The Wedding Secret. Janelle Denison

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СКАЧАТЬ suddenly felt like a fraud. The woman wearing the fashionable outfit was who she’d tried so desperately to be for Sheldon’s sake, and even on some level for her mother. But the glaring truth remained. Beneath the fancy trappings, Jenna was a plain and simple woman, and she suddenly wanted to be accepted for who and what she was, without pretenses, and without being judged by her past mistake—if that was even possible.

      “Good morning,” the other woman greeted her, smiling amicably as she set the dishes she was carrying into the sink. “Would you like some coffee, or breakfast? Garrett left you a plate of pancakes warming in the oven if you’re hungry.”

      Though her head had cleared from her shower, the thought of food made Jenna’s stomach tumble. “Maybe in a little bit. Just coffee for now, thank you.”

      She watched the woman bring a mug down from the cupboard and pour steaming liquid into the cup then motion to the ceramic containers next to the pot. “Help yourself to cream and sugar.”

      Jenna came up to the counter and sweetened her coffee. “Where’s Garrett?” she asked curiously, having expected her host to be in the kitchen.

      “He’s outside with Rylan and my husband, Duane, poking around under the hood of our truck to check out a problem with the water pump. He’ll be back up to the house anytime. And Chelsea is playing out back.” She rested her hand on the swell of her very large belly. “And since I can see that you’re wondering who I am, I’m Lisa, Garrett’s sister.”

      “It’s nice to meet you,” she replied, shaking Lisa’s offered hand. “I’m Jenna Phillips, but I’m assuming you already knew that.”

      “Yes. Garrett told us why you’re here and what happened last night at Leisure Pointe.”

      Surprisingly, there wasn’t any judgment or criticism in Lisa’s tone, but Jenna was certain the other woman was wondering why she’d run out on her groom on her wedding day. An explanation was complicated, and the humiliation and shame that accompanied her reasons wasn’t something she wished to discuss with anyone.

      She returned to stirring her coffee. “Considering my frame of mind yesterday, I appreciate his kindness in taking me in for the night.”

      “Yeah, well, it’s nice to see that my brother is still capable of doing a noble deed for a woman when the situation calls for it,” Lisa said wryly.

      Jenna followed Lisa to the kitchen table with her coffee, and took a seat on one of the pine chairs. She found Lisa’s comment ambiguous and odd, with an underlying intimation she couldn’t quite grasp. For as hospitable as Garrett had been to her last night, and despite his noble deed, their earlier conversation had given her the distinct impression that he fully expected her to be on her way back home today. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything left for her in St. Louis, unless bad memories and a sense of failure counted for anything.

      Taking a sip of her coffee, she dropped her gaze to Lisa’s pregnant belly and changed the subject. “When are you due?”

      Lisa gingerly lowered herself onto one of the chairs next to Jenna’s. “Not soon enough.” She laughed, and Jenna did, too. “I’m having twins, and they aren’t due for another four or five weeks, according to my last doctor’s appointment, but I feel like Jacob and Janet are ready to make their debut into the world now.”

      “Twins, and a boy and a girl at that,” Jenna marveled, tucking a springy, loose curl behind her ear. “How wonderful.”

      Lisa rubbed her stomach lovingly, though exhaustion lined her features. “Yeah, it is wonderful, but I have to admit, the thought of having two at once is very intimidating.”

      Despite those legitimate fears, Jenna envied the other woman and the family of her own she’d have very soon. That was something she’d wished for herself, had hoped would happen with Sheldon, but she’d forfeited that particular dream when she’d left him at the altar—and he’d done nothing to stop her from leaving.

      She cleared the sudden tightness from her throat. “I’m sure maternal instincts will kick in and you’ll be fine.”

      “That’s what I keep telling myself, too.” Lisa shifted in her seat, her bulky girth seemingly making it difficult to find a comfortable position.

      A few minutes later, Garrett finally entered the kitchen. His gaze landed on Jenna first, and he took in her sophisticated short suit and heeled shoes with a combination of interest and mild scrutiny before glancing at his sister.

      “The water pump is temporarily fixed until you can get the truck in for repair this week,” he told her, heading to the sink to wash his hands. “Duane is waiting for you outside, and he’s ready to go. Thank you for watching Chelsea last night.”

      “It was my pleasure. She’s a joy to have over, you know that.” Lisa struggled to stand, and Garrett was immediately at her side, gently grasping her arm to help her up. Once she was steady on her feet, she laughed breathlessly. “All three of us thank you for your assistance.” She pressed a hand to the base of her spine. “I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”

      “I’ll be there early,” he replied. “I have an estimate to work on and I won’t be heading into the city to check on the Leiberman project until eleven. Since there’s nothing pressing going on in the morning, take your time getting there.”

      “I’ll be there early, too,” she said, reaching for her purse. “I’ve got a stack of payables that need to be entered into the computer and—” An unexpected “oomph” cut Lisa off midsentence. Her hand shot to her lower belly, and she grimaced at the discomfort her babies had caused.

      Garrett’s mouth thinned into a tight line. “I think it’s past time you went on maternity leave. You should be at home resting, not at the office working.”

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