Stone Creek 6 - At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller

Author:Linda Lael Miller
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Man-woman relationships, Bed and breakfast accommodations, Travel, Government investigators, Contemporary, General, Romance, Bed & Breakfast, Fiction, Love stories
ISBN: 9780373654871
Publisher: Silhouette
Published: 2009-11-01T08:22:09+00:00

“I can’t just turn my back on him, Liv,” Tanner said. “Not even for you.”

“What about Sophie? What about John and Sam? They need their father, and I need my husband!”

Tanner started to speak, then stopped himself. Ashley saw a small muscle bunch in his jaw, go slack.

Ginger whimpered again, still gazing up at Olivia in adoring sorrow, her dog eyes liquid.

“That’s easy for you to say,” Olivia told the dog.

“This is why I didn’t want to stay here,” Ashley told Tanner sadly. “I’ve been in this house for five minutes, and I’m already causing trouble.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Olivia said, her voice and expression softening, her eyes still shining with tears. “Before Big John died, when Brad was away from home, busy with his career, I promised our grandfather I’d look after you and Melissa, and I intend to keep my word, Ashley.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore,” Ashley reminded her sister.

Olivia didn’t answer. She was intent on tucking either John or Sam against her shoulder, patting his tiny back. The receiving blanket still covered her. When the burp came, Olivia smiled proudly.

Tanner stood up, gently took his son and carried him out of the kitchen.

Olivia straightened her clothing and laid the blanket aside. Gave Ginger a few reassuring strokes on the head before sending the animal back to her bed nearby.

“You are going to be the most amazing mother,” Ashley said.

“Don’t try to change the subject,” Olivia warned. She was smiling, but her eyes remained moist and fierce with determination to protect her little sister. “So, you really are in love with Jack McCall?”

“Afraid so,” Ashley replied. “And I think it’s forever.”

“Is he planning to stay this time?” Olivia’s tone was kind, if wary.

Ashley raised her shoulders slightly, lowered them again. “He paid for two weeks at the B&B,” she said.

Olivia’s eyes narrowed, then widened. “Two weeks? That’s all?”

“It’s something,” Ashley said, feeling like a candidate for some reality show about women trying to get over the wrong man. She made a lame attempt at a joke. “If we decide to make this permanent, I won’t be charging him for bed and board.”

Olivia didn’t laugh, or even smile. “What if he leaves?”

“I think there’s a good chance that he will,” Ashley admitted. Then, without thinking, she rested one hand against her lower belly.

Olivia read the gesture with unerring accuracy. “Ashley—are you pregnant?”

“It’s too early to know, doctor,” Ashley said. “Unless there’s a second-day test out there that I haven’t heard about.”

“Unprotected sex? Ashley, what are you thinking?”

“For once, I’m not. And it’s kind of a relief.”

“What if there’s a baby? Jack might not be around to help you raise it.”

“I’d manage, Olivia, as other women do, and have since cave days, if not longer.”

“A child needs a father,” Olivia said.

“Spoken like a very lucky woman with a husband who adores her,” Ashley answered, without a shred of malice.

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