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

  Ryan jerked his arm up and studied his watch as though it was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen.

  “We’d better hit the road,” he said, tapping the watch, “or we’ll be conspicuously late getting to Mario’s.”

  “We’re going to be conspicuous just arriving together. I think we should go in separate cars.”

  “We’d still get there at the same time since we’re both leaving from here.”

  “Well,” she said, “I’ll drive around the block a couple of times at Mario’s and wait for you to get inside.”

  Ryan folded his arms over his chest. “Oh, really? Doesn’t that come under the heading of playing games, Ms. Hamilton?”

  Deedee sighed. “Yes, I suppose it does. It’s just that your family is going to go ballistic when we walk into the restaurant together. You know that’s true, Ryan. It will be ‘Wow, look at that. Deedee and Ryan are together. Isn’t that something? Isn’t that super?’

  “Then they’ll be watching us like hawks, and trying to get each of us alone for all the details. I love your family as though they were my own, but they definitely like to be in on what’s happening in everyone’s life.”

  “We’ll weather that inquisitive storm. We’ll tell them the truth—there’s nothing happening between us. Nothing at all.”

  Right? Ryan asked himself in the next moment. Yes, of course that was right. He’d already figured out that there was a sexual attraction between him and Deedee that was justifiably labeled old-fashioned lust.

  The physical want was causing him to think about Deedee a great deal—to have annoying dreams about her and a bunch of butterflies—but his plan of “overdosing on Deedee” would solve all of that.

  There weren’t any emotions involved in this mess.

  But what about that kiss? a nagging little voice in his mind asked him.

  The kiss had been…yeah, okay, sensational. But that was understandable, because she was the first woman he’d kissed in nearly two years. He’d reacted to the kiss like a thirsty man in need of water. That made perfect sense.

  Why he wasn’t consumed with guilt for having broken his vow to stay loyal to Sherry, he didn’t know. Forget it. He wasn’t using up any more mental energy analyzing one simple kiss.

  “I repeat,” he said, “there’s nothing happening between us, and that’s what we tell my family if they push for information.”

  “I don’t suppose you’d care to explain to me why you were so determined to get me to go with you tonight?”

  “Not really.”

  “Fine, whatever,” Deedee said. “I’ll get my purse, and off we go to Mario’s.”

  There is nothing happening between us, her mind echoed as she hurried into the bedroom for her purse. That was absolutely correct. She didn’t care diddly if that answer did, or did not, satisfy the MacAllister clan. Facts were facts, and the truth was the truth. There was nothing happening between her and Ryan.

  And that kiss?

  What about that kiss?

  Oh, well, it had been…it had been…sensational, to borrow Ryan’s description. But it didn’t mean anything, other than they kissed sensationally together, or some such idiotic thing.

  And that had not been disappointment that had caused a cold knot to tighten in her stomach when Ryan had said nothing was happening between them. It had been hunger. She was starving, and more than ready for some dinner.

  “Pizza,” she said, whizzing back into the living room. “Let’s go.”

  The drive in Ryan’s Jeep to Mario’s was made in total silence, the occupants of the vehicle each lost in their own muddled thoughts.

  In spite of Ryan’s bravado plan to deal with his inquisitive family with short, precise answers to any questions they might have, Deedee could actually feel the waves of sudden tension emanating from him when they entered the restaurant.

  She looked up at him quickly and had the irrational thought that she’d heard his walls clank firmly into place. She recognized the closed expression on his face, and his brown eyes appeared flat and unreadable.

  How nice, she mused dryly. The MacAllister clan wouldn’t get in an excited verbal dither over her arrival with Ryan once they glimpsed his don’t-come-nearme demeanor. They’d had plenty of practice at cutting a wide circle around this frowning, aloof Ryan.

  The group was seated against the far wall at a long wooden table with benches. Deedee managed a small smile and a wave as she and Ryan wove their way through the tables in their path. The restaurant was nearly full as Mario’s had a reputation for producing some of the best pizza in town, and the noise level was high.

  “Hello, hello,” Andrea said, beaming at the pair as they reached the table.

  “’Lo, ’lo,” Noel said, banging on the tray of her high chair.

  Ryan nodded, but didn’t speak.

  Coward, Deedee thought crossly. He was in his notspeaking mode now, leaving her to deal with the family, all of whom were looking at them with a great deal of undisguised interest.

  “Ryan and I were discussing the recommendations he’d made for my new security system at the store,” Deedee said, “so we decided to come on over here together.” That wasn’t a lie, it was simply the truth stretched a tad.

  “Well, it’s lovely to see you both,” Margaret said. “Do sit down.”

  Deedee slid gratefully onto the bench, hoping that once she was seated everyone would forget she was there. She landed next to Ted, then Ryan sat next to her, sandwiching her between the two men.

  “Hi, Ted,” she said, smiling brightly. “How’s things in the world of crime?”

  Ted matched her smile. “Business is booming…unfortunately. We seem to suddenly be dealing with crooks with culture. A valuable painting was stolen from a restaurant, and last night an antique vase worth a bundle got ripped from a private home. Nothing else was touched. They snatched the vase and split.”

  “How strange,” Deedee said. “You’d think they’d take as much as they could carry.”

  Ted shrugged. “They seem to know exactly what they’re after, get it and leave. The same thing happened at the restaurant when they took the painting. We figure the guys who did the first job did the second one, too.”

  “Do you have any clues as to who might have—” Deedee started.

  “Where are Jillian and Forrest?” Ryan interrupted gruffly. “Forrest organized this get-together.”

  “They’re on their way,” Robert MacAllister said. “Forrest phoned and said they needed to make a quick stop, but to go ahead and order. We’re getting those pizzas that Jillian introduced us to.”

  “Ah, yes,” Deedee said, smiling. “Super Duper Pizza Supreme Deluxe Extraordinaire. One very delicious pizza. Did Forrest give any hint as to the results of Jillian’s ultrasound?”

  “No,” Robert said, “not a word. I couldn’t tell a thing by his voice on the phone, either.”

  “He’s not winning The Baby Bet this time,” Andrea said. “He’s been the champion for so long that he’s getting illusions of grandeur. Triplets. Three baby girls. No way.”

  “No way,” Matt said, throwing a cracker onto the floor.

  “You tell ’em, Matt,” Andrea said, smiling at the toddler. “Right?”

  “Right,” Matt echoed. “Right, right, right.”

  “Deedee,” Andrea said, “would you like to go to the ladies’ room with me?”

  “No, thank you,” she said pleasantly. No way, to quote Matt. She wasn’t about to be cornered by Andrea, who would grill her unmercifully for more details regarding her arriving with Ryan.

  “Nice try, Andrea,” Jenny said, laughing, “but no cigar.”

  “Mmm,” Andrea said, wrinkling her nose.

  “Jillian and Forrest just came in,” Robert said. “Forrest is carrying an enormous shopping bag. The stop they had to make was apparently at that department store.”

  “Curiouser and curiouser,” Michael said. He rubbed his hands together. “I can hardly wait for Forrest to be un
championed. He’s so darn cocky about The Baby Bet.”

  “With just cause,” Ted said. “He always wins.”

  “Not this time,” Michael said.

  Jillian and Forrest reached the table and everyone stared at them.

  “Sit down, sweet wife,” Forrest said, then dropped a quick kiss on her lips.

  Jillian sat next to Ryan, a rather bemused expression on her face.

  “Get on with it, Forrest,” Michael said. “They’ll be calling our order number for the pizzas any second now. Admit you lost, then shut up.”

  “You have an attitude, big brother,” Forrest said, smiling. “I trust that I have everyone’s undivided attention?”

  “Indeed you do, son,” Margaret said. “I would suggest, however, that you make your announcement regarding the results of the ultrasound right now, before someone strangles you, dear.”

  “Oh,” Forrest said. “Good point.” He shifted the large shopping bag to one arm. “Okay, here we go. The test showed, with no doubt whatsoever…” He reached into the bag and pulled out a pink, stuffed-toy rabbit, which he set on the table.

  “A girl,” Jenny said. “It’s a girl.”

  Forrest whipped another pink rabbit out of the bag and placed it next to the first.

  “Twin girls,” Margaret said, laughing in delight. “How marvelous.”

  “Well, now,” Robert said, “isn’t that wonderful?”

  Then to the group’s wide-eyed amazement, Forrest took a third pink rabbit from the bag!

  “Oh, my gosh,” Andrea said, her hands flying to her cheeks.

  “I don’t believe this,” Michael said.

  “Believe it,” Jillian said weakly. “I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. I’m numb.”

  “Still champion of The Baby Bet,” Forrest boomed, “is yours truly, ladies and gentlemen. Jillian and I are expecting triplets, three baby girls.”

  Everyone started talking at once. Margaret got up and came around the table to hug a pale Jillian and a beaming Forrest.

  Deedee stared at the pink rabbits.

  Three babies, she thought incredulously. Jillian and Forrest were going to have three precious miracles. It was overwhelming and wonderful at the same time. My, my, she was going to be a busy Aunt Deedee.

  But not a mother.

  She’d play with the triplets, then go home.

  Alone.

  Tearing her gaze from the toys, her breath caught as she realized she’d unknowingly wrapped her arms around herself beneath her breasts. It was as though she was attempting to erase the emptiness, the fact there was no baby of her own for her to nestle in her arms.

  What in heaven’s name was the matter with her? she wondered frantically. Her decision years ago to never marry again, to not have a husband and children, had been completely thought through.

  The choice to devote herself to Books and Books had resulted in fulfillment, contentment and inner peace. She was happy with the life-style she had, she truly was.

  Then why, why, why was she feeling so chillingly alone?

  Why had Forrest’s proud announcement, and the three grinning pink rabbits, caused a cold shiver to consume her, and threatening tears to create an achy sensation in her throat?

  As everyone around the table continued to chatter on in excited voices about Jillian and Forrest’s news flash, Deedee felt as though she had floated outside of herself, was hovering above the group like a ghostly observer. She was suddenly separate and apart; she no longer fit there, no longer belonged there, among the joyful family.

  She was alone.

  “Deedee?” Ryan said quietly. “Are you all right?”

  She blinked and shook her head slightly as Ryan’s voice brought her back into herself with a jarring thud.

  “What?” She turned her head to meet his gaze, seeing the genuine concern on his face and in his eyes—those brown eyes that now radiated warmth and caring. “Yes, of course. I’m fine. I’m just so…so surprised about the triplets. My goodness, Forrest won The Baby Bet again, didn’t he? Isn’t that something?”

  “Yeah,” Ryan said, studying her face. “He’s still the champion. Three baby girls. Man, Jillian and Forrest are going to be very busy.”

  “And very blessed,” Deedee said softly.

  “They’re calling our order number for the pizzas,” Michael said, getting to his feet. “Come on, Forrest, you can help tote them. You should pay for them, too, since you won all The Baby Bet money again.”

  Two waitresses appeared with pitchers of soft drinks and a stack of plates. A flurry of activity commenced with everyone preparing for the pizzas to arrive at the table.

  Ryan looked at the pink rabbits again and frowned.

  He didn’t care how “fine” Deedee claimed she was, he thought, it wasn’t true. She was white as a sheet, and he was certain she was very close to bursting into tears.

  Why?

  Hell, he knew why. He wasn’t an ex-cop for nothing. He recognized clues and evidence when they were right in front of him.

  Deedee Hamilton wanted a baby.

  Chapter Six

  The drive back to Deedee’s apartment was as silent as the drive going to the restaurant.

  Deedee stared out the side window. She was drained, emotionally and physically exhausted and was very cognizant of the fact that she was both confused and angry.

  The confusion plaguing her now pushed the muddle over her sensual reactions to Ryan to the back burner. Up close, and disturbingly personal, was the strange and frightening chill of emptiness and loneliness that had consumed her as she’d looked at the three pink rabbits.

  She’d been unable to shake off the unsettling emotions, and had forced a false facade of cheerfulness through the remaining hours of the family gathering. At least she could find solace in the fact that no one had been aware of her inner turmoil.

  That she’d been hurled into her gloomy state of mind by three pink toy rabbits was ridiculous. Yes, all right, the rabbits represented babies, were symbols of what she would never have. But that was due to her choices, her decisions regarding her existence, her future, what she wanted from life.

  And, thus, came the anger, which was directed solely at herself for her asinine behavior.

  What she needed, she decided, was to put an end to this day, get a good night’s sleep and greet tomorrow fresh. She’d then be back to normal, doing fine.

  Deedee slid a glance at Ryan.

  It was still early evening, she mused, and the expected socially acceptable thing to do would be to invite Ryan in for coffee and chitchat.

  Under the circumstances, that was not a good idea. The dilemma regarding him wasn’t going to stay tucked away for long, and she certainly didn’t have the mental energy to deal with it tonight.

  She would thank him politely at her door for the taxi service to Mario’s, bid him adieu, then scramble under the blankets of her bed and not emerge for five years. Well, at least not surface until her alarm went off the next morning. Excellent idea.

  Ryan pulled into the lot edging Deedee’s apartment complex and parked. He turned off the ignition, unsnapped the seat belt, then got out of the Jeep and came around to assist Deedee from the vehicle. They entered the building without having spoken.

  Thank you for the ride. Good-night, Deedee mentally practiced as they approached her door.

  “Your key?” Ryan said when they stopped.

  “Oh, well, I can…” Deedee started.

  “Humor me,” he said, holding out one hand. “I’m old-fashioned.”

  Deedee retrieved the key from her purse and dropped it into Ryan’s palm. As he turned to insert the key in the lock, she began her rehearsed speech.

  “Thank you for the—”

  “Do you have any coffee?” he said, opening the door. He stepped back and extended one arm. “After you.”

  Deedee entered the living room with Ryan right behind her. He closed the door, clicked the lock into place and gave her the key.

 
“Coffee?” he repeated, raising his eyebrows.

  Deedee mentally threw up her hands in defeat. She couldn’t tell him to hit the road without being extremely rude. Coffee. Fine. But this was going to be the fastest cup of coffee ever consumed.

  “I’ll make a pot,” she said, snapping on more lights, then placing her purse on a chair. “Sit down, Ryan. I won’t be long.”

  She hurried across the room and into the small kitchen beyond. As she pulled the coffeemaker forward on the counter, she realized that Ryan was standing next to her.

  “I’ll bring it into the living room,” she said, glancing at him.

  He leaned back against the counter, folded his arms over his chest and frowned.

  “I’m fine right here,” he said.

  Deedee shrugged and busied herself preparing the coffee.

  Ryan watched her with narrowed eyes.

  MacAllister, he ordered himself, keep your mouth shut. He’d argued with himself during the drive back here, reaching the conclusion that he had no intention of addressing Deedee’s reaction to the dumb pink rabbits.

  It was none of his business. So what if he’d witnessed her upset, had seen as clearly as a flashing neon sign the message that she yearned to have a baby of her own? It didn’t matter one iota to him. He had no desire to learn the inner workings of Deedee’s mind, or the secret wishes in her heart.

  He had intended to say good-night to her at the door, but had suddenly heard himself request a cup of coffee. Well, that was understandable. He’d been raised to be polite, and since it was still so early, it would have appeared rude to just dump Deedee off and split.

  So, fine. He’d drink his cup of coffee…fast, talk about something mundane like the weather, or a current best-selling novel, and be out of there.

  Good plan. No problem.

  “Deedee,” he said, “since you want a baby so badly, why don’t you get married and have one? Or don’t get married and have one, anyway?”

  What? his mind thundered.

  “What?” she said, holding two mugs in midair.

  “Oh, hell,” he said, dragging his hands down his face. “I wonder if early dementia runs in my family.”