Читать книгу Groom On The Loose - Christine Scott - Страница 10

“I know what you’re going to say. I’m late.” Cassie stepped inside, brushing past Greg. “I’m sorry. I have a doozy of an excuse. But that will have to wait until later.”

The heels of her sandals clicked against the wood floor of the entryway as she strode directly to the kitchen. The skirt of her yellow sundress swirled around her long legs. A pink diaper bag swung against the slender curve of her hip. Her silky blond hair, pulled into a neat ponytail, swung from side to side. She looked perfect, ready to play the role of his hostess. Ready, that is, except for the baby in her arms.

As though on cue, the baby began to whimper.

Greg followed closely on their heels.

“Did the caterers arrive on time?” she called over her shoulder. “How about the bartender?”

“Cassie—”

“What about the tables and decorations? My workers are very reliable. I’m sure everything looks perfect.” She pushed open the kitchen’s swinging door. The room was noisy and filled to capacity with workers preparing for the party. Winding her way through the crowd, she snagged the diaper bag off her shoulder and began pulling out bottles of milk. “How does the backyard look? I was a little worried about spacing.”

“Cassie,” he said, louder this time.

Heads turned. The catering staff watched with interest.

Cassie stopped unpacking. She looked at him, one brow raised. “Hmm?”

“You have a baby,” he pointed out unnecessarily. The whimpering had grown in volume. Obviously the child was tuning up for a whole new chorus of tears.

“That’s right,” she said. Bouncing the baby on her hip, she opened the refrigerator door and stowed the bottles inside. “But don’t worry. Nothing, not even a baby, is going to interfere with my hostessing duties. Now I’m going to just pop outside and check on—”

“Cassie,” he said, interrupting her again. “Whose baby is it?”

She bit her lip, looking uncertain. “Well, I suppose…she’s mine.”

Greg closed his eyes and counted to ten. He only got to three before the baby’s howls interrupted him. He glared at the pair. “This is a joke, right?”

“No joke,” Cassie said, her voice catching. Tears, matching those streaming down the baby’s cheeks, filled her eyes. “She really is mine.”

He tried hard to fight it, but failed. An ill-advised bout of sympathy rocked him. He hated to see anyone—even Cassie—cry. He shook his head. “Cassie, Cassie, Cassie…what have you gotten yourself into this time?”

She tried to blink away the tears, but only succeeded in sending a stray drop tumbling down her cheek. She sniffed loudly, attracting more curious glances from the catering staff.

Greg shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a cad, as though he were to blame for Cassie’s uncharacteristic show of emotion.

“I haven’t gotten myself into anything. A friend of mine has died…and I’ve been named guardian of her daughter.” Trepidation filled her eyes as she looked at the crying baby. “Now Jessica’s all mine.”

Cassie? A mother? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Greg stared at her, unable to believe the explanation. With the exception of her party planning service, Cassie had never been able to make a commitment to anything, or anyone, in her life. And now she wanted to raise a baby? The whole idea was preposterous.

Greg glanced at the kitchen clock—11:55. His guests would be arriving at any moment. Now wasn’t the time to remind Cassie of her many shortcomings. “Look, maybe we should discuss this later, when we have more time. Right now we need to talk about the party.”

“I’ve already told you, I still plan to help—”

“How?” He waved a hand at the wailing baby, who’d paused long enough to suck in a breath of air before letting loose with another, even louder, cry. “I’d say you’ve got your hands full already.”

Cassie’s shoulders drooped defeatedly. She looked close to giving in to the threatening tears. “I’m sorry, Greg. I wanted everything to be perfect.”

Guilt took aim and struck him directly in the heart. Dealing with a vulnerable Cassie Andrews was a new and unsettling experience. He wanted the old Cassie. The spirited, outspoken Cassie. The annoyingly self-assured woman he’d counted on to pull off his party.

“It’s okay,” he said quickly, hoping to avoid more tears. “I’m sure we can figure something out.”

She sent him a watery gaze. “Do you think so?”

He nodded. “I know so. First thing we’ve got to do is stop this crying.”

“I don’t know. I think there’s something really wrong with her. Some baby disease, or worse.” Cassie glanced at the baby, her expression worried. “She’s been crying nonstop since I picked her up.”

He’d meant Cassie’s tears. He decided to let the misunderstanding slide. “Hey, if there’s one thing I know, it’s baby diseases,” he assured her. “Why don’t I have a look at her?”

He reached for Jessica.

Cassie hesitated. Then, reluctantly, she placed the squirming bundle into his outstretched arms. With the ease wrought of experience, he rested the child against one shoulder, patting her back in soothing strokes. Instantly Jessica’s cries subsided.

Cassie stared at them, her lower lip trembling. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with her. It’s me. She just doesn’t like me.”

Greg grimaced. Cassie, it would seem, was on the verge of losing total control. If he wanted a hostess for his party, he’d better think of something, and fast. Forcing a soothing tone, he said, “Babies can sense stress. New moms always go through a period of adjustment. Once you feel more comfortable with Jessica, you will be fine.”

The doorbell rang.

They both froze.

“The guests,” Cassie gasped, glancing around the bustling kitchen. “Oh, no! What are we going to do?”

Sending Cassie and her baby packing seemed like the most viable course of action. Jessica squirmed in his arms, as though sensing impending trouble. Cassie’s terrified gaze brought a new lump of emotion to his throat. He looked at the pair and knew that, as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t toss them out. Like it or not he needed Cassie’s help as much as she needed his.

“This is what we’re going to do,” he said, taking charge, an unusual phenomenon in dealing with Cassie. “You take care of the party. I’ll take care of Jessica.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know, Greg—”

“Listen to me, Cassie. If there’s one thing I know about it’s kids,” he said firmly. He forced a smile. “Trust me, it’ll work.”

She made a disgusted face, a shimmer of the old Cassie shining through. “Do I have a choice?”

“No.” He grabbed her hand and led her toward the front door.

Cassie dug in her heels. “What about Jessica? How are we going to explain her to your guests?”

Greg considered the tiny girl in his arms. He had to admit, she looked irresistible, with her curly tufts of sandy-colored hair, her baby blue eyes, and her soft, rosebud lips. She blessed him with a smile, and Greg nearly lost his heart. He gave a wistful sigh. If only grown women were this uncomplicated, they’d be so much easier to handle.

He frowned. The thought of getting through the day pretending to be romantically involved with Cassie was a daunting enough task. Adding Jessica to the mix seemed impossible.

“We won’t. Explain about her, that is,” he said finally. “The less my guests know about Jessica, the better. No need to complicate matters any more than they already are. You’re supposed to be my date. We’re going to have a hard enough time convincing everyone to believe that story.”

Cassie straightened her shoulders. A look of pure indignation lit her dark eyes, replacing the uncertainty. “Are you saying you don’t think I can handle the job?”

Greg struggled to control his temper. “What I’m saying is that whenever you’re around, trouble usually follows.”

Angry color touched her cheeks. She opened her mouth to give him what he was sure would be an angry retort.

Only, the doorbell rang…again.

Greg muttered an oath. “We don’t have time for an argument. Are you ready?”

“Of course I’m ready,” she snapped.

“Great,” he muttered, reaching for the doorknob. He paused, giving her a cursory inspection. “Smile. Remember, we’re supposed to be a happy couple.”

Cassie’s smile looked more like a grimace—with teeth. But at least it was a start. Scowling, Greg threw open the door.

Fellow pediatrician Bob Ryder and his wife, Sandy, stood on his doorstep. They returned his stormy gaze with uneasy glances.

Remembering his own advice, Greg forced a smile. “Bob, Sandy, good to see you. Come in.”

Bob, a short man with a round face, and his wife, a tall, slender brunette, stepped inside. Bob gave an uncomfortable chuckle. “For a minute there, I was afraid we had the wrong day.”

“No, no,” Greg said, still smiling. He shifted Jessica’s warm weight in his arms. “We had to deal with a minor crisis in the kitchen. But everything’s fine now. Just fine.”

“We?” Bob glanced curiously at Cassie.

Greg’s smile faltered. This was the moment he’d been dreading. The moment of truth. Time for Cassie to prove whether or not she was worth all the money he was paying her to play the role of his hostess-slash-girlfriend.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Where are my manners?”

He placed a tentative hand on Cassie’s slender shoulder, drawing her close. Her skin felt smooth, warm to the touch. Her body slender, yet supple. Up close, he caught a whiff of a delicate floral perfume. Awareness stirred in the pit of his stomach, surprising him.

Cassie drew in a sharp breath. She stiffened beneath his touch, appearing ready to flee.

Greg hurried an introduction. “Bob, Sandy, this is my, uh, friend, Cassie Andrews.”

Handshakes were exchanged. Greg gave a silent sigh of relief as Cassie slipped easily into the role of hostess.

Introductions finished, Bob and Sandy focused their attention on Jessica, waiting expectantly.

Greg added, “And this is Jessica…Cassie’s baby.”

“Isn’t she sweet?” Sandy cooed, stepping closer. “Could I hold her a minute?”

Greg looked to Cassie. She shrugged a reply.

“Uh, sure,” Greg said. “Why not?”

Sandy reached for the baby.

Jessica took one look at the woman, whimpered a protest and wrapped her chubby little arms around Greg’s neck, hiding her face in the softness of his navy polo shirt.

Cassie’s eyes widened in surprise.

Bob chuckled. “She seems kind of attached, Greg. Do you have that sort of effect on all women?”

Embarrassed heat rose on Greg’s face.

“Greg’s very good with Jessica,” Cassie said, coming to his defense. Greg shot her a quelling glance, which she ignored. She smiled innocently. “Whenever they’re together, the two of them are inseparable.”

Bob and Sandy exchanged curious glances.

Apparently, Cassie’s interpretation of “less is best” in dealing with Jessica’s presence was different from his. Before the day was out, he’d be Jessica’s favorite uncle, responsible for the child’s happiness and welfare. Greg shook his head, wondering if it were too much to hope for a strike from a lightning bolt on this bright and cloudless day to bring a quick and painless end to his misery.

Cassie fanned the air with a slender hand, seeming oblivious to the speculation she’d raised. “It certainly is hot today. Why don’t we rustle up a few drinks.” She took Sandy’s arm, leading her toward the backyard. “Sandy, I love your dress. Tell me, where did you find that color of peach…”

Greg and Bob followed at a slower pace.

“Not bad, Lawton,” Bob whispered, sending Cassie an appreciative gaze. “Where’ve you been hiding this one?”

Greg felt an unexpected flash of irritation. He attributed the emotion to strained nerves, not jealousy. As far as he was concerned, jealousy and Cassie Andrews did not go hand in hand.

“I haven’t been hiding Cassie anywhere,” he said, struggling with an even tone. Jessica poked a tiny finger in his mouth. He moved it out of harm’s way. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”

Which was the truth, of course. He just didn’t mention the fact that, until today, they’d avoided being in the same room with each other. Knowing and liking each other were entirely different propositions.

Though he had to admit Cassie did make a good first impression. Greg studied her, taking in her bright smile, her long-legged, graceful stride and her slender body. His gaze narrowed. It wasn’t until one got to know the true Cassie that she really started to get annoying.

“Don’t get me wrong, Greg,” Bob said, interrupting his brooding thoughts. “Cassie’s great. I for one think it’s about time you got over Niki.”

Niki? Greg’s mind went blank. He felt too stunned to speak. Today marked the first time since his broken engagement that he’d attended a social function without Niki at his side. He’d been dreading the event for weeks, certain it would accomplish nothing but dredge up old and painful memories.

He’d been wrong.

Since Cassie had walked in the door, demanding his attention, he hadn’t had time to think of Niki.

Not once.

“So, exactly how long have the two of you known each other?” Greg’s nurse, a petite redhead with a plump and curvy body, asked as she studied the sleepy baby in Greg’s arms.

Greg’s hand rested at Cassie’s waist. His grip tightened perceptibly, sending shock waves of awareness darting through her body. He looked at her, raising a questioning brow. “How long would you say, sweet-heart? Ten? Fifteen years?”