The Baby Bargain

by Jennifer Apodaca

  “What?” she asked softly, echoing his thoughts.

  He shook his head. “You had nine months of pregnancy to get used to the idea. I haven’t even had a day. Give me some time.”

  …

  “Cole, leave the dog food alone.” Megan set down her untouched coffee and headed for the boy. He’d scooped up a handful of the dry food and was lifting it to his mouth.

  She hurried across kitchen, knowing she’d be fishing it out of his mouth. Again.

  “Cole,” she warned at the exact instant Adam entered the room. He scooped Cole up with one arm and caught his fist clutching the food in the other. “I don’t think so, C-Man.”

  Cole’s eyes widened. He stared at Adam in surprise.

  Megan halted halfway across the kitchen. Seeing Cole in Adam’s arms…it made her chest ache with the beauty of it. Adam wore only low-slung sweatpants, and his chest and arms were bare. That alone was a pretty amazing sight. But holding their two-year-old son…

  Adam squatted down. “Put the dog food back.”

  Cole opened his hand, letting the kibble fall back into Ellie’s bowl.

  Adam smiled and stood. “There’s your mom.” His gaze locked onto hers. “Does he eat anything besides dog food?”

  She couldn’t think of an answer. Adam just looked so…hot. Mussed hair, stubbled jaw, heavy tawny-colored eyes, hoisting their son around the kitchen. He opened the fridge and crinkled his nose in an exaggerated sneer. “Chick food.”

  “Chick food,” Cole parroted, enjoying himself as he bounced in Cole’s arms.

  “Got any man food?”

  Cole nodded. “Man food.”

  What happened to dark and pissed-off Adam? She knew this Adam—funny, charming, and sexy—but she hadn’t seen that side of him since the fund-raiser gala. “Man food would be food men search out and prepare.” She gestured to the kitchen. “Have at it.”

  Adam grinned at Cole. “I believe we were just challenged. I don’t suppose you know how to cook?”

  Cole giggled.

  Adam ruffled the boy’s hair, then went back to the fridge and pulled out eggs and milk.

  Megan picked up her coffee, finally taking her first sip. Heaven. Adam gave Cole a wooden spoon to hold while he gathered up more items.

  “Uh, that could be dangerous,” she said, reaching up into the cupboard and grabbing a cup. She poured in some coffee and handed it to Adam.

  He frowned. “Since when is a wooden spoon—ouch.” Cole caught him in the jaw.

  “Careful, buddy.” Megan rushed up and latched onto Cole. The back of her hand slid along Adam’s bare skin and she froze. His eyes darkened, a slight flush rising on his cheekbones.

  She felt the tension crackle from where they touched rocket straight through her. She even forgot to breathe. Then Cole threw himself into her arms, and the moment shattered. Instantly, she felt a wave of disgust at herself. Adam all but hated her now, was only being charming for Cole’s sake. After all, they were going to be forever joined through their son.

  Unless Adam left and never returned.

  Heaviness settled over her and she pulled Cole tighter. “I’m going to get ready for work. I’ll feed Cole at my mom’s.” She had to escape.

  When she and Cole came back to the kitchen fifteen minutes later, she was surprised to see the table set for two plus Cole’s highchair.

  “Good, you’re ready. Come eat.” Adam carried two plates piled with scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit to the table. “Does Cole eat toast?”

  The smell of food made her stomach growl. She settled Cole into his highchair. “He likes it cut in four triangles.”

  Adam leaned over her to set four triangles of toast on Cole’s tray.

  She jerked her head up, reacting to his nearness. His scent and warmth crashed through her defenses. She wanted him. All of him, not just the charming guy, but all the layers underneath. The layers he refused to share with her.

  Megan moved away, settling into her chair and feeling Adam’s dark gaze watching her. “Thanks for making breakfast.” She helped Cole eat his eggs with a spoon, but finally lost the battle and let him finish with his hands.

  Adam set down his fork. “I couldn’t find any sign of Celtic Fire last night. Nathan has a security system. It was turned off.”

  Her stomach clenched. She’d worried all night, about everything, but the most pressing problem was Celtic Fire. The few bites of eggs congealed in her stomach. “Adam, what if she wasn’t stolen? He’s doing this to set me up. Don’t forget someone called in that anonymous tip about the supposed bribe I took.” She reached for her coffee, desperately needing the caffeine.

  He shook his head. “Nathan stands to make money from breeding the dog. Plus, he has a lot riding on this golf tournament. Sponsors are paying a good amount of money for advertising at the golf course. All kinds of important people will be there, including some regional TV stations. I can’t believe he’d start a scandal now.”

  She frowned as she handed Cole his juice cup. “He tried to bribe me, then threatened me when I refused to take it.” Did Adam even believe her? People were going to talk once word got out that Nathan was accusing her. She’d lose clients. Who knew how bad it could get?

  “I talked to Debbie, too,” Adam said. “She doesn’t appear to have the dog, but do you know of any place she could hide her?”

  Megan rubbed her forehead. “No. I don’t know her that well. I’ve never seen where she lives.”

  “But you went to Nathan’s house when they were married.”

  She snapped her head up. Remembering Cole, she kept her voice level. “I didn’t steal the dog.”

  “I believe you, Meg. I’m just trying to figure this out. Debbie could get into Nathan’s house and the dog would go with her, no problem. She’d also go with you, I assume.”

  Megan’s neck tightened. “What do I do?” Glancing at her watch, she said, “I have to go, but I can make some calls at lunch. Or…” She had no idea what her next step should be.

  “Go to work, but I need access to your financials. I want to see what the police might see if they subpoena your records looking for a deposit that might match the supposed bribe.”

  Megan hesitated for about two seconds, and then realized it really didn’t matter. She had nothing to hide. “Fine.”

  “You won’t like it, but I have some eyes on Debbie. Maybe she’ll lead us to the dog.”

  She stood, getting a cloth to wash Cole. “I’d be surprised if she stole the dog. Before all this, I thought for sure she’d get custody. Seems like she has too much to lose.”

  “You may be right, but I always check out every angle. That’s why I’m good at my job.”

  Megan felt a flutter of relief. She believed Adam was good at what he did. He would get to the bottom of this and clear her name. “Thank you. For helping, for everything. I know how angry you are at me, but you turned on the charm for Cole, and I appreciate it.”

  He pulled his mouth tight. “I’m trying to figure this out, Meg. I don’t know shit about being a dad, but I know it’s best for him if we’re civil.”

  Yeah. Civil. Just what she’d always dreamed of.

  Chapter Eleven

  Adam’s attitude change was still on Megan’s mind when she pulled into the parking lot of her veterinary practice. But that quickly shifted when she spotted two police cars.

  Her heart thumped in her chest. Oh God. This couldn’t be a coincidence. Four cops turned to watch her. With them were Jillian, her receptionist, Dara, her vet technician, and Trina, her assistant. The veterinary practice was a four-woman operation. She sent cases beyond her capabilities to Lawrence’s Raven’s Cove Animal Hospital.

  Had the cops questioned her employees about her? Her mouth was so dry, she could barely swallow. Would they send two police cars just to ask her and her employees questions? She parked the car, fumbled with her purse, and stepped out. The four cops kept watching her, while her employees stood huddled together, wearing their soft-
colored smocks and looking worried.

  Megan had no choice but to cross the parking lot. She swept her gaze over the one-story, standalone building she leased, trying to get a sense of the situation. The front windows all looked fine, the door secured. Finally, she approached the officers. She recognized John and his partner, along with a third male officer and the sheriff, Nadine Bolen. Megan and Nadine had gone to school together. Her confusion mounting, she forced herself to say, “Good morning. Has something happened?”

  “Dr. Young,” Nadine said, “we have a search warrant for your office.”

  Dr. Young? The formality caught her off guard. But the rest of Nadine’s sentence was even more alarming. Search warrants happened on TV, not in a small town like Raven’s Cove, and certainly not to her. “Are you serious?”

  Nadine nodded and held out the papers. “It’s all outlined here. Please unlock the door.”

  Megan shuffled through her keys until she found the right one, feeling as though she was moving underwater. A search warrant. The words played over and over while she opened the door.

  The strong ammonia scent of urine hit her first.

  Wrong. That was wrong. There shouldn’t be any animals in the clinic.

  “Stand aside, Dr. Young.” The sheriff walked in, flanked by her cops.

  Megan looked at Jillian, Trina, and Dara. “We didn’t have any animals kenneled here. What’s going on?”

  They all stared back, appearing as confused as she felt. Trina was pale, but managed to shake her head, silently confirming there hadn’t been any patients in the clinic last night. She was the one who often stayed overnight with a kenneled animal, needing the bonus Megan paid her to do it.

  Megan hated this unnamed fear and indecision. She didn’t know what to do. She could only think of one thing—

  Adam.

  She dug in her purse for her cell phone and called him.

  “Meg, something wrong?” he answered.

  “I think so.” She looked into her reception area, with all the brown chairs and padded benches and easy-clean tiled floors. Pictures of animals were hung on the walls, along with a ”Ten Ways To Love Me Back” poster about what dogs need from their owners. She loved her vet practice. Treating animals filled some need inside of her.

  “Talk to me, Meg,” Adam said, his voice soft yet commanding.

  “The police are here, with a search warrant. I think…”

  Sheriff Nadine and her officers walked out from the back offices. One of the policemen led Celtic Fire.

  For one brief second Megan’s mind blanked. Then gut-churning fear exploded. Holy dog shit. She swallowed. “They found Celtic Fire, Adam. She was in my office.”

  “Dr. Young,” the sheriff said, her voice firm, “you’re under arrest. Put the phone down and turn around.” She pulled out a pair of steel handcuffs.

  “Listen to me,” Adam said. “Say nothing. Cooperate but say nothing. I’ll meet you at the sheriff’s station.”

  Fear choked her, not for herself, but for her baby. “Cole! Adam—”

  “I’ve got him covered. He’ll be fine. Just do what I said. Hang up and cooperate. Don’t say anything until I see you.”

  She had to trust him with Cole. Had to. “Okay.” She hung up and turned around.

  John stepped up. “Sheriff, are the bracelets really necessary?”

  Nadine said, “Look outside, officer.”

  Megan watched as John strode to windows and opened the blinds. She could see his shoulders and neck tense. “Crap.” He clicked the blinds closed. “A local reporter is outside with a camera guy.”

  “Exactly. I’m going by the book on this. Dr. Young, put your hands behind your back.”

  The cold cuffs wrapped around her wrists. The sound of them snapping closed echoed in the silent office. Tears clogged her throat as Nadine read Megan her rights.

  “Dr. Young, do you understand your rights?”

  Cooperate, Adam had said. She forced herself to answer, “Yes.” Looking around, she saw one of the officers tugging back on Celtic Fire’s leash. The dog whined and pulled, trying to get to Megan. Unable to bear the animal’s distress, she said, “Celtic, sit.”

  The dog complied.

  “Good girl,” she said soothingly.

  The dog swept her long tail across the tiles.

  Megan looked at the officer holding her leash. “She’ll listen to you if you talk to her in a firm, confident voice. She’s just frightened, not used to being left alone.” She closed her eyes, furious at the idea of the poor dog left alone all night in her office. Whoever had done this was cruel. “Just reassure her that she’s okay and you’re in control.” Focusing on the dog’s care helped calmed her down.

  “All right, let’s go.” Nadine took hold of Megan’s arm. “Do yourself a favor, Megan. Just stay quiet, stare straight ahead, and we’ll get through this.”

  They stepped out into the morning sunshine. It felt wrong that the sun could still be shining when her world was turning upside down.

  “Dr. Young! Why did you steal Celtic Fire?” the reporter shouted.

  Megan bit the inside of her cheeks, fighting the urge to defend herself. She wanted to shout that she didn’t do it. She was being framed. But who would believe her? Celtic Fire had been found in her clinic. Her thoughts raced and tumbled while she concentrated on putting one foot in front of another. Humiliation burned through her, making her sweaty. She was sure her skin was beet red. Would people looking at her see it as a sign of guilt?

  “Dr. Young, your mother is running for mayor. Does she support your actions? Stealing a valuable dog?”

  Megan snapped her head up. She stared at the reporter. How dare he bring her mother into this. That jerk! She opened her mouth to defend her mom.

  Nadine squeezed her arm as they stopped at a cruiser. “Dr. Young.”

  Megan clamped her mouth shut so hard her teeth and jaw hurt. She focused everything she had on just getting into the back seat of the patrol car. Nadine clicked the seat belt over her and shut the door.

  A few minutes later, she was on her way to jail.

  …

  At least I’m out of jail, Megan repeated silently several hours later, trying to calm her anger. But fury kept her adrenaline buzzing as she looked around her veterinary practice. The police had left, but her office was a mess. “What the hell were they looking for?”

  “Evidence,” Adam stated flatly. “There was no break-in, so someone unlocked the door, brought Celtic Fire in, and put her in the kennel she was found in.”

  She whipped around. “It wasn’t me, damn it! I didn’t do this!”

  “I know.” He didn’t even pause as he accessed her backup files from the off-site server space she rented. All her computers were gone. Adam was doing it all on his laptop.

  Sighing heavily, she forced herself to calm down. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” Adam had gotten to the sheriff’s station shortly after Megan. While she went through the booking process, he got Eve Tate on the phone, a lawyer he had worked with, and she secured Megan’s release. It’d taken a few hours, but she was free.

  For now.

  She took another breath. “Thank you for helping me. Tell me, how much this lawyer is costing? I’ll get you the money.” Somehow. She had very meager savings, but there was equity in her house.

  “No.”

  She frowned. “What? Adam—”

  He set the computer down and rose to his full height. “You don’t have the money, I do. Simple math, Megan. And you really don’t want to push me right now.” He brushed past her and vanished.

  She stood there looking at the empty doorway. Her office was closed for the day. Jillian, God love her, had tracked down every patient and rescheduled.

  Megan went into the hallway. Adam stood there, one hand against the light green wall, shoulders hunched. “Adam?”

  He jerked his hand from the wall and turned around. Shook his head. “I went over your financials. You struggl
ed to make ends meet, to survive.”

  “It wasn’t that bad.” Maybe it had been a little rough for a while there, but she and Cole were doing fine now.

  He stalked toward her, stopped a couple feet away. “The hell it wasn’t. You were barely making it right after Cole was born. You worked two fucking jobs with a newborn baby.”

  She’d only had to do that for four months. “My practice was still building and I had to pay off my medical bills. I worked one or two night shifts a week at Lawrence’s hospital until I got caught up.”

  He closed the distance between them, his nostrils flared, his gaze burning. “You went to another man to help support my kid. Why didn’t you come to me? I want to know the truth.”

  Megan leaned back against the wall, trying to get some distance. “It wasn’t like that. I worked for him, I didn’t ask him for money!” She’d never ask for money. Never. Just the thought of it made her queasy.

  Adam slapped his hands against the wall on either side of her head. “That’s what you think of me, isn’t it? That I wouldn’t step up and pay for my kid.”

  Her stomach twisted. She could remember her father screaming at her on the phone. The ugly things he wrote on the child support checks he sent her mother. The court battles. She closed her eyes, trying to escape the accusations in Adam’s eyes. “I was scared, okay? I screwed up. I get it now. I’m sorry.”

  “Scared?”

  Disgusted at her cowardice, she forced herself to open her eyes. “My father left when I was around four. My mom went after him for child support, and it was…ugly. He hated me, resented every cent he was forced to pay. I didn’t want that for Cole.” She sucked in a breath. “Why didn’t you ask me if Cole was your kid?” She’d been expecting him to do that.

  Adam stared down at her. “Because I know you’re not stupid. A simple DNA test would prove paternity. You wouldn’t lie about that.”

  Tucking her hands into the small of her back as she leaned against the wall, she said, “Look, when this is over, it’s your choice. You want to pay child support, fine. You want to be a part of Cole’s life, we’ll make it happen. But I can’t let you pay for my lawyer.”