Emerald Eyes (21 page)

“Thank you for being so understanding and caring, Tickling Feather. I don’t deserve you.”

She gazed up at him with her big soulful eyes. “I have always thought I wasn’t good enough for you.”

“Shush! You’d make any man proud, Tickling Feather. To put it in your grandfather’s words, there are many braves seeking your attention.”

“But I don’t want them, Chuck! I love only you!”

“Does that mean your answer is yes?”

Her eyes welled with tears, but she was smiling. “Yes! Yes! I’ll marry you!”

“It is I who do not deserve you, Tickling Feather!” He kissed her then and tenderly drew her into his arms.

After a few moments, she pulled back from him. “I still have to teach classes this morning.” She glanced at the kitchen clock on the wall. “I must get dressed.”

He wiped the tears off her face with his thumb. “Okay, honey.” He reached in his pocket and drew out a little black box and held it up to her surprised face. “Can’t ask you to marry me without a ring.” He opened up the box for her.

“Oh!” she screeched, hands to her face in astonishment. “It’s beautiful! I can’t believe it! You bought me a ring!”

“Of course. Isn’t that the proper way to ask for a lady’s hand?”

Her hand trembled as he slid the solitaire diamond ring on her finger.

Sniffling, she said, “I can’t wait to show my students this morning!” she threw her arms around him, hugging him tight.

“Guess I’d better let you get ready for school now.”

She bobbed her head happily.

He kissed her again and left.

Nine

Devin suggested that since Madison was going to have a baby it would be best for her to live as normal a human routine as possible. They would still spend their evenings together, but he thought she should be in bed no later than midnight. He would lay with her until she was asleep and then go hunting, if he needed to feed. Afterwards, if he had any chores around his cabin or hers that needed attending to, then he would take care of them while she slept. He would make breakfast for her of a morning and they would eat together, and then he would retire to his basement room during the day. Of course, she was more than welcome to lie with him when she wanted. He’d given her keys to the old cabin as well as the new. He didn’t need keys. Since he’d been invited in to her home, he could get in anytime, anyway he wished.

Madison also saw her opportunity to take lots and lots of photographs to put away for later. Even take the time to paint while she was waiting for the baby to come. Now that she wouldn’t be sleeping with Devin during the day, she could paint, do housework or work in the yard. Only, with fall setting in, there wouldn’t be many more days to work in the yard. Any of the hard labor, like mowing, Devin would do for her at night.

Madison had spoken with Debra Jean briefly a couple of times at her mailbox, but she hadn’t been out to the club, nor had she told her about the baby and the fact that it was Chuck’s. It was more than obvious that Debra Jean was worried about her, wondering why she was being so distant, so Madison finally promised her she’d come to the club and visit with her, but she wanted to ask Devin about it first.

Debra Jean’s first reaction was, “He’s not controlling you, is he? You’re not afraid to come, are you?”

“Oh! No!” Madison quickly assured her. “I can see why you might think that. I promise to explain it to you when I come. Devin may come along too, if that’s okay with you?”

“Not a problem, hon. Just been really worried about you.”

Debra Jean still had her misgivings about the situation though, and later confessed her fears to Alex. She was afraid Madison had herself in a very controlling situation and might be afraid to try and get out of it.

Alex assured her that if they found out that anything was wrong, he would pay Mr. Devin Knight a personal visit.

“But he’s stronger than you, Alex! You’ve even admitted that he scares you a little. I’m not sure I want you doing that.”

He held out his hands in gesture. “What do you want me to do then, Debra Jean?”

“Shit! I don’t know.” She stepped up to him and put her arms around his neck the best she could; had to stand on her tiptoes to do so, he was so tall. “But it’s damn sweet of you to offer. And don’t think I don’t appreciate it. ‘Cause I do. If worse comes to worse, you paying him a visit might be necessary. But let’s wait and see first. Okay?”

“Okay, babe.” He kissed the tip of her nose and gently pulled her arms down. “Now, it’s Friday afternoon, and I have a club to get ready for this evening. You gonna help?”

“Of course, Alex. I can wipe down the tables and booths.”

“Great! That will help a lot…I have some inventory to unpack and set up.” He walked off to the storage room in back

“Sweetheart,” Devin said, “not trying to tell you what to do, but are you sure going to the club is a good idea? You are pregnant now. Don’t want some heathen getting fresh with you. Don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I thought that maybe you’d go with me?” she asked, batting her eyes up to him flirtatiously. “Aren’t you my big, strong vampire?”

His chest shook and he grinned charmingly. “Okay…Since you put it that way, how can I possibly resist?” He was at the bar, mixing himself a drink. “Would you like something, my sweet?”

“Actually a beer sounds better to me.”

“No problem.” He flashed off and was instantly back with an ice cold beer in his hand. He handed it over to her.”

“Thank you,” she eyed him studiously while he prepared his drink.

“What, my dear?”

“I just love you,” she replied. “You have got to be the sweetest, most understanding, awesome man…vampire…whatever that I ever met.”

He stopped in the middle of pouring the Scotch in his glass, eyes meeting hers. He set the glass down and flashed over to her. “Now talking like that will definitely get you laid.”

A happy smile stole over her face. “Awesome!”

He swept her up in his arms and shimmered her to the bed. And there, he ever so tenderly and unselfishly made love to her. Taking care not to hurt her in anyway, being as gentle as gentle could be. He waited for her to reach her peak and then together they fused in their ecstasy. He held her then for a very long time.

At last, he asked her if she was okay. She replied that she was more than okay, which brought on a big smile from him. “Now, I should get you a fresh beer, my sweet. I am sure the other one is flattened and warm by now.” He jumped out of bed then and offered over his hand to assist her in getting up. “The usual shower first?”

She said yes.

He swept her in his arms again and flashed her to the bathroom, where they took their time in bathing one another. Finished, they dressed and returned to their drinks. When done with their drinks, she put on fresh makeup, as she still wanted to go to the club. He let her know he needed to feed first, but he would be along shortly. He flashed her to her car, asked her to be very careful, and she promised that she would be, and then he left to go hunting.

“Bought time you got here!” Debra Jean said as she slapped the stool she’d saved for Madison. “Sit!”

Madison took her seat and Alex walked up and inquired what her pleasure was. She ordered a cold tap beer and he walked off to get it.

“You’re looking really good tonight, Madison,” Debra Jean said. “Even in this dim light, I can tell your color is better. You were looking a bit cheesy there for a while.”

“Cheesy?”

“Yeah…You know. Pasty. Chalky. But you look real good now.” She tilted her head slightly. “Don’t get mad at me for asking this, but have you put on a little weight?”

Madison sniggered. “It’s okay. Yes. I have. And I’m probably going to put on a lot more. I’m pregnant.”

Debra Jean’s mouth gaped and her eyes got big. Alex walked up just then and looked at her inquiringly. “Ahhh...Is it okay if I tell him?”

“Sure go ahead,” Madison replied.

“She’s pregnant!”

“Seriously?” He sat her beer mug down.

“Seriously.”

“That’s wonderful! At least, I hope it is? It is, isn’t it?” Debra Jean said, laying a hand on Madison’s arm.

“I’ve always wanted to have a family. Guess I’m getting my wish.”

“Then you are happy about it?”

“Yeah…Guess I am.”

“Devin happy about it?”

Alex still stood there. “What I was wondering, but was afraid to ask.”

“He’s good with it. Only…”

“Only what?” Debra Jean inquired.

“It’s not his.”

“Oh my God! You mean it’s Chuck’s?”

She nodded that it was.

“Shit, girl!” Alex said.

“I know...Kind of makes me look like a slut.”

“No!” Alex quickly said. “No one’s implying or even thinking that. Just hope it all works out for you.”

Someone whistled for him, and he excused himself and walked off.

“Does Chuck know?” Debra Jean asked as she took a sip of her beer and sat the mug back down.

“Yes. He knows.” She couldn’t help but grin at the irony.

“What’s so funny?”

“From what I understand, he’s getting married to Tickling Feather.”

Debra Jean slapped her hand down on the counter. “Get outta here, girl! Shi-it! You are freakin’ kidding me!”

“No I’m not. I’m serious as hell.”

“Well!” she said, clearing her throat. “Guess there’s no problem then.” She sniggered and finished down her beer.

Alex stepped back up. “Damn, woman!”

“Fill me up! Please! I think I’m gonna get good and drunk tonight.” She looked at Madison. “With my friend here, there’s never a dull moment.”

Alex chortled, took up the mug and went to refill it.

“You two must think I’m absolutely awful.”

Debra Jean reached over and gave her a motherly hug. “No, sweetheart. We don’t. I love ya! But you do have a talent for situations.”

“Won’t deny that. I am beginning to see why my mother always worried and fretted so much over me. Guess I have given her a few gray hairs. I see now that she has definitely earned them.”

“Well, at least you see that. Good sign you’re maturing.” She looked up as Alex handed her another beer and walked off. Then she returned her attention to Madison. “How far along are you?”

“Not too. A little over two months. Still early in pregnancy.”

“You are getting a little bit of a bump there.” She said, gently patting Madison’s tummy. “No wonder you look so rosy cheeked.”

“Devin takes good care of me. You’d think it was his kid.”

“Guess he takes after his grandfather then. He must really love you.”

“He does. And I love him more than anything.”

“Ahhhh…shit!” Debra Jean said, suddenly not looking so happy. She was staring at someone in the mirror.

Madison saw who it was. “Chuck?” He had on a white cowboy shirt and was sporting a black cowboy hat as well. He saw them and tilted his hat in acknowledgement and walked off to the other end of the bar.

“Wonder where Tickling Feather is?” Debra Jean said.

“She’s not twenty-one yet.”

“I know. Guess he can still come in the club. Still, if they’re getting married, he sure is spruced up to walk in here. Looks like he could be looking for someone to pick up.”

“I think there’s your answer,” Madison replied. Gloria had just walked in the door all decked out in a red dress and headed straight for Chuck.

“Humph!” Debra Jean turned on her stool and stared. “I don’t freakin’ believe it!”

“Yeah…Maybe he’s not as nice a person as he had us all believing.”

Chuck noticed them staring. His smile almost seemed mocking then as he held up a beer bottle and wriggled it. He then turned to Gloria and gave her a hug and she sat down beside him.

“Well, at least he didn’t kiss her. I would have never believed this of Chuck!” Madison stated.

“Look at it this way, hon,” Debra Jean said, “you obviously picked the right man.”

“Yeah…Definitely!” She glanced at the clock over the bar. “Hope Devin gets here soon.”

“Where is he?”

She almost said hunting, but then caught herself. “Oh…he had some business to take care of. Said he’d meet me here.”

“Well, maybe he won’t be too long.” Debra Jean looked worried and Alex caught it when he walked up.

“You okay, babe?”

She nodded, but cut her eyes down to the end of the bar.

“I saw,” he said. “I thought he was getting hitched to Indian Joe’s granddaughter. Maybe he asked Gloria here to tell her. I know he’s left here with her more than once. They must know one another pretty well,” he emphasized with a wink and picked up their mugs and went to refill them.

Chuck and Gloria moved to a table in the back, away from the crowd. He helped her with her chair and sat down. “So, she said, looking up him expectantly. You asked me to meet you here tonight. What’s up?”

“I need to tell you something. Want you to hear it from me and not from somebody else.”

“What, Chuck?” she asked, looking suspicious. “Is it Madison?”

“No. Not exactly. But you’re going to find out anyway. She’s pregnant.”

“
Oh?”
She had been leaning across the table but sat back. “You say you want to talk to me, but it’s not really about Madison. And then you drop this bomb on me. Tell me she’s pregnant. Is it yours, Chuck?”

He dropped his gaze to his hands holding his beer bottle and didn’t say anything.

“Chuck?”

He looked back up at her. “Yes! That’s what she says anyway.”

“Could it be Devin’s?”

“No. It’s mine.”

“Do you want to marry her now?”

“Gloria, I’m not going to marry Madison. She doesn’t want me anyway.”

Gloria let out a sigh of relief.

“But—!”

She sat her beer down. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that
but.
What else?”

“I feel like a real heel here. I like you a lot, Gloria. But Indian Joe is my best friend. I owe him a lot. I owe him my life, actually.”

“What are you getting at, Chuck? Out with it.”

He took in a deep breath and blew out air. “It seems I opened up my mouth the other day and told him that if there was any way I could ever repay him, to let me know…I wasn’t expecting him to say there was. At least, not right then.”