Page 49 of Cannon

I spin away from him and stomp my way back to the clubhouse, heading directly for Bank’s office. Knocking loudly, louder than I intended, I then charge in without waiting for a response.

“Come in, why don’t you. To what do I owe the pleasure of this intrusion?” Bank leans back in his chair and gives me a hard stare.

“I’m sorry, Bank. That was very rude of me. I’m not sure I’m feeling myself today.”

“Apology accepted, Barbara, now what can I do for you?”

“I came for the thing I ordered.”

“Barbara, you know that Cannon should be doing this, don’t you? He might not be happy with me if I give it to you.” Bank tips his head at me.

“Well, if he wanted to give it to me he would have come to see you himself, wouldn’t he? He’s had enough on his plate lately without realizing he forgot this. Anyway, the way I plan to reveal it, he won’t give a shit how I got it.”

Bank reaches down beside his chair and grabs a box, then casually tosses it to me. “Too much information, Barbara. It will be a lovely sight, I’m sure, but not one I need stuck in my head. Enjoy.”

Walking back into the rec room I see no sign of Cannon, so I slip upstairs and hide the box in our bathroom. My secret missions accomplished, I’m just heading out of the clubhouse doors when he drives in with his truck. He’s a handsome man, I have to say. I think he’s lazy with his hair and beard. I don’t mean he doesn’t take care of them, he just uses a trimmer on the same setting for everything. Every hair on his head is the same length, though it does suit him. He smiles at me and his dark brown eyes sparkle. At 6’ 5” and well-toned, he is one tall drink of water, and he’s all mine.

Lifting me so our lips meet, he kisses me thoroughly, and when he thinks he’s done a good job, I kiss him right back. Walking back into the clubhouse, he marches right to the center of the room. As I walk to the kitchen, which is where I thought we were heading, I stop when I hear several gasps and then silence.

Stopping and turning, I start to panic when I see him, head down, on his knees. I start to rush back to him when he looks up smiling, and I realize he’s not on both knees, just one. He’s holding something out toward me and I must look puzzled.

“Babe, we have skipped a couple of things out that I feel I need to put right. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

Tears run freely down my cheeks. “Get up you damn fool. It’s a bit late for all that, don’t you think?” I still say yes and let him put the ring on my finger. He surprises me further when he shows me his wedding ring and then slips a smaller matching one on my finger.

“Does it fit, Babe?” he holds my hand as though the rings will disappear.

“They fit perfectly. How did you get my size?” I’m guessing that Molly and Jamie had something to do with it.

“Abigail was practically your double, so I slipped it on her finger, and it was perfect. Just like it was made…” The room has gone silent, and I mean silent. There isn’t a sound, especially of anyone breathing.

“You put these rings on another woman's finger? A woman called Abigail who is my double?” I ask him quietly.

“Her hair is dark and her eyes are brown, but she’s like Pattie and Jamie. They look like sisters, and she could be yours.” He hasn’t noticed the silence yet.

“I’ll say it again, shall I? You put these rings on another woman's finger? And just who the fuck is this Abigail woman?” My voice has got slower and deeper, and I think he’s just beginning to realize that something isn’t as it should be.

“Abigail is the jeweler’s daughter. I stopped her from being robbed and they were very grateful…What’s going on? What’s happened?” He looks around the room, and all the brothers just shake their heads. “Babe? What’s the matter?”

Guardrail leans over and whispers in his ear. Cannon’s eyes grow wider with every whispered word until he looks like a gigantic owl standing there.

“No! No, no, no. It wasn’t like that. Her father was with us the whole time. She stood her Mr. Right up at the altar, he married her sister, for fuck’s sake. I just borrowed her damn finger!” He is shouting this by the end of his sentence, and I can’t help but laugh at the panic I can hear building. I think everyone is laughing with me.

“It’s okay, Sweetums. I believe you. I understand. A pretty girl needed a hero and you just happened to be there. It’s okay.” I put my hands to his cheeks as I laugh.

He wraps his arms around me and crushes me to his chest. “I should squeeze the life out of you for scaring me out of ten years of mine.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. There’s two of us in your arms right now.” The room goes silent again.

“What? Two of you? No, I said she could be your double, but she’s not here…” Guardrail leans forward once again, whispering in his ear.

Almost dropping me in panic, he stares at my face, then my belly, and back to my face. “What? You’re not…Are we…What?”

“I’m pregnant.” I take his hand and place it on my stomach. “We’re having a mini-Calder.”

“I’m not surprised after hearing all that noise every night. Free drinks, for the night!” Whack announces this and as each one passes on their congratulations, they swamp the bar with orders.

Chapter 31