One-Amazing-Night Baby!. Heidi Rice

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СКАЧАТЬ said, ‘Out’, at the same time she said, ‘In.’

      Sophie shot Cooper an incredulous look. ‘That southerly wind is icy.’

      Evaluating the sky and the rustling sidewalk trees, he inhaled deeply. ‘It’s refreshing.’

      Sophie studied the grey clouds churning overhead. Hunching her shoulders, she clutched each side of her cardigan and wrapped it more securely around her.

      Cooper served her one of the persuasive looks she remembered so well. ‘They have the patio heaters going.’ He ran a finger down her arm. ‘If that’s not enough, I could keep you warm.’

      Her body screamed at her to say yes, to give in. For so long she’d quietly dreamed of him overwhelming her with his unique brand of passion, as he’d done back in his garden when they’d kissed. But she meant what she’d said.

      Cooper was indeed dangerous. If she was to keep her pledge to remain strong and assertive, rather than endlessly compliant, he was precisely the kind of dominant proud male she must avoid. A little late now, granted, but damage control was still available. She would not fall for his smooth talk and smoother ways, then submit to marriage.

      In this day and age women had options and opportunities. No one needed to tie themselves to a loveless marriage for security’s sake or anything else. Her baby would do better living alone with her than growing up in a house with two parents who couldn’t agree on what day it was. She simply wouldn’t put her child through the same ordeal she’d endured long ago. She would never forget how she’d tried to shut her ears to the quarrels that had risen up the stairs late at night, when her parents had thought she was asleep.

      So why was she even considering Cooper’s suggestion of a three-month trial?

      A cold breeze blasted her face. She addressed the maître d’. ‘Inside table, thank you.’

      The young man hesitated, but when Cooper nodded, he collected two menus from a lectern and showed them through the wooden beamed archway into an area that exuded an authentic old-world charm.

      A casual dark timber bar occupied the far corner of the low-ceilinged cosy room. Fresh flowers adorned settings dressed with green and red chequered tablecloths. But the ochre back wall caught her eye. It was dedicated to family photographs—black and white formal shots that might have dated back to the turn of last century, as well as recent colour snaps.

      She knew the advantages of being an only child—no sharing bedrooms or televisions or parents. But at times it could also be lonely. What would it be like to grow up in a large, boisterous family? Like the one celebrating a toddler’s birthday in the photograph that took pride of place in the centre of that wall. They all looked so happy.

      Sophie thanked the maître d’ as he retracted her carved wooden chair. Settling in, she set down her bag and, hands on the table, absently played with her bracelet’s three-leaf clover charm.

      After Cooper had removed his jacket, he shunted in his chair. The light reflected off one of Sophie’s charms and hit his eyes. He blinked down at her wrist. ‘Who gave you the lucky bracelet? A favourite kooky aunt?’

      Sophie bristled at ‘kooky’.

      She leant back as the maître d’ laid a napkin on her lap. ‘I bought it myself, just before the wedding.’

      With a self-satisfied grin, he reached for the water carafe and filled her glass. ‘And you haven’t taken it off since?’

      Oh, yeah. He was confident all right.

      She lifted her water. ‘Actually, the clasp is stuck.’

      The carafe hovered a moment before he filled his own glass. ‘I see.’

      Carafe back in place, Cooper waved away the maître d’s effort to place his napkin, then collected his leatherbound menu and fanned himself several times as he took in his surrounds. When his attention dropped to focus on the listed appetisers, Sophie rearranged the curls blown around her face by the breeze, pulled her cardigan closer, and found her own menu.

      Although her first-trimester tummy was growling for nourishment, she couldn’t concentrate on food. This pregnancy would change her and Cooper’s lives for ever, but it would also affect Cooper’s sister—who happened to be one of Sophie’s best students.

      She set the menu aside. ‘How do you think Paige will react when she hears the news?’

      But she could answer her own question: with great interest, no doubt.

      When Paige had first broached the subject of sex and her boyfriend one day after English class, Sophie had advised she speak with her mother. After the options had been whittled down to no one being at home other than an overly protective big brother, Sophie had recommended the school counsellor. But Paige had been adamant; she trusted no one with her confidence but her favourite teacher.

      Cooper had already flipped the menu over to peruse the dessert and coffee choices. His lazy gaze flicked up to stroke her. ‘I’ve only heard her speak in glowing terms of Ms Gruebella. Seems you have fans everywhere.’

      Even as Sophie melted at his suggestive look, she shuddered. How that title grated outside of school. ‘What say we go back to pretending I don’t have a last name?’

      Cooper’s approving nod seemed to convey a deeper meaning, and for the first time Sophie wondered about her first and his last names.

       Sophie Smith?

      Sophie bit her lip at the absurd impulse to find a pen and sample that signature on the napkin folded upon Cooper’s bread plate. That urge hadn’t been fully pushed aside before another question blinked in her mind. Her stomach dipped.

      Whose surname would their baby bear?

      Cooper set down his menu. ‘Paige will most likely throw a party when she hears she’s soon to be an aunt. She’s always loved babies.’

      Sophie knew that well enough. Paige had often said how much she wanted one of her own one day. Hopefully a big dose of babysitting would satisfy the yearning for a few years yet. Plenty of time.

      Sophie paused.

      Over the years she’d often wondered when or if she’d get the chance to be a mother. It was still difficult to believe it was happening now … this way.

      Elbows on the tabletop, Cooper thatched his hands and brought them to his chin. ‘So … what was Paige so concerned about you telling me?’

      Thank heaven he couldn’t read minds. She zipped her lips. ‘Privileged information—sorry.’

      ‘Teacher and student? Similar to sinner and priest?’

      ‘Possibly more sacred.’

      He broke eye contact to call the waiter over. ‘Paige wouldn’t be the young girl you mentioned had a boy hounding her?’

      Sophie willed the hothouses from her cheeks and lied as she laughed at the suggestion. ‘No.’

      She trusted Paige to consider all the ramifications of taking ‘the next big step’. СКАЧАТЬ