Christmas in Texas

“Yes,” Kelly said, “there you were. Warm and willing. Always a smart woman. Valedictorian of our class for a reason.”

Capri moved restlessly, pulling her sheets over her huge stomach. The babies kicked and she put a hand on them to try to calm them. They stayed active almost all the time now, trying to claim space, she supposed. “They would have gotten back together if I hadn’t jumped on Seagal.”

“So?” Kelly laughed. “If is the biggest, most dramatic word in the English language. Anytime you hear someone say if, hang on. There’s a story coming.”

“It’s true. Not that I feel guilty about it. I just feel that I never had Seagal in the first place.”

“Because you didn’t date that long before he led you to the altar.” Kelly nodded. “Everybody was amazed at how quick Seagal was to jump to say ‘I do.’”

“And then he said ‘I don’t.’” Capri frowned, remembering. “We didn’t think things through before we got married.”

Kelly leaned back in the toile chair, wagging a finger at Capri. “He’s a man of action. You’re the thinker in the relationship. You want to plan everything to death. Just for once in your life you let yourself get swept, and now you want to overthink it. You’re going to have to accept that Seagal’s approach to dating was how you won a very handsome husband. And now you’re having his twins. Nothing like sweet babies to make a man love a woman even more.”

She wasn’t sure love was what guided Seagal. “He’s been an absolute general ever since he got back in the house. If he hadn’t needed to make a run, you wouldn’t even be allowed in here.”

“I bribed him.” Kelly grinned. “I told him I wanted to spend time with Jack. So here I am.”

“Jack isn’t here.”

“Jack’s skulking around somewhere. He’s your bodyguard, for the moment.” Kelly waved a languid hand. “Lying low, protecting his best friend’s girl.”

“This is ridiculous. Nothing’s going to happen to me!” Capri leaned back against the pillows, annoyed. “I don’t appreciate Seagal taking over my life like this. He’s going to hear about it, too.” If she had to lock him out to convince him that no one was coming in and no one was going out—and that included him—that was what she was going to do. “Go find Jack. Drag him off for some alone time. Get him out of my bushes or out of my driveway. Seduce him, if necessary. Please, for my sake.”

Kelly considered this advice. “If I lure Jack away, Seagal will never allow me to be his stand-in to help you. It was everything I could do to convince him that you’d be fine with me sitting with you.”

“Help me up. I’ll tell Jack there’s fresh apple pie in the kitchen. Then the two of you can at least sit in the kitchen and chitchat instead of you wilting at my bedside. How do you expect to lure him away from Daisy if you’re not setting your lures out?”

“I don’t know,” Kelly said, “I’m not much for baiting. Lie down!” She glanced at the door, then got up. “I’ll go see if I can find Jack, if you promise not to move. I’ll only be gone five minutes.”

Capri warily settled back against the pillows. “If you find him, stay gone as long as you want. Nothing can happen to me while I’m lying in bed, for heaven’s sake. Don’t make me regret trusting you on this mission. I need relief from Seagal in my life.”

Kelly shot out of the room to find Jack. Capri grabbed the phone from under her pillow and dialed her husband. “Seagal. It’s Capri.”

“What’s wrong? Is everything all right? I can be home in five minutes—”

She sighed. “I don’t want Jack posted as lookout outside and Kelly as sentry at my bedside. I want my house back. Can you understand that?”

“You’re on complete bed rest,” Seagal said, aggravatingly sure of his stringent application of Dr. Blankenship’s orders. “You need help. We all want to help.”

“I know,” Capri said, “but this is driving me crazy. I just need to spend these last few days thinking about the beautiful children I’m about to have.”

Seagal came walking down the hall, holding his cell phone to his ear. When he saw Capri alone in the bedroom, he clicked his phone off, shoving it into his jeans. “Where’s Kelly?”

“In the powder room, I think.” She didn’t worry about the fib; Seagal’s face was creased with lines of worry. “You seriously need to relax, Seagal. I took care of myself before you showed up—”

“But I’m here now and will be here until the end.” He sank into the chair, looking a bit dazed. “You scared me. I thought you were having more pains.”

“That’s the problem. You shouldn’t be scared. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” She glared at him. “Where were you just now when I called you?”

Seagal looked sheepish. “Mrs. Penny called me over for a chat. And some cookies.”

Capri’s lips pursed. “I see. She wanted information about the arrest at Christmastown the other night, or wanted to know why you’re suddenly back in the house with me?”

His eyes met hers with wry acknowledgment. “Both. Of course.”

“You sold out your conscience for some cookies.”

“I sold it for gingerbread men. It was completely worth it, too. They had frosting sweaters with mint buttons baked on them. I’m a weak man when it comes to Mrs. Penny’s baking, Capri.”

He was the least weak man she’d ever known. In fact, Seagal was the strongest person she’d ever met in her life, other than her mother and father. He sat there in a black long-sleeved shirt, his hair not exactly appearing combed—he’d probably sprinted from next door, a day of stubble on his face.

Darn him. She’d never gotten over him.

“Seagal,” Capri said, “I don’t want you staying here.”

He shook his head. “Don’t be mad because I didn’t bring you any cookies. Mrs. Penny said she’s bringing over a box later. That’s why she baked them.”

She shook her head, not allowing him to sidetrack her with cookie romance.

“I have to stay here with you,” Seagal said. “Those are my children. You’re my wife. There’s no place on this earth I belong more than right here.”

Her heart tugged painfully. “Seagal, if you hadn’t found out I was pregnant, you wouldn’t be here. You weren’t coming back to Bridesmaids Creek. We’d be at the courthouse in two weeks, signing divorce papers.”

He shrugged. “I came back to Bridesmaids Creek because I heard you were expecting. I didn’t know it was twins, but all the same, I knew you were having a baby. And Beau assured me it was mine.”

“What?” Capri yelped, stung by her brother’s betrayal.

Seagal ignored her. “I didn’t have to come back. To be honest, I asked to be on this case. I didn’t know you were going to be assigned round-the-clock protection—”

“Which is dumb,” Capri said. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“But I did want to be there when the bust went down,” Seagal said, ignoring her. “I just wasn’t expecting you to be so far along. Once I saw you, I knew I was the bodyguard my wife required.”

“Seagal, I don’t need you or anyone. I can take care of myself and these children.”

“I know you can,” Seagal said, “but you married me for better or worse. You’re stuck with me, gorgeous. At least for another few days.”

He was so unmovable. Determined. “Stuck is right,” she said with a sigh.

Seagal stood. “I wasn’t happy you didn’t tell me, but then that’s when I realized you were still in love with me, and that you’d never gotten over me.”

Capri’s jaw dropped at Seagal’s outrageously high opinion of himself. “How does that even work?”

“Because—” Seagal said, sliding up into bed with her, his boots dangling over the edge of the lacy white comforter “—you were never that good at fibbing, Capri. And you weren’t going to tell me, because you knew I’d be here in a heartbeat.” He turned to look at her, too close for her comfort. “I knew if I came home, you’d have to look me in the eye and tell me you honestly didn’t love me anymore. And you can’t do that.”

She didn’t say anything. Yet she couldn’t look away from his deep blue eyes, either.

“Can you say you don’t love me anymore, Capri?” Seagal asked, and when she couldn’t bring herself to say she didn’t, he leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.

Chapter Four

Seagal looked at his annoyed wife, feeling his blood pressure subside. He’d kissed her ever so slightly to comfort her, but now she was even more worked up and looking suspicious of his intentions. Capri really had worried him, and that’s when he knew she had a point: he worried about her constantly now.

He’d kissed her to comfort himself.

Feeling her lips against his was something he needed. He did still love her, no matter what doubts she had squirreling around in that cute head of hers.

“Sorry,” he said. “Won’t happen again.”

“It better not,” she shot back. “And now, if you don’t mind, impertinent sir, could you please remove your boots and self from my bed?”

Seagal got up. “It’s this white lacy comforter thing. It’s like a man defender. I’m afraid I’m going to get it dirty.”

She looked at him a long time. “It’s a duvet. It washes. Bleach does wonders.”

“Is that an invitation?” he asked, pushing his luck.

“No,” Capri said. “I’m telling you that two babies will soon be in this bed with me.”

“Oh.” Clearly not an invitation, so perhaps it was best that he cut out while she wasn’t completely riled with him. “Hey, I’ve got some runs to make. I’m going to leave Jack here for security, and Kelly here to be bedside companion—”

“Neither of which I need, thanks. What I need is peace and quiet,” his darling and opinionated wife reminded him.

Seagal grinned. “And Mrs. Penny will be by soon with the best gingerbread men you’ve ever tasted.”

“All your spies are in place, then.”

“You could say that. Just lie there like a princess, and everyone will be happy.”

He just needed to go root Kelly and Jack out of whatever corner they’d holed up in. Capri wasn’t fooling him—she’d sent the two lovebirds off to do a little nesting. She’d probably given Kelly detailed instructions on how to seduce a man. Capri had certainly seduced the heck out of him.

And being seduced by Capri had convinced him that bachelorhood was overrated by far.

Capri raised a brow, purposefully looked at the door.

“You know,” Seagal said, glancing around the bedroom they’d once shared, “I notice you don’t have your usual Christmaspalooza all over the house.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve been busy.”

He nodded. “I checked out the nursery. There’s nothing in it but a white dresser.”

“I was busy planning Christmastown. I thought I had time. I’ve never been on bed rest in my life.”

He looked at the fireplace mantel in the room, which had Christmas cards on it but no decorations. Last year she’d twined the mantel with greenery and pine cones, setting angels at each end. “Well, there’s always next year.”

She lay there looking at him with those big eyes, saying nothing.

Okay, he got the message. There wasn’t going to be a next year—not for the two of them. At least, not in her happy-ever-after scenario.

His little wife had no idea how much she really, really wanted him. It was going to kill him, but he was willing to wait until she figured it out.

* * *

SEAGAL WASN’T COMFORTABLE walking into his wife’s flower shop, even though he’d once spent quite a bit of time hanging out at the Bridesmaids Bouquet. During their courtship, he’d liked to stop off on his breaks and chat with her. There was nothing he loved better than visiting Capri when she was surrounded by flowers. Her shop was a soft, gentle place, and it suited her.

Later, after their wedding, he’d sometimes talked her into letting him help her in the shop. He carted around boxes, unpacked things, even pushed the broom. The goal was to be with her. He would bring frosted cupcakes just to be close to her. Some men couldn’t wait to get to their jobs, get away from their wives, their home lives.

He’d never been like that with Capri. She was a serene and peaceful counterpoint to his job. And his own childhood.

He had never been able to believe his luck in getting her to go out with him on a first date. Capri had asked him for a date after he and Daisy Donovan broke up, so shyly and sweetly it would have taken a coldhearted man to say no. Not that he would have said no to Capri Snow. Daisy and he had been a relationship that ran hot and cold, all fire, lots of ice, no substance.

He’d wanted to give Capri his whole world. Hot, cold and everything in between, she was the sun in his barren existence.

“Hi,” Jade Harper said when he walked in to the flower shop. Jade was Capri’s trusted associate. Seagal liked the green-eyed brunette, understood why Capri trusted her with her livelihood.

But he wasn’t here to trust anyone.

“How’ve you been, Jade?”

“Fine.” She pushed a huge floral arrangement toward him. “Take this to Capri, please. It’s from the Boo in the Night Society. Isn’t it gorgeous?”

He stared at the pink and blue blossoms spilling from a big crystal vase. “Yes, it is.”

“And this one, too, please.” She waved at a silvery tabletop Christmas tree laden with tiny paper presents and a golden star in front of him. “This is from the Christmastown committee. They wanted to thank her for doing such a good job with Christmastown.” Jade smiled at him. “I have a few more orders in the back, but I haven’t made them up yet.”

Seagal held up a hand. “Take your time. There’s only so much room in my truck. I guess you have no one to do your deliveries?” He hadn’t thought about it before, but it made sense. Usually Jade did them in the white van that had Bridesmaids Bouquet Floral Shop lettered on the side in big scrolling hot-pink letters.

He’d done a few deliveries for Capri. That’s why the whole smuggling thing was bugging him. Capri kept an obsessive eye on her prized presentations. “You ever notice anyone hanging around here, Jade?”

“Customers.” Jade looked at him. “Lots of customers. It happens at Christmas. Will you tell Capri she needs to hire another seasonal worker? Kelly said she’d come by to help, but I’m worried about the wedding we have booked, and all the Christmas orders, too.” Jade smiled. “I know you’re about to have twins. I hate to put another worry on the two of you. And congratulations on the babies, Seagal. I heard about it from Jack.”

“He gets around.” Seagal sighed. “I’ll tell Capri, although she’s on strict bed rest. I don’t know who she could interview in a hurry.”

“I’m working late every night, too,” Jade said. “I won’t let her down.”

He glanced around the shop, looking for anything out of place. “You don’t ever get anybody in here who’s not a customer?”

“Nope. Everybody needs something this time of year. The shop is booming.” The phone rang, and Jade went to pick it up. “Tell Capri hello for me.”

Nodding, he picked up the two arrangements, heading to his truck.

“Is love in the air?” someone asked him, and he put the arrangements in the truck bed before he turned to face Justin Morant.

“Hey,” Seagal said, surprised to see the rodeo champ in Bridesmaids Creek. He pounded Justin on the back with enthusiasm. “What are you doing back in town?”

“It’s the holidays,” Justin said, “and I’ll be leaving again as fast as I can.”

Seagal laughed. “I remember feeling that way.”

Justin raised a brow. “Something change around here?”

“No.” Seagal secured the arrangements and dusted off his hands. “It’s still small-town, gossip-at-the-speed-of-light, sweet Bridesmaids Creek. I just missed it.”

Justin eyed the flowers in the truck. “Looks like you missed something. Maybe not the town as much as your wife.”

“You’re probably right. Say hello to your folks for me, Justin. It’s good to see you.” He went to get into the truck, then a thought hit him. “If you’ve got five minutes to help me out, Capri’s on complete bed rest, and Jade Harper’s watching the shop for her. She had a ton of orders today and could use a deliveryman.”

And a strong male, in case anything strange happened.

Justin shrugged. “Be happy to help any way I can. Heard about the twins. Congratulations.”

“Who’d you hear it from?”

Justin grinned. “Everybody I’ve run into. Say hi to Capri for me. You sure were lucky when you roped that one.”

Seagal got into his truck and pulled away.

Yeah. He’d gotten very lucky.

But then his luck had run out.

* * *

“I’M SUSPICIOUS,” Capri told Kelly after Seagal left. “He’s being far too attentive.”

Kelly smiled and handed Capri a cup of hot tea. “He’s going to be a father. Anyway, you know Seagal has always been good with detail. It’s probably what moved him up so fast in the force.”

“There’s something else going on here,” Capri said. “You don’t know him like I do. Seagal never gets this focused unless there’s a case.”

“Isn’t it possible you’re his only case?” Kelly sipped at her own cup of steamy hot tea in a floral teacup. “This blackberry currant tea is fabulous.”

Capri shook her head. “It’s probably the pregnancy making me a little paranoid. Hormones going wild.” She put a hand on her stomach. “I think I’m having a bronc buster and a cheerleader.”

“Active, huh?” Kelly laughed. “Tell me again why you and Seagal decided to call it quits?”

Capri put her cup down. “I never got comfortable in the marriage, and I don’t think he did, either. I always felt like he still cared for Daisy, and Seagal said I didn’t trust him, and that bothered him.” She thought about it, remembering. It was still pretty painful. “Daisy called the house even after we were married, always on some pretext of needing something from Seagal. She claimed they were just friends, but I knew she still cared about him. Not that I was surprised. Seagal said she hadn’t wanted to break up—he did. I just happened to be the first date he had.”

“But why did you marry him if you were so worried?” Kelly asked.

“I wanted him,” Capri said softly. “I wanted to believe that all the late nights wouldn’t make me crazy. He wanted to get promoted and moved to a different division, then got into the Rangers. I was busy taking over the flower shop. We grew apart.”

“Not too apart to make babies,” Kelly said, her tone gleeful. “When you found out you were pregnant, you should have realized then that Seagal was never going to let you go through with the divorce.”

“I didn’t want to tell him for just that reason.” The memory upset Capri, which the babies seemed to notice. Inside her, they felt as if they were rolling, tumbling, fighting for space. A sudden cramp shot across her abdomen, pinching and slicing. She closed her eyes against the pain, waiting for it to pass. “Darn my brother Beau,” she said after a moment. “He ratted me out.”

Kelly laughed. “Good for Beau.”

“I’ll take care of him later.” Capri leaned back against the pillow. “I know Seagal too well. There’s a reason he’s back in town, and it isn’t all about these babies. He claims it’s about the drugs in the floral arrangements, but I think there’s something else. He takes a lot of phone calls when he thinks I don’t notice, and his phone must get a hundred texts an hour.” She sighed, wishing the cramp would pass, and forced a smile at Kelly. “Intuition. It’s kind of a wife thing, I guess.”

“But you’re not worried about Daisy anymore now, are you?”

“No.” Capri shook her head. “I think she moved on to Jack, just like you said.”

“I know,” Kelly said, “and it makes me want to pinch her head off.”

Capri smiled. “I remember that emotion.”

“So, what are you going to do now? You’re not really going to go through with the divorce, are you?”

Capri could barely focus on her friend’s question. The pain was getting worse; it was harder to hold back a groan.

Something was different; she knew it. “Kelly,” she said, forcing her voice above a whisper but having to push against the pain, “having never experienced pregnancy I’m no expert, but I think these babies want to be here in time for Christmas.”

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