Opposites Attract

remember?”
    “Yeah, but what do I know about chicken pox?” Madge demanded. “Kids get chicken pox, don’t they? And braces, and corrective shoes, and—”
    “And mothers who worry before there’s anything to worry about,” Asher finished. “You’re already slipping right into the slot.”
    “Hey, you’re right.” Rather pleased with herself, Madge rose. “I’m going to be great.”
    “You’re going to be terrific. Let’s get a shower. You’ve got a doubles match this afternoon.”
    With feelings mixed and uncertain, Asher rode the elevator to her hotel room late that afternoon. She had won her round with the young upstart from Canada in straight sets. Six-two, six-love. There was little doubt that Asher had played some of the finest tennis in her career in court one. But she didn’t think of that now. Her mind kept drifting back to her interlude with Madge, and from there back to her thoughts on learning of her own pregnancy.
    Would Ty have wanted to take out full-page ads, or would he have cursed her? Like Eric, would he have accused her of deceit, of trickery? Now that they were being given a second chance, would he want marriage and children? What was it Jess had said that day? she wondered.
Ty will always be a gypsy, and no woman should ever expect to hold him.
    Yet Asher had expected to hold him, and, despite all her vows, was beginning to expect it again. Her love was so huge, so consuming, that when she was with him, it was simply impossible to conceive of doing without him. And perhaps because she had once, briefly, carried his child inside her, the need to do so again was overwhelming.
    Could a woman tame a comet? she asked herself. Should she? For that’s what he was—a star that flew, full of speed and light. He wasn’t the prince at the end of the fairy tale who would calmly take up his kingdom and sit on a throne. Ty would always search for the next quest. And the next woman? Asher wondered, recalling Jess’s words again.
    Shaking her head, she told herself to think of today. Today they were together. Only a woman who had lived through change after change, hurt after hurt, could fully appreciate the perfection of a moment. Others might not recognize it, but Asher did. And the moment was hers.
    She unlocked the door to their suite and was immediately disappointed. He wasn’t there. Even had he been sleeping in the other room, she would have sensed him. The air was never still when Ty was around. Tossing her bag aside, she wandered to the window. The light was still full as the sun had only just begun to set. Perhaps they would go out and explore Melbourne, find one of the tiny little clubs with loud music and laughter. She’d like to dance.
    Twirling in a circle, Asher laughed. Yes, she would like to dance, to celebrate for Madge . . . and for herself. She was with the man she loved. A bath, she decided. A long, luxurious bath before she changed into something cool and sexy. When she opened the door to the bedroom, Asher stopped and stared in astonishment.
    Balloons. Red, yellow, blue, pink and white. They floated throughout the room in a jamboree of color. Helium-filled, they rose to the ceiling, trailing long ribbons. There were dozens of them—round, oval, thin and fat. It was as if a circus had passed hurriedly through, leaving a few souvenirs. Grasping a ribbon, Asher drew one down to her while she continued to stare.
    They were three layers deep, she saw in astonishment—at least a hundred of them bumping against one another. Her laughter came out in a quick burst that went on and on.
    Who else would think of it? Who else would take the time? Not flowers or jewelry for Ty Starbuck. At that moment she could have floated to the ceiling to join the gift he had given her.
    “Hi.”
    She turned to see him lounging in the doorway. In a flash Asher had launched herself into his arms, the single balloon still grasped in her hand. “Oh, you’re crazy!” she cried before she found his lips with hers. With her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist, she kissed him again and again. “Absolutely insane.”
    “Me?” he countered. “You’re the one standing here surrounded by balloons.”
    “It’s the best surprise I’ve ever had.”
    “Better than roses in the bathtub?”
    Tossing her head back, she laughed. “Even better than that.”
    “I thought about diamonds, but they didn’t seem like as much fun.” As he spoke he moved toward the