, their relationship went as smoothly as a well-choreographed dance. They each had chores they performed without complaint, and they balanced their time with Emma so that she knew how much she was loved.

Marriage seemed to agree with Robert. With the exception of when they were discussing the possibility of losing Emma, he was usually in a good mood. He smiled. He whistled. He still gave her hugs and kisses whenever they’d been apart, even if for only an hour.

She loved him to the depths of her soul.

With a half-smile, Beth hung up the jacket Robert had thrown over the end of the couch when he’d come home. God love him, her husband was a slob. Beth never scolded him for dropping his shoes wherever he’d been when he kicked them off, nor did she complain about the wet towels he left on the bathroom floor or the fact that he constantly left the toothpaste resting on the sink, next to the cap he’d forgotten to put back on.

Little things like that didn’t bother her. If she was honest with herself, she’d admit she found his habits endearing, probably because she loved him so darn much. And he always returned the “ignoring” favor.

Robert never mentioned how she left the books she loved to read all around the house or how she’d taken up a heck of a lot more than half of the master closet. He also overlooked her rather obsessive need to buy toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues in bulk quantities.

They complemented each other, and their passion burned bright. All he had to do was fix those eyes on her and her blood turned hot. Perhaps that was only because they were still newlyweds, but she wasn’t going to question such a wonderful gift.

Almost ready to turn in for the night, Beth crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned her shoulder against the door frame, watching Emma sleeping in her crib. Although she was in perpetual motion from the moment she opened her eyes each morning, she always slept like a rock. She looked so peaceful, her lips parted as she breathed slow and even. The perfect little angel, and Beth loved her with every piece of her heart.

It took all of her restraint not to go over, gather Emma into her arms, and hold her tight. A tear slipped from the corner of her eye at the thought of her daughter being snatched from the only stability she’d ever enjoyed and thrust into a world full of people she didn’t even know. How much psychological damage could that kind of jarring change create?

Strong arms snaked around Beth’s waist before Robert pulled her back against him. He brushed a kiss against her cheek, sending shivers racing over her skin. “I got tired of waiting for you to come to bed.” He nuzzled her neck, making a small giggle bubble up.

“I was watching Emma.” All of the warmth inside her vanished. “I love her so much.”

Robert squeezed her tightly and rubbed his chin against her temple. “So do I, B.”

“We can’t lose her.”

“Have some faith. Alexis is the best. Let her do her job and keep hope in your heart.” He turned her in his arms, and she looped her arms around his neck. “You know it’s the thing I love most about you.”

She searched his eyes, trying to make sense of his comment. “What is?”

“How you never give up hope.”

Beth tried to drop her gaze, ashamed he didn’t see her as she truly was. He was wrong. Each passing hour stole a little more of the confidence she’d held her whole life that things happened for a reason. What reason could justify Emma losing her mother—and then losing her second mother? In what world was that fair?

With gentle fingertips, he lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes again. “I’m right here, love. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Tears filled her eyes, but these were tears of joy rather than sadness. She rose on tiptoes to press her lips to his.

* * *

Desire flooded Robert’s senses. His emotions were running hot, and he needed Beth right now in a way that felt downright primitive. In one quick move, he swept her into his arms and strode to their room, gently kicking the door shut behind them.

As was her endearing habit, she took a quick glance at the tiny screen on her nightstand—the monitor to the technological eye that kept watch over Emma whenever she was in her crib. He’d often awaken in the wee hours of the morning to find Beth awake as well, watching their daughter sleep.

Robert captured Beth’s mouth for a kiss, growling in impatience. He slid his tongue past her lips, and she returned the ferocity of the kiss, cradling his face in her cool hands as her tongue mated with his.

After setting her on the bed, he lifted her nightshirt over her head and tossed it aside. Then he stumbled out of his boxers, trying to keep staring at his sexy wife and undressing at the same time.

As Beth lay back, he stretched over her, loving the heat of her smooth skin as it touched his. It was probably a good thing she wore lacy panties. Otherwise he’d be fighting the overwhelming urge to immediately thrust inside her. He kissed her again, thinking he should slow things down a little.