Secret Love - Brenda Jackson [81]
Sterling’s gaze shifted across the patio to his wife, who would be bringing his first child into the world anytime within the next few weeks. He felt such a profound love for the woman who had been bold enough to make him take a good look into his inner self. “I’ve done it and don’t regret doing so. I can’t imagine my life without Colby.”
“So you enjoy being married?”
“Yes, but unlike Diamond I’m committed to being a Hollywood star, spouse and parent. Other than my time away from home, things are working out fine. However, I’m sure when the baby comes, although he’ll provide company for Colby when I’m away, I will miss out on a lot of things. That’s why I plan for Colby and Junior to travel with me every chance they can.”
“Junior?” Jake couldn’t help but smile. “So you still think your wife is having a boy?”
“Yes, although she’s convinced it’s a girl. I keep telling Colby there hasn’t been a female born into the Hamilton family in over a hundred years.”
“Colby thinks she’s carrying the first.”
“I know, bless her sweet heart. She even has Nicholas and my mother believing that she’s having a girl.”
Jake watched as Diamond reluctantly handed the baby over into his father’s arms. James took the little boy from her proudly. Diamond looked over in Jake’s direction, saw him watching her and smiled.
Jake took a quick breath. Although he had been watching her, when Diamond looked over at him, she had caught him off guard. He smiled back at her, his lips curving in a predatory grin. One that he knew she would recognize.
She did and blew him a kiss that held promises. They were promises he definitely planned on holding her to when they were alone later.
Before daylight the next morning, the Hamilton household was in an uproar when Colby suddenly began having labor pains. The doctor arrived and assured the expectant father that his wife was not in any danger of dying—although she was behaving as if she were—and that unfortunately it would be a long labor.
It was.
Twelve hours later, Colby gave Sterling his first child—a girl. Chandler Hamilton became the first female to be born into the Hamilton family in over a hundred years.
When Jake and Diamond left to return to the ranch two days later, Sterling was still in shock.
Conrad Ammons handed the postal worker the box that was addressed to Jacob Madaris at Whispering Pines. He was sending it as priority mail.
Leaving the post office, he knew what was in the box would be his final warning to the man. The next time, he would be removing him from Diamond’s life for good.
Chapter 21
“B laylock wanted me to let you know that Alex is at the big house to see you, boss.”
“Thanks, Ray.” Pulling off his work gloves, Jake tossed them down on the twenty-pound bale of hay he had just moved into the stall. Shading his eyes against the dazzling morning sunshine, he walked out of the barn and glanced in the direction of the ranch house.
Jake suddenly felt uncomfortable about the meeting he was having with Alexander Maxwell. Sterling and Kyle had convinced him the meeting was needed. He understood that. But he still didn’t like it. It bothered him that there was a possibility that someone he didn’t know had such a problem with him being married to Diamond that he’d made threats against him.
When Jake entered the house he heard movement upstairs, the sound of furniture scraping across the pine floors. He shook his head, smiling. With Blaylock’s help Diamond was determined to add a feminine touch to his bedroom—which she had reminded him three times since they had returned home that it was now their bedroom.
Knowing Blaylock would have Alex wait for him in his office, Jake turned down the long hallway in that direction. He walked into the room and found Alex standing with his back to him, looking over his collection of prized family photographs he had collected over the years and were now framed on one wall of his office. “Alex.”
Upon hearing Jake call his name, Alexander