Way of the Warrior (Troubleshooters #17.5)(108)
Alisha had to get moving. She pushed away from the counter she’d been leaning on and got into gear. Unpacking the boxes and scrambling to get things in place before everyone arrived was a serious race, not to mention the long night of lovemaking had already exhausted her. No rest for the weary! She still had her hands full, unwrapping the dangling crystals that would make up the dining room chandelier, too. Busy, busy, busy. She pushed herself into overdrive.
The trays for the party would be here at ten a.m. and then it would be time to set up for the party…and for the baby reveal. She was crossing her fingers that it all went as planned.
CHAPTER 8
Alisha distracted Kevin while Jonah double-timed his actions putting the crib together and setting up the baby room. The SEAL had looked like a grinning monkey when she had shared the news. She had punched him in the stomach and told him not to get any ideas, and then she had passed over the keys to her car and urged Jonah to hurry. Then, she maneuvered Kevin into the kitchen to help her with the process of putting together the kitchen table and chairs.
Honestly, she could have done it herself, but the busywork was keeping the father-to-be distracted. The problem was, he was doing it all too fast.
“Are you sure there aren’t any more screws?” asked Kevin.
“Let me see,” said Alisha, feeling around on the floor behind her. “Oh, yeah, here are a few more.”
Kevin scratched his ear. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve known you for years, Alisha, and I’ve seen you put stuff like this together in twenty minutes flat. We’ve been in here for about a half an hour. And, where’s Julie?” Kevin picked up his phone and texted.
A phone binged from the other room.
“Well, I guess she’s back.” Kevin was fast. He was on the go and out of the kitchen before she could stop him.
“Wait!” she shouted. But the man was gone.
She ran out of the kitchen and stopped in the doorway of the nursery.
Jonah was blocking her way. His voice was a low, rumbling whisper. “Give them a minute.”
“No, I want to see.”
His forefinger touched her chin.
She lifted her lips to his. The kiss was succulent. Its tenderness wrapped around her heart like a warm hug. Reluctantly, she pulled away. “Please.”
He nodded, stepping aside.
The sight that greeted her was humbling and soul sweet. Kevin was hugging his wife, who was curled up on his lap. Tears were streaming down both their faces.
Kevin looked up at them. “A boy. We’re having a boy.”
Her eyes sought Jonah’s, and the emotion on his face was mirrored in her own. They had that in common, wanting only happiness for their friends.
“May you have as many babies as my parents did,” said Jonah as he stepped forward and patted Kevin on the back and then kissed the top of Julie’s head. Then he walked to the door and took Alisha’s hand.
It felt good to hold his hand. To be connected in this special moment.
He led her from the room, leaving the lovebirds alone together. When they got back into the kitchen, he pulled her into his arms and held her. “I love you, Alisha. It’s always been you. You are my passion.”
Her heart sang with those words. “I love you, too.”
“You better love me more,” said a female voice from the door.
A twinge of jealousy pierced her.
Two more females chimed in. “Jonah’s my favorite, and I’m his.” They started to argue.
Jonah cleared his throat loudly. “Alisha, I’d like you to meet my sisters.”
“Your sisters. Ah, hi.” The jealousy melted like snow in the sun. “Good to meet you.”
“This is my fiancée, though I’m going to redo that title in some kind of fancy, memorable way.” Jonah explained, hugging her close. He whispered in her ear. “I’m one of ten. Don’t be intimidated, just hold your own. Okay?”
She nodded her agreement, and seeing all those bodies, knew exactly what to do. “Ladies, we need your help to finish organizing the house. Can we count on you?”
The answer was a resounding, “Yes!” as they sprung into action. Jonah’s sisters finished putting the table and chairs together. Cleaned the counters. Unpacked groceries and put out the trays. One of them even ran to town for the appetizers, pizzas, and beer. It might not have been fancy in some people’s opinion, but it was exactly the kind of party that made everyone in this hometown feel loved.
Pretty soon the house was overflowing with guests. New neighbors. Old friends. House builders. Engineers. Architects. The local priest blessed the house, and platters of food covered every surface, welcoming the Tomses to Julian. The mountains were graced this day with family and friends and a celebration of the spirit.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anne Elizabeth is an award-winning romance author and comic creator of the teen-rated PULSE Series. With a BS in business and MS in communications from Boston University, she is a regular presenter at conventions, as well as a member of The Authors Guild and Romance Writers of America. AE lives with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL, in the mountains above San Diego. They are very active in the West Coast SEAL Community and volunteer for the California Parks. For more information, visit AnneElizabeth.net.