The Baby Claim

by Catherine Mann

  However, Glenna had made the effort to chase him. It had gotten his attention. It had given him another chance at this relationship they seemed to be starting, and he needed to deserve it. He offered up a piece of his soul—an aspect of himself that he guarded carefully.

  In a quiet voice, he began, “I’d like to share a story with you that will help you understand me better, a story passed down through my family.”

  Glenna stroked his hand softly, then curled her fingers around his. “I would like to hear it.”

  Hard as it was to say, he found he wanted to tell her. Very much. “My mom used to arrange sleigh rides for us.”

  “That’s a beautiful memory.” She stroked her thumb along the inside of his wrist.

  He looked around the room, taking in the decor. He felt as if he saw the past, his former life, and the life that didn’t have a chance to happen because of the plane crash. “She loved this place, her home state. We vacationed in the Dakotas when Dad had business, but this was home. For her. For us.”

  “She’s the one you got the stew recipe from?”

  “Her, and she got it from my grandmother. Yes. My mother wanted to teach us about how her Inuit grandparents lived as much as possible. We hunted, moose mostly, and fished, to fill freezers for orphanages and local food pantries. We still do.”

  “I’ve gotten a sampling of your father’s fishing skills.”

  What? Interesting, and worth talking about later. Right now, he needed to stay on task. “Caribou, too, obviously. We even hunted some seals.”

  Surprise washed over her face. “You caught a seal?”

  “With some serious help from my great-grandpa. I was more of a lightweight participant. It was a memorable day, to say the least. But I learned lessons from them that stay with me now.”

  “Such as?” she pressed.

  He adjusted his body on the couch, facing her, hoping she would grasp the importance of what he was trying to explain. “In the pure Inuit culture, there was no social structure or class, no ownership. The earth and its resources belonged to all of us. It was shared property for living and hunting.”

  “Everyone was equal?”

  “To a degree. There were people with a higher status based on things like seamstress skills. Being a shaman. Others. But you had to pull your weight.” He chuckled. “Now that’s a credo my father wrapped his brain around.”

  A small smile played at the corners of her lips. For the first time since she’d arrived at the cabin today, she seemed calmer. More assured. “I can see more and more how our parents are going to mesh well.”

  “My grandparents made sure we heard the legends directly from them, not from a book. Like the legend of the Qalupalik. She was green and slimy and lived in the water. She hummed and would draw bad children to the waves. If you wandered away from your parents, she would slip you in a pouch on her back and take you to her watery home to live with her other kids. You would never see your family again.”

  The story had terrified him and his siblings when they were younger. A small memory wafted through his mind as he recalled how Delaney had cried the first time she’d heard it.

  “Sounds like a certain fish movie that’s quite popular.”

  He spread his hands. “Hey, when a life lesson works, it works.” Which brought him to his point, what he needed her to know. “We also had our own werewolf legend about the Adlet. They were said to have the lower body of a wolf and the upper body of a human—”

  “Like centaurs,” Glenna said, leaning forward. Her attention fully on him.

  Good. This was progress.

  “I guess so. And apparently, they still roam. My brothers and I tried to hunt one once. We had to turn back because Naomi tagged along and Aiden followed her... Are you just being polite? You have to have heard all of this.”

  “I haven’t heard it this way. Not from you.” She narrowed her eyes as if trying to discern his intent. “What are you trying to tell me?”

  The thoughts sliced at his insides like more shards of ice. “Naomi and Brea were twins. They were supposed to have that special bond. People worried more about her after we lost Brea, and I understand that. But she and I were close, too.” A pained smile tugged at his mouth. “She was even given the name I was supposed to have if I’d been a girl. She was my baby sister. I was supposed to protect her.”

  He swallowed hard before continuing, “Since my sister Brea died, I’ve felt like half a person—like the legend of Adlet. I didn’t think I had anything of substance to offer another person, not until these past days with you and Fleur.”

  Glenna’s blue eyes melted, tears glimmering. She squeezed his hand. “For a confident businessman, you vastly underestimate yourself.”

  Hope kicked up another level, along with awareness from the feel of her hand in his. “I think you just complimented me.”

  “I did. You are an incredible man on so many levels.” She took his other hand, as well, pinning him with an intense gaze. “Why would you want to settle for a loveless relationship? I accepted a half measure in my marriage for years and I can tell you, it eats at your very soul.”

  He ached for her and the pain she’d been through. She deserved better.

  He wanted to give her better. “I wasn’t settling, not by a longshot. You are everything I could ever want in my life. I realize now I was more concerned about being what you need in your life.”

  Her eyes filled with more of those tears and she moved forward as he leaned toward her. Their mouths met, not in a kiss of unbridled passion, but one of relief, connection.

  And love.

  He felt the emotion without hearing the word. The connection went beyond the electrical current that set their senses on fire. This feeling was more like northern lights of the soul.

  Her hands rested against his chest, sending his heart slugging against his ribs. “Broderick,” she whispered against his lips, “we haven’t made our report to the board. What about our jobs?”

  “I’ll step aside,” he said without hesitation. And he meant it.

  To win over Glenna, there was no sacrifice too great. And with her at his side, he knew he could achieve success beyond any preconceived plans he’d set for his life. She opened his horizons.

  Enriched his life.

  Her eyebrows shot up in shock. “You’ll do that? You can’t possibly mean to give up your job, your stake in the Steele business.”

  “No job is more important than you.” He meant those words more than any he’d ever spoken. “There is more to life than work. There is family.”

  “But...your job is your family.”

  “No. Not anymore,” he said simply.

  “You really mean this.” Amazement entered her blue eyes as she scanned his face.

  “Whatever I need to do to prove to you I want to be the man you deserve.”

  She flattened a hand to his chest. “You don’t have to do this for me.”

  He smiled unrepentantly. “It’s not like I’m lacking financially. I work because I want to, not because I need to. I can consult. Spend more time with you. With Fleur.”

  She blinked fast, nibbling her lower lip, then blurted out, “What if we both consult?”

  “Run that by me again? I’m not sure I heard right. You’ve been so adamant about your family legacy. I don’t expect some kind of quid pro quo on the job-quitting front. We’ll both be making sacrifices along the way. I get that. And I also get that our relationship, our marriage, will be worth it.”

  “Broderick...” She squeezed his hand hard. “Family. Isn’t that what we’re talking about? You and I building a family together? Marriage, even. This is our legacy, one we build together. We can consult for the company and create our own schedules.”

  He stroked her face, feeling a joy he was beginning to realize could be his for life. “I like the sound of what
you’re saying, but I want to make sure you really understand you don’t have to give up your career for me.”

  “Oh, Broderick, don’t you see? I’m not giving up anything. I’m healing broken relationships and facing new challenges instead of just protecting myself from possible hurts. I’m embracing a life with you. And if our parents say no to this plan of ours—” she inhaled deeply “—then we, you and I—a family—become oh, say, accountants maybe, and live off our portfolios and hunt and catch fish while we play with Kota and bring up Fleur. Our daughter.”

  The beauty of her offer and the magnitude of her sacrifice filled him, making him feel whole for the first time in a very long while. “I am totally in love with your plan, and I’m totally in love with you, Glenna.”

  Her arms slid around his neck and she wriggled closer, leaning into him. The softness of her body against his fit with perfection, giving off a hint of the scent of almonds. “Well, isn’t that a magnificent coincidence? Because I am wildly, passionately in love with you, too, Broderick Steele.”

  And if he had any remaining doubts—which he didn’t—he intended to prove just how strong their love was. He hauled her closer and gently rolled her to the bearskin rug where he would prove it all night long, for a lifetime.

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later

  Glenna knew she wasn’t the only mother ever to spend time simply gazing at her baby, so she refused to feel guilty about her lazy afternoon in the sprawling Steele family home, watching Fleur sleep in her swing. Nearby, Naomi worked on her tablet, her dark head bent over the screen as she tapped and scrolled. The quiet hum of the swing motor and the soft taps were the only sounds in the sunroom, and Glenna’s life felt absolutely perfect as she watched the baby’s head cuddle deeper into the side of the pink cushioning.

  Glenna’s whole world had changed since the “bachelorette” party for Jeannie in this room, the day Fleur had come into their lives. Now, she felt at home with the Steele family, her heart expanding to take in all of Broderick’s relations. Soon to be official once Jeannie and Jack finished finalizing their wedding plans, plans that kept moving dates due to accommodating so many schedules. Turning from Fleur’s swing, Glenna peered out one tall window where a slight snow fell outside. Below, Broderick sat easily on his horse, returning from a ride with his family.

  Her heart flipped in her chest. Broderick was such a strong man of honor. The love of her life. She still could hardly believe how much joy filled her world these days.

  A breathy baby sigh drew her attention back to the room. Fleur’s eyes were fluttering awake as she cooed happily, but Naomi’s brow was deeply furrowed as she stared at her tablet.

  Glenna leaned toward Naomi. “Are you alright?”

  Broderick’s sister looked up, her face smoothing. “Yes, just preoccupied.” She set aside her tablet, and reached into the baby swing to scoop up Fleur. “Come here to Aunt Naomi.”

  “You’re a natural with her.”

  Naomi shook a fuzzy bear rattle in front of the infant’s face. “I love babies.”

  Glenna hesitated to mention children further. She understood too well how sensitive fertility issues could be. Broderick had told her about Naomi’s cancer battle as a teen, and how Naomi’s eggs had been frozen for a possible in vitro fertilization procedure later. What a traumatic thing for a teen to have to think about. “Well, Fleur definitely adores Aunt Naomi.”

  Naomi leaned her forehead to the baby’s, then gave Fleur the gentlest nose to nose kiss. “I know people see me as a work hard, party hard type, but family is important to me. Much of my workaholic nature comes from wanting to pull my weight.”

  “You’re invaluable to the company.” Glenna had never seen anything to give her the impression that Naomi was a wild child, but she’d heard the rumors. Sometimes, she knew, those labels could be unfairly earned.

  Naomi’s dogged determination made her an indomitable attorney. They were lucky to have her on their side. Still, there was a flicker of insecurity on the woman’s face that surprised Glenna.

  “I’ll feel better once I’ve figured out a way to land Royce Miller’s research for our company.”

  Royce Miller? That was a lofty goal. The recluse’s oil industry inventions that melded efficiency with environmental safety were legendary—and much sought after by their competitors. “It would be a coup to land him—or even get a peek at his research. Of course, gaining access to even speak with him would be a good start.”

  Behind them, the exterior door opened a moment before footsteps sounded on the tile. Fleur heard it too, her little face straining to turn toward the noise before Naomi shuffled sideways.

  A moment later, Broderick stood in the doorway in his jacket and Stetson, a dusting of snow on his shoulders. His eyes locked on Glenna right away, an electric look passing between them before he swept off his Stetson. Her skin heated, anticipation curling her toes at just the sight of the man she loved. How was it possible he made her so breathless with just a simple look?

  Naomi cleared her throat, standing with the baby in her arms. “Glenna, how about I take the little one and feed her a bottle. It’ll be good practice for...uh...one day. I imagine you two new parents could use some time alone.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?” Glenna asked without taking her eyes off Broderick’s.

  Laughing softly, Naomi angled past. “I don’t mind at all.” She elbowed her brother on the way out. “Have fun.”

  Glenna walked to Broderick and slipped her arms around his neck, breathing in his scent. “Did you have a good ride?”

  “I sure did.” He skimmed a kiss along her mouth. “Although it would have been better with you along.”

  His touch gave her butterflies.

  “For a gruff businessman, you sure have turned into a romantic.”

  “You bring out the best in me.” He swept his hand along her hair. “And I mean that.”

  “Thank you. I do believe we were meant for each other.”

  His smile made her senses tingle. He backed away, his fingers trailing down her arm. “I think it’s time we made this very official.”

  She angled her head. “What do you mean?”

  He dropped to one knee and pulled a ring box from his jacket pocket. “Glenna, I was going to take you out for a romantic meal, tonight—and I still want to do that. But when I looked into your eyes just now, I couldn’t wait any longer.”

  Emotion swelled. Her hopes and happiness were all tied up in this man and their future together.

  She pressed her hand to her heart, savoring every detail of the moment to keep it in her memory so she could relive it again and again. “The feeling is mutual.”

  She wanted every day to be like this one, spent with Fleur and Broderick, surrounded by family.

  A smile creased his sun-ruddied face. “Glenna, my love, my lover, my life, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

  Her heart squeezed around the words. She dropped to her knees in front of him, clasping her hands around his holding the ring box. “Of course I will. I’m yours and I’m so glad you’re mine. Forever.”

  He opened the ring box to reveal...a stunning canary yellow, square cut diamond. He slid it on her finger and she realized her fingers were trembling just a little. The ring was a perfect fit. Just like their love.

  “Oh my,” she whispered, extending her hand and capturing the sunlight in the facets. Rainbows floated around the room from the bright, beautiful stone. “It’s gorgeous. How did you know it was the perfect choice?”

  He kissed her nose. “I had some help from your mother and your sister. So, I take that to mean you like it?”

  She liked what it symbolized more than anything. But the ring was breathtaking.

  “I do,” she said, thinking how someday she would say those two words to him again. She couldn’t wait to spe
ak their vows for all the world to hear. “And I have an idea. Let’s skip dinner out and celebrate in our suite.”

  His eyes went a shade darker as he sent her a heated look that smoldered over her skin.

  Clasping her hand, he stood, guiding her with him. “I think that’s a brilliant idea, from my brilliant future wife.”

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss a single twist in the saga of the

  ALASKAN OIL BARONS

  from

  USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Mann.

  THE BABY CLAIM

  Naomi’s story.

  THE DOUBLE DEAL

  Available March 2018

  THE LOVE CHILD

  Available April 2018

  THE TWIN BIRTHRIGHT

  Available May 2018

  Only from Harlequin Desire!

  You may also enjoy these other romances from Catherine Mann.

  THE BOSS’S BABY ARRANGEMENT

  HIS SECRETARY’S LITTLE SECRET

  ***

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  Keep reading for an excerpt from RAGS TO RICHES BABY by Andrea Laurence.

  Rags to Riches Baby

  by Andrea Laurence

  One

  “And to Lucy Campbell, my assistant and companion, I bequeath the remainder of my estate, including the balances of my accounts and financial holdings and the whole of my personal effects, which entails my art collection and my apartment on Fifth Avenue.”

  When the attorney stopped reading the will of Alice Drake aloud, the room was suddenly so quiet Lucy wondered if the rest of the Drake family had dropped dead as well at the unexpected news. She kept waiting for the lawyer to crack a smile and tell the crowd of people around the conference room table that he was just kidding. It seemed highly inappropriate to do to a grieving family, though.

  Surely, he had to be kidding. Lucy was no real estate expert, but Alice’s apartment alone had to be worth over twenty million dollars. It overlooked the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It had four bedrooms and a gallery with a dozen important works, including an original Monet, hanging in it. Lucy couldn’t afford the monthly association fees for the co-op, much less own an apartment like that in Manhattan.