Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [69]
“Only a man could ask a question like that,” she said with a quiet laugh. “But to be quite honest with you, no, it doesn’t bother me. For so long I thought I couldn’t give birth to any baby, so to know that I’ll have three is like hitting the jackpot.”
“You’re happy about it then?” he asked quietly.
Netherland smiled up at him, filled with emotion as she fought back tears. “Yes, I’m happy about it. I feel truly blessed.”
Ashton ran a hand up and down her arm in long, soothing strokes. “So do I. But I’m also feeling hungry. How about if we get up, get dressed and get something to eat?”
“All right. What’s after that?”
A devastating grin touched his face. “After that I’m sure we’ll think of something to keep us occupied.”
“And you’re sure everything is okay, Nettie?”
Netherland paused in her conversation with her brother to glance across the room at Ashton. He was looking out of the window. Silhouetted in the dazzling rays from the sun, he appeared more mystical than man. Dressed in a pair of faded jeans and Western-style boots, and with the top portion of him bare, he showed off a powerful set of shoulders, a broad and muscular back and coal-black hair that was sensually mussed and hung loosely about his shoulders. As if he felt her eyes on him, he turned and slid his gaze over her in one slow sweep, reminding her of what they had been doing for the past three days.
“Nettie?”
She sighed as Rome pulled her back into their phone conversation. “Yes, Rome, everything is okay. They couldn’t be better. Ashton and I married each other a few nights ago the Indian way, but we plan to make things perfectly legal when I get back and can make the necessary arrangements.”
She glanced back over at Ashton, the man she now considered her husband, her mate, in every sense of the word. Her pulse quickened. He was still looking at her with that I want you again look in his eyes.
“I hate that I won’t get to see you before I leave tomorrow,” her brother was saying.
“Me, too, but I’m sure you’ll be back to Houston soon, right?” she asked, smiling.
“Yes. Jada and I have agreed to continue to see each other. I have more leave time coming up next month, and I plan on taking it. I’ve even invited her to come out and visit me at Camp Pendleton. She’s never been to California before.”
“Do you think she’ll do it?”
“I’m hoping she will although she hasn’t agreed one way or the other. I won’t rush her into anything. I’ve agreed for us to take things slow, Nettie. I want her to see that all men aren’t like her ex-husband. He hurt her.”
“I know. I’m glad you’ve been there for her these past two weeks. She’s been the happiest I’ve seen her since coming to work for me.”
“And I want her to stay happy. I love her, Nettie. I didn’t think after losing Kimmy that I’d ever love anyone ever again, but I do love her. And I can’t wait for the folks to meet her. I just know Mom is going to like her.”
Netherland smiled. There was no doubt she would. Their mother was someone who saw goodness in everyone and had a soft spot for everybody. “I hope you can get back for my wedding. It won’t be anything elaborate. Just a gathering of a few friends and family in another month or so.”
“I’m going to try my damnedest to make it back for that. You can’t marry a second time without your brothers present.”
A few moments later Netherland ended the phone conversation with her brother.
“I take it everything is still running smoothly without you,” Ashton said in reference to her conversation with Rome and her earlier conversation with Rainey. He walked over to her.
“If they weren’t running smoothly, would you take me back?” she asked him, smiling.
“No. I have seven days with you, Netherland. I’ve only used three. I have four left.”
Netherland sighed. “Who’s counting?”
Ashton grinned. “I am. I want to spend every moment that I can with you, sweetheart.”
“And I with you,” she said, not imagining it any other way. But she knew when reality set in there would be another way. She must not forget she shared him with the United States