A Daddy for Jacoby(73)

Silence fell over the yard.

A dull buzzing zoned in Gina’s ears. Her vision tunneled until everything around her was a hazy blur. All she saw was the little boy beaming at her with a goofy grin on his face and joy in his eyes.

Eyes so much like his father’s.

She whirled to find Justin staring at her, too, only his eyes were somber and serious.

When he’d come to her after announcing he would fight for Jacoby, Gina had fought to keep her feet planted in the cool grass. With every step he took, she wanted to back away. Wanted to kick herself for the way her body reacted to the sight of him, looking impossibly sexy in faded jeans and black collared polo shirt with the Blue Creek logo over his heart. Wanted to smooth the brown locks standing on end, knowing he must’ve been tearing his hair out until Jacoby was found. Wanted to fly into his arms the moment he spoke, but proud that she’d managed to declare she wasn’t interested in anything he had to say.

“What did he just say?” Gage’s tone was hard, the kindness gone from his face as he marched from the deck, heading straight for Gina.

No, he was gunning for Justin.

She held out her hand to stop him. “I’m not pregnant.”

“Sure you are!” Jacoby crowed.

“Gina, it’s okay. I know.” A warm hand cupped her elbow. She looked back, watching Justin pull something from his pocket. “I’ve seen the proof. And I think we should get married.”

Her mouth dropped. For a second she was glad he was holding on to her as his announcement sent her reeling.

“You what?”

“I’ll admit I’m flying by the seat of my pants here,” Justin’s gaze flickered from her to her family, then came back, reflecting hesitation but also a strong sense of purpose. “But I will not miss out on one day of being a father. Not this time. Not with this baby.”

This was crazy! She yanked from his touch. “There is no baby.”

“You’ll be a wonderful stepmother for Jacoby,” Justin continued speaking over her protest. “The cabin isn’t very big, but I’m sure Gage won’t mind if I add another room. It’s plain and practical at the moment, but I know you can make it a home…for all of us, for our family.”

All the right words for all the wrong reasons.

Gina had dreamed that one day Justin would ask her to share his life, but not this way. He didn’t love her. He was running on pure adrenaline after all he’d been through and the idea that their time together had created a baby had him teetering on the edge of an imaginary cliff.

“There will be no wedding,” Gina stated firmly, tearing her gaze from him to look at her brother and then her mother. The shocked expression on her pale face caused Gina’s stomach to take a nauseous roll. Wow, losing her dinner on Justin’s boots wouldn’t help her make her case.

She pulled in a deep breath and tried again. “I. Am. Not. Pregnant.”

“She’s right. I am.”

Everyone turned to look at Racy. She walked to Justin and pulled the stick from his grip. “This pregnancy test is mine.”

Turning to her husband, she smiled. “I’m the one who’s going to have a baby.”

“You are? We are?” Gage stammered. “But how— Why would Jacoby think—”

“I took the test today at Gina’s.” Racy laid a hand on her husband’s chest, moving closer as he encircled her in his arms. “I’ve been waiting for the best time to tell you, but things have been a bit hectic tonight.”

“But…it’s us?” Gage asked.

“Yes.” Racy rose on tiptoe and gave her husband a quick kiss. “It’s us, Daddy.”

Gage’s smile was wide as he wrapped Racy in a bear hug, but he immediately released her to lay a hand over her still-flat belly. Racy covered his hand with hers and nodded.

Gina turned away, blinking back the sting of tears at the loving gesture.

“Oh, this is wonderful news!” Sandy Steele clasped her hands together. “Let’s all go inside and celebrate! I’ve got freshly baked pies cooling in the kitchen.”

Gina sent her a grateful look, silently mouthing thank you as her mother hustled everyone back into the house, including Jacoby, who seemed just as happy his title was now cousin instead of big brother.

Silence fell over the yard again, as uncomfortable as before because she wasn’t alone out there. Justin hadn’t moved a step either.