"The in-sickness-and-in-health, until-death-do-us-part stuff. I don't want to buy into this fantasy that I've had in my head for so long a time."
"What fantasy?" Did he have a starring role in this image in her head or was he a walk-on replacement? He suspected the latter.
"Oh, Jake. Don't make me tell you this."
He held his hands up. Far be it for him to force anything from her. "I'm not making you tell me anything."
"I know. Let's go inside and tell Peter we're getting married." She started walking out of the garden. Jake wasn't really ready to rejoin his family. Even though he'd convinced Larissa to marry him, he knew his dad still wouldn't be pleased.
"I'm not sure how much he understands," Jake said, letting her change the subject.
"He's pretty smart for his age. But you're right, I don't think he realizes we aren't married."
She kept walking and he had no choice but to follow her. Dammit, when had he become a coward? He took her elbow and led her up the path to the house. "He took to me being his dad really well."
"I'm sure the two shopping carts of toys you bought him didn't hurt."
"Hey, the kid had never been to Toys "R" Us, Rissa. I think that constitutes neglect," he said. Jake had never been to one, either. He and Peter had enjoyed their afternoon in the store immensely.
She pulled away from him and stopped. "Peter's not neglected."
"Hey, I was kidding. You've done a great job with our son. I'm proud to call him my boy."
"Sorry about that. Must be the single mom in me."
"Well, you're not a single parent anymore."
"No, I'm not. That's going to take some adjusting for all of us. And for all his easygoing nature, you wouldn't believe how stubborn he can be about things."
"Sure I would. He's your son."
"I'm not stubborn."
"What would you call it?"
"Determined," she said with a faint smile.
They'd reached the house, but she didn't enter. She stood there with her hands twisted together and waited.
He pulled her close for a quick hug and then opened the door to the house. Even though he'd never had any trouble sweet-talking women, suddenly he couldn't find the right words to use with Larissa. He was out of his element here and he didn't like it.
He led her back into the library. His folks were sitting on the floor with Peter, helping him put together a puzzle. Standing with Larissa at his side and watching his parents and son together, Jake felt like everything in his world had finally come together.
Seven
« ^ »
Larissa was glad to leave Crofthaven behind. She'd put Peter in the new car seat in Jake's big Suburban while he went to have a few last words with his father and Wes. It was odd to see Jake and Wes at Crofthaven, but they fit in there in a way she'd never imagined.
Nicola had recommended a Vegas wedding and would contact a few of the bridal magazines to come and photograph her for their spreads. Jake had taken over when they'd reentered the living room and she'd been happy to take a back seat to him. This whole marriage thing still felt very surreal.
She knew she was never going to sleep tonight. Too much had happened and she needed time to herself to figure it out. She'd never imagined that having a child with a man could make things so complicated. There were some papers she had to sign before they were married. The family lawyer, Jake's cousin Marcus, had recommended she get her lawyer to read them. Unlike the Danforths, she didn't have a lawyer. But she had a friend from college who'd become one.
According to Marcus, the papers were straightforward—your run-of-the-mill prenuptial agreement without too many complications. She understood why Jake had wanted a paternity test after reading it. Jake had more money and assets that she'd ever imagined.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose. She felt she was getting a migraine. She took Mr. Bear from her purse and tucked him into the car seat with Peter.
Though the hour was late, Peter was still awake. Meeting his family hadn't intimidated him at all. He was practically buzzing with excitement. She sat next to him in the back seat of the car.
"Did you know my daddy has two brothers and two sisters?" he asked her.
She pushed his hair back from his eyes. "Yes, I did."
"But one of my aunts is missing."
Victoria. Jake had told her a little bit about it earlier. They'd found a body in the attic at Crofthaven and the family refused to believe the remains might be Vicky's. But so far no proof had been offered. "I'd heard that as well."
"My grandmother—she said I could call her Granny—told me all about them."
"I'm glad. Do you like having all this family?"