Live-In Position (51 page)

“I can assure you I have no intentions on messing anything up where Sophia is concerned.” I turned at the sound of Collin’s voice.

“How long have you been listening?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Oh, long enough,” he grinned with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Collin handed Victoria’s bag to me to take upstairs. He was left alone with my father. I was thankful Victoria was half awake when I sat next to her.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I rubbed her cheek. Carla shuffled around with Victoria’s bag.

“Hey,” she yawned.

“Pawpaw and Carla want you to spend the night with them. Is that okay? Your dad and I will only be a few minutes away. Just one phone call—”

“Get out of here,” Carla hissed.

“Victoria?”

“Uh-huh,” she nodded and rolled to her side.

I kissed her cheek and left the room chewing my lip nervously.
Would she really be okay once she was awake in the morning and we weren’t here? Collin rubbed my shoulder when he met me on the top step. He disappeared into the room for a couple of minutes and then joined me in my lingering descent of the stairs.

“She’ll be just fine,” Carla whispered down the steps after us.

“We will take good care of her,” my father promised with a firm handshake.

“I believe you will.” Collin smiled appreciatively at my father. “And I promise you, I will take good care of Sophia.”

“You’d better hope that you do,” my dad replied, giving Collin a fake glare before patting his back.

Collin wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to the car.

“Are you sure about this? Shouldn’t we go back? We could just take her with us or we could all sleep in the same bed?”

Collin looked down at me with amusement on his face.

“What?”

“You,” he snorted.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I think you’re suffering more than Victoria.” He held the car door open for me. I hesitated.

“Aren’t you worried she’ll wake up and not know where she is or think we abandoned her?”

He placed his left hand on top of the door, right above my head, while the other cupped my face.

“You are so beautiful, inside and out.” There was a moment of awe in his eyes, but he blinked it away quickly. “I love you so much. Now get in the car.”

“Are you sure—?”

“She will be fine with her grandparents.”

I snapped my head to look at him, touched that he thought of Carla and my father as her grandparents. The grin on his face was gorgeous. The engine roared to life and we pulled away from the house.

“So where am I going?”

“Um, go down three blocks and then turn left at the light. Drive straight and you’ll run directly into the Forrest Lodge.” I paused. “I should warn you, this isn’t a five star hotel.”

“That’s okay. I don’t need five stars,” he shrugged.

“You sure about that? Because I’m talking log cabin-like rooms with animal heads nailed to the walls.” I bit my lip to hold back the laughter when I visualized Dr. Collin Bishop in one of those rooms.

“All we need is a bed. Well… that’s not true.” He looked at me quickly before turning back to the road. “We don’t need a bed to get started on the grandbabies. We could start right here in the car.”

My mouth fell open.

“Eavesdropper! I knew you’d caught that part of the conversation.”

“I’m only teasing,” he laughed. “Well, I’m partially teasing. I know you don’t want a baby so—”

“It’s not that I don’t ever want children, Collin, you know that.”

“Well, you had better get them before I am too old to provide.” He grinned.

“You aren’t that much older than me.” I shook my head.

“Sophia, you are about to be twenty seven.” I looked up from my lap to him in surprise. “What? You think I don’t know when your birthday is?”

I opened my mouth to tell him he didn’t say anything about it last year but then thought that wouldn’t be the best thing to blurt out and closed my mouth.

“You and Victoria are only a couple of days apart,” he confirmed.

I nodded, wondering if he’d known this last year.

“This year your birthday will not go uncelebrated.”

I guess he did.

“I don’t want to celebrate. It’s just another day and—”

“Is that what you would tell Victoria?”

“No, but that’s different.” I looked out the window. “Pull in over there.”

“We will debate your birthday later,” he said, parking as instructed. “My point is, you are going to be twenty-seven, and I am quite a few years older than you.”

“I know, but it doesn’t matter.”

He shut off the engine and looked me directly in the eye.

“I’m seven years older than you.”

I nodded. “Doesn’t matter,” I shrugged and climbed out of the car.

Collin met me at the trunk and grabbed the bags before I could.

“You know I will not push you to have kids, but please know I would rather have children before I’m too old to enjoy them. I already lost so much with Victoria because of my stupidity.” He shook his head, disappointed with himself.

“I’m not promising children soon, but I will promise thorough practice sessions.” I swayed my hips as I walked into the lodge.

Collin quickly followed with a bag strapped over each shoulder. I thought he was going to break the bell on the concierge’s desk with the force he was using to ring it.

“Will you relax?” I pulled the bell away from him.

An older man I didn’t recognize came out to the desk. Collin practically threw his credit card and license on the desk.

“Newlyweds?” The man smiled knowingly.

“No,” I answered, a little embarrassed.

“Not yet,” Collin corrected and kissed the side of my head. “I still have to convince her to go through with the marriage.”

The old man chuckled at Collin’s eagerness and handed over the key.

“I figure if I knock her up then she’ll want to marry me sooner.” He swatted my butt and pulled me toward the stairs.

“Collin,” I hissed. He grinned widely.

“Whatever it takes to keep her,” the old man yelled out to us.

I gasped in horror at their banter.
Was Collin seriously sharing details of our sex life with this stranger?

Collin unlocked the door and held it open for me. I knew he was a gentleman, but with all the talk, I should‘ve known he was up to something.

The door slammed shut. Collin dropped the bags and stalked toward me, tackling me onto the bed. I screamed out a laugh, his playfulness was such a fun side to see.

“Ah, ah, ah,” he protested when I tried to get away. “You said ‘thorough practice sessions.’ I intend to cash in on this.”

He captured my wrists in his hands and my lips with his. I could feel his arousal and moaned with anticipation. He pulled me up onto my feet and grabbed me, lifting me around his waist. My back pressed against the wall where he thoroughly exhausted me until we collapsed on the bed.

Our chests were rising and falling against each other, attempting to catch our breath. Resting my head on his shoulder, his arms wound tightly around me.

“Look at me.” He kissed my shoulder before pulling back from our embrace.

I sat up and was surprised by the emotion in his face.

“What’s wrong?” I brought my hand to caress his cheek and he covered it with his.

“Nothing’s wrong. Everything is right and it’s because of you, of us.” He kissed me softly and then looked deeply into my eyes. “Marry me, Sophia.”

I opened my mouth, but his finger sealed the protest behind my lips.

“I don’t need months or years to know I want to be with you.” He dropped his finger. “Marry me this summer.”

I furrowed my brow. His face was full of hope and worry. I shifted to move, but he held me in place.

“I love you, Sophia Ashwood. Don’t make me play pretend or wait.” He kissed me passionately. A sweet loving kiss that left me so breathless I could barely respond.

I nodded with a whispered, “Yes.”

C
hapter
T
hirty

-TWO

HALF OF THE night, and most of the morning, I waited for my cell phone to ring. I waited for my dad or Carla to call and tell me that Victoria was screaming for us to come get her. The call never came. Turns out she was thrilled to have spent the night with Pawpaw and Grandma Carla. When we arrived back at the house, Pawpaw was making his famous bear paw pancakes while Grandma was frying bacon. I loved those bear paws.

Throughout breakfast, Carla gave me knowing winks. I eyed her curiously as we cleaned up the dirty dishes.

“Any possibility I’ll be getting more grandchildren…soon?”

I gasped.

“Why is everyone on uterus watch?” I tossed a dishtowel down on the counter.

She laughed lightly and shook her head.

“I’m just really enjoying it. I’ve been bugging my kids to bring my grandbabies over to see me, but I still want more.”

“I just got engaged. Can I get married first?” I teased.

“If you promise you’ll return with a full uterus.”

“You are unbelievable,” I grinned. She winked and left the kitchen.

On the drive back to Seattle, with Victoria sleeping in the back of the car, Collin brought the back of my hand to his lips.

“So what date would you like?” A large grin spread over his lips. I shrugged.

“I haven’t really thought about a date.” He dropped our entwined hands to his lap and stiffened. “I just haven’t really had much time between last night and this morning, now have I?”

He smirked.

“You‘ve thought about it already?” I asked with curiosity.

“Of course,” he smiled, keeping his eyes on the road stretched out before us. “I think May would be nice, and not unreasonable.”

“Isn’t May considered spring? I thought you said summer?” A teasing smile spread on my lips.

“I’ll take you as soon as you’ll let me.” He brought the back of my hand to his lips once more.

“We could just take a trip to the JP next weekend if that’s the case. Or wait, I guess it would depend on if we could get the marriage license in time. Maybe two weeks is a better…” My sentence drifted to silence when I saw the look on his face.

“An elopement? Is that what you want? You don’t want a real wedding?”

“I don’t need a big white dress and a large crowded room full of guests to marry you. Besides, you suggested eloping yesterday.”

“Yes, but it would be a first marriage for both of us. I would like to celebrate the day with family and friends. Would you object?”

“Collin, you know so many people…people who expect a certain level of sophistication and wealth when it comes to these types of things. I don’t think I can subject myself to the scrutinizing and calculating eyes.”

“Don’t be absurd. No one will dare be unpleasant. How about we only invite family and close friends?”

“Won’t that lead to you being black-listed or something?” A feeling of surrealism fell over me. Never in my life did I foresee having to discuss being an outcast at my own wedding.
Would he really be happy with just family and a few close friends?

He chuckled. “So no big white dress?”

I opened my mouth, but someone else spoke from the back seat.

“You have to get the dress!” Victoria whined, shocking both Collin and me. “It’s the most important part, and you said I could be your flower girl!”

Did I tell her she could be my flower girl? I don’t remember making that promise.

“Sweetheart,” I turned in my seat, “it’s just not my style to have some elaborate wedding with a gazillion guests.”

She unleashed the puppy dog eyes. “Please, I want to pick out dresses with you.” Then she brought out the pouty lip and prayer hands. “Pretty please?”

“You’re unbelievable.” I giggled. With a sigh I continued. “Okay, a wedding, but a small wedding. Not some big elaborate three ring circus.”

My eyes shifted sternly between Victoria and Collin. He reclaimed my hand and kissed it again.

“Whatever you desire.” A mischievous look crossed his face.

For the rest of the trip, Victoria went on and on about wedding colors, flowers, dresses, and cakes. She must have stashed copies of bridal magazines in her bedroom.

When we arrived home, we were a little surprised to see Ilene’s car in the driveway. I looked at Collin who sighed and carried the suitcases into the house. Victoria and I followed him in.

“Mother,” he called out, setting the luggage near the steps.

“You’re finally home.” She approached from the kitchen. “Did you have a nice visit?”

“Mommy and Daddy are getting married, Grandma!”

“Oh, they are?” Ilene looked between the both of us with a curious look.

“Yes, in May,” Collin confirmed. I cringed on the inside, waiting for her disapproval.

“That’s lovely. I know some wonderful planners that could really get this event underway.” Ilene slipped her arm around mine and pulled me toward the kitchen. I glanced over my shoulder at Collin and gave him a pleading look.

“Mother, we are keeping the wedding small. Family and close friends only.” His voice was familiarly firm and final.

“Of course.” She waved him off and continued to pull me to the kitchen. Victoria breezed past me and sat at the table.

“We should start with colors. Oh, did you have a place in mind? Our family church is quite lovely and I’m sure—”

“Mrs. Bishop, I appreciate you wanting to help, but…” I paused because I didn’t know how I was going to get out of this, but then inspiration struck. “I really want to focus on Victoria’s birthday party first. You know, before I get wrapped up in wedding plans.”

A confused look was sitting on her face and didn’t seem to be going anywhere.

“We hold a birthday tea for Victoria every year. Why would that change?” She eyed me. I fidgeted under her stare.

“Yes, I know. And I plan a party with her school friends for her. So she gets two parties. Victoria always enjoys the tea. Will you, Larissa, and Allison still be having it the Sunday after her birthday?”

Ilene stiffened. “I’m, well, to be honest I guess I’m not sure about Allison.” She swallowed hard.

“Well, I’m sure Victoria would still like to have tea with you.” Smiling warmly, I hoped she would be reassured. A large smile spread on her face.

“I have a wonderful idea.” She pulled me tighter to her side and moved us to the table. “Victoria, you, and I will all have tea together. It will be lovely.”

“That’s perfect!” Victoria smiled at me. “Please say you’ll come with us.”

I forced a large grin and did the only thing I could. I agreed.

“Wonderful, now let’s talk about this wedding.” Ilene sat down and pulled me down with her.

“Really, I need to plan Victoria’s birthday before anything else.” I was sure this would delay the wedding planning for at least a week.

“Oh, of course.” She sat a little stiffer but then relaxed. “What kind of party are you planning?”

I shrugged. “Whatever she wants.” I turned to Victoria. “So?”

“Hmmm…can we do a swimming party?” Her eyes were filled with excitement.

I bit my lip. “November is too cold for the pool. I’ll have to check with some local indoor pools to see—” Ilene jumped right in.

“I’ll make a call to Stephanie. She can get the pool and the banquet hall reserved at the Four Seasons downtown.” Ilene patted Victoria’s hand.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit much? Can’t we just contact the YMCA or—”

The look of horror on Ilene’s face made it quite clear that the YMCA was out of the question. She looked back at Victoria.

“Did you have a theme in mind or just swimming?”

“Hmmm…maybe a carnival?” Her eyes lit up. Ilene glanced at me.

“I can call the party center tomorrow and get them to set up carnival games. Perhaps we could even hire clowns to do that animal balloon thing.” She flipped her hand in the air. “We had a benefit once where they made them. It was very entertaining for the children.”

“That would be amazing.” Victoria was grinning ear to ear.

“Victoria, I think that’s a bit much for a birthday party. Don’t you?”

“Nonsense, my granddaughter only gets to be eight once.” Ilene smiled proudly. “I’ve never planned a child’s birthday party like this before. It’s quite fun.”

I sighed and fought the urge to bury my head in hands.

“Now, where should we get the cake? There is this amazing place, I believe it is called Harlow Cakes or something like that. A carnival inspired cake would probably be nothing for them.”

The extensive planning went on for another thirty minutes before I excused myself to make dinner. Ilene had decided to stay and eat with us. I pulled out the ingredients for chicken parmesan.

“That smells heavenly.” Ilene’s voice made me look up from the stove. “We should really get you a cook so you won’t have to do this all the time.”

“I really don’t mind cooking.”

“Oh, my dear, with the schedule you will have to keep, you will want a cook.”

“Schedule?”
What the heck was she talking about?

“Victoria told me about your book. I’m sure you’ll be traveling.” I shrugged a little and then gave a small nod. “Then of course you’ll have your social engagements – lunches, brunches, the doctor’s wives charity organization, PTA functions, and such. Have you thought about a nanny for Victoria?”

“A what?” I choked.

“You don’t plan to still do everything you do now and keep up with everything else, do you? You simply won’t have the time. Not with being a published author and the wife of a prominent surgeon.”

Ilene suddenly made me think of things I hadn’t. Would I really have to give up so much to have what I desired most? Was it what I desired most? Could I have Collin and Victoria, be the published author I have worked so hard to be, and fit into this role of wife? Suddenly, I didn’t know if I could and it scared me.

Worry plagued my mind throughout dinner. When Ilene left for the night, her words swirled around my mind. Collin eyed me curiously a couple of times but didn’t say anything until I stepped into our room for the night.

“Is something the matter?” I turned away from my bathroom destination. Collin sat on the other side of the room with his laptop in front of him on the coffee table.

“No,” I spoke a little too fast. His eyebrow rose.

“Did my mother do or say something?” He began to walk toward me.

I shook my head. “No, I mean, not really.”

“Not really?”

“She just, well, she mentioned some things I hadn’t really thought about and I… I just…it scares me.”

He moved quicker and touched my face. “What scares you?”

“I don’t know if I can do it,” I blurted out.

Anger began to distort his handsome face. “What did she say to you?” he demanded.

“Calm down. That didn’t come out the way I meant it to.” I tried to move away, but he pulled me back to him.

“Tell me, Sophia.” His voice was stern. I told him everything she said.