AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“In case my parents overwhelm you and you want me to get you out of here; you say the word and we’re gone.”
The frown dissolved away. “They can’t be that bad. You said yourself you got along well with your parents.”
“Yeah, well let’s say they’re excited to meet you. Again.” He raised an eyebrow. “They’ve called five times this morning asking me whether you can eat rare steaks and if you prefer ice tea or soda. I’m just warning you things could get scary in there.”
“That’s sweet,” Harper said, her eyes softening. “I like your mom already.”
“On your own head be it.” He pressed the bell.
She reached down to rub her stomach, smiling when she felt another kick. She was getting used to them now. At twenty weeks her belly was perfectly round, like somebody had stuffed a basketball up her dress and tied it around her waist.
“Is the baby moving?” James asked her.
“Yeah.” She grabbed his hand and placed it on the left side of her stomach, the place the baby seemed to like to kick the most. She’d been doing this for three weeks now, trying to get him to feel the kicks the way she felt them, but every time he’d missed them.
“I can’t—” He stopped talking and held his breath. “That was it, wasn’t it?” A grin slowly broke out on his face. “Was that a kick?” His voice was low and breathless. Her heart skipped a beat as he leaned close enough that she could smell his cologne.
“Yep.” She loved the way he looked. His eyes were alight, his face relaxed, and everything about him radiated warmth. She felt warm herself, the way she always did whenever he was near. Though she’d managed to stop herself from making any more stupid decisions over the past few weeks, there had been a few close calls.
And yeah, those hormones weren’t going away.
“James, Harper, come on in.” Louise Tanner opened the door and hugged them both. Harper tried not to look shocked at the intimate gesture. “It’s so wonderful to meet you again,” his mom told her. “I’m just sorry it’s been so long.”
“That was my bad. I was on call the last two weekends. Greg had to take some emergency leave.” James shrugged. “But we’re here now.”
“Yes you are. And we’re so happy to have you both here.” His m
om grabbed Harper’s hand and led her down the hallway. “How are you feeling?” she asked her. “What are you now, twenty weeks?”
“That’s right. I’m feeling good,” Harper said as they walked into the oversized kitchen. It was filled with light that bounced off the whitewashed walls and the polished wooden floor. Everything looked new, from the granite counters to the gleaming appliances she could see herself reflected in.
It was hard not to get kitchen envy.
“Can I get you a drink?” his mom asked. “We have iced tea or soda?”
From the corner of her eye Harper could see James biting down a grin. She swallowed her own laugh and nodded. “I’d love an iced tea please, Mrs. Tanner.”
“Call me Louise, please,” his mom told her. “And here comes Dennis; Darling, Harper and James are here.”
“They are? Why didn’t you tell me?” James’s dad walked in and gave his son a huge bear hug. He looked like an older version of James, with the same muscled frame and broad shoulders. But unlike James his hair was fair.
Then he turned to Harper and held out his hand. She shook it with relief, unsure if she could have withstood one of those bear hugs. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “James has told us a lot about you.” He gestured at the kitchen stools to her left. “Take a seat, you need to conserve your energy.”
“I’m only twenty weeks pregnant, there’s plenty of time for that.”
“While you’re at our house, it’s always time for you to relax,” Louise told her, passing her a glass of iced tea. “That’s the rule.”
She was beginning to see where James got his kindness.
“So tell me about yourself, dear?” Louise said, taking the stool next to her. “How did you and James meet?”
Harper took a sip of tea and tried not to catch James’s gaze, afraid she’d laugh. “Um, we met at the opening of the Silver Sands Resort.”
“Oh, I heard that was a fabulous party. And you live in Angel Sands with Caitie Russell, is that right? Did you know her mom is one of my best friends?”
“Everybody in Angel Sands is one of your best friends, Mom,” James teased. He leaned on the counter, his body close to Harper’s. His hand rested on her shoulder as though he was protecting her. “We had an ultrasound on Wednesday,” he said, changing the subject. “I’ve got a photo somewhere.” He pulled his wallet from his pocket and took the black and white print out.
“Oh my goodness,” Louise said, putting her hand on her chest as she stared at the printout. “What a beautiful baby.” She blinked, lifting her hand to wipe a tear away. “Did everything go well?”
