Chapter Seven
Tris didn’t want to leave.
He wanted to call in sick.
Call around and see if someone else could cover his shift.
But he wouldn’t.
She’d promised him she wouldn’t leave the house. The snow was already coming down and it was supposed to continue into tomorrow and Wednesday with the biggest dump happening over night Tuesday.
He’d checked everything. The windows and doors were secure. The furnace working perfectly. She had a small room heater they’d purchased yesterday just in case. Cupboards and fridge were full.
No more stalling. He had to go or he’d be late for shift change.
Bending over he planted a kiss on Cov’s temple.
“Hmm…”
“Shh, stay asleep. I’m going to work now. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay,” she murmured sleepily before snuggling down under the bedding.
God, he really didn’t want to leave. More than anything he wanted to crawl under the covers with her. Wanted to stay wrapped up in the quilt, their legs tangled together, holding her close.
They had so much to talk about. They should have talked yesterday but by some mutually—telepathically—agreed upon decision they’d spent the day hanging out instead. Like they used to back in Miami.
He’d shown her around town. She’d spent a good hour inside Read Between The Lines before she picked two books to see her through the two days without him. His insides had cramped at the thought of heading to work today so he’d pushed it to the back of his mind and concentrated on Cov and giving her a tour of his new hometown.
They’d eaten lunch at Sue Ann’s again. An interrupted lunch.
The news of Cov’s arrival had spread along the grape vine and everyone, even residents he hadn’t met yet, stopped by to congratulate them. A few had asked when the wedding was, but he’d deflected before the question could upset Cov.
He’d promised her a trip to JT’s Roadhouse for dinner except they hadn’t made it. By the time evening rolled around Covington was dragging her feet and barely keeping her eyes open. They’d skipped the bar trip and headed home for canned soup and toasted sandwiches.
Cov had been lights out by eight-thirty.
Tristan had carried her to bed, stripped down to his boxers and crawled in beside her. The last thing he remembered before his alarm catapulted him out of sleep was holding Cov in his arms, her warm breath fanning over his chest.
If he thought walking away from her all those months ago was hard it had nothing on leaving her now. Maybe it was because she’d gladly welcome him back into bed this time. Or maybe it was that he finally knew what was at stake.
He might have to leave her to go to work but he’d never willing turn his back on her again.
“Go to work. You’ll be late. I’ll be fine. Stop staring.”
Tris chuckled. “Sorry.”
“No you’re not.” She smiled, her eyes still closed. “Go.”
He bent over and kissed her. On the mouth this time. “I’ll call you later.”
“Bye.”
Another quick peck and he turned away and left.
He’s organized a lift and in spite of his tardiness Dylan sat in his truck, waiting. Opening the passenger door, Tris said, “Hey,” and got a grunt in reply.
He laughed as Dylan put the truck in reverse and hit the accelerator.
“Shut up,” his friend mumbled with no real venom.
“Rough night?”
“Not everyone has a hot chick in their bed.”
“Hey.”
“What? You denying Covington is hot?” Dylan asked.
“No. But she’s not some chick.”
“Nope. According to the rumor mill she’s carrying your chicks.”
“Seriously? What the hell did you have for breakfast? Whatever it was it’s disagreeing with you,” Tris said, his words laced with the anger suddenly burning through his veins.
“Take it easy. I’m only telling you what’s flying around. It made it all the way to my mother in Florida. Damn woman was on the phone at five this morning asking why the hell I hadn’t found myself a lovely girl to settle down with like Tristan has.” Dylan shook his head. “I swear, all she talks about lately is how old she is and if I don’t get moving she’ll be dead by the time I make her a grandmother.”
Tris swallowed. “Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I was just stirring anyway.”
They were quiet for a few seconds, but as the stationhouse came into view Dylan broke the silence.
“So are we happy or…”
“Happy.” Tris turned to face his friend as they pulled into a parking spot. “I’d be even happier if she’d marry me.”
“You’ve asked?”
“Yes. No. Sort of.”
Dylan sat in stunned silence for a moment then burst out laughing. By the time he’d caught his breath Tris was out of the truck and halfway to the door. Glancing over as Dylan moved beside him he wondered if he could escape the third degree he was sure was coming.
“Okay. So I’m a little confused. Did you or didn’t you ask her to marry you?”
No escape. “I suggest we get married before I found out the babies were mine. We haven’t talked about it since.”
Dylan stopped. “You offered marriage thinking she was carrying someone else’s kids?”
Tris shrugged.
“Jesus. You’re in love with her.”
“Of course I am.”
“She’s the reason you came here. You were running.” Dylan narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists at his sides. “You didn’t take off when she told you she was pregnant did you?”
“Really? You’re asking me that?”
“Right, right. I forgot who I was talking to. You’re that guy who’s mooned over another man’s woman…oh shit. It’s Covington.” Dylan shook his head. “Why didn’t I put the pieces together sooner? Fuck. Does Dirk know?”
“I have no idea. Haven’t spoken to him in weeks and Cov hasn’t said.”
“You need to clear that up.”
“That’s the least of what I need to clear up. He’s out of the picture and has been since the day I—”
“Are you two girls planning to work today or spend it gossiping in the driveway?” Chief Maguire yelled from the front door.
“Shit. I need coffee.” Dylan bumped shoulders as he past. “C’mon, my shout.”
“Really?” Tris asked as he followed.
“Hell no. It’s the rookie’s job to fetch the coffee, right chief?”
Chief Jake Maguire smiled. “Normally I’d say yes, but I have it on good authority you’re about to come into some money.”
Tris groaned. He knew what the Chief was talking about. His workmates might have thought they were being stealthy, but he’d known about the betting pool the first day it had opened. And Cov had confirmed it after Deanna had revealed details at book club on Saturday night.
He didn’t like that he’d been the subject of conjecture, but it was nothing less than he expected. Although he was used to being in on the betting, not the subject of it.
“Don’t worry, Harding. They’ve started a new pool.”
“Don’t tell me.” He held up a hand. “I don’t want to know.”
“Oh, I think you’ll want in on this one.”
Tris eyed his boss’s smug grin. “Okay. Fine. What is it?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Tris shook his head.
“They’re betting on how long it’ll take you to get your woman in front of a preacher.”
***
Covington watched the snow coming down outside and wondered if it was safe to venture out there yet. She’d never seen snow before driving to Hope Falls and the way the flakes fluttered to the ground intrigued her.
Of course she’d promised Tris she wouldn’t leave the house until he returned and so far she’d stuck to that.
She glanced at the clock. Only a few hours until he was home.
She’d begun counting down from the minute she’d woken on Monday. She thought their early morning exchange had been a dream until he’d called her midmorning. They’d been texting and calling for the last two days and in two hours and fifteen minutes, give or take a few, he’d be walking in the door.
She couldn’t remember ever anticipating Dirk’s arrival this much. Not even in the early days of their relationship had she watched the clock or held her breath.
The last two days had given her a lot of time to think, to contemplate, to sort out what she wanted. For herself and the babies. For her and Tristan as a couple.
More than anything she wanted to see if they could be a family. She thought he had feelings for her, she definitely had them for him, and the babies weren’t in question. She loved her two little beans more than she’d ever thought possible. And she figured their daddy would love them just as much.
But could he love her too?
Could they go from friends to lovers and keep both relationships? Keep them growing, thriving?
Snuggling under the blanket she watched the snow flutter past the window. It was brighter out today. And the weatherman said the storm had moved on and the snow would stop by early afternoon. Hopefully, she could convince Tris to take her out before it quit falling. She wanted to turn her face up to the sky and feel the wet flakes on her cheeks. Taste it on her tongue.
It seemed like a childish desire but she didn’t care. She planned to channel her inner child so she’d be prepared to give her babies the best childhood she could. Closing her eye, she imagined the three—no four—or them outside, building snowmen and making snow angels.
A loud bang startled her enough that she kicked the blanket off her legs. Her gaze shot to the clock.
Seven-fifteen.
She must have fallen asleep.
Somebody thumped the front door several times.
It couldn’t be Tris. He didn’t finish until seven-thirty and he had a key.
So who the hell was banging on the door like the hounds of hell were on their heels?
Scrambling to her feet, Covington shuffled across the living room in her borrowed socks. “I’m coming. Hold your horses. I’m coming,” she muttered.
Going to her toes she peered through the peephole. Her eyes widened, her breath caught in her lungs and she sank back on her heels.
“Open up you bastard!” Bang! Bang! Bang! “I know you’re in there, Tristan. Your truck’s parked in the drive. Open the fucking door.”
Dirk?
Dirk was banging on Tristan’s door?
What the hell was he doing in Hope Falls?
Had he followed her?
Why would he follow her?
No wait. He was yelling for Tris not her.
But what could he possibly want with Tris?
“Open the door, asshole. You think you could knock up my fiancée without me finding out?”
“Ex-fiancée.” She hadn’t meant to say the word out loud but she couldn’t help it.
A heavy silence hung for a moment before Dirk said, “Covington?”
“Shit.” This time she whispered. Not that it made a difference now.
“Open the door, Covington.” The handle jiggled. “Let me in Love Bunny.”
Love Bunny? Really? Was he nuts?
The last time she’d seen him he was staggering drunk and she’d made it perfectly clear that anything between them was over and she’d moved on. Of course she hadn’t revealed the identity of the man who’d gotten her pregnant, but she’d made sure Dirk knew she was ecstatically happy and wanted nothing more to do with him.
Except he was here. On Tris’s doorstep calling her Love Bunny in that whinny way he thought was cute.
And she had no idea what to do.
The urge to hide, to bury herself beneath a blanket and cry had her sniffling, her eyes and nose stinging.
Why had her life turned into a real-life soap opera?