Page 125 of Marry in Secret

Everything was ready. Only one rosebush had been planted so far, a transplant from Mr. Pendell’s garden. Rose had chosen it especially. It was her special rose, and though it was just a bundle of sticks at the moment, in spring it would blossom with white roses, tiny, sweet-smelling buds. The rest of the rosebushes would be planted tomorrow.

But Rose wasn’t thinking about roses. She wasn’t thinking about tomorrow at all, but about a time in the past when she’d been young, and ignorant and alone.

“I promise I won’t forget you,” she said softly. “You were with me for such a short time, but you meant all the world to me. I loved you then, and I love you now. And though I have more to love now, it doesn’t mean I’ll ever forget you, or love you any less. You’ll always have a place in my heart, your own special place.”

“Who are you talking to?” Thomas came up from behind and sat down on the bench. She turned her face up to him and the smile dropped from his face. “Rose, darling, what is it? What’s the matter?” He pulled out a handkerchief and began to wipe her cheeks.

She took it from him, scrubbed at her eyes and then blew her nose. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking.” She hadn’t even noticed the tears running down her cheeks.

“You were talking.”To nobody.She could see the concern in his eyes.

She looked at the little lone rosebush. “I was talking to the baby. The one I lost when I thought I’d lost you.”

He slipped his arms around her and gathered her against him. “Ah, don’t be sad, love. You’ll have a baby one day, I’m sure of it. But if not, don’t worry... I can’t bear it when you worry.”

His words caused her eyes to fill again. “I’m not sad, or worried, truly I’m not. Quite the contrary. I’m just...” Unable to find the words to explain the turmoil of emotionsinside her, she simply took his hand and placed it on her belly. And waited.

Thomas continued, “I know you’ve been fretting for weeks now—and it’s been worse since Emm had her baby. I know you don’t want to talk about it, but it really doesn’t matt—” He broke off. A strange look came into his eyes. He glanced at her belly, then looked at her. “Rose? Did I just feel—?” He broke off again. His big hand was warm against her belly.

She nodded, laid her hand over his and said mistily, “There’s a baby in here, and it’s alive, Thomas. My baby is alive. And kicking.”

“Ababy? But how—I mean when?” The baby kicked again and he stared, wonder dawning in his eyes. “How long? I mean, do you know when he—she—when our baby will be born?”

Our baby.She loved hearing him say it.

“In three or four months.”

“Three or four months!You mean you’ve known—” And then he realized. “And all this time you’ve been fretting and worrying? Without saying a word.” The arm around her tightened.

She bit her lip. “I didn’t want to say, unless... until I was sure everything was all right.” She’d felt the first faint flutters weeks ago, but still she hadn’t dared to believe...

“Ah, love, you should have told me. But it’s going to be fine, I’m sure of it.” He glanced down at her belly again. “A baby! We’re having a baby!” His silvery eyes blazed with emotion.

She smiled mistily, and he pulled her closer, one hand cupping her jaw as he kissed her tenderly, the other protectively cupping her belly, and theirbaby.