Seducing Simon(34)

The line had formed as the barbeque ribs and chicken were laid out on the table. Delicious smells filled the air and several groaned their appreciation. Every year the barbeque was eagerly awaited as it was generally accepted Chief Maxwell cooked the best darn barbeque in southeast Texas.

The talk centered around the latest fire or ambulance calls. The sheriff’s deputies added their stories of the latest weirdos they had arrested. Then, of course, the conversation settled on something they all appreciated. Football.

Toni sat to the side to eat, watching the others. A.J. was flirting with Darcy, an EMT with the ambulance service. She grinned. He was barking up the wrong tree with that one. Darcy knew far too much about A.J. to ever give him the time of day, and if A.J. knew just how marriage minded Darcy was, he’d drop her like a bad habit.

Her attention turned to Matt and Stephanie, and once again she felt a pang at their obvious devotion to one another. Stephanie was a sweet girl and perfect for Matt. Toni just hoped Stephanie felt as much for Matt as he did her.

Then her gaze slid to Starla who stood several feet away from where Simon was conversing with Chief Maxwell. It escaped Toni why Starla had even shown up, but then the barbeque always got its fair share of people who invited themselves. Before the day was over, most of the town would probably end up coming by.

A series of shrill beeps split the air and a chorus of groans soon followed. The on duty guys, including Mike, scrambled up and headed for the inside of the station. He stopped on his way by and offered an apology. “I’m sorry, Toni. If I’m not back by the time you get ready to leave, can you get a ride home with Simon and A.J.?”

She nodded and he hurried off. A few minutes later, the fire truck left the station and the party resumed. She picked at the rest of her food, her appetite practically non-existent.

A curious tightening in her abdomen had her shifting in her seat to alleviate the discomfort. After a few minutes, she got up and threw her plate away in the garbage. She stood watching everyone else, fidgeting from one foot to another. She couldn’t explain the slight unease she felt.

In relief, she turned her attention to Matt, who stood and motioned for silence. Stephanie stood beside him, smiling shyly at the people now staring at her and Matt. Toni’s chest tightened and a smile found its way to her mouth. She knew what was coming.

“I have good news, folks,” Matt announced, a broad grin on his face.

He glanced down at Stephanie and squeezed her hand. “Stephanie has agreed to marry me.”

The people gathered erupted in cheers and whistles and Matt and Stephanie were immediately swarmed as everyone came to offer congratulations, hugs and handshakes.

Toni stood back, her smile growing ever wider. It was wonderful to see Matt so happy. He found her gaze and she smiled even bigger. He returned her smile then mouthed I love you.

She blew him a kiss then wiped quickly at her eyes. When the crowd around them lessened, Toni walked over and enfolded Matt in her biggest hug. “I’m happy for you,” she whispered.

He gripped her harder.

Then she drew away and smiled at Stephanie. “Congratulations, Steph.” She hugged her future sister-in-law.

“Thank you, Toni. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” she asked anxiously, holding on to both of Toni’s hands as they drew apart.

“You’re kidding right?” she asked in mock surprise. “Anyone who can make him smile that big has my blessing.” She winked at Stephanie.

“You two make a great couple.”

Stephanie relaxed and settled back into Matt’s side.

“Do you have a date yet?” Toni asked.

Stephanie looked up at Matt. “We thought next summer.” Matt nodded his agreement.

Once again, Toni felt the discomfort of guilt. She had a feeling if it weren’t for the fact she was pregnant, they would marry much earlier.

But as it was, they wouldn’t have a house to live in until she and the other guys moved out.

She turned away and excused herself then headed inside the station to go to the bathroom. A few minutes alone would do wonders before her smile cracked in front of everyone else. And she did have to pee awfully bad.

But when she pulled down her underwear and sat down on the toilet, she forgot all about everything but the faint smudges of blood in her panties.

Her stomach clenched and panic swelled in her throat. She closed her eyes and tried to remember the passage in her pregnancy book about blood. Damn it, there were only forty different reasons a pregnant woman could spot, but the one uppermost in her mind was miscarriage.

Chapter Thirteen

Toni walked outside, her eyes seeking A.J. When she zeroed in on his location, she made a beeline for him. Thankfully, he was on the edge of the crowd of people so they wouldn’t attract any attention.

She walked up to him and touched him on the arm. He stopped talking to the sheriff’s deputy and turned to her. Alarm flashed in his eyes. Was her fear that obvious?

Before he could voice any concern, she tightened her grip on his arm.

“Can I speak to you a minute?” she asked in a low voice, hoping not to be overheard by anyone else.

He followed her over a few feet then immediately demanded to know what was wrong. She swallowed the rising panic and tried to speak calmly so as not to alarm him further. “Can you take me home?” He frowned. “Sure, but what’s wrong?”