Page 33 of The Boss's Triplet Surprise

“I will. Did you grow these vegetables in your garden, Richard? Dan told me you like to garden.”

“I did, and I do. Are you a gardener?”

“I wish. I live in a small apartment without a yard. But I do have a miniature herb garden on my windowsill.”

“Well, I’ll have to send you home with some vegetables. The zucchinis and tomatoes are just perfect at this time of year.”

Dan was starting to relax as they all dished up full plates and began to eat. Leah and Richard chatted a little more about the garden, though Leah seemed to be asking real questions instead of the ones Dan had given her. But then, halfway through the meal, it all came to a head.

“So, Leah. Dan hasn’t told us much about your story. How did the two of you meet, anyway?”

“We met… let’s see, about ten years ago? But we weren’t anywhere near a relationship then. I was working in the research department, and we didn’t talk much. Although I’ll admit that I always had a bit of a crush on him.” Leah blushed as if it underscored the point, and Dan wondered if she was able to do that on cue. “Then, about six months ago, we were working late on a project, just the two of us, and…” She trailed off, grinning. “The rest is history.”

Richard smiled. “Are you close to your family?”

“Dad, you don’t really need to interrogate her,” Dan jumped in. But Leah shook her head.

“I don’t mind. We’re all getting to know each other. Yes, of course. I’m very close with my parents. They live in Madison, but I try to visit them at least once a month, and they come down here fairly often as well. I’m an only child, so I spent a lot of time with my parents growing up. Speaking of which, I have to ask. What was Dan like as a child?”

Dan was impressed at how effortlessly Leah had answered the question and pivoted to one of her own.

“He was like a tiny sponge.” Richard smiled a little distantly. “He learned so much, so quickly. I’d mention something in front of him, about fishing or drug interactions — or anything — and he’d remember it and bring it up a few weeks later. He was fascinated by my job and always wanted to know more about it. But he was also a trickster. He would prank us and his sister all the time, usually in cute and funny ways. Once he tied all our shoelaces together, though, which was a mess.”

Leah chuckled along with Richard. “I can imagine him doing that. Both the pranks and the love of learning. I still see that in him now.”

“The love of learning, not the pranks, I hope,” Jane put in.

“Well…” Leah wobbled her hand from side to side, making both of Dan’s parents laugh. Then her expression grew more serious. “The love of learning, I mean. He always tries to do things in a better way — and to do right by people. From the ones he loves most to the employees at RMA, I can tell he cares a lot.”

Dan held up a hand. “If you see that I care about people and try to do right by them, it’s also because of you. You’ve made me better, Leah. At times, I’ve been too wrapped up in work and profits to think about anything else, but you’ve shown me that some things are more important than a job.”

Dan had meant to say something to that effect to help convince Richard that it was time to give him full control of RMA. He’d even practiced what he’d wanted to say and how he could lie convincingly. But now, as he actually said the words, he realized that they were true. Leah had made him a better person. She had shown him that there were more important things in life than his job — and that she was one of them.

The realization almost bowled Dan over. If he had to choose between working or spending time with Leah, he would choose to spend time with Leah almost every time. He cared about her, very deeply. And now that she was carrying their child, his affection for her had only grown.

It should have been scary, knowing that his career might be in danger, but it wasn’t. He felt a strange kind of happiness. Was this what his father had been getting at all along?

Yet the realization of how much Leah mattered was tempered by something else. Even if he cared about Leah a lot, he still wasn’t the man she needed. Running a company still took a lot of time and energy. And Dan knew that if he were with Leah, she would become the center of his universe. His work, which he’d dedicated his life to, would fall away in comparison to her. He couldn’t let that happen.

Plus, Leah was pregnant. He was already going to become a father. The last thing he needed was to complicate either of their lives any further.

“That’s wonderful.” Richard beamed at Leah, then at Dan. “I’m so happy to hear you say that. I think you’ve been really good for him, Leah.”

“We’ve been good for each other.” Leah caught Dan’s eyes and held his gaze for a long moment. In that instant, Dan felt a connection between them, a connection he could no longer deny — but which he couldn’t act on, either. It was bittersweet. Yet he knew they still needed to do what they’d come here for.

“And speaking of being good for each other…” Dan reached for Leah’s hand across the table. “We have some news. Would you like to tell it?”

Leah nodded. Her cheeks were noticeably pink. “I know it might seem a little soon, but it just felt right… I’m pregnant.”

In unison, Richard and Jane’s mouths fell open. Then they were both on their feet, pulling Leah and Dan into a hug.

“This is wonderful news!” Jane exclaimed.

“We are so happy for you,” Richard added.

They stepped apart. Richard was smiling, and Jane looked a little teary with happiness.

She took Leah’s hand. “Leah, we are so happy to meet you — and to hear that we have a grandchild on the way. Please, from now on, think of yourself as a part of this family. You can always call me, for any reason, all right?”

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