Daddy Christmas Read online

  “Gretchen and I opted for a more modern ceremony,” Matt said, as he forked up the last bite of cake on his plate and held it to Gretchen’s lips.

  Or in other words, Gretchen thought, neither of us wanted to make any promises we knew we couldn’t keep. It was more comfortable for us that way.

  Unfortunately, she still felt very married. But perhaps that would pass when they were no longer dressed in their wedding clothes, sitting in the Stewarts’ festively decorated living room, surrounded by family and friends.

  Matt’s eldest daughter, Angela, shook her head at them disapprovingly. “I thought age was supposed to make one wiser, not less romantic, Dad,” she chided.

  Sensing another round of suspicion coming on, Gretchen jumped into the fray. “Matt is plenty romantic,” she said, defending staunchly. And it was true. She only had to recall the way he’d made love to her Christmas Eve to know that.

  “Oh, really? Then how come the two of you are passing on a honeymoon?” Sassy asked in blunt, lawyerly fashion.

  “I’ve got class at UT on Monday morning,” Gretchen explained.

  “I wouldn’t let that stop me,” Luke murmured, with a typical twenty-one-year-old’s enthusiasm for all things amorous.

  Matt wrapped his arms around Gretchen’s shoulders. “We didn’t see the need to travel at this point. Perhaps later. On Gretchen’s spring break—”

  “Really, Dad. Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today?” Angela suggested brightly.

  Sassy stated smugly, “You’re always telling us not to procrastinate.”

  Gretchen was filled with dread. For once, Matt seemed just as wary as he admitted, “True, but—”

  “No, buts,” Angela said firmly, taking charge. “The three of us have arranged for you to have the honeymoon suite at an elegant hotel downtown.” She smiled happily. “Now, where did that photographer go? I want him to take some photos of the five of us. Sassy, come help me find him.”

  Sassy glanced protectively at Matt. “We’ll be right back, Dad,” Sassy said.

  “Some wedding present, huh, Dad?” Luke said, watching his sisters move off among the guests.

  “Actually, I had a blender or a new coffeemaker in mind,” Matt quipped.

  So had Gretchen.

  Luke regarded Gretchen with a smugly suspicious look. “Gretchen, are you feeling all right? You’re a little pale.”

  No kidding, Gretchen thought. “Too much excitement, I guess.” Gretchen forced herself to smile brightly.

  “Yet I noticed you didn’t drink any champagne,” Luke continued. “Not even when you and Dad toasted each other. Instead you just pretended to take a sip.”

  “Luke,” Matt reprimanded sternly. “I think that’s enough.”

  Gretchen knew the questions would only resurface later if they didn’t answer now. With a great deal more tranquillity than she felt, she laid a hand on Matt’s arm. “It’s all right, Matt. I don’t mind.” She turned back to his son. Knowing Luke was only trying to protect his dad made his curiosity easier to take. “You’re very observant, Luke,” she said kindly.

  “Which is exactly why I’d make a crackerjack private detective,” Luke said.

  Matt tensed. “I thought we’d tabled that discussion until you were through college,” he said.

  “Not by choice,” Luke replied.

  “Table it anyway,” Matt advised with a warning look. “At least for tonight.”

  “Fine. Back to your abstinence this evening,” Luke continued. “Is there a particular reason you didn’t drink, Gretchen?”

  Yes. The baby. “Champagne makes me light-headed. Plus I’m not much of a drinker, although there are times—” like now, she amended silently “—when I think maybe I should be, at least in social situations. It might help me relax.” And deal with all this. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed; Matt’s college-age kids were a handful.

  “I see.” Luke mulled over her answer.

  “Back to tonight,” Matt said, changing the subject smoothly. “I don’t have any luggage. So—”

  “Not to worry. I packed an overnight bag for you,” Luke replied.

  “Thanks for making the arrangements,” Matt said, affectionately lacing an arm about Gretchen’s waist.

  “No problem. It’s not like I’m harboring the same theories my sisters have regarding your sudden marriage, anyway,” Luke replied.

  “Such as?” Matt prodded tensely.

  Luke shrugged. “Sassy thinks that this isn’t a real marriage...not in the traditional ‘love, honor and obey’ sense anyway.”

  Sassy was right, Gretchen thought.

  “Whereas Angela absolutely refuses to believe you have blackmailed Dad into doing this. She said you are too nice a person to ever do anything so underhanded and manipulative.”

  “How reassuring to hear,” Matt said dryly.

  “And what do you think, Luke?” Gretchen asked, curious.

  “That I’ve never known Dad to do anything without a damn good reason,” Luke replied bluntly.

  “Matt, maybe we should tell them why we got married,” Gretchen said, beginning to feel a little panicky again.

  “I’ve got a better idea. Let’s just show them,” Matt said. He took her into his arms and delivered a searing kiss.

  Gretchen had thought that their kiss after they’d recited their vows was something. But it was nothing compared with this. She was dizzy from head to toe, aching all over in that peculiar sensual way. She leaned into the embrace, allowing his tongue entry into her mouth.

  Suddenly the girls were back, the photographer in tow. Matt and she were breaking apart. Gretchen didn’t need to look in a mirror to know she was as radiant as a new bride should be. Obviously Matt had made good on his purpose. Even Luke looked a little convinced.

  “Did Luke tell you he’s rented a limo?” Angela asked.

  “And we’re all three going to drive you and see you settled,” Sassy added.

  Recovering from his shock, Luke continued studying both Matt and Gretchen with thinly veiled suspiciousness. “Unless there’s some reason the two of you would rather not stay in the bridal suite tonight?”

  “None,” Matt promised glibly, as the five of them lined up for the photographer.

  Determined to hide her nervousness over the evening ahead, Gretchen smiled for the “family” photo, then added, “It sounds lovely, really. What a nice gift.”

  * * *

  “THEY KNOW something’s up,” Gretchen said, as she and Matt went up to the guest room to gather their belongings.

  It bothered Matt that Gretchen did not look thrilled at the idea of spending another night alone with him. Hadn’t they managed just fine in Colorado? But he forced a smile anyway. “Those kids always could read me like a book.”

  Gretchen zipped up her garment bag containing the street clothes she’d had on earlier. “Face it, Matt. They don’t believe our marriage is on the up-and-up. And they are out to use our slipups to prove it.”

  Gretchen was right, Matt thought. His kids were up to something. This honeymoon was some kind of test. But there was no reason for Gretchen to be upset about it. As a soon-to-be-parent herself, she needed to learn how to roll with the punches, because kids were full of surprises, almost from day one. He shrugged. “Then we’ll just have to show them how serious we are about seeing this union of ours through, won’t we?” Matt said softly.

  “Ready to go, Dad?” Sassy asked.

  Interrupted again, Matt thought, frowning.

  Regaining her composure, Gretchen turned away in relief. “Just about,” she answered Sassy lightly.

  “I’ll take the stuff out to the limo,” Luke said.

  “Gretchen?” Angela chimed in. “Marissa wants you to throw the bouquet before you leave.”

  “And Cal said something about a garter possibly needing to be removed,” Luke added helpfully.

  Matt was looking forward to that event himself. Gretchen had spectacular legs.

  �
��I hope I catch the bouquet,” Angela said dreamily.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” Matt told Angela. “No getting married until you finish college.”

  “Ha! And just what do you think you’re doing, Dad?” Angela replied. “Marrying a college freshman, no less!”

  “That’s different,” Matt said, unperturbed as all five of them headed down the hall. “We’re older.” He looked at Gretchen meaningfully, letting her know with a glance they had not made a mistake, despite his children’s assertions to the contrary. “We know what we want.” And what he wanted was Gretchen and their new baby, unexpected as both might be at this stage of his life. He could only hope that this slam dunk into stepparenting had not soured Gretchen on the idea of somehow blending his two families, past and present, into one someday soon. Because as time passed, Matt was seeing that it was the only way to go. The hardship would be in convincing Gretchen of the same. Thus far, because of their hurry to get married, she had only seen his kids at their collective worst. She hadn’t seen how sweet and caring and supportive they could be under ordinary circumstances.

  “So getting older makes it okay to rush into something?” Luke persisted.

  His son’s remark drew Matt’s attention vigorously back to the present. No, but having a baby on the way does, he thought, which brought him to the next question. When exactly would be the right time for them to tell his kids about their new half-sibling? That was something he and Gretchen were going to have to decide, and soon. It went without saying the moment would require careful handling if he didn’t want to completely upset everyone, especially Gretchen.

  “Well?” Sassy demanded, when Matt didn’t come up with some fatherly homily right away.

  Matt was loath to confess he’d been so lost in his thoughts he’d already forgotten the question.

  “I don’t think I can bail you out of this one, Matt,” Gretchen quipped, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

  The reality of being married to Gretchen—of becoming a couple, even temporarily—was beginning to sink in. The truth was the baby on the way was a blessing in disguise, and so was their marriage.

  * * *

  “WELL, DAD, what do you think? Is this a bridal suite or what?” Luke asked.

  “It’s great, Luke. Thanks,” Matt replied, as he and Gretchen took in the lavishly appointed living room. The bedroom beyond was equally luxurious, with a king-size bed. The adjoining bathroom had a bathtub big enough for two, and a separate glassed-in shower.

  Sassy stayed close to Matt’s side as the kids carried in their luggage. “You know we can hang out here for a while if you like,” Sassy offered protectively.

  “Thanks, but that won’t be necessary,” Matt said. He drew Gretchen close and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Gretchen and I can take it from here.”

  Maybe company would be a good idea, Gretchen thought. Anything to delay the inevitable discussion of who was going to sleep where and when. She didn’t want Matt assuming this marriage of theirs came with any lord-of-the-manor rights. She turned to face him and lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t mind if they want to stay, Matt.”

  He grinned. “I do.”

  Lowering his mouth to hers, he delivered a brief, breath-stealing kiss to her lips that had her senses swimming.

  “You know, I think I’m finally beginning to understand what’s going on here,” Sassy mumbled as Matt and Gretchen slowly drew apart.

  Angela elbowed her sister. “Cut it out, will you?” “Bye, Dad,” she called cheerfully. “Gretchen. Have fun.”

  “And try acting your age,” Luke ordered sternly as Angela pulled him and a still-stunned Sassy out the door.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Gretchen asked the moment the door had closed and they were alone. She thought the entire wedding day had been very dignified.

  “If I were to guess, I’d say no sex,” Matt remarked dryly.

  “Oh,” Gretchen said as he opened the door just long enough to put the Do Not Disturb sign on, then shut and locked it again. The casualness of his action, and the thought behind it, sent chills of anticipation coasting down Gretchen’s spine. What was Matt expecting from her tonight, now that they were here in the honeymoon suite? She realized in retrospect that events had unfolded so rapidly she and Matt hadn’t really come to any understanding about the evening ahead.

  He studied her, his mouth crooked up in a wolfish smile. “You look disappointed,” he commented softly, after a moment.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Gretchen said, quickly drawing a line he could not cross. She might be attracted to him, but she wasn’t a fool. It would be hard enough sharing space and a baby with him, without picking up their love affair where it had left off.

  Matt shrugged out of his suit jacket and dropped it on the back of the long, comfortable sofa. Still studying her thoughtfully, he closed the distance between them purposefully. “That was our deal, wasn’t it?” he continued bluntly, loosening the knot of his tie. “A marriage in name only?”

  Gretchen hazarded a look in the other direction and found herself staring at the king-size bed. She knew at a glance how comfortable it would be. “Yes, that was our deal.” Fighting a self-conscious flush, she turned back to Matt.

  “However—” he grinned wickedly “—if you want to change your mind—”

  Gretchen held up a staying palm, aware he looked more handsome than ever in the late-afternoon sunlight. “We agreed not to complicate things unnecessarily,” she reminded him.

  For a second he was very still, disappointment flashing across his face. “So we did.”

  Disconcerted by his nearness, the kisses they’d already exchanged, Gretchen hitched in a breath. “That being the case, we don’t really have to stay here tonight. Do we?” Surely they’d courted temptation enough as it was.

  Matt shrugged his broad shoulders carelessly as he removed his tie altogether and tossed it on top of his suit jacket. “Depends on whether you want to raise suspicions.”

  “Meaning?” Gretchen tilted her head back to better see his face.

  “Ten to one, Luke has the lobby staked out and will be waiting like any good private detective-to-be for anything out of the ordinary to develop.”

  “Like one or both of us making a fast getaway from the bridal suite just moments after checking in.” Gretchen sighed.

  Silence fell between them. “Look, why don’t we both try to relax?” Matt suggested. “It’s only one night. I’m sure Luke will be back bright-and-early tomorrow morning to get us. Then we can see about moving you into my home.”

  Gretchen thought about the last time they’d been cooped up together for a mere twenty-four hours. That was how they’d made a baby and gotten into this mess. But there was no reason to think that would happen again, she reassured herself sternly.

  She eyed the bucket of champagne, but knew because of the baby that she couldn’t indulge. Matt read her thoughts. “We’ll save it and use it to celebrate after the baby’s born.”

  “Good plan,” Gretchen murmured. It was helpful to think ahead, to focus on the goal rather than the immediate problems yet to be worked out. She took the flowers out of her hair and carefully laid them aside.

  “You know, this marriage business doesn’t have to be difficult,” Matt offered gently.

  “Oh, really.” Gretchen kicked off her shoes. Wedding clothes or not, she planned to get comfortable. “And how do you figure that?” she asked as she curled up in one corner of the sofa, tucking her legs beneath her.

  “Well, think about it.” Matt sat down beside her. He folded his hands behind his head and stretched his legs out in front of him. “The first time we were married our emotions were involved. We were both young, idealistic...”

  “And we expected our marriages to last forever.”

  “Whereas this time we’re much more realistic. We said our I Dos knowing exactly where we stood.”

  Gretchen began to relax. She smoothed the handkerchief hem of her dress. “I gu
ess I can study here as well as at your home.”

  “And I can watch the TV in the bedroom,” Matt said, as if it were no big deal. “We’ll be like two friends sharing a suite. And to that end—” He vaulted off the sofa, stalked across the room and peered into the well-stocked refrigerator behind the bar. “We’ve got plenty of milk, juice in here. Care for something?”

  “Milk on the rocks, please. And you’re right. It’s ridiculous for me to be on edge about this. We can live together as roommates, right?”

  “Absolutely.” His hand brushed hers as he handed her the glass of milk. “I promised not to exercise my conjugal rights and I won’t.”

  “Unless—” Gretchen stood uneasily, guessing there was more.

  “You want me to exercise them,” Matt added, giving her a meaningful look.

  Without warning, Gretchen was trembling. She stepped back a pace. “You think I’m going to change my mind?”

  Matt shrugged and replied reasonably, “I think it’s entirely possible we both might. And to that end, I think we ought to keep our options open, take it one moment, one evening, at a time.”

  Gretchen wanted that, too, but she feared that reintroducing lovemaking into their lives was not as simple a proposition as either of them would like to think. It was bad enough that her heart sped up and her breathing became more shallow every time he came within three feet of her. Bad enough that he was beginning to behave and think as if they were very much a couple.

  Deciding she needed time to consider, she headed for her backpack and pulled out a textbook and highlighter pen. “Would you mind if I monopolized the living room for a while?” she asked in a brisk, matter-of-fact tone, telling him that for now anyway all the walls surrounding her heart and soul were still firmly in place. “I’ve got some educational psychology chapters I need to read.”

  * * *

  “GET MUCH studying done?” Matt asked Gretchen several hours later when she finally closed her textbooks and got up to stretch.

  I tried, but I couldn’t comprehend a word, Gretchen thought as she stepped into the bedroom and crossed to Matt’s side. He was stretched out in the center of the king-size bed, a pillow propped behind his head. He had a half-finished bottle of beer in his hand and an open pack of peanuts that he’d pretty much demolished beside him. Unlike her, he looked completely at ease.