Her Secret, His Child

Picking up the memo he'd found that morning, Kyle read it aloud. Every word.

"So what's the problem?"

"Wait until you've known me longer. You won't have to ask."

Her laugh was a little less natural, and Kyle's guard went back up. So she could handle a friendly phone conversation. She wasn't yet ready to talk about a relationship or even, apparently, getting to know each other.

Fine. They wouldn't talk about it. They'd just do it. And maybe his prickly angel of mercy wouldn't notice.

"Please, will you plan my party for me, Jamie?" he asked, injecting just enough little-boy earnestness to make her laugh. If she had any idea how badly he really needed her help—or how determined he was to spend time with her for any reason—she'd probably hang up on him.

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

"It's three weeks from this Friday?" she inquired.

Kyle nodded. And then realized she couldn't see him. "Yes."

"Where?"

"My house."

"You'll have furniture by then?"

He would've had it already if he hadn't told the company February 1 instead of January 1. Somehow, he'd thought the interim furnished apartment he'd rented was for sixteen weeks instead of twelve. "Yes."

' 'Do you have any idea what kind of theme you want?"

He opened his mouth to say no. To tell her he'd leave it completely up to her.

But… "I figured we could come up with something together." Where did one shop for themes?

"If I do this, there can't be any, um, funny business."

"I'm wounded," Kyle said, allowing himself a victorious grin since she wasn't there to see. "What kind of man do you take me for?''

"I mean it, Kyle." There was no laughter in her tone now. "If I help you, it has to be on strictly a friendship basis."

"Fine." If she needed time, he'd give it to her. He was too damn relieved that she was willing to see him at all to worry about the small stuff.

"Okay, then."

"Okay."

HER SECRET, HIS CHILD

' 'Well, maybe we should meet one day this week to decide on a theme?"

"How about dinner?" he asked, both his planners in front of him. "Tonight?"

"I can't."

"Lunch tomorrow?"

"Ashley's only at preschool in the morning."

"A late breakfast on Wednesday?"

"Do you ever think about anything but eating?"