All That Matters Read Free

and wanted to make sure everything was what we’d ordered.” She stopped to blow her nose.   “He’d gotten there early and put all the furniture in place.   He even had wine and flowers waiting. Soft music on the new sound system we’d had installed. It...it was perfect. You know, romantic?”
    The little hitch in her voice was enough to melt him right down to his socks. If he’d been wearing any.
    “It’s okay, darlin ’, just take your time.” The endearment slipped out before he could stop it.
    She sighed. “At first, I didn’t realize he’d been drinking.   We had some wine, danced a bit. Kissed a lot.” A pink flush stained her cheeks. “He kept insisting the wedding was only weeks away and...well...things just happened. I honestly believed I was in love with him, Buddy Lee. Thought he loved me, too.” Something between a laugh and a sob escaped her lips. “You probably think I’m making this up, don’t you? Twenty-three years old and not smart enough to insist on protected sex.” Her eyes filled and she blinked hard. “I’ve been such a fool. Royce isn’t the man I fell in love with. That man was a gentleman. He treated me special. Surprised me with gifts I should’ve known he couldn’t afford. Even Daddy was impressed with his financial background, but now I wonder how much of that was true. I think he’s in some kind of trouble, Buddy Lee. How can I marry a man   who lies to me? And his violent temper frightens me. I just don’t trust him.”
     
    B uddy Lee pulled her trembling body close so she could bury her face against the curve of his shoulder, willing himself not to think about her nearness, her softness. Impossible. This was Faith, right here in his arms. With her tremors vibrating through his own body, the heady sensation of their hearts thudding together so perfectly sent shafts of desire to places he’d already labeled off-limits.
    He was angry and didn’t understand why. He had no right.   Faith and Royce were getting married. It wasn’t his business whether they had sex before or after their wedding. Hell, after would probably be unique in this day and age.
    “I guess I don’t see what this has to do with me, Faith.”   He cupped her chin to turn her face toward his and looked deep in her eyes. Wanted to disappear in their emerald depths. Hold on, Walker. Don’t go getting any ideas. He rearranged his thoughts. “Look, you’re gonn a have a baby, and Royce is the father. You’re getting married Saturday. One and one makes three. Simple math.” Simple, hell . Every word left a bitter taste in his mouth.
    “There’s more,” Faith said, her voice soft and full of emotion. “More than you can imagine. The reason I can’t marry him.”
    He swallowed hard, wondering how the hell a football had gotten stuck in his throat. “Tell me, then.”
    “You know those home-pregnancy tests? Well, I took one earlier in the week. I was nervous about telling Royce the results, because I wasn’t sure how he felt about having a family so soon. Then I realized there were a lot of things I didn’t know about him and started having second thoughts about the wedding.” She looked at him expectantly.
    Well, shoot. Did she think he had an answer? So far, he was still in a fog as to his part in the scheme Faith was cooking up. Nothing seemed too irregular except the fact that she was upset about having a baby.
    “Okay, so you’re pregnant by a few weeks. Your wedding dress will still fit, won’t it?”
    Faith punched his arm. “You’re not listening, Buddy Lee Walker.”
    “I am, too. Honest.” Lord, save him from teary-eyed, pregnant women. He was convinced Faith’s emotional upheaval was just the result of her condition. He wasn’t convinced if he was happy with that conclusion or not. He was afraid there was more.   Sure enough, there was.
    “Tonight I was in the bedroom unpacking and didn’t hear Royce drive up.” She sniffled, then continued. “When I opened one