“Because you once told me that one of the nuns you loved had secretly nicknamed you Sister Mary-Ashley in the hopes that you’d grow up and find your vocation as a nun.
“Thank God you didn’t, but the name is beautiful, just like you.” His voice trailed off. His arm slid all the way around her stomach and he held her even closer, if that was possible.
In panic she blurted, “I need to get up and use the rest room.”
Instead of a protest, a chuckle met her outcry. “I’ve heard a pregnant woman can never afford to be too far from a bathroom, especially during the last few months.”
She inhaled a huge lungful of air as he released her and helped her to sit up. She braced herself to get off the bed. “I swear there’s absolutely no more room inside me. I can’t even imagine what I’m going to look like in another couple of weeks.”
If they could keep things light when they were alone, she just might survive the rest of the week.
He levered himself behind her, putting his hands to her shoulders once they were both on their feet. “I’m sorry about your discomfort. But if you want to know the truth, after thinking we couldn’t have our own child, I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than the sight of you nine months’ pregnant.”
With another breathtaking kiss to the side of her neck, he let her go. Her body was shaking so hard, she could barely walk to the bathroom door unaided. Cord could have no idea of his effect on her senses.
“We’re going to be late for dinner,” he said as soon as she emerged a few minutes later.
A hand went to her throat. “I can’t believe I slept so long. Did you enjoy your workout at the gym?”
; His half-smile tugged at her heart. “Very much. Most of the guys on the program were in there. They all envied me my gorgeous roommate and wondered where I found the time to smoke when I had a wife like you waiting for me down the hall.”
She averted her eyes as heat filled her cheeks. Inwardly she moaned because all the old feelings for him which had been lying dormant had come to life once more. He was acting exactly like the Cord she’d fallen in love with. It simply wasn’t fair.
“After that comment, I didn’t last long because all I could think about was getting back to the room. To you,” he said in a husky voice. “When I discovered that you were in a deep sleep, I decided I could use a nap myself.
“Though I have a perfectly good hospital bed of my own not six feet away from you, I admit that I took advantage of your vulnerable state. In truth, I couldn’t help myself and refuse to apologize.”
Unrepentant and self-confident, he escorted her to the dining room where she had to face all those married men who had shared some private thoughts and moments together in the gym. She knew all was said in fun.
Nevertheless she blushed once more when she entered the room with Cord’s arm around her shoulders because one of them winked at Cord in greeting.
Fortunately the women appeared to be in a talkative mood. They wanted to know how soon Ashley was due. The conversation centered around children and before long the whole group was sharing pictures of their own children and in some cases, grandchildren.
Every woman in the room had been a mother, so each one had a tale to tell of their delivery which was embellished by their husbands until all were laughing.
It felt good. Six couples, all bonded together because of a desire to make a change for the better in their lives. They shared stories and talked as if they’d been close friends for years. But eventually, the talk got around to the reason why they were all in the hospital.
At that point, Cord’s pleasant, almost lazily satisfied demeanor changed. The hand holding hers tightened into a fierce grip before he seemed to realize what he was doing and let it go with a low-murmured apology.
When they returned to their room Cord took her by the shoulders and stared down into her eyes, his expression sober.
“I can’t promise yet that I won’t smoke another cigarette in my lifetime, but I swear to you right now that I’ll never, ever smoke around you or our child.” His voice rang with conviction.
Her eyes smarted, but she didn’t look away. “I believe you, Cord. There’s no question in my mind that you’re going to be a loving, caring, demonstrative father, that you’ll be all the things your own father missed being.
“Since we both recognize that this child’s conception was nothing less than miraculous, I know,” her voice shook, “that you’ll keep your promise.”
His eyes were hooded as he whispered, “Thank you for that.” He unexpectedly lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. A featherlight kiss which felt like the seal of a vow, rather than a prelude to passion. She had the overwhelming conviction in her heart that he would never break that vow. She loved him for it. “While you get ready for bed, I’ll set up Boggle.”
“Boggle?” It was a spelling game they often played on snowy winter nights at the ranger’s cabin after they were married. Just the mention of it brought back myraid memories that made her heart turn over. “Did you find it in the lounge?”
He flashed her one of his heart-stopping smiles. “No. I brought it from home in the hope that you’d play it with me.”
It had been on the tip of her tongue to refuse him on the grounds that she was too tired. But secretly, she was afraid to spend any more time with him.
Every conceivable barrier which she’d taken the greatest pains to erect in order to counteract his power, was in danger of being knocked aside by an unexpected look of desire igniting his dark blue eyes, or the compelling curve of his male mouth at a vulnerable moment.