Expecting a Fortune by Nina Crespo

Author:Nina Crespo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-12-20T17:21:26+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“So it’s true?” Lauren’s voice rose an octave. “What happened to our agreement about letting the other know about major changes in our lives?”

Devin took several steps toward the cluster of bushes on the back wall behind Lauren’s house. She followed him.

They were yards past the deck and screened-in pool, but the window in Carly’s room upstairs faced the backyard. She’d been in her room since hearing about Bea and the baby. And, not surprisingly, she was upset about what she’d found out.

Michaela and the damn pizza oven had struck again. Carly had been over at her friend’s house when Michaela’s older sister, Emma, had spilled the news. The same Emma who’d brought Francis to the outdoor play area and delivered the leash to him and Bea at the truck. She’d witnessed them together and overheard them talking about the baby.

Devin modulated his voice. “I didn’t intentionally break our agreement. My relationship with Bea happened recently.”

“And the two of you decided to have a baby already.”

During the subsequent pause, as Lauren looked at his face, her eyes widened. “It wasn’t planned? Well, that’s definitely going to spice up the next birds-and-bees conversation I have with Carly. The good thing is you probably made the conversation about telling her she’s moving to Corpus Christi a lot easier.”

“Moving?” He worked to control his tone. “That’s something we’re still discussing with the mediator on Monday.”

“Seriously? The main reason our marriage ended was because our relationship fell second or third to everything else. Do you really think you can balance having a baby, being the primary co-parent of our daughter, and running the newspaper?”

The main reason? Devin struggled to get past Lauren’s claim about what had caused their marriage to collapse. They’d grown apart. At least that was how he saw it. But debating their points of view on why they’d divorced wouldn’t change anything.

“I can’t undo the past. But I can and will build a future that includes Carly, Bea, and the child she and I are having together.”

As Lauren shook her head, exasperation filled her face. She opened her mouth to speak, then she shut it. “There’s no point in discussing it now.” She pointed to the house. “What are you going to tell our daughter?”

“The truth.”

“If telling her the truth doesn’t work, you’re about to have an interesting week,” Lauren told him. “I have to go to Corpus Christi for a meeting. I leave on Tuesday, and she’s all yours until after her event on Saturday.”

“What event?” he asked.

“The school fundraiser. I sent you the text the other day.”

“Right. I’ll handle it.” Somehow he’d missed it. He’d search through his messages when he got home. But first he needed to straighten things out with his daughter.

Moments later, Devin sat with Carly at the patio table on the deck. Her arms were crossed over her chest. The stubborn look on her face as she stared out at the pool reminded him of Lauren.

“I’m sorry you found out about Bea and the baby this way,” he said quietly.

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