Читать книгу Her Pregnant Agenda - Линда Гуднайт, Линда Гуднайт - Страница 13

With considerable pleasure, Emily Winters watched Ariana and her new attorney exit the building together. She felt like that legendary Samaritan performing the good deed for the day. Grant, with his take-charge attitude and legal genius, would look after sweet Ariana. If anyone could squeeze support out of that deadbeat fiancé, Grant could.

With a contented smile she headed for Carmella’s office. As vice president of Global Sales, Emily had plenty to do, but if Carmella wanted to see her, something important concerning their “secret project” must have developed.

“Have you read this?” Carmella asked as soon as Emily entered her office. Displaying the cover of a romance novel, she then pressed the book to her bosom. “This story is so romantic. Just like Matt and Sarah.”

“Everything did work out for the best with those two, didn’t it?” Regardless of Emily’s discomfort with the whole idea of matchmaking, once the brainy accountant noticed his sweet, innocent secretary there was no stopping the inevitable.

“Ah, if only the others were so easy.” Carmella lay aside the book and tilted her head, salt and pepper hair catching the gleam of light. “So, is Grant Lawson to be the next lucky bachelor?”

“Grant? Oh, you mean with Ariana?” Emily shook her head. “The idea never crossed my mind. When I heard Ariana crying in the bathroom and discovered the reason why, my heart broke for her.”

“So, this is not part of our plan to see another of your father’s bachelor employees joined in happy matrimony?”

Emily sighed. Ever since Carmella had come to her with the distressing news that her father wanted her to marry yet another of the firm’s bachelors, she’d been forced into the uncomfortable roll of matchmaker. If she didn’t find wives for Wintersoft’s eligible men, her father would publicly embarrass himself and everyone else by prodding the bachelors in her direction. He’d done that once already, and the resulting marriage and divorce had left Emily willing to do most anything, right down to prying into other people’s affairs, to avoid suffering that humiliation again. She knew her father well and once he got an idea in his head, he was like a dog on a bone. Anything she might say to try to change his mind was wasted breath, so she had no choice but to resort to playing the reluctant matchmaker.

“No, Carmella, I’m not setting Ariana and Grant up with each other. Ariana really needs Grant’s help.”

“And you really need Grant to find a wife.”

“Other than me.”

“Exactly.”

Carmella patted her hand. “Your father loves you very much, Emily. He only wants your happiness.”

“And ten or twelve grandchildren.”

Carmella laughed. “Would one or two be so bad?”

“Someday maybe, but not now. Until he realizes that I can run this company as good as any man, my career is my primary focus. I know my father loves me, and I adore him, too, but he has a blind spot where I’m concerned. As long as one male employee remains unattached, he’s a candidate for my hand in marriage.” Her father would see to that. “And on that note, how is the research going on the remaining bachelors?”

“Nothing at all on Jack Devon.” Two lines formed between Carmella’s eyebrows as she studied the computer screen. “He’s a rather mysterious creature.”

“What about the very British and ultrahandsome Brett Hamilton? Maybe we should research him next.”

“Whatever we do, we’d better hurry. How much longer can you keep your father believing that story about your new beau?”

Emily gnawed her lip, truly worried. If her father found out that her latest boyfriend was actually her dear and completely gay friend, Stephen, he’d be back in action, pressing his unmarried employees to pursue her. And she planned to make sure that never happened again.

Ariana followed Grant through the cool, dim belly of the building into the parking garage, her sensible flats echoing against the concrete. With legs twice as long as hers, Grant slowed his gait to accommodate her much slower pace. Given the cargo she carried, the gesture warmed her, though she imagined Grant Lawson always did the proper thing in any situation.

“Here we are.” He raised a key ring and pointed. Security system disengaged and locks snicked open on a gleaming bronze Lexus.

Ariana tried not to gape. She should have expected him to drive a fancy car, but she’d never ridden in one before. Neither her blue-collar roots, nor her current salary included such luxuries.

Grant proceeded her, opened the door, and gently settled her into the seat before pressing the door closed with a quiet click. Even if Benjy had remembered to open the door, he would have slammed her skirt in it. Or maybe her hand. And then groused about how women wanted to be liberated, but still expected a man to wait on them hand and foot. Yeah, right. As if Benjy had ever brought her so much as a glass of water.

Her brain caught on the thought. Grant, only a workplace acquaintance, had instinctively brought her a drink of water and offered her a ride home. He’d shown her more kindness and courtesy in the last half hour than Benjy had in over a year of dating. What an idiot she’d been.

Keenly aware of her pathetic taste in the opposite sex, Ariana slithered down into the seat. She’d beaten herself up enough for one day, and so, for the moment, she forced the thought away and wallowed in the luxury of Grant’s Lexus. Soft, luxurious ivory leather. Real walnut wood trim. And a dashboard with so many gadgets and computers, she’d almost swear the car could fly.

Grant slid into the driver’s seat, subtly mixing his expensive sandalwood scent with the smell of fine leather. The engine hummed to life at his touch and the glorious vehicle whispered out of the parking space.

As they pulled onto the crowded street, Grant slipped a pair of designer sunglasses into place, effectively covering his stunning blue eyes.

Though the seats were butter soft, Ariana squirmed to find a comfortable position. Having two babies in a space made for one didn’t leave a mom much room.

She rubbed a hand down one side, pushing someone’s foot out of the way as an upbeat country tune issued from the sound system. Alan Jackson sang about driving his first car.

“You’re a country music fan?”

“Um-hmm.” Grant maneuvered the car around an exhaust belching bus. “Why? Surprised?”

“Somehow you don’t seem the type.”

“I have fairly eclectic taste.” He motioned to a CD case. “Take a look. Choose what you like.”

She flipped through the stacks, finding every conceivable type of music. Classics, jazz, rock, country, Gaelic.

“This is quite a variety.”

“I aim to please.” He draped a wrist over the leather-clad steering wheel. A shaft of October sunlight reflected off his Rolex.

Ah. Now she understood. The variety was for his passengers’ pleasure. Clients, she wondered? Or women?

Neither was one bit her business, but the idea of Grant Lawson’s women piqued her interest. What type did he like? Sophisticated? Intellectual? Naughty or nice? According to the office grapevine, Grant kept his private life to himself.

Ariana couldn’t believe she was thinking such a thing. She was about to be a mother, for heaven’s sakes. The opposite sex held no appeal for her at this juncture in life. And given her track record and the fact that she had no sense whatsoever concerning men, she would do well never to fall for another one.

Not that she had any such thoughts about Grant. He was doing her a favor out of kindness. She was not interested in him as a man. Only as an attorney.

“Well, which shall it be?”

Had he read her thoughts? She gulped, aware that a dark blush heated her neck.

“Excuse me?”

His lips quirked. “Have you selected your favorite music?”

“Oh.” Flustered, she handed him the Gaelic CD.

He scanned the title, then lifted an eyebrow. “Good choice.”

She smiled and slathered on a thick brogue. “What did ye expect from an Irish lass? We love our bonny fiddle music.”

“What about your Latin half?”

“Ah, you should see me clog to a rumba.”

As soon as she said the words, they both glanced toward her middle, caught each other’s eyes and laughed. Ariana knew how ridiculous she’d look doing any kind of energetic dance.

“Maybe I’ll leave my clogging shoes on the shelf for a few more weeks. Right now, the twins are doing enough clogging for all of us.”

“When is your due date?” he asked.

The personal question didn’t bother Ariana. After all, Grant was her attorney, ready to fight for her support from Benjy. He needed to know these things. And he was a nice guy, a man she instinctively trusted.

“Six more weeks. The babies are due right before Thanksgiving.” She fidgeted in the seat, turned sideways to face him and pointed to a panel on the dash. “Do you mind if I ask you what that is?”

“GPS. Navigation system.”

“How does it work?”

He pressed a button. “Give me your address and I’ll show you.”

As she quoted the street and number, he tapped in the information. “The computer will automatically map the route.”

“Amazing.”

“Interesting toy, but I seldom use it.”

“You never get lost?”

He shot her a look. “Never.”

Ariana suppressed a giggle. Men were so funny about that.

They rode along for a while without talking, the lively music filling the space between them. Outside the tinted windows, the New England autumn was showing off. Bright evening sunshine backlit a glorious display of orange, red and yellow foliage. Ariana breathed in a contented sigh. The radical change of seasons was what she enjoyed most about living in Boston.

Then the car slowed and Ariana looked up to discover they were nowhere near her apartment. A touch of anxiety zipped up her arms. Protectively, she bracketed her belly with both arms.

“I thought you never got lost?”

Behind the sunglasses, his look was indulgent. “We aren’t lost. We’re at a quiet little restaurant that serves great food. You are hungry, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but this isn’t necessary. I can cook at home. In fact, I have to cook. I promised Roger.”

Grant killed the engine and turned in the seat, draping one arm over the steering wheel. His gaze flickered to her stomach. “You have a date?”

“Well, not a real date. Roger lives in my building and I cook for him a couple of nights a week.”

“Ah. I see.” Clearly he didn’t. “Tell you what.” He handed her a cell phone. “You call Roger and offer to bring him carry-out instead. Then, we’ll have a pleasant dinner while I gather some more information about your case.”

Ariana knew he was only being considerate and he did need more details to effectively represent her, but she was far more accustomed to giving than receiving. Besides, Roger looked forward to their time together. “I hate to disappoint him. He’s really a dear man.”

Seeing her hesitation, Grant said, “Give me his number. I’ll call and make certain he’s agreeable. Surely he’ll understand the need for you to meet with your attorney.”

She reached for the cell phone with a resigned sigh. Obviously Grant Lawson was a man who liked to have his way. Given the ache in her back and the wobble in her knees, she’d go along with his wishes this once. “I’ll let him know he has carry-out on the way.”

“That works for me.” Turning, he exited the car and came around to her side while she spoke on the phone, then escorted her into the restaurant.

“I hope you like Italian.” Grant pushed open the door to Gionni’s, inhaling the rich spiced air as Ariana preceded him inside. He liked the quaint Italian restaurant snuggled into a space right off the alley where only the locals would find it. Checkered cloths on the tables, a breadboard and knife waiting for the fresh, hot loaf that would appear the moment they sat down, La Boheme playing softly in the background. The old-world atmosphere soothed him after a difficult day. He hoped the place would work its magic for Ariana as well. For all her pretense to the contrary, she was frazzled.

“Mmm. This is lovely.” Ariana gazed around, and Grant relaxed, pleased that she appreciated his choice.

The hostess showed them to a corner table, and Grant seated Ariana, once more catching the faint scent of gardenias.

She adjusted her chair to accommodate her enlarged stomach, and he marveled at a woman’s ability to deal with the changes of pregnancy. Physically, financially, emotionally, the total burden of childbearing rested on a single mother, a fact that disturbed his sense of fair play.

“This place smells delicious. What do you recommend?” she asked, smiling.

Grant noted how full and soft her lips appeared. She had a beautiful smile, brilliant white against her dark complexion. Orthodontia must have cost her family a fortune.

He opened his menu. “If you like Italian, there are no bad choices. I’m having linguini with pesto sauce.”

“That sounds good. I’ll have that, too.”

“And antipasto. You need the vegetables.”

Closing her menu with a soft wap, she tilted her head appraisingly. “Are you always so bossy?”

He smiled, liking the way her hazel eyes flashed. “Yes.”

She laughed, a warm melody, and he liked that, too. “All right. Antipasto.”

“Mineral water or milk?”

She stuck out her tongue and grimaced. “Plain water.”

The waiter, who appeared to have enjoyed more than his share of Gionni’s fine cooking, took their order and moved away.

Lacing his fingers, Grant propped both forearms on the table and leaned forward. As long as he had Ariana in his company, he might as well make the most of their time. “Will you be uncomfortable if we discuss your case during dinner?”

“Of course not. I thought that was the purpose for stopping here.”

It was, wasn’t it? The fact that he enjoyed her company and liked looking at a pretty face was an added bonus. And she certainly had no business standing on her feet cooking for this Roger person. The very idea annoyed him. Roger annoyed him. And Ariana’s devotion to the man annoyed him even more. He’d heard the sweet tone of her voice when she’d made that phone call—the sincere apology, and the promise of tomorrow night. If he had his way, she wouldn’t go out with the loser at all. Hadn’t she learned anything from her experience with that mutt, Benjy?

“Have you considered that your ex-fiancé may deny paternity?”

Ariana’s eyes widened. “Could he do such a thing?”

Grant opened his palms in a questioning gesture. “You know him better than I do.”

She lay a protective hand over her abdomen. “Benjy does whatever makes him happy at the moment. And spending money on anyone except himself does not make him happy.”

“We’re likely looking at a court case, then.”

Ariana frowned, gnawing at her lush bottom lip. “Isn’t there another way? Benjy’s been out of rehab less than a year. I wouldn’t want to be the cause of a relapse.”

Grant couldn’t believe this woman. Her fiancé had left her in dire straits and she was concerned about upsetting him? “Taking responsibility for one’s actions is a part of adulthood.”

“I know.” She took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right. My babies deserve that much.”

“Is there any chance that he might file for custody?”

“Benjy?” The light came back on in her face. “He wouldn’t take custody of a parakeet if it required any sacrifice.”

He hoped she was right. Men had a way of behaving strangely when a woman pressed them for support.

“Okay. We’ll file the paternity suit and ask for full custody with child support. But what are your plans in the meantime? The case may take a while, depending on how quickly we locate your ex. Financially speaking, can you afford medical care? Child care? Do you have family here in Boston that can help you after the twins are delivered?”

She shook her head, shiny hair dancing around her shoulders. “My family lives in Florida.”

“All of them? You’re completely alone in this?” He didn’t much like the sound of that. “Would your mother consider coming to Boston for a few weeks until you adjust to some sort of schedule?”

“Oh, no. Absolutely not. I have friends who will help out, but I can’t let Mama come here.”

He frowned at that. “I take it you and your family are not close.”

His own family was small—Mom, Dad and a married sister in Connecticut, but if he needed them—which he never did—they’d be here as fast as Dad’s Lincoln would go.

“But that’s the problem. We’re very close. That’s why I haven’t told them.”

The idea shocked him. He leaned back in his chair and stared at her fragile little face. “Your family doesn’t know about your pregnancy?”

“No. It would break Mama’s heart.”

“To be a grandmother?”

“Of course not. Mama loves kids, but she already has enough grandchildren. My brother has two and my sister has three.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Their meal arrived. Ariana gave the waiter a warm smile and thanked him while Grant waited patiently for her answer. She might be trying to avoid the subject, but he was an attorney and never forgot the question.

The pungent smell of pesto wrapped around the table. From the depths of the restaurant came the low murmur of voices—some in Italian—and the gentle strains of an Italian aria.

Ariana adjusted her napkin and took a bite of the linguini. With a deep sigh, she briefly closed her eyes. “Wonderful,” she breathed.

He concurred, savoring the rich flavor while appreciating Ariana’s impeccable manners, and the dainty way her fingers tore the bread into small chunks. She popped a piece into her mouth and chewed, making a soft moaning sound. A thought filtered through his mind that had nothing whatsoever to do with Italian food.

Good grief. The woman was pregnant. Explosively so.

He swallowed, eager to escape his wicked thoughts. “And your reasons for keeping the secret would be?”

“You’re very persistent, aren’t you?”

“Bossy, persistent, stubborn. Any of those adjectives apply. Answer the question, please.” There. He felt much more like an attorney. “Why haven’t you told your family about the babies? Are you ashamed of them?”

“No!” Changeable hazel eyes darkened with anger. “My twins are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I won’t allow anyone to look down on them because their father is a loser and their mother is a bad judge of character.”

“I beg your pardon.” Without thinking, Grant reached across the table and wrapped his hand around hers. The warm velvet skin jolted him, but he held on, determined to make amends. He’d brought her here to help, not to hurt her. “Please. I was in no way demeaning your situation. Children are a gift, no matter the particulars of their conception.”

God knew how much he’d once wanted such a gift in his life.

Ariana glanced down at their touching hands, then carefully slipped her fingers from beneath his. “Apology accepted.”

Eyes downcast, she busied herself with a sip of water.

“So, are you going to tell me why you haven’t informed your family about the imminent arrival of two new grandchildren that you clearly treasure? Children aren’t something you can hide forever.”

Her lips twitched, lips that glistened from the oil and vinegar dressing. His gut reacted. She had a beautiful mouth that drew a man’s attention. Stupid Benjy. How had he resisted her?

“All right. If you insist.” She dabbed those sensational lips with the cheery red napkin. “But it’s a long story.”

“I’m in no hurry.” He’d left work much earlier than usual because of Ariana, but had no previous plans for tonight other than spending an hour or so at the health club. Other than the occasional date or dinners with his family, most weekdays found him chained to a desk until well into the evening.

“Mama and her brother, Uncle Ernesto, escaped Cuba as teenagers. They arrived here in a boat, tired, hungry, scared, and speaking only Spanish.”

“Your mother is an illegal?”

Ariana laughed. “Don’t ever say that to Mama. She is the proudest naturalized citizen in the entire state of Florida. And whatever you do, don’t get into an American history quiz with her. She’ll wax you.”

Though he doubted he’d ever meet the woman, Grant admired that kind of strength and determination. Having grown up in a very comfortable home, he’d never considered how blessed he was to live in the land of the free. He couldn’t imagine the difficulties of coming to a strange country to begin a new life.

“But how does her immigration relate to your pregnancy?”

“I’m getting there.” With a little wait-a-minute wave of dainty hands, Ariana sipped her water again, then continued. “Daddy is a fishing guide. Mama worked for many years as a domestic. With three children, finances were always tight, but Mama held on to the dream that her children would go to college and climb the ladder to success. Sean and Marisa had no such interest, so it fell to me as the oldest to make Mama’s dream come true.”

The music drifting through the restaurant changed to an accordion beat. Dishes clattered somewhere in the background, but all Grant’s attention focused on Ariana. There was more to her than a pretty face and a pregnant body. He knew about family expectations, having fallen far short of the dream his father had had for him. Even now, he continued to disappoint, a truth that wore away at his conscience as aggressively as his flamboyant father wore away at a jury.

“Didn’t you want to attend college?” Waiting for her reply he took a bite of the antipasto, the garlic flavor invigorating his taste buds, even as the conversation with Ariana invigorated his other senses.

“For as long as I can remember. And you should have seen Mama’s face on the day I graduated. She was so beautiful, absolutely radiant with joy.” Ariana’s eyes lit up in remembrance. “She gave a party for everyone in our neighborhood and spent the entire day showing off my diploma and saying, ‘Look, my Ariana, she is so smart. She will be somebody.’”

A faint Spanish lilt crept into Ariana’s voice as she imitated her mother. Grant smiled, enjoying the sound.

“And even though she didn’t want me to move so far away, she was thrilled when I landed the job at Wintersoft. And she is absolutely certain that someday I will be the public relations consultant for some movie star or maybe even the president.”

“Is that what you want?”

Ariana’s slender shoulders rolled forward in a shrug. “I love my job, and I want Mama to be proud. That’s what really matters.”

“I don’t see how your pregnancy interferes with any of that. Women with children continue to succeed in today’s business world. Surely your mother understands that.”

“Ah, but there’s more. You see, Mama’s younger sister, Lily, had a stroke last year. Since most of Mama’s relatives are still in Cuba, she and Lily are very close. Doctors wanted to put her in a nursing home, but Mama wouldn’t hear of such a thing. So she and Daddy took Lily into their home, and Mama provides total care for her. The stress is enormous, but to Mama, caring for Lily is a labor of love. She has to do it.”

“And you don’t want to add to your mother’s worry?”

“Exactly. Mama would be torn between her need to be with Lily and her maternal desire to help her unwed, very pregnant and alone, daughter.” Ariana’s animated expression disappeared. She twisted a strand of linguini with her fork, stirring the food around the plate. “It’s bad enough that my children won’t have a father, but now I will be a single mother struggling to make ends meet, instead of working my way up the ladder. I can’t add that load of worry onto my already overburdened mother.”

Grant took a bite of his pasta and savored the spicy flavor as he mulled over Ariana Fitzpatrick’s dilemma. She not only had the total responsibility of two unborn children, but all the hopes and dreams and concerns of her family rested on her fragile shoulders. And she believed she’d failed them.

“Ariana,” he said gently. “Sooner or later, your family will have to be told. You can’t keep two babies a secret forever.”

“I know.” She pulled in a ragged sigh. “I know. In fact, I really meant to all along, but first I wanted to get married—Mama’s old-fashioned about that. I’d told the entire family about the engagement, but Benjy was always vague about the wedding date, not making a commitment until three days before the courthouse fiasco. I’d planned to let them know about the babies once we married. When that never happened and I had to tell them about the breakup, I couldn’t bring myself to reveal the pregnancy at the same time. One shock was enough. But the longer I put off telling them, the harder it became.”

“Procrastination’s hell.” He should know. Hadn’t he said he’d “think about” that high-profile position with his dad’s law firm instead of refusing straight off the way he’d wanted to?

“No kidding. But once the babies come and I have my life under control again, everything will be fine and I’ll announce them to the world. Oh, Grant, I love these babies so much. My soul sings every time I think of watching them grow from perfect babies into beautiful, unique individuals. I can’t wait to hold them and count their fingers and kiss their noses and—” One nail-chewed hand flew to her mouth. “I’m sorry. You didn’t ask for all that motherly gushing.”

Some odd emotion caught in his chest at Ariana’s passionate speech. He’d dreamed of seeing that expression on Tiffany’s face, of sharing the unbridled joy of pregnancy and childbirth with the woman he loved. But Tiffany had put an end to such foolish fantasies.

Carefully, deliberately, he shifted his attention back to a woman who did want children. As an attorney he empathized to a certain point with all his clients, but Ariana didn’t appear to want his sympathy. Though she’d made some mistakes, she didn’t wallow in self-pity, and, unlike her ex-fiancé, Ariana took full responsibility for her life, embracing the good parts of a difficult situation. He admired that. Yes, that was it. He admired her grit and determination. And he’d darn well find a way to see her through this difficult period.

He was still contemplating the particulars of such action, when the rotund waiter approached the table. “Sir, would you and the wife care for some dessert?”

Not wanting to embarrass the waiter, Grant ignored the mistake and shook his head. “None for me. Ariana?”

“No, thank you.” He could see that she was disconcerted by the waiter’s presumption that they were married. She dipped her head and fiddled with the remaining linguini, a pose he found both lovely and alluring. Long, dark eyelashes curved over the crests of her delicate, pink-tinged cheekbones.

For a moment he let his mind slide into the thought planted by the hapless waiter and the memories of Tiffany’s cruelty. What if Ariana were his wife? What if those were his babies she carried beneath her heart? Regardless of Tiffany’s taunts, he’d yearned to be a father, a good one. To take his children to the Cape and teach them to sail. Or to deep-sea fish and dig clams. Ariana would look beautiful walking barefoot along a sun-kissed beach with her rich, dark hair blowing in the breeze.

“Your check, sir.” The waiter’s voice pulled him out of his reverie. Swallowing thickly, he forced his gaze away from Ariana’s lovely profile and reached for his wallet.

Teeth clenched, he reminded himself that the case against marriage was settled long ago. As much as the truth pained him, there would be no children for Grant Lawson. And certainly no wife. Never, never, never a wife.