The Pint-Sized Secret (20 page)

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. Trust me.”

A few days ago those two words would have given her pause, but Brianna had finally realized that she could trust Jeb, that he was a man who would always fight to the death for his family. She and Emma would be lucky to become Delacourts, to have such a passionate advocate for the rest of their lives.

Now he paused outside a door leading into the treatment area. Emma had always been adamant about Brianna not accompanying her here. She stared at Jeb. “I don’t understand.”

“You will,” he promised, opening the door.

“Surprise!” Emma’s voice led the chorus.

Brianna stared around her at the Cinderella decorations, the assembly of guests, including Bryce Delacourt, Carly and Gretchen. “Jeb?” she asked in confusion.

He squeezed her hand. “It’s Emma’s surprise. An early birthday party.”

“But—”

“Don’t ask. Take it on faith,” he said.

To be sure, there was a table stacked with gifts, and Emma’s eyes were shining with excitement. There was also a cake, and a stack of ice cream cups ready for serving.

“We have to eat first,” Emma declared. “So the ice cream doesn’t melt.”

Tears in her eyes, Brianna went over and kissed her. “I don’t know what to say, baby.”

“Don’t cry, Mama. It’s a party.”

The small crowd made quick work of the ice cream and cake, then settled back to watch Brianna open her gifts. There were small tokens of affection from the staff, a lovely silk scarf from Bryce, and then one small box remained.

“From me,” Jeb declared, handing it to her. “And just so you know, I already had it before yesterday.”

Brianna’s fingers shook as she ripped away the fancy ribbon and elegant paper to find a jeweler’s box inside.

“Hurry, Mama,” Emma begged. “I want to see.”

Brianna glanced down into her face. “You know what’s inside?”

Emma’s head bobbed. “Jeb told me, but he wouldn’t let me see.”

“Because it’s your mama’s present,” Jeb reminded her. “She should see it first.”

Brianna flipped the lid on the box, then gasped at the beautiful ring inside. It was a diamond solitaire, exquisite in its simplicity and perfection.

“Nature’s finest,” Jeb whispered in her ear. “For someone who knows what mysteries the earth is capable of hiding.”

She was dumbstruck, not just by the beauty of the ring, but by Jeb’s announcement that he’d bought it even before she had proposed to him the day before. He’d intended to risk his heart in this very public way. He was that confident in the love they shared.

She reached up and touched his cheek. “I love you,” she told him quietly.

“Are you going to marry him, Mama? Is he going to be my new daddy?”

Brianna gazed down at her baby and nodded. “Yes, but something tells me you knew that even before I did.”

“I didn’t
know,
Mama, but I was hoping.”

Jeb slipped the ring on Brianna’s finger, then gave her hand a squeeze. “Now for Emma’s present. We saved the best for last.”

Brianna couldn’t imagine anything that could top this, but she turned toward her daughter.

“Wait, Mama. I have to get it.”

Before Brianna realized what her daughter intended, Emma stood up. She beamed at Jeb, then turned toward Brianna and walked straight into her arms. Tears were streaming down Brianna’s face, even as she folded Emma into a fierce hug.

“Happy birthday, Mama. Jeb said I couldn’t wait till your real birthday to show you. That’s why we had the party today.”

Brianna glanced up and mouthed a silent thank-you to the man in question, then met her daughter’s excited gaze. “There is no present in the world I would have loved more,” she told her. “To see you walking again is a miracle.”

“Not a miracle, Mama. I told you I would.”

Then it seemed as if everyone was laughing and crying. “Yes, baby, you certainly did.”

She felt Jeb’s hand on her shoulder. “That’s one thing your daughter and I have in common,” he said quietly. “When it comes to you, we will always keep our promises.”

From that moment on, there wasn’t a single doubt in Brianna’s heart that they would.

THE PINT-SIZED SECRET

Copyright © 2000 by Sherryl Woods

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