Fortune's Christmas Baby (Fortunes of Texas)

Perversely he didn’t respond to Georgia.

Nor did he want to tell Lizzie what he’d done.

Chapter Thirteen

Lizzie saw Nolan texting when she came out of the bathroom. And just like that reality hit. Like the year before, she could kid herself that living in the moment was the right choice. That any moments with him were better than none. Why her heart was so glued to Nolan she had no idea, but she couldn’t deny that the man brought a depth to her life, an excitement, that no one else did.

Not even Stella—not in the same way. Stella was a part of her, one that would eventually leave her to have a life of her own. Nolan... He seemed like a part of her that was going to be right there beside her until the day she died. Stella was a blessing. Nolan was a partner.

Except...no. He wasn’t.

When Nolan was in Texas he had no responsibilities other than showing up to play the sax every night. He was the one who said so. These two weeks every year were his time away from responsibility.

But he had an entire life filled with high-pressured responsibilities.

People who had the right and privilege of texting him anytime they might feel the need.

People to whom he’d respond.

He was using his expensive cell phone, not the cheaper version she’d seen the year before. Presumably the one she’d seen had been the one he mentioned purchasing only for band use. The number he’d given her. The reminder that she hadn’t warranted access to the Fortune number hurt all over again.

And then she reminded herself that he’d given her that number this time around, even before he’d known about Stella.

Still, to see him on that phone, attached to his real life...

For all she knew, he could already have a team of lawyers representing his family in terms of Stella. She’d believed in him once, with her whole heart, and he’d been hiding the truth from her the entire time. She’d had absolutely no idea. Would have bet her life on him.

And she’d have lost.

He looked up and saw her, and Lizzie tried to appear as though she was just exiting the restroom. She also tried to forget the glow in his eyes, the warmth in his smile, tried not to feel her own intense response to him, as he rejoined them.

He was Nolan Fortune and she could not afford to forget that.

* * *

The bazaar was known for its live entertainment, featuring a mixture of local talent and Grammy Award winners on an intimate stage—one of the reasons Nolan had chosen the destination for their day’s activity, because he and Lizzie were both musicians. The first band was onstage within minutes from Lizzie feeding Stella after lunch.

The act was local—

a country music trio with violin, guitar and bass—and their Texas rendition of traditional Christmas carols, while different, was quite good. Stella, who’d been asleep when Lizzie came out of the restroom, woke up when the music started, fussing, and when Nolan bent to get her out of her stroller, Lizzie picked her up immediately, bouncing gently to the beat of the music as she sang words to the instrumental entertainment.

He couldn’t really hear her voice, except for a note or two now and then, but strained to catch as much as he could. Though he’d asked several times the year before, she’d never sung for him, but he knew she used to sing in choirs and was certified to teach vocal as well as instrumental music.

He’d suggested once that she do a number or two with the band, adding vocals to their jazz, but she’d pulled back immediately, telling him that she preferred her music engagement to be from the sidelines. She didn’t want the limelight.

Another reason she’d never fit into his real lifestyle. In New Orleans, the Fortunes were recognized pretty much everywhere they went.

Which was why he never played in clubs there.

The trio segued from one song to the next and broke into a lively rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” A few shoppers started to dance in the aisles and, without thinking, Nolan put his arm around Lizzie as she held Stella on her hip, encompassing both of them, and then, with his other hand on her opposite shoulder, guided them into a country-western two-step. Laughing up at him, Lizzie fell into step, her body moving with his, their hips in contact again and again.

A mating ritual.

People were watching them. He caught them out of the corner of his eye. Used to attention, and the attention Stella was getting by looking too adorable in her little red tights and holly Christmas dress and bow, he felt a surge of adrenaline like he hadn’t felt in...a year.

“You’re good at this,” he said, looking down at Lizzie as he continued to move them in beat to the music. “Why haven’t we done this before?”

Her smile faded as she met his gaze. She didn’t miss a step, but the moment changed. “We were busy doing other things,” she told him.