A Promise for the Baby by Jennifer Lohmann

Author:Jennifer Lohmann
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

KARL WAS READING over his notes when the smell of cigarettes invaded his nose. Greta must have just been outside smoking because it was almost a full minute before his assistant entered his office, following the potent smell.

“How’s your wife?”

Vivian had looked lovely each time he’d seen her at Healthy Food this week. “She’s fine.”

“Which means she’s still living with your mother. Tell your mom thanks for the doughnuts, by the way.”

Greta wasn’t here for anything more than gossip, so Karl ignored the first statement, said, “Okay,” to the second. Then he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk.

His assistant wasn’t dissuaded so easily. “It’s a real shame your pregnant wife is living with your mom.”

How did Greta know Vivian was pregnant? He’d been a fool to think he could keep anything a secret in Chicago. It may be a big city, but between the neighborhoods, churches and close-knit immigrant communities, he might as well have gotten a plane to write a message in the sky. Or had Dan told Mike at the blog CarpeChicago. He knew as well as anyone that eventually all secrets found their way to the glaring light of day.

He flipped his legal pad to read what he’d written on the next page. “My mom just had a heart attack. Vivian is very graciously taking care of her and helping out at Healthy Food.”

Hell, Vivian sounded like a saint when he described her like that. Karl reevaluated his words, then decided against correcting himself. His wife was taking care of his mother and helping out at Healthy Food, a job she had taken on before his mother had known she was carrying the beloved first grandchild. Vivian either had nerves worthy of Captain Cook or had desperately needed a place to stay that wasn’t in Nevada—and wasn’t his apartment. Karl didn’t discount the possibility that both factors had played a role.

“You’re newlyweds. You should be cooing over each other. Giggling and otherwise being cute enough to make your dearest friends barf.”

Karl didn’t look up from the page he wasn’t reading. “Greta, we’re at work, and my wife and I shouldn’t be subjects of work-time discussions.” He didn’t expect the admonishment to have any effect, but it was worth a try.

“How do you expect to keep your marriage healthy if you and your wife aren’t living together?” She put her hands on her hips and peered down her nose at him. “And you’re having a child together.”

“Greta,” he said, trying to put a warning into his voice.

But she didn’t care. She’d mothered previous inspector generals and she’d mother future inspector generals. “I never met your ex-wife and why you got a divorce is none of my business.”

Nothing about his personal life was any of Greta’s business, but that’d never stopped her from interfering before.

“But that baby is more important than any little argument you may have had that sent your wife to your mother’s. And, next time you fight, you should have to go live with your mother.

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