to you,” she countered. “My husband, who’s handsomer today than when I first laid eyes on him.”
We clinked glasses and each took a sip.
This was good. This was right. This was what we needed.
Our meals arrived. Daphne had surprised me by ordering free-range roast chicken. I was sure she’d order a bowl of plain pasta, one of her morning-sickness staples. I’d already arranged it with the chef.
“Enjoy, baby,” I said.
“I’m not sure why,” she said, “but it sounded good.”
“I’m glad.”
She took a bite of the mashed potatoes. “Mmm. I wish I’d just ordered a plate of these.”
“We can take care of that.” I signaled to our waiter.
“No, it’s okay. I want to try the chicken.” She took a bite. “Hmm. Maybe not.”
“Sir?” the waiter said.
“My wife needs a plate of just mashed potatoes, please.”
“Is there something wrong?”
“No, no,” she said. “I’m pregnant, is all.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I thought I could handle the chicken, but not so much.”
“Let me box it up for you.”
“Don’t bother.” She pushed the remaining mashed potatoes onto her bread plate. “I’m so sorry for the waste.”
“Don’t worry about that,” he said. “Just take care of your baby. I’ll be back with your potatoes shortly.”
She smiled her dazzling smile at him. “You’re so kind. Thank you.”
I gazed at her.
She’d just made that waiter’s night with a simple smile.
That was the power of my wife—that ethereal quality I’d never encountered in anyone else. Everyone saw it. Her father had been the first to use the word ethereal about her, and he’d been right on point.
Nope.
I did not want to think about Jonathan Wade right now. This was a time for Daphne and me to reconnect, to celebrate the baby we’d created.
Jonathan Wade, Wendy Madigan, promises I’d made and broken—none of that had any place here.
I sliced into my prime rib. Normally I didn’t order beef anywhere, but I knew where this had come from. The Broadmoor served only Steel beef, which was humanely raised, of course.
Yeah, Daphne had turned me on to her humanely raised requirement over the years. She was so loving, my Daphne. She loved all living creatures.
God, she deserved better than the life I’d thrust upon her. So much better.
Things were going to change.
I’d already put some processes in motion. My Daphne would live the rest of her life in joyful happiness. I’d see to it, no matter what.
“Oh, thank you so much,” Daphne gushed when the waiter set down a plate of mashed potatoes in front of her. “You’re a gem.”
Anyone who made my wife’s eyes sparkle like they were sparkling now was getting a huge tip.
I nodded to him. “Yes, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, both of you. What else can I get for you today?”
Daphne froze, her lips parted.
“Baby?”
She didn’t respond.
I turned back to the waiter. “Nothing. Thank you.”
He nodded politely and then left.
“Daphne?” I said again.
She continued staring, as if looking through me.
I’d seen her this way before, but not in a long, long time. Usually a touch from me helped. I reached across the table and placed my hand over hers.
“Baby?”
She blinked. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Relief swept through me. “Nothing. Are you okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
What to say next? I’d learned with these brief episodes to just go on as if nothing had happened. To do anything else would upset her.
“Just concerned about the nausea.”
“I’m feeling okay.” She inhaled. “These potatoes smell divine.”
I nodded. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
I watched in awe as Daphne cleaned her plate.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked.
I looked down at my own nearly full plate and chuckled. “I was having too much fun watching you.”
“Silly. You’ve seen me eat before.”
“Not like that, and not when you’re in the first trimester.”
“True enough.” She licked her fork.
And my groin tightened. Only my wife could make licking mashed potatoes off a fork look sexy.
I pushed my uneaten dinner away.
“Let’s go back to the room,” I growled.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Oh, yes. Very.”
She smiled. Right now she had a full belly, which would ease her nausea for a while. I planned to take full advantage of the situation.
I signaled to the waiter. “Check, please.”
“Of course.” He took my plate. “Let me box this up for you.”
“No, thank you. I’ll be satisfying my appetite elsewhere tonight.”
“Of course.” His cheeks reddened as he grabbed Daphne’s empty plate and made a quick exit.
“Now look what you’ve done,” Daphne said. “You’ve embarrassed that poor man.”
“He’ll be well compensated. Don’t you worry.”
A few minutes later, he dropped off the check. I gave