The Baby Consultant

by Anne Marie Winston

  For a long moment he simply studied her face.

  “What?” she asked. Jack wasn’t normally one to hesitate. The way he was examining her features began to make her wonder if she should have cleaned her face rather than the kitchen floor.

  “I want to talk to you,” he repeated. Then, reaching out, he slipped one big hand beneath her hair and gently clasped the back of her neck. “But I don’t think we’re going to be able to talk until we’ve gotten this out of the way.”

  This time, when he reached for her, there was no hesitation in her response. She couldn’t have resisted if there’d been a million dollars riding on it. She let him draw her against him with his free arm, let him kiss her, kissed him back. Hadn’t she been thinking of this for the past forty-eight hours?

  His hand slipped from her nape slowly down her back, over the smooth swell of her buttocks, and pulled her firmly against him. Angled against his side as she was, his knee slipped easily between her legs as he pushed her higher, closer, until she was riding his thigh, wriggling slightly and moaning into his mouth when he turned slightly so that she could feel him, erect and engorged, against the very spot that ached for his possession.

  There was no thought in her head of stopping, no thought in her head of any kind. She was his, to touch and taste as he willed, thrilling to the heavy, muscled flesh beneath her palms and between her legs.

  But Jack apparently retained the ability to think. The hard steel of his arm around her gradually lessened the demanding pressure, allowing her to slide down to the floor. The action had her shivering all over in response to the sensation, and she couldn’t bring herself to move her body away from the firm contact with his. His mouth reduced the deep, thrilling kisses to smaller and smaller ones that barely brushed her lips.

  When he lifted his head, there was regret in his eyes. “There are definitely times when a baby gets in the way.”

  The baby! She’d completely forgotten that he still cradled Alexa in his other arm. Heat flared in her face as she stepped back and mustered a shaky laugh, slipping her hands under the infant and lifting her into her arms. “Maybe it’s a good thing. My brain shuts down when you’re around.”

  “Good.” There was a wealth of smug satisfaction in his prompt reply. “I like it when you can’t think. You managed to keep me at arm’s length for six weeks with that brain clicking away. Is there a switch?”

  Why dissemble at this point? You practically told him he can have you any time he chooses. “I guess you’ve found it.”

  He regarded her with a look of pure male possession, clearly satisfied with her answer. “I guess so.”

  Alexa stirred in Frannie’s arms, and she remembered that he’d just walked in the door. “Would you like a drink?” she asked. “You caught me cleaning and I’m ready for a break.” Liar. She’d always been one to charge right through housecleaning nonstop until she got it done.

  “I can think of things I’d like better, but I’ll settle for a beer,” he answered. “Mind if I lay a blanket down for Lex?”

  “Sure. But I don’t have any beer. I have—” she paused and ruefully catalogued the contents of her refrigerator “—lemonade, nonfat milk, iced tea, cooking wine and good old H2O. April and I are usually the only ones around,” she said as explanation. “I’m not much of a drinker.”

  “Iced tea will be fine.” He spread out a soft baby blanket, and Frannie knelt to lay Alexa gently on it before escaping to the refuge of her kitchen. Where is this going? she asked herself as she poured the tea with hands that shook. She hadn’t intended to fall for Jack Ferris; in fact, she’d expressly decided she wasn’t going to care for him. But choice didn’t seem to be an option anymore. He’d declared war on her senses, and she’d surrendered before any real skirmish even could take place.

  She hadn’t wanted to love him, but she did. She loved him. The shaking in her hands spread to her entire body. She gripped the edge of the counter with both hands and took a deep breath, willing herself to calm. She might not be able to resist loving him, but she wasn’t a complete idiot. There wasn’t even a hope that he felt the same. Oh, he desired her—that much was obvious now. But he didn’t love her.

  And he couldn’t be allowed to know she loved him.

  Six

  Jack wondered what she was going to think of his idea. Instinct told him she would refuse the offer, but he was determined to do it, anyway. She’d already helped him with Alexa far more than he could ever hope to repay her for. If she wouldn’t take money, he’d try another angle.

  She was taking a long time getting a simple glass of tea. Maybe she was fixing herself up, combing her hair and putting some lipstick on, the way women always did when you caught them looking less than completely put together. He didn’t mind that she’d had her hair pulled away from her face with a wide hairband, that she wasn’t wearing any makeup. He’d learned the hard way that how a woman looked didn’t necessarily offer insight into her character. Lannette had been a beautifully put-together package. It had taken him a long, long time to see that what lay beneath the surface wasn’t beautiful as well.

  Lex gurgled in that funny little way she’d just started, and he leaned over the blanket. She lay on her back, her eyes wide and fascinated with the hands attached to the ends of her arms. It tickled him immensely to see the little ways she was growing and changing, and he laughed silently at himself. Stu had told him at the surprise party that he would have never believed Jack would be so good with a baby if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.

  “One of those in your arms really suits you, buddy,” Stu had said, shaking his head in wonder.

  One of these really did suit him, he thought. He’d been marking time in his life, just drifting. The only thing he’d been sure of was that he would never let another woman have the kind of power over him that Lannette had had. And then Lex had been dropped on him. It had been a nightmare at first. Then, when he’d gotten his balance back, it had become a challenge. He could be just as good a father as any of his buddies.

  Now it was an addiction. Alexa was his child. It was that simple:

  Frannie walked back into the room then, interrupting his reverie. She carried a small tray with two tall glasses filled with tea and clinking ice cubes, and a plate of what looked like raisin cookies. Above the tray, which she carried waist high, her breasts bobbed gently. He’d noticed the minute she opened the door that she wasn’t wearing any bra beneath the tank top; when she’d pressed up against him, the feel of those firm, yielding mounds shouted at him to touch.

  Below the tray, her legs were long and tanned, with shapely calves and slender ankles. The muscles in her thighs flexed as she moved and he felt a corresponding response in his own body. The kiss at the door hadn’t been nearly enough, as far as he was concerned. Still, the way she’d come into his arms, like she’d been waiting for him to reach for her, was enough to keep him going for a little while.

  She set the tray down and handed him a glass, and he took her hand and drew her down on the blanket beside him. “Check this out,” he said. “She’s figured out she has hands.”

  Frannie laughed. “I love this stage.”

  “So far, I’ve liked all her stages,” he said. “Or, at least, I have since I got a handle on this dad thing. I can’t wait to see her grow up.”

  “Yes, you can. If you live through the toddler stage, then you’ll get a double whammy when she turns into an adolescent.”

  He grinned. “Oh, well. My life was pretty dull before this, anyway.” He reached over and curled his fingers around hers where they lay on her knee. “It’s gotten a whole lot better recently.”

  She smiled. Then she turned her palm up and squeezed his fingers gently, before scooting away and taking a seat on the low ottoman on the other side of the blanket. It wasn’t a rejection, exactly, but it definitely was a “back off,” notice. Not a chance, he told her mentally. But he didn’t say it aloud. What she didn’t know could only be to his advantage.


  “I’d like to get your thoughts on an idea I had,” he told her.

  Her eyebrows rose, and he knew she was wondering why he needed her input. “All right.”

  He took a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to be paid for helping me with Alexa, but I’d like to do something for you—” He held up a hand when she started to protest. “I have this friend, a photographer. He offered me a photo shoot in exchange for a favor I did him a few months ago. I haven’t needed to collect so far, and I got to thinking that maybe you could use two or three professional shots for the walls in your shop.”

  “Jack, I couldn’t possibly accept something like that. Professional photography sessions cost a fortune.”

  “This one’s free,” he pointed out.

  “I know, but—”

  “And he wants me to use it right away because he’s getting busy with senior portraits and he wants to get it finished first. You’d be doing me a favor, actually.”

  “How so?” She still looked like she was going to refuse.

  “I haven’t been happy with the photographer I use for the business, and I’ve been thinking of making a change. This will give me a chance to see if I like Runt’s work enough to switch to him.”

  “Runt?” she repeated. “Poor guy.”

  Jack laughed. “You won’t pity him once you meet him.” He eyed her, trying to gauge her response to his proposition. “So will you do it?”

  “I...don’t know. I really don’t feel comfortable accepting payment for helping you with Alexa. Snuggling a baby again was payment.”

  He sighed. This was even more difficult than he’d expected. “If you won’t let me do this, I’m going to bug you until you let me pay you. Look at it this way—if you do this photo shoot for me, we’ll never have to have this conversation again.”

  Her eyes were locked on his face, and for a moment he forgot he was waiting for an answer. What was it about her that he couldn’t resist? She was quietly pretty, but he’d dated women more beautiful. She had a nice figure, but he’d dated women whose curves literally would stop traffic.

  But she projected something...it was like the air around her was scented with her own invisible come-to-me perfume. All he wanted was to reach across the space dividing them and haul her into his lap. And proceed from there. With haste.

  “It would be very nice.”

  He blinked, momentarily disoriented. “Wha—it would?”

  She nodded. “If you’re sure—”

  “I’m sure. It’s one of those use-it-or-lose-it situations.”

  “Actual photos of my designs would be wonderful.” She was beginning to look more enthusiastic. He had her hooked.

  “Great. I’ll talk to him and then call you. We can work out a time. Do you want to line up a model or shall I?”

  “A model?”

  “I have the perfect girl in mind, I use her frequently. Never mind, I’ll take care of it.”

  “You move fast when you decide to move, don’t you?” She shook her head, a bemused smile playing around her lips.

  He couldn’t resist. “You should know.”

  She blushed. He was astonished. He’d never seen Frannie truly unsettled like this before. She usually was the epitome of poise and self-possession. Nothing much seemed to faze her.

  She wouldn’t look at him, but focused on the baby, who was beginning to squeal and squeak. Frannie’s rosy cheeks were adorable. He had to sit firmly on the urge to lean over and kiss her until they were both crazy for more.

  Instead, he shifted and reached for the diaper bag. “That sounds like the prelude to the ‘Feed Me Fast’ opera. Could I impose on you to warm up a bottle while I change her?”

  She smiled at him, blush forgotten now that she was on familiar ground. “Why don’t you warm the bottle? I’d love to change her.”

  “Be my guest.” He rose. “I could live happily without handling another diaper in this life.”

  He heated the formula in a cup of hot water from the tap. When he judged it warm enough, he hurried back into the living room. Lex wasn’t screaming yet, but he expected the serenade to start any minute now.

  But she wasn’t even fussing. Frannie stood near her small fireplace with the baby in her arms. She was looking down into the tiny face, speaking in a quiet, earnest tone, and he could see one wildly waving infant hand trying to zero in on the fascinating person speaking.

  She was made for motherhood.

  The thought didn’t surprise him. But what did catch him off guard was the deep longing for this intimate scene to be his. He hadn’t minded living alone since Lannette. And even when he was married, he’d never spent any time like this. Lannette hated to be stuck at home with no pressing plans. With him.

  Schooling his face into what he hoped was an unrevealing expression to hide the dark thoughts bouncing around in his head, he walked over to them. “Here’s her bottle. Would you like to feed her?”

  “I’d love to.” Frannie’s voice was fervent. Taking the bottle of formula, she settled into the rocking chair by the hearth with the baby cradled in one arm. Recognizing the position, Alexa immediately began to fuss, but she quieted the instant the nipple was placed against her lips. With lusty sucking sounds, she relaxed and began to drain the bottle.

  Jack dropped into the easy chair, watching Frannie’s face. She loved babies, that was certain, and she seemed to love his baby in particular.

  “I wish I could find someone who would care for her like you do to keep her,” he said.

  Frannie’s head shot up. “You haven’t found a baby-sitter yet?” Incredulity laced her tone and her eyes were wide and disbelieving.

  He shook his head. “Not yet. But I’m still trying.”

  “What do you do with her while you’re at work?”

  He shrugged. “She comes along.”

  “What?”

  Her tone made him feel strangely defensive. “It isn’t easy but I’m managing—”

  “Your office is no place for a baby. What do you do with her while you’re in meetings?”

  “I keep her with me.”

  “In your office? With clients?”

  He spread his hands. “What else can I do? It’s getting crazier now because she isn’t sleeping as much as she did a month ago.”

  “And she’s only going to be awake more and more as she grows.” Frannie’s gaze was intense. “Jack, you have to get a caregiver for this baby.”

  “I know.” He exhaled heavily and let his head drop back against the chair, addressing the ceiling. “But I’ve interviewed almost twenty-five people and none of them seemed right. I just can’t leave her with a perfect stranger, whether it’s in my home or someone else’s. We’re on the waiting list at two day care centers that I thought were well staffed and caring, but they’re both full and I’m not even at the top of the list. The directors tell me it could be months before a space opens up.”

  “You can’t possibly keep taking her to work with you for months.”

  “I don’t have a choice, Frannie.” He glanced at her, and the look on her face arrested his gaze. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about keeping her?”

  The bottle had slipped out of Alexa’s mouth; the baby was slumbering against Frannie’s breast. Gently she lifted the infant and laid her over her shoulder, rubbing the little back lightly. At his words, Frannie closed her eyes. Turning her face, she nuzzled against the baby with her cheek.

  Then an immense sigh shook her and she opened her eyes. “I can’t stand the thought of just anyone handling her. I suppose I could keep her until a space in a reputable day care facility becomes available.”

  Jubilation danced a jig within him, but he fought not to show it on his face. Humble gratitude was a better posture, given the magnitude of her offer. “Are you sure? I’d be delighted, but I don’t want to take advantage of you.” At least, not in the baby-sitting department.

  “I’m sure.” She took the baby from her shoulder and cradled the limp form in her a
rms again. “My busiest season is ending. I have one assistant—who loves babies, by the way—and I’m interviewing for a second one to start training. I think for the short term, I’m better equipped than you are to fit her into my routine.” Then she shook her finger at him in warning. “But this is only a temporary arrangement.”

  He nodded. “I’ll call the day care places every week to check on the list. They’ll get so sick of hearing from me that they’ll fit her in just to get me to quit calling.” He hesitated for a second, weighing his next words. “You’ll have to let me reimburse you for your time, as I would any caregiver—”

  “Jack.” Her voice was firm and intense. “I will not take your money, and if you bring it up again, I will not keep Alexa.” She paused and glared at him. “Deal?”

  He knew better than to argue when she was in that mode. But, God, he loved it when she got on her high horse. When her eyebrows formed that straight, fierce line, his body formed its own straight, fierce line, telling him exactly how to smooth out her furrowed brow. “Deal.”

  He brought over a portable crib, an infant seat and what seemed like ten tons of baby supplies on Tuesday evening, as well as a wind-up swing he’d purchased on the way over to her house. He’d gotten one shortly after Alexa came to live with him, and the thing was a charm.

  Frannie held the baby while he carried the stuff into her house. Then she directed him through to her workroom, where he set up the swing and deposited the baby seat. The crib went in a corner of her kitchen, which was attached to the shop, and he attached a bright mobile above it before laying Lex inside to see how she liked the bright colors revolving in the air above her.

  “That way, I’ll be able to hear her when she wakes up, but she’ll be able to nap without any distractions,” she told him as they watched Alexa’s eyes follow the mobile.

  “Speaking of distractions...” He hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. He’d done his best to keep his hands off her, not an easy task when his body told him to touch her every chance he got. But Lannette had hated having him touching her all the time. She’d complained constantly that she needed “more space,” that he was crowding her.