The Family Way by Jayne Ann Krentz Read Free Book Online Page A

get married over the border. A childhood fantasy of mine.“
    „Lord, Pru, I didn’t realize – “
    „It’s all right. I never really knew her. Annie suffered more than I did. She was five years older than me, and she still has a few memories of our mother.“
    „And her father?“
    „A trucker. He was long gone by the time Annie was born. My mother was apparently a very reckless young woman when it came to choosing her male companions. She was also very desperate to get out of Spot, Texas. Apparently she hoped some man would help her. Two illegitimate children were the result. My aunt is very much afraid there’s bad blood somewhere in the family.“
    „What do you and your sister believe?“
    Pru smiled gently. „That my mother was born dirt-poor and that on two occasions she tried desperately to escape her poverty by getting involved with men she hoped would marry her. She guessed wrong both times.“
    „So it was your aunt who raised you?“
    Pru nodded. „My aunt was always very proud of the fact that she didn’t take the low road out of poverty. She got herself an education. Eventually became a grade-school teacher. She wound up supporting two young children on that salary.“
    Pru paused and then said slowly, „It’s very difficult growing up under the care of someone who makes no secret of the fact that she was forced to make great sacrifices for you. Frankly, there were times when I wished she’d just let the state take Annie and me.“ Pru smiled. „But of course Aunt Wilhelmina would never have done that. She is an honorable woman who always knows her duty and does it.“
    „While making sure that everyone around her knows she’s doing it?“
    „Exactly.“
    „I know the type.“ McCord’s mouth lifted in amusement.
    „Well, I can hardly complain. Aunt Wilhelmina is a good woman. She devoted her life to making certain neither Annie nor I followed in our mother’s footsteps. She was very strict with us, but she got us both through school and college. And she understood when the first thing we wanted to do after graduation was shake the dirt of Spot, Texas, from our feet. She had a few doubts about the wisdom of first Annie and then me going to California, but she figured she’d done her best to instill basic values. Now it was up to us to keep our own lives in order. She was thrilled when Annie married Tony Gates. She could stop worrying about one of us, at least. She comes out to see them frequently. I think she’s mellowing a bit as she grows older. She seems to enjoy Annie’s kids.“
    „I take it you never told your aunt about your relationship with me?“ McCord held up a hand before Pru could respond. „Forget I asked. Ifs obvious you wouldn’t let her know you were living with a man without benefit of a wedding ceremony unless you absolutely had to. I imagine she’s the type who would go through the roof?“
    „More likely she would just decide bad blood will out,“ Pru corrected him.
    McCord shook his head in chagrined wonder. „I knew it wasn’t easy for you to make the decision to move in with me, but I had no idea just how much you had to overcome in your own mind to do it“
    Pru thought about that „It was something of an unstable situation right from the start. But I might have been able to make it work, if only – “ She broke off abruptly.
    „If only what, honey?“ McCord held the verbal door open, trying to coax her inside. Perhaps now she would tell him about the baby. But she shied away from mentioning it. He wondered why, but he said nothing. It was, after all, her surprise. She had a right to spring it on him.
    „Never mind. McCord, what are we going to do?“
    „Get married.“
    „I’m not sure. I just don’t know. There are so many things to be considered. So many things I’ve realized I don’t know about you.“
    „Don’t worry about it, Pru. You love me, and I don’t want any other woman except you. It has recently been brought home to me in