The Secret Casseveti Baby by Nina Milne

Author:Nina Milne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-26T19:17:08+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

THEY APPROACHED THE TAVERNA, situated on a large patioed area filled with tables and people. Appetising aromas spilled from inside the restaurant along with the strenuous beat of drums and the sound of laughter. A smiling waiter approached and soon they were sitting at a table, a bowl of spiced olives between them and two menus.

‘I want all of it,’ Jodi said.

Carlos smiled at her genuine enthusiasm. ‘Do you have any specific cravings?’ he asked.

‘Oddly enough, for Jalpuran food. Especially spiced potatoes and dahl and pilau rice.’ She shrugged. ‘It sounds silly but I wondered if it’s because that’s what I ate that night.’

His smile vanished as he considered her words. The night their baby had been conceived. Or was it? Was she telling the truth? There was defiance in her eyes now as if she had read his mind, but also anger and hurt and he couldn’t quite hold her gaze. Looked down at his menu instead.

‘The olives are spiced,’ he said, pushing the bowl towards her. ‘Perhaps that will help.’

It was clumsy and he knew it as she pushed the bowl firmly back. ‘Do you really not believe me? Do you really think this baby is not yours?’ She kept her voice low but he could hear the strum of emotion.

‘I...’ Discomfort touched him and he shook it away. ‘There has to be one hundred per cent certainty that this baby is mine, the true heir.’

‘I get that. I get the people of Talonos have the right to certainty. I’ve agreed to take the test. But that’s not what I am asking. I am asking if you believe me. Right here and now.’

‘It is not about belief. It is about knowledge. It does not matter what I believe because I may get it wrong.’

‘So is this what it would always be like? If we marry and we have another baby, would you need a DNA test then?’ Her shoulders slumped.

‘Of course not. This is different, Jodi. Right now we don’t know each other. It is a sensitive time for my country. Please bear with me.’

‘Sure.’ But she was still upset and he couldn’t blame her. But how could he let himself believe in her? The risk was too great. His mother had tricked his father, Lisa had tricked him. This time he had to be sure there was no trickery.

Silence reigned until the waiter arrived and took their orders.

‘I get you’re upset. Is there anything I can do to help?’

Her forehead creased in thought and then she met his gaze. ‘Trust me with something. Something personal. Anything. However small.’

‘I...’ His brain raced as he tried to figure out what to say, unable to think of anything. His gaze dropped and caught the glint of light on his ring. His mother’s ring, the one if you were fanciful had brought them together. He slipped it off his finger and held it out on the palm of his hand. ‘This is personal.’

‘May I look at it?’

At his nod she

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.