Brooke nursed Leah, knowing that pretty soon the pediatrician would probably encourage her to begin feeding the baby solid foods. Leah’s appetite was growing and she was ready to have more substance in her diet. Brooke gazed down at her daughter—the bond they made through eye contact during this special time touched her heart. She’d miss these daily feedings, when she could forget all else, put her feet up and simply enjoy this special time with her baby.
Brooke’s guilt came in sudden waves now when she thought about Leah’s father. Her ex-husband didn’t know he had a daughter. He didn’t know Leah existed. Would it matter to him? A little voice in her head told her he had a right to know, but her fear had always won out. And if she were honest with herself, she’d have to admit that both fear and anger were at the root of her holding the truth from Dan.
Their marriage hadn’t been perfect, but she would never have guessed that her husband was capable of such deception. Right under her nose, Dan had been carrying on an affair with another woman. He’d been sleeping with both of them.
She’d been blindsided by the betrayal and wasn’t in any frame of mind to divulge her own pregnancy to him, not when he’d made it clear that he no longer loved her. But deep in her heart, Brooke knew she would have to confront him one day and reveal the truth to him. One day…but she didn’t want that day to be anytime soon.
Brooke took Leah down to the kitchen and set her into her little playpen positioned by the granite island in the middle of the room. “Watch Mommy cook.”
Leah looked up with wide curious eyes and picked up a pretzel-shaped teething ring and stuck it into her mouth. She gnawed on the ring with glee, as if it were a one-hundred dollar steak.
Brooke grinned. Her little girl would be cutting her first tooth soon.
“Okay, what shall we surprise Nick with?” Brooke scoured the refrigerator and pantry and decided on her meal. Cooking soothed her nerves. There was something therapeutic about producing a fine meal for someone who would appreciate it. She’d always enjoyed the nearly instant gratification she’d felt when it all came together better than expected. Working as a waitress while in high school, then managing the inn more recently, where she’d lend a hand in the kitchen, had taught her a thing or two about taste, presentation and nutrition.
By seven o’clock dinner was ready and the table was set. When Nick didn’t appear, Brooke picked up Leah and went in search. She found him sitting in the downstairs study behind a desk, head deep in paperwork. The room was so masculine, with dark walnut panels combined with warm russet textured walls, massive bookcases and a wood-framed bay window that looked out to verdant vineyards, that Brooke felt uncomfortably out of place.
Leah’s little baby sounds brought Nick’s head up.
“Hi,” she said, witnessing Nick’s power and status once again, as he sat in the Carlino office. Sometimes, when he was adjusting her baby’s car seat or holding Leah in his arms, she’d forget that he was a wealthy wine magnate with a vintage heritage that went back for generations. “Dinner is on the table.”
“Okay, smells great from here.” Nick rose and smiled at her. “What’s for dinner?”
“It’s a surprise. Come and see.”
Nick followed her into the kitchen and she filled his plate and set it on the table. “Have a seat.”
He glanced at the table set for one. “After you.”
“What? No, Leah won’t sit still. This is her fussy time. You eat. I’ll have something later.”
Nick glanced at the baby in her arms. She was peering straight at him with a look of contentment on her face.
Leah, don’t make a liar out of your mommy.
“I’d like to have your company during dinner, Brooke. Set yourself a place.”
“Why?”
“Why not? You have to eat too. Why should we both eat alone? Besides, how else can I critique your meals?”
“Oh, so you’re going to rate my cooking.”
“I’d like to taste your cooking. Are you going to sit or what?”
“You’re grumpy when you’re hungry.” Brooke moved the playpen closer to the table and set Leah down, then dished herself a plate. She sat across from Nick and he watched her carefully. “Dig in,” she said. “It’s pork loin with tangy mango sauce. Cinnamon sweet potatoes and creamed spinach. Carlotta said you eat your salad last.”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“I like to get to the good stuff first,” he said, casting her a look so hot, she could have burst into flames.
He dug into his food and Brooke waited patiently for a comment.
“You gonna eat or watch me clean my plate?” he asked after about a minute.
She passed him the basket of warm Italian bread she’d sliced and toasted under the broiler then coated with olive pesto. “I can do both, you know.”
Nick looked at her with admiration. He pointed with his fork to what was left on his plate. “This is delicious.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Carlotta said it was one of your favorites.”
“Yeah, but I’ve never tasted anything this good.”
“Helps when you have an amazing kitchen to work with. And good cuts of meat.”
Nick shook his head. “You never could take a compliment.”
“I didn’t get that many from you,” she blurted.
Nick smiled. “Now who’s grumpy?”
Brooke clamped her mouth shut, hating that she made a reference to their past. She wanted no reminders of that time in her life.
Nick got another plate of food and demolished it before Brooke had a chance to finish her first helping.
“It was hard to say good-bye to Nurse Jacobs.” She took a small bite of her potatoes.
“Was it? She could have stayed on longer.”
“It wasn’t necessary. I’m feeling fine. It’s just that I’ve never really remained in one place long enough to have a lot of close friends. She and I sort of bonded. I’m hoping now that I’m in Napa for good, I’ll be able to make some friends.”
Leah fussed and Brooke put down her fork to lift her out of the playpen. “You want outta there, baby girl, don’t you?”
She set Leah on her lap and continued with her meal while Nick looked on. “I’ve left another message with Molly and I hope she calls me back. I’d like to reconnect with her. Not that I won’t have enough to keep me busy,” she said as she tried the spinach. Leah’s hand came up and she grabbed the fork from her and giggled. “Leah!”
The next time she tried to get a forkful into her mouth, Leah twisted in her lap, squirming so much that Brooke had to put her silverware down. “What, you want to play now?”
She was just about to stand up, when Nick reached for Leah. “Here, let me have her. Finish your meal, Brooke.”
Leah went willingly to Nick, nearly bounding out of Brooke’s arms and into his. Leah adjusted herself onto his chest and settled in, her small body against Nick’s strong chest. Brooke’s heart gave way a little.
“Let your mama finish her meal,” he said in a stern tone and when Leah twisted her face, ready to let go big tears, Nick softened his voice. “Okay, okay, Leah.” Then he bounced her on his knee.
Brooke smiled wide and Nick shot her an annoyed look. “What? You think I don’t know how to bounce a kid on my knee?”
“I didn’t say a word.” Brooke finished her meal with her head down, refusing to give in to the tender emotions that washed over her as Nick consoled her baby daughter, speaking softly and charming her with sweet words.
That night, Brooke had a slight argument with Nick over their sleeping arrangements on their way upstairs. She wanted to give him his room back, since she’d be staying on for weeks. But Nick wouldn’t budge claiming she needed the extra space for the baby’s things and the guest room had everything he needed for the time being.
Stubbornly, she wasn’t ready to give up until Nick walked over to her in the hallway near the master suite, ready to compromise. “Or we cou
ld share my room,” he suggested with an arch of his brow. He began taking his shirt off.
Brooke froze on the spot, watching one button after another open to his tanned chest. She was very much aware that they were alone in the house. Carlotta, much to her surprise, didn’t live in the house. She used a downstairs room for sleeping when the Carlinos had a big party or special occasion; otherwise she went home before dark to spend time with her husband. “Fine, you made your point. I’ll take your room. Th-thank you.”
Nick backed away then, satisfied.
She entered her room and closed the door. After she bathed Leah and nursed her one last time before putting her to bed, she took a long hot soak in the bathtub and fell into a gloriously deep sleep.
Brooke woke in a great mood. She fixed Nick a breakfast of bacon and eggs and home-fried potatoes, grabbing a quick plate for herself before heading out. Nick had called Randy, arranging for Brooke to drive by his shop this morning so he could double-check the car seat for Leah. Randy had been nice enough to make a few adjustments and she drove away relieved to know Leah was as safe as she possibly could be. Still, Brooke drove five miles under the speed limit all the way to the house, garnering some dirty looks from the drivers behind her.
“Here it is, sweet girl,” she said once they arrived. “This is our new home.”
Brooke spent the better part of the day making assessments and writing up a list of all the repairs she’d need, setting her priorities. Yesterday, she’d called to have the electricity turned on, and that made her work much easier. She noted the sizes of the beds in each room and checked the bed linens in the closets. There were antique quilts that she could have cleaned but the bed sheets and all the towels would have to be replaced. Thankfully, the kitchen appliances were in working order, though on the old side, their dated look added charm to the kitchen. The dining room was full of dust and debris but the table and chairs were made of fine wood that would polish up nicely.
Brooke contacted a few local handymen and painters in the area by phone and set up appointments, then she called to make Leah an appointment with the pediatrician. She also placed another call to Molly Thornton, hoping her friend was still living in Napa.
She felt an odd sense of belonging here. She’d never owned a home of her own. Even the house she’d shared with Dan had been a rental. At least during their quickie divorce, she didn’t have to deal with property settlements; he’d taken what was his and she’d taken what was hers.
But this house was all hers and an overwhelming sense of pride coursed through her system. Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked around the old house, seeing it not as it stood today, but envisioning how it would be one day. Her dream was finally coming true and it had been a long road getting here. Often she’d wondered if this was her aunt’s way of making up to Brooke for what her father had done to her. Nothing really could. How can you make up for a man who’d abandoned his family?
But she was grateful for her aunt’s generosity. Because of her, Brooke would secure a future for Leah without any outside help. If she didn’t rely on anyone, then she couldn’t be disappointed. Her ex-husband had taught her that hard lesson.
Yet it was Nick’s face that had popped into her mind. It was so unexpected that her breath caught in her throat. Why had she been thinking of Nick? Was it because he’d disappointed her once, or was it because she wanted to make sure he wouldn’t have the chance to disappoint her ever again?
“I don’t know about him, Leah,” she said, sweeping up her daughter and planting kisses on her cheek. Leah was fascinated by her new surroundings and had been quietly curious since they’d arrived, letting Brooke make her phone calls without interruptions.
By mid-morning, Brooke had accomplished what she’d hoped to and decided a trip into town was necessary. She packed up Leah and made their first stop at a hardware store to pick up cleaning supplies, some small appliances and a beginner’s tool kit. Next she went to Baby Town to purchase a new playpen for Leah that she could keep in their house, eliminating the need for her to continually cart it back and forth. After picking out a jungle-themed playpen, she drove to the grocery store and bought beverages and food to stock in the kitchen. It was a funny thing, just having milk and bread in the refrigerator made her happy. She smiled the entire way home.
Hours later Brooke glanced at her watch to find it was time to head back to Nick’s house. The time had flown by and she was extremely happy with her progress. She’d managed to clean up the refrigerator, wash the kitchen floors and counters and arrange a new toaster, food processor and coffeemaker in strategic places in the kitchen. She’d had a full day and now was off to make dinner for Nick.
She arrived a little later than she’d planned, so dinner was a rush of getting Leah nursed and down for a nap, and creating something wonderful to eat. The something wonderful ended up being a quick stir-fry with shrimp and scallops, scallions, and veggies over brown rice.
“I know I must look a mess,” she offered when she heard Nick walk into the kitchen, precisely at seven. “And dinner’s going to be a little late today.” Steam from the wok rose up and heated her face. She wiped her forehead with her arm, feeling like a slug from the earth. She hadn’t had a chance to change her clothes or clean up before starting dinner. “Give me a second and I’ll have it all ready.”
Nick approached her in a slow easy stride. “Why, do you have somewhere you need to be?”
She snapped her head up. Heavens, he looked like a zillion bucks today. His tan trousers and a chocolate brown shirt brought out the bronze of his skin and accented those dark blue eyes. His appearance made her feel even more a mess, if that were possible. She caught the subtle scent of his musky cologne and knew immediately it probably cost more than her entire wardrobe at the moment. “No, of course not. I’m sorry I’m running late.”
She took the wooden spoon and stirred, as if that would make the dinner cook faster.
Nick sidled up next to her and covered her hand with his. Stir-fry steam continued to drift into her face, but that wasn’t what caused her body to flame. Having his hands on her was doing a great job of that.
“There’s no rush,” he said quietly and her heart pounded in her chest. He stroked her gently and she didn’t dare look at his face and show him the turmoil he caused her. Instead, she focused and took a deep breath.
“Brooke?”
“What?” she barked out and Nick smiled.
He took the spoon from her and shut off the burner on the stove. “Don’t make yourself crazy about this, honey. If you’re running late, just tell me. I’m a big boy, I can wait for dinner.”
“You said seven.”
“Or later. Today it’s going to be later. Go up and take a minute for yourself.”
“Is that your way of telling me I look like something the cat dragged in?”
“You look fine, Brooke. You’ve had a busy day. And I want to hear all about it.”
“You do?”
He nodded.
She glanced at Leah asleep in her little playpen. “But Leah’s down here.”
“I’ve got some reading to do. I’ll stay in here and watch her.”
Nick had a determined look in his eyes and she decided to take him up on his offer, rather than argue about it. “Okay, I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
She raced upstairs and tossed off her clothes, jumped into the shower and reveled in the refreshing spray that not only cleansed her, but relaxed her as well. She changed into a pair of clean jeans and a black sleeveless tunic and brushed her hair back, away from her face, letting it fall in curls down her back. Taking a look in the mirror, she liked this image reflecting back at her much better than the harried, uptight woman she’d been just twenty minutes ago.
When she entered the kitchen again, she found Nick standing over Leah’s playpen, watching her sleep. The moment caught her by surprise. She walked over to stand beside him and they stood there silently like that for a few seconds.
; Finally, Nick looked at her. “She made some sounds. I thought she was waking up.”
“Those are her baby noises. She’s not a quiet sleeper. You’ll get used to it.”
Nick glanced once more at Leah, then took a long assessing look at her. “Feel better?”
“Much.”
The appreciation in Nick’s eyes told her he liked what he saw. Her nerves went raw and she resumed her position at the stove to finish cooking the meal and ignore the flutters threatening to ruin her dinner.
Nick set the table, putting out plates and utensils and Brooke opened her mouth to stop him but then clamped it shut again. He’d said it point-blank tonight—he was a big boy. If he wanted to set his table who was she to tell him not to?
So she sliced bread and stirred the meal as Nick set the table and Leah slept. For anyone walking in on the three of them in the kitchen, they’d think it a homey domestic scene. Only it wasn’t, and Brooke had to remind herself that Nick was her employer and she was leaving him as soon as humanly possible.
Nick ate every bite on his plate and went to the stove to get a second helping. When he sat down again, instead of diving into his food, he leaned back in his seat looking her over. “So how did it go today?” He poured himself a glass of wine and gestured for her, but she shook her head. She couldn’t drink alcohol while nursing her baby.
“You really want to know?” She didn’t think her day would be of any consequence to him, but if he’d rather make small talk than eat then she would oblige.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know.” He sipped his white zinfandel thoughtfully.
“I got a lot accomplished. Actually, I’m feeling pretty good about things,” and Brooke went on to explain the details of her day. To her surprise, Nick asked quite a few questions and seemed genuinely interested in her progress. In fact she felt so comfortable discussing the subject with him, she asked him for advice. “I was hoping you could help me figure out a good promotional plan to advertise and attract guests, once I get my place ready.”
Nick thought for a second, scratching his jaw. “I’ve made a lot of contacts in the area. I’m sure I could call in some favors.”
The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement Page 8
