Donna Alward - Secret Millionaire For The Surrogate

Drew got to his feet, his emotions in a bit of a storm as he tried to adjust to the news without being an awkward ass. “Uh, I can get it. You don’t need to wait on me.”

She smiled softly. “Suit yourself, then. Beer’s in the fridge.”

He glanced quickly at her abdomen, then back up, his face heating. Harper didn’t seem to notice anything and, with a flip of her ponytail, was gone back to the kitchen again.

His brain was a muddle, but he did manage to have one coherent thought as he followed her into the kitchen.

Harper is carrying my brother’s baby.

HARPER KEPT HER hands busy cutting vegetables so she wouldn’t have to look up at Drew, who’d come into the kitchen to grab a beer from the fridge. She’d seen the way his gaze had dropped to her belly and back up and the way he’d stood when she came into the room. Dan had told him; she was relatively sure of that. And it was awkward as hell.

She knew there would be some odd looks from people over the next few months, and probably more than her fair share of intrusive questions. She was prepared for that, or at least she was trying to be.

But she hadn’t been prepared for Drew.

At the wedding in March he’d been crazy attractive, all sexy smiles and sparkling eyes, but she hadn’t been in the mood for a wedding fling, particularly with the groom’s brother. It would have been all kinds of messy.

Today had been far more awkward because the moment he’d stepped in the room her body had reacted just the same way as it had when he’d pulled her close on the dance floor. Her breath had caught and she’d felt that ridiculous butterfly feeling in the pit of her stomach. Forget the tux; Drew Brimicombe in faded, dusty jeans and a well-worn T-shirt was delectable. Add in that rough stubble and the slightly curling tips of his sun-streaked hair and she was a goner.

And she remembered how he’d propositioned her.

Now she was pregnant with his brother and sister-in-law’s child and...yeah. Just as she’d thought at the wedding. This would be potentially awkward as heck and his reaction proved it. Not to mention that her attraction to him hadn’t exactly disappeared.

She should never have agreed to stay for dinner.

“Harper. That might be enough cucumber.”

The plate in front of her was rounded with cucumber slices and she realized she’d sliced the whole thing. To cover her embarrassment at getting caught daydreaming, she grinned and popped one in her mouth. “I can’t get enough these days,” she admitted. “They’re so cool and fresh.”

“Well, maybe you could cut some carrot and tomato to go with it?”

“Of course. Sorry. I don’t know where my mind went.”

Except she knew exactly where it went. With Drew, back into the living room. Or more precisely, back on the dance floor at the Cascade, being held in his strong arms, their bodies brushing.

She was peeling a carrot when she chanced a look up at Adele, who was ladling broth into the risotto. “I think Dan told Drew about the baby,” she said.

Adele stopped stirring and stared at her. “You do? Why?”

“The way Drew looked at me when I went back in the room. It was the same look I got from Dan the moment I told you guys I was pregnant.”

Adele frowned. “We weren’t going to say anything to anyone yet. Not until after...” Adele let the thought trail away, and Harper put down the carrot peeler and went to her side.

“I know you’re worried, but we’re almost at the end of the first trimester. Besides, he didn’t take out a billboard or anything. It’s his brother. Who’s here in person. Don’t be too upset.”

Adele let out a breath. “I know. And I don’t mean to put extra pressure on you.”

“I know that.” Harper smiled easily, though deep down she felt as if a whole family’s hopes were pinned on her keeping this baby healthy. She didn’t want to be responsible for any big disappointments. “You’ll feel better when you can hear the heartbeat. It’s not long now. Besides, I feel great.” Most of the time, anyway. Beyond a bit of fatigue and a few hours in the morning where morning sickness had become an issue.

Adele smiled and nodded. “You’re right. Let’s finish this up and get dinner on the table. We can eat out on the deck.”

Harper finished preparing the vegetable platter, then checked on the chicken and the falafel on the grill. Adele brought out dishes for four and Harper set them out as Adele put the risotto in a bowl and brought out a pitcher of ice water.

The guys came a few moments later, still talking and laughing, and the early evening was more mellow in its heat, providing an easy warmth. Harper poured water in everyone’s glass as Adele took the food off the grill, and in moments they were all seated and ready to eat.

Plates were filled, but then Drew lifted his glass. “Adele, I know Dan was supposed to keep it a secret, but I’m over the moon about your happy news.” He turned his gaze on Harper, his dark eyes warm. “And you, Harper. What an incredible gift you’re giving my brother and sister-in-law. To your happy family,” he finished, and they all clinked glasses before drinking.

Harper looked up at him over the rim of her glass. He was watching her steadily, and those pesky nerves started again.

She was pregnant, for God’s sake. One of the reasons she’d been so willing to do this now was because she wasn’t involved with anyone. And it wasn’t like she was thinking about starting something with Drew. He was the baby’s uncle, after all. It was just that every time he looked at her she got this silly feeling all over. All she could think of was the cheeky look on his face when he’d said, “I don’t bite. Unless you want me to.”

She looked away and instead cut into her falafel.

Dinner conversation moved on to small talk about work and the summer weather, and the mood was easy and relaxed. Harper had been hungry, and the rice and falafel took away the gnawing sensation that had been bordering on queasy. When Adele asked if anyone wanted tea, the men refused but Harper was more than ready for a cup. “I’ll get it, Adele. I know where everything is.”

She rose from her seat and tried to ignore Drew’s gaze following her as she went to the kitchen. For heaven’s sake, she didn’t look any different. But his perception of her had changed. That much was clear.

The kettle was on heating and she was reaching for a couple of mugs when Adele came through the sliding doors. “The boys are talking shop,” she remarked, selecting a tea flavor from the selection she kept in a box on the counter. “For all Drew’s outdoorsman ways, he’s a good businessman. When they started talking US versus Canadian tax law implications, I had to bail.”

Harper laughed lightly. “It was nice, what he said earlier.” She grabbed a mint pouch from the tea box and dropped it into her cup.

“Yeah. It’s funny, though. He can’t take his eyes off you.”

And there went that zingy feeling through her body again. She ignored it and shrugged. “It must seem really strange.” She smiled at Adele. “What we’re doing is pretty unconventional.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is? I’ve known Drew awhile. I mean, we had that break where we didn’t see each other at all, but when Dan and I were dating before, I got to know him pretty well. I’d say it’s more interested than curious.”

“I doubt it. Besides, guys don’t find women who are pregnant with someone else’s baby all that attractive, you know?”

“Maybe. Still. Did something happen between you two at the wedding or something?”

Harper shook her head and reached for the kettle. She poured water into the cups as she answered, the task allowing her to avoid meeting Adele’s gaze. “No. I mean, we danced and stuff, but just your typical best man and maid of honour duties.”