Jim felt the babies move.

He splayed his hand on Teresa’s stomach, amazed that she could sleep so soundly while the babies wriggled and kicked. Amazed that these movements were made by his children.

He lay next to her on the bed, on top of the covers, his hand still covering her belly. He told himself he just wanted to understand how a husband would feel. How would it feel to hold the future in his hands?

Would Teresa understand if she awoke? Could he convince her he was sharing a moment with the babies?

A moment with the babies? asked that annoying voice inside his head. Or a moment with the babies’ mother?

Jim scoffed at the suggestion. He was getting married to give his babies a name. That was the only reason.

Wasn’t it?

Dear Reader,

To me, September is the cruelest month. One minute it feels like just another glorious summer day. And then almost overnight the days become shorter and life just hits. It’s no different for this month’s heroes and heroines. Because they all get their own very special “September moment” when they discover a secret that will change their lives forever!

Judy Christenberry once again heads up this month with The Texan’s Tiny Dilemma (#1782)—the next installment in her LONE STAR BRIDES miniseries. A handsome accountant must suddenly figure out how to factor love into the equation when a one-night stand results in twins. Seth Bryant gets his wake-up call when a very pregnant princess shows up on his doorstep in Prince Baby (#1783), which continues Susan Meier’s BRYANT BABY BONANZA. Jill Limber assures us that The Sheriff Wins a Wife (#1784) in the continuing BLOSSOM COUNTY FAIR continuity, but how will this lawman react to the news that he’s still married to a woman who left town eight years ago! Holly Jacobs rounds out the month with her next PERRY SQUARE: THE ROYAL INVASION! title. In Once Upon a King (#1785), baby seems to come before love and marriage for a future king.

And be sure to watch for more great romances next month when bestselling author Myrna Mackenzie launches our new SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE miniseries.

Happy reading,

Ann Leslie Tuttle

Associate Senior Editor

The Texan’s Tiny Dilemma
Judy Christenberry

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Books by Judy Christenberry

Silhouette Romance

The Nine-Month Bride #1324

*Marry Me, Kate #1344

*Baby in Her Arms #1350

*A Ring for Cinderella #1356

†Never Let You Go #1453

†The Borrowed Groom #1457

†Cherish the Boss #1463

**Snowbound Sweetheart #1476

Newborn Daddy #1511

When the Lights Went Out…#1547

**Least Likely To Wed #1570

Daddy on the Doorstep #1654

**Beauty & the Beastly Rancher #1678

**The Last Crawford Bachelor #1715

Finding a Family #1762

††The Texan’s Reluctant Bride #1778

††The Texan’s Tiny Dilemma #1782

Silhouette Books

The Coltons

The Doctor Delivers

A Colton Family Christmas

“The Diplomat’s Daughter”

Lone Star Country Club

The Last Bachelor

JUDY CHRISTENBERRY

has been writing romances for over fifteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. She’s a bestselling author for Harlequin American Romance, but she has a long love of traditional romances and is delighted to tell a story that brings those elements to the reader. A former high school French teacher, Judy devotes her time to writing. She hopes readers have as much fun reading her stories as she does writing them. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favorite sports teams and keeping track of her two adult daughters.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Prologue

Teresa Tyler wearily eased away from the toilet. She’d been sick every morning for the past two weeks.

At first, she’d thought she had a touch of the flu. But now she had more than a niggling feeling her first guess had been wrong. Steadying her nervous hands, she withdrew the small box from the drugstore sack and carefully read the directions. They were supposed to be easy, or so the manufacturer said. Right now nothing seemed simple.

After she followed the two-step process, she paced the floor of her house, waiting the allotted time. But she knew what the results would show. To be honest, she’d figured it out pretty quickly, even though it hadn’t happened to her before.

Nor had she planned for it to happen. Not at all, which was stupid on her part. She’d been so wrapped up in the throes of love that her actions had seemed so natural, absolutely perfect.

Time was up. She picked up the test strip and looked at her fate.

She was pregnant.

Chapter One

At four months pregnant, Teresa Tyler didn’t move as quickly as she used to. So when the phone rang she needed three rings to answer it.

“I just realized I haven’t seen you for more than a month. Why don’t you come for dinner this evening?” It was her sister Tommie. She took being the eldest of the triplet sisters seriously and at times acted more like Teresa’s mother than her sibling. “I’ve invited Tabitha and Mom, with Joel, of course, and Pete’s mother and brother. It’ll be a family night. Say you’ll come.”

Panic instantly filling her, Teresa replied immediately. “I can’t.”

“But, Teresa—”

Teresa drew a deep breath. She’d known this day would come sometime. Tonight was probably as good as any to reveal her secret. “I’ll come on one condition.”

“What’s that?” Tommie asked.

“If you and Tabitha come to lunch today. Just us girls.”

Tommie hesitated. Then she said, “Okay. I’ll call Tabitha.”

“Great. I’ll see you both at noon.”

After she hung up the phone, Teresa sighed deeply. It was almost a relief that she finally had to tell her sisters the truth. It was inevitable. She couldn’t avoid them forever. Besides, she needed Tommie and Tabitha on her side when she faced her mother tonight.

But first things first. How was she going to tell her sisters that she was pregnant and had every intention of raising her baby alone?

On the way, Tommie Tyler Schofield picked up her sister Tabitha. “Have you actually seen Teresa lately?”

“Why, no. She’s spending all her spare time working on her book. Which isn’t easy after teaching all day.”

“So she is teaching? One of the women who moved with Pete’s company told me Teresa wasn’t at the same school anymore.”

“What? She never mentioned a change of school to me. Isn’t that strange?”

“Pete thinks it’s because we keep trying to interfere in her life. He warns me about that all the time,” Tommie said with irritation as she parked her car at Teresa’s small but well-tended house.

“He just doesn’t understand,” Tabitha said, getting out of the car. “We’ve always taken care of Teresa. I know she’s only six minutes younger than me but…it’s just like you taking charge though you’re only two minutes older than me.”

“Well, I’m glad we’re going to see her today, so we can figure out what’s wrong.”

They walked up the sidewalk and knocked on the front door.

Teresa swung open the door, wearing jeans and a long work shirt over a white T-shirt. “Come in,” Teresa said as she hugged her sisters. She’d missed them the past few weeks.

“How are you?” Tommie asked.

“Fine,” Teresa said as she turned to go to the kitchen.

“You look like you’ve put back on the weight you lost,” Tabitha commented. “We were concerned.”

Ignoring the remark Teresa waved them toward the breakfast table that was set for three. “Have a seat. I’ll explain everything to you.”

Taking the homemade quiche from the oven, she cut it into slices and put it on individual plates next to a fresh garden salad. After she’d poured iced tea for all of them, she sat down at the table, only to find both her sisters staring at her.

“I have a lot to confess,” Teresa began. “First of all, I’m not teaching.”

That revelation took both her sisters by surprise.

“Not at all? We’d discovered you weren’t at your old school, but—” Tommie’s voice trailed off.

“How are you supporting yourself?” Tabitha asked, getting to the bottom line quickly.

“I’m living on my savings. I took a sabbatical from my job so I could devote myself to my writing.”

“So you invited us here to tell us you sold your children’s book?” Tommie asked, hoping for the best.

“No, not yet. My other piece of news is…is a little more dramatic. You see, I’m pregnant.”

Stunned silence filled the room and echoed in her ears for a full minute.

Finally Tommie asked, “Are you getting married?”

“And to whom?” Tabitha wanted to know.

Teresa stared at the quiche rather than her sisters. “No, I’m not going to marry.”

“Why not?” Tommie asked.

“Because the baby and I are a family. We don’t need anyone else. Other than you two and Mom, of course.”

“But I don’t understand,” Tommie said. “You loved this man enough to make a baby, but you don’t want to marry him?”

“Things didn’t work out, Tommie. It happens.” She rose from her seat and did some busy work at the counter. Then she turned back to her sister. “Look, I didn’t want to come to your house this evening and shock you in front of other people.”

“Do you need anything?” Tabitha asked. “What can we do to help?”

“I didn’t tell you because I needed your help. I told you because I wanted you to know…and to share in my happiness.”

“Oh, we do, sweetie,” Tommie said, getting up to hug her sister.

Tabitha did the same.

When they returned to their chairs, Tommie asked in an offhand fashion, “How far along are you?”

“About four months.”

“It was that guy you were dating when I got married!” Tommie exclaimed. “I never liked him.”

“You didn’t date for very long, did you?” Tabitha asked. “I only saw you with him a couple of times.”

“No, it—” Teresa caught herself, then, her stomach sinking, she covered up her stammer. “No, it didn’t work out.” She picked up her fork and dug into her food like a lumberjack on his lunch hour. “Let’s eat, before our quiche gets cold.”

It was with reluctance that Jim Schofield approached his brother’s home that evening. The dinner wasn’t just for the Schofields, but also for Tommie’s family. Would Teresa be there? He wondered. It’d been months since he’d seen her, and he was filled with mixed feelings at seeing her now.

Before he could gather himself, his mother, whom he’d driven there, reached the front door ahead of him and rang the bell. Evelyn Schofield was so pleased with Pete’s marriage and considered herself lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter-in-law. He was grateful for Tommie, too; she now helped out with Evelyn’s demands, freeing him from responsibility.

Pete opened the door with an odd look on his face. “Come on in. We were beginning to worry about you. You’re the last ones to arrive.”

Jim apologized before his mother could complain. “I got held up at the office.”

“No problem. My spaghetti isn’t done yet.”

“You’re the chef tonight?”

“Yeah, but Tommie picked up a cake from that great new bakery, so you’re safe for part of the evening.” Pete laughed.

“I’m not worried,” Jim assured him. Then he asked the question that had been on his mind all day. “Is Teresa here? I…haven’t seen her in a while.”

“Uh, neither had we,” Pete said, staring at his brother as if wanting to say more.

Jim wondered what the odd look was for. But when he stepped into the family room and heard the words Teresa and pregnant, he knew.

Teresa Tyler was pregnant.

He stared at her in disbelief. If she was, it was early in her pregnancy; she wasn’t showing much.

His mother didn’t hesitate to state the obvious. “Teresa, you’re pregnant! Congratulations!” she exclaimed. “I hadn’t heard that you’d gotten married.”

Teresa graciously accepted and returned the woman’s hug. “Oh, hello, Evelyn. No, I haven’t gotten married, but I am expecting. It’s getting rather difficult to hide,” Teresa responded with a smile, though her cheeks reddened like two ripe tomatoes.

“Well, where’s the father of the baby?”

Jim knew his mother was embarrassing Teresa, with her inquisition but he was too interested in the answer to that question to interrupt.

Yes, just where was the father of her baby? He repeated to himself.

“The father and I aren’t…together. I’ll be raising my baby by myself.” Teresa smiled again, but her shoulders held an obvious tension.

“And she’ll have all the help she needs from us,” said Ann Tyler, moving over to hug the youngest of her triplet daughters.

Feeling suddenly compelled to add his encouragement, perhaps to compensate for his mother’s doubts, Jim said, “I’m sure she’ll do fine.” As if thanking him, Teresa glanced his way, met his eyes for a fleeting second, then locked her gaze on the iced tea she held in her hand.

Jim couldn’t help himself from taking a long look at her. Her sleek blond hair was pulled back in her omnipresent braid, and she looked a little peaked. Whether from morning sickness or from the fifty questions, he didn’t know. Against his better judgment he noticed her breasts, fuller now as they readied for the baby she’d soon nurse there. He stopped the mental picture before it started to take shape.

He no longer had a relationship with Teresa, he reminded himself. And that was the way he wanted it to be. Months ago, when his twin brother had first returned to Texas and met Tommie, the real estate agent helping relocate his Boston software firm and executives to Fort Worth, Pete had dragged him along to all kinds of business and social functions, the same functions to which Tommie had brought Teresa. Jim found himself dating Teresa to round out the numbers. But he’d opted out of that situation. Not because of Teresa, who was a beautiful and sweet woman, but because he wasn’t comfortable double-dating with his twin. They’d tried that once before, with disastrous results.

He would do well to remember that, he told himself.

Evelyn, undeterred, was continuing to grill Teresa. “But how can you manage without a father for the baby?”

“Mom managed to raise the three of us without having a father in the house,” Tommie pointed out.

“Oh, I forgot that,” Evelyn said. “Probably because I always think of Joel as a part of the family.”

Ann cleared her throat. “Well, actually, Joel and I have an announcement of our own, if you all don’t mind.”

Joel stepped closer to the slim blond woman, still beautiful in her fifties. His gaze sought out the triplets as he said, “Ann has agreed to m-marry me—if you have no objections.”

All three of Ann’s daughters jumped to their feet and hugged the newly engaged couple. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” Teresa said, a sentiment echoed by the others.

“I told him you’d be happy for us,” Ann said, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Of course we are,” Teresa managed through her smile. “And now my baby will have a granddad…if you don’t mind, Joel.”

The soft-spoken, gentle man stammered, “I—I’d be delighted!”

Jim stood quietly by while congratulations were offered, but his mind was not on Ann Tyler’s upcoming nuptials. He was still back on the announcement of Teresa’s pregnancy.

His eyes bored into her as he bluntly asked, “When is the baby due?” He couldn’t get his brain to stop working, thinking, calculating.

Without looking at Jim, Teresa answered, “In about four months, give or take.”

Four months…That put the conception somewhere around Pete and Tommie’s wedding. He remembered the man who had escorted Teresa to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, If he remembered correctly, he didn’t like the guy much. He was awfully…handy. His hands were all over Teresa.

Before Jim could pursue the line of questioning, Tommie told everyone to take their seats for dinner. It was probably just as well. He needed the time to remind himself that this was none of his concern.

“And we have seats assigned, so be sure you’re in the right place!” she added with a chuckle. “We found these cute place cards a couple of weeks ago. I couldn’t wait to use them.”

Jim found his name between Tabitha and Tommie at one end of the table. At the other end was Teresa, next to Pete. He couldn’t have been any farther away from her. When his mother asked if she knew the sex of the baby yet, he had to lean forward to catch her answer.

“I’m going to the doctor on Wednesday for my sonogram. I can find out then,” she said. “I haven’t decided if I want to know yet.”

Both her sisters protested. “Oh, no, we have to know so we can decorate the nursery in the right colors!” Tommie exclaimed.

“Yeah, and if it’s a girl, we can buy some of those cute little outfits!” Tabitha added.

“Girls,” Ann said quietly, “Teresa is in charge of her pregnancy. She gets to make the decisions.”

Teresa laughed. “It’s all right, Mom. They’re probably right. I just haven’t decided.”

“How long are you going to teach?” Jim asked.

“Oh, um, I’m not teaching. I took a sabbatical.”

“Then who’s taking care of you?” Jim asked, forgetting to stay uninvolved at her shocking statement.

“I’m taking care of myself and my baby, Jim. And as much as I appreciate all your concerns,” she said, addressing everyone at the table, “I’m managing just fine.”

“Do you have any contact with the father?” Jim asked, his voice husky.

Teresa gritted her teeth and stared at Evelyn, who was seated across from her. “No, no contact!”

Pete reached over and patted her hand. “I think we’ve all got the message now, honey. No one will ask that question again.” Since he accompanied his words with a determined stare at his brother, Jim backed down.

They lingered around the dinner table even after the dessert had been eaten, talking, exchanging news and discussing plans.

“Oh, by the way,” Tommie asked in a lull in the conversation, “have you started decorating the nursery yet, Teresa?”

“Not yet. I’ve been using the other bedroom as a study. I’ll have to move everything.”

“Just remember that you mustn’t do the painting.”

“I think that’s an old wives’ tale. They have safe paint now,” Teresa said.

“Maybe we should have a workday one Saturday and—”

“No!” Teresa’s empathetic response interrupted Tommie. “Thank you, but I’ll get it done in plenty of time, I promise.”

Silence followed her response.

“I really do appreciate all the support, and I may make mistakes, but I want to learn the hard way, I guess.” Teresa looked around the table, an anxious look on her face.

“I’m sure you’ll manage,” Jim said and received a warm smile in return. The first nice smile she’d awarded him since he’d told her he wouldn’t be dating her anymore.

Good thing she wasn’t a mind reader. Because as much as Teresa said she didn’t need anyone, Jim knew she did. And he knew just where to look for help. He’d remembered the guy she’d been with at the wedding. His name had been Roger something, and he was a teacher at the same school where Teresa had taught kindergarten.

Jim intended to find the man. If nothing else, the creep would pay for having abandoned Teresa and his baby. Jim would see to that.

When the final dismissal bell rang on Monday at the elementary school where Teresa had taught kindergarten, the school erupted as students headed for happier pursuits.

Jim entered the office.

“May I help you, sir?” an elderly lady said from behind the counter.

“Yes, I hope so. This is embarrassing, but yesterday I ran out of gas and I was broke. This guy loaned me ten dollars and told me he was a teacher here. His first name was Roger, but I forgot his last name. I want to pay him back. Do you have anybody here by that name?” He used his most charming smile.

“Oh, that would have to be Roger Arnsby. He’s the sweetest thing!” the grandmotherly woman said.

“Yes, of course. How could I have forgotten—Arnsby. What room is he in?”

“His room is one-oh-seven, just down the hall, but you’ll have to sign in if you want to see him.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Jim signed the visitor log and left the office. He quickly found the correct room. He rapped briefly on the door and stepped forward to face the man behind the desk.

He hurriedly stood and looked at Jim. “Can I help you?”

“Perhaps. We met at my brother’s wedding in July.”

“Oh, right, Teresa’s sister’s wedding,” the teacher said with a relieved smile. “I knew you looked familiar.”

“Oh, you remember Teresa?” Jim asked grimly.

The man frowned. “Of course I remember her. She’s a friend.”

“Seen her lately?”

“No, I called her in September to go get a cup of coffee. You know, touch base with her, but she was busy.”

“Guess what she was busy with.” Before Roger could answer, Jim continued, “She was throwing up because she’s pregnant.”

“Did you come here to tell me that?”

“I came here to tell you because she doesn’t have a brother to inform you.”

“Why would she need a—Wait just a minute! Are you implying she’s pregnant with my baby?” Roger demanded, his voice rising close to hysteria.

“Glad to see you got my meaning. Now, I’m not sure Teresa wants you in her life, and that’s her choice. But you owe her some financial support for your child.”

“But I’m not the father of her child.”

“Oh, really? How do you know?”

“I know because Teresa and I are friends. I never had sex with her.”

“You seemed pretty hot and heavy at the rehearsal dinner and wedding,” Jim reminded him.

“Yeah, because that’s what she wanted. When I tried to continue the relationship because—because I was falling for her, she refused. Said she appreciated my help, but she wasn’t ready for a relationship.”

“Would you say that if she were standing here in front of you?”

“Yeah, I would. And I’d also want to share in my child’s life, even if its mother still wasn’t interested in me. But unless the ways to get pregnant have changed to include hand-holding, I’m not the dad. That’s about as far as I’ve gone with Teresa.”

Jim frowned ferociously and Roger took a step backward. “Ask Teresa if you don’t believe me. I’m sure she didn’t tell you that I was the father!”

“She didn’t,” Jim said with a growl. What the hell had gone on last summer? And why did she ask this bozo to slobber all over her at the rehearsal and wedding? It was as if she was trying to prove that she hadn’t been hurt.

He turned, almost stumbling, and started out of the room. “Sorry,” he muttered over his shoulder.

“Hey! Wait! Did you figure out who the father is?”

“I think so. Sorry I bothered you.”

Jim got in his car and sat in the parking lot, trying to gather his thoughts.

Could it be?

He hadn’t thought—

But she’d avoided him after he’d told her he wouldn’t be seeing her anymore. That was for sure. Which meant he’d hurt her.

He hadn’t intended to. Drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, Jim thought about his reasons. As a teenager, he’d been embarrassed, humiliated by a girl who thought he was going to give her his senior ring. They had doubled with his brother and his girlfriend because his brother had asked him to. His senior year had been ruined because the girl had vilified him to everyone.

He’d vowed never to be caught in the same situation again.

Then Pete had come back home, met Tommie and the other two triplets. Somehow Jim had ended up dating Teresa. And he’d panicked as his mother kept talking about him marrying Teresa.

He’d felt he had to disassociate himself before any free choice was taken from him. He’d arranged to take Teresa to dinner one Friday night. Unfortunately, before he’d gotten up his nerve to tell her, she had acted out of character.

She’d seduced him.

Jim rubbed his face with his hands. That night had been wonderful…and horrible. He hadn’t been strong enough to resist her, probably because he’d secretly wanted her all along. But after they’d made love, he’d still told her he wouldn’t date her again.

Stupid of him.

There was no justification for what he’d done, except that he’d panicked. After having the most memorable sexual experience of his life, he’d rejected her.

But the most important question here was whether or not he was the father of her baby.

And that question had to be answered today!

Chapter Two

It only took one look from Teresa to change Jim’s plans. He wasn’t going to demand anything. Because he’d seen fear in her eyes.

“Jim! What are you doing here?” she’d asked.

What had he done to make her fear him? And if he demanded the truth now, when she already feared him, she’d never admit his role in her pregnancy.

“I wanted to come by and see you. Mind if I come in?”

“But why are you off work? It’s too early for you—”

“I worked a lot of overtime last week. I thought I’d take off early today. And I wanted to offer my services to you.”

“Your services? I don’t need any accounting help.”

He smiled, gently moving into her house as she backed away from him. “I know that. But I thought there might be some things I could do for you…like a brother.”

“A brother?” Her voice wavered and Jim didn’t know if she was going to laugh or cry.

“You know, lift things, move things. I’ll pretend to be your brother while you’re pregnant. You can call on me for anything.”

They were still standing in the entryway. Jim didn’t think he was going to get any farther into her home.

“Well, that’s very thoughtful, Jim, but—”

Suddenly, a strange look came over her face and she felt her slightly protruding stomach.

“What is it? What’s wrong? Come on, let’s sit you down. This way,” he said as he moved her into the living room toward the sofa.

“No, it’s—I’m fine. I think I just felt the baby move—for the first time!” She beamed at him.

Jim wrapped his arms around her. “You scared me to death! That’s good, isn’t it? To feel the baby move?”

She eased herself out of his hold. “Yes, I’m sure it is. I’ll ask the doctor Wednesday.”

“What time is your appointment?”

“Two o’clock.”

“What did it feel like?” Jim asked as he urged her to sit down.

She gave him a confused look. “What?”

“What did the movement feel like?”

“Oh. Kind of like a butterfly. Just a fluttering.”

“Is that normal?”

“I think so. I haven’t known anyone who’s been pregnant. I can ask the doctor Wednesday.” She frowned at him. “It was nice of you to stop by, Jim, but really, I’m fine.”

“Good.” He looked around the cozy room, one he remembered so well from his visits here last summer. “I like your living room. It’s so comfortable. Hey!” he exclaimed. “Where’s your television?”

“My television? I have a portable I keep in my bedroom.”

“Is that the only one you have? What if you have someone over to watch television?”

“I don’t.”

“But the World Series starts this week. Aren’t you going to watch it?”

“I don’t know. Probably.”

Jim got an idea. He knew just what he could do for Teresa, and he wanted to get onto it right away. “Well, if you don’t need me, then…” He walked toward the door. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”

Teresa followed Jim to the door just in time to wave goodbye as he hurried to his car. What a strange visit. He wanted to be her brother? How would that work, when he was the father of her baby? Not that he knew that. Nor would he. She certainly wasn’t going to tell him.

As she turned from the door, she couldn’t help but think of the last time Jim Schofield was in her house. That summer night was forever emblazoned on her memory. It had certainly been different from today. Then Jim wasn’t looking to be her brother. Nor had she looked for fraternal affection from him. She’d tried her best that night to seduce him…and she’d succeeded. He’d given her the best night of her life.

Until he’d told her he didn’t want to see her again.

Her memory jogged, and she suddenly remembered his most recent remark. He’d see her Wednesday. What did he mean by that?

Had Tommie planned something for her entire family again? Teresa didn’t think sharing another meal with Jim was a good idea. She loved him, but he didn’t love her, nor did he want anything to do with her…except as a brother.

And that was impossible.

When Teresa came out to get in her car Wednesday for her doctor’s appointment, she remembered wondering what Jim had meant when he said he’d see her Wednesday.

Now she knew.

Jim’s luxury car was parked in her driveway behind her own economy car. His window was rolled down and he sat behind the wheel.

She slowly walked over to him. “Jim? What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to take you to your doctor’s appointment.”

Teresa frowned. “Why?”

“Because I thought you sounded a little apprehensive talking about the appointment when I was here on Monday. I didn’t think you should have to go through it alone.”

Teresa fought back the sudden tears that filled her eyes. She turned away from Jim so he couldn’t see them. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Jim. Everyone at the doctor’s office would think you were the father. Rumors would start. Your mother would be appalled.”

“My mother will survive. We’ll tell everyone at the doctor’s office that I’m your brother. It’s almost true.”

That brother thing again, she thought. Why did he torture her with that? “No. Please back out so I can leave.” She turned and headed for her car.

Jim jumped out of his car and beat her to the door of her own. She thought he was being sweet and was going to open it for her. Instead, he leaned against it. “I’m not leaving.”

“Jim, you’re being unreasonable!”

“No, you’re the one being unreasonable. I just want to help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

He stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulders. “You need someone’s help, and I’m the only one here. If your sisters had shown up, I’d back off. But they didn’t.”

“I told them I’d be fine. There was no need for them to take off work.”

“I agree. Come on, Teresa. Let me go with you.”

“Okay, you can drive me there, but you have to stay in the waiting room while I’m examined.”

“If that’s what you want,” he assured her as he opened his passenger door for her.

Once they were on their way, his gaze kept flitting to the side to catch a glimpse of her face. In a casual voice he said, “It seemed to me you were worried about what the sonogram might show. Am I right?”

“It’s going to be fine, I’m sure.”

He reached out and took her left hand in his, cradling it on his thigh. “Of course it is.”

When Teresa tried to withdraw her hand, he held it fast. Finally she stopped fighting him. After all, no one else could see, and it did give her some extra courage at the moment—and she needed that.

When they reached the doctor’s office, Teresa signed in, then sat down beside Jim. “It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll be his first patient after lunch.”

“That’s good. Does it embarrass you to be seen by a man?”

When she stared at him, he clarified. “I mean, the doctor is a man, isn’t he?”

“Well, yes, but…you know, the nurses drape me. He’ll only see my stomach today.”

“I’ve seen your stomach before, Teresa,” he whispered, watching her closely.

She turned a bright red. “Not like it is now.”

“Come on, Teresa, let me come in with you. I’ve never seen a sonogram before.”

“I—I don’t—”

“Miss Tyler?” the nurse called from the just-opened door.

Jim followed Teresa to the door. “I want to come in when the doctor does the sonogram. She’ll be properly draped, won’t she?”

“Yes, of course. But that decision is Miss Tyler’s, unless you’re the father?”

Jim looked from the nurse to Teresa, and she could feel her heart start to race. How was she supposed to answer that?

In Jim’s expression she could see how much she wanted to come in, to be a witness to the first sight of her baby. Their baby. Even though she couldn’t tell him he was going to be a father, she couldn’t in all good conscience deny him this opportunity. She swallowed the fear she tasted in her mouth and said to the nurse, “He’s just a good friend, but it’s okay with me if he comes in for the sonogram.” Then, without a glance in his direction, she headed down the hallway toward the examination rooms.

“All right, Miss Tyler, I’ll let the doctor know you’re ready. Are you excited?”

Teresa rubbed her damp hands on the white cloths covering her naked body as she lay on the exam table. “Yes…and a little apprehensive.”

The nurse reassured her. “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. Shall I show your friend in now?”

“Oh, I—I—”

Before she could complete her thought, the nurse reminded her, “You did say he could come in, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but—”

“It will make you feel better to have him with you. I’ll go get him.”

She whisked out of the room, leaving Teresa even more alarmed than before. What if there was something wrong with her baby? The nurse said she’d gained quite a bit of weight, and the doctor might be concerned.

Now that she thought of it, she didn’t think it would be good for Jim to hang around. She might weaken and tell him it was his child. But she’d promised herself she wouldn’t do that. She didn’t want a man who had to be trapped. He should know about his child. But not now. Later, when she wasn’t pregnant.

The door opened and Jim came in smiling at her. “I appreciate you letting me come in, honey.”

Teresa tried to smile at him, but she didn’t quite pull it off.

He immediately came to her side and took her hand in his, as he had in the car. The warmth his hand provided began to seep through her. She would’ve been greatly embarrassed if his gaze had not remained on her face. But it did.

“It will be all right,” Jim promised.

She didn’t try to respond because the door opened again to allow Dr. Benson to enter, followed by the nurse.

“Mr. Schofield, if you’ll move to the other side of Miss Tyler, it will make our job easier,” the nurse assured him, smiling at him.

Teresa wondered if she was flirting with Jim. He was an attractive man, tall, muscular with dark hair and the most beautiful hazel eyes she’d ever seen. She could understand why the young nurse would be interested. After all, hadn’t he stolen her own heart when he wasn’t even trying. Foolish her.

The doctor began chatting about her pregnancy, and Teresa was forced to take her mind off Jim. But he continued to hold her hand.

“You’ve gained a couple more pounds than I expected, my dear. Have you been doing a lot of munching between meals? You have to watch that. We want a healthy baby, you know.”

“Yes, doctor,” Teresa said, biting her bottom lip.

He must’ve seen her uneasiness. “Well, now, I’m sure you’ll be careful. The nurse is going to put some petroleum jelly on your stomach so we can get a picture of your baby.”

Teresa clutched Jim’s hand as if it were a lifeline. She didn’t bother looking at him to make sure he wasn’t staring in disgust at her stomach. Instead she kept her eyes on the nurse’s movement. The jelly felt a little cold and a bit slimey. But she so badly wanted to see her baby and make sure it was all right.

“Now I’m going to press down on your stomach,” Dr. Benson said. “It may be a little uncomfortable, but it will ensure a good picture. You watch the monitor.”

Teresa fastened her eyes on the small screen. When the picture came through, they all watched closely.

“Well, well, well,” the doctor said a few moments later, beaming a broad smile at Teresa. “I see now why you picked up the extra pounds. I should’ve expected this. After all, you are a triplet.”

Good thing she was lying down, or the news might have knocked her to her back. Was he saying what she thought he was? “Dr. Benson, does this mean…Am I having…”

He nodded his head. “Twins.”

Not one baby, but two? What Tommie had feared about her relationship with Pete—a multiple birth—had come true for her.

She sobered suddenly as a fearsome thought hit home. Would Jim think he was the father? After all, he was a twin. She tried to remove her hand from his. After getting this profound news, she couldn’t face another pronouncement right now.

Thankfully she heard the doctor ask, “Do you want to know the sex of your babies?”

Jim squeezed her hand. She didn’t know what that meant, but she’d made her decision before she arrived at the doctor’s office. “Yes, I do.”

The doctor beamed down at her. “You’re having twin boys, my dear. Your life is going to be very busy.”

“Yes,” Teresa agreed, avoiding Jim’s gaze. Twin boys. She didn’t know anything about boys. No, she corrected herself, that wasn’t true. She had about fifteen of them every year in her kindergarten class. But sons? She was having two sons?

As if sensing how overwhelmed she was, the kindly sexagenarian doctor patted her hump. “Now, I’m going to go to my office. After the nurse cleans you up and you get dressed, she’ll show you to my office and we’ll have a little talk. I can answer any questions you might have.”

“Thank you, doctor.” She waited for the nurse to take Jim back to the waiting room.

“Mr. Schofield, is it? You want to wait in my office for Teresa?” the doctor asked.

Teresa wanted to scream no. Jim had no business being in the consultation with them.

However, before she could protest, he bent over and kissed her forehead and accepted the doctor’s invitation.

“So, the babies are all right?” Jim asked Dr. Benson as he followed him into the office. “And Teresa?”

“All three are in perfect shape.” The doctor sat in his leather chair and smoothed his tie over his chest. “Mr. Schofield, if you don’t mind my asking, how are you related to this situation?”

“I’m Teresa’s sister’s husband’s brother,” Jim said. “I came with her as a friend, sort of as her brother.”

The doctor nodded his head, and began jotting some notes in a file. He didn’t look up as he spoke. “I think under the circumstances we’d better wait until Teresa comes in. But I hope you will continue to offer her support. It won’t be easy to raise two little boys by herself.”

“I’m a twin myself,” Jim said. At that, the doctor picked up his head, fully attentive. Jim knew what the man was thinking. A mother who was a triplet—and a father who was a twin? But Jim revealed nothing. He had no right to divulge the truth. Only Teresa could do that.

“Really?” Dr. Benson intoned, trying for mildly interested. “Then you’ll be a lot of help.”

Jim wanted that responsibility. Though he’d never pictured himself married, he was willing to take that leap so that he could be involved in his sons’ lives. He’d never deny his kids. He’d also never regret them. Though this complicated situation was created out of his own stupidity, Jim vowed to do what was right.

The door opened and Teresa, again dressed in a turquoise dress that made her blue eyes look huge, stepped into the office.

“Come in, my dear. I’m so pleased with your pregnancy. Now, do you have any questions?”

Teresa stared first at the doctor and then at Jim.

Before she could speak, Jim reminded her, “Don’t you want to ask about the baby, I mean babies, moving?”

“You felt the babies moving?” Dr. Benson asked.

“I felt what I would describe as a flutter. It worried me,” she admitted.

“That’s a good sign. Perfectly normal. Now, I want you to continue your normal activities, but don’t push yourself. A nap every day would be good. Pamper yourself, but don’t overeat.”

“Yes, doctor.”

“Do you have any other questions?”

“I—I can’t think of any others,” she said faintly.

“Good. But you call if you’re worried about something. I think the best thing for your babies is to have a happy mom. You should be spoiled and cared for. Mr. Schofield has promised—as your brother, sort of—to be sure you’re cared for. I’m holding him to his promise.”

“No! He isn’t my—It’s not his responsibility. I can take care of myself!”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” the doctor said as Teresa jumped from her chair. “It’s not good for the babies or for you to get agitated.”

Teresa sank back into her chair, assisted by Jim, and took deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I’ll be careful. My sisters will check in on me. That will be sufficient.”

In a fatherly manner, the doctor said, “My dear, you should never turn down a friend. We all need any help we can get.”

Jim watched Teresa’s jaw tighten, just as it had when he’d asked who was the father of her babies. “She’ll be careful, doctor. She loves children.”

“Good.” He stood and held out his hand first to Teresa and then to Jim. “Let me know if you have any questions.”

Teresa nodded and headed out of his office, not waiting for Jim. He sighed but caught up with her. “Teresa, are you mad at me?”

“Yes, I am. You had no right to talk to my doctor. You’re poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“We didn’t discuss anything except that I’m a twin. Unlike you, he didn’t feel I was being nosy.” About the time he finished that statement, he noticed she was carefully carrying a paper. “What’s that?”

A warm flush covered her cheeks. “A copy of the sonogram. The nurse printed it out for me.”

Jim hadn’t realized Teresa would have a picture. “May I see?”

“You were there, Jim.”

“I know, but…it all went by so fast.”

They had reached his car and he held open the door for her. Then he circled the car to get behind the wheel. Without a word, Teresa handed over the sonogram picture.

Jim noted that his hands were shaking as he took the picture of his sons. There they were. Two baby boys. “Dear God, Teresa, this is so wonderful. You might have preferred triplets, but…” His voice trailed off as he looked at the two small shapes.

“No. I’ll have to struggle to manage with two boys. Three would do me in,” she said with a small smile.

“And now, more than ever, I want to help you. After all, I’m a male twin. I can give you advice, help you deal with…anything.”

She closed her eyes and laid her head against the headrest. “I don’t need any help, Jim. Please take me home.”

He carefully put the picture back in her lap and started the car. “Are you going to show your sisters the picture?” he asked.

“Probably, the next time I see them.”

“But—”

“Jim, these are my babies and my decision. They don’t have to know immediately. The babies and I aren’t going anywhere!”

Jim pressed his lips together to stop himself from arguing with her. That was the last thing she needed. It would make her blood pressure go up.

When they reached her house, she got out of the car before he could reach her door. As she started for her house, he said, “You unlock the door. I’m going to get something out of the trunk.”

Teresa turned around to stare at him. “What? I don’t need anything.”

“I’ll be right there.” He took a large flat box out of the car and started toward her.

Teresa stared at the box, unable to figure out what it could be. Then she saw the writing on it. That couldn’t be a television.

Jim hefted the box through the door while she held it open. Then she followed him into the living room.

“Jim, what is that? What are you doing?”

“I thought I’d loan you a television for your living room, so you can rest.”

“I have a television in my bedroom. I can rest there. Besides, that’s too flat for a television.”

“It’s a new—uh, relatively new plasma television. And it has that new picture. I’ll just hang it on the wall.” He put down the box and looked around. “May I take down this picture?”

“Jim, I don’t need a television. And I like that painting.”

“Sit down and take deep breaths, Teresa. Let me just show you how this will work.” He removed the picture and went about hanging the TV in its place. A while later he moved back and picked up the remote control. A blast of noise came out of the flat television, cheering as the camera panned the audience at a baseball game.

“The game’s on already?” Teresa asked, immediately captured by the big screen and sharp clarity.

“Yeah. It just started.”

Teresa reluctantly turned from the television to look at Jim. “I really don’t need this television. I don’t want to take it away from you.”

“The doctor said you should be pampered,” Jim reminded her. “I’m just following his directions. Mind if I stay and watch the game?”

Chapter Three

Jim was opening the door of his condo when his phone rang. Catching it on an umpteenth ring, he barked a hello.

“Where have you been, Jim?” It was his mother. “I’ve tried to reach you all evening.”

Actually, he’d had a pleasant afternoon and evening with Teresa, but he wasn’t about to tell his mother that. She’d read more into it than there was. After the game he’d ordered in some Chinese food, which they ate while they discussed safe topics like baseball strategy. Then on his way home he’d stopped at a coffee shop and drank coffee he hadn’t really wanted because he was afraid of spending time alone with his thoughts.

But all he told his mother was “I was out, Mom. Is something wrong?”

“Can’t a mother call her son without there being a reason?”

Jim stifled a laugh. Yeah, like that ever happened. “Well, thanks for calling. How are you?”

“I’ve decided I need to have the house repainted. Whom should I call?”

At ten o’clock at night she wanted him to thumb through the Yellow Pages? He said, “I don’t think your house needs painting. Didn’t you just have it done last year?”

“Yes, but I want to update it. Maybe I’ll just have the interior done. I could do one room in blue, one in pale yellow…oh, and I saw a red room on one of those home-improvement shows. It looked so chic!”

“Okay, if that’s what you want, Mom. Maybe hire a decorator to advise you.”

“A decorator? Why, that’s a wonderful idea. I could ask Teresa and Tommie. They did such a good job on Pete’s new house. I’ll invite them to lunch and ask their advice. Thank you, dear. I knew you’d know what to do. That’s why I rely on you so much, Jim.”

Jim could practically see her beaming through the phone. “I love you, too, Mom.”

When his mother hung up, he phoned Tommie himself. But for another reason altogether. It was late, but he didn’t want to waste one more minute putting into action the plan he’d come up with tonight.

When Pete answered, Jim asked, “Is Tommie awake?”

“Yeah, Jim…but what do you want her for?”

“I’m not hitting on your wife, bro. I want her to find me a house. And I have to warn her about Mom.”

“What about Mom?” Pete asked. “And what’s this about a home?”

“I can’t tell you over the phone. Besides…Hell, I don’t know if I should tell you at all.”

“Look, we’re still up. Why don’t you come over and Tommie will make a pot of decaf, okay?”

“All right, if you’re sure.”

Jim stopped at the grocery store and bought a package of brownies, as a peace offering. It might take a lot more than chocolate when he faced Tommie.

Pete must’ve been watching for him because he opened the door as Jim reached the porch. “Come on in. You’ve certainly stirred our curiosity.”

“I didn’t mean to sound so mysterious,” Jim said. He followed Pete to the kitchen where Tommie had put on the coffee and set out three mugs. Jim slid the box of brownies toward her. “I hope you like these.”

“Oh, I love them, and so do my hips.”

Jim drew a deep breath after he was seated. “Teresa went to the doctor today.”

Tommie exclaimed, “Oh, I forgot about that. I need to call her.” She moved toward the phone.

“She’ll be asleep,” Jim pointed out.

Tommie automatically looked at her watch. “You could be right. I’ll call her in the—Wait a minute. How do you know so much about Teresa?”

“I went with her to the doctor’s office.”

Pete stared at his brother. “Why?”

Jim swallowed. “I—I thought she was apprehensive about the sonogram, so I went with her.”

“She agreed to that? She told me I couldn’t come with her, that she could manage on her own.”

“She wasn’t thrilled about having me come along, but I did, and she let me come in while they did the sonogram.”

“Wait,” Tommie ordered. She poured the coffee and carried the mugs to the table. After she sat down, she looked at Jim. “She agreed to your staying in the room with her while they did the sonogram?”

“Yes. She felt the baby move on Monday for the first time and it made her a little nervous.”

“But everything was all right?” Tommie asked urgently, leaning forward.

“Yes.” Jim stopped, trying to think what he should say. Finally, he blurted out, “She’s having twin boys.”

Excitement lit up Tommie’s face for a moment. Then she said, “Don’t you think you should’ve let Teresa tell us?”

Pete took Tommie’s hand. “I think my brother has more to tell us, honey.”

Tommie looked from her husband’s face to Jim’s. “What?”

“I know who the father is,” Jim confessed, staring at his coffee.

Pete said nothing, but Tommie demanded to know at once.

Jim raised his gaze to the woman, prepared to take his medicine. “Tommie, I’m the father of Teresa’s babies.”

Tommie stared at him. Then in a low voice, she said, “You bastard! You get my baby sister pregnant and then abandon her? How dare you!”

“I didn’t know she was pregnant. I mean, not until Saturday night. I only figured out I was the daddy on Monday. I thought it was the guy at her school. The one that was all over her at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. I confronted him. But it wasn’t him. He said Teresa asked him to act that way for those two events, then refused to see him again.”

“Why would she do that?” Tommie asked.

“Because she wanted to make sure no one would know that I’d hurt her. We…we had sex before I told her I couldn’t date her anymore because of what had happened to me before.”

Pete stared at his brother this time. “Don’t you think that’s a little cold?”

“Yes, damn it, I do. But I wasn’t prepared—She didn’t—I panicked.”

“Couldn’t you have panicked before you made love to her?” Tommie asked in an icy voice.

“I don’t blame you if you don’t believe me, Tommie, but she took me by surprise. I was trying to get my nerve up to tell her my decision. We went back to her house and—and she seduced me.”

“Teresa? No, I don’t believe you!” Tommie exclaimed.

“That is a little far-fetched, bro,” Pete agreed.

“I know. That’s why I was totally unprepared. She’s beautiful and sweet and—and that’s the last thing I thought she would do. And I was weak. I took what she offered.”

There was silence around the table for several minutes. Then Tommie said, “Now what?”

“I’m willing to marry her. I’m certainly not going to ignore my responsibilities. And I want to play a role in my sons’ lives. But I’m afraid she’ll turn me down and refuse to let me have anything to do with the pregnancy if I confront her now.”

“Do you love her?” Tommie asked sharply.

“I respect her, and I like her, too. I can’t say I’m in love with her,” he said, being as honest as he could.

Tommie jumped up from her chair before her husband could stop her and started pacing the floor, her arms wrapped around her middle.

“Tommie?” Pete called softly.

She spun around and glared at him. “What?”

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking about poor Teresa. She won’t accept an offer like that, based on him wanting his sons and agreeing to take Teresa, too. And I don’t want her to. I want her to have what we have, a marriage filled with love.”

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