Baby Love by catherine anderson

Author:catherine anderson [anderson, catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)
Published: 2012-02-16T16:00:00+00:00

212 CATHERINE ANDERSON

making him angry. Getting through tonight would be enough of an ordeal without that.

Nearly twenty minutes passed before he pushed open the door. He held a silver tray balanced in his hands. Tucked under one arm, he carried two silver candle-holders bearing long tapers. "Hi, " he said, flashing a grin as he came toward her. "I decided we should celebrate by sipping fine wine from my grandmother's Wa-terford. "

Maggie gazed at the delicate, long-stemmed goblets. "They're lovely. "

"She collected it for years. My grandmother gave it to my mother on her wedding day, and she, in turn, gave it to Susan on hers. The entire set will be yours now. "

A lump of resentment rose in Maggie's throat. She was living in Susan's house, had possibly been sleeping in her bed, and now she had married the woman's husband and was inheriting her wedding gifts.

Secondhand Maggie. She felt like an interloper.

He shoved the lamp and telephone aside with his forearm to make room on the beside table. Becca had gone to a lot of trouble, laying out finger foods on lacy paper doilies: cheeses, slivers of dill pickle, green and black olives, sliced ham and beef, and dainty crackers. He'd also brought along the bottle of wine.

"For refills, " he explained when he saw her looking at it. "I thought—" He straightened and pushed at his hair, which had fallen over his forehead in loose, glistening black waves. He looked nervous and sort of harried, as if he'd been rushing around and was only just now getting a chance to catch his breath. As he uncorked the bottle and poured them each some wine with an economy of motion, he said, "I know you're a little nervous. I thought this might help. "

"Can I have the whole bottle?"

The words no sooner popped out than Maggie wanted to kick herself. But instead of seeming perturbed, Rafe only laughed. Still smiling, he sat down and settled a

BABY LOVE 213

thoughtful gaze on her. Two seconds in, and Maggie started to feel as if those gray-blue eyes were turning her skin inside out. She plucked tensely at the dusty-rose fuzz of the blanket.

"You really are nervous, " he finally said, his voice low and silky. "I apologize for that. I've been so busy making arrangements, I put you on hold and ignored you. "

"You've taken care of the two people who matter most to me. I don't mind being put on hold. Really. "

"I'll just bet you don't, " he said, his tone laced with gentle amusement. "And that's my fault. I should have been trying to make you feel more at ease about this. "

"You've tried. " Maggie lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "I'm sorry I'm—it's just—kind of sudden. I mean, in ways I feel as if I've known you forever. I hate being in bed, so every minute I've been sick has seemed years long. But then I think—did I even know you a week ago? I'm—"

"You don't have to explain.

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