And Baby Makes Six Read online

  The dog yelped once and then whined.

  Abby looked at Devlin in apology. “I should have warned you. Gayle and Ed gave Paige the cat last weekend as a going-away present, and she hasn’t parted with it since. I hope Princess won’t cause too much of a problem.”

  Jason resumed his former slouch against the doorway. “No problem at all if you don’t mind the cat chowing down snakes for an evening snack.”

  “Jason, put a lid on it.” Devlin’s expression bore his frustration. He pushed his fingers through his short brown hair and met Abby’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Abby, this isn’t the welcome I’d planned.”

  Her stomach refused to settle down properly. “Did he say snakes?”

  Jason shot a malicious look at his brother. “Riley’s snakes are loose.”

  Paige’s lower lip quivered as she scuttled next to her mother for protection. “Mommy, me and Princess don’t like snakes.”

  Hulk’s whimpers turned to a pronounced howl.

  “Hulk, shut up!” Devlin yelled over the canine racket. When Paige whimpered in reaction, he lowered his voice a decibel or two. “How was the drive?”

  “Fine. The roads between Ohio and Wisconsin are good,” Abby replied. Then as Paige tightened her arms, she looked helplessly at Devlin. “I didn’t know Riley had snakes.”

  “We didn’t know he had them, either,” Devlin said dryly.

  Riley’s face turned a pained hue of red. “I traded Ben Fix some of my aquarium fish for his snake eggs.”

  “They’re just eggs then?” Abby’s tension eased a bit, even though her stomach was still performing a series of acrobatic twists. She had nothing against snakes per se, but living with them was another matter.

  “They were.” Jason seemed to be the only one in the room enjoying himself. “They’re not anymore. Riley checked this morning and discovered the eggs are now empty. So far, we’ve found four of the slippery fellas. One in the bathroom, one in Dad’s closet and two in the kitchen.”

  “How many are there supposed to be?” Out of the corner of her eye, Abby saw the cat hook her claws into the curtain and attempt to shimmy up them. She tried to reach for the feline but couldn’t move with Paige attached to her.

  Devlin snagged the cat halfway up the drape and returned her to Paige’s arms. “There were seven of them.”

  “Seven?” Abby repeated faintly.

  Riley looked downright miserable. “Three are still missing.”

  Paige started to sob in earnest, burying her face deeper into her mother’s thigh. “Princess wants to go home, Mommy.”

  “I thought Paige might like a pet,” Riley explained. “I didn’t know she had a cat. The snakes won’t hurt her. They’re not poisonous.”

  Abby’s heart softened at her new stepson’s distress as she tried to figure out a way to ease the situation. She hadn’t doubted that merging the two families would be a challenge.

  But snakes?

  It seemed like a bad omen. Especially since she knew this wouldn’t be the first surprise they’d have to deal with today.

  Unfortunately, turning around and heading out the door wasn’t an option. At least not yet.

  Not until she could talk to Devlin and explain . . .

  Patting Paige’s silky-smooth hair, she said, “It’s okay, sweetheart. Riley was trying to make you feel welcome by giving you a present. Wasn’t that nice of him?”

  Paige raised her head and eyed Riley dubiously. “When are the snakes going away?”

  The younger boy’s face sagged into an unhappy frown, causing his crop of freckles to march together. “I don’t know. I have to find the rest of them first.”

  “Maybe Hulk ate the other three,” Jason drawled. “He’s been acting kind of squirrelly today. I bet he pukes them up all over the living-room rug.”

  Devlin frowned. “Jason, we don’t need—”

  “Don’t move!” Riley squealed, pointing toward an area near Abby’s feet. “There’s another one.”

  Abby’s stomach lurched, and this time it didn’t seem inclined to settle again. “Where’s the bathroom?”

  Without questioning her, Devlin moved with quick strides across the room and shoved open a door just a few feet from her. “This way.”

  Abby pushed by him.

  “Mommy, don’t leave me,” Paige screamed, trying to grab on to Abby’s sweater.

  “Watch out for my snake!” Riley yelled desperately.

  Abby couldn’t answer, knowing if she opened her mouth she’d lose the battle. Dashing through the doorway, she raced inside.

  As she grabbed the sides of the toilet and lowered her head, she heard Devlin say, “Stand back and give her some room.”

  The roaring hum in her ears and the retching of her stomach blocked out everything and everyone else as she hung on.

  Jason’s rude snort broke the stunned silence behind Abby. “Is she going to do that whenever she sees a snake?”

  “I didn’t know she’d be afraid of snakes.” Riley’s tone sounded hesitant. “Does this mean I’ll have to get rid of all of them?” he asked hesitantly.

  Abby breathed deeply, trying to regain her breath and her composure as she rested her head against the cool sink next to the commode. She’d like to believe this humiliation was the worst part of the day. If only she could believe that . . . .

  Devlin reached her side and carefully helped Abby to her feet. “Riley and Jason, take Paige into the other room.”

  “No,” Paige stated adamantly. “I don’t want to go with them. Me and Princess want to go home, Mommy. Now.” Then she threw herself against Abby’s leg again.

  The sudden movement knocked Abby into Devlin’s arms. He steadied her, and she managed to offer him a weak smile before pulling away. It was important to stand on her own two feet and present some semblance of dignity despite the fact she’d made the most undignified entrance imaginable. “Thank you.”

  She could see the questions darkening Devlin’s eyes and knew the answers couldn’t be delayed much longer.

  Looking down at Paige, she placed her hands firmly on her daughter’s shoulders. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go with Riley and Jason and get some water for Princess? I bet she’s kind of thirsty.”

  Paige didn’t budge. “What about the snakes?”

  “Those snakes won’t hurt you. They’re more afraid of you than you are of them. Besides, you’ll have Jason and Riley with you.”

  Her daughter didn’t look convinced as she first eyed Jason, who wore a sullen expression, and then Riley, who still clutched the small snake that poked his head at her.

  Whining and scratching could be heard from behind the kitchen door.

  “Riley, go put that snake away and then grab Hulk so he won’t jump on Paige.” Devlin’s voice didn’t brook any argument. “Jase, take Paige’s hand so she won’t be afraid.”

  “What about her cat?” Jason asked.

  “She’ll be okay in the living room if you keep Hulk in the kitchen.”

  Jason’s mouth tightened into a teenage scowl, but he didn’t argue. Begrudgingly, he stuck out his hand for Paige.

  After a bit of prodding, the three children left the bathroom. A few seconds later, Abby heard the kitchen door open and then close.

  Quiet, charged with tension and uncertainty, suddenly reigned in the small room.

  Abby tried to swallow the lump in her throat, feeling Devlin’s silent questions. She met his gaze. “Could I have a few moments to myself?”

  A tic marred the hard set of Devlin’s jaw. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  She couldn’t stop the flush from rouging her cheeks. Lord knew what he thought. With more composure than she was feeling, she shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I just need to wash my face and attend to a few personal things.”

  He didn’t move away until he realized that she had no intention of doing anything while he watched her. “I’ll be right outside.”

  That’s what she was afraid of. As soon as the d
oor was shut, she released a sigh of relief. She didn’t quite trust Devlin not to come tearing back if he thought she was taking too long. One thing she was learning about her new husband, Devlin Hamilton wasn’t a patient man.

  She looked around the small, yet serviceable, bathroom for a washcloth.

  The room didn’t contain any fancy toiletry items such as a soap dish, toothbrush holder or even a mirror, signs of a woman’s influence. That pleased her more than it should. She knew Devlin had been divorced for at least five years but she wasn’t sure how many female friends he’d entertained during that interim. Obviously not anyone recent enough to buy a soap dish for the lone yellow bar that sat on top of its soggy wrapper next to the sink. The only other accessories in the room were a box of white tissues perched on the back of the stool and a roll of toilet paper that scorned the empty circular holder hanging alongside the oak vanity and rested on the edge of the counter.

  Before their wedding six weeks ago, Devlin had told her she’d be free to make any changes to the house he’d designed and built two years ago.

  But how many changes would he tolerate?

  The one she was about to propose wouldn’t be what he’d intended. But then it hadn’t been part of her game plan, either. Still, she was willing to adjust. Would Devlin?

  She forced back her thoughts. Second-guessing her new husband’s reaction had been a futile activity she’d indulged in all too frequently lately. The trouble was, they barely knew each other.

  They’d married for convenience’s sake. Their marriage had seemed the perfect solution for both of them. But six long weeks had come and gone. It was now the middle of February. Nothing had gone according to plan since the moment they’d said “I do.”

  She had no idea how the future would pan out.

  Hearing Devlin’s footsteps as he prowled outside the bathroom door, she opened a built-in cabinet next to the sink and discovered a hodgepodge of white washcloths that looked as if they’d been hastily thrown into the cupboard. With a wry smile, she reached in and took one. She was tempted to fold the untidy trove and replace them neatly in the cupboard. Did she have the right to start rearranging?

  No. Not yet. Not until after she talked to Devlin.

  After running warm water over the cloth, she held it against her face, putting off the confrontation. Finally, she’d done everything she could to resurrect a little dignity.

  Opening the door, she bumped into Devlin’s hard-muscled chest.

  His callused fingers caressed her arms, reminding her of the last time his hands had touched her. She pushed back the memory and stepped away from him, able to raise her gaze only as far as his mouth.

  The unyielding set to his lips didn’t slacken a bit. “Do you feel better now?”

  “Much better.” She glanced toward the kitchen door and back at him. The sound of the children’s voices drifted close. “We need to talk where we can’t be disturbed.”

  He didn’t question her need for privacy. “Let’s go into my office.”

  He cupped his palm under her elbow and ushered her through the sparsely decorated house. She barely had time to appreciate the high-vaulted, cedar-lined ceilings and the cozy fireplace at the end of the living room before he led her into a smaller room at the other end of the house.

  Three pieces of furniture were the only accessories. Papers were strewn haphazardly across what she assumed to be a large desk. A neutral-tone file cabinet stood against the back wall, while an easy chair covered with blue velvet sat off to the side.

  Devlin shut the door behind them. As he turned toward her, she saw the tense lines fanning from the corners of his eyes.

  “You’re sick, aren’t you? What is it? Cancer? Some kind of blood or liver disease?”

  “No, I’m not sick.” Whether she was ready for it or not, the moment of truth had arrived. Bracing herself, she lifted her chin. “I’m pregnant.”

  At first, Abby’s words didn’t register in Dev’s mind. He’d been preparing for the worst. Now all he could do was stare at his wife, whose curvy figure was clearly defined in fitted jeans and an ivory-colored sweater. Her face, smoothly textured and still a bit pale, looked composed. Although she hadn’t gained any weight, he noticed her hands rested protectively over her stomach.

  “Pregnant?” The word tasted metallic and unfamiliar.

  “The doctor figures the baby will be born in early September,” she said quietly.

  “I see,” he said, even though his mind wasn’t quite functioning at full power.

  She managed to raise a half smile. “I didn’t think there was any danger of my getting pregnant. John and I were never able to have another child, so I just assumed . . .” Her voice trailed away. She dropped into the soft cushions of the blue velvet chair. Her gaze shied away from his as she looked down at her fingers, which were digging into the padded armrest. “I know this isn’t something either of us planned or discussed, and I will take full responsibility for this baby.”

  Dev didn’t know which reality surprised him more—her pregnancy or her calm acceptance of her condition.

  His ex-wife hadn’t taken either of her pregnancies well. Pregnant when they married, Linda alternated between resentment for losing her shape and whining that he wasn’t showing her enough attention.

  The fact that Abby wasn’t railing at him, accusing him of deliberately foisting a child on her, reassured him somewhat. Abby wasn’t a flag-waving career woman like Linda.

  That’s why he’d married her. His new wife put family first.

  Abby had been juggling two stay-at-home jobs when they’d met, so she could raise Paige instead of sending her to day care. He wanted that kind of mother for his sons.

  He was heartily thankful Abby wasn’t like his first wife in either temperament or looks. That’s what had drawn him to her in the first place. Abby wasn’t one of those breath-stopping beautiful, look-but-don’t-touch-type women like Linda. He classified Abby as a hands-on-type woman.

  He hadn’t wanted a woman as badly as he wanted Abby since he was teenager. His red-hot desire for her had caught him off guard, knocking aside his barriers. He certainly hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her, and she’d seemed just as delighted in having them on her.

  Hell, they’d struck enough sparks to create five kids. Her condition shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Even if he had been using protection, it might not have withstood the onslaught of desire that had flared fiercely between them.

  Even now he could remember the satiny smoothness of her skin. How rich and enticing her shoulder-length brown hair had looked spread across the pillow. How stroke-able and sensitive her lush curves were to a man’s fingertips.

  Just being in the same room with her made his palms itch to hold her, touch her and make her cling to him in passion.

  Cool it, Hamilton. You can’t risk it. You’ve already violated the contract once.

  If he allowed lust to gain the upper hand, he’d destroy the life his sons needed. He couldn’t allow that to happen again. They’d already lost one mother and were suffering for it. Jason didn’t trust women. Riley was obsessed with them, always trying to get their attention. They needed a woman in their lives. Someone they could count on. Someone who would care for them more than a babysitter or housekeeper would.

  They needed Abby.

  Abby’s straight-backed posture, reminding him of a prisoner who awaited pronouncement of her sentence, made him realize that she was waiting for his response.

  He searched for words that would at least reassure her he intended to keep his end of their deal from now on. “You didn’t create this child alone. I’d say we both were contributors.”

  Color surged to her face. “I don’t know what happened that night. It’s never happened like that. I’ve never . . . I mean . . . it was never . . .” She stopped talking and looked away from him.

  She nibbled on her lush lower lip—something he remembered doing himself not too long ago.

  “Never?”
He had no business being pleased by Abby’s artless confession. Not when that passion had destroyed his common sense. Yet he was.

  Abby turned toward him again with a lingering cautiousness. “You don’t mind about the baby, do you?” she asked.

  Her question stopped him short.

  “Mind?” He masked any emotion from showing on his face. “Do you?”

  Abby’s hands curved over her still-flat belly, a determined protectiveness entering her eyes. “I want this baby very much. But not every man likes being surprised.”

  “Neither does every woman.” The tension eased within him.

  He should have seen that Abby probably hadn’t been any more sure of his reaction to the news than he had been of hers.

  It came as a bit of a shock to realize that Abby wasn’t sure of him. Even Linda hadn’t questioned or doubted his commitment to his family. He wanted Abby to understand that his devotion to this baby and to her would be as strong as it was to his sons. “This baby will be welcomed by both of us.” There was no hesitation in his voice.

  Abby’s posture visibly slackened in relief. She flashed him a blinding smile and then surprised them both by launching into his arms and planting a kiss on his mouth.

  He barely had time to absorb the delightful taste of her when she pulled back. “Oh, I’m so glad. You don’t know how worried I was.”

  Then, just as quickly, she was gone, and he found himself clutching cold air. She slipped through the door of his office and returned seconds later, carrying her purse.

  Emptying the contents onto his desk, she rifled impatiently through the items. Finally she pulled a folded piece of paper from the mess and handed it to him. “I know a baby wasn’t part of our deal—”

  “Deal?” His hand closed around the paper but he made no move to open it. He still hadn’t shaken off the effects of the kiss.

  She didn’t seem to notice his slow-witted idiocy. “You paid off John’s gambling debts when we got married, and I promised to pay you back after my house in Cincinnati sold. But since the real estate market is soft in Ohio right now, it could take a while before I can repay you the money. And this baby will be an added financial strain.”