The Baby Claim
A pause stretched over the phone line before Marshall continued, “Even if the baby was the product of her husband cheating?”
“I believe so.” And what did that mean for him? Broderick wanted Glenna, but was he prepared to use, really use, the baby to get her? He was a tough businessman, but the harshness of using a child for leverage gave him pause.
“If she already is so attached to this kid, what’s going to happen if the baby turns out to be yours?”
Damn good question. He hoped she’d say yes to his proposition and make that question void. But no matter what occurred, their time together was only going to get more complicated once the answers about the baby came through.
Leaning back against the counter again, he watched Glenna stand, then her slender silhouette disappeared as she went into Fleur’s room to put the baby down for the night.
Complicated didn’t even begin to describe this scenario.
If he wanted to win Glenna back in his bed—and he did—he would have to step up his game.
* * *
Jack dived into his indoor pool, the warm waters enveloping him. He had never been much for team sports, other than watching his kids play. His life was already complicated enough, at home and at work. He enjoyed recreation that afforded him time alone or one-on-one moments with those important to him. Outdoors when possible, but he kept indoor options available for himself and wearing out his kids. Like with this pool and an indoor gym.
He gravitated toward activities like fishing, hunting, swimming and sledding. He’d tried teasing Glenna that he could turn Kota into a sled dog.
She hadn’t laughed.
Stroking easily, he kicked toward the other end of the pool, where Jeannie lounged on the steps. The rippling water did little to mute the appeal of her body in a sleek black swimsuit. He got plenty of time alone with her these days as their kids kept their distance, communicating via email about progress on baby Fleur and the merger of the companies.
The child was about the only issue where they agreed.
His and Jeannie’s efforts to smooth over the blended family transition weren’t going as planned. And he could sense her frustration growing. More and more each day. If she asked him one more time if they should delay the wedding, he was going to blow a gasket.
A final kick underwater propelled him the rest of the way to Jeannie’s side. He broke the surface next to her and turned to sit on the stone steps. The hot tub bubbled a waterfall into the main pool.
She skimmed her elegant arms along the surface, trailing her hands. Her ring finger was still bare, but they’d met with a jeweler to have one custom made. “Maybe we should delay the wedding.”
Damn it.
He ground his teeth and held his temper in check, wishing some of the snowflakes on the glass ceiling could rain down on his heated feelings. “Jeannie, if we back down now, our stubborn children will just keep pushing. We taught them their negotiation skills. We shouldn’t be surprised they’re using them against us.”
“What if this push and tug isn’t a game?” She tucked a damp blond strand into her hair band, gathering her locks on top of her head. “What if they really mean it? What if one or more of them cuts off from the family?”
“You’re borrowing trouble. They’re blood. They’re not going anywhere.” He refused to accept otherwise. This was the time in their lives where he and Jeannie should be handing over the reins and enjoying at least a partial retirement. He wanted her to enjoy these recreational moments and relax.
Except life kept getting tenser. He pressed his leg against hers.
“Jack, are you certain?” Her forehead furrowed and she inched away from him. Again. “Because I’m not.”
“Yes, I’m sure of that.” He reached for her hand, only to have her avoid his touch. “But I’m starting to wonder if there’s something more going on here. Do you want to delay the wedding because you are having doubts?”
“Honestly?” She inhaled deeply, her hands clenching into fists. “I’m worried about you. You lost a child already. I don’t want to be the cause of you losing another.”
Her words chilled him as surely as if the ceiling had opened up to dump the snow on top of them.
“That’s not the same, Jeannie, and not playing fair.”
Her jaw thrust forward, stubbornness stamped all over her features. “You wanted to know what I’m thinking and there it is. I don’t know if I can live with myself if I cause you to lose another child in any fashion.”
“I call bull.” He pointed, stabbing the water with his finger and letting flow the words he’d been bottling, the thoughts he’d been denying. “I think you’re looking for an excuse to back out because things are getting tough and you’re afraid of losing your kids. You’re flinching at the clinch of the negotiation.”