The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

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СКАЧАТЬ tears slipped down both Maggie’s cheeks, Trinity felt her own throat throb with emotion. She reached across the table and held the girl’s hand tight.

      “I put together what money I had,” Maggie said. “I left the shelter and called my mom to say we wouldn’t be back. Then I phoned Ryan, Bel’s dad, to set up times and stuff. He sounded…different.” She seemed to look inward before her gaze lowered to her sleeping child. “I should’ve known. I got such a terrible feeling, but I went ahead and bought the ticket anyway then phoned again to tell him what time we’d be getting in. I so wanted it to work out.” She bit her lower lip as her mouth bowed and more tears fell. “He hung up on me, but before he did, I heard a girl’s voice in the background.” Tears were spilling down her face now, curling around her quaking chin. “That’s when I remembered your offer to help, Mr. Harrison—”

      When he interrupted, Zack’s voice was hoarse but also gentle. “Call me Zack.”

      Maggie nodded. “And Ms. Cassidy…She said what a lovely couple you were.”

      Zack blinked. “She did?”

      “Uh-huh. But I already knew that. She had your number, the same one you told me that day when I got Bel back.” A look of uncertainty and fear shuttered over her face. “I hope I’m doing the right thing.”

      Trinity squeezed Maggie’s cool, bony hand. “Of course you are. We’ll make sure you’re both safe.”

      “But there’s more,” she said. “I’ve had so much time to think.”

      Trinity took a breath and waited.

      “You both looked so torn up when I left with her that day,” Maggie said, “and here you are, just like that, after a thirty-second phone call. I know you care about Bel. She’s so easy to love.” Maggie squirmed in her seat then, elbow on the table, she held her head. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to say, to do, but I know in my heart that it’s right.”

      Zack prodded. “What’s right, Maggie?”

      A look of irreversible calm stole over her tearstained face. “I want you to step in. Will you adopt my baby?”

      The sensation was akin to having a heavyweight’s glove belt him in the solar plexus. Zack lost his breath, instantly felt physically ill. At that moment, a waitress with a row of silver studs lining the shell of her left ear appeared at the table.

      “You folks want coffee? Breakfast menu’ll be out soon if you’re hungry.”

      Trinity said something, Zack didn’t hear what. His ears were ringing and he realized he was staring at the baby, looking so tiny and needing someone to rescue her. He’d rescued her once—was it only a week ago? He’d been edgy about that decision. If he’d known how events would play out, would he have left Trinity to sort things out while he’d followed his more basic, less flattering instinct and taken that cab home?

      “Zack? Are you all right? Did you hear what Maggie said?”

      He pushed back in his seat and the room began to tilt. “Of course I heard.” His voice sounded gruff to his own ears and when Maggie recoiled, he summoned up a shaky smile. “Maggie, you do know that Trinity and I…Well, we’re not married.”

      Maggie nodded. “Ms. Cassidy told me. But you’re obviously committed to each other.” Her hopeful smile shone out. “You’re both here, aren’t you?”

      But, God knows, he hadn’t come here for this.

      “Excuse me a minute.” Feeling crowded, Zack fell upon a weak excuse. “I left my cell in the car.”

      He got to his feet and made his way toward the exit, winding between tables, feeling as if he were moving across the deck of a lilting ship. At the main entry/exit, he put out his palm, crashed through the swinging glass door and out into blessed fresh air. But his stomach was still churning and his legs felt as if they might collapse beneath him. Setting his hands on his knees, he propped himself against the outside brick wall and bent slightly over as his head went into a spin.

      He couldn’t adopt a baby, not even Bonnie. He was a sworn-to-uphold-the-code bachelor. Cold, hard fact was he didn’t have time to worry about a child full time. And Maggie had said she wanted them both to adopt. She thought they were committed to each other. Did that mean he was supposed to marry a woman he barely knew? Didn’t matter that the woman was Trinity.

      He couldn’t do it. It might seem like an easy fix for young Maggie, but he was old enough to see on down the line. He wasn’t the marrying, settling-down-with-a-brood kind of guy. He’d never professed to be. He was a career man, pure and simple. No blurred lines or people got hurt. This request—the unique situation—changed nothing. And if that sounded harsh, then so be it.

      The door swung open. Sucking down another gulp full of fresh air, Zack straightened. Slipping her hands into her coat pockets, Trinity crossed over.

      “A bit of a shock, huh?”

      He cleared his throat. “Just a bit.”

      “I think Maggie’s really thought this through. She wants to get to know us better. Make a hundred percent sure it’s the right thing for the baby.”

      His head pulled back. “You sound as if you’re actually considering this. That it’s a done deal.”

      “If I can help them, I will.”

      His laugh was clipped. “Well, don’t count me in.”

      She blinked several times. Then a wry, sad grin hooked up one side of the mouth he’d kissed so thoroughly the night before.

      “I guess this news has knocked us both out of the ballpark, especially given what I said earlier.”

      “That we want different things,” he reminded her.

      She gave a contrite nod. “I’m not sure what it will take to make sure Bel gets everything she deserves. I only know I can’t walk away. I truly thought you’d be on board, too. Or would at least consider it.” Her beautiful eyes filled. “I honestly thought you loved that little girl.”

      His jaw clenched. “If I loved her, isn’t that all the more reason not to set her up like this? I’m not father material.”

      “You’re wrong. You’d make an excellent dad. You’re just too stubborn to give up even a smidgen of who you were.”

      His temper flashed. “Who I am.”

      She folded her arms. “Well, I’m going to help Maggie and Bel.”

      “With no job?”

      “I have savings.” Her brows knitted. “Besides, money isn’t everything.”

      “It goes a long way to helping. In fact…” The solution exploded in his head. If he hadn’t been so blindsided by Maggie’s surprise announcement, he would have thought of it sooner. He couldn’t adopt but he could certainly help financially.

      “I’ll transfer money into Maggie’s account. As much as she needs.”

      “So СКАЧАТЬ