Friends, Lovers...And Babies! (The Baby Bet #2) Read online

  In unison, Ryan and Ted glanced down at their uniforms, as though surprised to see them on their bodies. With Rosie’s help, they’d formulated the first action to be taken in Ryan’s campaign to make amends with Deedee. The two men had left the café and headed for the nearest large department store.

  “Oh, we’re not cops,” Ryan said. “I mean, we are, but we’re not on duty. We just haven’t taken the time to change clothes since getting off our shift because this is an emergency situation.”

  “I understand,” the woman said, obviously not understanding at all. “You have an emergency that brings you to the baby department?”

  “Well, yes,” Ryan said. “We started out in the toy section, but they didn’t have what I wanted. The lady there suggested we come over here.”

  “Oh,” she said. “Just what is it that you’re looking for, sir? I mean, Officer?”

  “A small pink rabbit.”

  “Or a butterfly,” Ted interjected.

  “No, I think the rabbit would be the best move,” Ryan said. “That’s the issue at hand, after all. The whole disaster is over the pink rabbit, and how I screwed up so badly. It’s really more symbolic than the butterfly at this point.”

  Ted nodded. “You’re right. Okay, we want a little pink rabbit.” He looked at the woman. “Do you have one?”

  The woman backed up a step and eyed them warily. “Over there.” She waved one hand in the air. “There’s a display of soft, baby-safe stuffed toys. I’ll…I’ll leave you to browse. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the clerk on duty.” She pressed one hand to her forehead. “I’m going home.”

  “Thanks,” Ryan said as the woman hurried away. He looked at Ted. “What’s her problem?”

  “I don’t know. Cops shake people up sometimes.” He paused, then laughed. “Could be, buddy, that she’s never had two big guys in uniform show up in her department before, asking for a little pink rabbit due to our being in emergency mode.”

  “True,” Ryan said, grinning. His smile faded as he glanced around. “Look at all this stuff, Ted. Baby paraphernalia. It’s really sinking in that I’m going to be a father. It’s great, just so fantastic.”

  “You’re going to be a dead man if you don’t mend fences with Deedee, dude. Come on, let’s check out those shelves over there.”

  “A baby,” Ryan said, following Ted. “Man, oh, man, I’m going to have a baby!”

  “A baby?” Andrea said, her eyes, widening. “You’re carrying Ryan’s baby?”

  Deedee nodded. “I asked you to come to the store because I don’t dare cry here, Andrea. This is the fifth day since I sent Ryan away. I’ve told you the whole story, and there’s no denying it’s a terrible mess.”

  “No joke. Ryan wouldn’t listen to you, then you wouldn’t listen to him. There is some good old-fashioned listening called for here.”

  Deedee sighed. “I was so hurt and exhausted. Ryan had been so hateful, accused me of lying and…Then suddenly he said he did believe me. I just couldn’t deal with it. If he changed his mind once, what’s to say he wouldn’t flip the coin over again? I couldn’t live like that. No, it’s finished, just isn’t going to work between Ryan and me.” She sniffled. “Oh-h-h, I’m such a wreck.”

  “Now calm down,” Andrea said. “I know my brother can be a giant-size dolt at times, Deedee, but believe me, if that man says he loves you, then Ryan MacAllister is definitely in love with you. And you’re in love with him.”

  “Yes, but…” Deedee started, throwing up her hands.

  “I’m so happy for you two. I knew something wonderful was happening way back at the twins’ birthday party.” Andrea laughed. “Forrest will be so tickled. He’ll be able to put The Baby Bet into operation down the road.”

  “Andrea, would you quit being so cheerful? Ryan and I aren’t even speaking to each other. I’m upset and confused. I’m miserable. Yes, I love him, but my faith and trust in him is shaken so badly. I just don’t see a happy ending in the picture.”

  “Deedee, you’re understandably not jumping with joy, but you’ve got to settle down and think things through. Ryan made a mistake, a big mistake. Are you going to compound it by refusing to accept his sincere apology to you for what he did?”

  “Well!” Deedee said with an indignant sniff. “Now I’m the villain?”

  “Oh, sweetie, there aren’t good guys and bad guys in this scenario. There are human beings who are fallible.” Andrea paused. “Do you remember that movie that came out years ago where the characters said that being in love meant you never had to say you were sorry?”

  Deedee nodded.

  “At the time, I thought that was so-o-o romantic. But now? I don’t agree with it at all. To me, as John’s wife, being in love means you can say you’re sorry. You’ll be heard, understood, forgiven, and whatever had caused the upset is put behind you so you can move forward. Think about it, Deedee. Please.”

  “Move forward,” Deedee said quietly. “Let the past stay in the past.”

  “Yes.”

  Before Deedee could respond further, the door to Books and Books opened and a man in a khaki messenger’s uniform entered, carrying a clipboard and a small package. The box was wrapped in paper with pretty butterflies in pastel shades.

  “Ms. Deedee Hamilton?” the man said, glancing at Deedee, then Andrea.

  “Yes, I’m Deedee Hamilton.”

  He put the box on the counter and extended the clipboard toward her.

  “Sign on line six please, ma’am.”

  Deedee did as instructed, then tentatively reached for the pretty package as the messenger left the store.

  “Butterflies,” Deedee said. “Aren’t they lovely? I adore butterflies.”

  “Someone obviously knows that,” Andrea said. “Open it before I pop a seam, due to the fact that I’m basically nosy.”

  Deedee carefully removed the paper, took the lid off the box, then brushed aside the pale pink tissue inside.

  “Oh,” she gasped.

  She lifted the treasure out of the box. It was a soft pink rabbit, approximately five inches high. It had a smile on its face and a carrot between its paws.

  Andrea peered into the box. “No card.”

  “It’s from Ryan,” Deedee said, sudden tears filling her eyes. “I know it is.”

  “Ah,” Andrea said, smiling and nodding. “The plot thickens. I’m off to collect Matt and Noel. I’m not needed here any longer with my pearls of womanly wisdom.” She gave Deedee a quick hug. “Enjoy your present. And remember to think.”

  “Yes. Yes, I will. Thank you so much, Andrea. You’re a wonderful friend.”

  “’Bye for now.”

  Alone in the store, Deedee brushed the stuffed toy gently against her cheek, then cradled it in both hands as though it were made of the finest crystal.

  “Oh, Ryan,” she whispered.

  The stuffed pink rabbit that was delivered to Deedee at the store the next day was twelve inches tall, wore a perky sunbonnet and held a tiny bouquet of silk flowers. The same butterfly wrapping paper covered the box.

  Deedee burst into tears and had to tell the next four customers who entered Books and Books that she was suffering from an allergy attack.

  The following day, the pink rabbit was three feet tall.

  “Oh-h-h,” Deedee wailed.

  “No,” Ted said. “No way. Not a chance. MacAllister, get out of my face.”

  “Ted,” Ryan said, “you’ve got to do this for me. I’m fighting for my life here. I got Andrea to find out Deedee’s work schedule. She’s leaving the store at six o’clock tomorrow night. It’s perfect.”

  “It’s ridiculous.”

  “Name your price.”

  “I’m not doing it, MacAllister!”

  “A cherry pie from Rosie’s every week for the next year. Fifty-two of Rosie’s cherry pies, Sharpe. Count them. Fifty-two.”

  Ted rolled his eyes heavenward. “Sold. You sure know how to hit a man where he lives. But so help m
e, MacAllister, if one cop, even one, hears about this, I’ll strangle you with my bare hands.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “Fifty-two of Rosie’s cherry pies?”

  “Yep.”

  “Damn.”

  At five minutes to six the next evening, Deedee picked up her purse, moved from behind the counter and said good-night to Christy, the young woman who had come on duty at Books and Books.

  “Have a nice evening,” Christy said. “I’ll… Aaak!” she suddenly screamed. “Oh, my gosh!”

  Deedee spun around to see what had caused Christy’s startling outburst.

  “Dear heaven,” Deedee said, her eyes widening.

  Standing before her was a pink rabbit more than sixfeet tall!

  It had a big smile, bright eyes with long eyelashes, floppy ears and a fluffy round tail.

  The rabbit shuffled across the floor to where Deedee stood by the counter.

  “Come with me,” the rabbit whispered.

  A woman entered the store and immediately stood statue still, her mouth open.

  “I…” Deedee started, then had to take a breath of much-needed air. “You want me to go with you?”

  The rabbit nodded.

  “Deedee,” Christy said, her voice trembling, “you can’t go off with just any rabbit that happens to walk in the door. What if it’s a sex maniac rabbit or something? Oh, Lord, I’m hysterical.”

  “Damn it, Deedee,” the rabbit said. “It’s me…Ted. Would you just come on?”

  “Ted?” she repeated.

  “Shh, not so loud. If anyone learns about this, I’ll have to leave town. Are you coming?”

  Oh, Ryan, Deedee thought, a soft smile forming on her lips. Her wonderful Ryan was behind this crazy stunt. Andrea was right. It was time to forgive, put the mistakes in the past and move forward.

  It was time to love Ryan MacAllister with all she was, the very essence of herself—heart, mind, body and soul.

  “Yes,” she said, “I’ll go with you.”

  Ted bent one furry pink arm, and Deedee slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. They went toward the door, Deedee smiling pleasantly at the woman who still stood with her mouth open like a goldfish.

  “Good evening, ma’am,” Deedee said. “Goodbye, Christy.”

  “’Bye,” Christy said weakly.

  “The feet on this thing are too big,” Ted said, shuffling along.

  Deedee swallowed a bubble of laughter, her heart nearly bursting with love for Ryan MacAllister.

  Outside, people slowed their pace, staring at Deedee and her escort as the strange pair started down the sidewalk.

  “I’m going to kill him,” Ted muttered. “He caught me in a weak moment. Fifty-two pies doesn’t cut it. One hundred and fifty-two isn’t enough. It’s settled. I’m going to kill him.”

  “Don’t kill him, Ted,” Deedee said, smiling. “I love him.”

  “Oh. Well, in that case, this might be worth it. No, forget it. He’s dead.” He paused. “Are you two going to live happily ever after with your little pink rabbit?”

  “Yes. Oh, yes.”

  “Amen.”

  In the next block, Ted stopped in front of a restaurant and opened the door. To the ongoing stares of people passing by, he bowed and swept one arm through the air.

  “After you,” he said.

  “Thank you.”

  They entered the restaurant and were immediately greeted by a man in a suit and tie. He gave no impression that having a woman accompanied by a humansize pink rabbit arrive in the establishment was anything out of the ordinary.

  “Ah, good evening,” the man said. “We’ve been expecting you. Madam, if you’ll come with me please?”

  “I’m outta here,” Ted said.

  “Ted.” Deedee stood on tiptoe and kissed him on his furry nose. “Thank you.”

  “Be happy. You both deserve it. I’m gone.”

  The rabbit shuffled back out the door.

  “Madam?” the man said.

  Deedee followed him across the crowded room, ignoring the strange looks and whispered speculations of the patrons. The man opened a door on the back wall; Deedee moved ahead of him, then heard the door click closed behind her.

  In the center of the small room was a table set for two, with candles burning in crystal holders and champagne chilling in a silver bucket.

  And standing by the table, looking magnificent in a charcoal gray suit, was Ryan.

  “Hello, Deedee,” he said, no hint of a smile on his face. “You came.”

  “I came,” she said softly.

  “I love you.”

  “I know.”

  “Deedee, right now, standing here, I’m more terrified than I’ve been in my life, including times when I was scared spitless as a cop. This is it. Nothing, or forever.”

  “Ryan…”

  “I sent the pink rabbits to tell you, to hopefully convince you, that I…Ah, damn, I’m so sorry for the pain I caused you. Deedee, please, please, forgive me. Give me, us, another chance. I don’t want to lose you, our baby, the life we can have together. Will you forgive me?”

  “Only if—” tears misted Deedee’s eyes “—you forgive me. You wouldn’t listen to me, but I’m just as guilty of not listening to you. I’m so sorry, Ryan. I love you. Oh, God, how I love you. We’ll put our mistakes in the past, we truly will. The future is ours. Will you marry me, Ryan MacAllister?”

  “Oh, yes. Come here, Deedee Hamilton,” he said, opening his arms.

  And she went.

  With tears of happiness spilling down her flushed cheeks, she rushed into Ryan’s embrace, holding him fast as he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Ah, my Deedee,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. “Deedee.”

  She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, and neither made any attempt to hide the tears glistening in their eyes.

  Ryan lowered his head and kissed her, sealing their commitment to forever, putting the pain of mistakes securely away in the past and dreaming only of their future…together.

  Slowly and reluctantly, Ryan raised his head.

  “Would you like to order dinner now?” he said, his voice raspy with desire.

  “No. No, my love, let’s go home.”

  Ryan nodded, then encircled her shoulders with his arm. “Home. Our home. The three of us.”

  “Yes,” Deedee said, smiling. “Mama, Papa and the little pink rabbit.”

  The wedding was held in Andrea and John’s backyard with the MacAllister family in attendance. Spring flowers were woven through a wicker archway where the bride and groom stood before the minister. Vows were exchanged and simple gold wedding bands slipped into place.

  “You may kiss your bride,” the minister finally said to Ryan.

  Just as Ryan leaned toward Deedee, she gasped softly. They both straightened in surprise that was immediately followed by delight.

  A delicate butterfly fluttered between them, as though giving its blessing to their union. It glided gracefully upward, hovered a moment, then flew toward the heavens.

  “Oh, Ryan,” Deedee said, awe and wonder in her voice, “it’s as though the butterfly is dancing, just for us.”

  “Perfect,” Ryan said, watching the beautiful butterfly disappear from view.

  “Amen,” Deedee said.

  Then Ryan MacAllister smiled.

  And Deedee MacAllister did, too.

  * * * * *

  For more on the wonderful MacAllister family

  and their friends, don’t miss the next installment

  of THE BABY BET, coming to you this spring

  from Silhouette Special Edition!

  eISBN 978-14592-8036-6

  FRIENDS, LOVERS…AND BABIES!

  Copyright © 1996 by Joan Elliott Pickart

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, incl
uding xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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