The Baby Bond Read Online Free PDF Page A

Cassidy’s.”
    Cassidy’s eyes widened at the word friend , but she didn’t deny him. “Nic, this is my grandmother, Eleanor Bassett. Grandmother, Nic rescued Alex from the…house.”
    Again, Mrs. Bassett settled narrowed blue eyes on him. The blue eyes were about the only thing she had in common with her granddaughter.
    “Thank you, Mr. Carano.” The gratitude seemed to pain her.
    “Nic,” he said. Poor Cassidy, if this was her comforting family, she was in a world of hurt. The woman hadn’t so much as hugged her.
    “I suppose the Browns have been notified.” Mrs. Bassett perched her narrow backside on the edge of a chair and folded her hands atop an expensive-looking handbag. Dressed in a business suit the color of zucchini, she appeared ready to conduct a board meeting. Or , Nic thought with a hidden grin, be chopped into a salad. Add a dab of oil to the vinegar and voilà, lunch.
    “Yes, Grandmother.” Cassidy’s face, so pale before, was now blotchy red. “They’ve been notified.”
    If he was a guessing man, he’d say vinegar lady made her granddaughter both anxious and unhappy.
    She was starting to do the same to him. Nic Carano did not like to feel either of those emotions. The woman needed an injection of fun. Or cyanide. The bit of internal sarcasm tickled him. He would laugh later.
    Mrs. Bassett checked her watch. “They should be arriving soon. If I can drive from Dallas, they should be able to get here from Joplin in equal time.”
    “They’ve lost their only son, Grandmother.”
    “Yes. A shame, too. Bradley was a good boy. That wind is awful today. My hair’s a mess. I’ll have to call Philippe for a recomb.” She patted the brown fluff around her face. “There are so many details to take care of. I hope they arrive soon. I have a dinner party tonight. We need to get the problems ironed out today.”
    “Well, I certainly wouldn’t want you to miss a dinner party on the day of your granddaughter’s death.” Cassidy’s words were quietly spoken, but the resentment was clear. So were the red splotches covering her cheeks and neck.
    What had he walked into? And why didn’t he hit the road before the war broke out?
    One look at Cassidy, standing sentry beside Alex’s crib, hands white-knuckled against the railing, gave him his answer. She was fighting to hold herself together, as much for her sister’s baby as for herself. Aunt Cassidy needed his support, whether she wanted it or not. Baby Alex needed him even more.
    “Don’t be sarcastic, Cassidy. It isn’t ladylike.” Vinegar lady opened her purse and removed a card. “This is my attorney. He can help work out the details.”
    Nic crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, glad to have some plaster to hold up his fatigued body. Cassidy glanced his way as if just remembering he was there. Something flickered behind those baby blues. He gave her a wink of encouragement. She glared back, clearly not wanting him to stay. Call it macho, call it stubborn, but the notion made him even more determined to stick around.
    “I don’t know what you mean, Grandmother.” Cassidytook the card, studied the face, turned it over and then back again. “Why do we need a lawyer?”
    “Issues of estate. The problem of Alexander.”
    Cassidy’s hackles rose. She stood up straighter. “Alex is not a problem.”
    “You know what I mean, dear. He’ll need new parents, although the Browns may have some notion of taking him on.”
    Taking him on. That’s the way Grandmother had thought of her and Janna, as unpleasant responsibilities she had incurred. The notion would have hurt if Cassidy hadn’t always known.
    “No,” Cassidy said with surprising firmness. “Not strangers.”
    “Be reasonable, Cassidy. The child is still young enough to be acceptable to adopters.”
    “I don’t want someone to take him because he’s acceptable. I want him to be loved.”
    Grandmother huffed; her mouth puckered tighter. “I was afraid you’d be like