Linda Wisdom - Pregnancy Countdown

“You’re not a one-night stand, Nora.”

“No, I’m a two-night stand,” she said slowly and deliberately, not missing Mark’s wince at her choice of words. “You don’t need to be the good guy here. I told you I wouldn’t expect anything from you. You happened to be there when I was feeling vulnerable. I didn’t wake up hoping for bouquets of roses and impassioned declarations.”

“Some would say you’re protesting too much,” Mark replied. Nora was surprised by the slight frown furrowing his brow. He leaned forward, focusing his brilliant blue eyes on her. “Tell me the truth, Nora.”

She froze. He couldn’t have guessed, could he? Was the word pregnant branded on her forehead?

Pregnancy Countdown

Linda Randall Wisdom

www.millsandboon.co.uk

In memory of Frances Gesswein, my very own Grammy Fran. While you weren’t my biological grandmother, you werethe grandmother of my heart who probably encouraged your “red-haired granddaughter’s” rebellious spirit a little too much at times. I cherish the times we had together and I miss you very much.

And many thanks to Arlea Johnson for her husband and the dead coffeemaker story.

Linda Randall Wisdom is a California author who loves movies, books and animals of all kinds. She also has a great sense of humor, which is reflected in her books.

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

250—WE GIVE THANKS

284—LADY’S CHOICE

293—APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING

310—CODE OF SILENCE

325—SINS OF THE PAST

350—A MAN FOR MAGGIE

372—O’MALLEY’S QUEST

382—VOICES IN THE NIGHT

401—FREE SPIRITS

422—SOMETIMES A LADY

443—THIS OLD HOUSE

457—UNDER HIS SPELL

470—A MAN FOR MOM

487—THE COUNTESS AND THE COWBOY

515—NO ROOM AT THE INN

541—VEGAS VOWS

561—HE’S A REBEL

596—COUNTERFEIT HUSBAND

608—MOMMY HEIRESS

627—TWIST OF FATE

641—DO YOU TAKE THIS MAN…

671—NAUGHTY ’N NICE

681—MR. & MRS….& MRS.?

707—BELLS, RINGS & ANGELS’ WINGS

751—SHE’S HAVING HIS BABY

774—THE LAST TWO BACHELORS

831—MY LITTLE ONE

865—BRIDE OF DREAMS

920—TWO LITTLE SECRETS

991—PREGNANCY COUNTDOWN

Dear Reader,

The first time a friend tried these brownies she said they were better than sex. Naturally, this is something we tend not to say to men. Poor babies just wouldn’t understand that there are times when chocolate is extremely important to our well-being!

BETTER THAN SEX BROWNIES

aka Texas Brownies

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

½ cup margarine

½ cup shortening

1 cup strong brewed coffee or water (I use flavored coffee such as french vanilla or Bordeaux coffee.)

¼ cup cocoa

½ cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

Frosting

½ cup margarine

2 tbsp cocoa

¼ cup milk

3 ½ cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar. In heavy pan combine margarine, shortening, coffee or water and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling. Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in the large bowl. Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla. Mix well using wooden spoon or high speed on mixer. Pour into well-buttered 17" × ½" × 11" jelly roll pan. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until brownies are done in center.

While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In pan combine margarine, cocoa and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Mix in powdered sugar and add vanilla; stir until smooth. Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of oven. If you want thicker frosting, add half again, or double the ingredients.

Enjoy!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Nora Summers thought about how the day was meant to be spent. She would have been dressed in a lovely lilac gown with a circlet of flowers on her head. She would have been watching her best friend get married. She would have spent the afternoon eating cake, drinking champagne and dancing. She would have joined her friends in trying to catch the bridal bouquet and she would have cried happy tears as she watched her best friend and her new husband leave on their honeymoon.

Instead, today she bid a last goodbye to her beloved grandmother.

Nora’s flight home was delayed for almost six hours. The airport was quiet as the cranky passengers disembarked.

“I’ll be home soon,” she murmured to herself as she trudged up the corridor toward the terminal interior. “I will be in my very lovely soft bed where I will indulge in lots of sleep.”

She moved past people waiting for the arrivals. She stopped short when a familiar figure straightened up from a leaning position against a pillar and walked toward her.

Nora decided she was dreaming. Men wearing tuxedos weren’t a normal sight at airports at 1:00 a.m. Especially not this particular man whose wardrobe consisted of blinding Hawaiian-print shirts and shorts or jeans.

“Hey, Nora.” His smile was dazzling against his tanned skin. He reached out and took her carry-on bag from her, then switched it to his left hand while circling her waist with his right. He kissed her gently on the forehead.

She wrapped her arms around him. She felt the strength of his body under his clothing. There was comfort in the familiar lime scent mingled with the warm aroma of his skin. Hints of different perfumes were added to the mix. She guessed Mark had been a very popular guy at the wedding.

“Mark, what are you doing here?” She was tired enough to feel bewildered by his unexpected appearance.

“Ginna mentioned what time your flight was due in,” he explained as they walked through the terminal. “I thought you might appreciate a ride home.”

“I do appreciate it,” she admitted. “But my flight was delayed for almost six hours. You haven’t been here all that time, have you?”

“Funny thing about airport terminals. They’re loaded with coffee kiosks and bars with wide-screen televisions.”

Nora shook her head trying to dislodge the fuzz clinging to her brain. Weariness was making it difficult for her to think clearly.

“Where are your baggage-claim tickets?” Mark asked.

“I only have my carry-on.” She gestured to the bag he held in his hand.

“How did you manage that? When Ginna goes away for more than a day she requires at least two suitcases.”

“I only needed a black dress,” Nora said dully. She was tired enough to take a nearby chair, curl up in it and go to sleep.

Mark squeezed her shoulder, offering silent comfort as they walked toward the entrance.

“I’m impressed.” She looked him over from head to toe. “What threats were used to get you into formal wear?”

He moved off a couple paces. He spread his arms out wide and cocked one hip in a fashion-model’s pose.

“Like it? It was my wedding gift to Gin. Plus she said if I showed up at her wedding wearing my favorite shirt she’d personally burn every piece of clothing in my closet. Since she’d been in a pretty crazy mood the past few weeks, not to mention she always backs up her threats, I wasn’t taking any chances.”