Page 23 of Baby Bodyguard

“Aw, hell, Sami. I’m sorry.”

“It was a terrible time. One day I belonged to a family. And the next my family was destroyed. Babe and I…” She shivered. “We looked and looked. But we never found what we’d lost.”

Noah remained silent for a long time. Then he squeezed her shoulders. “At least you knew what a family should be like. That’s more than I had. Inever knew my mother. She left my father when I was small.”

Sami pivoted in his arms, her hands slipping around his waist in a gesture of comfort. “Did your father try and replace her?”

“My father focused more on finding the quickest, easiest way to line his pockets.” His chin dropped to the top of her head. “I suspect good ol’ Dad could match Babe marriage for marriage. One big difference. Your mother looked for love, whereas my father looked for someone who could indulge his every financial whim. And trust me when I say Dad’s whims were expensive.”

“Oh, Noah. I’m so sorry.”

To her relief, he didn’t reject her sympathy. “We can’t do anything about our past, Sami. But we can choose how we go forward. We don’t have to be haunted by events beyond our control.”

He didn’t know the rest, the bits and pieces that would give lie to his statement. But she’d already said far too much. She’d bared enough of her soul for one day. “I’m trying to go forward. Can’t you see that?”

“I gather that means you’re still intent on having a baby.” He didn’t phrase it as a question. “Don’t you think your child will miss having a father? You did.”

She didn’t dare look at him, too afraid she’d break down. She fought for control. Tears weren’t her style. Laughter alwaysmade her feel far better. She straightened away from him. “Sorry, Noah. There’s no room for a daddy around here. What my parents had was unique and when my father died it nearly destroyed my mother. Idon’t intend to go through what she did. But that doesn’t mean I should live a life barren of children. I’m crazy about kids and I’m good with them, too. I’ve wanted to have a baby for as long as I can remember.”

“And now you’re going to do something about it? Why? Why now?”

Anger spurred her on. “Do you have any idea how old I’ll be when my son or daughter graduates from high school?”

A hint of a smile touched his mouth. “How old?”

“I’ll be—” She glared. “Never mind how old.”

“That bad, huh?”

“The point is I want to be young enough to enjoy motherhood, not chasing my toddler around in a wheel-chair.”

His smile grew. “Somehow I don’t see that happening even if you chose to wait a few more years to carry out your plan.”

“I’m ripe now! In another couple years I might be rotting on the vine, all dried up and turned to a prune.”

“You’re right. You are ripe,” he agreed, his voice low and husky. “Ripe to be taken advantage of. Ripe to be badly burned. Ripe for hurt.”

“It’s still my choice, Noah.”

Before he could respond to that, Loner burst into the room, astuffed animal clutched in his teeth, his tail wagging enthusiastically. Sami took one look and started hyperventilating. “Mr. Woof. Noah do something! He’s eating Mr. Woof.”

Her expression must have warned him that panic wasn’t far off. He turned and issued a sharp command. Loner set the stuffed wolf cub on the ground and backed away, his tail drooping pathetically. Noah crossed the room and gently picked up the toy, examining it. “There’s a small rip along the seam of the ear. Other than that, it doesn’t look like he damaged it. I’m sorry, Sami. I’ve never known him to do something like this. Would you like me to try and replace it?”

“No. It’s not valuable.” To her horror, her voice broke.

“Are you crying?”

Noah was beside her in an instant, gathering her into his arms. “Aw, hell. You are. Please don’t cry. Idon’t do tears. Istink at them. Ialways say the wrong thing and manage to make the situation worse.”

“Me, too,” she said, the words ending in a sob. “I hate people who cry. Don’t they know they should laugh at their problems?”

“Oh, damn. You really are upset. Please, sweetheart! Tears twist me into knots.” He thumbed the dampness from her cheek and stooped slightly so he could peer into her face. “Tell me how I can make it better.”

“I’m trying to stop. Honest.” She took a deep breath, fighting for control. “Crying is such a pain. It gets everyone upset. Look. Even Loner is a nervous wreck.” At the mention of his name, the dog shoved his snout between them, whining pathetically. It gave her the perfect excuse to laugh. “Good grief. He’s in worse shape than we are.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Noah muttered.

Sami dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around Loner’s neck, giving him a reassuring hug. “You’re sorry, aren’t you, boy? You didn’t know how much Mr. Woof means to me,did you?” He licked her face, cleaning away the last of the tears. She smiled up at Noah. Granted, it was a bit wobbly, but with luck it should pass muster. “There. See? All better.”

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