Gift of Fire

once gave them credit for,” Verity said curtly. “At least Jonas is.” She turned around quickly before Laura could see the tears in her eyes, and hurried toward the changing booth.
    She dressed in her jeans and a yellow cotton shirt and headed for the resort’s lounge. Jonas would be waiting. He still insisted on accompanying her when she wanted a late-night soak. He refused to let her walk back alone along the icy path to the cottage.
    Verity saw him as she entered the lounge. He sat slouching with casual grace on a bar stool, his boots hooked over the brass foot railing. He was draining the last of his scotch. And he was not alone.
    “Dad! You’re back!” Verity ran toward her father. “When did you get in?”
    Her father swung around on the bar stool and folded his daughter in a bear-sized embrace. “Got in about an hour ago. Found Jonas holding down the bar all by himself and thought I’d keep him company until you showed up.”
    Verity ignored Jonas, who was giving his full attention to his drink. She smiled brilliantly at her father. “Did Jonas tell you the news?”
    “What news?”
    Jonas froze. He shot Verity a glowering look over his shoulder. She paid him no attention.
    “I’m pregnant,” Verity said demurely and watched with delight as her father leaped to his feet.
    Emerson Ames let out a whoop of joy, grabbed his daughter by the waist, and swung her around in a wide arc. Two people sitting at a nearby table ducked quickly.
    “You’re pregnant? I’m going to get a grandkid? Bless you, my darling red-haired daughter! What the devil took you so long? Yahoo and pour me another drink, Clement. A big one. Hell, pour everyone in the joint another drink” Emerson turned expansively to address the small crowd. “This round’s on me, folks. Drink up. I’m gonna be a granddaddy.” There was a smattering of applause and appreciative laughter. Emerson draped a burly arm around his daughter’s shoulders and hugged her while he grinned widely at Jonas. “So when’s the wedding? I gotta get me a new suit for this.”
    Jonas swiveled halfway around on the stool, one arm resting along the edge of the bar. He gazed at Verity through narrowed lids. “Who said anything about marriage?”
    Emerson’s euphoric expression turned thunderous in the wink of an eye. He released Verity. “What the hell are you talking about? Verity says she’s pregnant. Haven’t you gotten around to asking my daughter to marry you yet, you son of a bitch?”
    The bar fell silent. Clement, the bartender, groaned. Verity held her breath.
    Jonas stood up with insulting slowness. He hooked his thumbs into his belt and scowled at Emerson. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, Ames. I did ask your daughter to marry me. Had a hell of a time talking her into it, too. But after I did, things changed. Important things. You want to know when the wedding will be? Ask Verity. I’ve been getting the impression she’s had a few second thoughts.”
    Verity’s mouth fell open in amazement.
“
Jonas.
How could you think that?”
    Jonas turned on her. “That’s a damn fool question. What else was I supposed to think this past week? You’ve been acting damn weird again. You’re harder to figure out now than you were when you were moping around wondering whether or not to tell me about the baby.”
    “I’ve been acting weird? What a nasty thing to say. You’re deliberately reversing the situation. You’re the one who’s been acting strange. I got the distinct impression that you were no longer interested in marriage yourself.”
    Emerson took a threatening step forward. “What’s going on around here? What is it with you two?”
    “Stay out of this, Emerson.” Jonas shot the big man a warning glance. “This is between Verity and me.”
    “Well, you picked a fine place to settle a private matter,” Emerson roared back.
    “Yeah, you’ve got a point. Come on, Verity. Let’s get the hell out of here.” Jonas caught her wrist and headed for the door.
    “Ouch. Let go of me, dammit. I don’t have to put up with your caveman tactics. I’m pregnant. I deserve a little consideration.”
    “I deserve a little honesty,” he snarled, hauling her through the doorway. “I’m sick of all the sweetness and light I’ve been getting lately. If you’ve got something to tell me, you can tell me straight out. You don’t need to pussyfoot around me just because I’m not…”
    “Just because you’re not what?” Verity