Dream Keeper by Gail McFarland Read Free Book Online Page B

widened and her mouth dropped. “All that about me telling, and you told!”
    Marlea dropped the tiny king and clapped her hands over her mouth. Horrified, her eyes went to AJ and Dench—both apparently oblivious. “He guessed, sort of, but I never confirmed it! Rissa, I didn’t think…”
    “Damned straight, you didn’t think.” She eyed her brother closely, then snapped her attention back to Marlea. “No wonder he’s been watching me since he came through the door.”
    “He was watching to see if you two could survive what you’d obviously started—him being half naked, and you looking like you needed a cigarette.”
    “Don’t try to change the subject.” Rissa struggled to keep her low voice from growing shrill. “What if he said something to Dench while we were out of the room?”
    “He didn’t. I just know he wouldn’t. Besides, you’re the one who can’t keep a secret. That’s why we made the bet, remember?”
    “Don’t you talk to me about bets and secrets, you old blabbermouth!”
    Marlea’s skin sizzled beneath the scathing look Rissa sent her way.
    “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking. When he said, wouldn’t it be nice,” Marlea shrugged helplessly, “I think I said something like this Christmas would be the nicest, and he said if you were pregnant, that’s all. I wasn’t thinking, and I said…”
    “I guess we should have bet on whether or not you could keep your mouth shut.”
    Looking meek, Marlea tried again. “He’s happy for you and Dench.”
    “What’s not to be happy about?” Rissa folded her arms. The bright strains of “Joy To The World” rang through the air around them and it was hard to hold onto her anger. “He’s my brother. He loves me.”
    “What he’s really happy about is that you’ll both have what you want so much, and even if he was sure of it, he would never tell, Rissa. Not until you told him that it was okay.”
    “I know.”
    “Forgive me?”
    “Not yet.” Rissa sucked in her cheeks and looked away. “I want to savor this moment of sanctimony first.”
    “And then you’ll tell.”
    “Will not.” Rissa’s lips twitched and her resolve cracked. She tried to glare, but it washed away when she smiled. “You sure know how to suck the fun out of savoring.”
    Folding the ladders, AJ looked at his wife and sister, then across at Dench. “What do you think they’re over there talking about?”
    Dench shouldered his ladder and headed for the garage. “Dude, you know those two as well as I do, and I don’t have a clue.”
    Following, AJ moved the ladder on his strong shoulder. “Then I guess time will tell.”
    An hour later, the tree was decorated, gifts were opened, cookies had been eaten, and carols sung. Two sleepy children were dreaming of Santa, their laughing parents were ready to assemble and play with the toys, and two grateful ER nurses were glad to have the weekend off. Mrs. Baldwin had plans of her own and nothing more was said about that as the front door closed behind everyone.
    “Hungry?” Rissa watched Dench turn off lights. “I could warm up dinner, if you like.”
    “I’m not starving.” Dropping onto the sofa beside her, his arm stretched long, and he gathered her close, his fingers stroking her shoulder. “What did we have?”
    “Baby back ribs, baby carrots, baby asparagus, and baby…” He looked at her and she could see the question before he asked. Her stomach lifted and fluttered, but she couldn’t look away. Forget you, Marlea!
    “Are we eating on a theme?”
    Pulling her knees up, tucking her legs beneath her, Rissa settled deeper into his embrace. “You could say that.”
    Pulling her close, Dench leaned back against the cushions and listened for her heartbeat against his own. “Baby back ribs, baby carrots,” he repeated, “baby asparagus, and baby…baby…Baby?” He sat up carefully, large hands cradling Rissa’s shoulders, and blinked at her. “Baby?” She nodded and his brown