Pregnancy Plan (22 page)

“
You’ll have your own room, food, and
spending money. Let say fifty dollars a week.” Jason
offered.

Jillian could see Susan’s sharp mind working
the figures. “That wouldn’t be enough to pay for my college books.
My parents said they would pay for the classes. But I have to pay
for my books and my living expenses.” She stepped behind the couch,
where Jillian couldn’t see her face. “I have a job now and can pay
for my first semester books, and I’ve got a place to stay for a few
weeks but I need a job in Dallas.”

“
We’ll cover your books,” Jason
agreed. “But if you don’t make at least a B in your classes, you
have to pay us back.”

“
No problem.” Susan's voice held
confidence. “When would you want me to start?”

Kelly jumped back into the conversation.
“When does school start?”

“
Middle of August.” Susan ran her
hands along the back of the couch.

“
How about the middle of September?
That way you’ll have a chance to settle into going to school before
moving in with us,” Kelly replied.

Susan didn't answer as if considering the
arrangement. “Are you two going to be married by then? Otherwise my
parents will never go for this.”

Jason smiled at his fiancée and nodded.
“We’ll be married. But what about you? Are you planning on telling
your parents about your pregnancy?”

Susan clutched her hands together. “I
haven’t decided yet. This is my problem and I should take care of
it myself.”

“
You know, they’d want to help if they
could.” Jillian swiveled around to see the girl's face
better.

She shook her head. “Yeah, right. I think I
can live without telling them.”

“
But if they find out on their own,
they’ll be upset that you didn’t confide in them,” Jillian
argued.

“
We’ll see.” Susan turned back to
Jason. “So do I have the job?”

“
Sure, if you want it. Let me give you
our phone number and address. Just let us know when you’re ready to
move in.” Kelly dug in her purse for a piece of paper to write down
the information.

Susan waited patiently for the
information.

Jillian sincerely hoped everything would
work out.

Kelly handed Susan the slip of paper. “Let
us know if your plans change.”

“
Middle of September should be fine.”
Susan edged away from the group. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need
to be going.”

Jillian followed the girl to the front
door.

“
Thanks, Mrs. Harris, for helping me
find this job. I appreciate it.”

“
No problem. Let me know if there’s
anything else I can do.

Susan paused and gave her a quick hug. “I’ll
be fine. Don’t worry.”

“
Okay, but call me if you need me.”
Jillian’s gaze followed Susan as she walked away. Closing the door,
Jillian strolled back into the living room.

“
We better get going, Jason.” Kelly,
on her feet, was moving toward the kitchen. “We’ve got a lot of
things we need to get done.”

Within minutes they were gone, and Jillian
sank to the couch to catch her breath. “What did you think of the
interview? Do you think Susan will let them adopt her baby?”

“
There’s no way to tell.” Derek sat
down on the coffee table beside the couch. “You did every thing you
could to help. Now you have to leave the rest to them.”

She laid a hand on his thigh. “Well, it
looks like we’re alone.”

He placed his large hand over hers. “So what
do you want to do?”

“
Would you be mad if I said I just
wanted to lie here and do nothing?”

“
No, I was thinking about heading out
to the workshop to get a few things done.” He leaned down, kissed
her, stood, and turned to leave.

She called out to him before he made it to
the door. “However, I do plan on being in a very sexy mood in about
an hour or so, if you want to join me.”

“
I wouldn’t miss it for the
world.”

She closed her eyes and thought about all
the wonderful ways she'd enjoy him later.

Jillian unlocked the store and Karen Ann
breezed in.

“
Good morning, Jillian. Where’s your
sidekick?”

“
Morning. Derek decided to stay home
for a while this morning. He wants to work on something in his
workshop.”

“
So how’s it going? He’s been living
with you for over two months now. Are you ready to tell him the
ugly truth about your marriage and kick him out?”

Jillian smiled at the thought. “No, but
there are times I could kill him.”

“
No.” Her friend’s eyes widened in
mock wonder. “You mean that gorgeous hunk of a man gets out of
line?”

“
Yes. Believe it or not, he can be a
royal pain in the behind sometimes.”

“
No,” Karen Ann joked. “Whatever could
he have done to displease you? The man absolutely adores
you.”

“
I know that’s part of the
problem.”

“
Why?”

“
I don’t know. Every time I try to get
him to express his emotions and talk to me, he clams up.” Jillian
twisted a strand of hair around her finger and tugged. “He can talk
to every man that comes in here. Stand in the aisles for hours and
shoot the bull. Yet, when I ask him what they said, he says
something like, “You know, just the weather.” She yanked her hand
free of her hair. “The man is like a high security safe. I can’t
crack the lock.”

“
Maybe you’re trying too hard. Relax
and let it go.”

“
I’ve tried, but it’s beginning to bug
me.” Jillian wanted to cry. Doubts about his true feelings shadowed
her every move.

“
Maybe what you need is to get your
mind off of it,” Karen Ann suggested. “Are you still planning on
riding in the parade on Labor Day? My uncle called and wanted to
know how many horses you want this year.”

“
Oh yeah, that’s only a few days
away.” Jillian thought about the parade. “Do you want to
ride?”

“
I guess. We’ve been doing it for
years. But is Derek going to let you ride in your
condition?”

“
Why wouldn’t he?”

“
I don’t know.” Karen Ann pointed to
Jillian’s stomach. “Just thought he might object.”

She couldn’t see any reason for him to
object. The horses were well-behaved. They didn’t stroll beyond a
fast walk.

“
No, he won’t mind.” She dismissed the
problem and tried to come up with the number of horse she should
reserve. “Let’s see. You, Derek, and me. I also thought I’d ask
John Paul if he wanted to do it that’ll make four.”

“
Why don’t you check with them? And
I’ll call my uncle tonight.”

“
Okay, check back with me and we’ll
set it all up.”

“
Better get going.” Karen Ann headed
for the door. “I’ll talk to you later.”

****

The steady stream of customers kept Jillian
busy until the middle of the afternoon. John Paul helped at the
cash register, so she remembered to ask him about the parade when
they had a lull between customers.

“
How would you like to ride in the
Labor Day parade?”

“
What do you mean?”

“
Well, every year Karen Ann and I ride
horses in the parade to represent the store. I just thought you
might want to join us this year, since you’re working here. I
usually hand out seeds to the crowd as a way of advertising the
store.”

“
Okay, but let me check with my
parents to see if it’s okay.” John Paul picked up the trash can and
pulled out the plastic bag.

“
How about you, Derek?” Jillian asked
when he joined them by the counter.

“
What?”

“
I was just asking John Paul if he
wants to ride horses with us in the Labor Day parade. Karen Ann and
I do it every year. Do you want to join us?” Jillian hoped he would
say yes. It would be more fun with him along.

“
Wait a minute. Are you telling me
you’re planning to ride a horse?”

“
I’ll take out the trash.” John Paul
headed for the back of the store.

Ignoring John Paul’s escape, she answered
very calmly so that Derek would understand. “Yes, I’m telling you.
I’m planning to ride a horse in the Labor Day parade. Do you want
to join us?”

“
No, I don’t think so.” He stepped
closer to the counter.

“
Fine.” The hairs on the back of her
neck rose. He was staring at her as if she’d lost her mind. “You
don’t have to.”

Derek leaned closer, his face inches from
hers. “No, you don't understand. You’re not riding a horse.”

“
And whyever not?” She tightened her
hands into fists to keep from closing them around his
neck.

“
Because I said you
couldn’t.”

White rage shot through her. Taking a step
back, fists drawn, she exploded. “And who the hell are you to tell
me I can’t ride in the parade?”

****

Derek studied Jillian. Her face flushed,
brown eyes bright, she appeared to be angrier than he'd ever seen
her. But why? He was only trying to protect her.

Hoping to calm her down, he decided to
switch tactics. “Now, Jillian, be reasonable. We don’t want to take
a chance that something might happen. Not with you carrying my
baby.”

Her eyes narrowed as if he were the enemy.
Her hands knotted at her side showed white lines around the
knuckles. Years of dealing with security situation, had taught him
to read the signs. He knew she might lose control any second and
hoped he could defuse her anger. “There will be other parades.” He
slid his hand across the counter to touch her but she reared back
as if spooked by the gesture.

She lashed out. “You better get the hell
away from me before I hurt you.”

He stared at her in disbelief. What was
wrong with her? Did riding in this stupid parade mean more to her
than their baby? The thought of her riding a horse sent cold chills
down his spine. His own temper flared. “You’re not riding a horse
and that’s final.”

He turned and stalked down the main aisle.
There weren’t a lot of people in the store at the moment, so no
voices reached his ears. He would wait in the back of the store and
give Jillian time to calm down.

The lady was crazy if she thought he would
let her take that kind of risk. A little temper tantrum would not
change his mind. Derek had taken several steps down the aisle when
he heard someone behind him. Hard fists landed on his back, and he
twisted around, grabbing at the hands of his assailant.

“
How dare you tell me what to do? You
lousy son of a bitch, I’ve put up with your coddling for the last
time,” Jillian screamed.

Shocked, he didn't duck the first few
punches, which hit his chest. Not wanting to hurt her, he wrapped
his arms around her and tugged her close with her hands captured
between their bodies. He held her against the wall of his chest, as
she fought to be released.

“
You can’t stop me. I can do whatever
I want,” she yelled in his face.

He lifted her off the ground to get her
attention. “Jillian, calm down.”

She continued to struggle, increasing her
movement. Her feet flayed in the air, then one connected with his
shin.

He set her down, his patient gone. “Damn it,
Jillian. Stop it.”

Her hands broke free and she grabbed his
hair. Her voice echoed through his ears. “You will not control
me.”

Derek saw red when her hands gripped fists
full of hair. Pain raced through his skull. “Why you little
hellcat...”

Years of training had taught him how to
neutralize an opponent. With a quick maneuver, he scooped her up
into his arms and placed her over his shoulder. He marched down the
aisle and carried her into her office. He kicked the door shut,
then sat on the couch with her on his lap.

When she struggled to get up, he used his
best military voice to contain her. “Stop it. You’re only upsetting
yourself over nothing.”

“
Then let me go.” She wiggled but his
arms restrained her.

He studied her, judged her reaction. “Will
you calm down?”

Tear-filled eyes glared at him. “Are you
going to let me go?”

He loosened his grip by shifting his hands
to her waist. He felt her attempt to rise but his hands on her hips
didn’t let her move from his lap. “I'm not changing my mind.”

She sat stiffly in his arms, staring at his
chest. Tears ran down her cheeks. “Derek, please.”

Her distress rang in his ears and he read
the misery on her face. It melted his heart. He couldn’t let her
go, not now, not ever. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her
closer to his chest. He pressed soft kisses over the top of her
hair. “It’s okay, Jillian.”

His hands caressed her back with slow
soothing strokes. He wanted her to relax, to let go of her anger.
She shouldn’t be getting this upset. Minutes passed before he felt
her defeated body surrender. She buried her head into his chest,
crying uncontrollably.

He held her. He had no idea what had set off
the explosion of her anger. He’d heard pregnant women could be
emotional, but she’d been so easygoing. Her tears eroded his own
anger. He wanted to give in, but he couldn’t allow her to take such
a risk. Yet, he could stand her being distress either. Placing a
finger under her chin, he brought her head up so he could talk to
her. “Now, Jillian, there’s no reason to get upset.”