Christmas in Texas Read Online Free PDF Page B

help.”
    “I know,” Capri said, “but this is driving me crazy. I just
need to spend these last few days thinking about the beautiful children I’m
about to have.”
    Seagal came walking down the hall, holding his cell phone to
his ear. When he saw Capri alone in the bedroom, he clicked his phone off,
shoving it into his jeans. “Where’s Kelly?”
    “In the powder room, I think.” She didn’t worry about the fib;
Seagal’s face was creased with lines of worry. “You seriously need to relax,
Seagal. I took care of myself before you showed up—”
    “But I’m here now and will be here until the end.” He sank into
the chair, looking a bit dazed. “You scared me. I thought you were having more
pains.”
    “That’s the problem. You shouldn’t be scared. There’s nothing
to be afraid of.” She glared at him. “Where were you just now when I called
you?”
    Seagal looked sheepish. “Mrs. Penny called me over for a chat.
And some cookies.”
    Capri’s lips pursed. “I see. She wanted information about the
arrest at Christmastown the other night, or wanted to know why you’re suddenly
back in the house with me?”
    His eyes met hers with wry acknowledgment. “Both. Of
course.”
    “You sold out your conscience for some cookies.”
    “I sold it for gingerbread men. It was completely worth it,
too. They had frosting sweaters with mint buttons baked on them. I’m a weak man
when it comes to Mrs. Penny’s baking, Capri.”
    He was the least weak man she’d ever known. In fact, Seagal was
the strongest person she’d ever met in her life, other than her mother and
father. He sat there in a black long-sleeved shirt, his hair not exactly
appearing combed—he’d probably sprinted from next door, a day of stubble on his
face.
    Darn him. She’d never gotten over him.
    “Seagal,” Capri said, “I don’t want you staying here.”
    He shook his head. “Don’t be mad because I didn’t bring you any
cookies. Mrs. Penny said she’s bringing over a box later. That’s why she baked
them.”
    She shook her head, not allowing him to sidetrack her with
cookie romance.
    “I have to stay here with you,” Seagal said. “Those are my
children. You’re my wife. There’s no place on this earth I belong more than
right here.”
    Her heart tugged painfully. “Seagal, if you hadn’t found out I
was pregnant, you wouldn’t be here. You weren’t coming back to Bridesmaids
Creek. We’d be at the courthouse in two weeks, signing divorce papers.”
    He shrugged. “I came back to Bridesmaids Creek because I heard
you were expecting. I didn’t know it was twins, but all the same, I knew you
were having a baby. And Beau assured me it was mine.”
    “What?” Capri yelped, stung by her brother’s betrayal.
    Seagal ignored her. “I didn’t have to come back. To be honest,
I asked to be on this case. I didn’t know you were going to be assigned
round-the-clock protection—”
    “Which is dumb,” Capri said. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
    “But I did want to be there when the bust went down,” Seagal
said, ignoring her. “I just wasn’t expecting you to be so far along. Once I saw
you, I knew I was the bodyguard my wife required.”
    “Seagal, I don’t need you or anyone. I can take care of myself
and these children.”
    “I know you can,” Seagal said, “but you married me for better
or worse. You’re stuck with me, gorgeous. At least for another few days.”
    He was so unmovable. Determined. “Stuck is right,” she said
with a sigh.
    Seagal stood. “I wasn’t happy you didn’t tell me, but then
that’s when I realized you were still in love with me, and that you’d never
gotten over me.”
    Capri’s jaw dropped at Seagal’s outrageously high opinion of
himself. “How does that even work?”
    “Because—” Seagal said, sliding up into bed with her, his boots
dangling over the edge of the lacy white comforter “—you were never that good at
fibbing, Capri. And you weren’t going