Cart Before The Horse Page 23

  “It doesn’t bother you?”

  “Nope, and in a year it won’t bother you either.” Melissa gave her a supportive pat on the arm and walked toward another group of children waiting for adult support to settle an argument.

  Holly had never had to worry about sharing or having the opportunity to make any kind of mess. Trudy Jacobs ran a tight ship—but she’d never looked as happy as Melissa did.

  After one evening at Melissa’s house among all the kids, in their own atmosphere, and all the adults drinking and enjoying themselves, she had decided peacefulness and calmness were overrated.

  Now, in the backseat of Gladys and Paul’s town car, headed to Grandma Gertie’s birthday party, she understood that quiet and reserve had no place in the Maguire family. They liked to talk, share ideas, memories, and jabs at one another’s egos. Holly wondered if she’d learn the fine art of banter now that she was a Maguire. The thought warmed her. She’d have to start the process with Gabe and the baby, because between

  Gabe and his parents, she couldn’t have gotten a word in edgewise anyway. So she sat quietly, grinning from ear to ear, with the realization that she was a Maguire and it was a wonderful addition to the quiet Jacobs side.

  When they had parked outside the church where Grandma Gertie’s party was being held, the parking lot had already filled with cars. Gabe walked to her door, opened it, and helped

  her out.

  She held on to her husband’s arm and the door of the car to gain her balance. “That’s becoming more of a chore already. What am I going to do when I can’t see my feet anymore?”

  “Let me carry you.” His lips curved into that sexy smile she’d never grow tired of. “Looks like there are a lot of people already. Do you want to hang back for a minute?”

  Holly brushed her fingertips over Gabe’s cheek and then tucked them into his hair as he pulled her close. “I’m a Maguire now. These big family events are starting to become second nature to me. Besides, I’m guessing that entire room knows Gabe Maguire is bringing his glowing, pregnant wife, and they’re all going to want to meet me.”

  Gabe grinned. “You’ve learned quickly.”

  “One of my finer skills. I learn fast.” Holly dropped her hand to her stomach as the baby rolled again. “I think he’s ready to meet everyone too.”

  Holly stepped back and started toward the church.

  “Hol,” Gabe called out, and she turned back. “Thank you for loving them. They all love you—and you’re a Maguire now.”

  “It’s hard not to love such wonderful people. Yourself included.” She gave him a wink. “C’mon, I know there’s food in there, and I’m starting to get hungry.”

  Holly only hoped that when she was in her nineties she’d not only be still walking and taking care of herself, but that she could dance like Grandma Gertie. The woman had taken every

  one of her grandsons, great-grandsons, and great-great-grandsons for a spin on the floor. A few of the little girls danced with her too. Gertie had laughed all day, and not once did she stumble over a name. She was absolutely amazing.

  When Holly fell into bed beside her husband that night, she was sure that the baby she carried—who currently had the hiccups—would not be her last. What would the Maguire family be without more little Gabes?

  The next morning she woke to Gabe’s gentle touch. She couldn’t have been more surprised to see him standing over her showered and dressed.

  “Holly, we need to get moving. We have one stop before the airport.”

  She gave a sleepy nod and crawled from bed.

  Gladys had a breakfast spread on the table that would put most hotel buffets to shame. But only moments after Holly reached the kitchen, the doorbell began to ring and all of Gabe’s sisters and their families began making their way into the house. Even a simple goodbye turned into a party.

  Finally, when it was time to leave, Holly and Gabe loaded their suitcases into the back of Paul’s old Jeep.

  Holly climbed into the passenger seat and Gabe handed her a white box. “Hold this for me.”

  “What is this?”

  “Just hold it.”

  When Gabe got behind the wheel and Holly noticed Paul still standing on the porch waving goodbye, she turned to him. “Your dad isn’t driving us?”

  “No, he’ll go out and pick up the Jeep. I need to take you somewhere, and it has to be only the three of us.”

  “The three…” She stopped when she realized what he’d said.

  The drive was quiet. She didn’t ask where they were going or say a word. However, she could see that Gabe’s mind

  was buzzing. Whatever he was planning, she wasn’t sure it was one of those good surprises.

  They exited the highway and drove along the ocean for a few miles before Gabe turned down a road lined with trees. Holly thought in the spring it must be a sight, but winter had kissed everything, and the trees were bare.

  Gabe pulled to the side of the road and sat for just a moment. When he lifted his head and looked at her, his eyes had gone dark and sad. “I have to do this, and I need you to go

  with me.”

  Holly looked around, unsure where they were. But just beyond the trees she could see a cemetery with headstones perched in perfect little rows. She turned back to Gabe. Her skin grew cold and her hands began to shake.

  “Okay. I’ll wait.” It tore her up that he had to see Jasmine, but she wasn’t going to lose her control over it. He was still her husband, and no one could take that from her, not even his

  late wife.

  “No. I need you to come with me. I know that this sounds stupid, but I need you to be there with me, and her. I want her to be with you and the baby and know that I’m okay.” Holly knew her expression must be dumbfounded, but she couldn’t help it. When he shook his head, it hurt her to think this pained him. “I know, this is crazy. But for the longest time I had to keep her alive in my head to get through it. I’d sit and talk to that damn picture or I’d see her in my dreams.” He gave a little laugh. “She’s the one who told me the baby was a girl, because what would I be if I didn’t live in a house full of women.”

  Holly could feel the tears start to burn as her husband went through a transformation she’d thought he’d already endured. She’d been wrong.

  “Holly, please go with me. We need to say goodbye,

  forever.”

  She nodded, and he drove down the road and through the gates to the cemetery. When he pulled over, Holly knew

  which grave was Jasmine’s by the angel seated atop the headstone; she could swear it winked at her.

  Gabe climbed out of the Jeep and walked around to open her door. He took the box from her lap and tucked it under his arm. Then he gave her his hand to help her out and gain her balance on the frozen ground.

  An awkward silence loomed between them as they walked to the grave. She’d been right. The angel on the headstone was Jasmine’s, and the moment she stood next to it she’d felt an odd peace wave through her. She reached for Gabe’s hand only to find he was reaching for hers. They clasped fingers and held each other tightly.

  “I’ve never been here with anyone else after the funeral,” he said, staring at the headstone. “It seems like a lifetime ago now that I have you here with me.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a moment alone?”

  “No.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “I can feel her. I haven’t felt her in a while. Not since you came into my life. She’s at peace.” The corners of his mouth turned up into a smile.

  Holly bit down on her lip. “I had a dream one night. I was alone in a room, but there was a light.” Gabe lifted his head and looked at her. She gripped his hand tighter. “Someone was there. A woman, but I never saw her face. She told me you loved me and would take care of us.”

  “She approves of you.”

  This time Holly smiled, realizing that the dream she’d had was about Jasmine. “Do you really think people
are out there after they die? I mean, that she’d come into my dreams.”

  “Might sound silly, but yes.” He let out a breath that became a puff of white in the cold air. “Well, Jaz, this is it. I guess you saw me through everything.” He let go of Holly’s hand, took the box he carried in his other arm, and laid it on the ground in front of her headstone. “I brought Holly to introduce her to you, but I guess you’ve already met.” He let out a little

  chuckle. “I’m happy.”

  Holly couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. They fell freely from her eyes, leaving a chilled path on her cheeks. Gabe turned to her and wiped them away. “Why are you crying?”

  “I make you happy?”

  “Oh, honey, I’ve never been happier.”

  Holly let out a weak laugh. “You shouldn’t be saying that right here, right now, should you?”

  Gabe grinned and looked down at Jasmine’s grave. “It’s exactly what she wanted to hear.” He kissed Holly’s cheek. “Go back to the truck. I’ll be right behind you.”

  She nodded and walked back to the road slowly. Her feet were unsteady because her knees were shaking and the ground was frozen. When she turned, she saw him touch his fingers to his lips, kiss them, then touch the angel on the headstone, and give a slow wave as he said goodbye to his late wife forever.

  Holly climbed into the Jeep and watched as he walked slowly away from the grave. His eyes had brightened to go with the smile on his mouth. Whatever had transpired had been just what he needed. A new Gabe walked toward her.

  He climbed into the Jeep and started it. The heater whirred, but Holly realized she was already warm.

  “I love you,” she said.

  Gabe turned to her with his eyes sparkling. “I love you. I love you both so much.” He reached out and touched her stomach.

  Holly looked past him. “What did you leave on her grave?”

  “The last things I owned of Jasmine’s. Now they’re with her.” He looked back out at the box. “I don’t need them

  anymore.”

  He put the truck into gear and they drove away.

  As they headed toward the airport, Holly rubbed her stomach as the baby gave her a jab. “A girl, huh?”

  Gabe looked over at her and nodded.

  “I had given up on thinking someday I’d get to name a

  child.” She looked up at him. “What do we name her?”

  “I’ve always liked Madison.”

  Holly considered. “I like it.”

  “Then Madison it is. My mother will be happy to finally get to use the name.” Holly lifted her brows in confusion, and Gabe laughed. “Well, of course she assumed I was a girl. So Madison would have been my name.”

  Holly laughed. Yes, Jasmine was right. What would Gabriel Maguire’s life be if it wasn’t filled with women—especially a daughter?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Holly looked around her enormous stomach at her swollen ankles, which she’d elevated in Gabe’s ugly recliner. It had become one of her favorite pieces of furniture and one of the only places she could get comfortable in

  anymore.

  Her wedding ring dangled from a chain around her neck now that her fingers were too big to wear it comfortably, and she felt like she had a cold that would never go away. She let out a sigh. How did he still think she looked so beautiful?

  Gabe passed by the window pushing his new lawn mower.

  Holly laughed at the sight of him. The moment the grass had turned green in March, he’d hurried out and bought a new mower and a new edger. It was only April, and he’d mowed the grass twice already that week. It hadn’t grown even a quarter of an inch, but he was happy to be out there looking like

  a fool.

  Holly closed her eyes and rested her hands on her enormous stomach. Chandra had ensured her that in the next six weeks she was going to double in size. How that was possible she wasn’t even sure. She wasn’t sure how her body had expanded to the size it had.

  The baby gave her a sharp jab, and Holly watched as her stomach rose with the baby’s movements. “Oh, honey, settle down, would you?” She rested her hand on the point that made her stomach look uneven. “Mommy is so tired.”

  The quiet from outside signaled that Gabe had finished his mowing and would be traipsing inside any moment all sweaty

  and smelly. Holly braced for it. She heard the door slam between the house and the garage, and the odor of grass filled her oversensitive nose.

  “It’s time to plant flowers,” he announced as he pulled a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. “Let’s go to the garden center.”

  “I don’t know who you are anymore.”

  “I’m a man with a house, a lawn, and empty garden boxes. Leslie Parks down the street just planted, and it looks great. It’s time.”

  Holly rubbed her stomach and groaned again. “I’m not planting anything but my butt in this chair for the next six weeks.”

  “I didn’t say you had to help.” He was closer now; she could smell him before he was standing next to her kissing the top of her head. “But let’s take a drive.”

  “You will be showering first, right?”

  “Of course.” He turned and she heard him stomping up the stairs. “But I do think there is some alluring quality to the smell of grass,” he shouted from the bedroom, and she laughed.

  Maybe it was the fumes or maybe it was the pollen in the air, but as miserable as she felt, all swollen and tired in the chair, she was still deliriously happy.

  Spring must have gotten to Holly too. Gabe loaded down the back of his car with more flowers than he’d intended on buying. She’d gone crazy for the pink ones. He didn’t even know what they were, but his wife was enjoying herself, so he’d put them in the cart.

  As he closed the trunk he laughed. He was much too tired to plant them now.

  Holly wiggled in her seat trying to latch her seatbelt when he climbed in behind the wheel. “Let me help you.” He took the buckle and slid it in.

  “My fingers don’t work anymore. Tracy says my designs

  are starting to look like Picasso’s work.”

  He started the car. “I guess you’ll have to retire for a bit, then. We wouldn’t want your reputation to slip.”

  “I think that if I’m not designing, I’d have more time to convince you to change the dress code for your employees. I’m still not impressed by your perky staff.”

  Gabe bit back his laugh, but she had a point. Everything in his life had changed, and it was all because of Holly. At some point, he figured she’d start making changes in his business too. Up until now that had been a very separate part of their marriage, but it sounded like maybe that would be changing. It wrenched in his gut, but only because his business had been his safe haven. He supposed it was time to let Holly have her say in at Maguire’s.

  The heavy Saturday traffic wasn’t uncommon with the weather being so nice. Everyone was out enjoying spring. Bicyclists crowded the streets. Sidewalks were full of people walking their dogs. In a few weeks, he and Holly would be pushing a stroller through the park, enjoying the fresh air and the view.

  His mind clouded with the pleasure of it all. The joy of marriage. The amazement of new life. The—

  Holly screamed.

  A blur passed before him. He gripped the steering wheel and gave it a sharp turn. His vision was obstructed as the car jolted. Something hit him in the face. His seatbelt caught and dug into his chest and neck. Then everything went dark.

  “Gabe.” The voice came from far away. “Gabe, open your eyes.”

  Jasmine.

  He tried to move, but he couldn’t. His arm was pinned. His eyes wouldn’t open.

  “Gabe!” Her voice was louder, but his mind wouldn’t clear. “Gabe!” The voice wasn’t Jasmine’s.

  Slowly he pried his eyes open.

  Not again.

  The car was crushed in around him. A tree was smashed into the windshield, and his door was pinning him into his se
at. His face hurt as though someone had punched him. The air was cloudy, and his face stung. He realized that he’d been hit by the airbag, which lay deflated in front of him.

  There were sobs coming from next to him. He slowly turned his head to see Holly sitting beside him. Her hands were on her stomach, her face was bleeding, covered with cuts from the broken window.

  He tried to focus, but his mind blurred.

  Holly moaned. “Gabe! The baby!”

  Her legs were covered in blood and she screamed again. He should help her. He should unclasp his seat belt. But his arms wouldn’t move, and blackness took over again.

  “Gabe, wake up.” The voice was very familiar to him, but his body was numb. “There he is.” The voice was his mother’s.

  She was sitting next to him, his father just to her side, when he opened his eyes.

  “Boy, you need to practice your driving skills.” His father gave him a steady nod.

  “Where am I?” His voice was weak, and when he tried to move, pain shot through him.

  His mother brushed her hand over his hair. “You’re in the hospital. You were in a car accident.”

  “Jasmine.” There was panic in his voice. He looked at his mother, and her expression told him something horrible had happened. She exchanged a look with his father, who squeezed his eyes shut. No. That wasn’t right. He tried to clear his mind. “Holly.”

  It had happened again. Something had darted into the street. He didn’t even know what it was. He’d swerved to miss it and hit the tree. He tried to move his arm, but he found it

  bandaged against him. The flash of Holly sitting in the seat next to him holding her stomach hit him. Her legs had been covered in blood. The baby. He felt the wave of nausea rise and the pain in his heart—his life had been torn apart again.