Ash turned up the television but they'd already moved on to a new story. "That would have been my niece or nephew."
It hadn't occurred to me that the baby would be our family, though of course it should have. I frowned. "I met her a few times, I don't know if I told you. At the club, and once while I was out with Bridgette. Ash, she didn't seem the type to kill herself. She was curious about Jon, wanted to know everything she could about him and his family to tell her baby. Why would she do this knowing she'd be killing her baby, too?"
He shrugged, pulling on his coat. "I don't know."
I didn't know either and the problem of that wiggled in my mind like an irritating worm as we finished getting dressed.
I pointed to the clock. "We're almost late for our own reception. We should get going."
I thought about Molly all the way to the yacht, my heart breaking for the girl who had carried Jon's child.
***
The night held the perfect balance of warmth and cool breeze with a full moon reflecting off the water and lighting everything with a soft glow. I'd changed into a different dress for my reception, a midnight blue spaghetti-strap with rhinestones that looked like shooting stars working their way down the length. I felt like a princess.
Ash looked dashing in his black suit as we climbed aboard the yacht, which had been decorated with thousands of lights for our reception. As our few guests began to show up, the captain told everyone we'd be taking off shortly.
Bridgette checked her phone and sighed. "My parents aren't here yet."
When Detective Gray arrived, Mr. Davenport balked. "What's he doing here? Who invited him?"
I went out to greet the detective. "I did. He's just trying to do his job and I figured this would give him a chance to see we don't have anything to hide." Mr. Davenport grunted but said nothing more.
We were just about to take off when the Beaumonts arrived and Bridgette smiled in relief. "I knew they'd come."
But that relief didn't last. The moment Mr. Beaumont saw Mr. Davenport, the shouting began. "You son of a bitch! How dare you touch my wife and think you can get away with it?"
The other guests stepped back, stunned as Mr. Beaumont lunged at Ash's dad and punched him in the face. Detective Gray stepped in to break the two apart. "Am I going to have to arrest another one of you tonight?"
This settled the men down, but I couldn't believe they chose this moment to start something.
Mrs. Beaumont wiped away tears and dragged her husband off the yacht. "I'm so sorry, Catelyn and Ash. So sorry we ruined your beautiful night."
Bridgette ran to them, but didn't leave. "I have to stay," she told her mom.
"Of course you do, dear. We'll see you later."
"Wait!" Bridgette held up her hand to stop her parents and turned to all of us. "Before my parents leave, I have an announcement. I'm sorry to steal the limelight on your night, Catelyn, but this may be the only time I have everyone together to tell them my news."
She rested a hand on her stomach, and suddenly it all made sense. How she always seemed to have a full glass of wine or champagne. How devastated she'd been at Jon's death. How crazy she'd gone when Molly tried to talk with her.
Bridgette saw me make the connection and nodded. "I'm pregnant with Jon's child."
Chapter Twenty Six
Danger
ONE MONTH AGO
THE DEADLINE IS approaching. Are you ready?
My text beeped and a reply from Jon came up.
I'm still in. I want to meet.
I replied.
We can't. Too dangerous.
I was making a cup of tea and waiting for Ash to get home from some errands when the doorbell rang.
Jon stood on the porch, a sheepish look on his face. "I had to see you."
I looked around, hoping no one had seen him, and pulled him in. "You shouldn't be here. This is crazy!"
He tugged on his hoody. "I stayed covered."
"Yeah, a hoody. No one will ever see the face under the hoody. Nice try, Superman." I smacked his arm. "You're about to blow this whole thing."
He looked up and frowned. I followed his eyes to our back window. "I thought I saw something," he said. "But, it must have just been a shadow from a tree." Jon stepped closer, his body an inch from mine. "I need you, Cat."
"Not yet." I put my hand on his chest. "First, we finish what we started."
Jon opened the front door and ducked out, but before he left and turned to me. "And then, I get what I want."
Chapter Twenty Seven
Baby, Baby
PRESENT DAY
THE ATMOSPHERE ON the yacht settled down as we moved further out into the ocean. Everything became quieter despite the music and people talking and laughing.
Spreads of the best food had been laid out on the tables and all the decorations had been crafted beautifully by the company we'd hired. I'd hardly had to do anything, which was fine by me. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport danced, while Bridgette and I stood at the stern where we could get away from the noise and have some privacy.
I felt her belly, which was still flat. "How far along are you?"
"Just a few months," she said.