Page 45 of A Baby to Make Her His Bride

And his own?

“I know,” she murmured, recognizing his reticence with her for what it was: survivor guilt. If one little thing had been different, Saqui might have lived. “I’m really sorry you lost your friend.” She moved closer and slid her arms around his waist. “He sounds like a really good person.”

Jasper turned to stone as she touched him, but now he took a shaken breath.

“He was.” His arms closed convulsively around her. “He really was.”

They stood like that a long time.

Jasper had thought living with Vienna would be an adjustment, maybe even claustrophobic at times. Surprisingly, he liked the domestic routine they fell into, especially once they moved into their new home.

Vienna had found a stunning house situated at the foot of Manquehue Hill in the upscale Vitacura neighborhood. It was not unlike the Tofino house in its terraced architecture. The tree-lined property and the hill rising behind the house gave the impression they were the only house for miles. Abundant windows looked to the lawn, the gazebo next to the pool, and views of the city lights in the distance.

Here in the primary bedroom, no expense had been spared. The palatial suite had its own sitting area, the dressing room where he currently stood, and a massive bathroom awash in luxurious touches. On its private terrace, there was an outdoor shower and a claw-foot tub open to the elements where Vienna liked to soak in fragrant bubbles.

Any of the other three bedrooms on this level would be perfect for a nursery, but when Jasper had glanced at her while touring the house, she had pointed to the room closest to where they slept. They were still keeping the pregnancy news quiet so decorators hadn’t yet been hired, but he glanced in there every time he came upstairs, picturing it occupied.

On the main level, there was both a formal living room and a casual family room. The dining room table sat twelve, but they tended to eat on the terrace or on the breakfast patio off the long, narrow kitchen. It was full of stainless steel appliances, managing to be both functional and welcoming.

The bottom floor had a wine cellar, which was overkill for their needs, as was the cinema room with a bar. They were converting that into a guest suite with a kitchenette so family would be comfortable staying for long periods.

Finally, the home gym had already been emptied so Vienna could use it as a studio. Its high band of windows allowed natural light to pour in and its private courtyard with mature trees and flowerpots was the meditative atmosphere she liked to work alongside.

Thinking of her studio reminded him to take a closer look at his shirt. Rainbow-colored fingerprints occasionally showed up when he interrupted her work with a questing kiss.

He shifted while he finished buttoning his shirt so he could see her in the mirror where she was sleeping off their early morning lovemaking.

The sex only got more amazing, which obviously contributed to his satisfaction with their living together, but they had enough outside interests that their relationship wasn’t all one note. He was still restructuring at REM-Ex, hiring and meeting with officials and implementing new procedures. She had reached out to some of her clients back in Canada, telling them about various artists she she had found here in Chile, continuing the curating work she’d been doing back home.

Vienna insisted art was a wise investment and had also begun a collection for him that had earned appropriate compliments when they had held a housewarming party last weekend.

That had been a game changer for Jasper. He still felt very middle-class, but given his ownership of an international mining firm, he felt obliged to entertain executives and dignitaries. Vienna had said the housewarming was a perfect excuse. He hadn’t looked forward to it at all, but she had made all the arrangements and it had been a tremendous success. Everyone had raved about howencantadora—charming—his “wife” was.

He hadn’t corrected anyone, but the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to call her that. His wife.

It was strange to feel so compelled when he had carried a resistance to the institution of marriage for so long. After witnessing his father’s agony on losing his spouse, and suffering his own rejection, Jasper had avoided thoughts of marriage. He still felt enormous guilt that Saqui couldn’t carry on with life the way he was, but this would be for their child.

AndVienna, obviously. It was vitally important to him that she be looked after in the best possible way. Marriage to him would ensure she and their child had the absolute strongest foundation and rights to all he possessed.

It made sense and, armed with that rationale, he was impatient to close the deal, but she had made clear that she had certain reservations about planning for the future. She wanted to feel sure about the baby before she could feel secure in anything else. He was trying to respect that, but his mind drifted to buying a ring anyway.

Tomorrow. He was tied up today, but tomorrow he would shop for a ring. A day studying gemstones was pretty much his idea of Christmas and birthday combined so he was already looking forward to it.

“You’re up early,” she murmured, rolling over in the reflection of the bed behind him.

“Meetings with the Environment Superintendency today.” He finished knotting his tie and centered it.

“What time?”

“All day. We’re flying out to the site, but I’ll be home at my regular time.”

“Oh. I thought...” She sat up. “Well, that’s important, obviously.”

It was. He’d been trying to meet with this branch of government since he and Vienna had arrived six weeks ago. Until he had them on his side, his efforts to restart mining were dead in the water.

She looked crestfallen, though.

“What’s wrong?” He turned.

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