The Expectant Executive

“You might have a point.”

Touching her elbow, he guided her toward the happy sounds coming from the direction of the reception. “Let’s find Jess and Cade and clear it with them.”

“I want you to promise me you’ll let me know if this yahoo doesn’t treat you right,” Travis said as he and Jessie moved around the dance floor during the father-daughter dance. “I’ll hop the first plane east and by the time I’m done with him, there won’t be enough of him left to snore.”

“Oh, Dad, you’re such a cowboy,” Jessie said, laughing and hugging him close.

He hugged her back. “I just want you to be happy, angel.”

“The only thing that would make me happier would be if Mom was here,” she said softly.

Time had eased his loss, but he hated that Lauren couldn’t have been here to see their little girl on her special day. “Your mom would have been right in the middle of all this fuss and loving every minute of it.”

A tear slipped down Jessie’s cheek. “I know.”

They were silent for a moment before he asked, “Are you and Cade sure you’re all right with Fin letting the family know about the baby here at the reception?”

She nodded. “I think this is the perfect time. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have the honor of telling everyone. Do you think Fin would mind?”

“To tell the truth, I think she’d be relieved that someone else let the cat out the bag.” Travis glanced over at the Elliott patriarch. “She’s dreading the head honcho’s reaction.”

“I can’t imagine Fin being afraid of anything,” Jessie said, frowning.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of her being frightened as much as it is a case of nerves,” he corrected. “She just wants this day to be perfect for you and Cade.”

He chuckled. “I have a feeling if old moneybags over there gets his drawers in a wad, she’ll take into him like a she-bear protecting her cub.”

Jessie smiled fondly. “That’s so sweet of her.” She paused for a moment. “I don’t think Granddad will say a single word after I make the announcement. You just stick close to Fin. I’m sure she could use all the moral support she can get.”

Travis had no idea what Jess had planned, but she had a good head on her shoulders. He trusted her judgment and if she said she could spring the news and keep Elliott from raising a ruckus, he had no doubt she could do it.

“All right, angel. This is your day. Do what you think is best.”

When the dance ended, Travis kissed her cheek and, stepping back for Cade to take his place, walked over to sit at the table with Fin and Shane. “Jessie’s going to take care of telling everyone the big secret,” he said close to Fin’s ear. “Any objections?”

She shook her head and her silky auburn hair brushing her creamy shoulders fascinated the hell out of him. “I don’t mind, but when is she going to do it?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” He covered her hand where it rested on the white linen tablecloth. “But if I know Jess, it won’t be long.”

He’d no sooner gotten the words out than Jessie and Cade walked over to one of the band’s microphones. “If I could have your attention, my wife has an announcement to make,” Cade said, giving Jessie a look that left Travis with no worries about how much he adored her.

When all eyes turned her way and the room fell silent, Jessie gazed lovingly at the man standing beside her. “This is one of the happiest days of our lives and Cade and I would like to thank you all for helping us celebrate our marriage.”

Turning her attention toward the table where Travis sat with Fin, she smiled. “I would also like to announce that we have another reason to celebrate. My dream of being a big sister is finally going to come true. Fin and my dad have just learned they’re going to give me a brother or sister in the summer.”

The stunned silence that followed was suddenly interrupted by a round of applause and Travis found himself and Fin besieged by a herd of well-wishing Elliotts. As Fin’s brothers, their wives and what seemed like an endless line of nieces and nephews congratulated them, he couldn’t help but notice that Fin’s gaze kept returning to the tall, silent, white-haired gentleman standing as stiff and straight as a marble statue on the opposite side of the room.

It appeared that Patrick Elliott was none too happy about the news, even though his wife, Maeve, looked just the opposite. As Travis watched, Maeve said something to Patrick, then took the old gent by the arm and led him toward the crowd congratulating them. Putting his arm around Fin’s shoulders, Travis drew her close as he met the older man’s steely gaze head on, sending a clear message that Travis wasn’t going to tolerate Fin being bullied or upset in any way.