The Baby Arrangement

The Baby Arrangement Moyra Tarling Bundles of JoyHER SISTER'S FAMILY…Gentlehearted Faith Nelson had willingly agreed to care for her identical twin's newborn as her own. But now she was living a lie. Because when a frantic Jared McAndrew had arrived to claim his son, Faith had stuck by her promise. Now she was sleeping under Jared's roof, masquerading as his brand-new, temporary wife!And living the ultimate domestic fantasy. Not only did Jared's touch awaken Faith's long-slumbering desire, but he was also the most honorable, loving man she'd ever met. And if she could be granted one wish, Faith didn't want this dream life to end when the baby arrangement did….Sometimes small packages lead to big surprises! “Your timing is perfect,” Jared said, reaching for the baby bottle she’d brought. (#u30c88860-5fdb-5452-9873-853ec9df0db5)Letter to Reader (#u487d95b3-a696-5263-84ed-12ff0d261d7f)Title Page (#ub80fdcbb-6145-54e7-a225-a661fce8673f)Dedication (#ufefaebb3-8622-5c66-b314-a598e6d8da53)About the Author (#u970e7ce6-3c16-5609-865c-d6df91c1c660)Letter to Reader (#u4f80afcb-bbbd-5808-b14b-2614866ea24e)Chapter One (#u329b7d52-5b86-5db6-aae1-98ea0d0b8ea2)Chapter Two (#uc2b0c02d-ce41-5178-9d0a-f4f9352b3162)Chapter Three (#u9cbeb1dd-ed18-5523-99be-3679651cec74)Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo) “Your timing is perfect,” Jared said, reaching for the baby bottle she’d brought. When her fingers brushed his, it was all Faith could do to ignore the faint tremor of awareness that shimmied up her arm. “He slept longer than I thought he would,” Faith commented as Jared walked to the rocking chair and sat down. Mesmerized, Faith lingered near the door, watching Jared settle Nicky into a comfortable position against his chest. “You don’t have to stay and supervise,” Jared told her in a low voice. “I assure you I’m quite capable of feeding and burping my son.” Faith met his gaze. “I wasn’t—” “Or are you hanging around for another reason?” he asked, his gaze drifting over her scanty attire. Her breath caught in her throat at the blatant sexual undertone in his voice. He thought she was her identical twin—the mother of his child! Dear Reader, As spring turns to summer, make Silhouette Romance the perfect companion for those lazy days and sultry nights! Fans of our LOVING THE BOSS series won’t want to miss The Marriage Merger by exciting author Vivian Leiber. A pretend engagement between friends goes awry when their white lies lead to a real white wedding! Take one biological-clock-ticking twin posing as a new mom and one daddy determined to gain custody of his newborn son, and you’ve got the unsuspecting partners in The Baby Arrangement, Moyra Tarling’s tender BUNDLES OF JOY title. You’ve asked for more TWINS ON THE DOORSTEP, Stella Bagwell’s charming author-led ministries, so this month we give you Millionaire on Her Doorstep, an emotional story of two wounded souls who find love in the most unexpected way...and in the most unexpected place. Can a bachelor bent on never marrying and a single mom with a bustling brood of four become a Fairy-Tale Family? Find out in Pat Montana’s delightful new novel. Next, a handsome doctor’s case of mistaken identity leads to The Triplet’s Wedding Wish in this heartwarming tale by DeAnna Talcott. And a young widow finds the home—and family—she’s always wanted when she strikes a deal with a Nevada Cowboy Dad, this month’s FAMILY MATTERS offering from Dorsey Kelley. Enjoy this month’s fantastic selections, and make sure to return each and every month to Silhouette Romance! Mary-Theresa Hussey Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Out. L2A 5X3 The Baby Arrangement Moyra Tarling www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk) For new mothers and fathers everywhere. Enjoy every minute, because they’ll be all grown before you know it! MOYRA TARLING was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was there that she was first introduced to, and became hooked on, romance novels. In 1968, she immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where she met and married her husband. They have two grown children. Empty nesters now, they enjoy taking trips in their getaway van and browsing in antique shops for corkscrews and buttonhooks. But Moyra’s favorite pastime is curling up with a great book—a romance, of course! Moyra loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 161, Blaine, WA 98231-D161. Dear Reader, Babies are indeed BUNDLES OF JOY, precious gifts to be loved, cherished and protected. In The Baby Arrangement Nicky is just such a baby. I knew when Faith saw her tiny, innocent and beautiful nephew, she would feel the same overwhelming love and need to protect that I felt when my newborn son was first placed in my arms. It is heartwarming to know that most fathers, upon seeing their child for the first time, feel the exact same sense of wonder, the same deep love as well as a fierce need to protect. Jared is that kind of man, that kind of hero. By bringing him and Faith together, I knew these two caring, loving people, committed to doing what was best for Nicky, deserved to fall in love. Deserved to become the family they both longed for. I hope you enjoy reading The Baby Arrangement as much as I enjoyed writing it. Much love, Chapter One He was too late. He’d been knocking on the door of the house for at least ten minutes, to no avail. He’d missed her. She’d vanished for a second time, taking his infant son with her. Jared McAndrew cursed as he climbed into his car. He slammed his hands against the steering wheel as the familiar feelings of frustration and anger churned to life within him. He’d come close...so close. Silently he vowed not to quit until he’d tracked down his newborn son, a son he’d never seen. Muttering under his breath, Jared reached for the key to restart the engine. It was at that precise moment he spotted the baby stroller as it turned into the leaf-covered driveway. His heart shuddered to a halt, and he felt his breath back up in his throat as he focused his gaze on the mother of his child. He blinked several times, fearful his eyes were playing tricks on him. But there was no mistake. Reaching for the door handle, Jared was out of the car in a flash. Faith Nelson slowed the baby stroller to a halt the minute she saw the sleek black car parked in her driveway. She watched as a tall, dark-haired man dressed in crumpled gray slacks and a navy sweater emerged from the front seat. Her heart slammed against her ribs and a ripple of apprehension chased down her spine at the look of fury she could see etched on the stranger’s handsome features. Instinctively she tightened her fingers on the handle of the baby stroller as his long strides ate up the driveway. “Hello, Paula,” the man said, coming to a halt a few feet in front of the stroller. “You look surprised to see me.” His voice was deep and resonant, but with an edge that could easily have cut glass. Faith moistened lips that were suddenly dry. “I’m sorry. I’m not—” “You’re sorry!” the man interrupted, his voice quavering with barely suppressed rage. “You don’t understand,” Faith said, but before she could even begin to explain, his eyes flashed with a look of contempt that effectively silenced her. “Oh...you’ve got that right,” he drawled. “But then I doubt I’ll ever understand how you could disappear without a word,” he said. “We had an agreement, remember? Did you really think I wouldn’t come looking for you?” At his challenging tone an icy rivulet slithered down Faith’s back, and she cast a quick glance toward the house. “Don’t even think about it,” the man said, taking a step closer. “I’ve come for my son. I’m taking him home with me, and I’d advise you not to try to stop me,” he added, and dropped into a crouched position in front of the stroller. “But you can’t...” Faith protested, looking around in the hope a police car might happen to be cruising the area. “Just watch me,” he replied. “Please, you don’t understand. I’m not...” Faith tried anew to explain, but the words dissolved in her throat when she saw the harsh angry lines on his face vanish, replaced by an expression of awe. “He’s beautiful....” The words were a mere whisper of sound as Jared stared in wonderment at the tiny but perfect infant asleep in the stroller. Not even seeing the grainy pictures of his unborn son on the hospital sonogram had prepared him for this heart-stopping moment. Gazing for the very first time at his own flesh and blood, his own son, an avalanche of emotions more powerful than anything he’d ever felt before gripped him, squeezing his heart and bringing tears to his eyes. The intensity of his feelings caught him completely off guard, and so too did the sudden and urgent need to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Reaching out, he gently touched his son’s smooth cheek. At the contact Jared felt a tightening in his chest. As his glance drifted over the baby’s angelic face, he noted with some pride the shock of jet black hair peeking out from beneath a knitted blue bonnet. Inhaling deeply, he caught the sweet scent of baby powder mixed with milky formula. He silently acknowledged that nothing in his thirty-seven years had prepared him for such a profound moment. Jared released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. As he withdrew his hand he made a promise to his son, to be a loving, caring father—the kind of father he himself had longed for as a child. Faith watched the array of emotions flitting across the stranger’s face and felt as if her heart were being torn from her body. Stifling a moan, she began to push the stroller toward the house. “Hey! Just a minute.” Jared stretched to his full height and came marching after her. He grabbed the handle of the stroller, halting her progress. “You’re not running out on me again.” He watched as tears pooled in her eyes. “And you can cut the tearful act, Paula,” Jared continued, his tone scathing. “After what you’ve put me through these past two weeks, I’m not going to fall for that old trick. I’m here for one reason, and one reason only—to take my son home.” Faith bravely met his fierce glare. That the stranger had mistaken her for her identical twin sister, Paula, was obvious, and from the description Paula had given her, he in turn could only be Jared McAndrew, the baby’s father. But why hadn’t Paula bothered to mention she’d been running away from the man? “If you’d just let me finish...” Faith tried again, but this time her attempts to explain were suddenly drowned out by a baby’s cry. Startled, they both stared at the source of the sound. The volume of the cries increased, and Faith quickly took control. Bending, she lifted the infant into her arms, hugging him to her. Rocking him gently, she crooned words of comfort. Over the baby’s shoulder she met the stranger’s piercing gaze, daring him to challenge her. But when she glimpsed the anxiety shimmering in the depths of his blue eyes, her heart contracted. “He’s hungry,” she told him. “And he doesn’t like to be kept waiting,” she added, moving past him toward the front door. Faith dug in to her jacket pocket and located her keys. Opening the door, she threw a quick glance over her shoulder. It came as no surprise to see Jared McAndrew following her, bringing the baby stroller with him. Once inside, Faith headed for the kitchen. Earlier that morning, before Nicky had awakened, she’d made up several bottles for him. Retrieving one from the fridge, she crossed to the sink. “You’re not breast-feeding. Good. That will simplify matters,” the baby’s father said, standing in the doorway. Faith fought down the bubble of hysterical laughter threatening to break free. “No, I’m not breast-feeding,” she responded, filling the bowl in the sink with hot water from the tap. Dropping the baby’s bottle into it, she turned to face the man hovering behind her like a vulture. “He needs to be changed, then fed,” Faith said assertively. “When I’m finished feeding him, we’ll get this sorted out.” “I’m not going anywhere,” he replied. “Besides, what’s there to sort out? I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear. Once you’ve finished feeding my son, I’m taking him home with me.” A variety of emotions ranging from fear to frustration tugged at Faith, but she kept them in check. This wasn’t the time to argue, not when she had a hungry baby in her arms. She strode down the hall and into her bedroom. After Paula had left for the airport last night, Faith had transported her dressing table into a makeshift change table by placing a thick bath towel on top of it. Not for the first time since her twin had appeared on her doorstep twelve hours ago, Faith wondered what kind of mess her sister had gotten herself into. Precocious and outgoing as a youngster, Paula had been the favorite child. Their parents had indulged her and encouraged her in her goal to become an actress. Faith, shyer and more introverted, had sat in the shadows, quietly developing her artistic talent, a talent that had led her to a career illustrating children’s books. Throughout their teenage years Paula had landed herself in more scrapes than Faith cared to recall. She’d delighted in pulling reckless and sometimes dangerous stunts with no thought to the consequences. Faith, a scant ten minutes older than her twin, had often been left to soothe ruffled feathers, pacify angry neighbors, or take the blame for things her sister had done. After graduating from high school, Paula had moved to Los Angeles, where she’d worked as a waitress before landing a small part in a movie. From there she’d moved to New York to work in an off-Broadway show. Faith in turn had won a scholarship to attend an artists’ college in Seattle. Living on opposite sides of the country, they’d drifted apart. Paula hadn’t been able to attend Faith’s small wedding. The last time Faith had seen her twin had been almost two years ago, at Erica’s funeral. After a brief stay Paula had returned to the East Coast, still chasing her dream of stardom. But while Paula’s arrival yesterday had surprised her, it was nothing compared to the shock of having her twin thrust a baby into her arms and beg for her help. At the time, Faith had wondered if by some quirk of fate she’d stepped into a nightmare. Suddenly Nicky’s cries grew more urgent, effectively bringing her thoughts back to the present. With quick, accomplished movements she changed his diaper all the while speaking softly to him till his cries subsided. As she gazed down at his cherublike face she noticed for the first time the faint cleft in his chin—a tiny replica of his father’s. Snapping the sleeper back into place, Faith lifted Nicky from the dresser, carefully supporting his neck and head. The powdery scent of baby wrapped around her, filling her senses and storming her defenses. Suddenly a barrage of memories, memories of another baby—her daughter, Erica—washed over her. Erica had been born prematurely with a multitude of medical problems, problems that after only five days had resulted in her death. Faith bit down on the inner softness of her mouth to stop the moan of pain and sadness threatening to escape. Blinking back tears, she firmly closed the door on the past, a past too painful to revisit. Turning, she came to an abrupt halt when she found Jared McAndrew’s tall frame blocking the doorway. “Excuse me,” she said, careful to avoid his gaze, unwilling to let him see her distress. “I’m impressed, Paula,” he said moving aside. “You looked like you knew what you were doing. Did you take a crash course in child care?” he asked, cynicism in his voice. Faith made no reply as she headed for the kitchen. “So tell me, who owns the house?” Jared asked as he followed her down the hall. “Is it one of your actor friends...or an old lover, perhaps?” Faith ignored him. Grabbing a tea towel off the counter, she retrieved the bottle of formula from the sink. Continuing into the tiny living room, she sat down in front of the bay window in the rocking chair she’d bought during her own pregnancy. With practiced ease she tested the temperature of the milk on the inside of her wrist Nicky was growing increasingly fretful, squirming in earnest now, undoubtedly aware nourishment was close at hand. Faith nestled the baby firmly against her breast, and in a matter of seconds his eager mouth found the bottle’s nipple. Closing her eyes, Faith drew a steadying breath. As she gently rocked back and forth she listened to the soft sucking sound Nicky made, a noise she’d never thought to hear again, and one that made her heart ache anew. After a few moments Faith ventured to open her eyes. The baby’s father had followed her into the living room and was slumped in the big old armchair opposite, eyes closed and a look of exhaustion on his face. She let her gaze travel over his arresting features; the wide intelligent forehead, the straight nose, the mouth that was full and sensual, hair as black as ebony and the attractive cleft in his chin that Paula had mentioned. Dropping her gaze to the sleeping child once more, Faith let her thoughts drift back to the events of the previous night. Why hadn’t Paula warned her to expect the baby’s father? “I’ve made such a mess of things,” Paula had said, carrying the stroller and diaper bag inside. “I didn’t know where else to go.” Faith had swallowed the hard lump of emotion clogging her throat. “The baby’s yours?” She’d felt foolish posing the question, but she hadn’t even known her twin was pregnant. “Yes, he’s mine,” Paula had confirmed with a heavy sigh, and Faith had heard neither pride nor joy in her sister’s voice. “It wasn’t supposed to happen,” her twin had continued, annoyance echoing in every word. “I forgot to take a few pills...that’s all.” “That’s all,” Faith repeated, and lifted her gaze to meet Paula’s, wondering if her sister ever thought about the consequences of her actions. “You’re not going to start lecturing me or anything, are you?” “No, I’m not going to lecture you,” Faith assured her, suddenly blinking away the moisture clinging to her lashes. “Mom and Dad must be thrilled...” she went on, and immediately caught the look of guilt that flashed in her sister’s eyes. “Haven’t you told them?” Faith asked as she followed Paula into the living room. “No, I haven’t told them,” Paula confessed. Dropping into the armchair, she glanced up at Faith. “I haven’t told anybody. I couldn’t—” She stopped abruptly. “Not after what you went through with Erica,” she added, her voice trailing off. “I see,” Faith responded softly, surprised and touched by her sister’s thoughtfulness. Glancing at her twin, Faith noted the paleness of her sister’s features, as well as the anxiety tugging at her mouth. “So, tell me. What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?” Faith asked as she lowered herself with the baby into the love seat facing the granite fireplace. “It’s complicated...” Paula replied, not quite meeting Faith’s eyes. “When hasn’t your life been complicated? You thrive on complicated,” she added in an attempt to coax a smile from her twin. Paula flashed her a fleeting grin. “I know. But this time, well...this time I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew,” she concluded with a sigh. Faith remained silent, knowing from experience it was futile to ask questions. Paula, if she felt so inclined, would explain in her own sweet time. “How old is the baby?” Faith asked as the subject of her question began to wriggle in her arms. “And if I’m not out of line...who’s the father? Anyone I know?” “The baby was born September fifteenth.” “That’s just two weeks ago. And the father?” she prompted. Paula leaned back in the armchair. “His name’s Jared McAndrew. He’s not an actor, if that’s what you’re thinking,” she added. “Well, his mother was an actress, but that doesn’t count.” “Not an actor... Now, there’s a twist,” Faith commented dryly. Paula’s grin appeared again. “He’s a lawyer, if you must know.” “A lawyer!” Faith pretended to be shocked. “How on earth did you get involved with a law-year?” “I met him through a mutual friend. At first I thought he was an actor. He’s certainly handsome enough, with gorgeous blue eyes, dark brooding looks and a cleft in his chin that’s very sexy.” She lapsed into silence, a small smile tugging at her mouth. Faith waited for her twin to say more, but she appeared to be deep in thought. “Has the baby got a name?” Faith finally asked. “Yes. His name is Nicholas Preston McAndrew. I named him after Grandpa Preston,” Paula answered, her tone softening a little with sentimentality as she spoke of their own beloved grandfather. “He’s much too little to be called Nicholas, so I just call him Nicky.” “Grandpa would have been proud and pleased,” Faith replied, still finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the baby in her arms actually belonged to her sister. Marriage and children had always been high on Faith’s list of goals, but nowhere on Paula’s. “Does the nonactor, not-in-show-business lawyer know he’s a father?” “Yes. Jared knows,” Paula responded. “Listen, sis, I’m a wreck and too exhausted to think, let alone explain everything. What I need is a couple of hours uninterrupted shut-eye. This mothering routine has worn me out. I’m beginning to think I’m not cut out for it. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since before he was born.” Faith hid a smile. “Welcome to the real world,” she said. “Go take a nap. The bed in the spare room is always made up.” “Thanks.” Paula rose from the armchair. She’d taken only a couple of steps when she stopped and turned to Faith. “Uh...it is all right. I mean, you don’t mind looking after the baby, do you?” she asked with some hesitation. Faith lifted her gaze from the sleeping infant and smiled at her twin. “No, I don’t mind,” she answered, surprised and pleased to discover she was speaking the truth. She hadn’t as much as looked at a baby, never mind held one, since Erica’s death. In fact, Faith had deliberately made a point of avoiding situations where she might run into anyone with an infant. But feeling the weight of Nicky in her arms, mingled with his sweet scent, was strangely comforting. Watching his chest rise and fall, she was mesmerized by the miracle in her arms. And holding him seemed to diminish the pain of her loss and restore a small measure of peace. “Well, Nicky,” Faith said softly, once Paula had disappeared down the hallway. “I guess it’s just you and me. By the way, I’m your aunt Faith.” Nicky’s eyes flickered open in response to her voice, and seconds later he started to cry. Carrying him into her bedroom, Faith proceeded to change and feed the infant. Afterward, she put him down in the center of her king-size bed for a nap while she tidied her workroom. Just that morning a courier had picked up the children’s illustrations she’d completed for her publisher. Paula joined her in the kitchen two hours later. After inquiring about Nicky, she filled a glass with orange juice and turned to Faith. “Listen, sis, I have to fly to L.A. tonight,” Paula suddenly announced. “Tonight?” Faith repeated with a frown. “But you just got here,” she added, disappointment tugging at her because Paula and the baby had to leave so soon. “It’s really important,” Paula continued. “It could be the turning point of my career. That’s why I had to—” She broke off. “I need to get there as soon as I can. I’ve waited so long for this and I can’t afford to blow it....” “Blow what?” Faith asked, but Paula merely shook her head and brought the glass to her lips. Paula sighed. “I don’t have time to explain all the ins and outs. I have to catch a plane. But I need to ask a favor,” she hurried on. “Anything. You know that,” Faith responded, wondering if Paula would ever tell her the whole story. “Can I leave Nicky with you?” Paula asked. Startled, Faith felt her breath catch in her throat at the unexpected request. “I know it’s asking a lot....” “What about his father? Can’t you leave Nicky with him?” Paula hesitated, and avoided Faith’s gaze. “Right now, that’s not an option. And please don’t ask me why,” Paula hurried on. “Look, it’ll only be for a couple of days...a week at the most.” Faith heard the familiar pleading note in her twin’s voice. Reaching for the towel on the drain board, she dried her hands. “Of course I’ll look after Nicky,” she said. “Take as long as you need.” Paula’s eyes instantly lit up, her features relaxing in obvious relief. “Do you mean it?” she asked breathlessly. “When have I ever been able to say no to my baby sister?” Faith teased gently. Faith suddenly found herself enfolded in Paula’s arms. “Oh, sis, thanks. This means a lot to me,” Paula mumbled before spinning away. “Oh...can I borrow some clothes? I was in such a hurry when I left, I didn’t think to take any of my regular clothes with me. I’ll hit the stores once I get to L.A.” “Sure. Check in my closet,” Faith said, only just managing to refrain from voicing the question Left where? “There’s not a lot to choose from, but help yourself,” she added. Paula had phoned the airline and, after making a reservation, had called for a taxi. While they’d waited for the cab Faith had tried to coax some more information from her twin, but Paula had ignored her questions, and had simply kept repeating that her future depended on the outcome of the trip. “I’ll know more when I get there,” Paula had said when the cab finally arrived. “I’ll call tomorrow morning, say around ten,” she’d said, and, giving Faith a final hug, she’d climbed into the taxi. But Paula hadn’t called, at least not yet. Faith set the empty baby bottle on the end table beside her. She glanced at her watch. It was past nine-thirty. Shifting Nicky to her right shoulder, she began to rub his back in slow, circular motions. Faith’s gaze drifted to the man dozing in the armchair. There could be no mistake. The description Paula had given her of Jared McAndrew the night before fitted him to a T. Asleep, he looked considerably less threatening. Several strands of jet black hair had fallen across his forehead, affording him a boyish, almost youthful appearance. But she only had to transfer her attention to the dark shadow outlining his jaw to dispel that notion. Nonetheless, Jared McAndrew’s threat to take Nicky was definitely real. A shiver chased down Faith’s spine. Should she call the police? she wondered. But even if she did, could they do anything to prevent him from taking Nicky? Paula hadn’t left her the baby’s birth certificate or any documentation to prove she was related to the child. And besides, Paula had said Jared was a lawyer, and in all likelihood that would work in his favor. Why hadn’t her twin warned her to be on the lookout for Nicky’s father? What had happened between them? Suddenly Faith recalled the comments Jared had made outside earlier, implying Paula had been running away. But why? It appeared he was unaware Paula had a twin sister, and Faith wondered if keeping that knowledge to herself, at least for time being, might give her a slight edge. She glanced again at his sleeping figure. The idea of tiptoeing past him and making her escape with Nicky was very tempting, but she sensed if she tried to leave, he would awaken. Deciding to test her theory, she tightened her hold on the baby and with her pulse starting to race, she carefully eased herself out of the rocking chair. She’d barely taken a step before the stranger’s dark, sweeping lashes lifted and a pair of piercing blue eyes met hers. “Going somewhere?” He jerked upright into a sitting position. “Nicky’s asleep,” Faith told him. “I was going to put him down for a nap.” “You named the baby Nicky?” Jared asked, rising from the chair to effectively bar her exit. “Nicholas,” she corrected, taking a step back. “Nicholas McAndrew...” he said, testing out the name. He glanced at the sleeping child in her arms and a slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Nicholas McAndrew. I like it. It’s got a nice ring to it.” “I’m glad you approve,” Faith said, fighting to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “But there’s no point putting the baby to bed,” he told her evenly. “Why not?” Faith took another step back, his nearness making her feel a little claustrophobic. “Because I’m taking him home to Grace Harbor with me.” “Grace Harbor?” Faith repeated, never having heard of the place. “Come on, Paula,” he said, his tone scathing. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but it cuts no ice with me. We had a deal, signed and sealed. And if you think you can back out of it now, you’re very much mistaken.” “A deal? What deal?” Instinctively, Faith tightened her hold on the baby, making him squirm a little in his sleep. She watched a shadow pass over Jared’s handsome features at her words, and a look of anger darkened his eyes. “Don’t play the innocent with me. You know damned well what I’m talking about.” His tone was icy as he held out his hands toward her. “If you’ll give me my son, we’ll get out of your life.” Faith stared in bewilderment at the man’s outstretched hands. Regardless of the deal he’d referred to, a deal she had no knowledge of and one he’d made with Paula, Faith simply couldn’t bring herself to hand Nicky over to him and let him walk out. She’d made a promise to look after Nicky until Paula returned from L.A.... It was a promise she intended to keep. “I can’t do that,” Faith stated with a calmness she was far from feeling. “Where Nicky goes, I go!” she blurted out, and had the satisfaction of seeing Jared McAndrew’s blue eyes widen with surprise. Chapter Two Jared held Paula’s gaze for several long seconds. Her announcement had caught him off guard, but what he found even more disturbing was the protective, almost possessive way she was holding on to the baby. “Don’t you have an audition to go to?” he asked. “I thought you were anxious to get back to L.A. and your career.” “Not at the moment,” Faith responded, yet knowing her twin’s trip to L.A. undoubtedly had everything to do with Paula wanting to resume her acting career. “Besides, how are you proposing to take care of Nicky while you drive? I didn’t see a proper safety seat in your car. Maybe you were planning to toss Nicky into the back seat and let him fend for himself.” Jared bristled at her sarcastic tone. In his race to reach San Francisco before she disappeared again, his only thought had been to find his son. He hadn’t considered the need for a car seat to transport the baby home. “And where would I find a car seat?” he asked. “There’s a baby store in the mall a couple of blocks away. You could drive there now,” she suggested, pleased he appeared concerned with Nicky’s safety. “And while I’m driving around looking for a store that probably doesn’t exist, you’ll take Nicky and run,” he countered in a cynical tone. “I don’t think so. But nice try.” Faith shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t lying—the store she’d mentioned was located in a shopping mall only a few blocks away—but his mocking tone left her in no doubt he didn’t trust her...or more accurately, he didn’t trust Paula. Somehow she’d have to stall for time, at least until Paula called...if she called. Faith bit back a sigh, wishing that Paula had told her more about the mess she was in, and about the angry, cynical and distrustful man who was Nicky’s father. “You’re not serious about coming back to Grace Harbor, are you?” Jared’s question startled her, and she met his gaze head-on. “Of course I’m serious,” she responded, anger edging her tone. “I thought you couldn’t wait to get out of there.” The baby shifted in her arms as if to remind them both of his presence. “Nicky’s only two weeks old. He needs me.” Faith saw the pulse throbbing at Jared’s jaw, and knew by the tension emanating from him that he was fighting an internal battle. “How long will it take to get the baby ready?” he asked abruptly. “We have a long drive ahead.” Relief spiraled through her. “Half an hour, maybe more,” she said, and without waiting for a reply she swept past him into the hallway. Jared let out the breath trapped in his lungs. He didn’t know what to make of Paula’s behavior. She’d sounded sincere just now when she’d said the baby needed her. It had to be an act! Giving birth couldn’t possibly have brought about such a dramatic and profound transformation, awakening the maternal instincts she’d assured him she didn’t possess. A leopard couldn’t change its spots. And if he’d learned anything about the woman during the five months she’d spent under his roof, it was that while she might have a conscience—why else had she gone through with the pregnancy instead of aborting the child?—her ultimate goal of becoming an actress remained unchanged. Jared cursed under his breath. His thoughts drifted back to the first time he’d met Paula. He’d still been living in L.A. then, and they’d been seated next to each other at a dinner party given by one of Jared’s clients. Beautiful and confident, she’d dazzled him with her smile. He’d admired her determination to succeed as an actress. Though as a rule he avoided dating would-be starlets, he’d accepted her invitation about a week later to partner her to a party. They’d gone out several times after that, but lost touch once he moved to Grace Harbor. But on a visit to L.A., he’d run into her at one of his old favorite haunts. She was celebrating her birthday with friends and insisted he join them. On impulse he’d invited her back to his hotel room for a nightcap. They’d had several, and later he wasn’t sure who had seduced whom.... When she’d tracked him down to tell him she was carrying his child, he’d asked her to marry him. She’d laughed and turned him down. He’d quickly realized she had an agenda all her own, an agenda that didn’t include raising a child. That’s when the lawyer in him had taken over. He’d drawn up an agreement, one he believed was in the child’s best interests, one stating she would give him full custody of the baby once it was born. The reason he’d wanted to put everything in writing was to protect his son. That desire had stemmed from memories of his own childhood, a childhood spent being dragged around the country by his mother, a struggling actress, who’d been bent on chasing her own dream of stardom. He’d grown to hate the life-style she’d subjected him to, the instability, the nomadic existence, and he’d been adamant no child of his would suffer as he had. Paula had seemed relieved at his willingness to assume full responsibility for the child. She’d signed the papers without protest, assuring him acting was all she’d ever wanted to do, and that he needn’t worry about her changing her mind. Under the terms of the agreement, Paula had moved in to the guest room at his home in Oregon to await the birth of the baby. She’d stuck rigidly to the high-protein diet and regular exercise the doctor had recommended, succeeding in keeping her weight gain to a minimum. But that hadn’t stopped her grumbling about her expanding waistline and complaining daily about how the pregnancy was ruining her figure. She’d grown restless and impatient for the birth to be over, and as her due date drew near, Jared had awakened several times during the night to hear Paula talking on the phone. Everything had been going according to plan, and he’d convinced himself she was simply making arrangements for her return to L.A. But two days before the baby’s due date, she’d suddenly and inexplicably disappeared, leaving him shaken, confused and very angry. After hiring a private detective to find her, he’d called every hospital in Oregon and Washington in an attempt to locate her himself, to no avail. The only explanation he could think of for her abrupt departure was she’d had a change of heart... and had decided to keep the baby after all. While he longed to reject the notion out of hand, he found he couldn’t dismiss it altogether, not after watching the loving way she’d changed and fed the baby. Nor could he quite forget the hint of sadness he’d glimpsed in the shimmering depths of her green eyes...a sadness that puzzled him. Jared frowned. If he didn’t know better, he would almost swear Paula had changed...that she was a different person altogether. “How long will it take to get to...uh, Grace Harbor?” The question cut into Jared’s chaotic thoughts, and he turned to find Paula in the doorway. “It depends on the traffic and how many stops we make for the baby. All being well, we should get home sometime late tonight,” he told her. “Then I really think Nicky should be in a proper car seat.” “Fine. If the store you mentioned does in fact exist, we’ll stop and buy one.” “Thank you.” Faith said, relieved at his response. “The baby’s stroller and my knapsack are by the front door,” she told him, having already packed some clothes and her sketch pad, charcoal and pencils for the trip. “I still have to make up a few bottles and pack Nicky’s diaper bag.” Spinning away. she headed for the kitchen. It was almost ten, and if Paula kept her promise, she would be calling very soon. When Faith heard the front door being opened she sighed with relief. Peeking out of the kitchen window, she watched Nicky’s father carry the stroller and knapsack to his car. Suddenly the silence was shattered by the telephone ringing. Faith quickly grabbed for the receiver, her pulse thundering loudly in her ears. “Hello!” “Faith? Hi! It’s me.” “Paula! Oh...I’m so glad you called.” “Is something wrong?” “Nicky’s father’s here,” Faith said, her heart hammering wildly. “At least, he says he’s Nicky’s father. He arrived out of the blue this morning.” She stretched the phone cord to enable her to look outside. “Jared’s there? You have to be joking!” Paula responded, shock in her voice. “It’s no joke, believe me.” “Yes...but, how—?” Paula broke off, then hurried on. “Describe him.” “Describe him?” Faith threw a panicked glance at Jared standing at the trunk of his car. “He’s just like you said,” she replied, and then briefly described him. “That’s Jared, all right,” Paula said, her voice echoing over the wire. “He says he’s come to take Nicky home with him.” Faith hurried on, all the while keeping an eye on Jared. “He’s rude and arrogant, and he said something about you two having a deal. What kind of deal? What does he mean?” “What did you tell him?” Paula asked, ignoring her question. “I told him Nicky wasn’t going anywhere without me. He keeps calling me Paula. Doesn’t he know you have a twin sister?” Paula was silent for a moment, and Faith could almost hear the wheels spinning in her sister’s head as she plotted out a strategy. “Are you saying he thinks you’re me?” Paula finally asked. “Yes. I tried to set him straight, but he wouldn’t listen.” She watched as Jared closed the trunk and moved to the driver’s door. “Maybe you should talk to him, tell him I’m only looking after Nicky until you get back.” “No...that’s not a good idea.” “But surely you don’t want me to just hand Nicky over to him, do you?” she went on, at a loss to understand her sister’s lack of concern for her baby. Her question was met with silence. “Paula! Are you still there?” “I’m still here.” “What’s going on? There’s something you’re not telling me. Did you run away from this man? Was he physically abusing you?” she asked, as this possible explanation for her sister’s strange behavior jumped into her mind. “No! No...it’s nothing like that,” Paula assured her. “But he is very controlling. He told me I’d better forget about my acting career, and if I insisted on pursuing it, he’d fight me for sole custody of the baby, and do everything in his power to stop me from ever seeing Nicky again.” Faith drew a startled breath. “Oh, how awful!” she responded, angered by Jared’s arrogance and his dictatorial attitude. “What do you want me to do?” “It would really help if I knew you were looking after Nicky. Will you do that for me?” “I’ll stay with him, I promise.” “And if you could play along with Jared—” “Play along? But why?” “If you tell him who you are, chances are he’ll throw you out. Couldn’t you just do it for a little while? For Nicky’s sake. Just until I can talk to a lawyer and get some advice on how I should proceed,” Paula pleaded. “Oh...all right,” Faith reluctantly agreed. “Thanks sis. It really means a lot to me. Ah...listen, I’ve got to go. I’ll be in touch. I know where to find you.” “Wait...” Faith began, but her sister had already hung up. Faith slowly replaced the receiver. There had been something in her sister’s voice, something Faith found infinitely disturbing. “Who were you talking to?” Jared’s appearance startled her. His question cut through her wayward thoughts, sending a guilty flush to her cheeks. “No one...it was a wrong number.” Faith managed to keep her voice even. “By the way, if we are stopping at the baby store, we should pick up a few tins of formula and another package of diapers,” she added, in the hope of diverting his attention from the call. “Aren’t you carrying this doting-mother act a bit too far?” Jared commented. “I don’t know what you mean.” “All right, Paula, we’ll play it your way,” he said, with more than a hint of impatience. “Let’s get this show on the road.” Faith closed the flap on the diaper bag and held it out to him. “I’ll get Nicky.” As she handed Jared the bag, his fingers brushed against hers, sending a ripple of sensation scampering up her arm. Faith’s gaze flew to meet his, but his stare was icy and unreadable, giving nothing away. Faith turned away and headed down the hall to her bedroom, where Nicky lay on her bed, contentedly asleep. Gently gathering the baby into her arms and wrapping him in his baby blanket, Faith grabbed her keys from the dresser and left the room. “Your friend is trusting indeed to give you your own set of keys,” Jared commented after she’d finished locking the door. Faith made no response as they crossed to the car. Jared opened the passenger door for her, and with great care she settled herself and her precious cargo into the leather bucket seat. Reaching behind her for the strap of the seat belt, she suddenly found herself staring into a pair of dazzling blue eyes. “Let me do that,” Jared said and, pulling the seat belt, he leaned across to secure it. Her breath locked in her throat as she shrank back against the upholstery. The faint smell of pine mingling with a darker, earthier scent that was decidedly male assailed her, and she felt her heart stumble against her ribs in response. The instant Jared withdrew and closed the car door, Faith released the breath she was holding, and waited for her heart to find its usual rhythm, silently admonishing herself for reacting. “Which way is the store?” Jared asked a few moments later as he eased the car out of the driveway. “Take the first street on the left, and you’ll see the parking lot in about three blocks,” Faith answered, keeping her gaze firmly focused on the road ahead. Half an hour later Nicky was safely ensconced in his brand-new car seat. Faith glanced at the clock on the dashboard, calculating that it would probably be another hour before Nicky would need changing and feeding. Faith was silent as her companion drove under the sign indicating they were entering the freeway that would take them north. During her rather rushed conversation with Paula she hadn’t even thought to ask her twin about Grace Harbor or its location. The license plate on the car told her he was from Oregon, and with a name like Grace Harbor, it had to be somewhere on the coast. But much as she longed to ask Jared, she decided silence was the best policy. Shifting her attention to the traffic on the busy freeway, she began to relax, enjoying the comfort and luxury his car offered. She even began to take pleasure in the ride, silently acknowledging that had everything to do with Jared’s driving skills. Unlike Glen, her ex-husband, Jared McAndrew was a highly competent driver, a driver who inspired confidence in his passengers, not anxiety. Jared appeared unperturbed by the poor driving habits of his fellow travelers. Instead of shouting and cursing at a driver who cut in front of him, he merely adjusted his speed, or calmly shifted lanes whenever the need arose. Jared...Jared McAndrew. She let the name slide silently over her tongue. Solid and strong, she thought, much like the man himself. Paula had said he was a controlling man, and Faith could easily relate and sympathize, having been married to a man who’d tried to rule her life. But while Jared had been both rude and arrogant, demanding she hand over his son, and while his attitude toward the woman he believed had given birth to his son had been less than chivalrous, she found she couldn’t fault him for the love and commitment he obviously felt toward his baby. And what about the deal Jared had mentioned? What was that about? Stifling a sigh, Faith glanced into the back seat to check on Nicky, marveling at how good a baby he was and the fact that he was still asleep. “Is he all right?” The softly spoken query came from the man at her side. “Yes,” Faith replied. “He sleeps a lot But I guess that’s normal.” Faith heard the faint trace of anxiety in his voice. “Newborns do sleep a lot. But they can have their wakeful and fussy times, too. Erica had a fussy time—” She broke off abruptly, realizing with a sudden horror what she’d said. “Erica? Who’s Erica?” Jared threw her a puzzled glance. Faith swallowed nervously. “Uh... Erica was just a kid I used to baby-sit,” she improvised. “Really,” he said, though the skepticism in his voice told her he didn’t believe a word she’d said. “As long as Nicky’s asleep, I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me why you ran off?” His change of topic caught Faith totally off guard. She had no idea how to respond to his question. “No,” she said after a lengthy pause, praying silently he wouldn’t pursue the matter. But the look Jared shot her told Faith he had other ideas. “Did you leave because you’d changed your mind about our agreement?” Glancing across at his profile. Faith noted the taut lines around his mouth as well as the stiffness of his jaw. Why did he look fearful of her reply? What agreement? she wanted to ask, wishing again she’d insisted on a more detailed explanation from Paula before agreeing to participate in this charade. “Cat got your tongue?” Jared flashed her a challenging look before returning his gaze once more to the road and the fast-moving traffic. Faith said nothing as she stared down at his hands resting confidently on the steering wheel. It was then that she noticed the shiny gold band circling the fourth finger of his left hand. Her heart slammed against her breastbone in startled reaction, as the significance of the ring registered. What bizarre game was her twin playing? Why hadn’t Paula mentioned she and Jared McAndrew were married? Why hadn’t Paula warned her she’d been cast in the role of counterfeit wife? Chapter Three The drive was pleasant and uneventful. They made several stops along the way to feed and change Nicky, including one outside Portland for supper. As they waited for their hamburgers to arrive, Nicky began to fuss. Faith was surprised when Jared offered to hold him. He held her gaze in silent challenge, and, more than a little curious to see how he would deal with his fractious son, she handed him the baby. She watched in admiration as Jared made caressing circles on his son’s back. When he nestled Nicky into the curve of his neck and kissed the top of the baby’s head, Faith’s throat closed over with emotion, and tears gathered in her eyes. Glen hadn’t bothered to stick around long enough to see his daughter. But even before she discovered she was pregnant, she’d suspected him of having an affair. She’d been midway through her pregnancy when the doctor had informed them there were major problems, that their baby would be born with multiple defects and with little chance of survival. Glen had taken his anger and frustration out on her, verbally berating her, blaming her for everything, before leaving for greener pastures. Terminating the pregnancy hadn’t been an option Faith had even considered, and so she’d struggled on alone, trying to come to terms with the harsh reality that her baby would not survive. After Erica was born, Faith had insisted on taking the baby home, and the doctors had reluctantly agreed. The memories of those few precious days she’d had with her daughter had enabled her to work through some of her guilt and grief, and had eventually given her strength to go on. Through lowered lashes Faith watched Jared attempt to quiet his son’s urgent cries by gently rocking him and murmuring soft words. She admired his ability to remain calm in the face of Nicky’s cries, and was impressed that he appeared to be totally unfazed by the stares from the other patrons of the restaurant. When he smiled down at Nicky, the look of love Faith glimpsed in his eyes stirred old longings and brought an ache to her chest. Blinking back tears stinging her eyes, Faith concentrated on the hamburger the waitress had just brought. “It isn’t too late.” Jared’s voice cut through the silence. Frowning, she met his gaze. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” “If you’re having second thoughts, I can take you into Portland and drop you at the bus station,” he said, his tone cool and indifferent. Faith kept her voice steady. “I’m not leaving Nicky,” she said, and caught the grudging respect that flashed in his eyes. Later, after Nicky had fallen asleep in his arms, Jared had finished his own meal. Then, bundling the still-sleeping infant into his blanket, Jared paid the waitress and headed out to the car. They continued their journey north in silence. Soon the warmth from the car’s heater made Faith drowsy, and unable to fight off the wave of tiredness, she dozed off. Almost an hour later the change in the car’s rhythm roused her. Opening her eyes, she realized they were no longer on the freeway. Darkness had descended, making it impossible to see the surrounding countryside. For a fleeting second a feeling of panic gripped her, sending her heart fluttering in her breast. She had no idea where she was going. No idea what to expect once they reached Grace Harbor. And no idea whether she could, or should, in view of the ring on Jared’s finger, go on pretending to be her twin. Faith drew a steadying breath and turned to study his silhouette. Undoubtedly aware that she’d awakened, he cast a quick glance in her direction. Even in the shadowed darkness of the car’s interior she felt the impact of his gaze, and a ripple of sensation danced across her nerve endings. She immediately turned her attention to the beam of headlights on the road ahead, silently acknowledging that he was indeed one of the most attractive men she’d ever encountered. But looks could be deceiving. Glen Nelson had also been an attractive man, but behind his dynamic good looks there lurked a controlling and self-centered man. Glen had been one of her instructors at the art college she’d attended. He was a well-known artist in his own right, so she’d been flattered by his attentions and by the compliments he’d afforded her work. Although he was twenty years her senior, she’d developed a crush on him, and when he asked her to accompany him to an art show in town, she’d eagerly accepted. They’d had so many interests in common, or so she’d thought, and she’d felt comfortable and at ease with him. Six months later they’d had a quiet wedding, with only her parents and Glen’s sister in attendance. Almost from the moment the ceremony was over he’d changed, and it wasn’t long before she came to the realization that having a wife much younger than himself fed his already overblown ego. He loved to show her off to his friends and colleagues as if she were a trophy, insensitive and uncaring of his wife’s feelings. Annoyed at the route her thoughts had taken, Faith closed the door on her memories, and suddenly through a break in the trees she glimpsed an array of twinkling lights. The trees at last thinned out to reveal a peaceful little community she guessed must be Grace Harbor. Her gaze slid beyond the lights to what appeared to be ribbons of silver shimmering and undulating in the moonlight. The ocean! Of course! She had to be looking at the powerful and magnificent Pacific Ocean. “Oh...how beautiful,” she exclaimed. Her comment drew Jared’s gaze. “I thought you hated the ocean,” he said dryly. Faith silently admonished herself for her lapse. What Jared said was true. Ever since Paula had fallen out of a sailboat during a storm when they were teens, nearly drowning in the process, she’d detested the ocean. “Uh...I was just admiring the view,” Faith muttered, reminding herself that while she and her twin were almost identical in appearance, their preferences and personalities had often been in opposing camps. “Admiring the view...” Jared repeated, his tone mocking. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.” Faith heard the underlying skepticism in his voice and wondered at the animosity and cynicism he continually directed toward her, or more accurately toward Paula, his wife and the mother of his child. There had been times throughout the long drive north she’d been tempted to blurt out the truth, to tell Jared she wasn’t Paula. But each time she’d glanced at his unsmiling and forbidding profile, she’d felt her courage evaporate. She had to keep reminding herself of Jared’s plan to fight for sole custody of Nicky, and his threat to deprive Paula of her son. These were reasons enough for her to continue with the deception, at least until Paula contacted a lawyer. Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию (https://www.litres.ru/moyra-tarling/the-baby-arrangement/?lfrom=688855901) на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.