Least Likely To Wed

Chapter Two

On Friday night Kelly studied herself in the mirror. She hadn’t gone out in the evening since before Drew’s birth. She was nervous.

But it had nothing to do with Pete, she assured herself. Because she wasn’t interested in Pete…or any man. She was nervous about her mother and Rafe. Especially because her mother was so excited. She didn’t want her mother to be disappointed.

“Kelly? May I come in?” her mother called.

“Of course, Mom.” Kelly stood and headed for the door as her mother entered. “Oh, you look so nice!”

“Thank you. I’m not too dressed up, am I?”

“No, that dress is perfect.” The dress was a navy print with small roses scattered around. The roses matched the color in her mother’s cheeks.

“You look beautiful, Kelly. Pete is going to be pleased.” Mary beamed at her.

“Mom,” Kelly said sharply. “You remember this date is just a pretense, don’t you? I mean, you and Rafe aren’t—but Pete and I don’t—it’s just a pretense, Mom.”

She was afraid her mother would argue with her, but Mary only smiled and said, “But we can enjoy the movie. I haven’t been to a film in ages.”

Kelly smiled. “You can even enjoy the popcorn, Mom.”

“I’d better get some money. I hadn’t thought about popcorn. Mmm, I can smell it now.”

“Mom, I think Pete can pay for your popcorn. After all, he owes us for helping him out.”

Her mother seemed impressed with that idea, reminding Kelly that her mother had been on her own since she was sixteen. Kelly kissed her mother’s cheek. “Just have fun, Mom.”

“You should, too, honey. You don’t ever get to have any fun.”

The doorbell sounded at the outside stairs.

“That should be Lindsay. I’m glad she had the afternoon off since she’s taking Drew home with her. He can be a handful.”

“My grandbaby is perfect, and you know it,” Mary scolded as she hurried to the door.

Lindsay followed Mary into the apartment. “Where’s Drew?”

“Hello to you, too,” Kelly said, grinning at her friend’s enthusiasm for baby-sitting.

Lindsay blushed. “Sorry. But Gil and I are excited about Drew spending the night.”

“Are you sure you want him to spend the night? He might wake you,” Kelly warned.

“He’ll be fine. Besides, you deserve to sleep in every once in a while. Since you’re both dressed, do you mind if Gil and Rafe come up?”

“Of course not.” Kelly said, noting her mother’s panic. She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping things worked out for her mother. Rafe was a nice man and her mother deserved some fun.

“Rafe’s here?” Mary asked, her voice faint.

“Yes,” Lindsay smiled as she answered. “He was too nervous to wait. Pete is going to meet all of you here so you can go in one car.” She opened the front door and motioned down the stairs for the men to come up.

“I’ll get Drew,” Kelly said and slipped into her son’s bedroom. She’d started him playing with his blocks, one of his favorite toys.

“Drew, Lindsay’s here. Do you want to go play at Lindsay and Gil’s?”

He stared at her, his blue eyes and brown hair just like her own. “Horsie!” he exclaimed. When they’d visited the ranch last Sunday, Gil had taken Drew to the barn to pat a horse.

“Very good, baby,” Kelly exclaimed, proud of her child for making the connection. “Let’s get your suitcase so you can visit the horsie again.” She grabbed a small cloth bag she’d packed earlier and held out her hand to her son.

He stood and took her hand. “Horsie,” he repeated.

She scooped him into her arms and hugged him close. “You’re going to have a lot of fun, aren’t you?” she teased with a laugh, hoping her child didn’t notice the anxiety she was feeling about their separation.

“Of course he is,” Gil said as he came into the room, obviously having overheard her.

She sent him a grateful smile, appreciating his encouragement.

“Hey, I thought he was a baby,” another male voice exclaimed.

Kelly wheeled around to stare at Pete Crawford. She hadn’t realized he’d arrived. “He is a baby!” she exclaimed, irritated by his remark.

“He’s a growing boy,” Mary said tactfully.

“Okay,” Pete agreed, but his gaze was on Kelly. “Shall we go? The movie starts in fifteen minutes.”

Kelly handed her son to Lindsay, then gave the suitcase to Gil. “If you change your mind about Drew spending the night, just call me. I don’t mind coming to get him.”

“We’ll be fine,” Lindsay assured her. She left the apartment, Gil following in her wake.

Kelly followed them so she could see Drew. When she turned to go back inside the apartment, she found the other three adults right behind her. “Oh! Are you ready to go? I have to get my purse.”

“Here it is, dear,” Mary said, holding out the black leather bag Kelly usually carried.

“But I need to—to put on lipstick,” Kelly protested, hoping for a moment alone to collect herself.

“Put it on in the car,” Pete said and grabbed her arm to pull her after him. “I don’t want to miss the start of the show.”

With Rafe and her mother waiting, too, Kelly didn’t feel she had much choice. She accompanied her “date” down the stairs.

Pete drew a deep breath as Kelly slid into the front seat of his mother’s sedan. He’d been afraid she’d insist on the back seat with her mother. Not that he’d mind. He didn’t care where she rode, personally, but it wouldn’t convince anyone they were interested in each other.

He got behind the wheel as first Mary, then Rafe, got in the back seat. “All set?” he asked cheerfully, hoping to make everything seem normal.

“Sure,” Rafe returned.

In the rearview mirror, Pete saw Rafe help Mary with her seat belt. He checked to be sure Kelly had taken care of her own. The scent of her perfume drifted over to him. Her long dark hair seemed particularly enticing. When he’d seen her on Wednesday, it had been pulled back into a sedate braid.

“Uh, you’re wearing your hair down,” he muttered as he started the car.

She turned a startled gaze to him. “Does it matter?”

“No. It’s—it’s attractive.” Dammit, he hadn’t meant to say that.

“Compliments aren’t necessary, Pete,” she said in a low voice. “I agreed to do this. I keep my promises.”

Her attitude irritated him. She needn’t make it sound like an evening spent with him was torture. He glared at her.

“Anything wrong?” Rafe asked from the back seat.

“No,” Pete assured him. “I hope we like the movie. It sounds okay.”

Mary smiled. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to a movie, I’m sure I will enjoy it.” She smiled shyly at Rafe.

“I don’t go often, either,” Rafe assured her. “Mostly I like the popcorn.”

Mary beamed at him. “Oh, me, too!”

Well, at least someone was going to have fun tonight, Pete thought to himself. He eyed his date out of the corner of his eye. She was sitting stiffly, eyes straight ahead. He figured he could pelt her with popcorn and she wouldn’t notice.

There was a short line at the ticket box, and Pete figured standing in line would be a prime opportunity to make sure word got back to Sheila that he was “with” another woman.

“People are watching,” he whispered to Kelly after they got in line. Then he casually draped his arm across Kelly’s shoulders. She jerked away, then tried to relax. She even tried to smile. Pete hoped everyone else wouldn’t notice her reluctance. Seeking a distraction, he stared at the advertisement for an upcoming movie.

“Are you a Mel Gibson fan?” he asked, leaning closer to her.

“Um, he’s okay,” she replied, barely moving away.

“You’re supposed to act like you like my company,” he reminded her. “No one’s going to believe that if you keep acting like I have the plague.”

“I’m not acting like that!” she exclaimed even as she pulled back even more.

“Then why are you moving farther away?” he demanded.

“Because you’re crowding me!” she snapped.

Exasperated, he said, “Did you think we could convince anyone by standing five feet apart? People who are attracted to each other touch!”

“But—” she began in protest. She stopped as a couple walked by, then stopped and came back.

“Pete!” the man exclaimed, sticking out his hand to shake. “I didn’t see you for a minute. I thought you’d be with—”

The woman with him shoved her elbow into his ribs, stopping his words.

Pete knew his friend Mike was going to say Sheila. Her brassy blond hair drew the eye.

He nodded to the man’s wife. “Hi, Marge. Do you know Kelly Hampton? Kelly, this is Mike and Marge Poston. They have a place south of ours.”

“Oh, you’re partners with Lindsay at Oklahoma Chic, aren’t you? I’ve been hearing wonderful things about the store, even though I haven’t been in yet.”

Kelly thanked her for the compliment and started a conversation about fashion, leaving the men to talk alone.

“Sorry, Pete,” Mike said. “I didn’t mean to say the wrong thing. Have you and Sheila broken up? I heard you were pretty serious.”

“You probably heard that from Sheila. I think she’s ready to marry. That ticking-clock thing. But I’m a bachelor and I’m not wanting to change that fact.”

The women had stopped talking and were looking at him.

Marge turned back to Kelly. “I hope you realize you’re with a determined bachelor. I’ve overheard him say he never wanted kids, didn’t I, Pete?”

Kelly gave a determined smile. “We’re just seeing a movie tonight, not planning a lifetime.”

An awkward silence fell. Finally the couple said goodbye and got in line behind several other couples.

Mary leaned forward. “You don’t want any children?”

Pete hadn’t realized Mary and Rafe had overheard their conversation. “Uh, Mary, I’m a bachelor.”

“But—” Mary began.

“Mom, remember what we’re doing,” Kelly said softly. “We’re pretending, remember?”

“I know, but it seems such a shame.”

“Yeah,” Rafe agreed.

Pete frowned at his friend. What was wrong with everyone? The whole point of the evening was to keep from falling into that trap.

“Sir, how many?”

He’d been slowly moving in the line, but he hadn’t realized he’d reached the box office window. He turned around and asked for two tickets.

“What about Mom and Rafe?” Kelly asked.

“Rafe said he’d pay for him and Mary.”

“But they’re doing you a favor. You should—”

“Insult a man’s pride?” he growled at her. Then he took the tickets he’d just bought and gently pushed her ahead of him into the theater.

“What do you mean?” she whispered.

“Rafe pays his own way, and Mary’s, too, tonight. Popcorn?”

She studied him with those big blue eyes. “Can I pay for my own?”

He shook his head. “No. I have a little pride, too.”

“Then no, thank you,” she said and turned to see if Mary and Rafe were inside yet.

Pete stared at her in irritation. Rafe whispered to Mary as they came through the door. Mary moved to Kelly’s side and Rafe headed for the refreshments counter. Pete followed him.

“I thought you’d be ahead of me,” Rafe said.

“My date is being difficult.”

“You two seemed a little cozy in line.”

“I’m glad you thought so. I think we got the word out, anyway. Mike Poston’s wife is friends with Sheila.”

After Rafe got a bucket of popcorn and two drinks, Pete ordered the same and they returned to the women. Kelly took the drink he handed her with a brief thankyou, which was better than Pete had expected. Then she turned and followed Rafe and Mary into the darkened theater.

Once they were seated, the previews started. In the darkness, Pete put the popcorn between him and Kelly and leaned over to whisper, “I can’t eat all this by myself.”

Even in the darkness, he knew those big blue eyes were staring at him, but he kept his gaze on the screen. Without comment she took a few kernels of corn. As if he’d crossed a big bridge, he relaxed in his chair and slid his arm around the back of her chair.

“That’s not necessary,” she whispered, leaning toward him.

Her perfume filled his nostrils and he wanted to taste her. But he knew better than to get that carried away. However, he put his lips to her ear and whispered, “I’m not touching. It just looks that way.”

She never looked at him, but she shifted slightly to create a little more distance between them. Stubborn woman, he thought.

When the feature film came on, he realized it was science fiction, not his favorite type of movie. With his eyes more adjusted to the dark, he checked out the people around them, recognizing several of Sheila’s friends.

By the time the movie ended, he was much more interested in Kelly than the Hollywood beauty on the screen. She seemed plastic compared to Kelly’s natural beauty. His arm had slipped gradually to rest on her shoulders. Once, she’d even cringed when the monsters seemed to jump off the screen toward them. He’d taken the opportunity to pull her close, her right breast pressing into his chest.

However, she recovered all too quickly.

When the lights came on, he leaned down and brushed her lips with his in a brief kiss, followed by whispering in her ear, “We’re being watched.”

She said nothing and Pete prayed no one managed to see the glare she sent him. He caught her hand in his. She tried to pull away, but she did resist discreetly. He held her fast.

Several more couples stopped and chatted on the way out, and Pete figured he was getting his money’s worth. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to lay it on thick.

“How about we stop at the ice-cream shop? Summer will be here before too long and I’m in the mood for a malt.”

Mary smiled. “Oh, that would be—I mean, what do you think, Kelly?”

How could Kelly refuse another half hour, knowing Pete’s suggestion had put the sparkle in her mother’s eyes. But she wanted to. She felt he’d overstepped his bounds with that kiss. The one she liked too much. “A malt would be fun, if you have the time,” she said, looking at Pete.

She knew why he’d suggested it. The front of the shop was all windows. Anyone arriving for the late show would see them. But the sooner Sheila knew about them, the less time she’d be involved in this charade.

Once seated with the promised malts in front of them, silence fell. Kelly tried to think of a subject that would engage both Rafe and Mary.

“Drew remembered seeing the horses when we visited last Sunday, Rafe.”

“He sure liked them. Gil’s real good with kids,” Rafe responded.

“I think you’d be good with kids, too, Pete, if you’d try,” Mary said, leaning forward.

“I doubt it,” he said. Then he asked Rafe about his herd.

Before Rafe could answer, Mary tried again. “But children are so wonderful. Drew is an absolute delight.”

“No, thanks,” Pete replied, more bluntly this time.

“But you haven’t—” Mary pushed.

Kelly tried to avert an ugly scene, but Pete was faster than she was.

“I already have a mother to nag on me about grand-kids,” he said fiercely. “I sure don’t need another one.”

Even Pete himself seemed appalled about his rudeness. Kelly supposed he’d opened his mouth to apologize, but she didn’t wait to find out. She pulled her mother from her chair and walked out of the ice-cream parlor.

“I’m so sorry, Kelly,” Mary apologized, tears in her eyes.

Kelly just kept walking. One of the few cabs in town was waiting at the movie theater, hoping to pick up a fare. Kelly opened the door and put her mother inside, following her as she gave the driver their address.

By the time the taxi started moving, Mary was sobbing. Kelly put her arms around her mother. “It’s all right, Mom.”

“But I’ve ruined everything!”

“Mom, there was nothing to ruin. It doesn’t matter whether or not Pete likes children. It was all a pretense.”

“But Lindsay said maybe you’d hit it off and—”

“I’m going to kill Lindsay,” Kelly muttered. Her best friend had obviously convinced her mother this evening was a possible romantic moment for Kelly.

“No, I don’t want to cause more problems!” Mary exclaimed.

Kelly sighed. “Don’t worry, Mom. I didn’t mean it. Everything’s fine. But you have to promise you’ll never try to persuade Pete he wants children ever again.”

“I promise,” Mary said, still weepy.

Pete was stunned by Kelly’s reaction. He knew he hadn’t been nice, but he’d been tense. And didn’t the woman understand the whole purpose of the evening? It certainly wasn’t to sell him on the idea of marrying and having a family.

He realized immediately he wasn’t going to get any sympathy from Rafe, even before he spoke.

“What’d you go and do that for?” Rafe demanded. “I think Mary was crying. Come on, let’s go after them.”

Before Rafe could get to his feet, Pete stopped him. “It won’t do any good, Rafe. I’m sorry I was rude, but Kelly would hardly talk to me before I opened my mouth. Now she’ll ignore me, or pull a gun on me.”

“I reckon you’re right, but we should make sure they get home safely. They got in the taxi, and I’ve heard old Lenny takes a few nips of whiskey while he waits for a customer.” He stood, waiting for Pete to join him.

Pete got up and followed Rafe out the door. “I’m sorry if I ruined your evening, Rafe. You and Mary seemed to be enjoying yourselves.”

“You think she was having a good time?” Rafe asked anxiously, making Pete feel even worse.

“Yeah, I think so.”

“She’s a sweet little thing. Has the greatest laugh. And she even liked the movie.”

“Yeah,” Pete agreed and apologized again. “I’m afraid I got kind of tense and—well, I should’ve found a way to convince her I’m not father material.”

“Why do you say that?” Rafe asked as he got into Pete’s car.

“Don’t you start on me, too. I’m trying to avoid marriage, not fall into the trap.”

“Gil seems mighty happy.”

“Good. I’m not Gil. I’ll apologize to Mary, but I’m not going to take up fatherhood.”

Pete set the car in motion. He could barely see the cab on the next block. He hoped Rafe had been wrong about what he’d heard. Pete would feel badly if there were an accident because of his rudeness.

The women were out of the cab and almost to the top of the stairs when he stopped the car in front of their building.

“We’d better get up there to make our apologies before they go to sleep,” Rafe urged.

“Maybe I should wait until tomorrow morning,” Pete suggested as the women closed the door. “You know, I could bring flowers, do the apology right. That would be better, wouldn’t it?”

Rafe stared at him. “You’re stalling.”

His succinct statement cut right through all Pete’s words.

With a sigh, he said, “You’re right. Okay, come on, let’s go.” He opened his door and got out of the car. He didn’t want to face either Kelly or her mother again tonight, but he couldn’t face his mother if he didn’t. She’d be mortified if she heard of his behavior.

Rafe joined him as he stepped on the first stair up.

“I guess you won’t ever forget this date, will you?” Rafe asked. “You ever been dumped before?”

“Not quite as efficiently. I don’t think Kelly likes any man. Not just me. I wonder why?”

“You don’t want to marry. I guess she has the same right,” Rafe pointed out.

“Yeah, but I like women. I just don’t want to marry one,” Pete explained.

“You’re spoiled,” Rafe told him with a grin.

Suddenly the door to the apartment four steps up flew open, and both women poured out. Panic was written on their faces.

“What’s wrong?” Rafe asked.

“Drew’s in the emergency room!” Kelly practically screamed, trying to shove her way past Pete.

He grabbed her arm to keep her from falling. “Come on. I’ll drive.”

Chapter Three

Pete watched Kelly out of the corner of his eye as he sped toward the hospital. He decided he could’ve been a four-headed monster and she wouldn’t have cared as long as he got her to her child.

Most of the young women he dated concentrated on either themselves or him. Kelly was only thinking of her child. She reminded him of his mother.

When he parked the car, she jumped out and was halfway to the emergency room before he could open his door. Mary hurried after her. Rafe waited for him to lock the door. Then the two of them followed the women.

“What do you think is wrong?” Rafe asked.

“Could be anything. Probably a broken bone. We had a lot of those while we were growing up,” Pete muttered.

Inside, Kelly was talking to Lindsay and Gil, Mary listening beside her. Then a nurse took Kelly away. Pete stared after her, feeling he should go with her, but he knew she wouldn’t want him. He crossed to Lindsay’s side. “What happened?”

“It’s his appendix, Pete,” a teary-eyed Lindsay said. “He was fussy, and I thought he missed Kelly. I tried to make him happy. Then he threw up! And—and he was running a fever. We called the doctor and he said bring him to the hospital!”

Gil put his arm around his wife. “It wasn’t your fault, honey. We did everything we could.”

Mary was fighting tears and Rafe had his arm around her, giving her strength.

Another nurse stepped forward. “Would you like to go up to the waiting room on the second floor? That’s where the doctor will come after the surgery.”

“Will Ms. Hampton go there?” Pete asked.

“Yes, sir, we’ll send her there when she comes back.”

Pete told the others to go upstairs and he’d wait here for Kelly. He didn’t think she should come back by herself.

“Oh, thanks, Pete. That’s a good idea,” Lindsay said, patting him on the arm.

Pete leaned against the nurses’ station counter, waiting for Kelly, wondering how dangerous the surgery was. He asked the nurses several questions. They said it was unusual for so young a child, but not too dangerous. He was feeling better about everything until he saw Kelly. Silent tears streamed down her pale cheeks as she walked toward him.

She almost passed him, and he realized she wasn’t seeing anything. He put an arm around her. “Kelly? Did you see Drew?”

Without answering, she turned and buried her face against his chest. He tightened his grip on her and buried his face in her hair. “Was he awake?”

She nodded, her sobs easing. “He was so frightened!”

“I know, honey. He’s little, but he’ll be okay.”

He couldn’t even understand the flood of protests she made, but he didn’t need to. He remembered his mother when Mike, his youngest brother, had been in a car accident. He’d been pretty messed up. No one, not even his dad, had been able to comfort her until she saw Mike again and had the doctor tell her he would be all right.

“Come on upstairs. The others have gone to the waiting room where the doctor will come when it’s over.”

With his arm still around her, he moved them to the elevator.

She seemed surprised when they reached the waiting room and Lindsay and Mary ran forward to hear the latest about Drew. When she pulled away from Pete’s warmth to hug them, he felt the loss. He wanted to protest and tell the other women that he could support Kelly better than them. He was stronger.

Eventually they sat down, and he took a chair nearby, with Rafe and Gil. There was little conversation. The men, all three of them, watched the women, ready at a minute’s notice to do anything they could to help.

But there was nothing.

Finally Mary and Kelly got up. Mary explained they were going to walk the halls for a little while. Pete offered to accompany them and Kelly gave him a strange look, as if surprised he was there.

Mary shook her head, and Pete settled back in the uncomfortable chair.

Lindsay came back to Gil’s side and he slid his arm around her. She put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. They made such a picture of oneness, Pete was surprised to feel envy. He’d seen it before with his parents. He’d even thought one day he might have that kind of relationship. But that was before he’d had experience with the opposite sex. An early engagement to a woman who was only interested in his money had filled him with cynicism.