C.J. Carmichael - A Baby Between Them

But the Triumph merger had undone all his best intentions. Late nights, last-minute negotiations and an out-of-town meeting had all added up to an impossible situation. One he hadn’t been strong enough to resist.

The morning after, he’d panicked. He’d slipped out of the hotel room without showering and caught an early flight to Seattle. Once back at the office, he’d immediately started working on damage control.

All the while, he’d berated himself. Why had he slept with her in the first place? He’d gone against all his principles. And presuming Rae had the contraceptives covered had to be one of the dumbest moves he’d ever made. Next to the night his mother died…

No. Don’t go there now.

Aidan rubbed the back of his neck, wincing at the thought of what Rae must have gone through these past months. She’d already shared some of the physical indignities of pregnancy…but what about the emotional burden?

Was she as blasé as she sounded about giving up the baby?

And what about the situation at work? He’d bet she hadn’t told anyone who the father of the baby was. But he guessed someone had figured it out. Which meant the entire company knew by now.

Everyone but him.

How was it that he hadn’t heard the rumors? Aidan thought back to a few occasions when he’d walked into an office or a meeting room and encountered a sudden, uncomfortable silence.

Well, of course no one had said anything to him. He was the boss. No one had dared.

Anyway, they must have assumed he knew. That Rae would have told him.

And she should have. Damn it, she should have told him about the baby.

TEN MINUTES LATER, Aidan went to the kitchen and found the Summer Island phone book. There weren’t any motels or hotels on the island. For the most part, the locals discouraged tourism. But there were a number of bed-and-breakfast places. He dialed Jennifer’s number first and was relieved when she answered in person and he didn’t get the standard recording.

“Hey Jenn, it’s Aidan. I’m here on the island and looking for a place to stay.”

“Aidan, you’re not kidding? You’re really here?”

“I’m on vacation.”

“You never take vacations.”

“I know. For good reason, apparently.” This one sure wasn’t going so hot.

“What do you mean?”

“Long story. I’ll fill you in later. For now, just please tell me you have room at your B and B. A single bed is all I need. I’m willing to share a bathroom.”

“Aidan, it’s August.” There was mild reproach in Jennifer’s voice.

Which meant she didn’t have room. And all the other B and B places in town would probably be booked, too. “What about a foldout couch?”

“We have one in the study. And I’d let you stay there, no problem, but that’s where we set up the crib.”

“Crib? Did someone forget to tell me something?” Was this a new trend? Had every single woman he knew gotten pregnant in the past nine months?

“I’m taking care of my brother’s baby while he and his wife are in Argentina. He’s teaching a four-week course.”

“You’re kidding.” He knew Jennifer already had to look after her father, who’d suffered a stroke many years ago, and an elderly aunt who’d moved to the island recently. Now she’d taken on her brother’s baby, as well?

“Afraid not. Look Aidan, I’m so sorry I can’t help you. Where are you now?”

“At Harrison and Justine’s.”

“They’re in Seattle for the month, aren’t they? Why don’t you just stay there?”

“Because while Harrison gave me a key to the place, Justine also gave a key to Rae Cordell. Rae works for Kincaid Communications, too.”

“Do you know each other? The house is certainly big enough for two….”

Not in this case. “I’ll figure something out. Not to worry.” Aidan heard a squawk. The baby?

“I’m dying to see you, Aidan. Why don’t you come for dinner tonight?”

He wanted to see Jennifer, too. But it sounded as though she had her hands full. He didn’t want her going to the work of preparing a meal for company. “How about I pick up some sandwiches in town and bring them over?”

“That would be great. I’ll make a few salads to go with them. Do you mind ordering enough for my dad and Aunt Annie, too?”

“No problem.”

“And why don’t you bring your friend Rae along, as well?”

He hadn’t said Rae was a friend. But before he could explain, the baby started squawking again, this time louder than before.

“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you and Rae later, Aidan. I can’t wait!”

JENNIFER WAS a naturally kind and hospitable person, so Aidan wasn’t surprised she’d extended an invitation to someone she’d never met. That didn’t mean he had to pass it on. However, if he didn’t, then he’d have to admit to Jennifer that he hadn’t, and then she would want to know why.

Aidan decided it would be easier to just invite Rae and let her say no.

He found her in the living room, feet up on the sofa, reading Forbes. He told her about the invitation. “Don’t feel as if you have to come.”

She amazed him by replying calmly, “That was very nice of Jennifer. Yes, I’d love to go.”

“You would?”

“Sure.” Her eyes betrayed nothing. No hint of the anger from earlier. No angst, no trauma, just…nothing.

“What time do you want to leave?” she asked.

“Half an hour,” Aidan said, giving her yet another reason to bow out. Not many women could get ready in that amount of time.

“Fine.”

True to her word, Rae was ready within thirty minutes. She’d combed her hair, put on a voluminous sundress and lipstick. She regarded her reflection in the full-length mirror of the foyer despondently. “I look like a puffer fish.”

She didn’t. She looked beautiful. It choked Aidan to admit it, but it was true. He’d never paid much attention to pregnant women before—he’d never had cause to. But despite her complaints, her insistence that she didn’t intend to keep the baby, there was an aura about her.

Rae grabbed her handbag, then waited while Aidan opened the door for her.

“Do you mind if I leave the top down?” he asked, as he helped her into the front seat of his car.

“It’s so hot—that would be nice.”

She needed a hand sitting down and he guessed she’d need help to get out, as well. He leaned down to find the lever to push the seat back and make more room for her bulk. Inadvertently, his shoulder brushed against her belly. It was surprisingly firm.

He stood up, embarrassed, yet oddly excited by the brief contact. That was his baby in there. And he’d touched her. It was still so incredible to him. Unbelievable and…amazing.

Wanting to touch again, yet knowing he couldn’t, he headed for the driver’s seat. As he reversed the car out of the driveway, Rae asked, “How far to your friend’s house?”

“Lavender Farm is on the north end of the island. About a thirty-minute drive.”

They stopped at the Cliffside Diner to pick up the packages of sandwiches that Aidan had ordered, then continued on the main road that circumnavigated the island.

Though paved, the route had many dangerous curves and the posted speed was low. Still, Rae’s long hair was whipped by the wind as Aidan accelerated. He leaned over to open the glove compartment and a navy silk scarf fell out.

“Use that.”

Rae gave him a questioning look, maybe wondering to whom the scarf belonged, then tied her hair back, as he’d suggested.

As the miles disappeared, Aidan began to relax. It was good to be on Summer Island again. The land to his left broke away to the ocean below with twenty-foot cliffs. The other side of the road was dotted with cultivated farmland and pastures that had been carved from the ancient rain forest. He slowed, in order to pass a small herd of cattle. A portion of the pasture fence had collapsed.