Natural Born Daddy (17 page)

“There, you see,” Jessie said triumphantly. “All it'll take is a little ingenuity.”

“And perhaps a little of Harlan's skill at manipulation,” Kelly admitted. “Think he'd give me lessons?”

“I doubt anything would thrill him more. It killed him to see Jordan move that far away. Nothing makes Harlan happier than being surrounded by family.”

Before they could get any more carried away with their plans, Dani piped up, “I hear the music, Mommy. I hear it!” She started spinning around. Flower petals scattered from her basket as she twirled.

Jessie picked up Angela, who'd been sleeping peacefully during the preparations. She gazed at Kelly. “Ready?”

Kelly drew in a deep breath, then nodded. “Ready.”

Jessie bent down to Dani. “You know what you're supposed to do, right?”

Dani's expression turned serious. “I go down the steps and sprinkle rose petals all the way to the living room until I get to Jordan.”

“Exactly right,” Jessie confirmed, and opened the bedroom door. “Let's have a wedding!”

Kelly watched as her daughter descended the stairs, then began her slow walk into the living room, self-consciously scattering the flower petals. When Luke winked at Dani as she passed, Kelly could see the familiar, impudent grin spreading across her child's face.

Then, from the living room, she heard Harlan's exclamation of pride and Mary's enthusiastic praise of their soon-to-be granddaughter.

“Oh, how darling!” Mary Adams exclaimed. “Dani, you look absolutely precious.”

Kelly didn't hear what was said after that, because suddenly Jessie was moving down the steps in her pale blue dress and her own grasp on the banister tightened into a death grip. This was it. After all these years of waiting and hoping, after all the disappointments, her wedding to Jordan was finally only a few minutes away. She had more than enough trepidations, but as many as there were, they were no match for the joy that was radiating through her. She was sure her smile was as big as Texas as she began the walk to Jordan's side.

She took each step slowly, savoring the anticipation of the instant when Jordan would see her, praying that he would be pleased, praying even harder that the cool deliberation behind his proposal would be transformed into pure emotion on this day. When he vowed to love her, she desperately wanted to see in his eyes that he meant it.

Then, practically before she knew it, her hand was in Luke's and he was walking her into the living room. With no one to officially give her away, he was serving double duty as best man and her escort. He patted her hand reassuringly and leaned down.

“You'll make him happy,” he whispered with conviction. “Never doubt that.” He winked then. “And if he doesn't do the same for you, let me know and I'll beat him up for you.”

Impulsively Kelly stopped where she was and stood on tiptoe to kiss the cheek of this man who'd been her champion since childhood. “I'm so glad I'm going to be part of your family.”

“It should have happened long ago,” he said, his expression suddenly serious. “But you know how stubborn we Adams men are. One thing about us, though, once we make up our minds, we're steady as the Rock of Gibraltar.”

“I'm counting on that.” She drew in a deep breath, then made the turn into the living room.

She was dimly aware of Mary's soft gasp of astonishment, vaguely aware of Harlan's whispered exchange with his wife. It was one thing for Dani and Jessie to be dressed up for the rehearsal, another entirely to see the bride in her wedding gown. Superstition alone would have precluded it.

“What on earth?” Mary exclaimed, gazing from Kelly to her husband and back again.

Kelly was oblivious to whatever Harlan said in response. Her gaze was locked with Jordan's. His eyes shone when he saw her. She suspected his throat had gone dry, because he swallowed hard.

And then he smiled. Heavenly days, what that smile did to her. Her stomach flipped over, her pulse skipped crazily. Suddenly, as Luke placed her hand securely in Jordan's, her heart was filled to overflowing.

“Dearly Beloved…” the reverend began.

The rest was a blur. Kelly knew she made the appropriate responses because no one had to prompt her. Still, the only thing that seemed at all real was Jordan's firm grip on her hand and then the cool slide of gold as he slipped the wedding ring on her finger. She noticed, too, that his hand trembled ever so slightly when she slid a thicker, matching band of gold over his knuckle to rest in the place where it would remain for the rest of their days.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the reverend intoned. “You may kiss the bride.”

Jordan's warm lips grazed hers, lingered, then claimed her mouth more hungrily. Kelly's knees went weak. She looked up and met Jordan's intent gaze. Rock-solid, dependable Jordan. Her husband! Just looking into his eyes steadied her. There was no uncertainty in his expression, no hint of doubt in the depths of his eyes.

They had done it, she realized as Jessie kissed her cheek and Luke pumped his brother's hand. They had actually gotten married just the way she'd envisioned, surrounded by those dearest to them and no one else.

Dani held up her arms to Jordan, who promptly lifted her up. “You're my daddy now, right?” she demanded, clearly dismissing the man who was biologically responsible for her birth but had done nothing to earn a secure place in her heart.

“I am your daddy,” he concurred, an unmistakable note of wonder in his voice. Pride shone in his eyes.

Well satisfied with the incredible bond that had formed between Dani and Jordan, Kelly dared a glance at her new mother-in-law. Confusion was written all over her face. Kelly left Jordan's side and
went to speak to her. She took Mary's cool hands in her own.

“Please, don't be too angry with us.”

“You're married?” Mary said, sounding faintly bemused, rather than furious. “You're actually married?”

“We really are. We both wanted a quiet, intimate celebration. We talked about eloping, but we very much wanted all of you here. I hope you're not too disappointed.”

Mary shook her head, as if trying to shake off her confusion. “But all of the guests, the arrangements…” Her voice trailed off helplessly.

Still holding Dani, Jordan came over and dropped a kiss on his mother's cheek. “All taken care of,” he assured her. “I spoke with everyone and told them they'd receive an invitation to a reception at White Pines later.” He regarded her intently. “If you're still willing to plan a party for us.”

Mary stood there, her expression uncertain, until Harlan moved in.

“Of course, we will. We'd be proud to, wouldn't we, Mary?” He tugged Kelly into a tight embrace. “Welcome to the family, girl. It took too damned long to make you one of us. I for one couldn't be more pleased.”

He glanced over at Dani, who was still clinging to Jordan's neck as if she was afraid to let loose of this new, attentive daddy she'd just acquired. “As for you, young lady, I think you've got all the makings of a real Adams,” Harlan declared. “You bargain with the best of them. Next thing you know you'll be running that oil company of Jordan's. As for that kitten you
talked me into taking, she's already queen of the barn.”

“Want another one?” Dani inquired. “I think maybe Francie is going to have kittens again.”

Jordan shot a horrified look at her that had his father and Kelly laughing. “Oh, no,” he muttered. “I'm having both of those cats fixed first thing tomorrow.”

The old tomcat, who'd slipped out of the kitchen to wind between Jordan's legs, meowed a violent protest at the threat.

“What a disgusting conversation for your wedding day,” Mary chided, clearly recovered from her initial shock. “Jordan, I do wish you'd remember the manners you were taught.”

He leaned over and kissed her again. “Are we forgiven for not telling you about the wedding ahead of time?”

Kelly watched her mother-in-law closely, saw the momentary indecision, then caught Harlan's quick squeeze of her hand. Mary rallied at once, her impeccable breeding and her adoration and respect for her husband overcoming whatever disappointment she was feeling.

“Of course you're forgiven, darling. A surprise wedding will have everyone talking. People will be absolutely desperate to receive invitations to the party your father and I will throw for you.”

As Jordan and Luke had predicted, their mother was clearly in her element. She would be able to plan exactly the sort of celebration she wanted. All Jordan and Kelly would have to do was show up. It seemed like a suitable arrangement to Kelly. She surely would have bungled something crucial and Mary
would never have forgiven her. Now the burden of pulling off the reception would be totally on Mary's capable shoulders.

“Come, come,” Consuela called from the doorway to the dining room. “The wedding dinner is ready.”

As the others went off to sit down, Jordan held Kelly back. She shot a questioning look at him. “Everything okay?”

“I just had the most incredible need to kiss my bride.”

She tilted her chin and met his gaze. Those butterflies in her stomach took to doing somersaults. “Any particular reason?”

“Because you're beautiful and because that official kiss at the end of the ceremony was over far too quickly to suit me,” he murmured as he settled his mouth firmly against hers.

As always, it was the touch of velvet and fire, inflaming her even as she tried to think about the guests who were waiting for them a few feet away. “Jordan,” she whispered dazedly.

“Mmm?”

“Your family.”

“They're our family,” he corrected. “And they can wait. We're newlyweds, remember? We're expected to spend a lot of time kissing.”

His lips claimed hers again. His tongue invaded her mouth, teasing, inviting, sending her senses whirling. Finally, when she could barely stand, he ended the kiss, though he continued to hold her pressed tightly against his body. His heat surrounded her, drew her in. His masculine scent, counterpointed by the aroma of the flowers that filled the room, made her heady with longing.

“I had no idea,” he murmured.

“No idea about what?”

“That I could ever want anyone this desperately.”

He sounded shaken by the sudden discovery, shaken and more than a little pleased, she observed.

He was no less pleased than she. She'd spent years all too familiar with the desperate yearning that had just struck Jordan for the first time. And, she realized with both astonishment and anticipation, in a matter of hours a lifetime of longing would finally be fulfilled.

I
t was amazing how quickly Jordan managed to rush everyone through a four-course meal and a wedding cake. Kelly almost felt sorry for their guests, who were hustled out of the house with all the finesse usually reserved for door-to-door salesmen.

As bad as she felt, though, she did absolutely nothing to delay their departure. Ever since that kiss had practically knocked her stockings and her traditional wedding garter off, she'd been counting the minutes until she could finally be alone with the man she had loved for so many years. They'd planned a few days here all alone as their honeymoon.

To her chagrin, she'd barely spared a glance for her daughter, who'd gone off eagerly with Luke and Jessie, excited about her first opportunity to help baby-sit her new cousin Angela. She knew Dani would be in good hands with Jessie and Consuela there to look out for her. For the first time since Dani's birth, she was able to be purely selfish for just a little while. She intended to cherish these few days of quiet, private time with Jordan right here in the
home she intended to share with him for the rest of their days.

As the last car drove off, she was finally left alone with her brand-new husband. Suddenly she felt absurdly shy. She glanced at Jordan as if he were a blind date she'd never seen before. Given the haste with which their status had changed from friends to mates, she realized belatedly that she hadn't yet fully made the mental adjustment to their new, untested relationship.

Marrying a best friend shouldn't have been nearly so scary, she thought, battling unexpected panic. Perhaps if they'd had a normal courtship, perhaps if they'd been intimate or at least shared more than a few deep, steamy kisses, she wouldn't have felt like blushing every time she looked at him. Somehow, though, going from best friend to lover in a heartbeat filled her with uncertainty. She felt as if her entire world had shifted crazily and she'd been left off-balance.

All of the insecurities that had welled up in her when she'd discovered her ex-husband had been turning to other women returned now with doubled intensity. Failing Paul had been one thing. Failing this man she loved so deeply was something else entirely. She wasn't sure she'd be able to bear it if she disappointed Jordan.

As if he sensed her turmoil, Jordan took her hand in his. “We're going to be okay,” he reassured her.

Kelly lifted her gaze to his. “It's just that this feels so strange,” she confided.

“Scared?”

“A little.”

“Why?”

Since he seemed honestly interested in the answer, she began to relax just a little. She kicked off her shoes, settled herself on the sofa and accepted the glass of wine he held out. Seated beside her, he waited patiently as she struggled to find an explanation that would make sense to him.

“I think what scares me the most is the possibility that we'll mess up what we already have,” she began cautiously. “You're the very best friend I've ever had. You've always been there for me. You can practically read my mind. It seems like we're putting that at risk for something that's far less certain.”

His lips twitched. Amusement danced in his eyes. “Do you mean sex, by any chance?”