Robyn Donald - Finding Her Prince

He looked a little dangerous, she thought, and a lot dashing with the shadow of stubble on his jaw. He was all rumpled, sleepy, sex appeal, and an unmistakable tug on her heart made her hope this was the last time she would find him here.

His eyelids flickered and he stretched, then suddenly sat up when he saw her. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” In the physical sense that was true because there was no more cramping. But emotionally she was a mess.

“You’re not supposed to be on your feet. Are you hungry?”

“Yes,” she admitted, admiring the expanse of broad male chest covered with a dusting of dark hair.

“I’ll make breakfast. Go back to bed,” he ordered.

After three days she knew resistance was futile, so she went back to bed. Before long the smell of eggs, turkey sausage, potatoes and toast drifted to her. Over her protests he’d grocery shopped and stocked her pantry. She had to admit the delicious aromas made her mouth water.

Then Nathan appeared in her doorway. He’d dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, but his feet were still bare, his hair rumpled and the stubble unshaved. He held a food-filled tray, and she held in an appreciative sigh. Her mouth was watering, but it had nothing to do with the food.

“Breakfast is served.” He set the tray on her legs and started to leave.

“Can I talk to you, Nathan?”

“Sure.” The bed dipped from his weight when he sat on the edge, just inches from her leg. “What’s up?”

“This isn’t working.”

He frowned. “I can make something else for breakfast—”

“No. I mean this arrangement. You have to be exhausted from not having a bed to sleep in.”

“I have to admit I’m not lovin’ the love seat.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Sort of. She had to convince him to go away. “And I don’t need you hovering over me. I haven’t had any more cramping. So, really, you can go back to your place.”

“I’d like that,” he agreed. Much too easily. “On one condition.”

“Anything.”

“You come, too.” He must have seen her start to protest because he held up a hand. “It has more room and everyone would have an actual bed to sleep in.”

“Don’t think I’m not appreciative because I am.” Except for her family and three best friends, no one had ever been there for her like this. “But this is my home.”

“Okay. No problem.” He rubbed a hand across his chin. “Maybe I’ll pick up an air mattress. My mother will understand why I’m not at the house.”

“Your mother?”

“She dropped in unexpectedly. She does that sometimes,” he said.

“You should go be with her. No need to babysit me.”

A gleam slid into his eyes. “Actually, you’d be doing me a big favor if you moved in. Mom and I could use a buffer.”

“You’re not close?”

His mouth pulled tight. “She has her own interests.”

Shouldn’t her interests include being with her son? None of her business, Cindy thought. “I wouldn’t want to intrude. It would be such an inconvenience.”

“Look, Cindy, I’m serious about Mom and me needing someone to take the edge off. But here’s the bottom line. You and I both want the baby to be healthy. That depends on your ability to stay off your feet and reduce your stress level. I intend to make that happen. Where it happens is up to you.”

She knew when to say when. Stalemate. Impasse. Someone had to blink, and apparently it would be her. She couldn’t stand the thought of him being completely exhausted because she was too stubborn to compromise. There were other babies and parents depending on him.

“All right,” she said. “Your place it is.”

Nathan pulled into the driveway of his really big house before Cindy had time to process that she’d actually agreed to move in with him. He’d packed her things and wouldn’t let her lift a finger, which was seven different kinds of sweet.

Now here they were. Parked beside a BMW SUV in his driveway. It was a reminder that he already had a guest. Her stomach clenched.

“Did you tell your mother about the baby? Does she know you’re bringing me here?”

“Yes.” He pulled the keys from the ignition, then looked at her. “And yes.”

“Good.” At least there wouldn’t be that awkward moment where she had to stand quietly by while he explained the unexplainable.

When she started to get out of the car, he said, “Stay put. You’re not supposed to be on your feet.”

“Then how am I going to get inside?”

A shimmy of anticipation danced up her spine when she remembered him sweeping her into his arms to carry her inside at her house. But the romantic notion dissolved when he emerged from the front door pushing a wheelchair.

“Be still my heart.” Cindy wondered what kind of damage was done when a romantic fool dropped back to earth. But she sat in the chair.

It was a beautiful June day and already getting hot, so the cool air that washed over her when he pushed her inside felt good. When her eyes adjusted from bright sun to the dim interior, she saw that travertine tile went on forever in the entryway. There were high ceilings with crown molding and pale wheat-colored walls.

An older but very attractive woman walked into the entryway. She was tall and slender with a short brunette bob. Her eyes were hazel, and it was obvious that Nathan got his coloring from his mother. And his fashion sense. Her white capris were crisp and spotless. The black and white striped silk blouse was trendy and fitted. Even her sandals coordinated with the summer ensemble.

“So here you are,” she said, her eyes narrowing on Cindy.

Nathan’s voice came from behind the wheelchair. “Shirley, this is Cindy Elliott. Cindy, Shirley Steele, my mother.”

They shook hands and Cindy felt at a disadvantage in the chair. Even standing she would be shorter, but at least she wouldn’t have been loomed over.

Nathan leaned down. “I’m going to get your things out of the car and put them in the guest room.”

Moments later he walked inside with her two suitcases then disappeared down the hall. He returned and glanced at his watch. “I have to get to the hospital. Shirley, will you get Cindy settled?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll be back later.” He looked down at her with a warning expression on his face. “Take it easy.”

Nothing about this was easy to take, especially being left alone with his mother. But he walked out the door and it was just the two of them.

Cindy didn’t know how to be anything but direct. She got up from the chair and met the other woman’s gaze. “This pregnancy was an accident.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“I didn’t even want to go out with him.”

“Technically one doesn’t have to actually go out for something like this to happen,” Shirley commented, her tone guarded. “But why did you? Go out with him.”

“He was relentless and I said yes to get him out of my life.”

“Yet here you are in his home. So we can see how well that worked.”

“I didn’t want to move in.” Cindy refused to look away, even though that’s what she desperately wanted to do. “But he’s so darn stubborn and he wouldn’t leave me alone. He’s exhausted and the only way he’s going to get any rest is for me to stay here. That’s the truth.”

“All right then. Nathan is a grown man and knows what he’s doing.” Shirley glanced over her shoulder. “I take it you know your way around?”

“Actually, I’ve never been here before.” Cindy stopped there, not wanting to explain the one-night stand at her house.

The older woman looked just the tiniest bit surprised when she asked, “Would you like a tour?”

“Are you going to make me use that stupid chair?” Cindy glared at the thing.