18
With the slate wiped clean of secrets between them, Dalton and Harper had turned a definite corner and he felt a sense of urgency to move the relationship forward. Taking Harper to the old bakery had been a test. Did she feel the same way he did? It seemed possible and he found that thrilling and terrifying. He was nothing if not analytical. He’d been trained to think through his decisions systematically and logically. To not rush into things. There was no logic to this urgency at all. But the baby would arrive in just a few weeks. He wanted…needed…what? He didn’t know for sure. All he knew was that his waking hours were filled with thoughts of her, a longing for her. And then on the night of Harper’s second ultrasound, he dreamed about her.
He was back in the exam room, watching the screen, watching the little face come in and out of focus. It was a face he’d come to love fiercely. In and out of focus, and then her tiny hands reached out to him, and his heart understood hers completely.
Daddy.
He reached for her, desperate to touch her as the screen went black. Did that have some sort of significance? He awoke shaken, filled with a longing so excruciating it made him physically ill. What could it all mean? Clara’s words hung in the dark night air around him. Take your moment, dear. Grab hold of it with both hands before it slips away. Because sometimes when the moment is gone, it’s gone forever.
He would not let this beautiful thing in his life slip away. Not this time. Rationally, he knew there was no reason for the fear that gripped him. Harper and the baby were healthy, hadn’t the doctor said so? He’d recommended frequent periods of rest and avoiding stress. Which was easier said than done in Harper’s world, but Dalton was doing whatever it took to make the pregnancy easier for her. He’d do whatever it took to prove himself to her. Starting today.
After a shower and a cup of strong coffee, he piled Clara’s packages in one corner of the nursery and then measured for the crib. It would be a tight fit with the other pieces Harper had mentioned, but how much space did a baby really need?
Back in the kitchen, he prepared a glass of iced lemon water and carried it out to the patio, where Harper leafed through a stack of cookbooks.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
She looked up with a smile. “Good morning, yourself.”
He handed her the water. “Make sure you drink lots of this today. Dr. Minford wants you to stay hydrated.”
“I know.” She took the glass from his hand. “Thanks.”
“What are you up to?”
“I’m trying to get some ideas for quick and easy party foods. Aunt Clara says she’s got it all taken care of, but I want to be prepared, just in case. What are you up to?”
“I measured the ballerina’s room. The crib will fit just fine. I’ll run to the plaza and get it ordered. And I thought I’d pick up some things for the apartment while I’m there, pots and pans, maybe a bath towel or two.”
“Want me to come along?”
“I’d love for you to. But it would be a lot of walking for you in this heat.”
“You’re not wrong.” She fanned her face with a cookbook. “I’m already melting.”
“Drink the water.”
She tipped the glass to her lips. “Yes, doctor.”
“Don’t work too hard on all of this.” He planted a kiss on top of her head. “I’ll see you soon.”
In the baby store, he ordered the crib and changing table and arranged to have them delivered. He found the mermaid crib set and the curtains Harper wanted and tucked them into his cart, along with several newborn outfits. Diapers, baby powder, a teething ring. He wanted to be prepared for everything. A large, pink lamb that resembled the one in Harper’s sampler beckoned from a shelf, and he lifted it down and stroked its incredibly soft wool.
Daddy…
On impulse, he placed it in the cart.
He paid for all the items and walked out of the store with the lamb tucked under his arm. And then his feeling of goodwill evaporated. Standing on the sidewalk, arms folded across her chest, stood Babe Wayland.
Since his return from Cleveland, he’d had minimal contact with her and that suited him just fine. She’d walked by them in church every week without so much as a glance. Last week’s sermon was about the church being one family, one body, each individual person a component that needed the others. Dalton had a lot of respect for Pastor Roberts and had come to look forward to his sermon each week. But this time he disagreed. He was pretty sure he didn’t need a single thing from Babe Wayland.
Her icy glance moved from Dalton to the stuffed lamb and back again.
“I thought that was your car in the lot,” she said.
“Something I can do for you, Babe?”
“You’ve done enough, don’t you think?”
It was brutally hot out. Sweat was trickling down his back and he was in no mood for her nonsense today. “I give up. What are we talking about?”
She moved closer and planted herself directly in front of him. “I’d just like to know who you think you are, that’s all.”
“I heard you did some investigating online.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then you know who I am.”
“I know the basics. But there’s too much about you that’s just…wrong.”
“In what way?”
“In every way.”
“Fine, whatever.” He tried to brush past her, but she wasn’t finished.
“It’s not fine at all. You come sweeping into town like some kind of Prince Charming and take over Harper and the baby.”
He smiled. “You mean instead of letting you take over?”
“I have a right. I was supposed to be the baby’s grandmother. I’m sure Harper has told you that by now.”
“She mentioned it.”
“I’ve known that girl all her life, and poor Bo. So, I have more rights here than you, long-standing rights, intrinsic rights. Unalienable rights! Harper was ready to let me adopt this baby until you showed up.”
“No, she wasn’t.”
“You don’t know that!”
People began to gather in shop windows, staring at them. Some looked alarmed, and some, amused. It took all he had to remain calm. He had a slow fuse, but at the moment she was a matchstick, and he was dynamite.
“What I can’t figure out, is what exactly is your game? What do you think you have to gain in all of this? You’ve obviously done something to disgrace yourself or you wouldn’t have been traveling around with the carnival instead of practicing law. Harper has a struggling food truck business. She doesn’t have any money.”
“You think I’m after her money?” The sheer nerve of the woman was astounding. “Get out of my way.”
“No, you get out of my way, Dalton Kingston! What makes you think you deserve a second chance? I read Tasha’s blog. You obviously didn’t take care of your last wife, or your child.”
The words hit him like a sucker punch. He reeled for a moment, and then he struck back. “I didn’t take care of my child. Right back at you, lady.”
Her face twisted in fury. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the one with the long-standing history, you figure it out.”
He brushed past her and strode across the parking lot. Her voice rang out behind him. “Oh, and as for your sham of a wedding, you can just count me and Jerry out!”
Sham of a wedding? The woman was definitely unhinged. Not bothering with a response, he continued toward his car.
“Hey, Dalton?”
Harper’s friend, Kat Delany, hurried toward him. He drew a breath and composed himself.
“Hey, Kat. How are you?”
“I’m well. I saw you coming out of the store, and I wanted to talk to you, but …wow, that was kind of awkward back there.”
“Yeah.”
“Babe can be really difficult sometimes, but she usually comes around. Anyway, I wanted to tell you I’m happy for you and Harper. You seem so good together.”
“Thank you.”
“I got Clara’s invitation yesterday. It’s short notice, but Austin’s pretty sure he can get the day off. We’ll definitely be there.”
“That’s nice of him, Kat, but your husband doesn’t have to take the day off work. It’s really not that big a deal.”
“Of course it’s a big deal, silly! Harper is one of our oldest friends. We wouldn’t miss her wedding for the world.”
“Her wedding?” He choked on the word.
“If I’m honest, I was quite surprised when I got my invitation. Happily, though. Actually, that’s why I came to the plaza today. To see if I can find something nice to wear. And to pick up a wedding gift. The invitation didn’t mention a registry anywhere.”
His face, his entire body went numb.
“So anyway, I’ll formally RSVP later today, but you can tell Clara we’re definitely coming. Have Harper call me and let me know if she needs anything. Talk later!”
As Kat hurried back to the plaza, Dalton got in his car and sat behind the wheel, feeling as if he’d been hit with a sledgehammer. “Oh, Clara,” he murmured. “Clara, Clara. What have you done?”
When he arrived back at Clara’s house, Clara and Harper sat in the kitchen, a plethora of cookbooks spread out on the table.
“Still at it, huh?”
“She’s being stubborn,” Clara said testily. “I’ve told her I’m taking care of all the cooking. She doesn’t trust me.”
“I think we’re about done here. How was your shopping trip?” Closing her cookbook, she looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
He blew out a breath. “Umm, Harper…”
“What’s wrong?” she asked again.
He squatted beside Clara. “Clara, sweetheart, I need to see your party invitations. Do you still have any that you haven’t mailed?”
“As a matter of fact, I do have a few invitations left. Thank you for reminding me. I thought you might like to invite some people from home, friends, and family, and I’ll need those addresses. Let me go and get them.”
“What’s going on?” Harper asked.
“Sweetheart, I need you to be calm.”
“Clara’s house phone has been ringing all morning and she won’t let me answer it. I want to know what’s going on.”
“Here it is.” Clara entered the room and triumphantly handed him an envelope. He opened it and pulled out the invitation. The paper was thin and cheap, the fuchsia ink, bold as a neon sign.
You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage ceremony of
Harper Anne Blessings
And Dalton Kingston
On Saturday, August 12
At 6:00 p.m.
at the home of Clara Blessings.
202 Main Street, Redford’s Crossing
Reception following
“Oh, no,” he murmured.
“Don’t you like them, dear?”
“Clara…”
“Let me see.” Harper snatched the invitation from his hand and read it. Her face drained of color and the invitation trembled in her hand. “Please tell me this is a joke.”
“I just loved the bright pink ink. I got the idea at the paint store,” Clara beamed. “And they got them here so fast!”
“Clara, who all did you invite?” he asked.
“Oh, most everybody, and several have already RSVP’d. It’ll be a full house. Now don’t you worry, I’ve got it all arranged. The food and the decorations, and I’ve arranged to borrow folding chairs from the church to set up on the lawn. It’ll be a fabulous party.”
“This is not a party invitation, Aunt Clara,” Harper cried. “It’s a wedding invitation!”
“Isn’t it wonderful? It so eases my mind to know you’ll be settled and taken care of after I’m gone. You and the baby.” Her smile was angelic. “The good Lord worked it all out so beautifully. Oh, you should apply for your marriage license this week. And I spoke with Pastor Roberts. Thankfully, he is free that day, but he’d like to talk with you both after church on Sunday. And Bertie was just tickled pink to be asked to sing at the wedding.”
Harper put her head in her hands. “This cannot be happening.”
The commotion drew Nicky away from his video games and into the kitchen. “What’s going on?”
Dalton sighed. “You don’t want to know.”
He picked up the invitation, read it. “You guys are getting married?”
“We’re not getting married!” Harper wailed.
“Of course you are, dear. And I haven’t even told you the best part yet. I was saving it for a surprise, but, oh, I can’t keep it in a minute longer. Dallas is coming. Your father will give you away.”
Nicky gaped at his aunt, thunderstruck. “Dad’s coming?”
Harper burst into tears and hurried from the room.
“Oh, dear,” Clara said. “I thought she’d be so happy. Should I not have invited Dallas?”
Dalton gave her shoulder a squeeze and went to find Harper. From behind her closed bedroom door, he could hear her sobbing. He rapped softly on the door before opening it.
“Can I come in?”
She turned her tear-stained face to his. “I’m so sorry, Dalton.”
“Hey.” He reached her in two strides and wrapped her in his arms. “Come here.” Her body shook with sobs, and he gently stroked her hair. “Shhh. It’s all right.”
“No, it’s not. It’s the worst thing ever. I never should have let Aunt Clara plan a party on her own, without supervision. I should have known better.”
“I’m as much to blame.”
“Yes, you are.”
But the words held no malice. He held her closer.
“I’m sorry. I never dreamed she’d get it in her head to, well, to do this.”
They stayed that way for long moments, her face buried in his chest. Finally, she said, “I always dreamed of my wedding day, that my father would want to walk me down the aisle. Now he’s coming, along with half the town, and it’s not even happening. We have to find a way to call this off. I’ll be so humiliated.”
But baby, you don’t have to be.
The truth of it filled him. He braced himself for the next thing he had to say.
“I know a way around that.”
“Like what? I don’t even know who she’s invited. What will I do, meet everyone at the gate and say, there won’t actually be a wedding, but here, have some pizza?” Another sob escaped. “Maybe I should leave town and never come back.”
“Something even more drastic than that.”
“What could be more drastic than that?”
“Let’s go through with it.”
She drew back, her disbelieving gaze a spotlight on his soul. “Are you serious?”
“Think of the story we’d have to tell the ballerina someday.”
“I don’t know how you can make jokes when…” Fresh tears filled her eyes.
“It’s not a joke. I love you, Harper. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I’ll never change my mind. Not in a year, not in a hundred years.”
“But the timing is?”
“The timing is perfect.” He lowered his hands to cup her belly. “You’ve got a baby who needs a daddy, and I’d like for it to be me. You’ve both already got my heart. I’d like to give you my name as well. And I know I’m not much right now, but I promise you—”
“Not much?” She placed a trembling hand over his lips. “Dalton. You’re everything.”
“So does that mean…”
“Yes.” Her smile was like sunlight bursting through the clouds. “It’s completely crazy, but yes. I will marry you.”
She kissed him, slow and sweet, and he felt the shock waves vibrate through his being as his whole universe realigned.
He pulled her back into his embrace, letting it sink in. They were getting married. Starting a new life together. It would be a crazy, beautiful life. And he wouldn’t have had it any other way.