The Baby Contract

Harper and I sat quietly for long awkward moments. I wanted to say something, but I wasn't sure what. She and Bran had started to bridge the gap between them, but that didn't mean she wasn't still angry at me.

"He seems happier," Harper finally said. I nodded but didn't want to be so bold as to say it was because of me.

She shook her head. "I can't believe he hired you to be his surrogate. Never in a million years would I think he'd do something like that."

"He said none of the women from the surrogacy agency fit his needs."

Harper shook her head. "I don't mean asking you. I mean going the surrogacy route at all. After you left last night, I did some thinking and now I can see why he asked you. All those times the two of you would bicker, I realize that was foreplay."

I felt the heat of blush come to my cheek. "It took us a while to figure that out as well."

"I'm in a really tough spot here, Anne."

I sucked in a breath, readying myself to hear an angry or negative comment.

"Where should my loyalties lie? I'm not sure if I need to tell you that if you hurt my brother that I’ll come after you, or if I need to tell my brother that if he hurts you then I'm coming after him."

My lips twitched upward in a smile. "I suppose you could do both."

She nodded. "Okay then. If you hurt my brother, I’m coming after you."

The final knot in my chest loosened. I was going to have Bran and Harper in my life. "You're not going to have to worry about that. I love him, Harper. Think of it this way, I'll be here to help you when he's feeling like he needs to do something overprotective with you. I can't guarantee I can stop him, but maybe I can slow him down."

She smiled. "It's a deal."

When Bran returned Harper rose. "Well, I'm sorry I can't stay for this love-fest. But I have an appointment I need to get to."

"The house hunting not going so well?" Bran asked.

Harper glared at me. "I suppose she told you."

He shook his head. "Anne is very tightlipped when it comes to you."

Harper's eyes narrowed at Bran. "So, you're still having me followed?"

"I am not having you followed."

She cocked her head as if she was skeptical. I was too. I imagined that Bran had some method of keeping tabs on her.

"By the way, I have to tell you that if you hurt Anne, I’m coming after you."

He put his arm around me. "That's not something you're going to have to worry about."

She surprised me by giving me a hug, and by the expression on Bran's face, it surprised him when she hugged him too.

When she left the terrace, he turned and looked at me. "What just happened?"

I put my arms around him. "It looks to me like you finally have your wish. You have all your family."

He gave me that wondrous beautiful smile. "I'm the luckiest guy on earth."