the tone of her voice said it all. “Shelly, if I find out you hurt Emma in any way, it will be the last thing you ever do.”
Shelly gaped at Marti’s back. “Emma is a lovely girl. We’re going to get along just fine. Cameron, let’s go.”
Marti stared out the window, shutting him out. Cameron walked around the bed to follow Shelly out the door. He trailed his fingertips over Marti’s feet, not wanting to leave without one last touch. About to close the door behind him, he heard her sobbing. He would have gone back to her, but Emma and Jack were there, and he didn’t want to make things worse by having Shelly make a scene if he went back to Marti and didn’t leave to get the cake with her. He couldn’t let Emma know Marti was crying because of him either.
He closed the door softly and leaned back against it for a moment with his eyes closed, every painful sob tearing him to shreds.
“Want me to just punch you? It might take your mind off the other pain,” Jack whispered so only Cameron heard.
Jack couldn’t imagine what it was like to love one woman and plan to marry another.
“I’d rather you get Sam to just shoot me. I’m afraid I’ll feel this way for the rest of my life.”
“If you marry her, it will only get worse. Imagine what you’ll feel like when you hear Marti is marrying another man.”
“Thanks, you just put the bow on my present.”
“Speaking of presents. What should I get you for a wedding gift? Cyanide?”
“I couldn’t leave Emma behind,” he said self-mockingly.
“I meant for you to use on Shelly after the baby arrives.”
“Do you believe there’s a baby?” He kept an eye on Emma and Shelly standing together just down the hall, waiting for him by the elevator. He didn’t want either of them to overhear.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. It only matters what Shelly can prove. Seems to me she hasn’t actually done that.”
“She gave me the lab report confirming it.”
“Anything can be faked. Ask Sam. It’ll be months before she starts showing. You’d be wise to wait until there’s an actual baby bump or you see an ultrasound before you actually do get her pregnant.”
“I already thought of that. I haven’t slept with her since she told me she’s pregnant.”
“You mean since you met Marti. Doesn’t that tell you something?” Jack glared. “Even you don’t believe Shelly one hundred percent. I think you’re a great dad and it would please you to no end to have another baby. Don’t lose the woman you love because you want a baby and not his mother.”
Jack decided to change the subject. Cameron had heard nothing but the same arguments against Shelly from him and everyone else over the last four days. None of them had gotten through to him.
“I’ll take Marti to George’s. The doctor’s going to release her tomorrow morning. He said she’d be fine with some rest and medication.”
“I wanted to take her home.”
“Home? Where? To the ship, to George’s, to your place? Where is home for Marti, who has no family or friends to come and see her in the hospital? We’ve all been here for her, but we’re new friends and she hasn’t learned to rely on us yet. You, on the other hand, she wants to build a life with and you’re going off to buy a wedding cake with your bride-to-be. I’d like to take her home myself and adopt her into the Turner family. Between Jenna, Sam, and Elizabeth, plus all the kids, we could be her family.”
“Are you going to keep rubbing salt in the wound? You’re as bad as Sam. He read me the riot act the other day.”
“We’ve decided to remind you of what an idiot you are and point out all your flaws until the day you marry Shelly. On that day, we’ll throw up our hands in defeat and pray the only person who gets hurt is you, and not Emma. I’m afraid it’s too late for Marti. You’ve already decimated her.”
Jack poked a finger into Cameron’s chest. “You asked if I was going to keep rubbing salt in the wound, don’t do that to Marti. She’s taken enough from you.”
“I can’t let her go.”
“You don’t have a choice, brother.” Jack put his hand on Cameron’s shoulder and shoved him away from the door and toward his waiting fiancé.
“Happy cake shopping.” Jack went in to see Marti. Cameron had