Читать книгу Brides, Babies And Billionaires - Мишель Смарт, Rebecca Winters - Страница 97

Sixteen

An odd sort of tension settled in and made itself comfortable between Seth and his family. Sure, they all opened presents together Christmas morning. But even Julie, who professed to still believing in Santa Claus, was giving him looks that he didn’t want to think about. She was too much like their father sometimes, and he was in no mood to be judged by a ten-year-old.

His mom would look at him and sigh and damned if it didn’t sound like disappointment. And his dad? The temperature dropped a solid ten degrees anytime he walked into the room.

No one spoke about it. No one asked about Kate. They barely talked about Shanghai. Just tension.

Just Seth slowly going insane. He hadn’t seen her since that day in her office—the day he’d given her the necklace. She hadn’t opened it. He almost called her Christmas afternoon but he told himself he’d wanted a clean break and that it was for the best.

That didn’t explain why he called Kate on New Year’s Eve and asked her to come spend it with him. She must have been doing okay, because she refused and in a way, he was glad. He was flying out first thing on the second to LA and from there, to mainland China. If she came over for one last night, he honestly had no idea how he was going to leave.

He was miserable and pissy and worried sick about her being alone for Madeleine’s birth. Even though he knew that if the shit hit the fan his family would step up and make sure Kate was taken care of, he still worried. What if Roger came back? What if she had to sue him for child support? What if there was a problem with Madeleine? Hell, what if there wasn’t? He remembered how hard it’d been for everyone the first few months after Julie had been born. And Julie had had Mom, Dad and Seth to take care of her. How would Kate handle the sleepless nights and diapers and feedings by herself?

He did his best not to worry as he packed up his stuff. His dad took him to the airport. It was still pitch-black at five in the morning, but at least it was clear. Flying out of South Dakota in the middle of winter was always dicey.

True to form, they didn’t talk. Billy just glowered, and Seth? He tried to focus on the future. He’d never been one to settle down. Wandering all over God’s green earth was who he was. He knew it. Kate knew it. His family knew it.

At least, he thought they did. They got to the airport and Billy silently helped unload Seth’s bags and Seth couldn’t remember ever having been more miserable than he was right now because this felt wrong. Everything about it was wrong.

Panicking hard, Seth stood before the only man he’d ever called father. “I’m not Madeleine’s father,” he said, wishing he could take the words back even before he was done saying them.

It was not Dad’s business—it was none of anyone’s business. But he knew, deep down inside, that Billy Bolton was disappointed in him.

Billy jammed his hands on his hips and stared up at the midnight-black sky. “No, I didn’t figure you were.”

“I have to put the family first.”

Once, long ago, Seth had punched this man in the face for daring to break up with his mom. It was the only time he’d ever struck Billy, and the man hadn’t yelled or hit back. Instead, he’d looked at Seth with disappointment in his eyes—the same disappointment in his eyes right now. “Neither of them is family, but you already know that baby’s name.”

Seth’s throat closed up. “You guys made me a Bolton. That wasn’t something I took lightly. I’m not going to let you or the business down.”

Seth hadn’t realized he was staring at the sidewalk until Billy’s massive hands settled on Seth’s shoulders. “Son,” he said, and it just about broke Seth’s heart to hear that word spoken with so much sadness, “God knows I tried to do right by you and your mom. And God knows if it weren’t for motorcycles, I’d either be dead or in jail.”

“I know,” Seth said, wishing for numbness because he couldn’t take this. The business kept his father going and he couldn’t turn his back on that.

Billy’s grip on him tightened. “Look at me, Seth.” Seth raised his head, swallowing back tears. “The business is important, but we could lose it tomorrow and it wouldn’t change anything about you and me and our family. We will always be family because we chose you, and more important, you chose us.” He gave Seth a little shake. “You don’t have to prove a damned thing to me. You never did.”

Then he pulled Seth into a mammoth bear hug before quickly shoving him away. “Write your mother,” he called out as he got back into his truck and drove off.

Seth stood there for a moment in the freezing air, shaking.

He hadn’t chosen the Boltons—his mom had. His aunt had—they’d both married brothers. He’d been part of the deal, but not as a voting member. He’d just...

He’d spent the last ten years of his life living and breathing motorcycles and the motorcycle business because when he welded a frame Billy approved of or pitched an idea Bobby got behind, it made Seth feel like he was part of something. Crazy Horse Choppers had given him a place. A purpose.

That was what mattered.

Wasn’t it?

* * *

Not that anyone was buying real estate right now—no one really wanted to move on the second day of the year in the middle of winter—but Kate went to work anyway. She couldn’t handle staying alone in her crappy apartment all day, staring at the lovely Christmas card her mother had sent.

She wore the stunning diamond pendant necklace and matching earrings Seth had bought for her. She wasn’t an expert in diamonds, but she’d listened when the jewelry salespeople had talked cut and clarity and all that and she was wearing probably close to four carats of diamonds. It wasn’t a stretch to say that she was wearing close to fifty thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry—a fortune.

He’d spent that on her. It was a hell of a farewell gift and, if worse came to worst, it would take care of her and Madeleine for a long time.

But she couldn’t bear the thought of selling Seth’s gifts. She’d sold her engagement ring because she hadn’t wanted to hang on to another reminder of Roger—and she’d needed the cash. But Seth’s pendant?

She wore it on a long chain so it nestled next to her heart. It was the only way she could keep him close.

That, and being here at work. There were so many memories of Seth here. Hearing the door jingle and looking up to see Seth standing there, that grin on his face. She didn’t want to entirely leave those memories right now, either. It was easier to pull those memories around her like a blanket at the office. She was even gladder that she’d never had him over to her apartment. It would’ve been too much.

She glanced at the clock—again—and slid the diamond along the chain. Seth should’ve landed in LA by now. He was probably holed up in a bar, waiting for his flight to China. Was he thinking of her? Was he wishing that she’d taken him up on his offer to ring in the New Year—just one more night together? She’d known she needed to say no to him, but now she wished she’d said yes. Because it already sucked, letting him go. What would one more night have hurt?

The baby fluttered in her stomach, and Kate put her hand to where Madeleine was kicking. This was what she had to focus on now—impending motherhood. For all intents and purposes, she was all Madeleine had.

No, it wasn’t exactly true. Seth had made her swear that if she needed any help, she’d contact his family. Part of Kate knew that wasn’t a good idea because, while she genuinely liked his parents and his sister, that would presume a relationship that otherwise no longer existed.

On the other hand, it was clear from her mother’s Christmas card that there wouldn’t be a close relationship with her parents. And Kate was just coming to grips with the fact that she had a long, cold, dark three months of being extremely pregnant ahead of her.

It wouldn’t be so bad if Madeleine were already here. The baby was going to take every little bit of energy Kate had—and probably some she didn’t have. She wouldn’t be able to dwell on Seth’s absence once Madeleine arrived.

Kate tried diligently to focus on listings. The family she’d spoken to a few months ago was being relocated to Rapid City and anticipated moving by March. And since Kate had recently been in a vast majority of the homes currently on the market, she could with great confidence eliminate most of them.

That was what she was supposed to be thinking about. But even in that, her thoughts turned back to Seth. He’d purchased the house that she had long wanted—but refused to furnish it without her input. The house could be such a showplace, but right now, it was little more than an exaggerated bachelor pad, stacked with boxes that had been in storage. She hoped Seth would hire a good interior decorator when he came home and make something out of that house.

She was making another cup of tea in the small kitchen tucked behind Harold’s office when the door jingled. “It’s a zinger of a day here at Zanger,” she called over her shoulder, pouring the hot water over the tea bag. Who knew? Someone had actually come looking for a house. It was a good thing she was here. “I’ll be right with you.”

She walked out into the main part of the office and then pulled up short so quickly that water splashed all over the place.

She was hallucinating, because it wasn’t possible that Seth was here.

Then he smiled and she realized that no, she couldn’t be imagining this. Seth Bolton himself stood in the doorway of the office.

He’d come for her.

He couldn’t have come for her.

“Seth? What are you doing here?”

His smile faltered a little. “I’ve been thinking,” he said, taking a hesitant step into the office.

“But... You are supposed to be on a plane? Or in LA by now. You’re not supposed to be here.”

“I couldn’t leave,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I couldn’t leave you.”

The room started to swim and the next thing she knew, she was in Seth’s arms and he was lowering her down into her chair. “Breathe, babe,” he said, kneeling in front of her and holding her hands.

“You’re not supposed to give up your job with the company for me,” she said, her voice cracking. “I would never ask you to put me before your family.”

“You’re not asking,” he said, stroking his thumbs over the back of her hands. “Kate, I screwed up. I want to make it right and then, if you still want to be done, I’ll go.”

He’d come back for her. She didn’t want him to leave again. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough for that.

“We had an agreement,” she said weakly. “Fun. No strings. You’re not going to stay in Rapid City. That was the deal.”

“I want to renegotiate the deal. I’m looking for something fun. Some strings attached. Slightly more permanently based in Rapid City. At least until Madeleine is old enough to travel.”

At that moment, the baby chose to shift, sending flutters all over Kate’s belly. Seth cupped her stomach and leaned down to kiss it through her clothes.

“You can’t mean this,” she said, giving up the fight against the tears. What was it about this man that always had her at her weakest?

He looked up at her, so handsome and perfect and here. “I never knew my father. He ran out on my mom before I was even born and I thought... I thought I was restless. That I needed to see the world—and that was because of him. But I don’t think I’m restless. I just think I hadn’t found a reason to stay in one place.”

“Don’t say that,” she begged. “Don’t break my heart, Seth. I can’t take it.”

“I couldn’t take it, either—so I won’t.”

“I won’t let you do this. I will not let you give up the family business for me. I’m not...”

His gaze sharpened. “You are worth it, Kate. And you know what? I’m a Bolton and if there’s one thing I know about Boltons, it’s that family is everything. Kate, you are my everything. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t fight for you?”

She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face against his cheek. “No one has ever fought for me before,” she wept. “I just don’t want you to regret it.”

“Have a little faith in me,” he said, his voice shaking. “And have faith in yourself. Do you love me?”

“Of course I do,” she sobbed. “How could I not?”

“Then marry me, Kate. And not in some big lavish ceremony with a crazy dress that has petticoats and corsets and ruffles and strings. We can get married at the courthouse, for all I care. It’s not the wedding that counts—it’s you. You’re my everything, Kate, you and Madeleine. Let me be your family. It doesn’t mean I won’t do stupid things like nearly flying halfway across the world when I belong right here. That means I will fight for you, for us. Every day of my life, so help me God.”

“But your job...”

He leaned back and gave her a cocky look. “I’m a partner in the firm. It’s not like they can fire me. And besides, it’ll work out. It might be a little messy, but I’ll fight for what I want. I don’t have to prove myself to them. I just have to prove myself to you.” He swallowed. “If you’ll have me?”

“Yes,” she said, pulling him into a kiss. “God, yes, Seth. I couldn’t even think with you being gone.”

The baby shifted again, harder this time—demanding attention, no doubt. Kate gasped as Seth rubbed her belly. “I couldn’t miss this. She will always be my daughter, from the very first moment.”

This was everything she’d ever wanted. She wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot—but Seth understood who she was and loved her anyway. She cupped his cheek with her hand. “Seth?”

“Yeah?” He turned his head and pressed a kiss against her palm.

“You were right.”

His eyes darkened as she ran her hands through his hair. “Oh? About what?”

“You’re good for me,” she replied, leaning forward to brush her lips against his. “Very, very good for me.”

He grinned against her mouth. “Babe,” he all but growled, pulling her into his embrace, “I’m just getting started.”