Meant To Be (24 page)

Jessica glanced over at him, clearly surprised. “I don't know how you could after ... Ethan almost got shot because of me. And Muriel...” She swung her attention back to the TV. He realized she was crying when she reached up to swipe away a tear.

With a muttered curse, Garrett slid over and crushed her in his arms. Jessica resisted for all of five seconds before wrapping her arms around his neck and weeping softly. He hated that she blamed herself for what had happened.

The thought that his child could be growing inside her made his chest ache in a way he'd never experienced before. Garrett had secretly yearned for a family of his own for years. He'd put it off, though, careful not to become seriously involved with anyone because Sara and Ethan had needed him. But not anymore, and if Garrett were being truthful with himself, he knew no other woman would ever do for him. The thought that Jessica might not feel the same way about him scared the hell out of him.

"Nothing that happened was your fault, do you hear me? You are not responsible for your ex-husband's crimes. You had no idea he'd hidden stolen jewelry in your son's toy, and you had no way of knowing that scumbag Lyle would attack Muriel or take aim at Ethan."

She coughed, sniffled, and wiped her eyes on the hem of her T-shirt. “If I'd just told you the truth from the beginning, none of it would've happened. But I was embarrassed I'd married such a loser, and ashamed ... I did what I had to do,” she insisted, the fire back in her voice. “The bills were piling up, the rent was due, the utilities were all months behind. And Wade didn't care. All he wanted to do was suck down beer, watch TV, and screw the neighbor."

He kissed the top of her head. “Sweetheart, you don't owe me any explanations."

"Yes, I do. I brought those nutcases into your life, into your family's lives."

How ironic. Garrett had recently apologized to his family for the exact same thing. If anyone knew how Jessica felt, he did.

"If I had just packed Marky up and moved back in with my parents,” she continued, her voice an anguished whisper, “he'd still be alive. My son is dead because of my foolish pride."

He tightened his arms around her. “Sweetheart, your son's death was
not
your fault. It was an accident, a horrible accident. If anyone's to blame, it's his father. He should've been watching him, plain and simple. Wade failed Marky, and he failed you, too."

"I don't know why you're being so nice to me. I-I ran out of town like a coward. I couldn't face you. I couldn't face anyone."

He tipped her face up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I was angry, believe me. I convinced myself you didn't give a damn about me."

She frowned. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. With a sigh, she snuggled in his arms.

"How's Jack?"

Garrett froze.
Jack?
She's thinking about that idiot at a time like this? He released her, sat up, and swiped his fingers through his hair. “He's fine. He decided to move down to some small town in central Illinois. Thinks he may have some relatives there.” Garrett would choke before letting his jealousy show.

Jessica looked confused as she curled back up in the corner of the couch. “Oh."

Oh? She sounded disappointed. Jesus, she was carrying
his
kid, yet thinking about Sutton? Frustrated, he blew out a heavy breath and rose to his feet. “I think I'd better head to the hotel. I still need to check in."

She looked up and met his gaze, arms crossed, uncertainty and an emotion he couldn't name reflected in her eyes. She'd withdrawn into herself, and Garrett was torn between wanting to crush her in his arms again or shake some sense into her. They belonged together, dammit. Why couldn't she see that? Sutton couldn't make her happy. Sutton didn't love her...

But Garrett did. God help him, he loved the infuriating woman more than he'd ever thought possible.

"Will I see you again before you leave?” she said.

Garrett's pulse picked up speed. My God, she planned to let him walk out of her parents’ home—out of her life!—without a single word of protest? “Do you want to?"

Her eyes widened and Garrett felt a glimmer of hope. “I ... Sure, if you have time. I don't want to put you out, but ... I'm sure my parents will want to say goodbye."

Her parents? That was her only concern, whether or not her parents got a chance to say goodbye? Jesus, the woman was certifiable! She was very probably carrying his child, yet had no intention, it seemed, to tell him. The thought was inconceivable.

Furious, he spun around and strode toward the front door.

"Garrett?"

He stopped, hand on the doorknob, heart pounding furiously against his ribcage. “Yeah?"

"I...” She cleared her throat. “If you don't have time to stop back tomorrow, have a safe trip home."

Garrett squeezed his eyes shut, opened the door, and walked out of her life.

Jessica's knees gave out as the echo of the slammed door reverberated throughout the room. Unable to hold back the tears, Jessica collapsed onto the hardwood floor and sobbed her heart out.

He'd left her. It was over. She'd wanted to tell him about the baby, had been on the verge of blurting it out. But standing at the door, his back to her, his hand on the knob as if he couldn't get out of there fast enough, the words got stuck in her throat. She knew she'd have to tell him eventually. The man had a right to know he'd fathered a child. But she could wait now. Give him some time to get his life and career back on track before—

The front door swung open and there stood Garrett, hands on hips, jaw working furiously as he pinned her to the floor with his steely-eyed gaze.

"I can't friggin’ believe you let me walk out of here without telling me you're pregnant."

He shut the door and strode forward, reaching down to help her to her feet. Jessica stared up at him, shocked. He knew? But ... how? Her father swore he hadn't told him—

"Don't you dare try to deny it either. All the pieces fit."

She slowly shook her head. Out of her peripheral vision she saw her father start toward them and her mother pull him back by his shirt collar. The ridiculousness of it caused a bubble of laughter to escape. She bit her bottom lip as Garrett's frown turned into a full-blown scowl.

"You think this is funny? Christ, Jess, is it all just a game to you? This is my child we're talking about."

Damn the man and his detective skills. She scowled right back. “I don't think this is the least bit funny, you jackass. And I
had
planned to tell you about the baby, I was waiting for the right time."

"Yeah? When would that be, when he was graduating from college?"

Jessica poked him in the chest. “How do you go from hero to jerk in such a short period of time? And what makes you think it'll be a boy? There's just as much chance we'll have a little girl."

That announcement seemed to take the wind from his sails. He looked a little green around the gills as he dropped down onto the taupe leather armchair in the corner. “It never even dawned on me ... a little girl. If she looks like you, I'll never get another night's sleep for as long as I live."

Now there was a half-ass compliment if she'd ever heard one. Jessica strode over and knelt beside him. She grinned. “I doubt it'll be that bad."

A reluctant smile chased away his frown. He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I want this baby, Jessica. And I want you. I'm so in love with you I can barely see straight."

Jessica's heart swelled. She leaned into his hand as tears filled her eyes. “And I love you, you annoyingly wonderful man."

They both turned as a choked sob sounded behind them. Her parents stood arm in arm, her mother leaning into her father for support, a smile as bright as the noon sun lighting up her face. Her father sent Garrett a wink and a nod.

"Come on, Mary,” her father said, “let's give these kids some privacy.” With a gentle nudge, he escorted her back into the kitchen.

Garrett chuckled. He stood up and took Jessica into his arms. She gazed up at him, more happy than she'd been in years. It was hard to fathom that her life had come full circle, only this time, she had no doubt she'd get the happy ending she'd always dreamed of. Oh, it would be a long and bumpy ride for sure. But when you had love on your side, anything was possible.

Garrett leaned back and reached into his front pants pocket. When he pulled out a small velvet box, Jessica gasped and started dancing in place. Garrett laughed.

"Is that ... is that what I think it is?” she breathed, wanting to snatch it from his hand and crack the sucker open herself.

"This,” he opened the box and showed her the most beautiful diamond ring she'd ever seen, “is the reason I came to Seattle."

She looked up in surprise. “But you said—"

"That I had to go over my testimony with the DA? Heck, I could have done that over the phone."

Hope blossomed in Jessica's chest. “So you came for
me
?"

"I came for you,” he confirmed, love shining from his eyes.

Then he dropped to one knee and clasped her left hand.

Jessica's squeal of delight mingled with a second—much louder—squeal from behind her, and she twisted around to smile at her mother through her tears. “I knew daddy wouldn't be able to keep you away."

Garrett waved her parents forward. “May as well do this right,” he said meeting her father's gaze. “Sir, I love your daughter. I promise to take care of her, provide for her, and keep her blissfully happy for the rest of her life. May I please have her hand in marriage?"

Her mother hooked an arm around Jessica's shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. Her father clasped her other hand and said, “Son, it would be my pleasure. Uncle Charley's been talking you up for years. It's nice to see the old geezer was right about something."

"Ed!"

Garrett grinned. “He's a great old guy ... but he does tell a lot of tall tales."

Jessica giggled and her mother gave her a playful pinch on the arm.

Garrett returned his attention to Jessica. He pulled the ring from the box and held it up for her parents to see. “Jessica, please put me out of my misery and say you'll marry me."

"I'll marry you, but on one condition."

He cocked a brow and eyed both her parents curiously, as if looking for a clue. “I'm listening."

"Promise me you'll never make another nasty remark about Tom Cruise."

Garrett grinned from ear to ear. “You drive a hard bargain, sweetheart, but it's a deal."

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"Now close your eyes and no peeking,” Garrett said as he reached over her and pulled open the nightstand drawer.

Eyes squeezed tightly shut, Jessica smiled with delight as her body cooled down from the incredible hour they'd just spent making love. She slid up onto the pillow and held her bottom lip between her teeth, anxious to know what the wonderful man had bought her now. He placed what felt like papers in her hand.

"Go ahead, take a look."

Jessica opened her eyes, unsure of just what she held. Her eyes widened and misted over when she realized she held the deed to Uncle Charley's house in her hand. She looked up and met Garrett's gaze, her mouth open in shock.

He reached out and closed her mouth. “You'll draw flies,” he teased as he snuggled her against his side. Mr. Louie chose that minute to race in and join them. He jumped up on the bed and sprawled out between them.

"But ... how did you manage this?” Jessica reached over with her free hand to stroke between Mr. Louie's ears. “Uncle Charley loves this house."

"He's an old man, Jess, with no kids or grandkids. He wants to spend the rest of his years traveling the world. He gave us a great deal, too,” he added rubbing her rounded belly.

"Well, that's a good thing since it looks like our diaper bills are going to be double what we'd figured.” Jessica waited for her words to sink in.

When understanding dawned, Garrett let out a whoop so loud Mr. Louie jumped two feet in the air. Grinning, Jessica reached up to stroke Garrett's beloved stubbly face. She glanced at the dresser where a precious little brown bear sat, watching over all of them.

I love you, Marky. Watch over your brother and sister for me.

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