Best of Man of the Month--4 Book Box Set by Maureen Child

Author:Maureen Child
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2010-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

When Loren woke the next morning with her period she was torn between relief that she wasn’t yet forced to bring a baby into a loveless marriage and sorrow that the intimacy they’d shared in so much happier times, no matter how orchestrated, had not resulted in a child to love. After taking care of her needs she carried on through into the sitting room of their suite. Her maid usually ensured a tray was sent up for Loren each morning with her preference of cereal and yogurt for breakfast together with freshly squeezed orange juice. Loren usually took this quiet time in the morning to review the papers and plan her day.

She was surprised, however, to see Alex pacing the carpet when she pushed open her chamber door.

“Abuelo?” she asked, one hand to her throat. “Is everything all right?”

“Sí, he is resting comfortably. That is not why I’m here.”

“Oh? What is it, then?” Loren went instantly on the defensive. “Ready to go for round two in the baby debate?”

“There is no debate,” Alex responded, his voice harsh.

“Well, there certainly is no debate today. I have my period. You can go and carry on with whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing today.”

“Are you certain?”

Loren just stared at him. She knew she looked anything but her usual self this morning. The cramps had started in earnest shortly after she’d gone to bed and had kept her awake for the rest of the night. Her reflection in the mirror had shown her cheeks were pale, her eyes dark and shadowed.

“I will contact the doctor today and find out what is necessary to instigate the procedure.”

Alex rubbed one hand across his eyes and sighed.

“Loren, it doesn’t have to be like this.”

“Yes, Alex, it does. We wouldn’t want there to be any further mistakes, now would we?”

“You have taken my words out of context,” he argued back.

“Just how out of context?”

Alex felt a swirl of helplessness eddy within him in the growing whirlpool of frustration he’d been feeling since the previous night. If only he could convince her to listen to what he’d really meant. Caution warned him that today was probably not the best time to broach the subject of his innermost thoughts. She was unlikely to believe him if he declared his love for her right now, and given how he’d dissembled to her already he could hardly blame her.

Just seeing her like this, looking bruised and fragile, made him want to sweep her into his arms and tuck her back into her bed. To force her to relax and regain her strength. To be the vibrant young woman he’d reintroduced himself to in New Zealand.

“I do not wish to banter with you about something as important as this when you are clearly not at your best. Perhaps when you are feeling better and more amenable to discussion—”

“This is not just some passing mood, Alex! I’m serious. As far as I am concerned, until we are discussing the creation of our child, we have nothing else to say to one another.

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