LITMIR.BIZ

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somehow, it had worked out all right. She even had a strange feeling she might end up calling Jericho a friend.

      Who would have guessed that might happen?

      Life was no rose garden. But it could surprise you in a good way now and then.

      Even in the dark, she recognized Tessa’s street when they reached it. And she wasn’t far behind when Jericho turned his bike into the driveway beside Tessa’s house.

      Tessa and Ash were waiting on the front step. Ash had his arm around her and she huddled close to him. The headlights of the Mercedes swept over them and Marnie saw that her sister’s face was pale and drawn with worry.

       Way to go, Jones.

      Guilt tightened her stomach and made her feel crappy all over again. She really needed to get her act together. Making Tessa suffer for her erratic behavior was not the way to treat her loyal, generous, loving big sister. Tessa would do anything for her and she knew it. She needed to start showing a little consideration and respect.

      Things got worse in the house. Ash and Tessa were there in the kitchen when Marnie and Jericho came in through the glass doors.

      “Marnie!” Tessa’s relief was painfully evident. “I’m so glad you’re all right….” She started to come to her.

      Ash held her back with a hand on her shoulder. His blue eyes were dark with fury. Marnie realized she’d never seen him angry before. But he was now—angry at her. “What is the matter with you? You had your sister scared to death.”

      “Ash, don’t …” Tessa gave him a pleading look. “It’s okay. She’s okay.”

      Ash was not pacified. He pinned Marnie with an unforgiving glare. “You’re family. That means you’re welcome in this house. But you damn well better not pull any more stunts like this one tonight, or there is going to be big trouble between you and me.”

      Marnie felt his harsh words like blows. They were true words. And that made them hurt all the more. She opened her mouth to say she was so sorry and she would never do anything like that again.

      But Tessa spoke first, her gentle voice soothing. “Ash. Come on.” She turned to Marnie, her eyes moist with tears. “He worries about me. Please don’t take offense.”

      Marnie let out a cry. “I don’t. Of course, I don’t. He’s absolutely right.”

      Ash nodded. “You better believe I am.”

      Jericho stepped in then. “Come on, Ash. Dial it back. She knows she did wrong.”

      Ash shifted his furious gaze to his brother. “What? Now you’re defending her? What’s up with that?”

      Marnie cleared her throat. “We, um, we came to an understanding, Jericho and me. He still thinks I’m weird—but not crazy or on drugs.”

      Jericho explained, “She overheard us talking in the study.”

      “Talking about what?” Tessa demanded.

      Ash answered reluctantly, “Jericho was saying that maybe she needed professional help.”

      Jericho snorted. “I wasn’t nearly that diplomatic about it.”

      “Oh, no …” Tessa stared at her pityingly.

      Marnie shrugged and looked down at the floor. Since Jericho had caught up with her on his bike, she’d done a lot of looking down. “I did overhear what Jericho said. And I was a little crazy. But I’m pulling it together, as of now.” She raised her head, straightened her spine, and made herself meet her brother-in-law’s still-angry gaze. “I’m past the nervous breakdown phase. I swear I am.”

      Ash gave her a long once-over. Finally, he nodded. “Well, all right, then. Sorry for jumping down your throat.” He pulled Tessa closer and pressed a kiss to her temple.

      She nudged him in the side. “You went a little overboard, you know?”

      “Yeah,”Ash admitted. “Maybe. But I don’t like to see you freaked out, especially now, with the baby coming.”

      Marnie wondered if she’d heard right. “Uh. The baby?”

      Jericho let out a low chuckle.

      Tessa sighed.

      Ash’s brows drew together. “You didn’t tell her.”

      Tessa sent him a weary glance. “I was waiting till she at least had a good night’s sleep. But so much for that.”

      Marnie groaned. “That’s right. You didn’t have even one margarita, just to be sociable. And no wine. Only sparkling water. Am I oblivious or what?”

      Tessa eased out of Ash’s protective embrace. “You have a lot on your mind.”

      Jericho said, “Hey, Ash. Walk me out.”

      Marnie sent him a grateful look. “Thanks, Jericho. For everything.”

      “Later.” One corner of his mouth twitched in what could almost be called a smile as he turned again for the French doors.

      When the men were gone and the sisters were alone, Marnie grabbed Tessa in a long, tight hug. “I can hardly believe it. A baby. My sister’s having a baby….” She took Tessa by the shoulders and held her away enough to look up into her sweet face. “When are you due?”

      “Late October.”

      “You’re going to be an amazing mother, you know that?”

      Tessa’s cheeks flushed. It was good to see some color back in them. “I’m going to give it my best shot.”

      “I’m so sorry I scared you. Never, ever again.”

      Tessa’s eyes gleamed. “Well, at least if you could try and wait until after the baby’s born …”

      “It’s a promise.” She caught both of Tessa’s hands. “You were always on my side—well, except when we were little. Then you tried to run my life.”

      Tessa looked suddenly prim. It was a look she used to wear a lot when she was a kid, back when Marnie would constantly razz her, calling her Saint Teresa. “You were a wild child,” Tessa said. “You used to swear like a sailor on shore leave, remember? And you were always running away, freaking everybody out….”

      Marnie felt her shoulders slump. “Looks like I’m up to my old tricks, huh? Only minus the wild part. Somewhere I lost track of that—of my wild side. Lately, I’m about as wild as a stale slice of white bread.”

      Tessa pulled her close again, whispered, “You’re still wild at heart. You know you are.”

      “Oh, yeah, right.”

      “You are.”

      Marnie couldn’t help asking, hopefully, “You think?”

      “I know.” Outside, Jericho’s chopper roared to life. The sisters were quiet as the rumbling moved along the driveway and then faded away down the street. Then Tessa spoke again. “I’m so glad you and Jericho seem to have worked out your differences.”

      “I hated him at first.”

      “No kidding.”

      “But you know, I can see now that he’s an okay guy after all. A really good guy, actually.”

      “He’s got a lot of heart. And in the past few years, he’s turned his life around.”

      Marnie wondered what exactly that meant.

      But before she could ask Tessa about it, Ash came in. Marnie apologized again for everything.

      Ash said he wanted to let bygones be bygones. “I’m glad you came to us. And I meant it when I said you’re welcome to stay as long as you want to.”

      Marnie told

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