The McKenzie Brothers: Windemere Part 24

Chapter Twenty-Six.

"DO STOP FIDGETING, JULIAN. You're going to make everyone nervous."

"No one has said a word since I told them. I think they're already nervous. Probably think I'm going to pop off at any moment."

Emma fought down an irritated sigh. Her family's unexpected arrival was enough to weight the air with thick tension. Did they all have to descend at the same time? All except Drew, that was, and she was never so grateful for the business that kept him far away. Too bad Garrett wasn't equally occupied.

No. That wasn't true. She was thrilled to see her family. Her cheeks still burned a little at the raised eyebrow her father offered up at the sight of her round belly, but he laughed and embraced her when she told him about the baby. In return, he shared the wonderful news about George and Rose's wedding.

Momma was a little slower to come around, but then Papa drew his arm about her shoulder and reminded her that the mail was slow, and the letter announcing her condition would be waiting for them when they returned to Brunswick. And besides, he added with a grin, they hadn't missed the child's arrival, but could stay until well after its birth, if no one minded.

But now, everyone was settled in and the time had come for Julian to finally clear the air. Emma frowned as the baby kicked, its foot firmly planted somewhere between her ribs. "Do stop that," she ground out, reaching up to retie Julian's neckcloth. "I'm breathless enough as it is."

Julian's hand pressed against the side of her belly, and he chuckled. "I feel a foot. Or perhaps it's a knee."

"Whatever it is, I do wish she would move it."

"She?"

Emma smiled up at him. "She. At least for today. Tomorrow may be different." She ran her hands across his shoulders. "And now you are perfectly presentable. And stop looking as if you're walking up onto a gallows. They aren't going to attack you, you know."

"Perhaps not, but they aren't going to be happy to hear this, either. They already look at me as if I've corrupted you beyond all reason."

"Well, that's because you have."

He slid his arms around her, squeezing her gently. "Are you complaining?"

"Hardly." She let him cradle her close for a few minutes and then pulled away. "And now you've stalled long enough. Everything will be fine. You'll see."

She slid her arm through his, giving his arm a squeeze as they made their way into the library where everyone awaited them. Supper had been pleasant, and everyone seemed content. And when Julian finished speaking, Emma held her breath, waiting for their reactions.

To their credit, not one of them-not even Mary-interrupted. Several looks of disbelief crossed over their faces, but everyone let him talk, even as his voice cracked and took on that faraway note she recognized.

She sat beside him, her chin up, and her fingers woven through his, and when it was over, she squeezed gently. Her stomach did a slow flip as both her mother and her father just stared at him with blank expressions. "Momma, Papa? Please say something."

Momma turned to Garrett. "Why didn't you fetch your father or me?"

Garrett's brows rose at the irritation in her voice. "Because neither of us wanted to answer a thousand questions. Julian was enough of a mess that night as it was."

Papa cleared his throat. "It wouldn't have mattered, Becca. People would still have gossiped and accused." He looked over at Julian. "I believe you."

Mary's face was a little pale, and she visibly swallowed, but still, a smile came through as she said, "I also believe you. And I never once thought Em was in harm's way. Not once."

Garrett shrugged. "I've always believed you, McCallister. You know that."

"I do." Julian looked from Garrett to her father, and finally to her mother. "And you need to know that Emma will never be in any danger with me. And neither will our child. You have my word. I love them both far too much to ever lift a hand in anger to either."

As he spoke, he gazed at Emma with such tenderness that her cheeks warmed. No man ever looked at her with such unabashed love, and she smiled, squeezing his hand again.

Momma studied her as if she'd never seen her own daughter before. Her expression, so hard when they all sat down, softened. "I've been so afraid for you, Emma, since you were twelve years old. So afraid that you, Julian, would see her as more than Garrett's younger sister. And that...and that she would suffer for it."

Papa slipped his hand beneath hers and laced their fingers. "I don't think you need worry any longer, Becca. Perhaps it's time we both tried a dose of Emma's optimism."

Momma dabbed at her eye with a fingertip and slowly nodded. "I've been trying, but it isn't easy."

Emma pulled her hand from Julian's and moved to embrace her mother. "Everything will be fine, Momma. You'll see."

"Of course it will." Momma squeezed her tight. "And I will remind you of this when it's your child that has you pacing the floors nonstop."

Emma laughed, blinking back tears as well. She pulled back. "I didn't make you pace all that often, did I?"

Momma reached up to smooth a wayward curl back behind Emma's ear. "Often enough, love. Often enough."

Garrett coughed. "If we're finished here, I'm going into town for a bit. McCallister, care to join me?"

Julian shook his head. "I don't think so, McKenzie. I've a bit of lost time to make up for." He winked at Emma, which made her blush deepen. "So if you will both excuse us..."

He stood, and Emma's blush worsened as her mother averted her gaze and her father cleared his throat. "Very well. I will see you both in the morning."

Emma ducked her head against Julian as he ushered her from the library. "I should box your ears for that. My face feels like it's on fire now!"

His chuckle was a low growl in her ear. "You're carrying my child, sweetheart. I think it's a bit late to worry about blus.h.i.+ng now."

"Julian!"

"Oh, come now, Emma, I'm going to make you blush as often as possible. You do it so well." He ducked as this time she did try to box his ears. Then, to her shock and horror, he grabbed her around the waist and simply tossed her over his shoulder.

"Julian!" The floor seemed terribly far away, and when he started up the stairs, she was terrified he'd drop her. "Julian! Put me down now."

"If you say so."

The floor came rus.h.i.+ng up, but he caught her with a teasing, "Saved your life, love. Saved your life."

"I'm going to end your life if you don't put me down."

But her threats apparently meant little to him, as he kept her dangling over his shoulder until they were safely ensconced behind the closed doors of their bedroom, where he toppled her onto the bed and proceeded to kiss her into a state of mindless want and fiery need. One she was not about to ignore, and so lost herself in his arms, in his touch, and in his kisses.

"Are you certain this is what you wish, Emma?"

Emma smiled at her mother. Ocean breezes picked up, whipping inland to tug on bonnets from heads and wreak havoc with ribbons, and Momma was having a devil of a time keeping her plum-colored bonnet in place. "Yes, Momma. We'll come visit. You'll come visit us. Everything will be fine. I promise."

Momma still looked as if she was going to cry, but she pressed her lips together and nodded. "Very well," she finally said, although she didn't sound any happier than she looked.

They were onboard the Amelia, ready to leave for Bridgeport, and Julian was hoping to leave at dusk. Emma didn't care when they left, as long as the voyage went by quickly.

Garrett and Mary had left for Brunswick earlier in the week, but her parents were staying on St. Kitts a little longer. Although he was satisfied with how Julian straightened out the accounts and smoothed Windemere's operations, Papa wanted to be the one to fire Mr. Holland and hire his replacement. After all, the plantation was his responsibility-especially since Julian turned down his offer of taking it on.

Now, Papa chuckled, his arm about Momma's shoulders. "Becca, they will be fine. You'll see. We'll head north in a few months, and that should give them enough time to get their home in order and welcome any guests. And then, he'd be pa.s.sing through Brunswick on a regular basis as well. He'll have to, seeing as he's my s.h.i.+pbuilder as well now."

Julian emerged from the cargo hold. "A regular reunion here," he said, climbing down the gangplank. "Captain McKenzie. I didn't think you'd be here."

"Why? I haven't forgotten our bargain. You need orders for s.h.i.+ps. I need s.h.i.+ps to run all over the globe. You'll be in Brunswick more now than when you actually lived here." Papa flashed a grin. "All I ask is that you stay in Bridgeport when Emma's time comes."

"I'm not stupid. I plan to make myself quite at home and keep a watchful eye over my bride. She's sneaky, and will probably drive me batty, but that's my cross."

The banter continued for a good portion of the afternoon, and when the s.h.i.+p was finally loaded, Emma faced her mother, and an unexpected lump clogged her throat. This was it, she was finally saying good bye to her family.

Emma's lighthearted mood faded as she embraced her father. He crushed her close, whispering, "I love you. Take care of him. Good care of him."

"I will, Papa. And he will take care of me. Everything is going to be fine. You'll see. Once we get settled, you and Momma will come see for yourself."

"I look forward to it. This is a good thing. In time, your mother will see it as well." He gave her another squeeze. "Go. Before I make a fool of myself and cry."

Her own eyes stung just as much, so she sniffed and pulled away from him. He turned away as her mother stepped up and held out her arms.

Without a thought, Emma sank into them and held on for dear life.

Momma embraced her. "Take care, Emma, please, if you need anything, send us word."

"I will, Momma. But everything is going to be okay."

"Perhaps Miss Peterson would be willing to travel to Bridgeport."

"Momma, I'll find my own midwife." Emma hugged her and gently squeezed her mother's neck. "I will miss you, Momma. Very much."

Momma sniffed, dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief, and nodded. "And I will miss you, sweetling. But you will be happy. I know you will."

"I know I will." She turned to make her way up the gangplank, where Julian waited for her.

She slid her arm through his, and when he brought his hand to cover hers, she smiled up at him. For the first time in a long time, everything seemed right in the world. This was where she belonged. Right there, with the man she'd loved for almost half her life at her side.

The lines were cast off, the winds filled the sails, and the Amelia b.u.mped gently from her slip as they moved. Emma remained where she was, watching, waving, until her parents were dots on the horizon and it grew too dark to see. Julian left her side long enough to speak to the s.h.i.+p's captain, but then he returned, draping an arm about her shoulders.

His lips grazed her temple. "Shall we go below, Mrs. McCallister?"

"I suppose. It's too dark to see anything anyhow."

"Worry not. It won't be long before they turn up on our doorstep. And when they do, it will be to offer extra hands with the baby. And we'll be grateful for the help."

The baby s.h.i.+fted, making Emma gasp, and then she leaned into him. "It still seems so far away."

"It's only a few months. And most of that will be taken up with being on the water."

"Don't remind me."

He kissed the top of her head as he guided her into their cabin and smiled as he leaned back against the door. "But that won't be for a while. Now, come here," he reached for her and snapped her into his arms. "We are completely alone and this is our wedding trip, so shall we make like most newlyweds?"

She giggled as he pressed teasing kisses along her neck. Oh, yes, they should definitely make like most newlyweds, and she made sure he knew it as she wrapped all around him and surrendered to the bliss she knew they'd find.

THE END.

Acknowledgments.

To Tom for putting up with me during the craziness that was the writing of this book. Somehow, "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough, but thank you. Without your support and understanding and patience (never mind your taking the kids to the sh.o.r.e to give me several completely free days of writing time) I'd have never met a single deadline.

A million thanks to my editor, Elizabeth, and her merciless red pen. Without either of them, this book would not exist.

To Grace Wen, Andy Dunn, Marguerite Butler, Erin Miller, Celina Summers and all the other Fangsters over at AbsoluteWrite-thank you for the cheers, encouragement, and for letting me vent when deadlines loomed and I still had half a book to rewrite. You made me keeping my sanity possible.

About the Author.

Kim fell in love with historical romance when she was sixteen, and blames it on Kathleen Woodiwiss, since it was her The Flame and the Flower that got her hooked. Not long after finis.h.i.+ng it, she sat down to write one herself and now, many years later, she's still writing them.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Kim still lives there with her husband, two children, a dog, and a handful of gerbils. When she's not pounding away at the computer keyboard, she does crossword and Sudoku puzzles, knits, breaks wrestling matches between the kids, and occasionally, she gets to read. She's also a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, and the New York Rangers. She also loves Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones.

Website: http://www.kimberlynee.com.

end.