Baby of Fortune

by Shirley Rogers

  His suggestion made more sense than she cared to admit. Her heart began beating hard and fast at the thought of seeing him, being with him again. No matter how often she reminded herself to take it slow, her heart just wouldn’t listen.

  At seven that evening, Justin turned in to Heather’s driveway and cut the engine of his Mercedes sedan. His entire body felt tense. He looked through the windshield of the car at the house they had shared together, and a flood of memories assailed him. Most of them good, some of them sharp and infinitely painful.

  The last few months of living with her had been sheer hell for him. He’d been unable to reach her through her pain. Living with her indifference was a constant reminder of that failure to reach her.

  It was as if he hadn’t mattered to her anymore, and that had hurt him more than anything. He had lived through rejection many times: each time he’d been taken from a foster home, he’d learned to harden his heart and deal with it.

  But enduring rejection from Heather had devastated him. At a time when he’d needed her the most, she’d turned away from him. Justin wanted back the life they’d once had. He wanted to be with his wife, to hold her, to spend the rest of his life taking care of her.

  And dammit, he wanted to make love to her!

  Justin knew he was in trouble. Already he wanted her to the point of distraction. He had to sit in the car another few minutes to let his body calm down. When he thought he could face her without making a fool of himself, he got out and approached the house. Though he had the right to just walk inside, he rang the doorbell and waited for her to answer.

  After a moment, she opened the door and stepped back to allow him to enter. Her expression was apprehensive, yet he caught the flare of awareness that passed through her eyes as their gazes met.

  “Hi.”

  Damn! His gaze drifted over her, taking in her curvaceous figure and her sexy legs. He smiled appreciatively, then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. She tilted her head for him, then quickly stepped back.

  “You smell delicious.” Justin’s heart responded with a quick beat to the unique scent of her. She always wore a delicate fragrance that reminded him of roses. He breathed deeply, taking in her fragrance again before moving away.

  She blushed, seeming pleased that he’d noticed and had spoken his thoughts. Her smile widened to her eyes.

  “Come in.”

  He walked into the living room. “I hope I’m not early. I can wait if you have something to finish.” He glanced around the room and saw no evidence that she was preparing to leave. It was spotless, as if she’d spent the afternoon cleaning rather than packing.

  Heather followed him. Her gaze automatically scanned the room, then she looked at him. “No, I’ve done all I can do for the night. I’m really tired, so I needed a break. Thanks for offering to take me to dinner.”

  A small object on the floor near the sofa caught her eye, and she realized it was a rattle. Frantic, her gaze shot to his face to see if he’d noticed it. Breathing a sigh of relief when she realized he hadn’t, she smiled brightly, then walked across the room and stopped beside the toy.

  “Um, I didn’t ask before,” she began, placing her foot in front of the toy and blocking it from his view, “how are you handling business while you’re in San Antonio?” She moved her foot a fraction and felt the rattle roll slightly. She also thought she’d heard it. Alarmed, she glanced up quickly.

  “I have a laptop, and the hotel I stay in has fax and Internet services. It won’t be a problem. I’ll be accessible, but I don’t expect to be working much of the time.”

  He was taking their trip together seriously. A pleasurable feeling rushed over her. Needing to distract him to scoot the rattle under the sofa, she said, “I wasn’t sure how to dress. You didn’t say where we were going.” She moved her foot a fraction at a time, edging Timmy’s rattle under the sofa.

  Whew! That was close, she thought. She was going to have to be more careful.

  Justin’s gaze slipped over her body and down her legs. Her light-blue dress stopped just above her knees, and she wore white heels that accentuated her slender legs. He remembered the times she’d wrapped those legs around him while in the throes of passion.

  Hell, they’d made love right on the living room floor more than once. He hardened, aware even more of how much he missed being intimate with her, sliding into her warm, wet body. She turned slightly, and her dress swished around her thighs. “You look great.”

  “Thanks.” Heather had taken the time to change into something attractive for dinner, and because she’d be seeing him. As a rule, she didn’t dress up for school. She’d learned early on in her career that six-year-old children could destroy a dress with one touch of a hand colored in fingerpaint. “Well, I’m ready to leave if you are.”

  Justin wanted to tell her what he was really ready to do. Instead, he clamped down on his basic urges, nodded, then followed her when she walked to the door and stepped outside. After seating her in his car, he joined her, sliding in behind the wheel. “I thought we’d go to Angelo’s.”

  Startled, Heather looked at him. “Angelo’s?” She’d said it before she was able to subdue her astonished tone. Angelo’s was the restaurant where Justin had proposed to her.

  A ripple of pleasure stole her breath. She was both surprised and pleased he’d chosen to take her there. Or was she reading too much into this? Feeling silly about being so nostalgic, she looked away from him and out the window of the car.

  “I hope that’s all right.” He sent a questioning look her way before turning his attention back to the road. He’d hoped she’d be pleased that he’d chosen a place where they had shared a special moment in their lives. It was part of his plan to remind her of a time when things were easy between them.

  Glancing back at him, she smiled and relaxed a little. “Of course it is. I’m looking forward to it.”

  When they arrived at the restaurant, Heather was stunned when they were seated at the exact same table they’d had on the night he’d asked her to marry him. It was either a bizarre coincidence, or a well thought-out plan.

  She looked across the table at him and swallowed the lump in her throat. He wore a black suit, and exuded confidence and determination. Several women had turned to look at them as they’d moved through the room. Heather had felt their stares, and she’d been aware of her own pleasure at being the object of their envy.

  Her chest ached with a tension born of a year of keeping a staggering secret. She couldn’t believe that she was sitting across from her husband and having dinner. Her husband, who had walked out on her without looking back.

  She’d wondered at the time if another woman had been involved, but had never seen any evidence that he hadn’t been faithful. That left the year they’d lived apart for her to ponder. Who had he been with? Had another woman comforted him, made love to him? Did Heather even want to know? Could she take him back not knowing?

  The waiter stopped by, took their drink orders, then disappeared just as quickly. She fingered her linen napkin as she glanced around the room.

  “So the packing is going well?” Justin asked, watching her fiddle with her napkin. She gave no indication that there was anything special about the restaurant. Disappointment shattered the pleasure he’d felt upon deciding to bring her here. He’d hoped she’d say something, anything, to let him know she remembered the night he’d proposed.

  “Um, yes.” Her smile was anxious, her eyes perplexed.

  Justin nodded, trying to get past the deflation of his ego. “And school is over in four days?”

  “Three, actually. After classes end, I have a day to pack up my classroom.”

  The waiter returned with their drinks and took their orders. Heather watched him walk away, then looked back at her husband.

  “Why don’t I stop by to help you?”

  “What?” She stared blankly at him. He’d always been too busy at work to help her with anything remotely related to her job. She’d
even had to drag him to school functions that she’d been required to attend. “I’m sure you have some last-minute things at work to take care of,” she blurted, her tone discouraging.

  She couldn’t take a chance on anyone at school talking to Justin. Heather was a very private person, and though some of her school colleagues knew about her separation, she’d never shared the information that her husband didn’t know about his son. No, she didn’t need Justin stopping by the school.

  “Not really.”

  “Well, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t have too much left to do. And my assistant has been tremendously helpful. She’s been putting in some extra hours and has done most of the work.” She hoped her excuse sounded reasonable.

  “Well, let me know if you change your mind.”

  “Oh, of course, thank you.”

  An uncomfortable silence fell between them. After a few moments, they began talking about their travel plans while they waited for the food to arrive. Once it was served, Heather was relieved to have something to do with her hands. She wrapped some fettuccine around her fork and ate it, moaning pleasurably as the flavor of butter and Parmesan cheese reached her palate.

  “I’d forgotten how good Angelo’s food is,” she offered, trying to ease the tension that had somehow overshadowed their evening.

  “You haven’t been here in a while?”

  Sadness darkened her eyes. “Not since we were last here together.” She couldn’t tell him that she hadn’t been able to come here without him.

  Justin reached across the table to touch her hand. He ran one finger over the top of it with slow stroking motions. “I haven’t, either,” he confessed.

  Though he’d taken a few women to dinner since his separation, he hadn’t slept with any of them. He’d been damn tempted to assuage his sexual urges a few times, but Heather had always insinuated herself into his thoughts, and he’d ended up going home alone.

  Now he was glad he had, was relieved a sexual affair wasn’t something that could come between them.

  Heather drew her hand back and sipped some wine. “Tell me a little more about the Fortunes.”

  Justin described them as best he could, then told her more about Emma and her baby, Rose, and her recent marriage to Flynn Sinclair.

  “She sounds very nice.” Heather lifted another forkful of noodles from her plate. “Will I get to meet her?”

  “Probably, and her baby,” he added, his tone cautious. “Will that be difficult for you?”

  To learn that he was concerned for her emotional well-being touched Heather deeply, but it also added to the burden of guilt in her heart. “No, I’ll be fine,” she managed to get out past the lump in her throat. Beads of perspiration dotted her upper lip.

  Justin thought he’d noticed something different about her manner. He shouldn’t have brought up the subject of Rose. It had probably stirred agonizing memories for his wife, memories she hadn’t laid to rest.

  The subject of Emma’s baby seem to cloud the remainder of their evening. Though they talked, Heather seemed reserved and quiet. Justin accepted that she might still have wounds to heal. He knew he did. He still thought about the baby they’d lost, still wished…

  When they arrived back at her house after dinner, he walked her to the door. They’d said little to each other on the ride home, and he hadn’t tried to initiate casual conversation. Heather had seemed deep in thought, which was natural. They were both going through a difficult transition.

  At the door, she turned, lifting her face to look up at him. “Thank you. Dinner was lovely.”

  Justin stared at her. She was so beautiful, but wariness lingered in her eyes. He swallowed hard, clamping down on the desire to pull her to him. “I guess that means you’re not going to invite me in.”

  She slowly shook her head. “I have a big day tomorrow. I hope you understand.”

  All Justin could understand at the moment was how much he wanted her. He stepped toward her and felt electricity spark between them. She felt it, too. He could see it in her eyes as they darkened under the dim porch light. She edged away as he came closer, stopping only when her back hit the door.

  “Heather.” Her name was a whisper as he bent toward her. Her head came up, her gaze resting on his face, reflecting a mixture of need and denial. He didn’t touch her, but it took every ounce of willpower not to. “I want to kiss you.”

  She stared at him without speaking. He waited a beat, then lowered his mouth, touching hers briefly. Then he raised his head a fraction.

  “Justin.”

  Instead of a protest, he heard a request. Her warm breath fanned his lips, and a need, deep and burning, engulfed him. Then he was kissing her. Softly, tenderly, achingly. She opened her mouth to him, and he slid his tongue past the barrier of her teeth to tease and taste and devour. She leaned into him, softly pressing her hands against his chest.

  Not wanting to push too hard too fast, Justin lifted his lips and looked at her.

  “You don’t play fair,” she whispered, her breathing labored.

  “You set the rules,” he remind her. He briefly kissed her lips again, then stepped back, putting some distance between them. He knew it was what she wanted, despite her reaction to his kiss. “Not kissing you wasn’t one of them.”

  Five

  Heather’s heart was beating hard against her ribs as she watched Justin walk away. She turned and went inside, as he drove off in his car. Entering the dark and quiet house, she walked immediately to Timmy’s room and peeked in to check on him. He was sleeping on his back in the crib. She crept over to him and stared down at her beautiful little boy, who looked so much like his father. God, she was so fortunate to have him. So very blessed.

  He’d brought her joy and happiness at a time when she’d thought she’d never be able to feel either emotion again. She wanted Timmy to do the same for Justin, wanted him to heal Justin’s heart from the pain of losing their first child. She vowed to herself and to her son to tell his father about him soon.

  Sighing wistfully, she left the room to find her mother. She met Kathryn in the hall outside Timmy’s room.

  “I thought I heard you.”

  “I was checking on Timmy. Did he give you any problems?”

  “Of course not. He went right to sleep when I put him down.” She looked at her daughter with concern. “Is everything all right?”

  “I guess.” Heather shrugged. “I don’t know. I feel so mixed up inside,” she confessed, sounding miserable.

  “That’s only natural. You’ve had quite a lot to think about over the past couple of days.”

  “I know you’re right, but—” She stopped speaking and massaged her temples.

  “Come on.” Kathryn took her daughter’s hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. “Let’s get you something for your head, then I’ll make you some herbal tea.”

  Heather let her mother lead her, then, exhaustion consuming her, took a seat at the table.

  “How was your dinner?” Kathryn gave Heather a glass of water and some pills for her headache.

  “It was nice. I enjoyed myself most of the time. Justin seems…so different in some ways.”

  “People change,” Kathryn offered, “sometimes for the better.” She put a cup of water in the microwave and punched in a time. When the microwave finished heating the water, Heather watched her mother get a tea bag from the cupboard and put it in the steaming cup. Her mom was right. Justin had a hard-edged manner, was sometimes too sure of himself and often too possessive. But he was also confident and reliable. Heather supposed it was one of the reasons his leaving had hurt her so much. She’d relied on him to see her through the pain of her miscarriage. He’d disappointed her.

  “I want to believe that. I still have feelings for him. I just don’t know if what I feel and what he feels is enough.”

  Kathryn nodded as if she understood. “One thing you need to remember is that you and Justin have something between you that makes it worth a try.” She nodde
d toward the back of the house where her grandson was sleeping. “Your son.”

  “It’s not always the right decision to stay together because of children. Sometimes that can create even more chaos.”

  “Oh, I’ll agree with you. I wouldn’t have stayed with your father because of you,” she admitted honestly. “But if he had loved me, I might have tried to save my marriage.”

  “Do you think you could have trusted him again?”

  “I don’t know. Trust never comes easily after someone has hurt you. Listen,” Kathryn said, putting the tea in front of Heather. “There’s a commitment involved with marriage that people make to each other. You have to really and truly believe in it if your marriage is going to work.” She got to her feet. “I’d better get going. Do you need any help tomorrow?”

  Heather walked with her mother to the front door. “No thanks, Mom. You’ve done enough. Are you really sure you want to keep Timmy while I go to San Antonio?”

  Kathryn rolled her eyes. “Yes, for the umpteenth time. I have leave at work that I’ll lose if I don’t take it, so it’s no problem. Honey, he’ll be fine. I promise. And you can call anytime you want to check on him.”

  Heather’s smile wavered. “I know he’ll be in good hands. I’m just nervous about leaving him.”

  And about being with his father.

  “I know you said you didn’t need any help, but I thought I’d stop by and take you to lunch.”

  Justin! Heather froze in the process of filling a box with the items from her school desk, then spun around. He was standing in the doorway to her classroom, casually leaning against the doorjamb in not-so-casual attire. Again he was dressed in a suit, this one charcoal-gray with a white silk shirt and gray silk tie. He looked as attractive as ever, and a tremor of excitement flowed through her at the sight of him. Her hands shaking, Heather put the item in her hand in the box—before she dropped and broke it.

  Thank goodness she’d already cleared her desk of pictures of Timmy! Forcing a smile to her lips, she let her gaze find his. “You really didn’t need to stop by,” she assured him, and tried not to sound ungrateful. She was just so afraid one of her colleagues would stop in, see him and say something she’d regret.