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  Lincoln rolled her eyes hoping her feet would keep her upright. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m not here to cause you any problems, Lincoln. I’m here to talk to you woman to woman.”

  “This woman has to go to work.” She closed the door to her apartment and clicked the button on the key ring to open the garage door.

  Melanie pleaded. “This will only take a minute. I’m only asking for a minute of your time.”

  “What could we possibly have to talk about, Melanie? You came back for Anthony and you got him. I’m sick of this! I don’t need you or him in my face every time I open my damn front door!” The louder she yelled the queasier her stomach got.

  “Do you think this is easy for me to do, Lincoln? I was aware Anthony was seeing someone, but he made it seem like it wasn’t serious. I was under the impression you two were not in a serious relationship.”

  “Well, apparently to him it wasn’t. I must have misunderstood his intentions for two years. Your minute is up and I have to go.” She walked past Melanie and to her garage.

  Melanie called out after her. “I’m trying to do the right thing for my son. If you were a mother, you'd understand.”

  That did it. Melanie had hit the button to make her lose her sense. She turned around with her eyes ablaze. “Do the right thing? Your kid is how old? If you wanted Anthony to know about his son, why didn’t you tell him you were pregnant when you found out?”

  “That’s complicated,” Melanie said, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder.

  “Complicated? So you’re saying it was so complicated that you rushed into a marriage with a man that was not the baby’s father? Or, is he the child’s father and you’re pinning the title on Anthony? Either way it doesn’t make a difference to me, I’m just curious.”

  “Anthony is my child’s father. We had a paternity test done. I didn’t tell Anthony because our relationship has always been rocky. We’d get together and split after a few months. But, Gwen told me how much he’d changed but I didn’t believe her.”

  Lincoln folded her arms across her chest. “I knew Gwen was behind the whole scheme to get you two together.”

  “She hasn’t done anything. She convinced me to let him see his son. When Anthony saw his son for the first time, I saw he had changed. I believe you have a lot to do with him maturing.”

  “I don’t want to hear any more of this crap. I don’t want or need your accolades for the role I played in Anthony’s life.”

  “No, please. I’m not trying to make you feel uneasy or rub the fact that we are back together in your face. I’m not a malicious person in spite of what you think about me.”

  “Well, I certainly don’t feel like celebrating in your joy. But, it’s okay, Melanie. If you had not come back to Cleveland and wrecked my life, I wouldn’t be with Nick.” She chuckled. “I should thank you. Yes, I’m going to bow down and thank you for doing that for me. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and that’s because of Nick. Like I told Anthony, be happy together because I’m good. I’m better than good…I’m freaking great because I’m in love with Nick!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.

  Melanie’s lips curled into a grin. “I guess we both win. I don’t have to be ashamed to tell you, Anthony and I got married last week. I hope you aren’t upset about that since you’re in love with Nick.”

  Lincoln detected from Melanie’s body movements, she waited for her to give the typical kneejerk reaction to the news. But she realized it didn’t bother her. Lincoln hitched her chin and her stomach eased of the nausea. “Congratulations.” Without another word passing between them, she got in her car and backed out of the garage leaving Melanie behind to wonder about her sanity.

  *****

  Nick finished testing the equipment as Orlando had asked. It was his first day in rotation working with Orlando as his lieutenant. He knew the guys under Orlando’s command so there were no awkward moments or hazing expected to happen.

  He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at the table. The four days off recharged his batteries and he was ready to work. Nick shuffled the deck of cards on the table and placed them down to play a game of solitary. The firefighters on this shift moved in their own separate ways. They weren’t as chatty as the men on Murad’s shift.

  Some sat around watching television while others read books or talked on their phones. Nick would have to get used to this. There was always trash talk among the firefighters or girlfriends or wives dropping by, on his last rotation. This crew was quiet and he understood why Orlando wasn’t stressed out.

  Orlando sat at the table with a stack of paperwork. Nick looked up from the playing cards at him. “Want some help with that?”

  Orlando shook his head. “Thanks for the offer but I got it. It was too quiet in my quarters. I figured I’d sit out here with the rest of you.”

  “This is a quiet shift. I guess the commotion I caused with Ant and the drama you had with your ex was a shock to these guys,” Nick joked.

  Orlando chuckled. “Yeah, we don’t have that kind of excitement around here. I hope it stays that way for two more weeks. I’ll be on my honeymoon in the Bahamas and Jon can deal with any headaches that arise.”

  Nick sipped his coffee. “I know that was meant for me. I’m not here to mess up your house, Orlando. I promise to be on my best behavior and fit in with these guys.”

  “I know you will.” Orlando ran his hands through his hair. “You’ve been out of the loop the last couple of days. You and Lincoln have been doing your own thing and staying to yourselves…”

  Nick’s salacious grin cut him off. “Yeah, it’s been real. She stayed with me until I finished painting her apartment. Damn, she’s kept a smile on my face that I can’t wash off.”

  Orlando groaned. “Yo, that’s my sister-in-law and I don’t need details. But, I get the picture, man.”

  “I want her to move in with me permanently but she says we aren’t ready for that yet.”

  “Listen to her, Nick. But, that wasn’t what I had to say. I don’t know how to tell you this, but Ant and Melanie got married.”

  Nick’s eyebrows shot up. “Did I hear you correctly? They got married?”

  “You heard me. I was shocked when he told me.”

  Nick dropped his head. “Damn, another thing I have to spring on Lincoln.”

  “Did you get any proof on that first thing?” Orlando asked.

  “I have what I need. Anyhow, Lincoln sent me a text that she is having dinner with her mom and sisters tonight. I don’t want to spoil that for her with the news about Ant.”

  “Regan knows.”

  Nick tapped his finger on the table. “Her text was odd. I wonder if she already knows and didn’t say anything to me, afraid of how I would react?” He sat back in the chair and released an infuriated breath. “This is just like him. He had to run off and get married before your wedding. Why couldn’t he wait! He had to upset the applecart once again.”

  Orlando shrugged his shoulders. “That doesn’t bother me. I’m more worried about how Lincoln and you are going to handle this. How has she been lately?”

  “She’s fine, man. We have a strong relationship. She finally said she loves me. I believe she does.”

  Orlando grinned raising his hand to give Nick a high-five. “Sweet, man! The news about Ant shouldn’t bother her one bit. I’m still working on him about dropping the charges against you. With the eyewitness statements you have, I don’t think they will stick anyway.”

  “I haven’t heard from my attorney and my court date is coming up soon. But I have proof he has was at Lincoln’s apartment that night. That should help my case if he doesn’t drop the charges.”

  “Nick, you have undoubtedly gone to battle for Lincoln. I never knew you had that passion in you for one woman.”

  “I didn’t either and it scared the hell out of me when I realized I did. Me being the way I am, I have kept my eyes in my head. I still look, but I don’t have the wa
nt to go after the tits and ass anymore. I know what is waiting on me when I leave work. I don’t want to mess that up.”

  Orlando laughed. “You can say that to guys, but please don’t repeat that to Lincoln’s mom.”

  Nick frowned. “What did I say? …oh…I’m working on getting better at saying stuff. By the wedding, I’ll be able to charm her with my smile and not speak a word.”

  “Man, I’m busting your balls, be yourself around her; Lynette will appreciate you are real and not faking to impress her.”

  “I want to make an impression on her. I haven’t been around since the barbeque at your house. Maybe I’ll talk to Lincoln about throwing together a dinner party and inviting her over so she can get to know me. Hell, if I’m gonna be her son-in-law she should get used to me being attached to Lincoln.”

  “Are you thinking about marriage so soon? You’ve been dating less than a month.”

  Nick hunched his shoulder. “Lincoln might not be ready for marriage in the traditional sense, but I’m willing to go the common-law or living in sin route. Whatever we decide, I’ll be happy.”

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Lincoln splashed cold water on her face. She had to get it together before she returned to the table and her family noticed she had been throwing up. She was fine until the aroma of the chicken Alfredo hit her nose. The sight of the pasta and chicken covered in a rich, creamy sauce could have been a bowl of fish eyes in a stinky broth the way her stomach went on a wave of nausea.

  She looked in the mirror and dabbed the water off her face gently. She’d left her purse at the table and didn’t want to ruin her makeup. She dried her hands and prepared to leave when the door to the restroom opened and Carter walked in.

  A look of concern was on her face when Carter asked, “Lincoln, are you okay? Mom said you weren’t feeling well.”

  “I have this bug I’ve been fighting all day. I’m determined not to let it get the best of me,” Lincoln said, discarding the paper towel in the wastebasket.

  “I don’t think you are. You’re pale as a ghost.” Carter put the back of her hand to Lincoln’s forehead. “You don’t feel warm.”

  Lincoln moved around her sister to open the door. “I’m fine, really. I’ll take something for it when I get home. I’ll be back to my old self tomorrow. I’m going back to the table…are you coming?”

  Carter placed her hands on her hips, staring at her sister suspiciously. “Girl, are you pregnant?”

  Shocked at her sister’s ridiculous question, Lincoln stepped back inside the restroom. Two women walked inside, just as she said, “No, no, I have a bug. Can we go to the table before Regan comes looking for us? You know how she is.”

  “Not until you give me a truthful answer. Is there a chance you might be pregnant, Lincoln? Have you and Nick had unprotected sex?”

  Annoyance with Carter increased Lincoln’s heart rate. Carter sounded like her mother instead of a caring older sister. “I’m on the pill, for your information, and Nick uses protection also.”

  Carter’s brows bent. “You didn’t answer my question. Have you guys slipped up and not used any protection? Lincoln, the pill is not one hundred percent effective. Also, you’re not feverish, have no cough, and the minute that plate hit the table you turned an exquisite shade of green. I have two kids, and I know what that look signifies. When was your last period?”

  Lincoln paced the bathroom. “Oh my God, can we not have this discussion in a public bathroom! Plus, I’m not Corina.”

  “No, you are not my fifteen-year-old daughter,” Carter snapped. “You should know better than to have unprotected sex with a man you barely know. God, Lincoln, what are you going to do if you’re pregnant?”

  The women who’d entered the restroom hurried to wash their hands and leave. Lincoln held the door open for them as they rushed past her. She closed the door to keep the smell of the food from coming inside. “I’m not pregnant. And if I am, Nick and I will decide what to do.”

  “Oh, that takes care of everything! What do you know about Nick? Will he be willing to stick around once he learns he’s knocked you up?”

  She felt the tears welling in her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered. “We are not having a fling. I’m in love with Nick, and he loves me. So stop treating me like I’m a kid.”

  Carter folded her arms under her chest. “A couple of weeks ago you weren’t even sure you liked him. How are you sure you’re in love with him and not using him as a replacement for Anthony?”

  A single tear ran down her cheek. She hadn’t cried in weeks. “Because Nick is real. I don’t question his love for me.”

  “There is only one way to settle this. Go buy a pregnancy test, and take it first thing in the morning. If you are pregnant, I suggest you not tell Mom or Regan until after the wedding. We can handle only one major event at a time.”

  Lincoln wiped her face. “I was feeling pretty damn upbeat until now, Carter. Thanks for that.”

  “That is not my intention, Lincoln. Raising a baby is a lot of work for couples who plan children. To do that with a man that you know nothing about is going to be hard for both of you.

  You’re a professional woman with a career and money in the bank. I hate to see you throw it away because now you’ll have to raise a child on your own.”

  “Nick will not abandon me if I’m pregnant. Why are you assuming he will do the worst instead of stepping up to take care of business? Why can’t you give him the benefit of the doubt?”

  “Because I know nothing about him. He was at Regan’s house for a split second and that is all I’ve seen of him since, except for him popping out of a cake at a party.”

  “You didn’t know Anthony either and I was with him for two years. So don’t judge Nick.”

  “I wasn’t judging him when I thought you two were just going to just date. This is a new ball game, Lincoln. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “It would help if you offered me some encouragement instead of browbeating me. Anthony has already beaten me down to nothing, why don’t you finish the job and kick me the rest of the way to the sewer?”

  Carter’s tone softened. “I don’t mean to be hard on you. I’m here for you. Mom and Regan will help with the baby also. Your child will not want or need anything with us around.”

  Lincoln held back the urge to yell at her sister. “That is good to know, but I can care of myself and my baby if I’m pregnant. Plus, he or she has a father that will be a part of his or her life. You may envision Nick turning his back on me, but he won’t. Nick and I are new together, but we communicate and share our feelings. He was willing to lose his job for me.”

  Carter shed a tear and wiped it away quickly. “I agree he does care for you. But is it enough to last a lifetime?”

  “You can’t even predict that for your marriage, Carter. We all have to live for today and strive for a better tomorrow. I’m not saying we’ll have the perfect relationship and never argue. I found that not to be true with Anthony. I believe in Nick; can you let me hold onto that, please?”

  Carter hugged her. “I have to follow my own advice. I advised Mom to let you live your life. I’m going to step back and let you handle this because you can do it without my help. If you stumble or start to fall, I’m here to catch you. Don’t be afraid to ask me for anything.”

  “I won’t. I love you, Carter.”

  “Lincoln, I have to ask you something, and I hope to God you won’t get mad at me,” Carter said releasing Lincoln from the hug.

  “What?”

  Carter licked her lips. “Are you sure, if you are pregnant, the baby is Nick’s and not Anthony’s?”

  “If I am pregnant, I’m positive that Anthony is not the father. We haven’t slept together in almost a year.”

  Carter exhaled. “Thank goodness. He would just die if he had to pay child support for two babies, but it would serve his low-down, dirty ass right.”

  “I don’t want to be tied to him for the rest of my life.”


  “I see your point. Anyhow, do you want me to be with you for moral support when you take the test?”

  Lincoln nodded. “That will work since Nick is on shift. I won’t see him until the day after tomorrow.”

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Nick looked over at Lincoln who sat quietly and stared out the window as they drove along the highway. He decided to do something different and booked a weekend getaway at a bed and breakfast in the country. There was no television, internet service or cell phone towers to connect them to the outside world for two glorious days. If needed, there was a landline telephone available.

  Although the place was secluded and highly recommended, Nick prepared for an emergency on a larger scale. He’d packed the essential elements necessary in case they were somehow stranded for more than two days. He was not a camper or fond of being in a place that didn’t have a specially trained emergency response team, but relied on volunteers to handle such emergencies.

  “Hey, a penny for your thoughts,” he said breaking the silence. “Why are you so quiet?”

  She turned her head to look at him. His heart did a sudden leap. Lincoln’s deep brown eyes showed worry even though she was smiling. The B&B wasn’t a surprise, he had told Lincoln about it and she seemed eager to get away from the bustle of the city and to take a break from Regan’s wedding.

  “No thoughts, just enjoying the ride and the beautiful countryside view.”

  “I’m a city boy and this is a little too country for me, but I can handle it for a weekend,” he said with a deep chuckle.

  “Ah shucks, I guess you won’t wear a pair of dungarees and chaps to tame a wild horse.”

  “We’re going to a bed and breakfast, baby, not a rodeo camp. But I don’t have a problem putting on a pair of ass-out chaps for you if you want me too.”

  She sighed. “I’m glad to be away from everyone. I love my family, but it’s been too much of them lately. I’ll be glad when this wedding is over and our lives go back to normal.”

  “Yeah, this has been a wild ride for you. Are you sure your family has you on the edge and not the news about Ant and Melanie?”