These twin sisters have shared everything in their lives—but they didn’t plan on becoming pregnant at the same time, until they find themselves…

Lianne hasn’t found Mr. Right, but she’s longing to have a baby before it’s too late!

Her sister, Annalise, has the perfect life: a sexy husband, a fabulous home and a great career. But when she made her wedding vows, she also made a pact with her husband—theirs would always be a family of two!

Find out what happens to Annalise next month when she and her husband find themselves:

Parents in Training

Dear Reader,

I’ve always been fascinated by twins, wondering how it would feel to have someone in my life who looked exactly like I do. I have heard of a special bond between twins, and so began to explore the story idea of twin sisters who want different things out of life and yet end up in similar situations.

Lianne O’Mallory is the single twin who longs for a baby. She has a medical problem that’s getting worse. A ticking clock, much earlier than most women face it, adds to the urgency of becoming pregnant. But she’s particular. She doesn’t want just anyone to father her baby. She makes a list of the appealing attributes she’d like for the father of her child, and is shocked when her boss reads it and volunteers.

Lianne’s twin, Annalise, has been married for five years. Early in her relationship with her husband, they decided not to have children. Unexpectedly, Annalise becomes pregnant, and suddenly her plans for the future change drastically. The only problem is her husband’s views have not changed.

United, the sisters work out solutions to their situations that promise a happy future for all.

Though each twin has her own story, these stories are closely intertwined, just like twins.

If you are a twin, I hope I captured the special bond you have with your double. If you’re not a twin, come explore that special tie in these stories.

All the best,

Barbara

Barbara McMahon
The Pregnancy Promise

Barbara McMahon was born and raised in the South, but settled in California after spending a year flying around the world for an international airline. She later settled down to raise a family and work for a computer firm, and began writing when her children started school. Now, feeling fortunate that she’s been able to realize a long-held dream of quitting her day job and writing full-time, she and her husband have moved to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, where she finds her desire to write is stronger than ever. With the beauty of the mountains visible from her windows and the pace of life slower than that of the hectic San Francisco Bay Area, where they previously resided, she finds more time than ever to think up stories and characters, and share them with others through writing. Barbara loves to hear from readers. You can reach her at P.O. Box 977, Pioneer, CA 95666-0977, U.S.A.

Readers can also contact Barbara at her Web site, www.barbaramcmahon.com.

To Bridgette Anne Hessler,

the newest in our family, with lots of love

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ONE

LIANNE O’MALLORY sat bundled up in an old quilt. The wind blew from the sea, the tang of salt filling the air. It was too cold to be outside, but she snuggled in the warmth of the quilt and stared out at the gray sea. It had been raining until a half hour ago. The gray skies looked as if they melded into the water at the horizon. It was a dreary day. One that suited her mood to perfection. Tears welled again. Sniffing, she refused to cry.

Staring over the deserted beach from the family cottage, she tried to make her mind go blank—but the doctor’s words echoed over and over. Her recommendation—a hysterectomy. Lianne blinked back the tears. She was only twenty-eight, far too young to face this. Never married, she still held the hope she’d find the man of her dreams one day and get married and start a family. That wouldn’t happen if she had the operation. She’d thought she had all the time in the world. Instead she was limited to months.

The painful menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding contributed to her being almost incapacitated several days each month. If she wanted relief from the pain, this was the option her physician recommended. She snuggled against the hot water bottle pressed to her abdomen. Pills and heat helped, but nothing fully relieved the pain.

Not that she’d get an operation based on one doctor’s opinion. Lianne believed Dr. Wright, however, and expected a second and even third doctor to support her prognosis. But not yet. She couldn’t bear to end all hope of having a family one day. She had already made an appointment with another ObGyn. But she knew it was only a matter time. Her doctor would not have recommended the procedure if she hadn’t been certain it was the only option left.

The pronouncement had been unexpected. Visiting the doctor yesterday afternoon, she’d been hoping for a new treatment, something that would work after five years of trying different medication. But the miracle she hoped for hadn’t appeared. Each month the pain grew worse. This month she’d been driven to the doctor’s again. Too distraught to even think after the doctor’s recommendation, she’d hopped in her car and driven to the beach; to the cottage that had been in her family since her grandfather had been a little boy. It was a refuge, a haven. She sorely needed some time to come to terms with the change in her life.

Cottage was a bit of a misnomer—the house had five bedrooms and a kitchen large enough to feed a family of twenty. And there were usually that many in and out all summer long.

October it was deserted. The perfect place to hide away and come to terms with the realities of her life.

Lianne hadn’t even told her twin yet. Annalise would drive out to join her as soon as she heard and at this moment, Lianne didn’t want anyone around—not even the closest person to her in the world.

Her cell rang. It had rung a dozen times already today. Each time the chirpy ring startled her, bringing her out of her reverie for a few seconds. It lay on the counter in the kitchen. She could hear it but not bring herself to leave her warm cocoon to walk inside to answer.

The relentless wave action of the sea mesmerized. The cool breeze chilled her cheeks. Tucked inside the warm quilt, getting up would mean being enveloped in the cold until she went inside. Maybe she’d just stay huddled in the quilt forever.

The phone went quiet. No one knew where she was. She’d phoned in to the office after she’d left the doctor’s office and just told her assistant she’d be out for a couple of days. Not stopping to check in with any of her family or friends, she’d driven straight to the beach. Sooner or later she’d have to call someone or they’d all worry. But not yet.

The phone rang again. For a moment Lianne thought it sounded angry. She smiled for the first time since seeing the doctor yesterday. Phone ring tones didn’t sound angry. They just played whatever ring tone was set. Sighing, she rose and went inside. Her cramps were manageable, but she hunched over slightly. It would be Traynor Elliott—she could tell by the intense vibes winging their way over the airways. Her boss didn’t do things by half measures. If he decided he needed to speak to her, she’d better answer or who knew what he’d do next.

She grabbed the phone and flipped it open. “Yes?” The door hadn’t latched behind her and the wind whipped it wide-open, slamming it against the wall. Lianne winced as the cold air whirled around the kitchen.

“Where the hell are you and why isn’t the Schribner folder where I think it ought to be?” Tray growled.

“I’m taking a couple of days off and the folder is with Jenny, ask her,” she replied almost in the same snarl as she slammed the door shut. She was not in the mood to placate her boss. She had her own problem at the moment. “And when I take time off from work, I’m not supposed to be working. You have a building full of employees, get one of them to find your blasted folder.”

The silence on the other end lasted only a second. Then the silky tones of one trying to sooth a fractious child came over the line. “Are you sick? It’s not like you to miss work at all, much less without any warning.”

She took a deep breath. Her private life was just that. She wasn’t best friends with her boss though they had worked together for years. The longer she worked there, the more she and Tray meshed. He’d bounce ideas off her. She’d bring up situations that were beyond her for his input. For a moment she wished she could confide in him. He was good at problem solving. But close as they were at work, they’d kept their personal lives private.

“I’ll be back in a couple of days. You can manage until then.” Lianne disconnected and then turned off the phone. She’d have to call her sister soon. Once she came to terms with things, she’d want Annalise’s wise counsel. But in the meantime, she wanted to hole up and not talk to anyone—especially her sister. Not that she was envious of her twin precisely. Okay, maybe she was just a little.

Annalise and Dominic had married five years ago. They lived in a lovely apartment near Dupont Circle in the District. Both successful in their respective professions, they traveled often, frequently to exotic locations. Sometimes trips were connected with Dominic’s work as a troubleshooter for a computer company. Other times just for fun.

The only person Annalise loved more than her twin was her husband. And once in a while Lianne almost wished he’d not come along. Almost, but not really. Her sister was blissfully happy in her marriage and that was what Lianne envied.

If Lianne had married five years ago, she’d have had children by now. Sometimes she wondered why Annalise didn’t. The answer to the question—they weren’t ready—seemed vague. But she’d never pushed for more. Everyone had their own timing. The next oldest in a large family, Lianne had always planned on having a large family of her own. She loved holidays and birthdays with her family. The closeness, the love, the feeling there was always someone there for her. She had deliberately sought to build a successful career before settling down to marriage and a family. Now it looked as if time had run out.

She dropped the quilt across one of the wooden chairs that surrounded the large plank kitchen table. Time to fix something to eat. If she had more energy, she’d go out to one of the local restaurants where the crab cakes were melt-in-your-mouth good. Or try one of the fish grills that dotted the town of Baden Harbor. But not tonight. She’d just heat up some soup and make toast. She wasn’t hungry, but practical enough to know she needed to eat.

Things would look better in the morning, as her grandmother always said.

Lianne didn’t know how, but she hoped so.

Traynor Elliott carefully replaced the phone, stunned at the reaction of his normally cool-headed senior analyst. Lianne had worked for him for the last five years. He’d only seen her angry enough to yell twice. What set this episode off? He thought back over the last couple of days. He had not been more difficult to work with than normal. So that wasn’t it.

In fact, if asked, he’d have said they had a great relationship. She stood up to him when she thought he was wrong. Something other employees could learn. She voiced her feelings about projects, sometimes pinpointing exactly what was missing. And he relied on her more than any of the other analysts to give him sound advice.

He rose and went down the hall and peered into her office. Tidy as always. She was neat beyond normal, he often thought; while his own desk was piled high with folders and printouts and reports. Lianne loved order, spreadsheets and tons of data to analyze. He counted on her to have the information he wanted when he wanted it. He was used to Lianne being there whenever he needed her. This wasn’t like her at all. Now he’d have to find Jenny and see if she could locate the file. And maybe give him some information on what was up with Lianne.

The younger woman was diligently typing a report from one of the field agents. She looked up when Tray stopped at her desk and almost grimaced before giving him an artificial smile.

“What can I do for you?” she asked.

“I’m looking for the Schribner folder,” he said.

“Oh, dear. I remember seeing that. Just hold on a sec and let me remember where.” Jenny jumped up and began to rummage through the stacks of folders on her desk. It resembled his, but there the similarity ended. Traynor knew exactly where every piece of paper was on his. Jenny was still rummaging through piles.

“Lianne was working on it, making sure everything was up today because you’re meeting with them soon and she wanted you to have every iota of intel at your fingertips,” Jenny mumbled as she rifled through yet another stack of folders. “She called in yesterday and had me get it from her office. It’s here. Wait a sec.”

Tray took a breath, trying not to let his frustration spill over. His first tendency was to snap and then make amends, but he wouldn’t do that today. He had more control over his behavior. But he didn’t have much patience in the best of times and this was not the best of times. Dammit, why had Lianne taken off at this juncture? He needed her.

“Here it is!” Jenny beamed with success and handed him the thick folder.

He took it and walked away. At least one thing had gone right today. Where the hell was Lianne? She had not previously requested vacation time. She wasn’t claiming sick leave. Was something wrong with someone in her family? He didn’t know much about her personal life, just that her family came from Maryland and she had more brothers and sisters than anyone else he knew. Most of whom also worked in the District of Columbia.

He returned to his desk and opened the folder. His curiosity over Lianne and her odd behavior wouldn’t let him focus on the material therein. If she were sick, wouldn’t she have said something? Normally he knew her schedule as well as he knew his own—and vice versa.

Tray tried her phone again. The not-in-service message came on. He uttered a brief expletive and hung up.

Ten minutes later Tray closed the Schribner folder and rose. His security firm specialized in keeping people safe, especially when traveling to dangerous locales. The agents assigned the Schribner account could handle things. Tray’d check on Lianne one more time and then call it a day. Maybe put in some time at the gym. The exercise tired him out enough to sleep at night. Though the nightmares still struck without warning.

He’d given Lianne a ride home a few times over the years. Her apartment building was out near Key Bridge. He’d never been inside. Entering the building a short time later Tray noticed it was as nondescript as most modern buildings. The elevator was quiet and quickly rose to her floor. Ringing the doorbell brought no response. He leaned against the door to listen. He could hear nothing. He tried her phone again. No service. Where was she?

After eating her soup, Lianne perused the books in the shelves. She’d read all of them, a couple more than once. Light summertime reading, none would hold her attention today. She considered going to bed, but it was too early—though darkness had fallen. Sighing softly, she went to the cottage phone and called her sister. Time to tell Annalise what was going on.

Lianne felt marginally better after their conversation. Her twin had been as shocked with the news as Lianne had and wanted to jump right in the car and drive over, but Lianne had convinced her talking on the phone was good enough. So then her sister had come up with a dozen of different scenarios all in which Lianne was miraculously cured.

When they’d exhausted those options, they settled into a heart-to-heart.

“Mostly I wanted a family one day, like ours,” Lianne told her. “Can you imagine life without all the kids running around and grandparents and aunts and uncles?”

“Actually, I can. That’s what Dominic and I have.”

“But if you did want children, at least you’re married. I’m not even seeing anyone,” Lianne said.

“That’s because you’re too involved with Tray.”

“I’m not involved with my boss,” she denied quickly. Immediately his image came to mind—tall with dark brown hair and a body to die for. He turned the heads of lots of women, but never settled on one. She could picture his concentration at work. The serious focus of his eyes on the reports. Running his hands through his hair when frustrated. His laughter if they took a break and ordered pizza while staying late because of some crisis.

“Not that way, silly. I mean too caught up in work. You’re more of a workaholic than Dominic is. If Tray says he needs you, there you are. I’m surprised you’re not at work right now.”

“Now you’re being silly. I’m not there all the time.” Though she did work more closely with Tray than any other analyst. But that was because he needed her. “I enjoy what I do. I thought I could have my career for a little longer and then think about getting married and starting a family,” Lianne said pensively.

“Well, you’d enjoy finding someone with lots in common and falling in love. Set some boundaries—let Tray know you can only work for eight hours a day, not twenty-four. You have time. Just not as much as you always thought. The doctor didn’t say get into hospital next week.”

“She did say soon. There’s always so much to do at the office. The business keeps expanding as Tray’s reputation grows. He’s really providing a terrific service with fabulous results.”

“Great, he can hire some more help if business is booming. Let him deal with that. Your next assignment is to find a husband, get married and start that family,” Annalise said.

Lianne sighed. “That sounds so calculating. These days a woman doesn’t really have to be married to have a baby.” She always thought she’d fall in love like her twin, with a man who was perfect for her. One who also wanted a large family. Was that a pipe dream?

“You’re not thinking of a sperm bank?” Annalise asked, the incredulity coming clearly across the phone line.

“No. I can’t imagine raising a child alone. Wait, before you say a word, I know you’ll be there for me as will the rest of the family. But I want my baby to have a father. Can you imagine our lives without Dad? That wouldn’t be fair to a child, to deliberately bring him or her into the world with no father.”

“You have five brothers, each would be a perfect father figure. Dominic would as well.”

“It’s not the same thing as having your very own. So even if I don’t marry the father, I want a man who will be a part of the child’s life forever.”

“Women who fall in love and get married don’t even get that guarantee,” Annalise said.

“I want it anyway.”

Her sister thought for a moment. “I guess it’s worth a shot. Maybe you’ll fall for a man and get married and end up with a dozen kids.”

“Or maybe just find someone I really like, who is good father material and wants a baby without all the ties and commitment of marriage,” Lianne said thoughtfully. “I mean, how much do I really want to be tied down? I’d be there for the baby, but I still want to work. What if a husband didn’t want that?” She didn’t even want to think about giving up her career.

“Ties and commitment are necessary with a child,” Annalise said. “And you’re strong enough to stand up for yourself married or not. It’s not an either-or decision.”

“You’re right. Still, I’d have to choose a daddy carefully, whatever else happened.”

Lianne rose early the next morning. The sun was peeping above the horizon, below the clouds that were rapidly dissipating. She hoped it would be a better day than yesterday, but the pain that woke her didn’t hold much promise. Staying another day meant she’d need to visit one of the grocery stores. The canned goods that stocked the cottage cupboards didn’t offer the variety she craved. But she couldn’t face that now. Groaning slightly, she curled up in a ball.

Waking an hour later, she felt awful. She made it to the bathroom and her pills. After a few minutes, she headed back for bed when someone knocked on the front door. She debated letting them stay there, she longed for bed. But curiosity more than anything won out and she went to the door.

Opening it, Lianne stared at Tray Elliott standing on the porch, towering over her. His expression was impossible to read. He wore a suit, the tie loosened. He hadn’t shaved yet that morning and the shadow of his beard made him look more rugged and masculine than normal.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I came to see you.”

“How did you find the place?”

“Interesting story, that,” he said, glancing at her attire. “You getting up or going to bed?”

She pulled the lapels of the warm fleece robe closer and shook her head. “Today isn’t a good day, Tray.” She began to push the door shut.

He held it open easily and stepped inside.

“You look like you need some help.”

“More than you can give.”

“Meaning?” He studied her closely. Lianne was conscious she hadn’t even washed her face that morning. Her hair probably looked like the wreck of the Hesperus. She hated not projecting her normal cool demeanor. But at the moment, none of it mattered.

“I went to your sister’s home and she gave me directions to here. Which seems like a good thing, now. I didn’t know you two were twins. That was a shock.”

Lianne nodded wondering how much longer she could remain upright. She always kept her family life separate from work. “I’m surprised you even knew I had a sister, much less where to find her.”

“She’s listed as the person to notify in case of emergency.”

“And you count this as an emergency?”

He looked at her. “You tell me. Why aren’t you in bed? You look terrible.”

“Gee, thanks. Actually I need to be.”

He scooped her up and asked which way. Lianne almost protested, but it felt so good to relinquish control for just a second. And being off her feet eased some of the discomfort—or the pills were beginning to work.

“Talk to me,” he said as he walked up the stairs to the bedroom she used.

Lianne didn’t want to let him know everything, but she did owe him an explanation. Her flight had been unlike her and he had a right to know if it would happen again. She wondered if anything else would be so devastating she’d immediately flee to the comfort of the family sea cottage.

“Two heads are better than one at solving problems,” he said. He gently put her on the bed and once she covered herself with the spread, sat on the edge of the mattress.

“It won’t happen again,” she said.

“What happened and won’t again?” he asked.

“I won’t leave so unexpectedly like this time. It was a private emergency.”

“Hey, Protection, Inc. is good in emergencies. We have strategic planning down to an art. I doubt there are many things we can’t handle. Besides, you help me in brainstorming solution, let’s try this one.”

She almost smiled. Tray was so proud of the company—and rightly so. Their success rate was terrific. It was becoming synonymous with high end security in the capital. The firm was constantly hiring new agents as it expanded. One department did nothing but vet new hires. Tray made security as sacred as apple pie.

“Unfortunately the company can’t help in this situation,” she said.

“Try me,” he invited.

He looked rock-solid, firm and dependable. She knew he was as honest as anyone she’d met. And he had an aura of competency that was evident at first glance. Wind had ruffled his dark hair when he walked to the cottage from his car, giving him an almost boyish look. She blinked. She’d met him when he’d been in his thirties. There was nothing boyish about the hard-as-nails man who drove Protection, Inc. He was right, she and he had worked together for years. Might as well share this little bit.

“All right.” She’d take him up on his challenge. “I found out yesterday I need to have a hysterectomy and I always wanted a family. If I don’t do something soon, I can forget about ever having one.”

Tray didn’t move, didn’t even blink, but Lianne knew she’d startled him.

“It’s a female problem and getting worse. My doctor recommended I get the operation soon—like before next month. Where does that fall in Protection’s purview?”

Unexpectedly he reached out and brushed her hair away from her cheek. Lianne was shocked at the awareness that shot through her. This was Tray, her boss, mentor and friend. She refused to hear Annalise’s words echo in her mind about being too involved with Tray.

“Not one of our more usual situations,” he murmured.

“You wanted to know,” she reminded him. She respected him more than anyone she knew. She often marveled at the dangerous situations he was able to defuse. But even Tray couldn’t pull miracles out of a hat. “Don’t worry, this is my problem, not yours. I don’t see it has much of a solution—much less a quick one.”

“You work for me so it becomes my problem,” Tray said.

“I’m coming to grips with the situation,” she said, feeling awkward discussing it with her boss. Their relationship had always been business. Now he was in her bedroom. He’d touched her in a way not consistent with being her boss.

“But it isn’t going away,” he said.

“Sooner or later, I need that operation. I just wanted to have a baby first.” Her voice cracked a little. Lianne took a deep breath. She was done with crying.

“Ironic,” he murmured.

“What is?”

“Nothing. No boyfriend ready to step up to the plate?” he asked.

She shook her head and shot him a look. “When do I have time to date and build some kind of relationship? In case you didn’t know, my boss is a slaver driver,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood. He did not need to shoulder her problems.

“Hey, whatever it takes to get the job done.”

“What it takes is two or three people to keep up with you,” she retorted.

“You’ve never complained,” he said.

“You know how exciting the work can be. I love it. But I think I’ll need to make some changes. I hate to hit the singles bars, but if I want a family—and I do—I could have left it too late. But I have to try.”

He touched her shoulder, the awareness building again. “I have a few friends I could introduce you to. I know Mark Wyatt was married for a while and liked being married.”

“What happened?”

“His wife didn’t, apparently. Anyway, they split about a year ago. He might be right what you’re looking for. He’s around my age, no children yet. Maybe he’d be interested.”

“That hardly sounds romantic,” she said.

“Hey, you want romance, you need to take your time. You want a sperm donor, you take what you can get.”

“Tray, I can’t believe you said that. It sounds horrible. I don’t just want a donor, I want someone to make a baby with and then raise that baby together, going to school functions, family gatherings. I’d like to get married if I can find the right man, but if that’s not in the cards, I still want a father who will be there when the child graduates college and gets married and makes us grandparents.”

“What time warp are you coming from?” he asked.

“What do you mean? That’s not so much to ask.”

“In this day and age it is. Who do you know who’s still married when their kids graduate college?”

“My parents for one. My grandparents are all alive, all four. There has only been one divorce in our family in three generations,” she said. “But marriage isn’t necessary. Mostly I want someone committed to being a dad. Someone who will love our child as much as I will.”

“Weigh the chances and the parameters you have to work with. See what level of comfort you can stand and go for it. It may be single motherhood is the cost of a child.”

“I guess I have some serious thinking to do.”

“Want something to eat while doing that serious thinking?”

“Can you cook?” Lianne knew he could order pizza with the best of them, but she’d never had a reason to know if he could cook. It gave a different dimension to him.

“I can manage eggs and toast,” he said.

“I think there’s only dry cereal and oatmeal.”

“I’ll manage, you rest.” He stood up and walked out of the bedroom.

Lianne breathed a sigh of relief. Tray was too energetic for the way she felt. She meant what she said—she had some serious decisions to make. Could she find someone to fall in love with on demand? Tray already promised to introduce her to an eligible man. Her sisters would, she knew. Some friends had been trying to fix her up for years, but she’d always had her work. And Tray—as Annalise said.

Lianne didn’t want to return to work. She wanted to stay at the cottage and gather her resources a bit before returning home. Yet if Tray was going to introduce her to someone he thought she might like, maybe the sooner done the better. She hoped this month’s bout of pain vanished soon.

Tray brought up oatmeal and tea. He sat beside her and matched her spoonful for spoonful. She thought it funny he would eat so plainly, and drink tea when she knew he devoured coffee all day long. A couple of times during the meal, she caught Tray studying her. Lianne wanted to squirm under his intense regard, but did her best to appear unconcerned propped up against the headboard. The pills were beginning to take effect and she felt marginally better. She appreciated his taking care of her. She never expected that. Fighting terrorists or kidnappers, yes, taking care of a sick friend—no. Showed she really didn’t know all she could about him.

“Are you tabulating every flaw to pass on to your friend?” she finally asked.

“No, I’m mentally listing all the attributes I think will have him falling over himself to date you. You’re prettier than I noticed before.”

She felt a spurt of amusement. “Thanks, I think.”

“Well, we don’t have that kind of relationship. I never noticed how pretty you are.”

“You have your own bevy of female companions,” she said. “I bet they’re all beautiful.” She’d seen several over the years—always model thin and glam.

“The old adage about beauty only being skin deep still applies.” He looked down at his tea, slowly lifting the cup to sip.

Lianne wondered what she might have said to cause that pensive—no almost pained look. Had he and a girlfriend just broken up? She tried to remember the last woman in his life. Suzette or Suzanne or something like that. Occasionally she heard him talking to her on the phone. Tray also kept his personal life out of the office.

She suddenly realized she knew very little about her boss beyond the day-to-day operations of the business. How odd. After working closely together for so long, they should know more about each other.

“What does this Mark look like?” she asked.

“He’s about my height. Has sandy color hair. He’s really interested in football, follows major league teams all season long. Goes to the same gym I go to”

Lianne wondered if she’d like that. She knew something about football, with five brothers, how could she not? But she wasn’t a passionate fan. “What else?”

“He’s in advertising, doing very well.”

She wrinkled her nose.

“Not something you like?”

“Too much cajoling people to buy stuff they don’t need.”

“Part of the economy.”

“I guess. Is he from Washington?” she asked.

“Not originally. From the Midwest somewhere, but has lived in DC for a dozen years or more. I think he went to Georgetown University and just stayed. You two would have great kids together.”

“I’ll reserve judgment until I meet the man,” she murmured. “Did you get the Schribner file?”

The conversation changed to business and Lianne and Tray fell into their familiar pattern of discussing clients and the various needs, who would be good to handle certain aspects and the shortfalls of one of the newer recruits.

By the time their meal was finished, Lianne felt better, physically and mentally. Talking with Tray pulled her back into the work arena and had her temporarily forget the ticking clock. She’d give anything to be normal, but since she wasn’t, maybe she should take a page from Tray’s book and find a way around the problem.

Once breakfast was finished, she expected him to take off. Instead he said he’d hang out for a while and let her sleep.

Whenever she awoke, he was nearby, offering tea or food. Somewhere during the day, he’d gone out and bought groceries. Lunch was more substantial than breakfast and dinner was almost a feast.

Tray left after dinner but promised to return the next morning, despite Lianne’s protests.

The next day, Lianne felt better. She had made it through another month. “You don’t have to wait on me, I’ll be fine now,” she said at breakfast, eaten downstairs this morning after a quick shower and clean clothes. She still felt awkward at Tray’s newfound concern for her.

“There are things waiting at the office,” he said, slowly.

“Go. I’ll be in tomorrow for sure.”

“I can wait,” he said. “Give you a ride back.”

“No need. I have my car, so have to drive it back anyway.”

“If you’re sure?”

“I am.”

She walked him out to his car a short time later, wondering if any neighbors were around to see the sleek black sports car, which was a testimony to his success. Lianne rarely saw the car without wishing she could drive it, just once. She’d love to ride up to her parents’ home when the entire family was gathered. Her brother Sean especially would turn green with envy.

“I’ll be in tomorrow,” she said.

Tray nodded and said, “Just don’t leave me to Jenny for long.”

“She’s not that bad. You frighten her,” Lianne said. “Be nice to her, she’ll do fine.”

“I’m always nice,” he said as he prepared to leave. He touched her shoulder. Lianne resisted the impulse to lean against him for strength. She wanted to keep their relationship normal. She couldn’t take any more distractions at this point.

Lianne watched as he drove away. Nice was not the word she’d use to describe her boss. But sometimes he could be kind. She walked back out to the beach, wishing the sun was shining brightly and children were playing on the sand. Instead she had the lonely cry of the gulls to keep her company on a blustery day.

Tray drove back to the city reviewing the business awaiting his attention. Maybe he hadn’t needed to seek out Lianne, but he’d wanted to see for himself that she was all right. Finding out she wasn’t had shaken him. She’d always seemed indestructible. He never remembered her sick before. These past two days had shown a vulnerability that startled him. And brought out protective instincts he hadn’t known he had. Meeting her sister had also been a surprise. She looked exactly like Lianne. At first, he’d thought his assistant had gotten married and planned to quit her job. He’d been relieved and intrigued to discover the twin connection. What other surprises would he discover if he hung around her longer?

The revelation that she might not be able to have children—and longed to have them—had been another. Not that they’d ever discussed lifelong dreams, but she was devoted to work. Of course she had a private life. She didn’t go into hibernation at night and reappear at the office the next morning. He felt he was seeing Lianne in three dimension for the first time.

Life was so unfair. He’d known that since he’d been a small boy bewildered when he learned of the death of his mother and his father’s abandonment. But it still astounded him sometimes.

Like now. Lianne wanted a baby so badly and had no one to make one with. While Suzanne had been pregnant with their child and ended its life.

CHAPTER TWO

LIANNE arrived at work early Thursday morning. She had her coffee in hand and was prioritizing her phone calls when Tray entered her small office and looked at her.

“I hoped you’d be back in today. How are you feeling?”

“Back to normal, thank you.” She felt awkward and embarrassed remembering him preparing her meals.

“Good. Mark’s meeting me for lunch. I thought the three of us could go together.”

“Today?” she asked, surprised Tray had acted so quickly in lining someone up. She half thought he’d been giving her lip service.

“No time like the present. Mark will be here at noon.” With that he disappeared down the hall.

The phone rang and Lianne’s day began.

As noon approached, Lianne grew more and more nervous. She’d never met anyone before with the deliberate intent of seeing if they could hit it off enough to get involved. How far would it go—to marriage? She thought when the right man came along she’d recognize him immediately and be swept off her feet. Now she felt like some of the man-hungry women she’d read about out for only a meal ticket. Only in her case it was a baby ticket. Was she wrong to try for a family? She would miss so much from life if she never had a child of her own.

She made a good income. She didn’t need a man to support her. But she did need a man if she wanted a baby before it was too late. One who would be a good father—and loving husband?

Tray and a tall man with sandy hair entered her office promptly at noon. She looked up and smiled at them both, feeling like an actress getting ready to go on stage who couldn’t remember her lines. The visitor smiled easily when Tray introduced him.

“Join us for lunch,” Tray said as if it wasn’t already planned.

“Thanks, I’d like to.” She pretended she didn’t see the surprised look Mark had given Tray. This was never going to work.

Lianne felt awkward at the lunch table. For one wild moment she considered refusing when Tray had issued the invitation, but her boss had gone to all this trouble for her, she had to hold up her end.

Soon, however, the awkwardness began to ease when Mark proved to be entertaining and personable. Probably needed to be for his job, she thought skeptically. She couldn’t help compare the two men. Tray was dark, quiet, intense. Mark had a sunnier disposition and seemed interested in her. Maybe they would hit it off.

When lunch was finished, Tray excused himself—to be available for an important phone call due from Europe.

“For the first time since I’ve known him, his timing is superb,” Mark said when Tray left.

“Oh?” Lianne asked.

“I was hoping I’d get a moment alone with you. I’d like to invite you to dinner, if you’re free.”

“I’d love to,” she replied. Had a script been written out, it couldn’t have gone better.

“Tonight?” Mark asked.

“Terrific,” she said, smiling. Her heart didn’t skip a beat. There was no sense of weightlessness or flutter of excitement. But Mark was entertaining and maybe feelings would develop. She couldn’t expect love at first sight. That was surely a fantasy in books.

Tray was in a meeting when she returned to work. She wanted to let him know about her dinner date, but couldn’t leave a message with his secretary. She hoped the cryptic note would clue him in.

The afternoon flew by. Tray stopped at her desk at one point, on his way to meet with some of the operatives.

“So?” he said, holding up the note she’d left.

“Date tonight,” she said.

He nodded and moved on. Lianne watched him walk away. She was disappointed he didn’t want to know more. He’d set it up, wasn’t he more curious? Sighing, she turned back to the analysis she was working on. He’d know soon enough if she and Mark would make a match of it.

Her phone rang.

“Lianne,” she answered, glancing at the time. Another hour or so and she’d take off.

“Hey, thought you were coming to see me when you got back from the cottage,” her sister said without preamble.

“It was late last night and I came to work early this morning.”

“Obviously. I called before but you were busy. You doing okay?” Annalise asked.

“I’m hanging in there, if that’s what you wanted to know.”

“Feeling okay?”

“Much better.” Lianne sighed softly. It was a day-by-day thing at the time of her period. The rest of the time her life seemed normal.

“I’ve been thinking what you need is a social life to find some man to fall for,” Annalise said.

“I’m ahead of you there, I have a date tonight.”

“Really, who with?”

“Tray introduced me to one of his friends.”

“Why would he do that?” Annalise asked.

“I told him about the situation.”

“He came to the cottage, didn’t he? I thought he might when he almost browbeat me into giving out where you were. Were you okay with that?”

“Yes, that was fine. He listened to my tale of woe and came up with this idea—meet his friend who used to be married and wants to be married again. Maybe we’ll hit it off. We all had lunch together today and Mark asked me to dinner tonight.” She didn’t tell Annalise about Tray’s help for two days. Her sister would jump to erroneous conclusions.

“Fast worker. How are you feeling about that?”

“He seems nice.”

“Yuck, the kiss of death. No one wants to be nice. If he’s only nice, he’s not for you.”

Lianne laughed. “Don’t be silly. Of course I want a nice man for a husband. What—do you think I should have someone not nice?”

“How would you describe your boss?”

Lianne went still for a moment. “Why?”

“I figured you would fall for someone like him. You and I are alike and he’s the closest man to Dominic I know.”

“He’s nothing like your husband.”

“Maybe not superficially, but they both have that rock-hard center, they know their way around the world and give me the feeling of being able to take on anything—and come out the winner.”

Lianne nodded, then realized her sister couldn’t see her. “I guess. But I’m definitely not his type. His latest girlfriend could be a super model. Thin, beautiful and sophisticated.”

“You’re pretty and sophisticated,” Annalise said.

Lianne laughed. “I noticed you left out the thin part. But I’m not in her league, not that I want to be. Tray’s not for me. Anyway, I’ll let you know more about Mark after dinner tonight. Gotta go.” She hung up and returned to her task. Her and Tray? Where did Annalise come up with such an idea? She would not give that a moment’s thought. They were work colleagues—nothing more.

It was after eleven by the time Lianne returned home. Dinner had been at one of the “in” restaurants in Washington. Even on a Thursday evening it had been crowded. Mark had reserved a table so there’d been no wait. Lianne wondered how he’d managed that.

She kicked off her shoes and went into the kitchen. Putting the kettle on, she got tea from the cupboard. A cup of chamomile would help her relax. She yawned, feeling her cheek muscles protest. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled so much. Be polite, she could hear her mother’s voice echoing throughout the night.

The phone rang. She went to answer, noticing the flashing light on her answering machine.

“So how did it go?” Tray asked when she answered.

Lianne was surprised to hear from him. Annalise she expected.

“All right.”

“Only all right?”

“He’s nice.”

“But?”

“Does there have to be a but?” she asked, stalling. Mark was Tray’s friend.

“Yes, with that lead-in, there does.”

She hesitated a moment. It would serve no purpose to delay, time wouldn’t change anything. “He’s nice and still hung up on his ex-wife. If I had to listen to another word about how he’d screwed up and how she’d been an angel only he hadn’t seen it in time, I thought I would scream.”

“The man has rocks for brains,” Tray said. “Did he talk about her all night?”

“No. That’s what is sort of sad. He’d talk about something, then end up talking about her. Once he’d realize he was doing that, he’d stop and try another topic, segueing back to his ex. I think he really wants to be over her, but he’s not.”

“Are you seeing him again?”

“No.”

The silence stretched out for several seconds.

“Maybe I know someone else,” Tray said slowly.

“Forget it. Annalise knows some men she says are right up my alley. I’ll see how I get along with them. It’s my own fault. I love my job, you know that. I still should have done more about a social life before now.”

“This was only the first day of your campaign.”

“You make it sound like a war strategy.” It wasn’t at all like she hoped. She pictured herself as happy as her twin when she fell in love. Now the entire thing sounded analytical and deliberate. Where was the happiness in all this? Was the price of a baby going to be too high?

“It is a kind of strategy. You need to find the right match.”

“Mmm. It’s early, I know, but what if I don’t find someone I can even think of going to bed with?”

“Was that the real problem with Mark?”

She thought about it a moment. “Yes. No matter what, I couldn’t see myself getting intimate with the man.”

“It was a first date,” Tray said.

“I don’t think that would change.”

“You’ll find someone. Let me know how your sister’s friends work out. I have another couple of friends who are still single.”

“Maybe they want to stay single like you,” she said.

“You think I won’t marry?”

“Tray, you’re thirty-six years old and haven’t come close to getting married yet. You date some of the world’s most beautiful women. I think you’re hard to please. And you have to admit, you spend a lot of time at work. Relationships take time to build and maintain.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want a family—someday.”

Lianne heard the kettle whistling. She walked into the kitchen and turned off the gas. “Do you think there are several people in the world a person could be equally happy with?”

“Maybe.”

“I mean that one man for one woman sounds awfully chancy. What if they pass each other by? Would neither ever find happiness?” Lianne asked wistfully.

“You’re getting too philosophical for tonight. Go to sleep and tomorrow see what your sister turns up.”

Lianne fixed her tea and went to the living room. Turning off the lights, she opened her drapes and gazed out over the lights of Washington. Sipping the warm beverage she thought about her evening. The highlight had been the conversation with Tray. What did that say about her chances of finding Mr. Right?

How odd her sister thought she should be on the lookout for someone like Tray. He was handsome in a very sexy way, if she let herself think about it. Mostly she considered him her boss. And she’d decided early in her tenure with Protection, Inc. not to become involved with a fellow employee. She’d heard of office romances gone bad. Her job had been too important to her to risk it.

For a moment she wondered what it’d be like to be romanced by Tray. Fleeting, at best. He had a different girlfriend every few months. She’d rather spend hours each week working with him, than be one in a long line of dates.

She finished her tea and went to bed. Tomorrow would provide new opportunities.

Saturday Lianne spent thoroughly cleaning her apartment. Not that it was messy, mostly dusty and needing some freshening. She wasn’t home enough to clutter up things. Once done, she changed into clean jeans and a pink top and headed for her sister’s. They had planning to do.

Annalise and Dominic had a luxury apartment near Dupont Circle, a neighborhood in Washington for young professionals, with outdoor cafés and a wide variety of ethnic restaurants. The shops were upscale and unique, a pleasure to browse through. Parking was a problem, so Lianne took a cab. Just as she arrived, it began to rain. So much for planning a quick walk and coffee at one of the cafés, she thought.

When Lianne reached her sister’s apartment, Annalise was waiting. She threw open the door and reached out to hug her. “Come in. Dominic’s away for a few days, so it’s just us. Isn’t the weather a bummer. I thought we could take a walk and talk.”

“My thoughts exactly.” They grinned at each other. They’d shared that bond all their lives.

“I can order in. A caramel macchiato for you, right?” Annalise asked.

“And you’ll have the double cap,” Lianne said, taking off her jacket. “Where is Dominic off to this time?”

“Brussels. There’s some big NATO event going and they’re using super computers and he’s needed to make sure they run with no glitches.”

“And you didn’t want to go?” Lianne asked.

“Not this time. I’ve a big deal about to close. I want to be here for that.”

Annalise was in real estate, selling homes in an area of Washington that catered to embassy personnel and members of Congress.

“Let me order the coffees and then you and I need to discuss this situation. I can’t believe we didn’t know this would become a crisis. Surely something else can be done to help you,” Annalise said.

Lianne filled her in on all the doctor had to say. “There’s no guarantee I can even get pregnant. But if I want a chance at a baby of my own, I need to at least try,” she ended.

“Did the doctor give you a time limit?” Annalise asked.

“No, but each month the pain gets worse. It must be getting worse, this month is the first time I have missed work.”

“Maybe you didn’t tell me the full extent of everything.”

Lianne shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I guess it’s just a matter of how long I can hold out. Dr. Wright wanted to schedule the op at my last visit.”

“Hold on a little longer. Let me tell you about this friend of mine in the office. He’s about our age and never been married. So no ex-wife to bore you with.”

“Do you think he’s interested in marriage and kids?”

“With the right woman, of course.”

Lianne didn’t take her sister’s assertion to heart. But what did she have to lose? If he turned out to be the man of her heart, she’d be forever grateful.

“So tell me more about him,” Lianne said.

Tray threw his pencil on the desk and rose, pacing around the office. He couldn’t concentrate. The normal appeal of the job was missing. Saturdays usually allowed him to catch up. He was too distracted to concentrate. This was going on too long. He wasn’t sleeping well and knew he had to get beyond the grief he held for a baby he’d never known. He went to the window. The rain slanted down, blurring his view. It looked cold. As cold as he felt every time he thought about Suzanne and her unconscionable act.

Comparing her with Lianne came naturally these days. One woman casually and callously ended a baby’s life before it even had a chance. The other was doing all she could to be able to have a baby that she’d cherish all its life. Why hadn’t fate denied Suzanne a pregnancy and granted an easy time for his analyst?

Talking with Lianne at the shore had reaffirmed his faith in women. His analyst wanted a baby desperately. He’d heard all his life how his mother had so longed for a child she’d risked her own life, and lost. Those were the kind of women that kept the species going. He wished he could do something for Lianne. He was in the business of providing solutions, why couldn’t he find one for her?

He turned and looked at the stack of folders on his desk. Maps lined one wall, on sliding bars to move in and out of the forefront. He’d built up a good security business over the last eight years. The need continued unabated and the company was growing to meet demand.

But Suzanne’s heinous act had knocked him off his original course. He’d thought he’d find a woman to admire, respect and want to build a life with. She’d provide him with children who could inherit the business, make his uncle a grandfather. Someone to spend holidays with, share celebrations and downturns.

He wanted to offer more for any children he may have than he’d been given. Not that his uncle didn’t do his best. Part of the reason Tray pushed so hard to make a success was for a future generation.

That had ended before it even had a chance. Anger at Suzanne flared all over again. How could she have had an abortion just to keep from stretch marks and morning sickness? They’d used protection every time. Only something had happened. There could have been choices, except she’d had the abortion before telling him she was pregnant.

He’d spent as much time and anguish over her as he wanted. She was out of his life. He hadn’t dated anyone in the last ten months. He’d been gifted with keen insight in security measures. Why hadn’t that extended to Suzanne and her intentions? He fisted his hand again, wanting to hit out, assuage the thirst for revenge. There was nothing he could do to change the past, only mourn the outcome.

He only wished the grief at the loss of the baby would fade as quickly as the feelings he once thought he had for Suzanne had vanished. Life was unfair, as his uncle often said. Lianne longed for a baby. He should have slept with her if there was to be a mistake, not coldhearted Suzanne.

The phone rang. Glad for the distraction, Tray answered on the second ring.

“Mark here. I made a hash of things,” his friend said.

Tray leaned against the desk. “What are you talking about?” He had a good idea, but didn’t want his friend to know his part of connecting him with Lianne, or that he’d already spoken with Lianne.

“I took Lianne out to dinner the other night and spent the entire time talking about Wendy. How dumb can one man be?”

Tray thought about his own connection with Suzanne and how he’d misjudged her.

“Join the club. It’s a man thing—act dumb around women.”

Mark sighed. “Think so?”

“What happened?”

“Nothing. I took her home. She smiled all night long but never gave any indication she wanted a kiss or anything. So I thought I’d play it cool. Then I called her last night and only got her answering machine. I’ve called twice today. She never answers. Guess I need to take the hint, huh?”

“Give her a day or two and try again. If she doesn’t take that call, then give up,” Tray suggested. He knew Lianne didn’t want more dates with Mark, but he hated his friend sounding so down.

“Maybe. Or maybe I need to get my act together first and get over Wendy. I thought I was ready, obviously not.”

The two talked for a short time. When he was off the phone later, Tray considered himself lucky he’d been able to get over Suzanne. He hoped he never became so caught up with another person he couldn’t function any better than Mark if the relationship ended.

He picked up a folder and rose. He’d stop by Lianne’s desk to see if she were in. She often worked on Saturdays. He shook his head, what was he doing—he didn’t need to see her today. Monday would be time enough. Only he continued heading toward her office.

Lianne wasn’t at her desk.

He was about to leave when he saw a piece of paper on the floor near her printer. Unlike Lianne to have anything out of place. He crossed and picked it up to place on her desk. Glancing at it Tray was startled to find it was a checklist of some kind—for a father for her baby.

He put down his folder, nudged her door closed and sat behind her desk, his eyes taking in the list of attributes she wanted in the father of her baby.

Athletic (no sedentary lifestyle)

Knowledgeable about many things (to better teach our child)

Interested in childhood events (school plays, field trips, prom)

Strong interest in education (college!)

Interest in finer things (Art galleries, Smithsonian, Kennedy Center)

Sense of family (there until adult at least)

Tray read all the items on the list; some were a puzzle to him, but most were clear. Lianne was listing criteria for the father of her baby. Tray gave a sardonic chuckle. How many men would relish being judged on criteria listed instead of on themselves or a spark of attraction between them?

Curious, he began to jot notes beside each. He spent time behind his desk, but he didn’t consider his life sedentary. He worked out at the gym, liked to ski in winter, sail in summer. And being out in the field kept a man busy providing the needed protection his clients demanded.

It was after seven by the time he finished. An exercise in getting into Lianne’s mind, he thought as he balled up the paper and tossed it into the trash. He thought he knew how she thought from their working together. But her list surprised him. Not the fact she had a list; as long as he’d known her, she was always jotting down lists. But the various aspects she considered important were the surprise.

Nowhere did he see anything that applied to a lover or mate for her. Was she so caught up in a baby, she discounted herself?

He took his folder and left. The offices were silent. Everyone working today had left except the night crew manning the monitors. He passed that large room, glanced in through the glass walls and noted people competently carrying out their assigned tasks. He knew everyone there, but only in a business sense.

The same way he knew Lianne. But the glimpse into her personal life intrigued him. Especially after thinking about her criteria. Why wasn’t she looking for something for herself? Or maybe there was a page two and he hadn’t seen. The thought almost had him turning around to try to get into her computer to search. But that would be an invasion of privacy, and Tray had a strong sense of right and wrong. It bumped the limits reading the paper from the floor. He would never deliberately go into her files without her permission.

But it didn’t stop him from speculating what she’d want in a lover.

He had never thought about her in that light. For a moment he could picture her cheeks flushed with passion, her eyes sparkling and her smile seductive. It wouldn’t take much imagination to see her on a bed, with that glossy brown hair spread out around her and her lips parted in temptation.

Sunday morning Lianne slept in—at least for her. She rose at eight and took a quick shower. The day loomed endlessly. Last night’s date had been another bust. Maybe there was a reason for her not being part of a couple—she was too picky. But she couldn’t help it. She wanted the best man possible to father her baby. Was it her fault she couldn’t find one? Mark hadn’t appealed to her on a basic level. Not to mention he was still hung up on his ex-wife.

Peter from Annalise’s office sounded too immature himself to be considered as a father. For some men having children caused them to grow up. In this case, Lianne suspected she would find rivalry between Peter and a baby. Not her ideal situation.

And somewhere she had to add sex appeal. So far the thought of kissing any of the men hadn’t held any appeal. How could she get naked with them?

After a hasty breakfast, she put on warm wool slacks and a sweater. She’d run by the office for a little while and make sure she had all the latest data for the head of that African country’s visit next month. Not a big player in world politics, nonetheless she wanted to make sure his visit to the nation’s capital went without a hitch. And one never knew where fanatics lurked.

Entering the office a short time later, she went right to work. It was almost noon by the time she was ready to take a break. Maybe she’d get a sandwich at the deli up the street and study some of the men there. She felt as if she was becoming skewed in her thinking. Now everything revolved around men, men, men.

Glancing around as she rose, she noticed a ball of paper in her otherwise empty wastepaper basket. She never did that. Curious, she pulled it out and smoothed it open. It was one of her lists—filled out! She recognized Tray’s handwriting.

For a moment she was mortified he’d found her list. What had he thought? Then she began to read it. He had actually jotted brief notes by each of her traits. For a moment she felt disoriented. Dare she consider Tray as a possible father for her baby?

He’d meet all the attributes. Even without his notes on the sides she knew that. He was educated and valued it highly—witness the education matching funds he provided employees and the internships he gave promising college students each summer.

He had a wide variety of interests, which made him fit in with every single person he protected, be they heads of states or prominent businessmen.

She knew he had a subscription to the symphony and ballet, as he often gave away tickets when business intruded.

She looked out the window, hearing her sister’s voice echo—you’re too involved with Tray. She wasn’t, not in that sense. They worked together—closely. But it was strictly business.

Not that she’d have a problem picturing them kissing. Or doing more.

She banged her head against the glass. She’d never thought of her boss in that way—but only because it would prove too dangerous. She’d felt a pull of attraction at their first meeting. Getting started in her career had been too important to her to fantasize about a personal relationship. Over the years she’d become used to hearing snippets about his women friends from others. She couldn’t compete. And she didn’t want to. She loved her job, relished being considered a colleague, having her opinion sought and listened to. She especially liked the nights when they worked late—sharing dinner, solving impossible scenarios.

She wasn’t some empty airhead who thought looks more important that brains. Those were the kind of women he liked to take out.

But there was a hint of pleasure in remembering he’d called her pretty at the cottage.

She folded the paper and stuffed it into her pocket. Grabbing her purse and jacket, she left the office. She was not going to get ideas about her boss. He was so far off-limits she should not even think of him and a baby in the same frame.

Yet every other man she’d seen recently paled in comparison. Was that the problem—Tray set the standard the others failed to meet?

Lianne spent the rest of Sunday wishing she had not gone into the office. She had thrown away the paper and fished it out of the trash twice. Finally she stuffed it in the bottom drawer in her dresser beneath a stack of sweaters. But out of sight did not mean out of mind. Was he interested?

If so he was too direct not to say something.

At least she believed so.

“Oh, God, what if he did say something?” she exclaimed, horrified and thrilled by the idea.

She started to call her sister, but decided against it. Getting into her car just before dark to head to the beach was her way of coping. She reached the cottage long after nightfall. The sound of the waves soothed her as she turned into the driveway and stopped by the dark house.

If nothing else, the rest of the night would be spent putting Tray out of her mind and trying to figure out a way to find the perfect father for her baby.

Monday morning Lianne arrived at work confident she could handle anything Tray threw her way. She turned on her computer. Jenny came to the doorway.

“Lianne, something’s wrong with Tray,” she said, looking half frightened.

“What do you mean?” She couldn’t imagine anything going wrong for the man.

“I took him the printout he’d requested at the end of work on Friday. Instead of telling me he expected it days ago, he didn’t open the door to his office but told me to go away. He’s never told me to go away.”

“Where’s Emily?” Lianne asked of Tray’s secretary.

“She wasn’t at her desk.”

Lianne rose. She’d never heard of such a thing. “Give me the printout, I’ll see he gets it,” she said. In only seconds she was outside Tray’s office. Sure enough Emily was not at her desk. What was going on?

She knocked. “Tray, I have the Sanderson’s printout.”

“Go away,” he replied.

She blinked. Opening the door, she stuck her head in, peering around to see him standing by the window, one arm raised and leaning against the casing.

He heard her and turned, glaring at her.

“I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Instead Lianne stepped inside and closed the door. She crossed to the desk and laid the printout on the messy surface. “There’s definitely something wrong. What it is?”

He frowned at her for a long moment, then the look turned to one of pain. Lianne’s eyes widened slightly. She’d never seen Tray like this.

“My uncle died unexpectedly this morning. I just learned of it.” He turned and faced out the window. “We spoke on the phone just a few days ago. Nothing was wrong. At least nothing he told me. God, the man was only fifty-nine. Too young to die.”

CHAPTER THREE

“I’M SO sorry,” she said, not knowing what to do. The words sounded so inadequate. She was stunned. She never expected anything to throw Traynor Elliott a curve. “You two were close?”

“He raised me.”

“Oh.” The image of her father rose. She’d be devastated if anything happened to him. Instinctively she went to Tray and leaned against his arm. She couldn’t put hers around him; they weren’t that close. But she could stand beside him and let him know she was there.

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