He chuckled as he walked back around the table to sit opposite her. “I think it’s the first time it’s ever been worn.”
“You’re joking,” she said, glancing down at the black silk garment.
“Nope.” He shrugged. “What’s the use of wearing a robe from the bathroom to the closet? I can wrap a towel around my waist just as easy.”
“What happens if you have guests?”
The look he gave her set her pulse racing. “Darlin’, the only other person in my bedroom besides me is you and I was under the impression you liked my lack of inhibitions.”
Before she could tell him how incorrigible he was, he picked up a wireless device and pressed a button on its side. “You can bring breakfast to us now, Maria.”
“Si, Senor Zach. I’ll bring it right up,” a female voice answered.
“Zach, we could have gone downstairs for breakfast,” Arielle suggested as he returned the small device to the table.
“Nope.” He reached across the table to cover her hand with his. “You need to eat as soon as you get out of bed to avoid getting sick.”
“But I’m not used to having people wait on me,” she protested.
He nodded. “I understand, darlin’. I like doing things for myself most of the time, too. But I told you that I intend to pamper you and having breakfast brought to you as soon as you wake up is part of that.” He grinned. “Besides, you need to conserve your strength.”
“Why?”
“Because I have something planned that I think you’ll enjoy as much as our trip to San Antonio,” he disclosed, rising at the sound of a knock on the door.
When he opened the door, a kind-looking, middle-aged woman with beautiful brown eyes entered carrying a tray to the table. After Zach made the introductions, she smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. If there is anything special you would like for breakfast tomorrow, please let me know.”
“Thank you, Maria,” Arielle replied, instantly liking her. “But I doubt that I—”
“I’ll let you know if there is, Maria,” Zach interrupted.
The cook nodded. “Enjoy your breakfast.”
When the door closed behind the woman, Arielle frowned. “Why would she think that I’ll be here tomorrow morning?”
“Probably because I told her you would be here quite a bit from now on,” he confessed, lifting the silver covers from their plates. “And before you get upset, I didn’t say you would definitely be here. Now, eat. We have another big day ahead of us.”
She would have questioned him further, but the food’s delicious aroma was far too tempting and she picked up her fork to cut into the omelet. “Oh, Zach,” she murmured, closing her eyes as she savored the first bite. “This is wonderful.”
“I swear Maria has some kind of magic touch,” he agreed, nodding.
They ate in silence and Arielle felt completely full by the time she finished her last crumb of toast. “I don’t dare eat here very often,” she commented, placing her silverware on the edge of her empty plate. “I’d gain so much weight I’d waddle like a duck.”
“You’re supposed to gain weight. You’re pregnant with twins.” His tight tone and the slight frown creasing his forehead surprised her.
“I’m well aware of that and I expect to gain quite a few pounds, especially since I’m eating for three.” She scooted her chair back and stood up. “All I meant was that Maria’s food is so good, I could easily gain more weight than what the doctor recommends.” She started toward the bathroom, hoping she had explained away Zach’s concern. “Now, while I get dressed, why don’t you carry the tray downstairs, then take me home.”
“Why?”
Turning, she searched his face. Why did he suddenly seem on edge?
“You told me that you had made plans for us. Don’t you think it would be a good idea if I had something appropriate to wear?”
“Oh, right.” He looked a little more at ease as he picked up the tray with their empty plates. “Go ahead and get dressed. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“All right. I’ll be ready.”
As he watched her walk toward the bathroom, Zach chastised himself for jumping to conclusions. But when Arielle had mentioned gaining too much weight, a flashback of his ex-fiancée and her intention to starve herself into a miscarriage came rushing back.
Descending the stairs, he shook his head at his unfounded suspicions. Arielle was completely different from Gretchen and it was past time he stopped comparing the two women. Arielle was looking forward to the birth of their twins and had expressed nothing but happiness and excitement about the babies.
He took a deep breath as he walked toward the kitchen. He’d feel a lot better about the entire situation once they were married. He’d be in a better position to keep his vow of being there for her and their babies. And if everything worked as he’d planned, he should have that assurance by the end of the day.
After stopping by her apartment where she changed into a sundress and a sensible pair of shoes, Arielle sat in the passenger seat of Zach’s SUV, wondering where he was taking her this time. Truthfully, she really didn’t care where they went. She was enjoying the few days he’d asked her to spend with him and looked forward to whatever he had planned.
She knew it was absolute insanity to be getting in way over her head so quickly. But where Zach was concerned, she didn’t have a choice in the matter. She loved him, had never stopped loving him and understood why her mother hadn’t been able to resist her father. And just like her mother, there was a chance she would end up getting hurt again.
But as Zach steered the truck into a parking lot, she abandoned all speculation when she realized he was taking her to the Dallas Arboretum. “I love gardens. How did you know?”
His deep chuckle caused her insides to quiver. “Darlin’, I wish I could tell you that I had some kind of insight into that. But I didn’t. I just figured most women like flowers and it was a safe bet you would, too.”
“Good call,” she responded, smiling.
When he got out of the SUV and came to help her from the passenger side, he grabbed a medium-size insulated backpack from the backseat that she hadn’t noticed before. “What’s that?”
“There’s a really nice picnic spot in the Pecan Grove area of the arboretum and I had Maria prepare lunch for us.” He slung the carrier over one shoulder, then, taking her hand in his, started through the main entrance.