Sweet and Sassy Baby Love Page 21

  “It does,” he said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her.

  “We haven’t been here since we said our vows. I actually thought of trying to recreate some things again, knowing it’d mean more, but decided against it.”

  “It meant just as much to me then as it does now,” he confessed to her. “I found myself already developing feelings for you and had to remind myself to hold it back. To not let you know or see it. I never thought I could actually get to have you as my wife after those fourteen months.”

  “Well, you do. I’ve been your wife for two years now. And in eight months I’ll also be the mother of your child.”

  “What?” he asked, lifting her high and swinging her around. “Are you kidding me? Seriously? We just started trying a few months ago.”

  “Guess your little swimmers hit home fast. But I’m positive. It’s been hard not telling you, but I wanted it to be special, as I felt we didn’t have as many special moments as we should have due to our arrangement.”

  “No more talk of that arrangement. And we’ll never tell our kids of that. I’m kind of embarrassed over it now, if you want to know the truth.”

  He couldn’t believe he never thought there was someone out there just for him. That only wanted him for him and not his money.

  Proof of that was when Leah found out he deposited the million dollars into her account, she lit into him and said if he didn’t take it out, that she’d donate every penny of it to charity. That she didn’t want it being held over her head at all. She wanted no reminders of what they’d done.

  The compromise was half to charity, the other half put aside for her business ventures when she was ready. Not in her account, but a joint one there for the taking. She still hadn’t touched a dime of it and he was guessing she never would.

  “I’m taking it to the grave with me. No one needs to know how we met other than I ran into you on Central Ave.”

  “And I’m going to tell everyone I was so taken with your poise and beauty that I asked you to lunch and the rest was history.”

  “That works for me,” she said.

  “You work for me,” he said, slanting his mouth over hers. His wife. Forever.

  The End!

  A Note from the author

  Thank you for reading Second Chance. If you liked this book, I sure would appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon.

  To hear more about what I’ve got going on and other news on my books, you can follow me on my newsletter or at Bookbub.

  Other Books by Natalie Ann

  Want to read more of the Love Collection?

  Secret Love:

  Vin Steele has always been in control. Always been a leader. Failing at what he always did was a bitter pill for him to swallow, sending him into an isolation…of sorts. Piper Fielding spent her life putting on a good face.

  True Love:

  Shattered dreams vs a new beginning. Can they help each other heal?

  Finding Love:

  What happens when a hopeless romantic falls for a cynical romance writer?

  Beach Love:

  A reformed playboy. A woman looking for love. What happens when trust becomes an issue?

  Intense Love

  A detective on the mend. A psychiatrist being tormented. Can their pretend relationship uncover who’s behind the threats

  Autumn Love

  What happens when Ali’s grandfather’s ghost decides to make an appearance and meddle in her life?

  Holiday Love

  Sometimes failed relationships are needed to make the next one count.

  Christmas Love

  What happens when even the strongest are blinded by insecurities?

  Winter Love

  Kendall Hendricks spent the first decade of her life as a modern-day gypsy.

  Zeke Collins has never known anything other than working at the family lodge his whole life. Lake Placid is where he wants to be. It’s where his heart is and nothing could make him move. Not even the bewitching stranger with sorrowful eyes and adventure driving her course.

  Chasing Love

  Her childhood crush. His best friend’s little sister. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?

  First Love

  Sparks fly when a woman from the wrong side of the tracks catches the eye of the heir apparent to the family empire.

  Forever Love

  Can their pretend marriage lead to the forever love and family they both always wanted?

  Simply Love

  Being strong doesn’t make you a hero, but doing what is right does.

  The Road Series-See where it all started!!

  Lucas and Brooke’s Story- Road to Recovery

  Jack and Cori’s Story – Road to Redemption

  Mac and Beth’s Story- Road to Reality

  Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story- Road to Reason

  The All Series

  William and Isabel’s Story — All for Love

  Ben and Presley’s Story – All or Nothing

  Phil and Sophia’s Story – All of Me

  Alec and Brynn’s Story – All the Way

  Sean and Carly’s Story — All I Want

  Drew and Jordyn’s Story— All My Love

  Finn and Olivia’s Story—All About You

  Landon and Kristen’s Story – All of Us

  The Lake Placid Series

  Nick Buchanan and Mallory Denning – Second Chance

  Max Hamilton and Quinn Baker – Give Me A Chance

  Caleb Ryder and Celeste McGuire – Our Chance

  Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan – Take A Chance

  Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon- Deserve A Chance

  Trevor Miles and Riley Hamilton – Last Chance

  Matt Winters and Dena Hall- Another Chance

  The Fierce Five Series

  Gavin Fierce and Jolene O’Malley- How Gavin Stole Christmas

  Brody Fierce and Aimee Reed - Brody

  Aiden Fierce and Nic Moretti- Aiden

  Mason Fierce and Jessica Corning- Mason

  Cade Fierce and Alex Marshall - Cade

  Ella Fierce and Travis McKinley- Ella

  Fierce Family

  Sam Fierce and Dani Rhodes- Sam

  Bryce Fierce and Payton Davies – Bryce

  Love Collection

  Vin Steele and Piper Fielding – Secret Love

  Jared Hawk and Shelby McDonald – True Love

  Erik McMann and Sheldon Case – Finding Love

  Connor Landers and Melissa Mahoney- Beach Love

  Ian Price and Cam Mason- Intense Love

  Liam Sullivan and Ali Rogers - Autumn Love

  Owen Taylor and Jill Duncan - Holiday Love

  Chase Martin and Noelle Bennett - Christmas Love

  Zeke Collins and Kendall Hendricks - Winter Love

  Troy Walker and Meena Dawson – Chasing Love

  Jace Stratton and Lauren Towne - First Love

  Gabe Richards and Leah Morrison – Forever Love

  Blake Wilson and Gemma Anderson – Simple Love

  Hot Hunks Steamy Romance Collection

  Reed Chapman and Taylor Winston – After Hurricane Nina-Reed’s Resolution

  Jake Baxter and Rachel Chapman – Holiday Hunks- Jake’s Christmas Decision

  About the Author

  NATALIE ANN lives in Upstate NY with her husband, son, and French bulldog. She has always had a love for books, especially happily ever after. She writes contemporary romance with a dash of humor focusing on real life (but fictional) situations and storylines. She’s inspired by the crazy, ridiculous, touching and emotional family dynamics that most people go through. Her series are based right in her home state or cities she has visited.

  Contact

  Website, Twitter, Facebook,

  Pinterest, Goodreads, Bookbub

  Newsletter

  NatalieAnn815@gmail.com

  HE’S MY BABY

  He’s My Baby

  Mimi Barbour

  New York Times & USA Tod
ay Bestselling Author

  Copyrights

  Copyright © 2019 Mimi Barbour

  All rights reserved

  Book Description

  Emma dreams of being a mom. Problem is – she doesn’t want marriage or a husband or any of the normal trimmings. Choosing adoption as her best option, she meets a terminally ill woman whose baby boy desperately needs a home.

  Until the day his uncle appears and declares his wish to take the boy to live with him. This stunning, worldly journalist is serious and a threat to her dreams.

  Can she win out over such a man? Will her craving be enough or does having experience and a knowledge of how to deal with children count?

  He has it…

  …she doesn’t.

  Praise for Mimi Barbour

  Loveable Christmas Angel

  " I highly recommend this fast-paced story and can't wait to read more of this author.”~ Reader Forever

  "So glad to find another author whose books I can download without the worry that they will be worth my money and my time!"~ DJ Huges

  My Cheeky Angel

  "Grab your glass of wine and be prepared to enjoy this great book. Kudos to you Ms. Barbour. I'm off to buy the next one.” ~ Lipon64

  Chapter One

  “A baby?”

  “That’s what I said. I’m going to adopt a baby.”

  “Why in God’s name do you want to adopt a baby? Listen to me, Emma Hayden. You have the perfect life; one I’ve envied for a long time. You make great money selling high-end homes. You’re so popular, you make my teeth ache, and you’re beautiful. It’s not fair.”

  “Quit exaggerating, Boots.”

  “Darn it, I wish I was. I’m your P.A. I get to work with your bank accounts, numerous ones I might add. I see your wealth. It’s me who answers the phone calls from the disgustingly handsome men you keep trying to ignore. And from their wheedling tones, I know they’re hoping to get noticed by Miss Priss, but they end up slinking away with their tails between their legs, lugging their broken hearts behind them.”

  “More like broken self-esteem too highly inflated to begin with. You know damn well I never ask for the attention, but they can’t seem to take a polite – no thank you, I’m not interested – for an answer.”

  Barbara Flowers, Emma’s bestie and her efficient secretary, made a face. “It’s what makes you more appealing… playing hard to get.”

  “Heck, girl. I’m not playing. I only sell homes, not me or my time. I’ve seen too many divorces, crazy separations, broken families and messed up, dysfunctional relationships to let a man into mine. I’m not interested in any of that going on in my nice comfy life.”

  “So, instead, you’re going to adopt a baby? Whoa… are you nuts? This is a commitment for the rest of your life. Have you really thought this through?”

  “Yes, I truly have. Look, from the time I was playing house with my baby dolls, I imagined myself to be a mom one day. I’d be good at it, and there’s so many babies out there in desperate need.”

  “That’s true. So, when are you planning to make the move? I need to know when to put in my resignation.”

  Emma stiffened and searched her assistant’s face for the telltale signs she was teasing as she so often did. Only this time, all she saw was firm resolution, and a face devoid of humor. Her heart dropped. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “Do I look like I’m fooling around here? I’ve seen the movies where the boss lady gets a baby and suddenly everything goes to hell. Next thing we know the kid gets carted to the office because the nanny suddenly quits and guess who gets left with the babysitting. Not me. Ain’t gonna happen. I’m truly fond of you, but no way am I taking care of one of those wrinkly little creatures who cry, poop, and are always hungry.”

  Emma sunk into her chair, looking deflated. She stared at one of the most important people in her world, the woman across from her, and saw the dyed blonde hair that needed the roots redone, the glasses that were always askew because they were way too big for the small face and the hot pink sweater, a color Barb loved to wear though it did nothing for her pale skin. “I never imagined you’d feel this way. I can’t run this office without you, Barb. You know that.”

  “Don’t try buttering me up, boss-lady. I love working here for you and Bobby, but I can never see myself near a baby. Never wanted that kind of a future, and if the truth were told, it scares the pants off me that one day I’ll fall for a gorgeous hunk who wants a family, and I’ll lose him when I say nope – not me. I’m tempted to add that little fact to my personal files on Zoosk, Elite, Match and Harmony.”

  Emma couldn’t stop the grin from forming because of Boots’s list of dating sites. “I guess I should have passed this by you before going ahead.”

  Emma held her head in her hands and fought back some unexpected tears. She’d woken up that morning filled with confidence. Her dreams of having a child were beginning. Soon she’d have her heart’s desire. What she wanted most from as long as she could remember, had always wanted… was a baby.

  After Boots’s declaration, her happy idealistic view of life as a mom had suddenly become warped, scary, and not the comfy future she’d envisioned.

  “What’s up with her highness?” Bobby suddenly appeared in the entranceway looking fine as he usually did at the office. His pale blue suit with the too short pants, pink shirt and red bowtie complimented his floppy hairstyle and diamond stud earrings.

  It was his eyes that had everyone fascinated. Most black men had various shades of brown eyes, but Bobby’s were green. A beautiful glazed over green that drew one in and made them sigh.

  Usually, he followed his perusal with a smile so full of warmth, it was hard not to add a hug after him bestowing that delicious soft-eyed gaze on you. The tall, good looker had it going on.

  Emma recognized his worth the minute he’d strutted into her office, applying for a job. And she’d hired him that very day. Her faith in him had proven to be founded in fact. Though his great references had come into play, she’d known instantly that working with him would be a hoot, and her clients would feel the same way. Those that had a problem with his style could go elsewhere.

  Emma waited for Boots to answer. Still shocked, she hoped to see a weakening of her employee’s resolve. Maybe a chink in the armor that could mean there might be a way to solve the crisis she now faced. In her mind, she’d always envisioned Barb would be one of the people she could rely on through this whole adventure, another woman to share her journey with, to fall back on in times of need.

  She’d earned her affectionate nickname of Boots from Bobby, teasing her that she was their boots on the ground when it came to running the office. They depended on her for everything.

  Finally, Barb’s disgruntled response came after Bobby’s second… ahhh???

  “The boss is getting a baby.”

  Bobby’s face lit up like a thousand-watt lightbulb had ignited behind his eyes. He actually danced on the spot. “She is?” He whipped around to face Emma, dragged her from her chair and began to swing her around the room. “Lord almighty, we’re having a baby!”

  Unable to help laughing, Emma struggled to get loose. “Not having – adopting. And Boots says I can’t.”

  Bobby swiveled to glare at the assistant whose sour face had never been seen before. “What’s up wit you girl?” Whenever Bobby became emotional, purposely his vocabulary reverted to the lingo from his past.

  “I hate babies.”

  “What you talkin’ bout. Nobody hates babies, not unless they’re part of the devil’s cult. Sugar, you’ve just never been around the little cuties. And Bobby here can show you what you’ve been missing. Babies are God’s specialties.” He pointed to Emma. “You just ignore this sourpuss’s face, princess, and go git us a baby. When’s this all taking place?”

  Cheered up, Emma answered, “It starts this afternoon. I have an appointment with an agency that has a stellar reputation for placing children from unwed mothers who
made a mistake, care enough about their babies to make sure they get a good home and want to move on to build their own future. It’s something I can totally get behind.”

  “Well good luck with that, sugar. Just so you know, I’m available for babysitting.” Bobby made a grumpy face at Barb, and before he left to go to his own office, he wagged his finger in her face and added, “Don’tcha go messing with the boss-lady now ‘cause you got some silly notion that you can’t deal with a bambino – one who’s as tiny as a button and comes into the world ready to love whoever loves him.”

  Emma had to smile when she heard Bobby state his preference without any arguing or negotiating. Touched, she said, “Bobby, my love, you’re one of the reasons I decided to go ahead. I knew I could depend on you for help. That matters a lot. When a girl has no family to fall back on, she has to rely on her friends.” Emma unrepented, worked on Barb’s good nature like Bobby had done previously.

  “That’s the truth. And your real friends will be here for you. Right, Boots?”

  Emma watched the struggle taking place on her assistant’s face. The large woman stood at her fancy desk; a gift Emma had let her choose to replace the smaller one they used to have in the same spot. Picking up her Snoopy mug, she turned toward the mini lunchroom they all shared. She stopped with her back to Emma. “I’m not making any promises, boss. Just don’t presume that I’ll be your go-to whenever you’re in a fix.”

  They both heard Bobby call out from his office. “I heard that nonsense, Boots. No way you’re quitting your cushy job and leaving us heartbroken. Be a good girl, give the boss a hug and let her go and get her baby.”