Geez, Miss Miller, didnt you hear me? Kristen asked.
Lily walked back to the girl who had come halfway down the corridor to catch her. Im sorry. My mind was on something else. Did you need something?
I think I forgot my book bag in your office.
Well, lets go see if we can find it, she said and headed back to her office where she unlocked the door and turned on the light.
There it is, Kristen claimed, indicating the couch where she had sat during their session. The lime-green pack rested on the floor on the opposite side of the sofa. Kristen retrieved the backpack and slung the strap over one shoulder, then turned back to face her. Ive got an exam tomorrow that I need to study for and all my notes are in here, she said patting the bag. I dont know what I would have done if youd already left.
Then Im glad you caught me in time, Lily replied as she left the office with the teenager.
The elevator dinged its arrival again. Theres the elevator. You going down?
Not yet, Lily said, still hoping she could escape without seeing Jack.
See you next week then, the petite brunette told her and rushed toward the elevators opening doors. The elevator began to empty and Kristen stepped inside. Thanks, she murmured to someone still inside the elevator, holding the door open for her. Bye, Miss Miller. And thanks again.
Good bye, Lily called out, and when he exited the elevator she could have sworn she heard itthe other shoe dropping. Because, just as she had feared for months, the man standing outside the elevator staring at her was Jack Cartwright. Unable to move, she simply stood and watched the shock in his blue eyes turn to fury as they moved from her face to her belly and back again.
He walked toward her. His voice was low and dangerous as he said, Hello, Red. He paused then glanced at the nameplate on her office door. Or should I say, Hello, Lily Miller?
She nodded, not sure she could even speak when her heart felt as though it were in her throat.
When is the baby due? he asked, his expression grim.
In four months. But
Which means that Im the father, he said. And if youre having any thoughts about saying the babys not mine, you can save yourself the trouble because Ill demand a paternity test and we both know what the results will show.
I wasnt going to lie, she told him and placed a protective hand on her stomach. I just wanted you to know that getting pregnant it it wasnt something Id planned.
Neither was the condom breaking, he responded. Why did you tell me you were on the pill?
I didnt. I told you that I was safe because I thought it was a safe time. You just assumed I meant I was on the pill, she explained and felt the color rush to her cheeks. Its no ones fault. It was an accident, Jack
His head snapped up and he pinned her with his eyes. So you do know who I am.
Yes. But not at first. Not until later that night in the hotel room when you took off your mask, she admitted.
You knew even then? And yet you didnt want me to know who you were. Why is that, Lily? Why keep up the pretense? Was it all some kind of joke for you?
No! No, it wasnt a joke, she told him, not wanting him to believe she had used him. That night that night I wasnt myself. I didnt want to be me. So when you asked me to dance and we decided to follow the rules of the masquerade ball and not reveal our identities, I didnt have to be me. It seemed it seemed so harmless, she offered because she didnt know how to tell him that shed been lost and hurting that night and he had made her feel whole again. Going to your room that night its its not something I would normally do.
Asking a strange woman to my hotel room isnt exactly the norm for me, either, he told her, his voice sharp. So why not be honest? Why not tell me who you were? Why keep pretending?
Because I was afraid if I told you who I was, you would stop. And I didnt want you to stop, she told him honestly.
Something flared in his eyes. But whatever hed planned to say never made it past his lips because a door down the hall opened.
Cartwright, the meetings about to start, Doug Walters, one of the other board members, called out.
Go ahead and start without me, he said, never taking his eyes off her.
Were taking nominations for Bunnys seat, Walters answered.
Go to your meeting, she told him before he could respond.
We need to talk.
I know. While one part of her was relieved that he finally knew the truth, another part of her was nervous about what he might do. His family status wasnt lost on her. While being an unwed mother might cause a ripple or two for her, the news that Jack was the babys father was sure to be a scandal for the venerable, respected Cartwright family.
Cartwright? Walters called out again.
Go ahead. Ill be here when youre done and well talk.
He hesitated a moment, then said, All right. But if youre thinking about running away like you did at the cemetery the other day, just remember I know who you are now. And theres not a place on this earth where you can hide that I wont find you.
And as she watched Jack walk away, Lily knew he meant every word. Even if she had someplace or someone to run to, she had no doubt that he would find her. But she had no oneonly her babyso she turned and reentered her office to wait for him.
What do you think about Abby Talbot taking her mothers place on the board? Jacqueline Kent suggested.
Shes not even thirty. Thats kind of young to be sitting on this board, Doug Walters pointed out.
True. But shes bright and personable and shes been very supportive of Eastwick Cares. Besides, it might be nice to have some young blood on this board, Mrs. Kent responded. Look what a great addition Jack has been.
The discussion continued around him, but Jacks thoughts remained on Lily. Hed heard her praises sung from the moment hed joined the board. The incomparable, efficient Ms. Lily Miller was adored by the teens she counseled and her reports were always neatly typed, complete and available for the board meetings, even though the lady herself never was. Now he knew why. Shed been avoiding him. Not only avoiding him, but keeping from him the fact that he was going to be a father.
A father.
He was still having difficulty wrapping his head around that idea, he admitted. But he didnt question for a moment that the child was his. He knew that it was. As shed told him, spending the night with a stranger hadnt been a normal thing for herjust as it hadnt been normal for him.
What do you think, Jack? Doug Walters asked.
Sorry, Doug. What was that?
What do you think about Abby Talbot taking Bunnys place on the board?
I think it sounds like a good idea. From what I understand, shes a smart businesswoman. Shes been supportive of East-wick Cares and I think it would be a nice way to honor her mother for her years of service to the agency.
All right, then. Why dont we take a vote? Walters said.
By the time the votes were cast and the remainder of the agenda covered, nearly two hours had passed. When Jack exited the board room and headed down the hall to Lilys office, he half expected to find her gone.
All right, then. Why dont we take a vote? Walters said.
By the time the votes were cast and the remainder of the agenda covered, nearly two hours had passed. When Jack exited the board room and headed down the hall to Lilys office, he half expected to find her gone.
But there she was, seated on the couch with her eyes closed and her head resting against the back cushion. She was asleep, he realized. And since she obviously hadnt heard him enter, he took the time to study her. Until now, he had only his memory of herthe way shed looked when hed first seen her at the ball, a vision wrapped in black satin. The way shed looked in his room with the firelight reflecting off her hair. The way shed looked in his bed with her back arched, her skin flushed and her body tangled with his. So many times during the past few months, he told himself that hed been wrong. She couldnt possibly be as beautiful as he remembered.
Hed been wrong. She was even more beautiful now. Dark red hair fell in soft waves to frame her face. The face was a perfect oval, her features delicate, the mouth that had made love to him and cried out in pleasure was even more tempting than it had been all those months ago. Dark lashes covered the ghost-blue eyes that had haunted his dreams. The dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose that saved her from being too perfect made her all the more beautiful to him. But it was the bulge in her stomach and the knowledge that she carried his child that made his chest tighten.
She opened her eyes and stared up at him. Within moments, the lazy slumber dissipated and the wariness was back. She straightened. Im sorry. I must have dozed off. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately, she said.
She did look tired, he realized, and there were faint shadows under her eyes. Suddenly concerned about her and the baby, he began spitting out questions. Have you told the doctor? What does he say? Is it normal?
Yes, Ive told the doctor. And she says its perfectly normal.
Realizing that he sounded like some panicked idiot instead of a grown man, Jack sat down in the wingback chair across from her. He released a breath and looked over into her worried eyes. Sorry about that. This has all been a surprise for me.
I understand. I was the same way at first, panicking over everything. But Ive had a while to get used to it.
Too bad I cant say the same thing, he replied, angered anew that shed kept the pregnancy a secret from him. Why didnt you tell me about the baby? Didnt you think I had a right to know that I was going to be a father?
Of course you do. And I was going to tell you.
When? When the baby was graduating from college?
I wanted to tell you, she insisted and he didnt miss the way she was plucking at the sleeve of the jacket she wore.
Then why didnt you?
Because I didnt know how, she fired back.
The simple truth would have worked just fine. All you had to do was say that the night we slept together resulted in a child.
Youre right, and I apologize, she said, her voice softer, her expression calmer. She tilted her chin up, straightened her shoulders. I should have told you. And now that you do know, you should also know that I intend to keep the baby.
It had never crossed his mind that she wouldnt, Jack realized. He also realized that she could just as easily have placed the child up for adoption, and if shed listed the father as unknown, he would never even have known he had a child.
But just because Im keeping the baby doesnt mean I expect anything from you. I dont. I made the decision on my own and I plan to accept full responsibility. So you dont have to worry that Ill make any demands.
That was a nice little speech, Lily. Tell me, how long have you been practicing it? he asked and surprised himself that he managed to sound so calm when inside he was furious.
I. A while, she finally said.
Leaning forward, he made sure his eyes were level with hers, and he said, Whether or not you expect anything from me is irrelevant. Im that babys father and as its father, I not only intend to take financial responsibility for him or her, I also intend to be a part of the childs life.
I see, was all she said.
It was apparent that hed thrown her for a loop. But had she really expected him simply to walk away from his responsibility to the baby? To her?
Im sure well be able to work something out with visitation, she offered. Lots of families do it. Of course, well have to wait until the babys older. Then we can set up a schedule where we swap holidays and extra time in the summers.
I dont think you understand what Im saying, Lily. I intend to be a part of this childs life from day onenot four or five years down the line.
But surely you realize a baby needs to be with its mother, she insisted and he could hear the thread of alarm in her voice.
It needs its father, too. I have no intention of being a parttime father, one of those men who has visitation every other weekend and alternates holidays. I want to be a part of it allthe late-night feedings, the first steps. Everything.
Lily pushed to her feet. I wont let you take my baby from me, she told him, her voice firm, defiance in her eyes. I dont care who your family is or how much money you have, Ill fight you. Ill fight you with every breath in me before I let you take my baby.
Its our baby, Lily. Our baby.
She folded her arms protectively over her abdomen. But her eyes never wavered as she spat out, I mean it, Jack.
Ill fight you every step of the way. I wont let you take the baby from me.
Standing, he walked over to her. He had a good six inches on her and knew he could be intimidating. Hadnt he been told time and again that his strong physical presence was as big an asset in the courtroom as was his skill as a lawyer? But if she was intimidated, Lily didnt show it. She held her ground, stood with him toe-to-toe. With her claws drawn and her eyes sparking fire, she reminded him of a cornered mama cat, fighting to protect her kitten. And he couldnt help but admire her for it. Do you really think Im such a heartless monster? That I would take our baby from its mother? he asked.
She eyed him warily. But you said you wanted to be there for everything.
And I do, he said and touched her cheek. A baby needs a mother and a father.
I dont understand. The baby cant be with both of us all the time.
Sure it can. All we have to do is get married.
Three
You cant be serious, Lily told Jack, unable to believe the man had actually suggested that they marry.
Ive never been more serious about anything in my life.
Then youre either crazy or youre a fool, she said and moved away from him. She retreated behind her desk, wanting the sense of normalcy and control that it represented.
Why? Because I want to give our baby a real home with both of its parents? It sounds pretty reasonable to me.
But we dont know anything about each other.
He walked over to the desk and took the seat directly across from her. Thats easily fixed. Ask away. What do you want to know about me?