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mass of red hair tied back in a ponytail and no makeup on, she looked all of eighteen. He had to grip onto the arms of the chair just to keep from leaping across the desk. “Gracie didn’t tell me you were coming,” he said, hoping to get them around the awkward silence.
Catherine’s eyes lit with humor. “She doesn’t know I’m here. I haven’t told her. I plan to surprise her later.”
Damn, she was so pretty when she smiled. It’d been way too long since he’d seen here. He felt it like a punch to the gut. He’d been a miserable bastard since she’d left. Everyone had been steering a wide path around him, but one smile from Catherine and his world was right again.
Christ, he was so fucking in love with her. He knew now that what he’d felt for Linda paled in comparison. Catherine was the real deal and he would do anything in his power to prove they belonged together.
“You wouldn’t take my calls.”
She looked down at her lap. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I hurt you and I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “More sorry than you can ever know.”
Catherine started to fidget, as if trying to figure out how to tell him something. For the life of him he couldn’t imagine what. “The direct approach is always best,” he said, his voice softening.
She looked across the desk and blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”
Dean blinked, unsure he’d heard her correctly. “Say again?”
Catherine covered her belly with the palm of her hand and said, “I’m pregnant, Dean.”
Dean’s gaze zeroed in on her still-flat stomach. “Wow.”
She shot from the chair and paced around the room. “I thought you should hear it in person. You’re going to be a father.”
Dean came out of his shocked stupor and said, “Are you certain?” He shook his head. “I mean, I thought you were on the pill.”
She stopped and turned. “I’m certain. And I was on the pill, but in all the . . . excitement I got off schedule, I guess.” She turned red and looked at the far wall, as if finding the dull tan paint fascinating.
He stood and went to her. Dean quickly noted her pale face and trembling body. Was she about to cry? He took her into his arms and held her tight. God, she felt good there. She felt right.
“Shhh, calm yourself, sweetheart,” he murmured. “You took me by surprise, but we can deal with this together. It’s going to be okay.” She nodded and buried her head into his T-shirt. “Jesus, Catherine, I missed you something awful.”
Dean could feel her relaxing against him, and his hopes soared. “I missed you too,” she admitted in a quiet voice.
He began massaging her back and whispered, “Can you ever forgive me for what I did?”
Her head came up, and once more her expressive eyes were holding him captive. She seemed to be debating whether to bolt or stay. Finally, she said, “I came back because . . . because I love you, Dean.”
The words had Dean wanting to howl at the moon. His hands shook as he cupped her face in his palms and whispered, “I love you too. So much I’ve been going slowly crazy without you.”
Dean lifted her into his arms and carried her to his chair. He sat with her in his lap and said, “The way I see it there’s only one way to handle this.”
Catherine went rigid in his arms. She lifted up and glared at him. “If you’re suggesting we get rid of the baby, forget it. It’s not an option, Dean.”
Dean flinched, his jaw going rigid with anger. “There is no way on earth I would kill my own child. Don’t ever insult me like that again.”
Catherine blinked rapidly and bit her lip. “God, I’m sorry.” She clenched her eyes closed tight. “Of course you would never suggest that. I’m so sorry.”
Dean forced himself to remain calm. She was on edge and jumpy. She’d come back to him, and he knew how much courage that had taken for her. Even with all he’d put her through, she’d come back to him.
“I’ve been screwing things up from the beginning, Catherine,” he admitted. “But when you left it broke me. I gave you time to think because I didn’t want to rush you. But you should know that I booked a flight out to Atlanta. I was going to be leaving tomorrow morning. I was determined to make you listen. One way or the other.”
“You should’ve told me about the investigation from the moment you went to Jonas.”
He winced at the reminder. “I know, I fucked up. Never again, Catherine.” When she sat silently in his lap, waiting for him to continue, Dean poured out the rest of it. “When Linda cheated on me I thought nothing could feel worse. I’d bought the woman a ring and the whole time she had another man on the side.” Her gaze softened, but before she could say anything, Dean took her face in his palms and said, “When you went back to Georgia I knew the truth. You’re the woman my heart belongs to. You’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, sweetheart.”
Tears filled her eyes, and Dean couldn’t tell if they were the good kind or not. “Are you saying you want to marry me?”
