What a morning. Patty woke up at 8 a.m. to a churning stomach. She ran to the bathroom and heaved out the vile. She took a shower, threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, put her hair in a ponytail, and headed down stairs to the kitchen.It was 9:30 and she had to be at Dalton’s by 11:15 for his surprise party. She didn’t want to spoil the surprise by being late. She had told Jackie she would bring a pack of hot dogs and coleslaw to the cookout. She had a chance to cut the cabbage and carrots yesterday, but she still had to mix the rest of the ingredients.Rufus whined around her feet as she dug in the cabinet for a bowl. He wanted his breakfast. “Oh, all right, boy,” Patty said, flustered. She hated rushing.At 10:50 a.m. Patty and Rufus were walking to Dalton’s house. Patty wished she could have driven because it was ninety degrees outside. She couldn’t drive because she didn’t want to park too close to Dalton’s house and mess up Jackie’s surprise. Goldman and his parents were goin
Nick couldn’t imagine what else Jackie had in mind that could top what she had just told him. A baby. They were having a baby. He was going to be a father. He was going to have a family again. Other than two distant cousins out of state, he had no family - not since David and Danielle had died. Jackie guided him to the kitchen. Had she cooked something? He couldn’t smell anything. No, she couldn’t cook anything beyond toast and a eggs. Then he felt that they were heading to the back door. “We’re going outside?” “Yes,” she confirmed. “Be careful, Jackie. Don’t trip on anything.” She laughed. “I’m fine. I’m not the one blind folded.” That’s right. What if he tripped? He would crush her if he fell on top of her. Damn, he hoped they didn’t have to go far. He heard the back door open. It was quiet as a graveyard. They were on the small deck. Small? Should he buy a bigger house for the baby? “I’m
Nick, Matt, Goldman, and Mr. Goldman were around the grill. Matt was turning the meat. The rest of them were chatting and drinking beer. “Are you sure Jackie is all right?” Nick asked with a worried look. “She’s fine, son,” Mr. Goldman said. “It’s normal. Trust me.” Nick nodded, but he was still concerned. He didn’t like the idea of Jackie feeling sick, pregnant or not. He wanted her happy and healthy. Jesse approached them. “Thanks, Sheriff,” he said. “I can take back over.” Matt handed Jesse the spatula. He picked up his beer bottle from the sidebar of the gas grill. “When are you and Jackie planning to get married?” Matt asked. “We haven’t had a chance to discuss it. Considering the fact that she’s pregnant, I prefer sooner rather than later,” Nick answered. “I don’t blame you for that,” Matt said. “She’ll probably want the big to do like Jodi did.” “I figured that, but we do
Nick, Matt, Jackie, and Jodi were relaxing and drinking in Nick’s living room. Their guests had left an hour ago. Everyone had done their part in cleaning up. Carter and Williamson had hauled the trash away in their trucks. Patty and Trina had washed dishes. Jesse and his son Andy had wrapped up the leftover food. “I’m still excited at the fact that Dalton his going to be my brother,” Jodi said with a smile. “Matt, you and Dalton will be brothers, too.” Matt was relaxing with Jodi in his lap in the recliner. He smiled. “And I am happy about that. I was an only child. I always wanted siblings.” Nick smiled. “I’m honored to be your brother, Matt. Having siblings are great.” “I take it that you want more than one child,” Jackie said with a smile. “I do,” he admitted as he looked down at her in his arms. “Don’t you?” “Yes, but let’s get through this one first,” Jackie said. “Agreed,” Nick said
Nick was relaxing in bed as he waited for Jackie to come out of the bathroom. He wanted her with him tonight. Today was a special day for them. They had gotten engaged, and Nick had found out that he was going to be a father. He looked over at the open door. He smiled as he watched Jackie comb her naturally curly hair. She was wearing a short, gray satin nightgown. Jackie cut the bathroom light out and walked into the bedroom. Nick pulled the covers back so she could join him in bed. Jackie smiled as she slipped between the white cotton sheets. Nick gathered her in his arms as Jackie laid her head on his chest. “Are you truly happy?” Jackie asked. “Yes,” Nick said with a big grin. “Today, you’ve made me the happiest man on earth. Four weeks from now, you will be Mrs. Nicolas Dalton. A few months from now we’ll be parents.” Jackie’s hand light rubbed his peck. “Mrs. Nicolas Dalton. I love the sound of t
It was one o’clock in the morning, and Matt Kirby couldn’t sleep. He threw on some clothes and headed to the station. When he walked into the station, Lawrence was at the reception desk. It looked like he was on the computer. It looked like Lawrence just had a trim. His red hair was neatly cut around his angled face. A college student was on the switchboard. She was plugging in the extra portable radios so they could charge. “Hey, Sheriff,” Lawrence greeted. “What brings you in?” Matt propped his arm on the reception desk. “I couldn’t sleep. Thought I roam down here and see how things are going.” “It’s been quiet so far,” Lawrence said. “I thought I take the opportunity to catch up on some paper work.” Matt nodded. “Good. So, I hear that we have a future deputy in the making.” “Sir?” “Lawrence, I know that Patty is pregnant,” Matt said. “Oh,” Lawrence said. “Sorry, that I didn’t
Patty wore a black dress with straps that she had bought years ago but never had the guts to wear until tonight. It flowed above her knees and hugged her waist. She wore black dress shoes with a short heel. Her cleavage was prominent, but she didn’t give a damn. She felt sexy and alive. Perhaps it was her hormones that made her feel so bold tonight. She had curled her hair with a curling iron and pushed it back with a black hair band so her hair wouldn’t fall in her face all night. Her makeup was flawless because she checked it in the mirror several times before she left the house. Rufus whined when she was about to leave. She couldn’t take him to a bar Patty told him that as she gave him a new squeaky toy to play with that she was hiding in the closet. Patty left the lamp on in the living room and left. It wasn’t often Rufus whined when she left him at home, yet, lately he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. Patty walked into Garvey’s like she was on air.
Damn the traffic in Phoenix. There had been an accident on the interchange. Traffic had been directed to go on an alternate route. Goldman had exhaled when he finally reached the turn to get on Route 501 going back to town.They were an hour late getting to Gabriella and Billy’s engagement party. Him and his parents were squeezed together in the front of his purple truck. After the party, Goldman planned to let his parents drive his truck home and he would ride home with Patty. He couldn’t wait until Saturday night to spend some alone time with her.The parking lot at Garvey’s was nearly full. Goldman couldn’t believe he actually found a space to park in. They climbed out of the truck.“Jeffrey, what time does the orgy start?” his mother asked for the twelfth time. If she was so concerned about getting caught up in an orgy, why the hell did she come? It wasn’t like she knew Billy and Gabriella that well. She had just met them yesterday.“Midnight, Mom,” Goldman said. “We’l