Page 10 of The Prince's Secret Twins

“Good morning, Officer,” she sighed as she pulled the door open, cradling a happy Laith in her arms. He cooed and looked adorable, waving his tiny hands and feet now that his belly felt better.

The officer took a step back, probably because of the baby barf smell. It really was bad, she thought, shaking her head to get the wisps of hair out of her eyes.

“Ma’am,” the officer said, touching the brim of his baseball-style cap. “Someone called in earlier this morning to say there were strange men lurking around your house.”

“Hm,” was all she could say, still swaying back and forth. By this point, she wasn’t sure if the swaying was more to sooth herself or Laith.

“Are you okay, ma’am?”

Tila laughed. It sounded a bit hysterical even to her own ears. “Sure!” She grinned because there was nothing more she could say. “You?”

The man looked startled. “Would you mind if we looked around inside? Just to be sure you are safe?”

A year ago, Tila would have told the officer to go away. Someone entering her home would have been a serious violation of her privacy. But she had twin babies now. Her body had literally been torn apart delivering them. The things she’d gone through meant that she had no more illusions of privacy.

Plus, the sooner she let them in to do their job, the sooner they could go away.

“Help yourself,” she said, flipping Laith over so that his belly was resting against her arm. He preferred this position and it gave her shoulders a break.

Tila stepped back to let him enter, still swaying. She heard Rafi’s indignant squawks from the den behind her and she went to check on him. He was lying in a bouncy baby chair that had toys dangling from an arch stretched over the top.

The officer walked through her tiny house, peering into each bedroom, the kitchen, and the small utility room. She might have smiled at the officer’s shock at the amount of laundry that was piled everywhere, but she didn’t have the energy for laughter.

She’d been surprised to discover the laundry had been folded though. That was a sweet gift. She couldn’t picture Joran folding tiny baby clothes, but who else would have done it?

Tila appreciated the effort, whoever had done it. Folding laundry seemed to come last on her priority list, lately.

The officer nodded, then touched the brim of his hat again. “Everything seems…” he looked around again and this time, Tila did laugh.

“I’m fine, officer,” she told him, still bouncing and patting. “Thank you for your concern.”

The man smiled faintly, but she could still see the wariness in his eyes. “Call if you have any problems.” And then he left as quickly as he could.

Tila was just about to close the door when someone else pulled up. This person had an unfamiliar logo on their delivery van and Tila lingered in the open doorway, curious.

The driver nodded to the officer, then yanked open the door to the van and removed a box.

When he stood in front of her, Tila wasn’t sure what she was seeing.

“I have a food delivery for Tila Ayad?” the man explained, hefting the box carefully.

“Food?” she repeated blankly.

“Yes, ma’am. The order was for three prepared meals, as well as cut up fruit and vegetables.” He lifted the box a few inches higher.

Tila shook her head. “I didn’t order any food delivery.”

The man hesitated, then looked at the delivery note taped to the top of the box. “The only delivery information I have is from someone with the initial ‘J’.” He stood there, still holding the box and looking confused.

Joran, Tila thought and tried to ignore the unexpected burst of happiness. “That’s my ex-boyfriend,” she said with a nod. “If you just–”

“I have orders to put the food into the fridge, ma’am.” He eyed the baby in her arms. “I’m happy to help.”

She nodded and stepped back to allow him into her home.

The man stacked several containers in her fridge, then set two plastic platters on the counter. He didn’t look around after that. He simply grabbed his delivery box and, after nodding politely to her, returned to his delivery van and drove away.

Tila stood in the doorway, still patting and swaying. Joran. That was a very sweet offering, but she was still mad at him. No, furious. He’d walked out of her life so many months ago, then showed up at her door last night without warning.

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