If the Ring Fits. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ from one foot to another, looking suddenly as uncomfortable as Mary Karen felt.

      “It’s good to be home,” Travis said, his gaze caressing Mary Karen’s face.

      Though July and Lexi were standing beside her and Kate lingered behind him, his eyes remained fixed on her alone.

      Those hazel eyes were so familiar, so dear, that for a second nothing mattered except that he was home. And safe. And here with her. Until Mary Karen remembered he hadn’t called. And that he was standing in front of her with another woman while she was carrying his child.

      The emotional roller coaster she’d been riding since Las Vegas crested the hill. Sudden tears clogged her throat, making speech impossible. Thankfully July and Lexi jumped feetfirst into the conversation, welcoming Kate, asking Travis about his experiences in Cameroon, laughing when he teased them about their huge bellies.

      Mary Karen kept her gaze focused on her friends and pretended not to notice Travis’s questioning glances. When July and Lexi left to replenish the buffet table, she started to go with them. But they waved her back, assuring her they had the situation under control.

      Reluctantly, she plastered a smile on her face and turned back to Travis and Kate.

      “Quite a party.” Travis gestured with a can of beer in his hand to the backyard filled with people. “I never knew so many people cared.”

      “They don’t,” Mary Karen drawled. “They’re here for the free food. And the beer.”

      Verbally sparring with him was as natural to her as breathing. Their friends knew it, expected it even. But Kate wasn’t part of their tight-knit circle of friends.

      Kate’s eyes widened.

      Travis, on the other hand, roared with laughter. “Trust you to put me in my place.”

      Mary Karen took a sip of tea, her lips curving in a half smile. “Someone has to keep you humble.”

      “Let me guess.” Kate put a finger to her lips, her gaze shifting from Travis to Mary Karen. “Sworn enemies?”

      “Close.” Travis looped an arm around Mary Karen’s shoulders. “Old friends.”

      His gaze met hers, daring her to disagree.

      She couldn’t. The woodsy scent she’d come to associate with him teased her senses and her traitorous body responded to his touch. Seconds later an ache filled her heart at the realization that the easy relationship they’d enjoyed over the years would soon be ending. The rolling in her stomach began in earnest.

      “E-excuse me,” she stuttered, stepping back from his arms. “I need to … check on something.”

      Travis called her name but she pretended not to hear. Without a backward glance Mary Karen zigzagged through the crowd. By the time she reached the house, she was running. The bathroom door had barely closed behind her when the crackers she’d eaten this afternoon came up.

      It took every ounce of strength she possessed not to break down and bawl. But she’d been here before. She knew the challenges she faced. Being alone and pregnant wasn’t for the faint of heart.

      She waited for several seconds then slowly straightened. Still, her body continued to tremble. Mary Karen couldn’t help remembering how solicitous her brother had been when July had experienced morning sickness early in her pregnancy. What would it be like to have Travis on the other side of the door waiting, worrying about her?

       Stop it.

      Mary Karen gave herself a mental shake and rinsed her mouth with unnecessary vigor. After gargling with mouthwash confiscated from below the sink, she squared her shoulders and headed outside to search for her friends.

      On the patio, Mary Karen saw her sister-in-law talking to a tall, broad-shouldered man she didn’t recognize. July waved her over, then introduced the mystery man as Joel Dennes, a general contractor in the Jackson Hole area. They talked about the rise in home prices before July excused herself.

      After chatting with Joel for several minutes longer Mary Karen noticed people had started pairing up and taking seats for dinner. For the past couple years she’d sat beside Travis at these types of events.

      She glanced around the yard and saw Lexi and Nick chatting with him and Kate. Staring at the back of his head, she willed him to turn around and look her way. But his attention remained focused on the lady doctor. Mary Karen’s heart gave a ping.

      “Food looks good.” Joel shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

      Mary Karen refocused her attention on the sumptuous spread. Normally she’d taste a little of everything. Tonight, nothing appealed to her. Still, she knew she had to keep up her strength. If not for herself, for the life growing inside her.

      “My friend Lexi did the catering and she’s a fabulous cook,” she said absently.

      By now almost everyone had seated themselves. Kate still stood beside Travis waving her hands, telling some story. A funny one, if their laughter was any indication. Mary Karen turned her gaze back to Joel. “If you’re not sitting with anyone, I’d love some company for dinner.”

      She wasn’t sure what made her offer. Maybe it was because he looked as out of place as she suddenly felt. Though she knew everyone here, most of them had someone special with them. Like her, Joel appeared to be flying solo this evening.

      He flashed a smile and gestured for her to precede him to the buffet table.

      “Amazing.” Joel’s eyes widened at the variety of food artfully displayed against the brightly covered table linen. “And to think I expected burgers and brats.”

      “I can vouch for the cucumber gazpacho soup.” Mary Karen pointed to an Art Deco–inspired tureen. “It’s one of Lexi’s specialties.”

      Joel’s gaze dropped to the reddish soup with brightly colored bits of vegetables and several cucumber curls on top. His easy smile faltered. Instead of reaching for the ladle, he shifted his attention back to her. “Do you have a special dish you like to make?”

      “You bet she does,” a deep voice responded from behind her. “M.K.’s spaghetti rivals Chef Boyardee.”

      Mary Karen whirled. “Travis.”

      Her hope that he’d come to join her for dinner faded when she saw Kate at his side.

      Joel grinned and clapped a hand on Travis’s shoulder. “Hey, buddy. Welcome back.”

      “It’s good to be home.” Travis may have spoken to Joel but his gaze remained firmly fixed on Mary Karen. “I see you’ve met M.K.”

      “M.K.? Oh, you mean Mary Karen.” Joel slanted a glance in her direction and winked. “We’re getting acquainted.”

      A muscle in Travis’s jaw jumped but his smile was easy.

      “Would you like to join us?” Joel asked.

      “Thanks for the offer but we’re already settled in.” Kate slipped one arm through Travis’s and gestured with СКАЧАТЬ