The Baby Bargain Read Online Free PDF Page B

table. I want you, believe me. I’m hard for you
     right now.” He pressed his hips against her, letting her feel his arousal. “But all
     these years I stayed away so I wouldn’t hurt you again. I’m determined to prove to
     you, and maybe to myself, that although I can’t give you the life you always wanted,
     I can give you real friendship that doesn’t have to only be about sex.”
    But it would include finding out what was troubling her. He couldn’t recall Megan
     ever keeping a secret from him. He didn’t like it one bit.

Chapter Five
    Megan pried the plastic dinosaur from her sleeping son’s hand. She tucked the beloved
     stuffed Newfie pup under his arm and pulled up the covers. Every day she saw more
     boy and less baby in his face.
    More of Adam.
    Her heart twisted and she sighed. Leaning down, she kissed him one last time, then
     she snapped off his light. Light from the hallway spilled in, outlining Max stretched
     out on the floor, his head resting on his paws, his big brown eyes watching her. Crouching
     down, she petted the dog, taking the time to scratch his favorite spot by his right
     ear. “You’re going to get on the bed the second I walk out, aren’t you?”
    He yawned.
    Megan laughed softly. Max was well trained, a great guard dog, and a beloved playmate
     to Cole. In the last month, since Cole had moved from his crib to his big boy bed,
     Max had taken to sleeping on the bed at Cole’s feet.
    When she left the room, she kept the door ajar so Max could come and go as he pleased.
     Sometimes he hung out with her while she transcribed notes, worked on cases, wrote
     up reports, and studied lab results. Then he would return to Cole’s room when she
     went to bed.
    But tonight she was going out.
    In the family room, she dropped onto the couch and slipped on her shoes. Her mom looked
     up from her laptop. “Been a long time since you’ve been on a date.”
    “Not a date, Mom. Just seeing an old friend.”
    “In skinny jeans and high heels?”
    Should she change? She’d already changed three times. Besides, this wasn’t a date.
     It was more like…an interview. She was interviewing Adam to be the father of their
     son. She repressed a sigh, focused her attention on her mom. “How’s the speech coming?”
    Her mom had her shoulder-length strawberry blond hair loose, and she wore yoga pants
     and a T-shirt. She looked about forty, not the middle ground of fifty.
    “The speech is fine. It’s what I want to say. But you know, I’m a retired nurse, not
     a politician.”
    Megan leaned forward, her own worries dimming beneath the glow of her pride. “You’ll
     be a great mayor, Mom.” She meant every word. Catherine had gotten her degree and
     her nursing job after Megan’s father walked out on them. She’d also made him pay child
     support. Her mom had worked hard, and in every spare moment, she’d been there for
     her daughter. When Megan had found herself pregnant, heartbroken, and terrified, Catherine
     had been her rock. Now, her mom was remarried to a nice man, Hayden. She had retired
     early to go after her own dream—serving as mayor of Raven’s Cove.
    “I think I’ll be a good mayor,” Catherine said. “But I’m plain spoken. Not everyone
     responds to that.” She tapped her fingers on the side of her laptop.
    “Your patients did. They appreciated your honesty.”
    “That was different. They were sick and scared in the hospital. People in that situation
     usually do better with a little gentle honesty and a lot of listening and support.
     But these people are country club folk.”
    “So is Hayden,” Megan pointed out. “And he loves you.”
    “Yeah, he does. Okay, this is silly. I’ll do my best, but if I don’t get elected,
     then I’ll just focus on other things. My life is pretty full.”
    There was her practical mother. “For the record, I think you’ll win.” Megan stood,
     scooped up her purse, and kissed her mom. “Thanks for watching