Family for Keeps & Sadie's Hero (31 page)

W
ith her arms folded over her chest, Sadie leaned against the wall in the hotel ballroom and watched the next bachelor step onto the stage. The door opened near her. She turned to see who had entered.

“Where’s that man of yours?” Jollie asked, slipping into the place next to Sadie along the back wall. “The least he could do is return to the scene of his downfall.”

Sadie laughed. “I hope he doesn’t see it that way.” With a quick look at the door, she saw another person enter the ballroom, but that man wasn’t Andrew, either. “He’s late.”

“He’s probably at work.” Jollie cocked her head to the side. “On second thought, he’s usually left before me these past few months. You’ve definitely changed that man. I never thought I would see the day he didn’t burn the midnight oil.”

“How’s Chris doing?”

“He’s working out great. I’m glad he transferred to my department. The people love seeing him come to work. He brightens the place.”

Again someone pushed the door open, and Sadie glanced toward it. A smile lit her face when she spied Andrew in the entrance to the ballroom. She waved, and he headed toward her.

Jollie leaned toward her. “I should be angry you took the most eligible bachelor off the auction block. But after all the men he persuaded to donate their time to this charity auction, I can’t complain.”

“Neither can I.” Sadie slipped her hand in Andrew’s.

“It’s nice to see you, Jollie.”

“I’d better get back to the table I’m manning. See you two later.”

“Sorry I’m late. I got detained longer than I thought at the church with the appropriation committee meeting, then the contractor called and needed to see me about our house.”

His whispered words fanned her neck in warm waves. She shivered, and he brought his hands up to pull her against him. “Is there a problem with the house?”

“Not anymore. Ready to leave?”

“Leave? I thought we were staying to eat dinner.”

“Nope. I’ve made other plans for us. This is our first anniversary.”

Sadie twisted, looking at Andrew. “We were married six months ago.”

“But this is where we first met, this time last year.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the door.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.” He opened the car door for her. “Sit back and relax.”

Sadie reflected on the past year. She hadn’t thought her life could get any better. Today at the doctor’s it had. Laying her hand on her stomach, she smiled. Remembering the money she’d spent at the auction the year before, she decided that was the best five hundred fifty dollars she’d ever spent.

Andrew parked his car in the driveway of a home under construction. “We’re here.”

“At our house?”

“Come on.” Andrew unlocked the door and switched on the light.

Sadie entered the almost completed house, her heels clicking on the concrete slab. Soon the carpet and hardwood floors would be put in. Soon she and Andrew would move in.

In the middle of the living room a table set for two with a white tablecloth and candles beckoned. She crossed to the table and ran her hand over a china plate.

“You thought of everything.”

“Surprised?” He came up behind her and drew her against him.

“No, not really. I’m discovering how romantic my husband can be.” She turned in his loose embrace so she could face him. “It’s been a wonderful year.”

“It’s been a life-altering year.”

The warm look in his eyes, so filled with love, melted her against him. “And the life-altering part isn’t over with.”

A silent question entered his expression. “You went to the doctor?”

“Yes, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. You know me and surprises. He confirmed we’re going to have a baby.”

Andrew’s shout for joy echoed through the empty house as he whirled her around.

“I take it you’re happy about the baby,” she said when he settled her feet on the concrete floor.