Tina Leonard - Surprise! Surprise!

“Oh, I couldn’t come, though I appreciate the invitation,” Maddie replied, distracted. Her nipples started to tingle and burn, surprising her. She was letting down on her own! It was time to nurse her babies. “I’m afraid that’s too far for me to travel right now.”

“What a shame,” Vivi said softly. “France is such a wonderful country. So romantic.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Goodbye.” She switched off the phone and hurried to the audio baby monitor, which she snapped on. The sound of crying reached her ears. “Mom?”

“No, it’s Sam. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, but I think the babies need to…need me.”

“I think you’re right. I’ll bring in the troops.”

By the time Sam entered with two wailing babies, Maddie was seated in a striped chair. She took one from Sam, cooing to it as she put it to her breast. The baby latched on with no problem, sucking hungrily. Maddie beamed with joy. “Did you see that?”

“Uh, yes I did.” Sam shifted, keeping his finger tucked into Hayden’s mouth so the baby would be pacified long enough for his brother to feed. “Pretty amazing.”

“Yes, it is.” Maddie felt like she sparkled all over with pride. “What good boys they are!”

“Their mom’s pretty amazing herself.”

Amazing? Not really, when she had so many doubts about almost everything these days! But she could push herself, for Sam’s sake. “I just received a very surprising phone call.”

“Oh?” He looked at her, and Maddie thought he was so handsome. The truth was, she wanted him all to herself, but that wasn’t right.

“Vivi Jardin called.”

“Vivi!”

He didn’t look pleased. Maddie pushed away the jealousy and reminded herself to be amazing. “She is upset that you rescinded your offer.”

“Then she needs to discuss it with me.”

“I told her that.” She swallowed, brushing her baby’s cheek with a light finger. “She said that she and her brother wanted to bring me over there to see the vineyards. Apparently, the Jardins are in some financial difficulty, and want to hang on to you as a buyer. She made no bones about wanting to romance me as part of the package.”

“If I want you romanced, I’ll take you to France myself.” His frown deepened.

“I don’t want to poke my nose into your business, Sam. But wasn’t this something you wanted?”

“Past tense.”

“The only reason you changed your mind was the babies, right?”

“Not exactly.”

His eyes shifted, and she knew he wasn’t telling the truth. Her heart felt as if it were turning inside out. “I’d like to see you achieve something you want,” she said softly. “I know how much it means to finally have what I always hoped for.” She stared down at the pretty baby, her soft, plump dream come true. “I’d like that for you, too.”

“Maddie, I’m focusing on you and the children right now. Everything else is peripheral.”

I cost him that. Selfishly. He’d had no choice in fatherhood. “Sam, it’s too uneven.”

“I’m happy, Maddie.” He stared at her. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”

She closed her eyes. Sure you are. You’re just thrilled that I stole your dream.

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