According To Plan Part 16

"Shelby, if I don't make love to you, right here, right now, I'll go out of my mind." He stopped inches from me. "I can't be gentle. I need you too bad to be nice."

I needed him as much as he needed me, if not more, so I reached up and pulled him down to kiss me.

After what seemed like hours we cuddled beneath the duvet.

"Are you okay?" His voice was hoa.r.s.e in my ear.

"Yes, but I don't think I could handle that again."

He chuckled and pinned me against his chest when I would have rolled away.

"You know I never would have left if I didn't think it was the right thing to do?"

A small part of me knew what he said was true, but I couldn't let go of the fact he hadn't trusted me with his secret. Down the road, if something else with his job threatened us, would he leave again? How could I know that he was in this marriage all the way?

"Tank, what if-"

He placed his index finger across my lips.

"No what ifs. You never have to worry ever again. Nothing and n.o.body will take me away from you. Ever."

He propped up on his elbow and gazed down at me. With tender fingers he brushed the hair off my forehead and kissed the scar above my eyebrow. Firm lips moved down the side of my face and paused near the pulse beating at the base of my neck.

"We've done hard and fast. How about soft and slow?" Desire thickened his voice.

My heart swelled with love at the memory of that disastrous game of pool.

"I love you, Tank"

He deepened the kiss and when he pulled away to explore other areas in need of his attention, I heard him whisper, "Love you too. Always have."

Chapter Twenty-Three.

I stared at the slim white wand in my hand.

Blue. All of them were blue. I looked around at the carnage of open boxes on the floor of my bathroom. Every little stick had shown the tiny blue stripe. It was supposed to be pink or red-any color but blue!

Maybe they were defective and I should go across town, go out of state and buy another one to make sure. Tears welled in my eyes. Who was I kidding? They'd all be blue.

I was pregnant.

This was not supposed to happen. At least not right now. We were supposed to enjoy wedded bliss for at least two point five years before having a baby. This had been meticulously planned by me since I was eight years old.

I kept my scheduled appointment with Doctor Kaufmann and he confirmed my suspicions. I was about four months along. Here I thought it was Mrs. Cribbs cooking that had me gaining weight. All that time I was pregnant and hadn't known it.

I heard keys. .h.i.tting the hall table and flew down the hallway, launched myself into Tank's arms and rained kisses all over his gorgeous face.

"I'm so glad you're home." I grabbed his hand and tugged him down to the kitchen. "Are you hungry? Dinner's almost ready." I babbled because I was nervous and didn't know how to tell him about the baby. Tank allowed himself to be dragged along, stopping just inside the kitchen door.

"I think I'd like some dessert now." He tugged me back into his arms and slanting his lips over mine, kissed me hungrily.

He walked us up against the wall and palm to palm our hands mated. With a sweet slowness he stretched our hands above my head. His whole body pressed against mine and I rubbed along the length of him, like a cat. Unhurried, he blazed a trail down the outside of my arm with his hand, then snaked his arm around my waist. His other hand brushed the top of my shirt. With deceptive languor, he popped open the first b.u.t.ton to my blouse. He'd deepened the kiss and had moved on to the second b.u.t.ton when the doorbell chimed.

"I'll tell 'em to get lost." Tank lowered his forehead onto mine and with a hard kiss, released me. He raked a hand through his hair and adjusted his jeans before stalking down the hall to the front door. I pressed my hands against my flushed cheeks and took the opportunity to straighten my clothes.

Poor Tank, it was little girls, selling cookies. Girlish giggles followed by his deep voice echoed down the hall. He was toast. He couldn't say no to sweet smiles and childish enthusiasm. And I'm sure the mother's escorting them enjoyed the eye candy at the door. I knew I would.

When he came returned to the kitchen with four boxes, I arched an eyebrow. "Four?"

He shrugged and stuffed them into the pantry, then turned and prowled toward me. I recognized the glint in his eye and felt a delicious shudder go through me. Tank scooped me into his arms and holding me close to his chest, bounded up the stairs two at a time.

"Dinner can wait." He growled as he shouldered open the door to our bedroom and practically threw me onto the bed. He kept his eyes trained on me while he tore his shirt over his head, kicked off his boots and shrugged out of his jeans.

My mouth went dry and I couldn't have said word, even if I wanted. Baby news would have to wait.

The next morning I watched Tank eating his breakfast. It was now or never. I had to tell him before my ever expanding belly gave it away.

"Tank, would you come with me to get some things for the house?" I bit into dry toast.

"Sure, what kind of things?' He poured ketchup on his semi-hard eggs. My stomach rolled. At this rate even the toast wouldn't stay down. I sipped my tepid tea.

"Just a few things for the spare room, nothing much." Maybe if I didn't watch him dip his toast into the slimy yolk which had mixed with the thick ketchup... Excusing myself I ran for the bathroom upstairs. A few minutes later I brushed my teeth and went back down to resume eating the dry, cold toast.

After breakfast we went to a large furniture store, although I thought we'd never leave the house. Tank disappeared into our bedroom, only re-appearing when I threatened to come upstairs and drag him down.

He held my hand and s.n.a.t.c.hed kisses whenever he thought no one in the store was looking, not paying too much attention to where we were. His steps faltered when I paused in the little area with children's furniture. He further slowed down when I stopped at a beautiful hand carved rocker, sat in it and began rocking gently.

"Shelby, why are we here?"

I rocked a little harder and couldn't look at him. All I saw were two big feet, planted directly in front of me.

"Shelby." His tone had an edge to it.

I stopped rocking. Running my fingers on the arm of the rocker I asked. "What color would you like to paint the room if it's a boy?" I dared to peep up.

I had never seen Tank at a loss for words. I probably never would again. He was so still I wasn't sure he heard me. His face was devoid of emotion, so I repeated, "Tank, what color...?"

"I heard you." He pulled me out of the rocker and lifted me into his arms. His heart thundered in his chest. I didn't know if he was happy, mad, or indifferent and I stumbled back when he released me and let out an ear-splitting whoop before pulling me back in his arms.

Patrons jumped and store clerks came to see what all the fuss was. They arrived in time to see me crushed in a tight bear hug again, while Tank twirled around, kissing me over and over.

Laughing, I pushed on his shoulders. "Tank, the child will come out dizzy if you don't put me down."

"Are you all right?" He almost dropped me in his haste to set me on terra firma, placing the palm of his hand on my little rounded belly. The tiny bulge alone should have told me I was pregnant.

"I'm going to have a baby. Women have been doing this for millennia." I loved the feel of his big hand resting on my belly, on our child.

"I know, but this is my first time, so cut me some slack." He hugged me again.

"Uh, Tank. We're in public." My voice was m.u.f.fled as I spoke into his chest.

"I don't care." But he did loosen his arms and allow me to breath. Snagging my hand in his large one, he dragged me through the store, not stopping until we were in our new jeep. He half turned in his seat.

"When?" There was no beating around the bush with Tank.

"About four months." I could see the wheels turning in Tank's mind, calculating.

Maybe sooner.

"You were pregnant before the explosion." He shook his head in disbelief. "We only made love once."

"That's all it takes."

Tank reached across the gearshift, pulled me close and kissed me again. The kiss was sweet, yet demanding at the same time. He caressed my cheek and whispered, "You can't know how excited I am."

Now that was a first. I always knew when he was excited, but I knew he spoke from his heart. Then he decided we needed things for the baby and me. We bought vitamins, every book he could find on pregnancy and childcare, stopping only when I refused to buy a jogging stroller. Totally exhausted when we arrived home I wanted to lie down. I also needed to pee, again, and made my way to our bedroom upstairs. Although the room lay in darkness, I didn't need a light to find the bathroom.

When I came out of the ensuite, I stopped at the sight of what lay before me. The room was filled with votive candles and crimson rose petals were sprinkled over the duvet. A gla.s.s of milk sat in a bucket full of ice, the previously chilled champagne placed on the floor beside the bed and Tank waited-a small black box in his hand.

So this was why he took so long to get ready this morning. I approached and took the box he held out. After a quick, questioning glance, I raised the lid.

Nestled in the velvet was a square cut diamond set in platinum gold, with two gleaming emeralds on either side. My heart hammered and I could barely choke out words.

"You found them?"

"Had to crawl through the shrubbery by the front porch, but yeah, I found them."

"I always regretted throwing my rings at you." With wondering eyes, I looked about the room. Never in my wildest dreams, and I'd had a few, would I have expected this. "Why all the romance? We're already married."

"I planned on taking you out for a romantic dinner and when we came home, I'd carry you here, have a champagne toast and do this proper. Our whole married life was built on a foundation of lies. But now we've got a clean slate."

He took the box out of my shaking hand and bent down on one knee. My breath stuttered as he slid the familiar ring on my fourth finger.

Holding my hand, he looked up at me. "I think I loved you before I met you. You make me weak in the knees, every day. These past few months have been h.e.l.l and I don't want to waste another moment. I want to fight with you. Laugh and love with you..." He placed a big hand on my belly, "...have children with you. Shelby Marie Stewart-Steele, will you marry me, again?"

Tears slipped down my cheeks and I dropped to my knees. I held his face in my hands, and looked first into his green and then blue eye. "Yes. I'll marry you, Jackson Montgomery Steele."

Hours later, snuggled close against his chest, I grinned into the dark and thought about the only other thing which could render him speechless. I almost shook him awake, but decided I'd tell him in the morning, just as he was about to take a big gulp of coffee.

I slid into sleep... Hope he's ready for twins.

THE END.

Thanks for reading According to Plan. I hope you enjoyed Shelby and Tank's story. Make sure you're on my mailing list at www.suebarrauthor.com to be notified when new books are released. If you enjoyed this book, please help other readers discover it by leaving a review on the retail site of your choice, and/or Goodreads.

Turn the page for a sneak peek at my next book, Man of Her Dreams.

Man Of Her Dreams Lindsay Swanson turned her beat-up truck into the parking lot and pulled to a stop near the front entrance of the Food Mart. Waves of heat shimmered from the hood of the truck, making the open s.p.a.ce look like a Saharan mirage. Sweat trickled down the side of her temple and she swiped it away before twisting her hair into a Ravenwood Hooligan's ball cap.

A fluttering movement caught her eye. With a sigh she peeled a rogue piece of drywall tape off her T-shirt. When you owned your own renovation business, things got messy. Thankfully, most of the town would be at Nesland Lake, enjoying the warm weather, so chances of someone seeing her caked in drywall dust and sweat were slim.

Through the front window she spotted one of the cashiers working a check-out line, and groaned. Just her luck, Carla would be working today. Now everyone in town would know how pathetic her life was. She could hear Carla now.

"Poor Lindsay, she only bought a loaf of bread. No one to cook for...."

For a brief moment, she considered hopping back into her truck and driving to her parent's farm for a home cooked meal. Mom wouldn't mind another body at the table, but Lindsay wasn't up for the subtle guilt that would be sprinkled throughout the meal.

Mom would say, over a savory pot roast, 'A few grandchildren would be nice while we can enjoy them without a.s.sistance from a walker.' Or, 'When are you going to find a nice young man?'

The automatic door slid open and Lindsay entered the blissfully cool interior, and made a bee-line for the deli counter. As expected, the store was quiet, the silence broken by piped music from the fifties and sixties. She ordered sandwich meat, pausing when her cell phone played 'Red Neck Woman'.

"Hey, Tina. What's up?"

"Are you coming to practice tonight?"

A pang of guilt sliced through her. The good folk of Ravenwood were fanatical about their slow-pitch team, planning town fairs and community events around the tournaments. Although she loved playing ball, she had no desire to run around an outfield. Not after taping and mudding Mrs. Henderson's entire kitchen.

"No can do. I'm too tired." She waved a thank-you to the deli clerk and grabbed the package of meat.

"Not again. You only have to come out for a few hours."

"You know I'm busy, and before you ask, I can't make the game tomorrow night either."

She heard m.u.f.fled whispering. The Hooligan's next game was against the Silver Creek Bullets, their biggest compet.i.tor and a minimum of two women was required to play.

"Tell Nick I hear him breathing." Lindsay guessed her brother was eavesdropping.

"How did you-?" Tina sighed. "At least come for drinks after the game."

"I'll be there. See you tomorrow." Lindsay ended the call. Tina was not only her sister-in-law, but also her best friend, and because they'd known each other since they were both in diapers, Tina felt it was her duty to make sure Lindsay had a plus-one for parties. Unfortunately, for both of them, her batting average was a big, fat zero.

However, a boyfriend would be nice. Especially on beautiful days like today where she and her fabulous, make-believe boy toy could water-ski, then invite everybody over for a barbeque and Carla wouldn't think she was so pathetic.

Lindsay continued to the bakery department. She was dangerously low on provisions and swore she'd do a full grocery shop on the weekend. That was, if she had time. If she didn't have another renovation booked. If, if, if... The mult.i.tude of ifs piled up, threatening to topple over and crush her.

Long time Ravenwood resident, Lindsay Swanson was crushed to death last night. Investigators claim the reason was iffy.

She skirted the candy bars and closed her eyes as she moved down the cookie aisle, opening them when she felt was safely beyond their tempting chocolate chips and caramel swirls.