The Would-Be Daddy by Jacqueline Diamond

Author:Jacqueline Diamond
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-02-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

A dark tide of worry surged through Marshall as he exited the freeway. True, Franca had reported after a moment that she’d experienced a single cramp and suffered no bleeding. But she still might be in danger.

She’d claimed she was well enough to drive the short distance to her apartment. “I overreacted, that’s all. I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

“For your sake and the baby’s, wait for me there.” Ultimately, she’d provided the address.

In the clinic parking lot, Marshall broke into a run, his mind conjuring up a horrific scene of Franca collapsed on the floor. Yanking open the door, he was overjoyed to find her on a sofa, calmly leafing through a magazine. “No further problems?”

“Just boredom.” A smile softened her mouth. “It was kind of you to rush over, but unnecessary.”

“How do you feel?” He ached to touch her.

“Embarrassed,” Franca said.

He dropped into a chair. “Are you sure you’re both okay?”

“Yes.” A pucker formed between her eyebrows. “But if it was over, I imagine you...that you might be...relieved.”

“What?” Marshall shot to his feet. How had she developed such a disgusting idea about him? “Do you really have such a low opinion of me?”

Franca’s small, warm hand caught his wrist. “Of course not. I misunderstood your reaction to the pregnancy.”

“That’s one hell of a misunderstanding!”

“You mentioned the morning-after pill.” She stroked his arm. “Sit down, Marshall. I’m getting a crick in my neck looking up at you.”

He obeyed stiffly. “I brought that up for your sake. I had no idea how you felt about having a baby. I still don’t.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “While I wouldn’t have chosen these circumstances, I love this baby.”

Then marry me! However, issuing commands might provoke a fight. How frustrating. When he’d tried to be empathetic and suggested the morning-after pill, she’d assumed he didn’t want the baby. If he pressed her to marry him, she’d assume some other wrongheaded thing.

“Now that you can see that I’m fine, I’m heading home,” Franca said.

“I’ll follow, okay? If you have any problems, flash your lights.”

Her lips pressed together. Then, with a sigh, Franca conceded, “That’s kind of you.”

“I’m on your side,” Marshall said. “Whether you believe that or not.”

Her gaze searched his face. “You do have your moments.”

What did that mean? Marshall refused to prolong their fruitless discussion. “Lead the way, madam.”

Franca arose with no sign of pain. Marshall allowed himself to breathe again. She really was okay.

* * *

AS SHE LED Marshall into her apartment, Franca tried viewing the place from his perspective. Compared to his house, the living room was small, with plain, thrift-store furnishings. “Pretty far from a mansion at the beach,” she conceded.

He smiled. “Yes, but it’s yours. Did you make the comforter?”

“My mom crocheted it,” She fingered the bright colors thrown over the back of the sofa.

“I can’t imagine my mother crocheting anything.”

She remembered Mildred Davis stalking out of the wedding dinner. “Have you reconciled with her?”

“Afraid not.” He studied the scenic photos. “Do these have special meaning for you?”

“My brother shot them near his home in Montana.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.