Platinum Grooms: Pregnant at the Wedding. Sara Orwig

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СКАЧАТЬ they relaxed after dessert, Ashley caught Ryan’s attention and gave him a long look. “Folks, we have something to tell you,” she said, pausing as all her family turned to her. “Ryan has asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted.”

      Her grandmother gave a cry of joy and came around the table to give Ashley a hug, while her father and brother stood to shake Ryan’s hand.

      “Congrats, sis,” Jeff said, grinning at her. “I didn’t think this would ever happen.”

      She laughed, because she knew he was teasing her, and she was relieved to have made the announcement. When she turned to her father, she was surprised to see a solemn expression on his face, a searching look in his eyes.

      Her first thought was that he knew she didn’t want to marry Ryan, but he congratulated her, hugged her and gave her best wishes. They all adjourned to the family room, while she and Ryan answered questions and let everyone know the plans made so far.

      Again she knew that if they were aware of all the circumstances, they would try to talk her out of it. Her father might not, because of the financial help Ryan would provide the baby.

      She didn’t want to wait until the end of their visit to tell them that news, but they wanted to hear wedding details and mark calendars. Finally, she thought there was a good moment, and she crossed the room to sit on the arm of her dad’s chair. “We have another announcement that right now is for our families only,” she said, gazing at Ryan, feeling as if she were in a dream. “We’re going to have a baby.”

      Ashley’s grandmother shrieked and hugged Ashley once more, while Ben shook hands with Ryan, congratulating him, before he turned to Ashley to hug her. He gazed at her again with a somber perusal. “That’s the most wonderful news possible! I’ll be a grandfather!”

      His words contradicted his expression, but she was relieved anyway.

      “Congrats, sis,” Jeff said. “I’m going to be an uncle! That’s sweet!”

      They talked about the baby and the wedding, and then moved on to other topics.

      Finally Ashley stood. “Anyone want a glass of water?” she asked. When no one did, she went to the kitchen. Jeff had discovered that Ryan played football, as he had. They both shared an interest in pro teams, and she left them talking avidly.

      As she drank her water, she was surprised to see her father enter the kitchen and close the door.

      Crossing the room to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re marrying Ryan because of the baby, aren’t you?”

      “I suppose I have to answer yes,” she said quietly, not wanting to worry her dad, but finding it impossible to tell him anything except the truth.

      “If there’s no deep love between the two of you, think about what you’re doing, Ashley. We’re here for you. We’ll help you with the baby, and you don’t have to have Ryan Warner or his money in your life to get along.”

      “Oh, Dad!” she said, hearing the concern in his voice, and grateful for his support. She hugged him tightly, and he patted her back before she stepped away. “I hope we will learn to love each other,” she said in a low voice.

      “That’s not much basis for marriage, Ashley. Think about it. It’s good that he wants to marry you, but marriage is a relationship that takes a lot of strong bonding and cooperation on both parts. If you don’t have that, you may be headed for disaster. Rethink this marriage. He’s not the man for you. You’re not glowing with happiness and love.”

      “I will think about it, Dad. And I have been. Ryan and I have discussed the situation at length,” she replied cautiously, wondering how her father would react when he discovered Ryan was paying off the mortgage on the farm and would send Jeff to college. She patted her dad’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to do what I think will be best for me and my baby.”

      He studied her intently before nodding. “I hope so, Ashley. I want to tell Ryan that I’d like to talk to him soon. Just the two of us.”

      “Oh, Dad, don’t start a war with Ryan.”

      “I have no intention of doing any such thing. I just want him to know that he better not hurt you.”

      “He’s not going to hurt me, and you’re not going to intimidate him, either.”

      “I still want to talk to him. It won’t hurt him to know how important you are to us.”

      She shook her head in exasperation, wondering why her life was filled with such strong-willed males. “Let’s join the others,” she said.

      When she entered the family room again, she saw Ryan’s questioning gaze. But he looked relaxed and had her brother and grandmother laughing at some story he was telling.

      It was almost ten o’clock when they finally told everyone goodbye and got away, even though Ashley’s dad kept urging them to stay the night and drive back the next morning.

      “You have a great family,” Ryan said in the car as they sped through the darkness. “The feeling may not be mutual, though. Your dad wants to see me, which is fine, but I don’t think he’s happy about our upcoming nuptials.”

      “No, he’s not, but he’ll change.”

      “He isn’t prone to carrying a shotgun, is he?” Ryan asked lightly, and she smiled.

      “No, he isn’t. He’s strong willed.”

      “Aah, now I know where you get it.”

      “That is really the pot calling the kettle black,” she exclaimed.

      “I’ll be back to see your Dad Monday morning. He’ll probably warn me not to hurt you, and I’ll tell him that I’m paying off the mortgage on the farm.”

      “He may refuse you,” she said.

      “He won’t. He’s sensible, and it’s been a hardship on you to help him. Your brother’s sharp,” Ryan continued. “I’d give him a job in a minute if he ever wants to leave the farm.”

      “Jeff is bright, and it’s nice to know you’d hire him, but Dad’s planning on Jeff taking over the farm. Jeff loves that farm more than anything on earth.”

      “I’m glad you don’t,” Ryan said, clasping her hand again.

      They talked as they drove to Dallas, and as they approached her neighborhood, he glanced at her. “We could just go straight to my place,” he murmured.

      “No. It won’t take you long to drop me off at home.”

      By the time they reached the door of her place, her desire for him was almost out of control, caused by his flirting, by spending the day and evening with him, by his touches and light kisses on her hand and cheek.

      “Well, tomorrow morning I’ll see your church. One thing at a time—”

      He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard, his tongue plunging into her mouth. Ashley’s heart thudded and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. She moaned softly, wanting his lovemaking, aching for him СКАЧАТЬ