Page 11 of Unexpected Union

She looked startled. “Not at all. I’mthrilled to be having a baby. My mother is excited to become agrandmother, Thomas and Tessa can’t wait—”

She stopped, looked away guiltily.

“So everyone’s rejoicing. Except me.”

“You regret it, then?”

He shook his head. “I’m still reeling underthe shock. I haven’t had months to get used to the idea.”

“I’m sorry. I would undo the past if Icould.”

The silence stretched out between them. Fora moment he regretted the loss of the adoration Audra had once heldfor him. He’d always felt ten feet tall when she’d turn her eyes tohim and simply light up from the inside.

“I need to call the main lodge for apickup,” he said.

“I have my car here. Take it if you want,”she replied. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled a key ring andtossed it to him.

“Come with me to the main lodge. You canlook around the gift shop or something while I print out my brief,”he suggested.

Didn’t all women like to shop?

Not that he remembered Audra doing much ofthat when they were married. Except when she dragged him out tolook at furniture.

That had been a fun day. She’d made it anafternoon full of laughter and nonsense. He’d forgotten about ituntil now.

Audra looked at him, tilting her head to oneside. It exposed her neck and Mitch’s gaze was drawn to the slendercolumn. He wanted to brush his fingertips along its length to seeif her skin was still as soft and warm as he remembered. Trace thecolumn with his lips, feel that pulse point at the base of herthroat with his tongue. Slide his hands through that short, glossyblonde hair to see if it still felt silky to touch.

Looking away, he suddenly suspected the carcrash had done permanent brain damage. He hadn’t felt like thisabout anyone since he’d been a teenager with raging hormones.

He had his work, a select group of friends.The last thing he needed was to get entangled again in any kind ofrelationship. They’d tried it once and it hadn’t worked. Nothinghad changed.

The kiss earlier had been a mistake. He’dsee it wasn’t repeated.

“Okay, I’ll go along for the ride, thankyou,” she said primly.

Once they were heading toward the lodge withAudra driving, she asked, “Tell me, Mitch, did you get hit by adrunk driver?”

He half turned to look at her.

“No. I fell asleep at the wheel.”

“I always thought work would kill you. Itlooks as if it almost did.”

Chapter Four

Audra impatiently checked the wall clockover the registration desk for the third time. Mitch had said he’dmeet her fifteen minutes ago. Where was he? How long did it take toprint out some paperwork?

Dumb question—he was obviously still caughtup with whatever fascinating things his secretary sent. Sighinggently, she headed down the corridor to the conference wing of themain lodge. Why had she agreed to this stupid trip to the lodge?Just to set herself up for more disappointment?

She hesitated outside the glass door. Mitchwas using one of the desks, his phone caught between his shoulderand his ear, his gaze fixed on the computer screen. A stack ofpaper in front of him.

“Disgusting, isn’t it?”

Audra turned. Another woman stood besideher, glaring at the only other occupant of the guest businessoffice.

“Disgusting?” Audra asked.

“We came here for a vacation—and he spendshis time on the darn phone to the office. I might as well have comeby myself.”

---