Secret Millionaire for the Surrogate

“You’re welcome,” he said simply, and went to the front porch to take care of some business.

CHAPTER EIGHT

HARPER FOUND HIM sitting on the porch swing again, an ankle crossed over his knee as he scrolled through something on his phone.

He’d been right. Calling her mom had been just what she needed. She’d wait and tell Juny tomorrow before work. Maybe she’d take in tea and scones or something. In any case, the news was out, and she was free of any big secret. After Drew’s unconditional support and her mother’s excitement and love, there was a contentment in her heart that had been missing for most of her pregnancy.

“Did you make the sale?” she asked softly.

He looked up and smiled. “I did. And you look much better.”

“My eyes are red from crying a bit.”

“Yeah, but you look happier. More relaxed.”

She went to the swing and sat down. “I am.”

When he opened his arm along the top of the swing, she accepted the invitation and leaned into his embrace. She’d desperately needed the touch of another human being lately, and Drew was warm and strong and reassuring.

“I’m glad. I talked to my mom, too, by the way. And gave her an earful.”

Harper pushed against his ribs, moving to sit up. “You didn’t. Oh, Drew. I wish you hadn’t.”

“Don’t you worry. I told her that you were a wonderful friend doing a wonderful thing and to insinuate anything more was totally off base. And then I reminded her that this meant another grandchild to spoil and told her to get with the times.”

“You played into her weakness.”

“Nonsense. I prefer to think that I reminded her of the benefits of this arrangement and that ultimately you were helping her to get what she and Dad want most. Lots of little Brimicombes running around.”

“Which conveniently gets you off the hook.”

“For the time being. As the one kid with no children, it’ll come back around.” He chuckled. “Come back here and relax a bit more. I got the building for eight percent over my first offer, and we’ll sign the purchase agreement tomorrow.”

“That means you’ll be leaving soon.”

“Oh, another week or so. There’s lots to do here. I’m going to hire a local team to do the renos, and it’s short notice so a lot of companies are probably already booked for the fall. There are things for me to do here, don’t worry.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Me, too. When I first got here, I had nothing but expansion on my mind. But coming back home to Canada...it feels really good. I can’t lie about it.”

She leaned against his ribs and sighed. “I didn’t think you wanted a home. More of a home base.”

“I was speaking in more general terms. Sacramento is my home base, I guess. I’m not there much.”

She smiled against him. It wasn’t his fault she’d been bounced around as a kid and had struggled to make friends. Maybe it was easier to move around when you were an adult if you’d had more stability as a kid.

“You’re an adventurer at heart,” she said. “I love how you own it.” Even if it meant he was going to be in her life such a brief time and then out of it again.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy days like today, Harper. It’s been very nice sharing it with you. Thank you for going with me this afternoon. For dinner. Heck, for the ice cream.”

For the kiss. The words sat on her tongue but she didn’t say them.

Drew was leaving soon. The difference between now and her past hurtful encounter was that she knew it and had no unreasonable expectations. She was under no illusions that this was forever or he was The One. There was a certain level of protection in that.

So she tilted her head up slightly and met his gaze, then blinked slowly, wondering if he was interested in a continuation of this afternoon’s sweet kiss.

“Harper,” he said softly, a note of caution in his voice.