Page 71 of Rainwater

“Well, I’ll just tell them they’ll have to wait!” Ellie started to walk out of the room.

Tucker grabbed her by the arm and said, “You better hold on there. Let Corey handle it.”

“Don’t get pushy. Who died and made you boss, Garrison?” Ellie extricated her arm with all the grace of a princess, giving Tucker a hard look. She wasn’t about to let his touch make her feel all weak in the knees.

Marigold, not about to be left out of the squabble, tugged on Ellie’s other hand. “Yeah, Garrison.”

They exited the doors still arguing heatedly.

“They’re going to drive us crazy, Corey.” Jennifer chuckled. “Already Marigold and Ellie are as thick as thieves. God help us when they get hormones. Two fourteen-year-olds. My mother and father have really gotten their revenge.”

Jennifer looked up at her husband and her features softened when she saw the look of pure rapture on his face.

“Yeah, isn’t it grand?” He beamed, grabbing Jennifer around the waist. “What do you say, Mrs. Rainwater? Want to go rescue those deliverymen before our daughter puts them in their place?”

“Lead on.” The surge of love she felt for him made her voice rough.

Hours later,once the painting was finished and the last door was installed, the furniture unwrapped and situated, the five of them sat on the newly carpeted floor and toasted the opening of the Silver Creek Community Center. Corey and Jennifer with champagne and the teenagers with cider.

Jimmy walked into the center with a camera in hand. “Why don’t y’all gather together and I’ll take a picture,” he coaxed, undaunted by the moans and groans of the teenagers.

It wasn’t until everyone was settled on the sofa that Corey realized that he had finally gotten what he had wanted so many years ago and so much heartache later. A family. A wonderful, beautiful, normal family.

When the shutter clicked, the image was caught forever on film.

“Corey,” Jennifer said softly as he slipped into bed beside her that night, gathering her into his arms. “I’ve been waiting for you. I have something very important to tell you. Where have you been?” She reached out for him.

“Showing Ellie and Marigold how to draw faces,” he replied. She snuggled into his arms, drawing her warm, soft body against his. “What did you want to tell me?” he murmured sleepily.

“Remember the day we, um, lost control in the pantry? Well…we’re going to have a baby… I’m four months along.”

Corey made a half shout, half sob in his throat, drawing her closer to him, giving her a kiss that could ignite rock. “God, Jennifer, I’m so happy.”

They lay together as he stroked her arm and nibbled on her ear. A few moments later he spoke again. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I mean about my sister living with us and about Tucker.”

“Don’t be stupid. Of course I don’t mind. It looks like she and Ellie are going to be really good friends.” After a moment of silence, she said, “Hey, are you ready to go to sleep yet, I need my rest.”

“How much?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Yeah,” he said, doing something wicked with his hand and smiling when she gasped.

“But not that pregnant and not that sleepy,” she murmured.

Many moments later, in the warm afterglow of their lovemaking, Jennifer stroked the hard planes of his chest and asked softly, “Things are working out with the counselor?”

“It’s going to take some time and I know things won’t always be perfect, but I’m willing to try.” He had discovered that he could only be the man he was and he hoped that would be enough. He looked down into Jennifer’s eyes and saw that it was enough, more than enough. He smiled.

She smiled back at him, then reached for his lips. With sighs of pleasure, they joined their mouths and their lives.

Don’t missthe next standalone,Wanted, featuring Francesca “Maxie” Maxwell and bounty hunter, Austin Taggart. She’s on the lam after being accused of embezzling money, a crime she is determined to prove she didn’t commit. Her whole life depends on her getting to the bottom of the frame and ducking from and tricking Austin becomes a game of cat and mouse until the twoof them start to feel the effects of the kind of love that comes around only once in a lifetime.