His Expectant Neighbor by Susan Meier

Author:Susan Meier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Gwen didn’t even ask why Ben hadn’t stopped in to say hello the next morning when he dropped off Nathan, except today she also knew that he wouldn’t be coming for lunch that afternoon. If what Hannah told her was correct, Ben wasn’t in the market for a commitment. Because she was pregnant, he undoubtedly saw her as a woman who needed a commitment, and in a sense that was true. She wasn’t getting involved with another man who would ultimately leave her. Which made their kiss the night before no different from the first one. It was a mistake. Something that never should have happened. But since it kept happening, since they seemed to be drawn to each other, Ben’s way of solving the problem was to avoid her.

Confused by her disappointment, because she shouldn’t want a relationship with Ben any more than he appeared to want a relationship with her, Gwen decided she needed a bigger diversion than either Nathan or work could provide. Telling her nine-year-old friend that they were going to shake things up a bit with an adventure, she drove them to Hannah’s house.

Though Gwen had stayed with Hannah for her first two weeks in Storkville and knew all about the day-care center Hannah ran from her beautiful Victorian home, she was surprised to find that children filled the main room with laughter and noise.

“I didn’t know you took kids Saturday mornings,” Gwen said as she guided Nathan through the front door and into the fray.

“With Christmas less than four months away, everybody’s trying to get extra money by working overtime, especially the shopkeepers.”

Gwen laughed. “I suppose.”

“And speaking of shopkeepers, here comes one now,” Hannah said, reaching out to take the hand of the first of three children walking in around Gwen and Nathan.

Gwen stepped out of the way. “My goodness! The triplets!”

“Aren’t they gorgeous!” Hannah said, removing the hat of the little boy, then kissing him soundly on the cheek. “Hello, Lukas.”

Three-year-old Lukas shyly looked at the floor.

“These are Molly and Kelly.” Hannah introduced the children to Nathan, who stood wide-eyed beside Gwen.

“And this nice lady is their mother, Dana Hewitt.” Gwen picked up the introduction for Nathan, pointing out the brunette with the friendly gray eyes. “She manages Bassinets and Booties. It’s a store in town where mothers can buy everything they need for their babies. Dana, this is Nathan Eastman. He helps me lift and bend and stretch, since I’m on my own now.”

“How do you do,” Dana said, extending her hand to shake Nathan’s.

Gwen glanced down at her protruding stomach. “It looks like I’ll be a customer soon.”

“We have some great inventory,” Dana said enthusiastically, removing her coat. “I think you’ll have a good time just browsing.”

“I’m sure I will,” Gwen agreed, happy to have something to think about to take her mind off Ben. Darn his hide, anyway, for kissing her! Why did he have to keep confusing their situation?

“Can you stay for coffee?” Hannah asked Dana, and Dana glanced at her watch.

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