Last Hand

PROLOGUE

(Excerpt from Pocketful of Diamonds.)

Somewhere in the Las Vegas airport . . .

I ran from the plane and into the women’s restroom. I had been queasy since the plane had taken off, but the landing was what clinched it for me. I was most definitely pregnant. I wretched into the toilet, feeling as though even my toes were purging.

After a moment, making sure I wouldn’t lose a second stomach’s worth of food, I stood and hurried to a sink. I rinsed out my mouth and splashed water on my face, cursing when I realized there were no paper towels, only a hand dryer.

With a sigh, I mopped my face with the hem of my shirt and walked back out to find Caleb waiting for me. His brow was etched with worry.

Are you okay, kitten?

I’ve been better.

The flight must have upset your stomach, he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. Let’s get the luggage and go home.

It wasn’t really home. I no longer had a home in Las Vegas. It had been blown up along with all of my stuff. So, we were going to Caleb’s condo, which was his home. However, it was temporary. Our house was under construction, and so it was only a matter of time before we could move in.

I feared returning to Vegas. Nothing good ever happened there. My life had been a series of mishaps, blunders, and life-threatening fiascos. The only exception being Caleb, who had wanted to marry me, but only after I’d left. So, Vegas couldn’t even claim that.

Caleb looked at me with a creased brow. You’re still worried, aren’t you?

Of course I am.

I didn’t think you were superstitious.

I wasn’t. Vegas made me this way. Bad luck happens here. As soon as I left, I started winning at the tables.

That’s because you stole my luck.

And now that we’re home, you will steal it back. I was sure of it.

You’ll feel better once we’re at home. Your nerves will relax after a couple of days without incident.

A couple of days? When had I ever lasted that long? Try a few hours.

He smiled. That’ll be even easier. All we’re doing is going to get the luggage and then driving home.

Caleb said it was easy, but I knew not to get my hopes up. I knew something lurked around the corner.

Nadia? Frankie asked. You’re back!

Holy cow! It happened sooner than expected. I didn’t really believe bad luck lurked around the literal corner, but there they all were. My friends of misfortune come to plague me in the airport.

Nadia! Mya bubbled and flung herself and her rounded baby belly into my arms. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home? I would have thrown a surprise party.

That’s probably the reason I didn’t tell you.

Mya straightened and swatted my arm. You are such a poop. But I’m so glad you are back.

With wary eyes, I scanned the entire group assembled at baggage claim.

Why are you all here? I asked, backing into Caleb.

I couldn’t understand running into Frankie, Mark, Mya, David, Greyson and his fiancée. At least I assumed the pretty young woman was his fiancée. We had never been introduced.

Ian and his wife came home, Mya said. You just missed them.

Wife? How long was I gone? Wasn’t it just a few months ago that I signed the annulment papers with Ian?

Well, a lot could happen in a few months. The little baby that decided to take up residence in my belly could attest to that.

You remember Gwen, right? Mya asked. When I nodded, Mya smiled. They’re together now.

I’m so confused.

David laughed. We were all confused at first, but they seem happy.

Mya nodded. They’re going to get remarried here, and . . . Mya squealed. She turned to Frankie and Mark, who also began squealing.

What’s happening? I asked, trying to back up farther.

I think you and Caleb have been added to the wedding list, David said.

Wedding list? I could only seem to parrot. Suddenly a wave of nausea swept over me and I reached inside my purse to grab a lollipop. They seemed to bring a small amount of relief in a pinch. And someone had definitely pinched me. I popped it into my mouth, willing my already emptied stomach to behave.

With a bit of relief, I realized I was being rude. I stretched out my hand to the woman at Greyson’s side. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Nadia.

Jenna.

It’s nice to meet you. Congratulations to you both.

And to you too, Jenna said. Not only are you engaged, but you won a few tournaments.

Oh, thank you. I didn’t realize you followed poker.

I don’t. Mya keeps me updated.

I could feel my eyes widening in horror. While Greyson and I had never been in a serious relationship, Jenna wouldn’t want to know about me.

Jenna smiled. Mya loves you. I have a feeling we’ll be in each other’s company quite a bit. I hope you don’t mind.

Mind? While I really didn’t want to be in anyone’s company, except for Caleb’s, Jenna would probably cause the least amount of woes. She might actually serve as a buffer between me and the designing trio.

Oh my God! Mya burst through my thought. You’re pregnant!

I looked from Mya to Caleb, the lollipop held in suspended animation. What?

I know those lollipops. You bought them for me when I was having morning sickness. Mya beamed, unaware of the stir she was causing.

Is it true? Caleb asked.

Ah, well, I hedged. I didn’t want to blurt it out, especially not before having it confirmed by a doctor. But Caleb looked expectantly at me, his eyes revealing his surprise. My shifting insides turned upside down. I think so. I have an appointment to see a doctor tomorrow.

His mouth swung open.

You can say something. Anything. There are people staring at us.

He swooped me into his arms and spun me.

Let me down or I’ll throw up, I moaned, popping the sucker back into my mouth.

He set me down. I can’t believe it.

Believe it.

Mya, Frankie, and Mark squealed again, huddling as they spoke animatedly and with large gestures.

I groaned, and this time it had nothing to do with my stomach. They were up to something.

Nadia?

I turned to find Sergio and his sister-in-law, Rosie, walking toward us. Sergio? What are you doing here?

His face was strained, Rosie’s too. We followed him back here. We were going to warn all of you tonight, but since you’re all here—

Who?

My cousin.

I hadn’t thought of Alfonso in some time. If Sergio’s drug-cartel cousin was in town, there was a reason. One I wanted nothing to do with.

It seemed I had been right all along. Las Vegas was bad luck. And it took less than an hour to prove it.

What could possibly happen next?

1

It wasn't because the bed was lumpy or uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep. It was everything else. As I tossed and turned next to a peacefully slumbering Caleb, I realized that life had become complicated.

No matter how much I tried to force it, sleep was not my friend. It only made me queasy. Of course, that could be due to the very disruptive baby now performing summersaults in by belly. I sat up and rubbed my stomach, willing the nausea to go away. But, like always, it didn’t work. I ran to the bathroom, hand covering my mouth to halt the geyser. And like always, when I finally made it to the toilet, not much came out, just retching and heaving. It was horrible, this nausea. I didn't understand how the Earth’s population was so large. Who would ever want to go through this multiple times?

Mya had promised it would only be a couple of months, and then I would feel better. I hoped she was right, because there was no way I would survive like this much longer.

As I flushed the toilet and washed my face and hands, rinsing out my mouth, I felt a presence behind me.

Are you okay, kitten? Caleb asked, flipping on the light. His brow was etched with concern.

It was rare to see Caleb worried. He was always a source of unaffected good humor. With his sandy locks and wide smile, he had a tendency to spread his happy mood to everyone who crossed his path. I envied that about him.

I grabbed the hand towel and mopped my face. I'll live.

He crossed the distance between us and wrapped me in his arms. I leaned heavily against him, thankful we were in this together.

It'll get better, he promised.

I didn’t see how he could guarantee that, but I didn’t really want to argue either. He was only trying to be supportive. If men really wanted to help, they would’ve figured out how to carry babies themselves.

It’d just be easier if we had a home, I said.

We'll have one soon enough. Unfortunately, the repairs to my condo won’t be done until our new house is finished. We’re stranded for now. We just have to wait this out.

Or go to a hotel, I suggested hopefully.

Frankie and Mark insisted we stay here. They're excited to share their new chapel and home with us.

That doesn't mean we need to live here for two months. It’s only been a week and I already want to run away.

Caleb chuckled, pulling me closer and kissing the top of my head as if consoling a child. Perhaps I was behaving like one. But with his condo flooded from a water-pipe break, me being pregnant and miserable, and then having to live with Frankie and Mark, it was as much as I could handle.

I feel like I’m in a zoo and all the animals are judging me, I said.

Would it make you feel better if I turned them around? Caleb asked, pointing to the quilted animals surrounding us.

No, leave them. I had made my peace with the hundreds of crafted animals that Mark had strewn throughout the room. It was a little claustrophobic, but we were in their home.

Mark had tried to contain his craft area to the corner, but with over twenty bolts of fabric plus all the bobs and doodads that went with it, it was nearly impossible. However, the bed was comfortable and we had our own bathroom. Plus, Frankie and Mark were usually pleasant to be around during the day. At night, they tended to argue a lot.

Their house, located off the back of the wedding chapel, was not big enough to hide from them or their voices, which bounced off the vaulted ceilings. Two bedrooms, two baths, and an open-concept living room and kitchen were great for a couple and a cat—but not also for two long-term guests.

I think I need air, I said.

It's the middle of the night. Just come back to bed. I'll give you a massage.

I paused, not wanting to miss out on one of his massages. Quickly agreeing, I plopped down on the bed, awaiting his wonderful hands.

I wondered how life would be after the baby. It made me nervous. Even in strong relationships, a baby could upset everything. I had my doubts and worries, but Caleb seemed perfectly content. It was as if this was everything he had expected.

It was not what I had expected. In fact, I hadn’t known if I’d ever want