“We just had Chelsea’s wedding last year,” Amelia said. “I really think it would be better to wait another year for Caroline’s. I told her she should’ve married before Chelsea, but she wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Amelia,” James answered with open impatience, “if we wait a year for Caroline’s wedding, the baby will have already been born. Your grandchild will be illegitimate. I can assure you that is more socially unacceptable than having two weddings within a year of each other.”
“But, James, it would take at least a year to even plan a wedding.” She peered around her distraught husband to stare accusingly at Caroline. “You should have given me at least a year’s notice, dear.”
Hysterical laughter bubbled up in Caroline. Of course, she should’ve planned her pregnancy, and, for that matter, her amnesia, better, for her mother’s sake. In fact, as long as she was planning, she should’ve left a note with the name of the daddy. It would’ve saved her a lot of trouble.
“I’m sorry, Mother, but I didn’t exactly plan what has happened. If I marry, I think we can keep it simple and not need a year’s preparation.”
“Of course you’ll marry,” James ordered.
“To me,” Adrian added.
His insistence was getting on her nerves. “Not without proof,” she reminded him coolly.
“I’ll get proof.”
She turned her gaze to Max, trying not to plead with her eyes. She wanted him to assure her that he, too, would offer proof. That he was, indeed, the father of her child. That he loved her.
That thought hit her like a punch in the stomach. Loved her? Was she in love with Max? Of course she was if she went to bed with him, she assured herself. But did she? Or had she been sleeping with Adrian? Was she the kind of person who slept with a man because her hormones were in overdrive? And was Adrian a person who could arouse those hormones? She didn’t have any doubt about Max’s abilities in that area.
“I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”
“But I haven’t explained about the names to Adrian,” Chelsea suddenly said, having silently watched the drama unfold. “After all, it appears that he’ll have more to say about it than Mr. Daniels.”
“No, Chelsea. I’ll decide the name of my child, or at least, I will until I’m sure who the daddy is.”
“But he just said—” Chelsea began.
“I know what he said! That doesn’t make it truth. Until I have proof, this is my child, and mine alone.”
“I don’t think that’s physically possible, dear,” Amelia murmured, staring at her daughter.
Caroline wondered if her mother could possibly be insane, but there was a twinkle in her mother’s gaze that sent a sigh of relief through her. “No, probably not, Mother, but I’m beginning to wonder if it wouldn’t be easier that way. Maybe I should discuss the topic in my prayers this evening.”
“You could try,” Amelia said, her voice filled with doubt, “but I’ve tried it before and nothing changed.”
CHAPTER NINE
IF THEY COULD PUT a man on the moon, the least they could do for women was find a way to eliminate morning sickness.
Or make pregnancy possible for men.
After starting the next day by throwing up anything she had consumed in the past century, that was the only thought that made Caroline laugh.
And also made her wonder if part of her sickness was caused by stress.
Why should she be stressed? Just because she had no memory of her life until five days ago, she was pregnant with a baby she had no memory of conceiving, and there were two men who wanted to claim that baby, she had no reason for stress. She groaned and staggered back to her bed just as someone knocked softly on her door.
“Oh, you’re already up,” Mrs. Lamb said as she entered to Caroline’s call to come in, carrying a tray. “Here’s some crackers to eat. They’ll settle your stomach. I meant to bring them up last night so you’d have them first thing this morning.”
“Do they really work?” Caroline asked, finding the idea of eating anything terribly unappealing.
“Most of the time. Have you already been sick?”
“Yes. Over and over again.”
“Oh, my stars. You poor thing. Try a cracker and the carbonated water I brought. You’re supposed to eat them when you first awake, before you even sit up.”
Caroline lay on a pillow, munching crackers and sipping the water while Mrs. Lamb sat on the edge of the bed, watching. Much to Caroline’s surprise, her stomach began to return to normal.
“It works, Lambie. I think I may survive.”
“Of course you will. You always manage.”
Caroline’s mood darkened. “Do I? I don’t seem to be doing a good job of managing my life right now.”
“It’s not your fault you got amnesia.”
“No, but it’s my fault I’m pregnant. At least I think it is. I can’t believe I didn’t insist on precautions.”
Mrs. Lamb’s cheeks flushed red, but she looked right at Caroline. “Even without a memory, I’m sure you know that sometimes a woman can be swept away by—by passion.”
Caroline smiled at her. Clearly embarrassed, the older woman still had said what she felt needed to be said. As if it would—her thoughts skidded to a halt.
“Wait a minute, Lambie, I think you’ve got a point.”
“Well, of course I do.”
Sitting up, Caroline took the housekeeper’s hand. “No, I don’t mean—I mean, you may have found a clue about who’s the daddy of my baby.”
“I did? What clue?”
“If I was so swept away by passion that I didn’t think of protection, which of the two men could arouse such forgetfulness?” She grinned because she already knew the answer and she liked it—a lot.
“Two? I thought there were three?”
“No, we eliminated Prescott last night. He was lying. Just as one of the others is lying.” To be fair, Caroline forced herself to consider Adrian and whether she might be swayed by him. She didn’t have to give such thought to Max. Even being in the same room with him accelerated her pulse.
“Are you sure it will be so simple?”
Caroline stared at Mrs. Lamb. Talk about a bucket of cold water. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe you wanted to get pregnant on purpose?”
“Why would I want to do that? Especially if I knew anything about it. Throwing up isn’t a lot of fun.” She rubbed her unruly stomach.
“That will pass. And you’ve always been the leader, between you and Chelsea.”
Caroline stared at her in horror. “You think I might have wanted to get pregnant—without marrying—to show up my sister?” Mrs. Lamb wasn’t painting a very pretty picture of her behavior.
“I didn’t say that. I just thought you should consider everything…with so much at stake.” Mrs. Lamb wasn’t meeting her gaze.
“Lambie,” Caroline began, reaching out to take the lady’s hand, “was I really so spoiled that I would do such a thing?”
“No, not spoiled. I don’t know. I just know that Chelsea always thought she had to compete with you. It might be natural for you to respond.”
“I think I like your first theory better. I can believe that M—that a man might have swept me off my feet.”
“So you think you know which one it is?”
“I hope so. And I’m determined to prove it. I’m tired of sitting around waiting to get back my memory. The doctor said it might be months…or never.” She threw off the covers and slid from the bed.
“I’ll go down and make you some breakfast, then.”
Caroline started to protest but was surprised to discover that her stomach seemed to like the idea. Contrary thing! “Okay, but not too much.”
Standing under the steamy spray a minute later, she thought about her hastily formed plan. It probably had all kinds of holes in it, but it appealed to her. She was going to get Max to retrace their steps for her. Maybe, just maybe, things she had seen only during those
two weeks would bring back the memory she needed.
If it didn’t, at least she would get to spend time with Max.
“BOY, ARE YOU A GROUCH this morning,” Susan complained.
Max glared at her. “Just get me that file.”
She returned in less than a minute, a file in her hand. “Here it is. So, what’s bothering you?”
“Nothing.”
“I didn’t say anything to Mom or Karen about your girlfriend. If they found out, it wasn’t from me.”
“They didn’t find out.”
“Oh.”
He pretended to study the file he’d asked for, hoping his little sister would take the hint. She didn’t.
“So, are you still seeing her?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did she dump you?” Susan asked in astonishment.
“Susan,” he warned, putting every threat he’d ever made toward her—and that covered a lot of territory—into his tone.
“Okay, okay, I’m going, but she’s the one who made a mistake, if she did. You’re one terrific guy, big brother.”
Max held his sigh until she’d closed the door behind her. Sweet of her to try to make him feel better. But it didn’t do much good. He knew he was the father to Caroline’s baby.
But he couldn’t prove it.
Without proof, things were at a stalemate.
And he didn’t trust Adrian. The man might produce some kind of proof. Some kind of fake proof.
If the man had said he and Caroline had had an affair and then argued, causing her to run away, and Max had caught her on the rebound, he might have believed him. Caroline had been—not upset—but very cautious. Yes, that was the word, cautious.
But Adrian had chosen to lie about those two weeks. So Max knew Adrian wasn’t the father of the baby.
The baby was Max’s.
He was going to be a daddy.
He’d always intended to have a child, children. Somehow, it had never happened. Shrugging his shoulders, he admitted to himself that he hadn’t made much effort.
But when Caroline had walked through the door to the model home, he’d known, as sure as he knew his own name, that she was the one. And while he wouldn’t choose to marry her with a child already on the way, he didn’t have a problem with becoming a father.
Did he want a boy or a girl? The sex of his child hadn’t concerned him, but now he pictured Caroline holding their baby and somehow he just knew she’d be a girl. A baby daughter, just as beautiful as her mother. He’d teach her lots of things. How to defend herself. How to run a business. How to— He smiled even more. He wouldn’t have to teach her how to flirt. Her mother would take care of that. Or how to knock a guy off his feet.
Yeah, his baby girl would be perfect. Just like her mother. And he couldn’t wait to hold her.
He was lost in thought, contemplating the child, when Susan opened his door.
“Max, I’m going to go to lunch a little early, okay?”
“Yeah.” Whatever. He didn’t care what she did as long as she didn’t ask any more questions about Caroline. She withdrew from the doorway but didn’t close his door, so he had no difficulty hearing the outside door open.
“Hello. May I help you?”
“I’m Caroline Adkins. I’m here to see Max Daniels if he’s available.”
He leaped from his desk at the first word, knowing immediately who had arrived. By the time she finished her request, he was at Susan’s side.
“Caroline,” he said, trying to control his breathing. He didn’t want to sound like an eager puppy.
“You’re Caroline?” Susan asked, a smile breaking across her face. “I’m Susan, Max’s sister.”
“I’m delighted to meet you, Susan,” Caroline said, smiling back at her. “I don’t know if Max told you, but I have amnesia, so if we’ve met before—”
“No, we haven’t. Max has kept you a secret.”
“Oh.”
He watched in frustration as disappointment filled her eyes.
“Come into my office, Caroline,” he suggested, eager to get her away from his sister before Susan said something she shouldn’t. “You can go to lunch, Susan.”
“Oh, I’m in no hurry if you need me to do anything,” Susan offered, smiling at Caroline.
“No. Go to lunch.”
“Okay, okay. Nice to have met you, Caroline.”
“Yes. I’m glad to have met you, too.”
He slammed the door in the face of their niceties. He was too upset to tolerate them.
“Well, really, Max, what will Susan think?”
“She’s already told me what she thinks, several times today. Do you want the exact words?”
He regretted his outburst as Caroline’s eyes widened.
“Sorry. I seem to be in a rotten mood this morning.”
“Is this the first time you’ve been angry with me, or have I forgotten the others?”
She tilted her head to one side, waiting for his response, and he wanted to close the distance between them and kiss her until she forgot everything but their passion.
“The only time I really got angry with you was when you walked out on me. And you weren’t there to see it.”
Caroline stepped away from him, moving over to the window behind his desk. “I know. I wish I could explain—or understand for that matter. And I’m tired of waiting for my memory to come back.”
“I don’t think you have a lot of choice there,” Max replied, his bad humor still in place because of his frustration. When she continued to stare out the window, saying nothing, he asked, “Why are you here?”
She stiffened before turning to face him. “Not interested in company today? Afraid I’ll chase away potential customers?”
Though she hadn’t answered his question, he played along. “I’m always ready for your company.”
Her gaze shifted away from him, making him suspicious. What did she have up her sleeve? And how well did he know her? He’d thought he’d known her, but recent days had proven him wrong.
“Did we come here often?” she abruptly asked, looking around his office.
“Never.”
His answer seemed to surprise her. “Why?”
How could she ask such calm questions? Didn’t she understand what was at stake? Their future depended on what happened in the next few days. He strode to her side and pulled her into his arms with all the energy of his pent-up frustration. “Because I don’t consider this proper business behavior,” he muttered before his lips took hers.
Last night had only aroused his passion more, not sated it. He pressed her body against his hardness, his lips insisting that she open to him. He was tired of standing by, waiting for her to acknowledge his role in her life.
“Max!” she gasped, wrenching her lips away. “We can’t—”
“Can’t what? Make love? We already have. And why the hell you can’t remember the magic we make together, I don’t know.” He’d wasted enough time talking. He’d prove to her that they belonged together in the only way that mattered.
She responded to his kisses, her arms encircling his neck. When he stroked her, she pressed even closer to him, until he thought he’d lose control. Again.
It was the sound of the outside door opening that brought their frantic movements to a sudden stillness.
“Max?”
The masculine voice drew a gasp from Caroline, but Max recognized it at once. He shoved her toward the corner and left her in his office. As he moved, he struggled to button his shirt that had somehow come unbuttoned. “Yeah, Jim?”
“What are you doing? Dressing in the office?” Jim asked, grinning at him.
Max struggled to maintain his cool. “Yeah. What do you need?”
Jim unrolled a house plan and began pointing out some complications to Max. He tried to concentrate on the facts as his body did a slow descent from arousal. It was difficult.
“Well, what do you think?” Jim asked, and stood waiting.
&nb
sp; Hell. He had no idea what the man had even asked. Now what was he going to do?
The outer door opened again and Susan walked in.
“I thought you went to lunch?” he growled. He didn’t need any more complications.
“I did. I wasn’t very hungry.” Susan searched the room with her gaze. “Where’s Caroline? And why is your shirt buttoned crooked?”
Max looked down at his shirt in embarrassment. Susan was right. He’d buttoned it wrong. He could feel his cheeks flaming.
Jim had never been a slow-top. After another look at the door to Max’s office, he grabbed Susan by the arm. “Okay if I take Susan to see the new place?” he asked as he pulled her out the door.
“Great. That’d be great, Jim,” Max assured him, silently promising the man a bonus. Intelligence should be rewarded.
Turning to his office, he found Caroline standing in the doorway. He was afraid she’d be angry with what had happened, but she appeared calm. Which was more than he could do.
“They’re gone?”
“Yeah.”
Without a word, she crossed to him and began unbuttoning his shirt. Before he could misinterpret her movements, she then placed the buttons in the proper holes.
“Thanks,” he said huskily, but he couldn’t help thinking he would have preferred her to reverse the procedure.
Then she surprised him by saying, “Let’s go to your place.”
CHAPTER TEN
CAROLINE WAS RELIEVED to get Max behind the wheel of his truck. As long as he was driving, he couldn’t distract her with his touch, his kisses. And distraction seemed to come easy for him. But she had some questions she needed answered.
There was no easy way to begin, so she broke their tense silence with the most important one.
“When we made love, why didn’t you use protection? Don’t you ever—I mean, with other women?”
She watched his hands tighten on the steering wheel, but his response was brief. “Yes.”
She stared at him blankly before saying, “Yes, what?”
“Yes, I used protection with other women. I always use protection.”
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