Page 116 of Nobodys Baby But Mine (Chicago Stars 3)

o get back to my office. I’m already going to be late for my afternoon appointments. And when we make love, I don’t want to be rushed.”

She felt heavy-limbed and wobbly with anticipation. She tucked her hand in his as they moved back to the path.

“When you come over for dinner, maybe we’ll have some time to talk, and you can tell me about your work.”

A smile of pure pleasure lit his face. “I’d like that.”

She realized that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d asked him anything beyond a cursory, “How was your day?” This business of listening to each other was going to have to go both ways.

His smile faded, and his forehead creased. “I don’t suppose I could bring my son along when I come to dinner?”

She hesitated for only a moment before she shook her head. “I’m sorry. My mother wouldn’t allow it.”

“Aren’t you a little old to be taking orders from your mother?”

“Sometimes she has a feeling about how things should go. Right now, she has feelings about who should come to the house and who shouldn’t.”

“And my son isn’t welcome?”

She regarded him unhappily. “I’m afraid not. I hope… soon. It’s really in his hands, not Annie’s.”

His jaw set in its familiar stubborn line. “It’s hard to believe you’re letting an old woman who’s half-crazy make decisions about something so important.”

She drew him to a stop and pressed a kiss to the corner of that stubborn jaw. “Maybe she’s not as crazy as you think. After all, she was the one who told me I had to take this walk with you.”

“You wouldn’t have done it otherwise?”

“I don’t know. I have a lot at stake in my life right now, and I don’t want to make a mistake. Sometimes mothers know what’s best for their daughters.” She regarded him levelly. “And their sons.”

He shook his head, and his shoulders slumped in resignation. “All right. I guess I know when I’m in over my head.”

She smiled and had to restrain herself from kissing him again. “We eat early. Six o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.”

Chapter Twenty-One

L ynn showed Jane off to Jim that night as if she were a beloved child brought before a stranger to display her tricks. She sang Jane’s praises until he began to look dazed, then shooed the two of them into the living room so they could patch up whatever differences remained between them.

As Jane took a seat in Annie’s chair, the resemblance between father and son made her ache, and she wanted to move next to him on the couch and fold herself into those sturdy Cal-like arms. Instead, she drew a deep breath and told him how she had met Cal and what she had done.

“I didn’t write the tabloid article,” she said, when she reached the end of her story, “but nearly every word of it was true.”

She expected his censure.

“I guess Ethan would have a few things to say here about divine providence being responsible for getting you and Cal together,” he said.

He surprised her. “I don’t know about that.”

“You love Cal, don’t you?”

“With all my heart.” She dropped her gaze. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be an afterthought in his life.”

“I’m sorry he’s giving you such a hard time. I don’t think he can help it. The men in our family are pretty hard-headed.” He looked uncomfortable. “I guess I have a confession of my own.”

“Oh?”

“I called Sherry Vogler this afternoon.”

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