Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set (91 page)

"A few weeks ago. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner. It was all pretty sudden. It was a courthouse wedding, but very nice. Alexa had everyone back to the house afterward and she made this delicious chocolate wedding cake—"

"Oh, Rini, what have you done?"

"It would be really nice if you could come out after the baby's born and meet him and Cole. I know you'll like—"

"I just can't believe it. Forced to get married in this day and age. Don't you know there are options? Well, you'll simply have to do the best with the situation you've made for yourself. I only hope to God you won't be too miserable. At least he's a lawyer."

"His house is really cute, too. It has the prettiest yellow kitchen. With white trim. Just like we used to have when Daddy was—"

"It sounds delightful, dear.
Uh-oh
, I hear Frazer calling. Got to run. Congratulations, Rini. I hope you'll be very happy. You'll let me know how it goes, won't you? Ta ta for now!"

"Bye, Mama. I love you."

But she was talking to the air.

Chapter Twelve

Cole pulled the truck into the driveway and parked behind the Camaro. He jumped out and strode up the walk, wondering what surprises were in store for him today.

Rini always had something going—in three weeks she'd practically redecorated his entire house. He was terrified that she was endangering her health, but besides that, he honestly didn't know when she found time to do it all, between classes and studying half the night. He'd never seen anyone work so hard in all his life.

He hadn't meant for it to be like this. He didn't like it. But the more he tried to discourage her, the more she would do.

He flung open the front door and called out, "Rini?"

"In here," she called from his room. Her room. Whose-ever the hell room it was.

Sighing, he slipped off his shoes and tossed his briefcase onto the easy chair before going to her. He stopped in the doorway. Except for their wedding night and those few minutes the second night, he hadn't set foot in his old room since she'd moved into it. "Hi."

"Hi. I got some things."

"So I see."

His bed was piled high with baby things. On the floor sat an infant car seat and a big skinny box containing an unassembled crib, according to the colorful photographic label on the front. Rini had scrounged up his toolbox from the garage and now sat next to it, ripping open the carton. She looked mighty uncomfortable.

"Here—" He quickly squatted down by her. "Let me help."

"It's okay, I can manage."

He grasped her hands. "No one doubts that, honey. Why don't you relax on the bed and watch while I do it?"

Her fingers tightened briefly around his and she squeezed her eyes shut. He could see the dark smudges under them.

"The stuff for fajitas is ready. I should set the table."

"Dinner can wait. Come on. Sit." He led her to the bed and cleared a spot. "Are you having more contractions?"

She lifted a shoulder. "The usual. But my back is killing me. Too much shopping, I guess."

"Doing too much everything, I guess. I'll run a nice warm bath for you tonight." Before she leaned back against the headboard, he propped pillows behind her. "I've been wondering when you were going to get baby things."

She lowered her gaze as she rubbed her stomach. "I was hoping you'd go with me. But you've been so busy."

He stopped and looked at her, guilt washing over him once more. "You should have said something."

"I know you're trying to tie things up at the office before next week. I didn't want to be a bother."

"You're not a bother, Rini. Ever." He cleared his throat. "Look, I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, but we're a family now." He got up and paced over to the box holding the crib. "We have to learn to work together. For the baby's sake."

When he glanced back, Rini's eyes were closed and there was a hint of melancholy in her face. "I know. You're right."

He shrugged off his jacket and hung it over the doorknob, then opened the carton and began taking out crib pieces. Her gaze followed him as he worked. He put the crib together and then set it up in a corner of the room.

"Nice crib." He surveyed his finished handiwork and watched her pull a thick pad and sheet out of a department store bag. He took them and made up the miniature mattress. Rini fastened some colorful bumpers around the perimeter. He couldn't believe that soon a new baby would be sleeping there. His baby.

Their baby
.

He slipped his arm around Rini and they both stood for several minutes gazing at the crib, contemplating what was to come. Without thinking, he reached over and put his hand on her stomach. He felt the muscles ripple, growing rock hard under his fingers. "Another contraction?"

She nodded. "How about some dinner? I'm starved. Then I need to get all this stuff put away. I should do some studying, too, but I'd like to get that baby quilt finished first."

He shook his head. "What you need is some sleep."

"No time." She smiled, heading for the kitchen. "Too much to do."

* * *

The next morning Cole woke to the sound of Rini's moans. He opened his eyes and stared at the pillow in the still-strange bed for a moment, getting his bearings. The moans fit right into the pleasant dream he'd been having, but when he reached for his wife she was nowhere in sight. When another soft moan floated down the hall, he shot out of bed and ran to her room.

"Are you all right?" He approached the bed where she lay tangled in the sheet, the Pendleton blanket in a heap on the floor beside her.

Her eyes had been closed but sprang open at his words. "Cole!" Her hand went to her brow. "I had the strangest dream. I dreamed an army tank was driving laps over my stomach.
Ow!
"

"What's happening?" He leaned over the bed, alarmed by the expression of surprise and pain on her face. "Woman, talk to me!"

"I'm awake, but the tank is still there." Her eyes widened and she clutched her stomach. "Oh, Cole. I think this is it."

He looked at her, shocked. "You're kidding, right? Tell me this isn't happening a week early."

She shook her head, obviously reluctant to believe it herself. "No. First babies never come early. Besides, it can't be time. I haven't even packed." She lifted her hands tentatively, then smiled. "See? All gone."

Breathing a sigh of relief, he plunked himself down on the side of the bed. "Had me worried for a minute, there." He glanced at the alarm clock on her nightstand. "Time to get up, anyway. Feel like some breakfast?"

She scooted to a sitting position, pulling the sheet with her, and grimaced. "Oh, man. Do the tread marks show?"

He shot her a look, frowning. "Still hurt?"

She smiled weakly. "Only when I breathe." She held out her hands. "Help me up? Maybe I can walk the kinks out."

This was not good. Something was wrong; he just knew it. "Maybe you should call the doctor."

"I'll have a walk around the house first. Are you making eggs? I'm starving."

Grinning, he rose. "I'll take that as a good sign. Scrambled okay?" He helped her to her feet and caught her staring at his attire.

"Silk boxers?" She reached out and gingerly fingered the fabric.

He felt his grin turn lopsided. He loved the feel of the cool, slippery material against his bare skin, found it extremely soothing and sensual, but hadn't ever admitted that to anyone before. "Why should women have all the fun?"

She grabbed his arm to steady herself, her face scrunching up in a wince of pain. "Yeah, this is fun. I'll trade you anytime."

Instantly, the playfulness was forgotten. "Rini, these contractions are coming pretty close together. Are you sure it isn't time?"

After a moment, she took a deep breath and smiled bravely. "Yeah, it's time. Time for breakfast."

He chuckled and headed for the kitchen. "Yes, ma'am." If there was one thing he'd learned in the past weeks, it was if she was hungry, the kid didn't stand a chance. Baby might as well make himself comfortable and wait out breakfast.

As he prepared the eggs and set the table, Cole could hear her moving around, to the bathroom and back to her room, then walking in circles in the living room. He seemed to recall something from childbirth class about changing activities to determine if labor was real or false. Since she had been lying down, walking around should either make the contractions go away or speed them up. Either way they'd know.

He scrubbed his face with his hands. Hell. He was not ready for this. He went out to get her. "Breakfast is ready."

"Cole?"

He sought her eyes. "Yeah, babe?"

"They're not going away."

Cole nodded numbly. "Okay. What do we do now?"

"Eat," Rini answered.

He cleared his throat. "Right. I'll be right there." Splashing his face with water in the bathroom, he took a good look in the mirror. "Hey, Dad." He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. Nope. He definitely was not ready for this.

When he joined Rini in the kitchen, she was helping herself to a second plate of eggs.

"Should you be eating?"

"I have a feeling I'll be needing all the energy I can get. Besides, this could take days."

He looked at her nervously. "Have you called Alexa?"

"Yeah." She bit her lip. "Brad says she's on her way to San Diego for a business meeting."

His fork clattered to the plate. "Get her back! Quick!"

Rini shook her head. "He said her cell phone was turned off. She's practicing her pitch. I left a message in San Diego, but by the time she makes the three-hour drive, gets the message and turns around, it could be all over."

"Aw, hell."

She looked up. "You can do it, Cole. You went to class."

"Me?" He surged forward. "I went
one
time! My God, Rini! I don't know the first thing!" He fell back into his chair, running a hand over his forehead. "What if I screw up?"

She raised a brow at him, then wrapped her arms around her stomach as another contraction took hold. "Comfort and encouragement," she rasped. "That's all you need to think about."

He was on his knees at her side in a second, anxiously searching for something useful to do to help her. He couldn't even hold her hand because she was busy using it to rub her belly. He drilled his fingers through the sides of his hair. "Relax, take a deep breath, and think about waves."

"I think it's a little early for that, Cole. I still have to pack."

"What?" He looked at her uncomprehendingly. "Oh." He grinned sheepishly. "I was talking to myself, not you."

She let her breath out in a laugh. "Jerk."

He pained her teasing smack on the shoulder and caught her hand in his. "Do me a favor?"

She nodded, her face glowing with the quiet excitement of what was happening.

"Pack your damn bag so we can get to the hospital? I'd just as soon not have to deliver this baby myself."

With his help she stood, then reached up and gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "As soon as I take a shower."

He groaned.

After pacing for what seemed like hours, Cole at last hefted the small overnight bag Rini had thrown together before getting in the shower. "Finally! Is this everything?"

"Got the car seat?"

"Yep."

"Blanket and an outfit for him?"

"From the dresser like you said." Putting a hand on the small of her back, he firmly guided her toward the front door. Even after a warm shower, she looked drawn and pale, with lines of discomfort etched around her mouth. "Come on, let's go. The contractions are practically knocking you over now." He was about to have a nervous breakdown trying to get her to the car. Every time they got close, she'd remember something else. He had visions of having the baby on the corner of Colorado and Fair Oaks.

She gasped loudly.

He dropped the bag and grabbed her. "What? Are you okay?"

"My legs!"

"What about them? Do they hurt?"

"I forgot to shave my legs!"

He dropped his forehead to hers in relief, desperately fighting back the aggravation. "The baby won't care, and I promise not to look." He retrieved the bag from the floor. "We're going now."

She clutched his arm, the pain in her face evident. "But I—

"Now, Rini. We're leaving
now."

She stopped walking for a minute, closing her eyes and breathing through the contraction, leaning into him. "I guess I can't put it off any longer. But I'm scared, Cole. So scared."

He swallowed hard and put his arms around her. "I know, honey. I'm here for you. I'll take care of you and the baby, you can count on that." He lifted her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way to the truck, then hurried around to the driver's side before remembering. "Jeez, the pillows."