Page 44 of Bridles and Bribery

Jillian wasn’t in a party mood, but didn’t have the energy to contradict her mother-in-law. She forced herself to go through the motions of showering and changing into white knit leggings and an olive shirt with white polka dots. She was too emotionally beat to put much work into her hair and makeup. In the end, she opted to leave her hair tumbling in blonde waves around her shoulders.

Since Gil had continued fussing about their neighbor coming over, Eloise had invited him to join them and play watchdog. It was unclear if he was bringing Bliss with him. While Jillian was putting on her lip gloss, she heard the rumble of Gil’s tank in the driveway outside. Instead of immediately being turned off, she heard one of the garage doors roll open.

He’s parking inside? Why?

Moments later, there was a knock on the master bedroom door.

“Coming!” She stepped out of the bathroom and made her way across the room, but the door was already being pushed open.

It was Dave!

She gasped and nearly fainted.

He shut and locked the door behind him, hurrying herway with a finger against his mouth to buy her silence. His outfit wasn’t one he’d packed and taken with him. It was solid black — from his long-sleeved shirt and utility vest, to his cargo pants, to the combat boots tied over them. She’d seen Gil dressed like that a few times, while coming and going from his job at Lonestar Security.

She fell into his arms. They stood there clinging to each other for a breathless, tension-charged moment.

“I love you, babe.” Dave spoke against the side of her neck, just breathing her in. “I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know.”

Happy tears streaked down her cheeks. “Did you come home to pick a fight with me?” she choked. “Because it’s not humanly possible for you to have missed me more than I missed you.”

“Wanna bet?” He raised his head and found her lips.

She’d missed him so much that it hurt. Missed being in his arms. Missed hearing his voice. Missed his kisses.

“You look seriously hot,” she whispered shakily when he raised his head.

He snorted out a chuckle. “Quit stealing my lines. You’re the hottest thing in this room.”

The fact that he felt that way about a wife who was going on six months pregnant was a miracle in itself.

“For one thing, you have more hair. I like it when you wear it down like this.” He tangled his fingers in the silky blonde strands. “And I like how you never overdo your makeup.” He dragged his lips over her cheek and back down the line of her jaw and chin. “I prefer to see your beautiful, natural self.”

She melted beneath his touch, not bothering to tell him she’d been too tired to put on any more makeup this evening. Though she always used a light touch on foundationand blush, often skipping it altogether, she rarely went anywhere without a little eye liner and mascara. “All I have on is lip gloss.”

“Not anymore.” He found her lips again, hungrily drinking her in.

For a moment, she felt like she was in the fairytale he’d spun around when they first met. Every time he held her like this, he made her feel like he was never going to let her go.

Which she knew wasn’t possible. The way he’d snuck into their master bedroom wasn’t the same thing as returning to the life they were trying to build together. To their marriage and home. It felt like something else. Something more temporary.

Jillian drew back, scanning his features. “How long do I get you this time?”

“About an hour.” Dave’s brown gaze darkened with regret. “But I’m already working on a plan to fix this. You have my word. I willnotbe an absent husband and father forever.” He splayed one large hand against her swollen belly. “I promise.”

She forced a smile, trying to be brave. “Gil said the same thing.”

“No, he didn’t.” Dave’s voice grew deathly serious. “He and Lonestar Security are ironing out the details for a shelter-in-place strategy for me and my clients. Just until the trial. Our own version of witness protection, if you will.”

Her heart ached at the realization that it would be months before the trial was concluded and the verdict issued. The baby would be here before then.

“I’m working on what comes next, babe.” His voice grew rough with determination. “A plan that’ll keep this from ever happening to us and our family again.”

“How?” Short of them all going into a witness protection program together, she didn’t see how he could deliver on a promise like that.

“By giving up my private practice.”

“No!” Jillian drew a sobbing breath of protest. “It’s who you are, Dave.” It’s what he’d spent years of his life going to school for. There had to be another option besides giving up his entire career.

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