HAVE BABY, NEED BEAU

by Rita Herron

  Mimi squeezed Hannah's hand. "When Mom left, you obviously felt responsible because you were the oldest. I'm sorry I wasn't more help."

  "I never minded," Hannah said softly. "And I'm here for you now, Mimi."

  Mimi's eyes filled with tears. "I know. But I don't want you to keep cleaning up my mistakes. I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself."

  Hannah smoothed a strand of hair from Mimi's cheek. "That's ridiculous. I love you. I don't mind helping you. Besides, I've always admired you, Mimi. You're creative and fun and you have so much spunk. I wish I was more like you."

  "What?"

  "It's true," Hannah said. "You have a lot going for you, sis. This baby's lucky to have a loving, caring, talented mom like you. And I promise to baby-sit if you get that part on the soap."

  "Me, too." Alison stretched her jean-clad legs in front of her. "Hannah's right. You'll make a great Mom."

  Mimi took the compliment to heart, perking up at the reminder of the soap opera. Tomorrow after work she'd rehearse the belly-dancing routine.

  Hannah frowned and once again dug into the carton of ice cream with her spoon. "Have you decided if you're going to tell Joey?"

  Mimi glanced at Alison's raised eyebrows. What should she do? Confess the truth to Hannah? Chance her relationship with her sister for her nonrelationship with Hannah's old boyfriend? For the best sex … man she'd ever been with?

  "Mimi?" Hannah sounded worried.

  "No, I'm not going to tell Joey."

  Because he's not the father. She tried to say the words out loud, but they refused to push past her lips.

  "How about…"

  Mimi narrowed her eyes at Alison, afraid she intended to spill the truth.

  "How about Dad?" Alison asked. "And Mom?"

  Mimi frowned. "I'll have to tell Dad sometime, but I don't know about Mom. Besides, she hasn't stopped by to see me since she moved back."

  Alison spooned up another bite of ice cream. "Dad said she went back to L.A. to tie up her affairs before the move."

  "Affairs?" Hannah asked.

  "Does Mom have another man in her life now?" Mimi asked.

  Alison shrugged. "I don't know. I assumed he meant her business. She put her condo on the market. She'll be back any day." She paused, angling her head in thought. "I wonder what it'll be like with her living in Sugar Hill."

  "Awkward," Hannah said quietly.

  "Definitely awkward," Mimi agreed. Just as it would be when everyone found out Seth, not Joey, was the father of her baby.

  * * *

  "Here, I brought you breakfast." Seth placed a paper bag on the counter of the coffee shop and grinned at Mimi.

  Mimi simply stared at him. "Why?"

  "Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I wasn't sure you ate it." One of the many things they didn't know about each other. But he was determined to rectify that situation. After all, two people who'd made a baby together should know a few things about each other. He had nine months to do his homework.

  Mimi shook her head. "Have you forgotten that I work at a café?"

  "You sell desserts, not nutritious meals. And you need to eat a regular, balanced diet now—"

  "Shh." Mimi put her finger over his lips for emphasis. He couldn't help but smile at her touch. Warmth seeped into him, generating enough heat to set him on fire. But Seth ignored his clamoring libido and pulled out a container of grits, a plate of eggs, bacon and toast.

  "We serve bagels and fruit and muffins in the morning, and soup and salads for lunch." Mimi frowned at the huge breakfast. "Besides, I couldn't possibly eat all that."

  He reached for her hand, concerned. "You aren't sick again this morning, are you?"

  Mimi pulled away. "No, Hannah gave me something for the nausea, but I ate already."

  He raised a brow in question. "And?"

  "I can take care of myself, Seth."

  "So I keep hearing." Seth leaned a hip against the bar stool, wondering how she could look so sexy and sweet at the same time. Her skin was rosy this morning, her eyes perky, her body voluptuous in her little black skirt and white blouse. One of the top buttons had slipped though its casing, giving him a glimpse of soft, inviting flesh. He knew what lay below…

  "Look, I have work to do, Seth. So why don't you run on to your big office and analyze someone?"

  He placed a book on the counter. "I don't have an appointment until ten. Thought I'd stop by and have a cup of coffee and read a little."

  Her gaze fell to his book, A Hundred Questions about Pregnancy, and she rolled her eyes. "Put that away."

  He opened it. "I've gathered all kinds of information on pregnancy and raising kids. I thought I'd study the material while you eat your breakfast."

  "I'm not eating all that cholesterol and fat."

  "All right. Next time I'll bring fresh fruit and—"

  "There won't be a next time, Seth." She snapped his book shut. "And I told you to put that thing away."

  "I'm simply trying to understand you and your … condition. We could read the book together."

  The door swung open and two businessmen strode in. Mimi moved away to wait on them, but the young girl who worked for her handled the order, forcing her to remain with him.

  "It says here pregnant women are emotional—"

  "I'm always emotional."

  "And moody."

  "That, too."

  "They have food cravings. Are you craving anything?"

  She glared at him. "Peace and quiet."

  He nodded. "Sometimes they don't sleep well. Especially in the later months when—"

  "When they get big and fat and unattractive."

  "I don't think pregnant woman are unattractive." Seth accepted the cup of coffee, studying her. "And I hate skinny women."

  Mimi shrugged. "I really don't want to talk about this with you, Seth."

  "So who are you going to talk about it with? Your father? Alison and Hannah?"

  She refilled the sugar container as if she needed something to do, spilling sugar over the sides. "I don't know."

  "I'm a good listener, Mimi."

  "You're a shrink. You get paid to listen."

  "You can lie on my couch for free."

  He didn't try to hide the suggestive tone in his voice. He'd dreamed about Mimi last night and he felt wicked this morning, unable to keep himself from teasing her. In his dream she'd been lying in his bed, naked and warm, curled in his arms, her hair tickling his chest, her hand… The dream had been so erotic he'd thought it was real. He'd felt her soft skin, tasted her delicious mouth, rubbed his hand over the soft roundness of her belly where his baby lay.

  He leaned closer. "I'm going to be a part of this baby's life, too. You might as well get used to it."

  The bell above the door jingled again. Mimi's face clouded. He pivoted to see what had upset her and saw her father enter the café, a slender, sophisticated-looking woman beside him. Mimi's mother.

  No wonder Mimi seemed upset.

  "Have you told Wiley yet?" he asked in a low voice.

  She slid Seth a warning look. "No, not yet. And don't start psychoanalyzing me about it, either."

  His heart squeezed at her confused tone. "I'm trying to make this easier on you, Mimi. Just tell me how to help."

  Mimi frowned at her parents, then swung her gaze back to him. "You can give me some space. I need to be alone for a while."

  He felt as if she'd kicked him in the gut, but he nodded, picked up his book and coffee and walked out the door. He'd give her exactly what she'd asked for, but he didn't like it one damn bit.

  * * *

  Mimi watched him leave, guilt tugging at her. She was not a cruel person, had never hurt anyone in her life, yet she realized she had just hurt Seth. He'd been sweet and sexy and wonderfully nice to her, and she'd thwarted his every attempt at friendship. Why, she didn't know. Well, maybe she did know—he was only being nice to her because of the baby. She didn't want all that … kindness—sh
e wanted the real thing. She wanted him to be attracted to Mimi, the woman, not Mimi who'd gotten pregnant with his child.

  Yes, she admitted silently, she wanted him to be attracted to her because, different or not, stodgy, boring shrink or not, Seth was the nicest, most tender, understanding, kindest, sexiest man she'd ever met.

  Darn it. She could not fall for her baby's father.

  Even if Seth did find her attractive and was interested in her for some reason other than the baby, which she didn't believe for a minute, he'd grow tired of her when he realized she didn't fit into his world. He'd walk away. And she would be left with a broken heart.

  As if to cement her thoughts, her parents entered the café and headed straight toward her, looking tense and anxious—a definite reminder of the catastrophic ending to a forced marriage.

  "How's my girl doing?" Mimi's father threw his arms around her. "I've been missing you."

  "I'm fine, Daddy. It's good to see you, too." Mimi hugged him back and gestured toward her mother, who stood on the opposite side of the counter, looking uncomfortable and out of place. "How are you?"

  Wiley released her and patted his chest. "Good as always. Was that Seth Broadhurst in here talking to you?"

  "Yes, Dad. I'm catering some hospital functions for him."

  "Ahh." Wiley pulled back and studied her, his eyes narrowed. Mimi squirmed, wondering if her condition came with some glaring red sign that advertised her secret. "You look pale. Are you feeling all right?"

  "Yes, I just haven't been out in the sun much lately. I've been working a lot. You know how it is."

  His eyebrows furrowed together. "You've lost a little weight, too."

  Mimi squirmed again. "I guess I haven't been eating as many desserts as I used to. You know, when you bake all day, you don't feel like eating. And I've been practicing for this part on the new soap they're filming in Atlanta."

  "Have you seen the van advertising the shop?" Wiley asked. "I passed it on the way here."

  "Yes, Dad." Mimi grinned at the pleased look on her father's face. "The big chocolate cake is great."

  "Old Jim Bob over in Pickens County owed me a favor." Mimi's mother cleared her throat, and Wiley moved to Mimi's side. "Your mother wanted to come in and say hello."

  Mimi took in her appearance, wondering what in the world she was supposed to say to this stranger. Everything from her mother's sophisticated chignon to her tailored suit spelled money and authority and career woman.

  "Hi, Mimi. Since my new office is just down the street, I thought I'd stop by and see you."

  How nice of you. Especially as I haven't seen you in years. She bit back the bitter thought and pasted on a smile. "Alison said you're opening a law practice in town. Won't you be bored after living in L.A.?"

  Mrs. Hartwell smiled, and for the first time Mimi realized how strongly Hannah resembled their mother. "Actually I'm looking forward to the change of pace. I can't wait to get out of the rat race."

  Mimi nodded. Just like you couldn't wait to escape us.

  "We're going to have some coffee, hon, and talk," her father said.

  Mimi turned a questioning look toward her father.

  "Business, honey. Your mom's trading in her car."

  And she intended to buy one from Wiley? Mimi gaped at her father. She and Hannah and Alison had thought it would be awkward for her mother to return, but it was more than awkward. It was downright weird.

  Seth's face flashed into her mind. When their baby grew up, would he or she feel caught in the middle of their strained relationship?

  * * *

  Chapter 11

  « ^ »

  Seth wrestled with his emotions the rest of the week. He approached Thursday, the day he would see Mimi at the support group, with both trepidation and giddiness. He'd hoped she'd had enough space. He'd missed her, her bright smile, her vibrant eyes, her soft voice.

  The morning dragged by. By lunchtime he'd already dealt with two seriously ill patients he'd had to commit to the psych ward and his parents, who had nixed every idea he'd put forth during the board meeting. They questioned using grant money to fund the support group. He'd invited them to the session tonight so they could see firsthand the rapport he'd built with his patients and hopefully be convinced of the worthiness of the project.

  His last patient of the day had finally shown up. She wanted marriage counseling. Considering his own predicament, he wasn't sure he felt qualified to give it.

  "Our marriage fell apart during my first pregnancy." Thirty-five-year-old Doreen Scott leaned back in the leather recliner. "I was sick at first and pretty emotional."

  He could relate to that.

  "And Bob didn't know what to do. He's a mechanic. He can do anything with a car, but he isn't very good with words."

  According to women, most men weren't. "And I felt like an elephant, so our sex life went downhill. I even worried he might turn to someone else, but I don't think he ever did."

  Hadn't Mimi mentioned pregnant women being fat and unattractive? "Did your husband say anything about your looks?" Seth asked. "Or were those your own feelings?"

  She tapped her finger on her chin in thought. "Well, no, he never said anything. But I felt awkward, so I didn't encourage him, you know, in the bedroom department."

  "It sounds like a communication problem," Seth said. "Sometimes we expect people to understand us when we really need to come out and voice our feelings."

  She seemed to mull his comment over. "I guess you're right. After the baby was born, I still felt frumpy and I was tired all the time, nursing the baby and all and, well, we just sort of drifted apart."

  "Have you tried to explain your feelings to your husband, Doreen?"

  "I tried once or twice, but we'd end up fighting. He accused me of complaining all the time."

  Seth sighed. "Perhaps you need to tell him the things you told me. Focus on your own feelings, instead of the things he didn't do to please you. He's probably as confused as you are. Maybe you could plan a special date and make it a romantic evening."

  "You mean I should take the initiative?"

  "Sure, why not?"

  A smile spread across the woman's face. "You're right. I used to do things to surprise him. I'll try it again."

  Mrs. Scott rose and thanked him. Seth said goodbye, hoping her plan worked. As for him, her comments had given him an idea. If Mimi felt insecure about the physical changes pregnancy would bring, he'd show her he understood, that he was sensitive to her needs.

  After all, he was responsible for her condition. Maybe they didn't love each other, but they could make things work to smooth the way for the baby.

  He sat back, opened a file and began a list of things he could do to convince Mimi to marry him. His methodical approach worked with his job, so why not with his personal life? Finally, after he'd exhausted his brain and come up with several ideas, he turned off his desk lamp, locked his office and headed out to look for the perfect gift to surprise her with. Maybe a book on nursing. And since Mimi liked stylish clothes, he'd find a catalog of the latest maternity fashions.

  Yes, that would be perfect. His step felt lighter as he strolled toward the shopping area. Maybe he'd even splurge and buy Mimi a maternity outfit. Not only would she be surprised, she'd love it, and he'd score some personal points with her for being a considerate man.

  * * *

  "This is going to make a great bridal shop, Ali. The space is perfect." Mimi thumbed through the catalog of bridal gowns Alison had placed on the counter while her sister pointed out her plans for the near-empty space.

  "I'm going to set up a registry in that corner, use that wall for bridal gowns. I'll have three fitting rooms and invitations on that side…"

  Mimi laughed as Alison rattled on and on. "Sounds like you've thought of everything."

  "I can't wait to open the shop," Alison said. "But it'll take a couple of months to get in all my inventory."

  Mimi ran her finger over the photograph of an anti
que wedding dress dripping with pearls and lace. "I know you'll make a success. Sugar Hill's needed a bridal shop forever."

  "I could plan your wedding," Alison offered. "I'd love to have you as my first customer."

  Mimi frowned and glanced at her sister's hopeful face. "It's not going to happen, sis. Sorry."

  Alison folded her arms and leaned against the workhorse. Paint supplies, color and fabric samples, and work tools filled the half-finished space. "Seth won't marry you?"

  "No."

  "Creep. And I thought he was high class."

  "I meant, no, we're not getting married. He asked. I said no."

  "But why?" Alison moved toward her, her brows raised. "He's the father—"

  "Shh." Although the room was empty, Mimi glanced around, her palms sweating.

  "You have to tell Hannah and Dad, Mimi. You can't keep the truth from them forever."

  "I know."

  "So Seth did ask you to marry him?"

  Mimi closed the bridal book, an image of her wearing the beautiful gown floating through her mind. She'd have lilies, and Hannah and Alison would wear yellow and… She forced the fantasy away. "Yes, he asked, but only because he feels responsible. I don't want a shotgun wedding, Ali."

  Alison made a clicking sound with her tongue. "I'm not sure that's what it would be. I saw the way Seth looked at you the other day."

  "Oh, yeah. He was probably mortified. I had to run out of the room earlier, and he found me half-dead in the bathroom. I was so nauseated I'm sure I'd turned putrid green."

  "He didn't look mortified. He looked protective and infatuated at the same time, like he could gobble you up."

  Mimi rolled her eyes. "Trust me, sis. He was not infatuated. He … I think he still has feelings for Hannah."

  Alison paused and patted her back. "I never saw him look at Hannah that way."

  Mimi shrugged. "She was smart enough not to get pregnant."

  "I think he has the hots for you, Mimi. Maybe you should ask him how he feels about Hannah."

  Mimi stood and grabbed her purse, a vision of herself in the wedding gown forming in her mind again. Beside her stood Seth, dressed in a black tux, his sandy hair gleaming in the sunlight. But instead of a smile on his face and a ring in his hand, he kicked at the heavy ball and chain attached to his foot.