Page 23 of Harry

Liam gave one of his elegant shrug, his eyes twinkling. “I admire her quick fingers and don’t give a damn what she did. I love her in spite of it. I cannot do anything but love her. It’s the whole of me.” His eyes wandered over his friend’s face. “And you my good man appears to be struggling and more unhappy than usual.”

The mask came down swiftly and had Liam wincing.

“Something off limits, I presume?”

“You presume correctly!” Harry picked up his wine and took a healthy swallow.

“I am betting it has something to do with the truly lovely Janelle. You never said why you are no longer seeing her.”

“That will remain a mystery where you’re concerned.” His eyes tracked over to a table in the corner of the room and nodded at the woman who was staring at him.

“You do not want to go there,” Liam’s meal had arrived, and he stared eating, “our fair Chelsea is newly divorced and is here in the hopes of snagging husband number three.”

“Well, she’s shit out of luck where I’m concerned. But that does not mean we cannot have some fun.”

“She is like a leech, and you are better than that.”

Harry sent him an amused glance. “Looking out for me, are you?”

“What are friends for?”

Chapter 6

Janelle had to admit they were spot on. She had fun. The play was an amateur rendition of Cinderella and had so much adlibbing – it had the audience which consisted of hopeful parents and even more hopeful children who had been abandoned and were now charge of the stage – laughing uproariously at their antics.

And they were competing, no doubt vying to see who was the most adorable and talented and showing off for the people gathered inside the large community center.

She found herself laughing along with the rest and felt the worry and hopelessness that had been her constant companion, blowing out of her. They were cute and somewhat talented in a rough sort of way.

She was accustomed to professionals and her love for the arts had her attending the various plays at the theaters- but there was something to be said for the artlessness and innocence of children.

Placing a hand protectively on her belly, she felt a jolt at the slight movements against her skin.

“You okay?” She was sandwiched between Michael and David as if they were determined to be her protectors.

She smiled at David and shook her head. “Just the little darlings making their presence known. Want to have a feel?”

He hesitated for a second before allowing her to take his hand and placed it on her slight bump. His eyes flew open and had her laughing softly at his expression.

“That has to be the most amazing sensation,” he whispered, “thanks for sharing it with me.”

“You’re welcome.” Her smile warmed places inside his heart, places he had thought had gone completely shallow and empty.

Tearing his gaze from hers, he concentrated fiercely on the performance going on in front of him and tried his best to ignore the rapid pounding of his heart.

Oblivious of the effect she had on the man seated next to her, Janelle went back to enjoying the show.

*****

“She’s going to make an excellent mother.”

“She is.” Michael murmured in agreement as they both watched her tending to several children who had gathered around her while they snacked on the light refreshments.

“She has a glow about her.”

Michael turned to stare at the man contemplatively. “Most pregnant women have that certain glow. I think it has to do with the changes in their bodies.”

“What do you think she would say if I asked her to marry me?” The statement was delivered in such a casual note that if Michael had not seen the undercurrents, he would have missed it.

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