Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove #4)(82)

"You cared about him, didn't you?"

"No," she cried, and knew that was a lie. "Yes... fool that I was. I did care at one time, but not anymore. Oh, Cliff, don't you know? It's you I love. I can't give up on the two of us. I tried to and I'd almost succeeded but then Lisa—"

"You spoke to Lisa?"

Grace winced; she was only making matters worse.

"You and Lisa talked?" he repeated.

Grace nodded, swallowing hard. "She came to see me at the library, and I'm so grateful she did."

"What did she say?"

Grace stared down at the sleeping kitten in her lap. "She said you loved me, too."

He dropped into a crouch so they were at eye-level and tucked his finger beneath her chin. "That was when you started this e-mail campaign, wasn't it?"

She nodded again. She wondered if her barrage of messages had succeeded. This was the first time they'd actually talked face-to-face, and she wanted to throw her arms around his neck. Well, except for the kitten, of course...

Cliff held her gaze for the longest moment before looking away.

"Did it work?" she whispered.

At first she didn't think he was going to answer, but then he gave her a lightning-quick smile. "You're a difficult woman to ignore."

"I am?" Her heart was jumping inside her chest. "Really?"

"Before I knew it, I was hurrying to the mailbox every day and logging on to my computer, hoping there'd be a note from you."

The Internet was part of what had gotten her into this mess. It was only fitting that it should be a means of getting back what she'd lost.

"Are you willing to give me another chance?" she asked, holding her breath for fear of what he might say.

"We can begin slowly."

She bit her lower lip. "Thank you."

Cliff wiped the tears from her cheeks. "How about if we have a cup of coffee and talk once you're finished here?"

Grace nodded, so happy she was afraid she'd start crying again. Maybe they could attend Charlotte's wedding together. She hardly dared hope....

Forty-One

Cecilia knocked lightly on her employer's open door. Mr. Cox glanced up from his paperwork, smiling when he saw her.

"I wanted to remind you that I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon," she said.

Zachary Cox's gaze went to his appointment calendar. "Ah, yes, I see that now. As it happens, Rosie and I are taking the afternoon off ourselves."

Her employer had escaped with his wife for several afternoons this summer. Cecilia suspected they were rediscovering the excitement of being in love, the passion of their early years. "Will Allison be coming in today?"

Mr. Cox nodded absently. "Rosie's teaching her how to knit. Her first project is a blanket for your baby."

Cecilia had proudly shared the news of her pregnancy with Allison a week earlier. "That's so sweet of her."

Mr. Cox smiled again. "You've been very good for my daughter, and this is something she wanted to do for you."

All Cecilia had really done was listen to the girl. She'd been going through a difficult time after her parents' divorce, but she seemed to have made a complete turnaround.

"Leave whenever you need to, Cecilia."

"The ultrasound is scheduled for two-thirty."

"Is your husband going with you?" Zach asked.

Cecilia nodded. "He wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good. I'll see you in the morning then."

Cecilia returned to her desk, her spirits high. Every day was special. The dreaded morning sickness had slowly disappeared, just as it did the first time.

Now that he'd accepted her pregnancy, Ian was a hundred percent supportive, his attitude one of eager anticipation. She felt more confident than ever in her husband's love.

At two-thirty, Ian was waiting for her at the navy hospital, pacing the hallway outside the technician's office.

"I'm here," she said.

Ian hurried over to her. "How are you feeling?"

"All right. Just as important, how are you feeling?"

His grin was so sexy, it was all she could do not to kiss him right then and there. "Excited. We're going to see a picture of our baby."

"I'm excited, too."

He started to open the office door, but Cecilia stopped him. "We should decide now if we want to know the sex of the baby or if we want to wait."

"Do you want to know?" he asked.

"It doesn't matter to me either way."

He agreed. "Me neither." He held open the door for her and they walked into the reception area. Several other expectant mothers, at varying stages of pregnancy, were already waiting.

Cecilia went up to the counter and handed over the necessary paperwork, along with her navy identification. When she'd finished, they sat down next to each other. Ian held her hand and gently rubbed it with his thumb in a soothing, comforting motion. He was nervous, she realized, but then so was she.

It seemed to take forever before her name was called. With a full bladder, she'd found it hard to sit still for that long. But finally it was their turn. Ian entered the inner office with her, after which they were led into the ultrasound room. Once Cecilia was lying on the table, her belly covered with cool gel, she noticed how pale Ian had become. He'd asked to come with her, but now she wondered if this was such a good idea.