Cart Before The Horse (8 page)

When he opened the door, he noticed the plates still on the table from dinner.
They had forgotten to take them back down. What had sidetracked him?

An anxious jolt surged through him and had him gripping the back of the nearest chair. That’s right, he’d gotten engaged.

Yeah, right.

He let go of the chair, walked to the refrigerator, and yanked it open to pull out a bottle of water. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d kept her secret or if he’d looked like a complete fool when Ed Jacobs had handed him that ring.

He took a long drink from the bottle and then turned on the television to fill the silence.
An infomercial showed him the latest gadget he couldn’t live without, but he was only
thinking of Holly.

What kind of mother was she going to be?
Would she be the kind that made sure the kid’s face was always clean, or would she be more apt to make sure their child laughed a lot and were normal, since she’d been so gifted? And what did he have to offer? He didn’t go to bed each day until four in the morning. He rose at ten and started it all over again, just like every day before that. Would the restaurant make it impossible to coach football or make it to a piano recital? How would he and Holly exchange time with the baby? She’d have to keep the baby all night while he worked. And she worked all day. Was it appropriate to have the baby at the restaurant while he did his ordering and hiring? What would the
perkies
think of him as a boss when he wore one of those front pack things with the baby in it? They certainly wouldn’t take him seriously.

He chugged down the water and turned off the television.
He needed some Tylenol and a hot shower. It was going to be as if he and Holly were divorced and they hadn’t even had the pleasantries of marriage. Or any of the perks but one night of pure and wonderful lust.

His current situation was about as far as it could get from his expectations of what his life should be like—a wife,
a traditional family. Sadness clenched at his heart. He rubbed away the pain of having lost out on that life once again.

At least he was getting macaroni and cheese.
Really, what

more did a bachelor need than a woman who was willing to make his favorite meal once in a while. No strings attached—except his and Holly’s child.

Holly wasn’t really surprised when she opened the door the next morning and her father stood there, a large grin on his face.

“Daddy, what are you doing here?”
She stepped over the threshold and gave him a kiss before stepping back to let him into her condo. Her conscience had her slipping her left hand behind her back.

“I just thought I’d drop by and say hi.”
He gave her a careful scan and she lifted up her hand. “Oh good. I figured him for a smart man and I’m not disappointed.”

“Oh, Daddy.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at the ring she wore with a deception attached to it. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“It was important to my grandmother.”

Holly took a step back and breathed through the sickness that washed over her because of the lies she’d woven together. “Thank you.”

“Your
mother is already making plans, you know. She might have been a little put off by the news, but she’s already sent lists to the caterer.”

Holly felt the blood drain from her head.
“Dad…”

“I told her to let it be and when you were ready to start planning you’d let her know.”

“Thank you.”

“And when you’re ready for that baby shower, she’ll be prepared too.”

This time Holly retreated a few steps and sat in the plush chair behind her.

Her father shut the door and gave her an all-knowing nod.
“I knew there was something else you needed to tell me. Do you want to tell me now?”

Holly shook her head. “No. I don’t want to tell you.” She laughed through the tears that formed. “But you’re going to make me say it out loud, aren’t you?”

“It would be nice to hear I’m going to be a grandfather.”

In an attempt to steady herself she pressed her hand to her stomach. “You’re going to be a grandfather.”

“Thank you.”
He knelt down in front of her. “I’m very happy, by the way. Very happy.”

“Really?”
She wiped away her tears.

“You have no idea.”
He pulled Holly into his arms. “I was sure that was what you wouldn’t tell me at lunch, and when I went to meet Gabe he did everything not to tell me either. Why would you feel you had to keep it a secret?”

Holly clenched her fists and released them, trying to let go of the tension that riddled her body. “I was worried that you would be upset with me.”

Her father’s lips curled into a warm smile that always calmed her. “You’ve established a wonderful life for yourself, and you’re very successful. First, a baby isn’t going to ruin that. Second, you’re old enough to have made your own decision on this. Had you been fifteen it would have been a different story. You’re not. You’re a grown woman in love with a wonderful man who vowed to your father that he was going to always take care of you.”

Holly’s chest tightened. She sat back in her chair.
“He did?”

Her father nodded.
“Oh, he’s scared. But he meant it. I saw it in his eyes.”

Holly had seen something in his eyes too—duty.

Her father stood and walked to the couch. He sat down and then patted the seat next to him with his hand as a silent invitation for her to join him.

Holly sat down next to him, and he draped his arm over her shoulders.
“You’re still going to have to be the one to tell
your mother.”

Holly dropped her shoulders and moaned. “Cart before
the horse.”

“That’s what’s always made you so special.” He chuckled and kissed the top of her head.
“It’s not so bad, Holly.
It’s a gift.”

Every muscle in her body began to ease as her father co
mforted her, patting her shoulder. He was an amazing man, Holly thought. She couldn’t have chosen a better father. Never had he belittled her or even put her on a pedestal as most did because of her intelligence. Her mother was often jealous of her ability to learn and excel. Not her father. She was still just his little Holly no matter what greatness she was achieving at any given age. And now she was going to be a mother, and he was embracing that too.

“Holly, I know you don’t want a big fuss made over the wedding, but she wants to be part of it.
She’ll never be able to tell you she’s proud of you. She wasn’t raised that way. I was the first person to come along and tell your mother that I was proud of her. Not even her first husband did that.”

Holly adjusted to look at her father.
She’d never heard him mention her mother’s first husband before.

He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“It was okay to come along second. I got the prize. I got you.” He nudged her. “And I have Trudy.”

“I love you, Daddy.
Thank you. I feel better now that you know.”

“But, like I said.
You
still have to tell your mother.”

The muscles in her body tightened up again. She gave him a nod.
“I will. I’ll drive up tomorrow and tell her.”

“That would be nice.
Now, have you had lunch?”

“No.”

“Good.” He braced his hands on his knees and stood. “I’m dying to try Gabe’s buffalo meatloaf.”

Chapter Five

H
olly, accompanied by her father, carried her grocery bags through the door to Maguire’s.

Chandra gave her a nod. “You don’t like the food we serve?”

Holly smiled. “I promised to make Gabe dinner.
Where is he?”

“He just ran to pick up some more potatoes for tonight.
We ran short last night. He should be back soon. Can I get
you a drink?”

Holly turned to her father. “Dad, sit down and have a beer.
I’m going to run these up to his apartment, and I’ll be back down and we’ll have lunch.” She looked at Chandra, debating what she’d say, then deciding it would be out in the open soon regardless. “Can I have a cup of herbal tea? Something that will ease a queasy stomach?”

Chandra raised her eyebrows and gave her a slow nod. “I’ll find you something.”

Holly walked through the doors to the kitchen and up the back stairs to Gabe’s apartment. She opened the unlocked door and set the bags on the table. Quickly she went about putting groceries away wherever she thought they should go. One night she’d make him chicken
piccata
for dinner. It was the one dish her mother had taught her how to make, and she’d
impressed a man or two with it. Although she’d only ever cooked for two men, and one was her father.

As she put the milk away and closed the refrigerator door,

she felt the sudden onset of sickness rush her body.
She ran down the hall to the bathroom and let go of her breakfast. Could it get any worse?

When her stomach had emptied herself, Holly looked into the mirror.
Her face was pale now and her eyes were red. But like always, once it was over she felt fine.

She rinsed her mouth and left the bathroom only to find Gabe standing in his kitchen, leaning against the counter.
“I would have thought someone broke into my house, but only one person comes over and gets sick.”

She couldn’t help but smile.
It was amazing how his face was so familiar to her now. So much so, she dreamed of it when she finally did sleep.

“Dad wanted to try that meatloaf you’re so tired of eating.”

He laughed. “I saw him down there but snuck up here before he could see me. I thought I’d better find out what he knows before I make some silly mistake and mention my
date tonight.”

“You have a date?”
Her head felt light again and she wasn’t sure this time she wasn’t going to pass out.

Gabe was to her in a moment.
“Are you okay?”

“Fine.”
She quickly composed herself. “You have a date?”

“I was kidding.”
He wasn’t laughing now, but looking her over. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Fine.
I’m fine.” She stepped back out of his reach. “He knows you gave me the ring. He knows about the baby, my mother doesn’t yet. I’m going up there tomorrow to tell her. And she’s already planning our wedding.”

“Good.
I hope she picks a caterer that makes those little crab wonton things. Someone could pass them on a silver tray to our guests. That would be awesome. You know, we could use the perkies.”

“Gabe.”

“I’m kidding. Lighten up, Holly.”

“We’re not having a wedding.”

“I know.
I know. I only get to have a baby with you. I don’t get to kiss you, hold your hand, marry you, or have a fun party. Just the baby.”

He was mocking her and it wasn’t funny. “Gabe, this
isn’t a joke.”

“You’re right.
It’s not.” He walked to her and gathered her hands in his. “But until you’re ready to tell your father that, you’re going to have to be nice to me and let me be nicer to you.” He stepped even closer. “That means, Holly, you’re going to have to hold my hand. You’re going to have to let me smile at you. And, Holly”—he moved in even closer until their bodies were touching—“you’re going to have to let me kiss you once in a while.” He leaned in and brushed his lips across her.

His mouth pressed against hers and her body slid next to him.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and she let him take the kiss from soft gentle brush to a deep, earth shattering kiss. It was the kind of kiss, she remembered, that got her into her
situation.

She let out a deep breath as he pulled back. When she could, she opened her eyes to see him smiling at her.
Where had her will power gone? “Gabe, that wasn’t nice.”

“You’re wrong.
That was amazing. Someday maybe you’ll rethink all of this and give me a chance.”

He let go of her and walked to the door.

Her breath was caught in her lungs and she couldn’t argue. Was that what he wanted? Did he want romance and love? Did he want to get married?

She certainly wasn’t going to marry a man she didn’t know.
That was as ridiculous as having his baby.

“Your dad is waiting downstairs for meatloaf.”

“Right,” she said, coming back to her senses.

“Looks like you’re ready to feed me tonight.”
He gave a nod to the kitchen.

“It’s the least I can do.”
She walked past him and down the

stairs. “You’ll have to give me a list of things you like besides macaroni and cheese. If you’re going to be so generous with your food at the restaurant, I could at least cook for you once
in a while.”

She’d need to figure out how to cook something besides macaroni and chicken piccata, though.

“Careful, Holly. You’re starting to sound like a wife.”

She knew when her father was happy. And by the way he nearly licked his plate clean, he was happy.

She could also tell when he liked someone.
Gabriel Maguire had won him over. That was exactly what Holly needed. She needed her father, and in time her mother, to like him. No matter what, Gabe would always be the father of their grandchild.

“So, Gabe, did you run a restaurant in Boston too?”
Ed sat back in the booth and rested his hands on his full stomach.

“No.
Boston was another life.”

Holly saw the sadness that flashed in his eyes when he spoke of Boston.
It broke her heart.

Gabe rested his forearms on the table.
“I was actually a real estate agent.”

“No kidding.”

“I was. I did fairly well at it. But I needed a change of pace.” He sat back and slipped his arm over Holly’s shoulders. She fought the urge to tense and gave in to the pleasure of it. “My uncle had this place since 1980. It’s doubled in size since then and has a loyal following. The past two years I’ve learned a lot. That’s for sure.”

“And it’s nice you can live upstairs.”

“Very convenient at three in the morning when I lock the door.” He blew out a breath and shook his head. Then his eyes lit. “Do you want a tour?”

“Some other time.
I need to get home. My wife will notice I’ve been gone if it exceeds four hours.”

“Daddy.” Holly shook her head and stood as her father climbed from the booth. “I’ll come by tomorrow.” She kissed him on the cheek.

“I’ll be waiting.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Come for lunch. She’ll want to discuss wedding plans.” He looked her over, and Holly hoped he didn’t see through her act. She didn’t want him to worry about her.

Ed extended his hand to Gabe.
“Hope you can join us too. Trudy looks forward to meeting you.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Holly watched her father leave the restaurant before she turned to Gabe. “Really, you don’t have to come. I don’t know what to expect from her.”

“Holly, you have to realize that even if we’re not married, these people will be part of my family.
They will be the grandparents of my child. You have to give them a chance to get to know me and vice versa.” He took hold of her arms, drawing her close enough to see the creases of strain around his eyes. “You can’t be completely in control here. This is bigger than you and me both. We’re a team now.”

She nodded.
She wasn’t very good at giving up control. As a waitress carried a plate of fish past her, her stomach rolled at the scent and she realized there was someone else about to take charge of her life.

Gabe let go of her arms.
“Let me know what you want to do. If you want to tell your mother without me there, that’s fine. However, I’m available tomorrow if you need me.”

He left her with that and went about making his rounds to all the tables to check on their service.

They’d eaten macaroni and cheese and hot dogs.
Gabe had seconds and then thirds. The only unsettling part of the evening was the joy she felt at pleasing him.

Now she tucked herself into bed.
She knew Gabe had hours of work left before he would tuck himself into bed too.

Holly bit her lip, not wanting to bother him, but she couldn’t help herself. She picked up her cell phone from the nightstand and text messaged him.
Good night. I will see you tomorrow.
Then she turned off the phone and closed her eyes.

She woke with a startle when she heard knocking at her door.
It was a constant rapping. She looked at the clock. It was three thirty in the morning.

Holly jumped from bed and pulled the baseball bat she kept from under her bed.
Slowly, cautiously, she tiptoed to the front door and looked out the eyehole.

Gabe.

Her heart still hammered in her chest as she unlocked the door and flung it open.

He stood there grinning at her. “Good morning, beautiful.
Can I come in?”

“What are you doing?
It’s three thirty in the morning.”

He looked at her, his lips still parted in an enormous smile.
“Are you going to beat me with that thing?” He nodded toward the bat.

“I’m thinking about it.”
She set the bat against the wall, walked to the kitchen, and turned on the light.

Gabe shut the door and followed her.
“I didn’t think you could get any cuter, but you know, right out of bed you’re
gorgeous.”

“What do you want?”
She took a coffee filter from the cabinet and set it in the basket of the coffeemaker.

“I have fun planned.
Let’s go.”

She slid him a sideways glance as she filled the coffee pot with water.
“You’re deranged.”

“Your first instinct is to make coffee and I’m deranged?
Honey, I’m normal and you’re about to be too.” He took the pot from her hand and set it on the counter. “Go get on some clothes. Something dark. Sweatpants and a sweatshirt if you have them.”

“Dark clothes.”

“Go.”
He pushed her down the hall, and she could hear him finishing the coffee as she searched for dark clothes.

Before she emerged, she’d taken a moment to tie back her hair and brush her teeth.
It hadn’t taken her but a second to realize that the reason he’d never seen her in such a state was because she’d crawled out of bed and run away the only time they’d made love.

“Damn you’re cute.” He leaned against the counter with two travel mugs to his side.
“Do you take anything in
your coffee?”

“No.
Are you drunk?” She sniffed but didn’t detect any suspicious odors.

“No.
Well, not on alcohol.” He moved to her and when he touched her she flinched, but he didn’t let go this time. Instead he pressed his mouth to hers, backing her against the
refrigerator.

Once again, she found herself being taken under by his kiss and grasping for something to pull her up.
But she enjoyed
it too much.

Finally, she managed her hands to his chest and gave a weak shove, but it did the trick.
He broke off the kiss.

She concentrated on breathing. “You have to stop
doing that.”

“I don’t think I can.
You’ve gotten under my skin, Holly.”

“And you’ve gotten under mine.”
She rested her hands on her stomach.

The smile he’d worn since he’d walked through her door disappeared, and his eyes softened.
He took his hand and rested it on her stomach.

Holly choked back the tears that tugged at her.
Her stomach, which was growing taut, was sensitive to his touch even through the sweatshirt she wore.