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  “I don’t think we need to jump to that right away. Give her to me.” Hunt walked around the room and bounced with her, but her crying didn’t lighten up at all.

  “I’m worried, Hunt. We need to do something.”

  “Give me a few minutes. I’ll go take her temp. If it’s up, we’ll go in. Otherwise it’s probably gas or something simple.”

  “Since when are you an expert on babies? I’m her mother. You think I would know when something is wrong.”

  “I know, babe. I’m not taking this lightly either. I have been down this road with two sisters plenty. You have the world’s greatest babysitting uncle right here.”

  “Then do something, Great Uncle. That screaming is piercing my skull.”

  Hunt walked into the room he had claimed as an office and opened up his desk drawer. He walked back with Hannah to the room they were going to turn into the nursery and put her in her car seat. He rocked it with his foot as he began to play Lee Oscar’s “Before the Rain” on the harmonica he’d removed from the desk. Hannah immediately stopped crying. She stared at her father as he played.

  Mandy entered the room, wide-eyed at both the baby’s sudden silence and at Hunt’s playing. “For the love of all that is holy, you stop and I’ll kill you.”

  Hunt’s smile caused him to goof a note or two, but it hadn’t affected Hannah at all. She was enthralled by the music. The song itself was over nine minutes long, but three minutes into it Hannah pulled her legs close to her chest and let go of enough gas to blow a hole in the floor. They both laughed hard then Mandy picked her up.

  “What did I tell you? Gas,” Hunt said.

  “I can’t believe you know that song.”

  “I’ve always loved that song. It’s what made me pick up my first harmonica.”

  “When you mentioned it that night we stayed here, it blew me away. No one I know knows that song.”

  “You’ve never known anyone as cool as me before.” Mandy playfully smacked him and Hannah cried again. “She doesn’t like it when you abuse her daddy.”

  “I think she wants you to play again.”

  “I think Mommy wants me to play again.”

  “This is true.”

  Hunt played the song from the beginning, and once again Hannah was quiet in an instant. Mandy rocked with her as he played. She was asleep before he reached the end. Mandy placed her in the spare bed and double checked the pillows that surrounded her. Hunt lingered for a second longer than Mandy. After walking to the door and discovering Hunt wasn’t behind her, Mandy turned back around.

  “Something wrong, Hunt?”

  “No.” He reached down and stroked Hannah’s back. “I’m afraid I’m going to wake up tomorrow and we’ll be listening to her valedictorian speech as she graduates college.”

  “It does seem to happen that fast, doesn’t it?”

  “I’ve already missed her first eleven months. Yes, I would have loved to know her in your belly, too. I don’t want to miss anymore.”

  It was Mandy’s turn to wrap her arms around Hunt’s waist. “We’re not going anywhere. I promise.”

  “You’re what?” Hunt’s men said in unison.

  “You heard me. I’m getting married.”

  “To who?”

  “Some hot FBI chick that kicked the shit outta Junior here and stole your truck.”

  “Now I know you’re pulling our legs. Her? You ain’t even seen her in a year.”

  “Eleven months, give or take a few days.”

  “You made this decision at the hearing?” Roy asked.

  “Just after.”

  “You hate her! Are you insane?” Luke shouted.

  “I don’t hate her. I love her. Always did. I was just too stubborn to admit it.”

  “Well if that don’t end all,” Luke said. “Maybe now that you’ll be getting it on a regular basis, you won’t be such a dick.”

  Hunt pointed his finger at him. “Watch it. I still sign your checks.”

  “No you don’t. Becky at the courthouse does.”

  “I meant theoretically. I don’t want any flak from you guys. When she comes in, I want her treated with respect. You know why she did what she did.”

  “Yes, Hunt. You’ve drilled us on her evil ways enough. ‘She had to do it…blah blah blah…It’s okay—she was FBI…blah blah blah…’ Hey, is she still a fed? She going to be your boss now?”

  “She’s retired. Her job is staying home with my kid for now.”

  “Your what?” they said together again.

  “My kid. Most beautiful little girl you’ve ever seen.”

  “Who are you and what have you done with my boss?” Roy asked.

  “How do you know it’s your kid? How many times could y’all have screwed in a couple of days anyway?”

  “You’re crossing the line, Luke. It’s my kid. Soon as you hear her fart you’ll be convinced.”

  Roy laughed, Luke didn’t. “You’re getting hosed, man.”

  “Right. She’s after me for my riches. My family fortune is what drew her to me in the first place. Get over it, Junior.”

  “Knock it off, Hunt. I ain’t no kid. I deserve better than this.”

  “Then start acting like it, Luke,” Roy said. “I have a pimple on my ass older than you and it’s better behaved.”

  “I don’t need this shit. I have streets to patrol.”

  “Take it easy out there,” Hunt said. “If I get one more pissed off parent calling me to yell about you scolding their kid for riding their bike the wrong way down the street, I’m making you go over there to apologize.”

  “I’m just teaching street safety.”

  “Then create a class. Stop wasting the warning slips.”

  “Yes, sir.” Luke over exaggerated a salute and walked out.

  “What the hell is eating him?” Hunt asked.

  “Can’t say. He probably needs to find a woman and quit whacking off 24/7. Must be wearing at his nerves.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Hunt walked in the house at five-thirty that night with a spring in his step. He could get used to having someone to come home to every night.

  “Hi, home. I’m honey,” he said as he took off his coat then his utility belt. Mandy walked out of the kitchen with Hannah sleeping in her arms. Hunt walked over and kissed them both. “I picked up the marriage certificate this afternoon. There’s a three day wait, then we can go to the courthouse. Roy and Joy agreed to be witnesses.”

  “Joy?”

  “She works at the courthouse. You sure there isn’t someone you want to call?”

  “I’m sure, Hunt. Living with a gangster for a couple of years doesn’t do much for lasting friendships. I pretty much severed all my ties when I signed up.”

  “No brothers or sisters?”

  “Nope.”

  “Parents?”

  “Both long gone.”

  He stroked her cheek. “We have so much to learn about each other.”

  She tip-toed up and kissed him. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Did the movers call? Any idea when your things will get here?”

  “Another couple of days. I’m really thinking I should go get her a crib. Even though she’s not rolling yet, it scares me leaving her on the bed surrounded by pillows. She’s not going to last in the bassinet I have coming for long anyway.”

  “Let me get dressed and we’ll go get one.”

  “You want to now?”

  “Sure. Give me a chance to take you out to dinner, too. We’ve never had a real date before.”

  “We ate out plenty.”

  “I’d hardly call the choke-n-puke places we picked up food and ran as ‘date meals.’”

  “I found steaks in the freezer. I have them thawing.”

  “So throw ’em in the fridge.” He gave her a quick kiss and headed for the stairs. “I’ll be down in a flash.”

  Mandy was fastening the baby in her car seat when Hunt came back down. “While we’re out, w
e could stand to do some grocery shopping, too. Your cabinets are pretty bare.”

  “I don’t eat at home much.”

  She took hold of his shirt and pulled him close. “You’ll be home now though, right?”

  “Wild thugs couldn’t keep me away.” He kissed her then picked Hannah up and headed for the door.

  Mandy stopped him. “I’m not living under an illusion that being a cop’s wife is easy, Hunt. I know the drill.”

  “I know. I’ll never try to keep things rosy where they’re not either. But you do need to understand, St. Ann’s isn’t New York. You won’t be getting the calls telling you I’ll be late for dinner. I almost guarantee that won’t happen. At least not often. Your case was the most interesting thing that came through here in…well, ever.” He looked down at her chest as he said that and grinned when his eyes met her again.

  “What?”

  “You need to go change your shirt.”

  Her eyes went to where his had been and she cursed. “I need to get nursing pads while we’re out, too. This is crazy. I swear I have enough milk for twins!”

  “How about one growing baby and her milk-loving daddy?”

  She giggled. “I’ll be right back down.”

  “I’ll go get her loaded up in the truck.”

  Hannah slept through the whole meal, giving them a chance to talk without disruption. Mandy had gotten a nice pension from the FBI when she left. She was too young to officially be retired; it was more of a “suggested honorable discharge with pay.” Although what she had done wasn’t set up by the organization, they took full responsibility at its outcome and reaped the reward. Her name was added in the arrests only when absolutely necessary in-house and kept out of official records and the news media.

  Trying to explain it to Hunt didn’t come easy. It even looked to her as if she was paid for doing a hit and asked to move on because of it. Hunt squeezed her hand when she reached the tougher to explain areas and gave her looks of sincere understanding.

  “I like that you’ve put the FBI behind you. I wouldn’t want to be married to a cop.” He took a big bite of salad. “Too easy to cheat.”

  “Oh really?” she said as she crossed her arms.

  “Hell yeah. ‘Honey, I’ll be late. I’m up to my ass in paperwork. Don’t hold dinner for me.’ What you’re really saying is, ‘Honey. My partner has been giving me the look all day. We’re going to go bang our brains out before I come home to your sorry ass and have to have sex with you again.’”

  She leaned in close. “You are the smart one. I don’t know, Hunt. You’d better watch yourself. Roy is a pretty sexy man. I see how he’d tempt you.”

  “Ew. Now that’s just sick and wrong.”

  She picked up her steak knife and flipped it in her hands like a pro knife juggler. “I’d hate to have to cut off one of my favorite parts on you.”

  “Vicious. Yet incredibly sexy the way you handle that thing.” She removed her shoe and ran her foot up his thigh. He jumped when her foot made contact. “You play dirty pool.”

  “I play to win.”

  “You won me, babe. Although somehow, I think I got the better part of this bargain.”

  “That has yet to be determined. I’m not so sure I’ll be a picnic to live with.”

  He reached for her hand again. “I’m sure we’ll both have to make adjustments. You’re not getting cold feet are you?” She only shook her head no. “Are you?”

  “I’m not, Hunt. I thought about you every day. I’m ready to do this. Really. I’m worried that…”

  “What, Mandy?”

  “That if I showed up without Hannah, I’d be back in Connecticut.”

  “Bullshit. Did I not have my way with you before I knew about her?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Hunt cut her off. “But nothing.” He stood, walked over, and knelt down by her chair. “I don’t know what it will take to convince you how much I missed you and how badly I wanted to see you again. I want you, Mandy. Hannah is an extremely wonderful bonus that I couldn’t even have dreamed of. I never knew I wanted kids until I laid eyes on her. Please don’t second guess me or my intentions ever again.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a box. He opened it up revealing a stunning carat diamond solitaire. “Marry me, babe.”

  As she nodded yes, a lone tear ran down her cheek. Hannah squealed and they both laughed. “I think she agrees, too,” Hunt said.

  Just then, there was a familiar voice from behind. “Hunter Andrew. Just what is this?”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “Mom? Dad? Uh…you’re back? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I was about to ask the same thing, young man,” his mother said as she motioned to his hand still holding Mandy’s after he slipped the ring on it. “You’re engaged?”

  He stood up. “Um. Yes. I wanted to be sure she agreed before I called you. Why are you home?”

  “My friend Hildy is in the hospital. Denny was afraid she wasn’t going to be with us much longer. We came to say our goodbyes.” Her eyes found Hannah. “Who’s the peanut?”

  “Just your granddaughter.”

  “Lord have mercy!” She sat down in Hunt’s chair and fanned herself.

  “Knock it off, JoAnne.” Hunt’s father walked over to Mandy. “Don Blaine, but you can call me Dad. Pleasure to meet you, Miss…”

  “Amanda. Amanda Smith.”

  “You’re not from around here, are you? I don’t recall seeing you around these parts.”

  “You’re right. I’m not,” was all she managed to say before he chimed in again with another question.

  “How’d a good looking thing like you end up with my boy?”

  “She kidnapped me—” Mandy looked up, afraid Hunt was going to actually tell the truth. He followed with “—with her natural glow and charm.”

  “You had a baby and you didn’t tell us?” his mother said, obviously still upset over being left it in the dark.

  “It’s been a long distance thing, Mom. I wasn’t going to have you get attached to someone who wasn’t going to put up with my crap.”

  “You should have thought of that before you decided to make a baby.”

  Hunt knew it was easier to ignore her than to fight. Instead, he used the best weapon he could. He picked up Hannah and put her in his mother’s lap. “She still needs a middle name. I was thinking Marie.”

  “You’ll do no such thing. Hannah Gayle, after your grandmother. It flows better.”

  Hunt’s eyes met Mandy’s, searching for a response. She smiled. “It’s perfect. I love it.”

  His mother finally looked her way. “Very pleased to meet you. When is her baptism?”

  Hunt muttered, “Oh dear.”

  Hunt was busy putting the crib together while Mandy paced the room. “I’d rather take on a busload of Mafia Dons than go through that shit again, Hunt. Thanks for the heads up.”

  “I said I’m sorry. Once they go to Florida they don’t ever come back until after April. I didn’t expect it. I thought we’d have a chance to get used to each other before I had to subject you to my mother.”

  “Your dad is sweet enough.”

  “He cowers under the ‘Yes, Dear’ policy and opts for peace.”

  “We’re going to have to explain to your mother that I’m not Catholic.”

  “Protestant.”

  “Whatever. I don’t know about this whole baptism thing, Hunt. I don’t do church.”

  “I don’t either anymore, but I want her baptized. We can have it done at St. Anthony’s. Technically I’m still a member there.”

  “Is it really necessary?”

  “To my family it is, so it is to me.”

  “I’ll do it for you, Hunt, but I don’t buy into the whole unbaptized babies don’t go to Heaven crap. What could their innocent little souls do wrong before they’re even moving around?”

  He put down the tools and stood up. “I don’t want a battle of the beliefs here. If you were Catholic or Je
wish and had different beliefs, I’d bend over backward for you so this would work. You don’t have any, so let my family have this. Okay?”

  “I said I’d do it. I don’t have to like it, but I’ll do it. Are we going to be expected to go to church now, too?”

  “Probably Easter. We can skip Christmas if you want, since Mom and Dad are away, but I’d really like Hannah to grow up knowing Christmas service.”

  “I don’t have a problem teaching her bible stories and wanting her to know right from wrong, but when she’s old enough to question things, we’ll let her make up her own mind, Hunt.”

  “Fair enough. You will let her believe in Santa and the Easter bunny for a while though. Won’t you?”

  “Duh.” They both laughed at the conversation finally taking a comedic turn. Mandy reached her arms around Hunt’s neck. “Was this officially our first fight as a couple?”

  “Hell. Nothing was even broken. I think we got off easy.”

  “Can we have make-up sex anyway?”

  “You bet your sweet ass.”

  As they lay in bed cuddling, their conversation from dinner continued. There were serious issues to deal with before they were interrupted by Hunt’s parents.

  “I’ll come get you tomorrow and we’ll go car shopping.”

  “I suppose I need to get one. It wasn’t such a big deal in the city when I could catch a cab. I guess out here they’ll be a little hard to come by.”

  “My truck is paid up, so there won’t be an issue for me getting a loan.”

  “I’ll manage my own car payments, Hunt. I may have my mind made up to be a stay-at-home mom for now, but I certainly don’t need to mooch off of my husband.”

  Hunt slumped back, frustrated. “Do you have to play so tough nut independent with me? Can’t you let me be the man of the family and do shit for my wife?”

  “Of course. You are allowed to take out the trash and shower me in bling for any occasion you see fit.”

  “You going to insist on paying half the mortgage?”

  “I think we should share bills, don’t you?”

  “No, I don’t. I’m the man. I provide for my family.”

  “But I have money coming in, too.”