Target in Jeopardy Read online

  “Heavens, no. I’ve been the subject of town gossip since the moment my pregnancy started to show and there was no man in my life,” she replied.

  “Then I have a feeling the two of us are going to generate a lot more gossip in the future,” he said drily.

  “I’m happy to keep the busybodies busy.”

  He grinned at her. “I like the way you think.” His grin was a wide, warm one that shot an unexpected heat through her.

  Thankfully, at that moment Susan Blake, one of the waitresses, appeared at their booth. She greeted them and handed them each a menu. “How are you folks this evening?” she asked pleasantly.

  “We’re good,” Avery replied.

  “What can I get you both to drink?” Susan asked.

  “Water is fine for me,” Avery said.

  “I’ll take a cup of coffee,” Dallas added.

  “I’ll be right back with those drinks and to take your food orders.” With that, Susan left their booth.

  Avery opened the menu and Dallas did the same. She was acutely aware of the man across from her even as she studied the food offerings.

  His energy wafted across the table to her. He seemed to command the space around him. He had a quiet confidence about himself that was vastly appealing to her.

  But did that confidence manifest itself in arrogance? Was he a control freak? Was it his way or the highway? So far there had been no indication that he was any of those things, but time would tell, and it was important for her to learn exactly what kind of a man he was and what kind of a father he would be.

  “What looks good to you?” His gaze held hers over the top of the menus. His eyes were like crystal blue waters, waters she had easily drowned in seven and a half months ago, but certainly wouldn’t be drowning in again.

  “Everything looks good to me,” she replied with a small laugh. “Actually, I think I’m going to go with the chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes. The kids seem to crave comfort food lately.”

  “Have you had any strange cravings like I’ve heard pregnant women do?” he asked.

  “Green olives with potato chips,” she confessed. “I never really liked green olives before I got pregnant, but now when I snack I want olives and salt-and-vinegar potato chips.”

  “An interesting combination,” he replied.

  “Some people might say it’s a gross combination,” she said ruefully. She was rewarded by his laughter. It was a wonderful sound, deep and rich, and she immediately wanted to hear it again. “So, what are you ordering?” she asked him.

  He closed the menu. “I’m having the meat loaf special. I’m pretty fond of comfort food, too.”

  Susan returned to their table with their drinks and then took their food orders and disappeared once again. Dallas stared down into his coffee cup for a moment and then gazed at Avery.

  “When you found out you were pregnant did you, uh, consider other options?”

  “No,” she replied firmly. “I never considered anything other than having the babies. I was at a place in my life where I wanted to start my family, but not only did I not have a significant other in my life, I didn’t really want a significant other. These babies felt like a gift from heaven to me and I never considered anything but giving them life.”

  “I feel like they’re a gift from heaven, too. Uh...did you have morning sickness?” He looked slightly uncomfortable and this time his smile was sheepish. “I don’t mean to pry. I just feel like I’ve missed out on so much.”

  “Dallas, I don’t feel like your prying, and please feel free to ask me whatever you want to know. I’m an open book.” Actually, she was glad that he wanted to know what he’d missed so far about her pregnancy.

  Maybe that meant he really was planning on sticking around and being in the babies’ lives. “I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t have much morning sickness. I have had some heartburn, but nothing really severe.”

  She didn’t want to share with him the moments of intense loneliness she’d suffered during the last seven and a half months, a loneliness that had surprised her.

  It had to be because she didn’t have Zeke in her life anymore. Zeke, who would have made an awesome uncle. She didn’t want Dallas to know that there had been lots of times she’d desperately wished somebody special was around to share the wonder of pregnancy with her.

  There had also been moments when she’d felt bad that her babies would not have a father in their lives. She had been acutely aware that it was a choice she had made for them and not a choice they would have made for themselves.

  “That’s good. Overall, how are you feeling?”

  “Totally fat.” She laughed. “I know it’s all baby fat, but it’s starting to get difficult to get comfortable and by the end of the day I usually have a backache. But it won’t be long and they’ll be here, and I know the minute I hold them in my arms I’ll forget any aches and pains I’ve had.”

  Once again his gaze held hers intently. “I just want you to know that from here on out, you aren’t alone in this. From here on out, Avery, I intend to be by your side. And you don’t look fat, you look pregnant and pretty.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, as the warmth of a blush filled her cheeks.

  His words found that empty well of loneliness inside her and filled it up. They also brought unexpected tears to burn her eyes. She’d thought she was fine and strong to have the babies by herself, and she would have been. But it was nice that he was here now, nice that she didn’t have to go through the rest of this all alone, and that there was a real possibility her babies would have their father in their lives.

  Thankfully, at that moment Susan arrived to deliver their dinner, and Avery managed to get her crazy emotions under control.

  The main thing she had to remember was the handsome, seemingly kind and slightly shy man across from her was only with her for one reason...because she was pregnant with his babies.

  He cared about her only because she was carrying his children. She had to remember he wasn’t with her because he had any kind of a romantic interest in her.

  * * *

  As they ate their meal the conversation stayed light and easy, even though there were a hundred things Dallas wanted to know about Avery.

  He told himself he had to be patient. He didn’t want her to feel like he was coming at her with all his questions at once. He certainly didn’t want to force anything. He just wanted this new and unusual relationship to grow naturally.

  It would be great if they could become good friends for the sake of the babies. In truth, he felt like that was vital. They would be sharing custody, and as the twins grew older it would be imperative that he and Avery be a united front in terms of discipline and everything else.

  He smiled inwardly at his own thoughts. The babies weren’t even born yet and he already had them as teenagers who might need parental control.

  One thing was for certain. She’d said she looked fat, but that wasn’t true. She made a beautiful pregnant woman. Yes, her belly was big and round, but that was the only place she looked like she’d gained weight.

  Her skin looked warm and so...so touchable, and she also appeared to glow from within. The black-and-pink-ink blouse made the green of her eyes appear clear and bright. But her beauty had nothing to do with the relationship they needed to build.

  “Tell me more about your job,” he now said. “How long have you been a prosecutor?”

  “Only for the past year,” she replied. “Before that I was a defense attorney.”

  “What made you change?” he asked curiously.

  Her green eyes darkened with shadows just before she gazed down at her plate. She took a moment and then looked back at him. “Whether anyone wants to acknowledge it or not, there’s a growing drug problem in this town.”

  She paused and then continued, her eyes showing a blaze of pa
ssion that vanquished the shadows. “Everyone says drug abuse is a victimless crime, but that’s so not true. I’ve seen the devastation left behind in families when somebody overdoses and dies. I’ve seen families torn apart by a drug addict who is stealing from them and lying to them to support a habit. My mission now is to see that when the police arrest drug dealers, they stay behind bars.”

  “A noble mission,” he replied. What he didn’t say was that there was a lot more going on in Whisperwood than drug sales. There was no reason to include murder and a serial killer in their conversation, and potentially change the positive vibe they had between them right now.

  Still, she looked wonderfully attractive with that blaze in her eyes and her cheeks flushed with her emotion. She’d looked that way when they had made love. He glanced down into his coffee cup and shoved the inappropriate thoughts out of his head.

  As they finished the meal they each talked more about their jobs. She told him about some of the more colorful and funny things that had happened in her work in court.

  In turn he told her about some of the rescues he’d been a part of after the hurricane’s floodwaters had swept through the vicinity. “We’re still doing cleanup in several areas.”

  By that time they had finished with their dinner. “Are you up for dessert?” he asked.

  “Oh no, I’m too full of mashed potatoes and gravy to even think about dessert,” she protested. “But you feel free to order some.”

  “No, I’m good to go.” He signaled to Susan for their tab.

  “I’m happy to go dutch,” she said.

  “That’s unnecessary,” he replied.

  “Dallas, I’m used to paying my own way.”

  He smiled at her. “For tonight please allow this army sergeant turned cowboy to buy your dinner.”

  “Okay, and thank you. But if we go out to eat again, then you must let me pay my own way.”

  “I see a lot of meals out in our future,” he replied.

  “Or maybe I could cook for you,” she replied.

  “Are you a good cook?”

  “I think I am. I don’t do anything too fancy, but I can put a pretty decent meal on the table.”

  At that time Susan returned to the table with their tab. Dallas paid cash, left a tip and then he and Avery got up from the booth.

  She walked ahead of him past the other booths still filled with diners. She had reached the last one when a young man suddenly got up and slammed into her side, nearly knocking her into a nearby table.

  “Hey,” Dallas said. He grabbed Avery to him, grateful that she hadn’t fallen.

  “Sorry,” the man muttered. “I didn’t see her.” He stared at Avery for a long moment and then slid back into his booth as one of the young men with him snickered.

  “It’s okay,” Avery said, and moved out of his embrace. Dallas followed her to exit the diner.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked with concern as they walked toward his truck.

  “I’m fine,” she replied.

  “What a creep,” he said. “He could have seriously hurt you.” He thought of that moment when the man had held Avery’s gaze. “Do you know him?”

  “Unfortunately, I do. His name is Joel Asman, and he runs in the same crowd as Dwayne Conway.”

  “The man you put behind bars.”

  “Right.”

  By that time they’d reached the truck, and he helped her into the passenger seat. “So, you think he bumped into you on purpose?” he asked. The man had had punk written all over him, from his greasy dark hair to the snake tattoos that had decorated his skinny arms.

  “It’s possible, but really, it’s no big deal,” she replied.

  Anyone who would push a pregnant woman was a creep in Dallas’s eyes. Hell, anyone who would push a woman at all was a major creep.

  Within minutes they were back at her house. He walked her to the front door, where she paused to dig keys out of her purse, and then she turned to look at him. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”

  “If you’re up for it then I’d love to,” he replied. He wouldn’t mind getting a look at the space where she lived...where his children would live.

  She opened the door and immediately a little black dog was dancing at her feet, while barking doggie happiness. “I’m sorry,” she said. “She loves people. She’ll calm down in just a minute.”

  He bent down to pet the little black ball of energy. “What’s her name again?”

  “Lulu,” she replied. “Lulu, enough. Let’s go into the kitchen.”

  As he followed her through the living room and into the large kitchen, Lulu ran ahead of them. “Have a seat and I’ll get the coffee.”

  He sank down in one of the chairs at the round oak table and looked around. Yellow-and-white gingham curtains hung at the large window. Yellow wooden signs with happy and optimistic sayings decorated the wall. The room felt warm and inviting.

  She placed a pod in the one-serving coffeemaker on the counter and then got out a tea bag and filled a cup with water.

  He continued to look around the room. A back door held a little doggie door. “Do you have a fenced-in backyard?”

  “Yes, it was one of my requirements when I was house-hunting.” She placed the cup of water into the microwave and then turned to face him.

  “I had three basic requirements when I started looking for houses. I wanted at least three bedrooms, an up-to-date kitchen and a fenced-in backyard. Cream or sugar?”

  “No, black is fine.”

  As she set the cup of coffee in front of him he caught a whiff of her enticing perfume. It instantly evoked memories of the night they had spent together, a night that he now knew had had life-changing consequences.

  He watched as she grabbed a doggie treat out of a drawer and gave it to Lulu. She then took her cup out of the microwave, grabbed a saucer with the tea bag on it and joined him at the table.

  “From what I’ve seen of it, you have a very nice house,” he said.

  “Thank you. When you finish your coffee I’ll show you the nursery.”

  The nursery. His heart swelled at the very thought. He still hadn’t completely wrapped his head around the fact that he was going to be a father. “I’d like that,” he replied.

  An awkward silence ensued. She laughed suddenly, a melodious sound that made him want to join in. “I feel like I should be telling you my favorite color and what my sign is. You know, the questions most people ask when they first meet in a bar.”

  “We didn’t ask each other those questions on the night we met,” he said.

  Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. “As I recall, we didn’t do much talking at all that night.” She took a sip of her tea and then stared down into her cup.

  “So, what’s your sign?” he asked, breaking what might have become an awkward silence. She looked back up at him and he offered her a wide grin.

  She laughed and the awkward moment between them passed. “I’m a Libra. What about you?”

  “A Pisces.”

  She frowned. “Does that mean we’re supposed to get along?”

  “I have no idea. I don’t know anything about the Zodiac signs, but it doesn’t matter what our signs say, we are going to get along,” he replied firmly. “Now, what’s your favorite color?”

  “Coral. And yours?”

  “I’ve never really thought about it before, but I guess I’d say a light blue.” It was another superficial conversation that didn’t answer the questions he had about her, but hopefully she was feeling more comfortable with him with every minute they spent together.

  She shifted in the chair and released a sigh that sounded tired. He finished his coffee and stood. “I should go and let you get some rest.”

  “Before you do, let me show you the nursery.” She rose from the table a
nd gestured for him to follow her through the living room and down a hallway.

  The first doorway they passed, on the right, led into a bathroom. The second room, on the left, was being used as a home office. She went into the bedroom across the hall.

  The minute he stepped into the room, his heart expanded in his chest, making any conversation momentarily impossible. There were two cribs, one with pink bedding and one with blue. Both had mobiles dangling dancing bears. The curtains also had a border of dancing bears. It was a delightful and joyous room.

  There was also a changing table with boxes of disposable diapers on top, and a rocking chair in one corner with two teddy bears on the cushioned seat. He realized the idea of the babies hadn’t actually been real to him until this very moment.

  This room was where his babies would sleep and dream. This was where their diapers and clothes would be changed. This was where they would be rocked and loved, and hopefully there would be nights when he was in that rocking chair with both his babies in his arms.

  A wealth of emotion swept through him, one that made him feel both incredibly strong and achingly vulnerable at the same time.

  “It’s a really nice room,” he finally managed to say. As he gazed at Avery he felt a closeness to her that wasn’t reflective of the rather superficial relationship they’d shared so far.

  He had the unexpected desire to pull her close to him, to feel her heart beating against his own. He wanted to stroke her back and make her feel cherished. Although they had not intended to make new lives on the night they had slept together, they had, indeed, made two little new lives.

  Instead of following through on his inappropriate impulse to pull her into his arms, he smiled and stuck his hands in his pockets. “You’ll let me know if there’s anything else you need for in here?”

  “Trust me, there isn’t a thing more I need.”

  “Then I think it’s time I get out of here so you can get some rest.”

  They walked back down the hall and to the front door. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “Anytime,” she replied.

  “How about tomorrow evening I pick you up and take you to my place? I’ll provide the meal.”