The Nine-Month Bride. Judy Christenberry

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      “Frankie!” he shouted as he rushed toward the stairs. “I’m hitting the shower. If—if I have a visitor, ask them to wait.”

      Because his future was right around the corner. And he didn’t want to miss it.

      “Luke, there’s a lady to see you,” Frankie shouted up the stairs.

      A lady.

      Lucas took one last look in the mirror, feeling foolish. He seldom studied himself, but it was important that he make a good impression on the lady downstairs.

      After all, she was going to be the mother of his son.

      Drawing a deep breath, he smoothed back his hair and then hustled down the stairs before nerves could get the best of him. Knowing Frankie would’ve put the visitor in the seldom-used living room, he paused on its threshold to take his first view of her.

      She looked up as he appeared, then stood. Not a beauty, like his Beth. Her features were bland, and she was tall, lanky, almost. Somehow, those differences made what he was about to do easier. That, and the fact that he’d never seen her before.

      “Mr. Boyd?”

      “Yes, ma’am. Are you Mrs. Langston?”

      “Miss Langston,” she said, correcting him.

      He frowned. In his mind, he’d assumed whoever agreed to his terms would be married, a mother already. From what he’d read, that was the typical profile. “You’re not married?”

      “No.”

      She added nothing to her blunt reply, but her gaze continued to meet his. He liked that. His son shouldn’t have a timid mother.

      Suddenly realizing they were both still standing, he crossed the room and gestured toward the sofa behind her. “Please, be seated.”

      As she sat down, he noticed her skirt was long, hiding her legs. Probably has fat ankles, he speculated. Doesn’t matter for a boy, he assured himself. Dark hair, like his. Beth had had pale blond hair, spun gold, an angelic halo. And a beautiful smile.

      This lady wasn’t smiling.

      Of course not. Having a baby was serious business. He cleared his throat. “I assume you have no health problems.”

      She stiffened and then frowned. Dark brows rose and she tilted her head as she stared at him. “No. Do you?”

      “None.”

      Tense silence fell, and Lucas tried to think of what he needed to say. “You understand that afterward… I mean, there’ll be no contact between us?”

      Her reaction was curious. A sigh of relief moved through her and a hopeful smile formed on her lips. Even that half smile made him reevaluate his impression of her. Her brown eyes warmed and a touch of color enlivened her pale cheeks. The severe style of her hair, pulled back into a bun low on her neck, didn’t change, but she looked younger somehow.

      “How old are you?”

      She blinked several times. “Thirty-two. And you?”

      “Thirty-three.” He studied her. Yes, she looked that old. He might even have said a year or two older. “You’re sure you’re young enough?”

      “I don’t think that’s any of your business,” she replied, her jaw squaring.

      One eyebrow slipped up in surprise as he stared at her. Not any of his business? She was going to have his son. “I want this…our agreement to be successful.”

      “My age is not a problem,” she said firmly, looking away.

      “Okay.” He’d take her word for it since Doc had sent her. What would be the point of sending someone who couldn’t have a baby? “Do you have any questions?”

      “I—I know why I’m doing this, Mr. Boyd, but I don’t understand…what are your reasons? Is compensation involved?” As she finished, she looked around the room, as if evaluating his worth.

      “Didn’t Doc explain the terms?”

      She shook her head. “He said it would be a breach of confidentiality.”

      “Well, it’s pretty simple. I want you to have my son, and I’m willing to pay.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, waiting for her response.

      “You’ll pay? But—but why?”

      His eyes narrowed as he studied her. She was willing to go through the pregnancy gratis? Something wasn’t right. Was she some kind of freak?

      “I’d expect to. I’m asking a lot.”

      “I assure you, Mr. Boyd, payment isn’t necessary on your part. I’m even willing to pay you.” She raised her chin, as if expecting him to take her up on her offer.

      He stood and shoved his hands into his back pockets. “Let me get this straight, Miss Langston. You’re willing to get pregnant, have my son and then disappear, for free?”

      “If you feel that my leaving the community is necessary, yes, I’m even willing to do that. The baby and I will find another home.”

      “You and the baby?” he gasped before responding to her in hardened tones. “The baby stays here, Miss Langston. We’re agreed on that.” He glared at her, wondering what her game was.

      She rose, alarm on her face. “No, of course not, Mr. Boyd. The baby is mine.”

      “Damn it! What would be the point? I want my son! Why else would I go through the embarrassment of—”

      “You thought I would give you the baby?” she demanded, her features tightening.

      “Isn’t that what a surrogate mother is? Someone who gives birth to the baby and then hands it over?”

      “But you’re supposed to be a sperm donor. Not a—you can’t keep the baby.”

      “You think I would allow anyone, anyone,” he repeated for emphasis, “to take my child away? I’ve already lost one son. I’m not about to lose another one.”

      They were almost nose to nose now, his hands on his hips as he challenged her. She was even taller than he’d thought, only a few inches shorter than he was. Beth had been a petite doll, not even as high as his shoulders.

      His visitor reached down behind her for the large shoulder bag she’d left on the sofa. “Clearly we have both— I have made a mistake. Dr. Grable suggested you as a sperm donor for my pregnancy. I apologize for wasting your time.”

      “You mean you’re not willing to be a surrogate mother?” Lucas demanded.

      “No.”

      Again she didn’t waste any words. As she moved to step around him, he caught her arm. “I’m offering a lot of money.”

      Tugging СКАЧАТЬ