Just For Christmas. Stella Bagwell
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Название: Just For Christmas
Автор: Stella Bagwell
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
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Finding the news difficult to digest, Hope shook her head. “Are you sure about this, Shelby? Abby hasn’t mentioned anything about Jake getting married or becoming a father.”
Shelby glanced toward the cash register to make sure no one was waiting to pay, then turned to her friends. “There wasn’t any mention of Jake being married. As for Abby not saying anything, she probably just found out. From what Beth and Ellie said, they don’t know much about her.”
Clearly caught up with this new development, Katie leaned forward and propped her chin on her fist. “Since last week, I haven’t heard much about the baby scandal or anything about Jake. Did Beth and Ellie say why he was back in Austin?”
Shelby shook her head. “Things got busy in here so I had to move on to another table. But they were concerned about what the media would do once they got hold of the news.”
Hope had to agree. She didn’t really know Abby’s brother all that well, but his showing up with a pregnant woman when there was one Maitland baby already causing a scandal was surely going to add fuel to the fire. “Do you think this woman is carrying Jake’s child?”
Shelby tapped a thoughtful finger against her chin. “Who knows. He rarely returns to Austin. And when he does, he’s pretty much of a closed book.”
“That’s the way Abby describes him,” Hope agreed.
Shelby nodded. “I know he’s always been close to Megan. But I doubt there’s a son alive who tells his mother everything.”
Katie considered Shelby’s words. “What about your brothers? Aren’t they supposed to be friends with Jake?”
Once again Shelby nodded. “They do see him from time to time, but from what they say he doesn’t speak of his personal life to them, either.”
“Hmm. Well, that rules out Jake being the father of Cody,” Katie mused as she straightened in her chair and reached for her coffee.
Hope darted a curious glance at her. “How can you be certain of that?”
Katie shrugged, then chuckled. “Me, certain? I just think it’s unlikely he would have a newborn with one woman and another woman pregnant.”
Shelby’s quiet laugh had both her friends turning their attention to her. “Girls, you’ve got to remember Jake is a Maitland. And they’re not exactly known for living like monks.”
A sly smile curved Katie’s lips. “You’re right about that, Shelby. And I’ll go a step further and say thank God for the Maitland family. Otherwise Austin might not have Maitland Maternity Clinic and a lot of babies and children wouldn’t get the wonderful care they need.”
“And I might not have a busy diner,” Shelby agreed with a little laugh, then, spying a customer headed to the cash register, she waved at her friends. “I’ll see you two later.”
As Shelby hurried away, Katie reached for her purse. “I hate to leave good company, Hope, but Papa will be calling out the hounds if I don’t get there soon.”
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