Sleeping With The Enemy (A Stranger's Touch) (15 page)

Alex shook his head and touched her cheek softly
. “Nothing prepared me for your leaving. I went to see your father that morning after you left and confessed everything.”

“Oh Alex, I didn’t want to leave you. I just couldn’t believe you lied to me. You told me you’d never been married before. You have no idea how much that hurt to hear.”

“Kate.” He turned to face her as he spoke. “What I told you was I’d never loved anyone before you; it was the truth. I’ve never been in love before you, Kate.” She met his gaze unflinching and wanted to believe him.

“It’s true. You see, Marissa and I were just kids when we got married. We weren’t in love. We didn’t have a clue what love was about.” Alex rubbed his hand across his eyes and stared into the fire, remembering.

“Marissa and I were married right out of high school. I think we were both just thought that’s what was expected of us. I went to school on a scholarship, but Marissa wasn’t interested. She just wanted to be a wife. For a while, things were okay between us, but I think it was simply because I was never home. I was at school all day, then I worked most of the night. When we were together, we ended up fighting all the time. And after a few years of it, I think we both knew we’d made a mistake.” He glanced her way to see her reaction before continuing.

“Marissa thought having a family would help. I couldn’t see bringing a child into that sort of a mess. So we fought more often. And I found new reasons to stay away.”

Kate watched his expression very carefully, wondering what he would feel about their child. Would he think it was another mistake, or would Alex be thrilled?

Please let him be happy
…

“She accused me of having an affair.” He turned back to Kate. “It wasn’t true, but I wasn’t a husband to her either. I resented being tied to Marissa by that time. The night of the accident, we had a huge fight. I told her I wanted a divorce. She stormed out. Kate, the accident was Marissa’s fault. I spoke to the investigating officer a few weeks later. He told me the truth. So you see, I knew
your father hadn’t caused the accident, but I was just so angry with myself that it just seemed easier to blame Robert for Marissa’s death than accept my own part in it.”

“Oh, Alex.” Kate touched his face and watched him close his eyes in pain. “You weren’t
responsible. Marissa was in charge of her own life and death. But I wish I’d waited, listened to you that day at your office, or when you came after me in Denver.”

“Me too,” he told her quietly. “I should have told you before I married you. If only I’d been honest with you about everything. I’m sorry I wasn’t.”

“We both made mistakes, but we’re still here and we’re talking through them. That’s a good thing, right?”

He smiled back at her.
“That, Mrs. Bradshaw, is a great thing.”

“But I need you to promise me, if you ever have doubts again, you’ll talk to me first about them. Don’t run away again, Kate.”

“No, I won’t.” Kate knew it was time to tell Alex about their baby.

“Alex, I have something to tell you, but it’s so hard to say. Especially after what you’ve just said about Marissa and, and not wanting to bring a child into such an unhappy environment.”

“What do you mean?” His eyes narrowed as he watched the color spread across her face, and then he knew.

“Are you pregnant?” Alex asked in wonder. “Oh my God, you are!” He didn’t give her time to answer. Alex swept her up into his arms and planted kisses across her mouth, her eyelids, her forehead.

“Does this mean you’re happy about the news?” Kate teased and started to giggle.

“Happy, I’m more than happy. I’m walking on air! I can’t believe this is really happening. I was almost ready to give up hope tonight, Kate and now
…I can’t imagine being happier.”

“Me too,” she told him before she took his face in her hands and kissed him most thoroughly.

“I can’t wait to see your father’s face when we tell him he’s going to be a grandfather tomorrow.”

“Un-uh. You heard his doctor. We have to let him get stronger before we spring this on him. I want my father around to see his granddaughter grow up.”

“How can you expect me to wait until…wait, did you say granddaughter?” he asked slowly. “Does this mean you know already?”

“No, but I’ve always wanted a little girl. What about you?”

“Me? Oh, I think I can be happy with a little girl. And we can always try for a boy the next time.”

“The next time? How many kids do you want?” Kate asked in concern.

“Lots. As many as we’re blessed with. But that’s half the fun in it, isn’t it. Making them.”

“Yes, at least it is with you, Mr. Bradshaw.” Then Kate remembered how abandoned he’d loved her in
Colorado.

“Were you trying to get me pregnant that night in
Colorado?”

He faked a cringe.
“Well, I guess I was hoping…I’d do anything to keep you with me, Kate. In fact, you’d be surprised what I’ve done.”

“Like what for instance?”

“You know Judge Ludlow?”

“Yes
…oh, no you didn’t?” Kate asked in surprise then grinned at his little boy expression.

“Oh yeah. He’s a very good friend of mine, actually. And so is your attorney. There’s no way that ruling is legally binding.”

Kate punched him on the arm.

“Ouch!”

“What else have you been up to?”

“Nothing. At least nothing I’m willing to admit to, that is
…”

Kate tried to look angry, but in truth, it no longer mattered what brought them together. She loved this man in her arms who she’d once believed to be her enemy
. And she never planned on leaving him again.