Outside The Lines (Love Beyond Reason Book 2) (7 page)

With the ache of her passion worn down and her orgasm turned into that wonderful mellow glow, Maria relaxed and took his hand. Being with him was the easiest thing in the world. That had to mean something.

~*~

They closed Quinn’s, playing pool, knocking balls into corner and side pockets. They talked, like they’d known each other their whole lives. When he was near enough to her, her breath shortened and her heart pounded.

The small cove at the back of the bar seemed to have been made for couples, tucked in the corner, no view of the seating area. David’s grin held charm—
she’d forgotten—
and he turned to sink the eight ball.

Her eyes drank in the sight of his butt. Clearing her throat, she quickly looked away as he turned back to her. “Game.”

She lifted her brow at him.

“I win.”

The pulse in her neck made her lightheaded. She couldn’t look away.

“What?”

Maria stepped up to him and placed her hands on his waist.
Was he the winner?

Call her crazy but…

She rose to her toes and placed her lips against his. He gently accepted, and his hand cupped the side of her neck. His thumb came to rest at the pulse point. Her ache grew, and she gripped his shirt, wanting more, wanting—his tongue claimed her mouth—yes.

…she was pretty sure she was the one who’d won.

Maria woke to that sweet, familiar ache, stretched, and reached for him. The cool, empty space next to her had her rolling over and sitting up. Just dreams.

The room was decorated in pastels—pinks, yellows, and greens. The white furniture was minimalist, but she appreciated the small desk in the corner and the chest of drawers against the wall near the closet.

Rubbing a hand through her hair sent the tingle of remembered ecstasy over her skin, and she shivered. The flowers on the night stand looked real from her seat, and taking a deep breath, she thought she could smell the subtle aroma of the baby’s breath.

But then she smelled him, too. That gorgeous, musky scent of David. That hadn’t changed. But this wasn’t his room. No. He’d brought her to a guest room. She’d been both grateful and disappointed. He’d wanted her, but had held back, saying he wanted her to be sure.

Waiting for marriage?
She almost laughed out loud.

She got up and crossed the plush, beige carpet to the closet. Empty.

Well, okay. Fine.

They’d have to work up to the connection they’d had in California when she’d woken up in his arms, with his strong capable hands brushing through her hair.

“Hey,” David’s voice broke through her thoughts.

She turned to him, smiled hesitantly, and stepped forward. “Good morning.”

The smile he gave her left her bereft of the want she’d woken up with. He’d created distance again.
Give him time.

“I just got off the phone with my dad. We can see the Justice of the Peace on Wednesday.”

Her mouth fell open. “Wednesday?”

“Is that okay?”

She swallowed. There was no reason to wait with the decision made.
Just do it.
“Yes. The sooner the better.”
And less time to chicken out!

His ties with the Justice of the Peace were handy, and though she regretted not being able to be married in a church, with a priest, in front of her family, she wanted to get this done and move on. Start her new life, with David. Maybe he was just as anxious as she.

“Good. Things will be easier once that’s out of the way.” He didn’t waste any time. He’d made his decision, and he moved on it, quickly. A reminder that he was a business man. And business was why he agreed to the marriage.

Fool
. Her head was spinning as they went downstairs to eat.

And after breakfast, they called her sister.

Lena cursed a blue streak and cried too, which startled Maria so much, she had to hand the phone to David in order to compose herself. Her family would take her news hard, but to have her sister cry made her stomach hurt.

She looked up to Lena who was so tough and independent.

“She’s okay,” David said to Lena. He’d never met her older sister, because she’d been deployed when he was in California. Now she was in Washington State at Fort Lewis while her fiancé, Zack remained in Red Bluff.

David paused, listening. “No. We can’t do that.”

Lena’s voice came over the line, and Maria could tell she was yelling, in Spanish.

Shaking off the pain of her sister’s disapproval, Maria held out a hand for the phone. She would face it. Lena had made her choices, joined the Army, become a doctor. She’d found a man to love, one the whole family loved, one who was a good friend of hers as well. “Lena. Please—”

“What are you thinking? You can’t marry this guy…even if you did have a fling with him! You’re supposed to be at a nursing conference. That’s what you told mama. You’re lying? Did he tell you to lie? I swear, Maria, I am going to come out there and—”

“Lena!” She spoke sharply. “I’m fine. It’s okay. I know what I’m doing.”

“No,” she said, a tad hysterically. “No, you don’t, Maria. Zack, get over here.”

“Lena. No, not Za—”

“Maria?” The calm in her long-time friend’s voice made the tears come back. “Are you okay?”

She sniffed. “I’m fine, really. I know I’m crying, and it seems like that can’t be true, but it is.” She looked to David who had begun pacing the length of the kitchen counter and ran a hand through his hair. She might as well admit she was making a huge mistake. David might have said he wanted to marry her, but he was unsettled, as if he too, wondered if they were doing the right thing. They were quite a pair. Maria sighed. “Tell Lena not to worry, okay? I’m getting married in two days. I want to. We want to give this baby a family.”

“Will you come home and tell Mom and Papi?”

She nodded, lifting a tissue to her nose. “I promise. As soon as we’re settled. Soon,” she added for emphasis. “Please, don’t say anything.”

He was silent for a moment. “Okay.”

He’d met David a few times. They’d all hung out and had a beer or two. And Zack had liked him. Or so he’d said. “We love you, Maria.”

She blinked as her throat closed.

“If you need anything, anything at all, call.”

“Thank you, Zack. Tell Lena goodbye for me. I’ll see her…when I see her.”

She hung up and needed to sit. David came up behind her and put his agile fingers to work on her shoulders.

“We’re in this together, Ree, okay?”

She nodded. “I know.”

“As soon as the wedding is over, we’ll fly to California to tell your parents.” His fingers stilled. “Why haven’t you told them, Maria?”

She let her head fall back. “Guilt? Shame? Disappointment.”

“They raised you.”

“Yes, and they taught me better than to sleep around…before I was married,” she added, even though a discussion on morals was hardly what she wanted. She felt better saying it out loud. He had to know where she was coming from, even if he hadn’t in October because she’d acted so out of character.

She’d pursued him with stubborn determination, wanted him—the man who’d made her fall in love.

David frowned. “Sleeping around implies more than one. I’m just one person, Maria. You never slept around. I loved that about you.”

“But you’re still not what my parents expected of me.”

He crouched next to her.

“I’m going to hurt them.” Her hands fell to her lap and covered her stomach.

“We’ll hurt them together then.”

She snorted a laugh. But it turned into a sob.

“Hey, I’m just kidding. Don’t cry. I—”

She threw herself into his arms, and he brushed at the length of her hair.

“It’s okay. Remember? You said so. Come on.” He touched her chin and she lifted her gaze to his. “Let’s go plan a wedding.”

7

She stood at the back of the courthouse, her hands shaking.

She couldn’t believe it. She was getting married. A nervous giggle escaped, and when her father-in-law frowned down at her, she cleared her throat.

Mr. March was not happy. He did not like her. The frown he wore varied only in measure of severity, never truly disappearing.

As David came toward her, some of the tension eased. He was smiling, more brightly than she expected, even if she had hoped he would be somewhat celebratory. It was odd, because she knew he was in this for practical reasons. Yet, by agreeing, she’d made him happy.

Either he was really messed up or she was… she sighed. They were the perfect, messed up match.

“He’s ready for us.” David took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Ready?”

She nodded.

Mrs. Kraus patted her back and sniffed, but her smile spoke of an understanding, even a pleasure at the event they were all taking part in. The woman had, of course, apologized profusely for her mistake on Saturday. And when she’d found out Maria was pregnant with David’s baby—because now she was pregnant with
David’s
baby—Mrs. Kraus had stepped into role of caretaker with great ease, fawning over Maria and making sure she had everything she needed.

It was almost embarrassing, yet at the same time. Maria could tell the woman was pleased, as if she’d been waiting for the day David would settle down.

Being a part of this strange family was taking some getting used to, but Maria wasn’t unhappy…
yet
. The word came to her mind unbidden, and she brushed it aside.

She wore an ivory dress—tea length—that hugged her hips. The top had a pretty flare of material that draped over her shoulders and hung to her wrists. She’d been pleased to find the small dress shop in town, and had done her own shopping, payment included, even when David insisted he pay. She wouldn’t have any of that.

But the pearls that draped into the V of her dress and nestled against her bosom had been in David’s family for over a century, and as she fingered them, the weight of responsibility crushed her. His grandmother had worn them. His mother had worn them, too. Now she was wearing them, yet she could be accused of maintaining a farce.

Guilt twisted in her stomach.

Just as they reached the desk where the judge sat, Mrs. Kraus handed her a small bouquet of flowers. “Here, honey. Every bride needs flowers.”

Maria took the bunch of roses, brought them to her face, and breathed in their scent. “Thank you, Mrs. Kraus.”

Another pat on the back and the judge was clearing his throat and opening a big book. He came around the desk and stood—like a minister would—between Maria and David.

She was really doing this.

She could still change her mind.

But she couldn’t change the baby.

The words from the judge washed over her, and if the absence of her faith struck her a little too hard, she merely promised herself that she would make it right—later. That even if the word God wasn’t spoken, He was still with her.

She was doing the right thing.

The ring David put on her finger was wide with intricate carvings along the face and tiny little stones set into the gold. Her gaze flew to his, the surprise making her grip his fingers when he let go. When had he gotten this?

The judge kept talking, clueless to the war going on in her head. “By the power vested in me, by the state of Vermont, I now pronounce you man and wife.” He grinned. “You may kiss the bride.”

Panic set in, making the guilt disappear and a smidge of uncertainty burst inside her. What had she done?

David brought his steady hand to her face and smiled, and then he kissed her—softly, sweetly, until her hands came up to rest on his chest. Her heart settled.

“Fine then. It’s done.” The voice of Mr. March boomed, startling Maria. “Congratulations, son.”

David let her go, stepped forward, and pumped the older man’s hand several times. Mr. March gave Maria a short yet not completely unfriendly, squeeze from the side. “I do hope you’re happy here, my dear.”

She floundered a moment as everyone started for the door.

She cleared her throat, and David turned. He was so handsome in his dark brown, pinstriped suit—trendy and hip, the ivory shirt he’d picked out that morning when he discovered her dress was the same, and the light blue tie—to match the skies, he’d said.

He’d wanted the day to be special for her.

“Son?” Mr. March stood in the doorway and tapped his watch. “Don’t forget our meeting at three.”

Maria’s heart pounded. “You have a meeting?”

His face flushed a little. “It came up suddenly. It’ll be quick. I promise. And I really need to get some stuff done if we are going to head to California this weekend.”

“We’re heading west this weekend?” The question rose at the end as shock filled her. She thought she’d have more time. Yes, she intended to go back, but…but, she planned to let her cowardice rule for a week or so, at least!

David looked around uncertainly. “Maybe we should talk about this later. After the meeting? I swear it won’t be long.”

“You’re not coming home, either?” Panic circled as his words washed over her and she might as well not have heard his promise to communicate later at all. He was leaving her at the courthouse not ten minutes after they married. “Should I take a taxi home?”

David eyed Mrs. Kraus with what could only be a look of desperation then he put an arm around her shoulders and guided her down the hall to the front door. “God, no. Hey, hey. Mrs. Kraus is going to give you a ride home after lunch. I know the meeting is unexpected, and I’m sorry.” The glare he sent his dad’s way helped assuage some of the anger, but tears were welling up anyway.

Damn hormones.

“But we’re going to lunch at Carty’s, right? We chose the place together, and you’re going to love it. Mrs. Kraus will join us. Dad, are you coming?”

The man pursed his lips, slightly rolled his eyes, but nodded in agreement. “Yes.”

Sheesh.
Okay. She wasn’t going to panic.

She’d never felt more alone, though. On her wedding day.

And emotions warred inside her. Fear versus elation versus sadness. It was all in there, roiling through her poor stomach.

The restaurant was on the south side of Main Street, set off the road by a small gravel drive. The blacktop parking area had been cleared by a plow and the banks of snow along the edges were at least four feet tall.

David parked and placed a hand on her shoulder, startling her.

“It’s not that bad, is it?”

The tears welled up. “No. It’s not.” She fiddled with the ring on her finger. “It’s not exactly the traditional wedding I imagined I’d have. But I don’t mind it being small, or even untraditional. I just—” she cut herself. What did she just? “I guess I’m a little nervous. Maybe lunch wasn’t a good idea. This is supposed to be a celebration, but what are celebrating, really?”

“The baby,” he answered with exasperation in his voice. “Our marriage.”

“Right.” She shook off the melancholy. It would take a while not to assimilate marriage and wedding with love. But as long as she could get that ingrained in her head, maybe this feeling of uncertainty would go away. “Celebrating a new start.”

“Exactly,” he said with a smile and taking her hand. “Come on. Carty has amazing food. And if you’re really uncomfortable, we’ll keep it short. You have to eat, right?”

She nodded and opened the door. He was right. She needed to focus on the purpose and the good things. Even if the wedding wasn’t what she always imagined, she could make the marriage better. A marriage was long term, and they had a chance, even if the start was slightly skewed.

She followed David to the front, double glass doors. The beveled edge of the glass lent the entryway a mystical feel. The cedar shake siding along with the cozy evergreens that wrapped the porch reminded her of Snow White.

Behind her, Mrs. Kraus and Mr. March were chatting about an upcoming event being hosted at the house.

It sounded so normal.

David squeezed her shoulder, giving her a smile, opened the door, and tensed as a woman approached them, his eyes staying on the woman too long. Maria frowned.

“Colleen.” Mr. March did not sound happy.

“Greg.” The woman nodded, taking in the small little group. Her gaze stayed on David a breath longer. Maria looked from one to the other, and she saw it.

His mother.

Her heart began a rapid beat.

She was here? In town? Did she live here?

Maria couldn’t imagine doing something so life-changing as get married without inviting her mother. She stopped herself—again. She didn’t have to imagine it. She’d done it.

“The little league team looks good this year, David.” Colleen spoke, obviously trying to draw David out.

He spoke with nonchalance, yet there was a note of something else—irritation? “With Tad in line to take over for Emil, we’ve got a great team. When did you—?”

“Oh, I was over at the gym last week and Charlie was hosting one of his winter workshops. They were using the indoor batting cages.”

Maria gave a shiver. She couldn’t help it. They were standing in twenty degree weather.

David put an arm over her shoulder. “We better head in.”

Another woman, her hair cropped short and her eyes smiling with mischief, came toward them as they crossed the threshold. “Oh, well, if it isn’t the March clan.” Her brow rose as she took in Maria’s presence. “And a newbie. How did you get hooked up with this bunch?”

“Oh.” Maria froze on the spot. Her gaze went from David to Colleen and back to the newcomer. “Well, um, I—I’m with David.”

The woman laughed heartily. “Well, that’s good. He’s a good boy,” she said, holding the door open for Colleen on her way out. Colleen turned back, though, before exiting. “It was nice meeting you…”

“Maria,” she filled in.

“Maria. I hope you enjoy your time in Lynnbrook.”

“Thank you.”

David was speaking with the hostess when she turned. “That’s your mother.”

“It is.”

Maria frowned. “How come you didn’t invite her to the ceremony…or lunch?”

“Honestly? I didn’t think of it.”

Her frown deepened. He was probably telling the truth. Everything happened so fast there was hardly time to send out invitations. She sighed. If he could do it, she could.

“Look, she hasn’t been a part of my life for a long time. Maybe we’re starting to touch base again, but changes like that take time, and I really just didn’t think of it.”

“A new start,” she whispered. This was definitely new.

Different.

And a little bit loco.

~*~

Lunch ended with little to no fanfare.

The food did wonders to assuage the funny feeling in her gut, and to stave of the grumpies, and Mrs. Kraus handled the middle man position with poise and ease. As if she’d done it before.

But, before long, and she knew it was because David had promised they’d keep it short, he looked at his watch. “Ready, Dad?”

Mr. March lifted the linen napkin from his lap and set it on the table. “Definitely.”

“Ladies,” he added as he stood. “Would you excuse us?”

David followed his Dad’s lead and stood as well. With a hand on Maria’s shoulder, he leaned over. “See you in a few hours, okay? I promise, I won’t be long.”

“Don’t worry about me.” Maria was ready to go anyway. “I’ll find something to do.”

Independent. Strong. No strings.

She smiled at him, then—at the last minute—pulled him down to kiss his lips, which she’d been watching during the meal. She liked his lips. And if she liked his lips, she could now kiss them because they were married.

His eyes widened at first, but the hand on her shoulder slid—surreptitiously—closer to her neck where she felt the light brush of his fingers in her hair. Her breath stopped. He smiled and it reached his eyes, making them shine a little brighter and remind her of what they had—if not all the time then at least in the bedroom.

She cleared her throat, watched as he turned and left.

“Let’s go to the store, Mrs. Kraus,” she suggested, as the men took off. “I’d like to make dinner for my husband tonight.”

“But you don’t have to do that,” the woman quickly assured her. “The Marches have me for a reason, dear.”

“Oh, but you can make an exception, right?” She loved being in the kitchen, loved to cook. “Something special to celebrate. You could have the night off.” They left Carty’s and headed down Main in Mrs. Kraus’ SUV.

“Well, I guess,” she continued when they were on their way. “I suppose you’ll want some time alone.” The hardy woman’s eyes narrowed on her. “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on here, missy.”

Maria’s heart flew to her throat. “Wha-what’s that?”