The Baby Contract

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Anne

I met Lane at a cute little bistro near where she worked. I’d been running a little late because I’d slept in.

I’d been fortunate to avoid morning sickness so far, but the exhaustion was real. That and the horniness. I had to admit, Bran was always willing and able when the need struck.

Once I called him at work and he rushed home just to have sex. I loved it.

I loved him.

There was no denying it. Not when he was so sweet when I fixed him a truly awful dinner. Not when he rubbed my back after I strained it during my workout.

Of course, he also fired the trainer, but I began to understand that Bran’s outbursts and anger were nearly always around wanting to protect what he cared for. He held on tight because he was terrified of losing the things that mattered to him. I just wish when he hung on tight to me that it was about me and not only the baby.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I said as I sat at the table with Lane.

“No worries. My boss loves me so I can be a little late returning.”

I smiled, hoping she didn’t see my embarrassment at having thrown myself at her boss, Dane MacLeod. I’d seen him as my savior, but he fell in love with someone else.

It hurt at the time, but the truth was, as much as I liked Dane, I didn’t love him. I certainly didn’t feel the intensity of emotions that I felt with Bran.

“Dane is a nice man,” I said.

“The best. Well, second to Archer, of course.” She beamed and I wondered if they’d been successful at making a baby.

Before I could ask, our server arrived to take our order. I’d been a real carnivore lately, so I ordered a roast beef sandwich with provolone on sourdough bread. Lane ordered turkey.

“Have you heard from Harper on the house hunt?” Lane asked when our server left to turn in our orders.

“Just that she’s out looking at something today.”

“Do you think she’s paranoid about Bran shadowing her every step or is he as bad as her stalker like she says?”

I shook my head. “Not paranoid. He’s probably got someone watching her.” I didn’t know that for sure, but knowing him how I did now, I wouldn’t put it past him. “But I think he’s misunderstood.”

“Oh? How?”

“You know their parents died when Harper was a teenager, right?”

“Yes, I think she said that.”

“Well, Bran wasn’t much older, and he was thrust into raising her and running the family company. It had to be terrifying. I don’t think that sense of responsibility and fear has left even though Harper is grown up.”

Lane tilted her head. “That makes sense. How do you know so much about the inner workings of Bran?”

Crap. I sipped my water. “It just makes sense. I’ve been there when he’s freaking out. Archer knows it too. I’m sure he told you.”

She nodded. “Archer shared a few things when I was helping him set up his office. He’s pretty closed lipped now. Like he never said anything about you and Dax.”

Double crap. “Ah…well…that’s personal. Archer doesn’t strike me as someone who gossips.”

She arched a brow. “Sharing about his friends at work to his wife is gossip?”

“Isn’t it?” I looked toward the kitchen doors wondering when my sandwich would come.

She sat back in her chair, her shrewd eyes watching me. I tried not to squirm.