Divine Charity (46 page)

Grace bit her lip and raised her eyebrows with a knowing grin as she called, “Somehow I had a feeling the three of you might enjoy this one.” She lifted her one hand to Ethan’s shoulder and did her best to grind a little with him, despite her pregnant belly. She was due any day but she still looked gorgeous in her turquoise dress.

They were finishing up eating supper out on the back lawn a little while later when Presley Ann approached, looking ready to leave. Charity got up from her chair and gave Presley Ann a long hug, happy to see that she seemed to be hanging in there and was now in her second trimester of pregnancy.

“I just wanted say congratulations and tell you good night. Leah also wanted me to pass on her congratulations to you since she wasn’t able to come.”

“Oh, how is she doing?”

“She’s fine.” The shadow that entered Presley Ann’s eyes told Charity there was more to that story but she didn’t want to make Presley Ann uncomfortable by asking. Going by the last time she’d seen Leah at Stigall’s, the real answer to that question had to be “not well.” Always perky and energetic in the past, Leah had clearly been struggling since Patterson Elder’s death in April.

“I’ll stop by the store with Grace some time and try to take her to lunch.”

Presley Ann brightened a little at the idea. “I hope you do that. You two ladies have a way of making people see the best in otherwise hopeless situations. I did hear about one good thing that came from what happened to Patterson.”

“What’s that?”

“He was an organ and tissue donor. They were able to harvest all of his vital organs, as well as his corneas, skin and bone for grafts, and his blood. He saved the lives of seven people, and thanks to him someone out there can see now.” When Presley Ann smiled, her eyes glowed. “I’d much rather he was still around, exasperating my sister, but that he could do that…well…it’s pretty wonderful, too.”

Feeling emotional again, Charity nodded. “I agree. Tell Leah she was missed today.”

“I will. Take care.”

Lydia nudged Charity a little while later, catching her as she was about to have another dance with Val. “Charity, something’s up with Grace.”

“What do you mean?” Charity asked, scanning the room, looking for her sister. She’d been concerned about her overdoing it all week.

Lydia pointed at Grace where she stood, talking with Ethan in the corner. “I’m almost afraid to say, but I think maybe…” Grace’s hand was pressed at her lower back and Ethan had a look of concern on his face that was mirrored by Adam and Jack as they joined her, with Rose Marie in tow. “I was standing with her earlier and I swear she was breathing through a contraction, trying to pretend like nothing was going on.”

“That little faker. I asked her earlier if she was okay and she said she was tired but otherwise everything was fine.”

Val returned to her and said, “Hey, I lost my dance partner. You okay, baby?”

“Yes, I’m fine, but your sister-in-law…” As Charity watched, Grace put a hand on Ethan’s shoulder and nodded as she obviously breathed through a contraction. Ethan, Jack, and Adam conferred and then Jack hurried away. Grace turned her head and found Charity watching her. Her face fell and she mouthed, “I’m sorry,” from across the room.

“She’s in labor, huh?” Val asked softly.

“I think so. I’ll be right back.”

Jack returned to Grace with Emma as Charity walked up. Emma asked, “How far apart are they, Grace?”

“Six minutes,” Grace replied.

“
Five
minutes,” Ethan amended, pointing at his watch.

Emma scanned the crowd and beckoned to her men, Duke Rivers and Gage Randall, and said, “As fast as you delivered Rose Marie, honey, we need to get you to the hospital now. Let me get my bag from the car, and somebody grab Eli, if he’s available. I may need his assistance if this little one decides to pick up the pace on the way to the hospital.”

Adam said, “On it. Isn’t that right, Rose Marie?” He looked down at their daughter who clung to his hand.

She gave a big nod and stroked Grace’s tummy. “Yup. On it.” Grace smiled and patted her hand.

“I’ll go pull the SUV around,” Ethan said. “Let Jack help you, Gracie.”

Grace turned to her, an apology obviously on her lips, and Charity said, “Nope. You don’t get to feel bad about having this little guy on my wedding anniversary. That has to be good luck or something, right?”

“But I am sorry about disrupting your reception.”

“Are you kidding? It’ll just make the occasion even more memorable.” She hugged Grace. “Thanks for playing our songs, all of them. Now you go have that baby—but not in the vehicle if you can help it.”

Grace chuckled and then grimaced as another contraction started. “Funny. Ha-ha-ow.”

Charity and her men walked Grace and Jack to the door and applause and well-wishes filtered around the large cabin as they headed outside to the waiting SUV.

Lydia and Maya Warner joined her at the door and Maya said, “Must’ve been all the excitement. I hope she makes it to the hospital okay.”

Charity was glad that they’d decided to stay at the cabin for a long weekend instead of going on a honeymoon. That way she’d be able to visit her sister and brand-new nephew hopefully the next day.

Just then, the DJ cued up the next song, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Charity giggled and said, “If Grace was here, she’d say there’s no way anyone could hear this song and not dance.”

Val shook his head. “Sorry, baby, I don’t do ‘peppy.’”

Already bobbing her head and wiggling her ass, Charity said, “No is
not
an option. Get your fine asses out here with me, my men. We need to celebrate twice as hard now. Turn it up!” Dave the DJ obliged with a smile.

Justin moved with her, grinning at her as she shimmied and boosted her boobs so they threatened to overflow her bodice. “Come on, Val. Can you honestly tell this woman no?”

Val laughed and when Ransome didn’t hesitate to join her and Justin, he finally gave up his super cool persona and began dancing with them, obviously unsure but he gave it his best shot.

Before long the whole cabin was filled with guests dancing and gyrating, even if it was only where they stood.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Connors-Teller-Cross,” Justin said, jokingly as he shimmied with her. “You’re about to become an aunt for the second time and you’ve got your men all eating out of the palm of your hand. You should be twice as happy now.”

She raised her arms and gyrated within their midst. “I’m three times as happy, actually. My nephew is gonna be born on my anniversary, I’m surrounded by friends and family for this day…”

“And?” Justin asked, waiting as she turned in place, rubbing her ass against his groin.

“
And
because I’m bound to the three of you.”

Justin was the love of her life, there could be no question about it. He’d been steadfast at her side, loving her through good times and bad. But in her heart of hearts, she knew her love for Val and Ransome and their love for her had paralleled that connection with the husband she adored for all those years.

The words she’d shared with Grace several years before, “Seize the day, baby,” echoed in her mind as she and her men, surrounded by all of their friends, did exactly that.

THE END

WWW.HEATHER.RAINIER.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I live in South Central Texas, writing the type of novel I love to read: more erotic and edgy than the mainstream, with plenty of sweet romance mixed in. I write erotic romances exclusively for Siren Publishing, under their Everlasting imprint. My love of romantic fiction began as a teenager when my mom gave me copies of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s “The Flame and the Flower” and Bertrice Small’s “Skye O’Malley.” To this day I’m pretty sure that was her idea of the “birds and the bees” talk.

My husband and I met in a scenario very much like the ones I’ve written about. He was the alpha hero who stepped in when this “damsel in distress” needed rescuing from a nefarious pervert. It’s no wonder I went on to write erotic romance when I had him to inspire me. My favorite type of hero is the gentle, lovable giant but readers will discover a variety of heroes and alphas in my novels, from nearly perfect to very flawed. I hope readers relate to my heroines, and the challenges and dilemmas they face head-on.

I love to chat with readers on Facebook and talk about my books and whatever else comes to mind on my blog, The Divine Tease. When not pounding on my keyboard, I’m usually busy corralling my kids or loving on my smokin’ hot husband, who thankfully loves to cook.

For all titles by Heather Rainier, please visit

www.bookstrand.com/heather-rainier