The Boss's Baby Arrangement by CATHERINE MANN

Author:CATHERINE MANN
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Eight

Xander slipped on his aviator sunglasses as he stepped outside. Looking for Maureen.

Less than a week until their wedding. Until he could have her. But for now, he’d settle just to see her. Maureen’s presence had a steadying effect on him, like a constant drumbeat in a song.

He had a sneaking suspicion of where he’d find her today. His paces eating up the ground fast, he made his way to the wild bird sanctuary and rehab facility. The covered screen area rose high as a palm tree, maybe about twenty feet tall. Maureen worked in the screened area, every bit the sexy wood nymph.

Her hair twisted on her head in a messy ballerina bun, she wiped beads of sweat from her brow. The Florida sun worked overtime, heating the air, turning the midday afternoon sticky with unbridled humidity.

And she still looked damn good.

Xander stood back a moment, drinking her in. She hadn’t noticed him yet. He recognized one of the birds from the boat oil spill. The bird seemed to test its wings, stretching them as it perched on her arm.

She cooed at it. Patient. Encouraging. The bird cocked its head at her, as if trying to understand.

“There we go. You’ve got it.” As if in response, the bird bristled its chest, white feathers puffing. But it made no attempt to leave her arm.

“Maybe later, love.” She sat the small bird down on a nearby branch. It chirped at her as she turned her attention to an African gray parrot. One with a splinted broken wing. She scrutinized the wing, nose crinkling as she inspected it.

As he approached, Xander noted the way the days out in the sun had left her skin slightly pink. A sunburn, but it colored her fair skin in the appearance of a fixed blush.

Stepping up behind her, he cleared his throat. “Shouldn’t you be planning the wedding?”

“We could just go to a justice of the peace.”

“We could, but we’re looking to make this appear as legit as possible for both our sakes. Need I remind you how high the stakes are for you and for Rose?” The words came out sharply, but damn it, she needed to take this seriously.

Stroking the African gray’s feathers, she returned the bird to the low branch.

Casting him a glance over her shoulder, she replied, even-keeled as ever. “You can calm down. Portia and I have everything mapped out. Portia and I already called the caterer and florist this morning. All will be taken care of.”

“And your dress?” The dress he wanted to see and then promptly relieve her of.

She chewed her full bottom lip. “I, uh, I’ll have one.”

“I certainly hope so.”

“I have evenings to shop.” Her voice wavered and her hands went to her hair, a sign of fraying nerves.

“There are parties planned, you know. As my wife, there will be more functions to attend. It will be good for the refuge, too.”

“I understand and I can handle it.”

He hooked his arms around her. “Part of this whole deal is appearing like a couple.

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.