The Baby Bargain Page 12

  44 I don't know, Larry," he said slowly. 44 Fve been giving it some thought, actually. I'll give you a call if I do."

  44 You'd better." Larry's eyes shifted past Dan's shoulder to where Kelly waited. 4 'Friend of yours?"

  44 Sorry." Dan turned, giving Kelly an apologetic smile. 4< I didn't mean to be rude."

  4 'That's okay." She let him draw her forward.

  44 Larry, this is Kelly, a friend of mine."

  44 I wish all of my friends were so pretty," Larry said. His hand engulfed Kelly's.

  44 It's nice to meet you," she said, giving him a shy smile. It was more than a little unnerving to meet Dan's friends. Though at least with Larry Welch there wasn't the disturbing undercurrents she'd felt with the Sinclairs.

  4 'How about the old crews?" Dan asked Larry, his mind still on their earlier conversation.

  Kelly tuned the conversation out, letting her mind and her eyes wander. Dan's hand rested lightly against the small of her back. She wondered if he felt the same awareness at the casual touch that she did. Probably not. It had to be the pregnancy that made her feel warm where he touched her. It was probably just her hormones acting up again.

  Dan wondered if Kelly was even aware that he was touching her. She was usually so skittish about even the most casual of contacts. Keeping up the train of conversation with Larry, he was still aware of the feel of her under his hand. Even through the layers of coat and clothes, it seemed as if he could feel the warmth of her.

  He didn't think he'd ever been quite so aware of anyone in his life. Was it the fact that she was carrying his child? Did that create some sort of primal link between them?

  Whether it was that or something else, he didn't know, but he instantly felt the odd little shudder that went through her. He broke off in midsentence, turning to her, aware that something was wrong.

  4 'Kelly?"

  She was looking past Larry, her eyes wide and dark. Seeing her pallor, he felt his stomach clench.

  44 Is it the baby?" he asked urgently.

  44 I want to go home," she choked out.

  She seemed to sway and Dan's arm came up, ready to catch her if she fainted.

  4 'Something wrong? Something I can do?" Larry's rugged face creased with concern.

  44 I want to go home," Kelly repeated. It seemed as if she had to drag her eyes away from whatever she'd been looking at She looked up at Dan, her eyes wide and terrified. Terrified?

  Dan turned his head to follow the direction she'd been looking. There didn't seem to be much to see. Some of Larry's crew putting away the last of the equipment, the truck they were loading and the parking lot beyond that. He was about to

  turn his attention back to Kelly when his eyes were caught by a lanky old man who seemed to be staring in their direction.

  Unkempt iron-gray hair straggled over his ears. The coveralls he was wearing looked nearly as old as he was, and even over the distance that separated them it was plain to see that he didn't have more than a nodding acquaintance with bath water.

  But there was something about his steady gaze, something fierce and oddly compelling. Dan had to pull his eyes away. He seemed to be staring at Kelly, his eyes glittering with an emotion Dan couldn't read.

  "Kelly?"

  "I just want to go home," she whispered without lifting her head.

  Through the arm that half encircled her, Dan could feel her trembling. He looked back at the old man, a sudden suspicion flaring.

  4 'Who is that?"

  Larry turned, following the direction of Dan's gaze. "The old man?" He shrugged. "That's Russell. Hardly worth a day's wages. Spends most of his time muttering about sin and saviors. Why?"

  Dan hadn't heard anything beyond the name. There, not fifteen feet away, was the man responsible for hurting Kelly. Rage blossomed in his gut, rising in his throat to nearly choke him. His hands actually ached with the need to feel that filthy neck between them.

  He took a quick step forward, the movement so deadly that Larry took a half step out of his way.

  "No!" Kelly grabbed at his arm. "No, please."

  Dan stopped, looking down at her, his eyes a cold, angry blue. "You can't let him get away with what he did"

  "Please. Please, I just want to go home." Her eyes were wide, pleading with him not to do what every instinct was screaming at him to do.

  "What's the problem?" Larry asked uneasily.

  "No problem," Dan said at last. He slipped his arm more solidly about her, glancing to where her father had been. But

  the old man was gone and Dan wasn't sure whether to be glad or sorry.

  He made quick farewells to Larry, knowing the other man must be puzzled, to say the least. His only concern right now was Kelly. Recently the shadows had receded from her eyes and she'd looked happy, at least for a little while. But now the shadows were back. One glimpse of her father and all the color was gone from her cheeks; her eyes were haunted. She almost seemed to shrink in size, as if pulling into herself physically as well as emotionally.

  Dan said nothing as he settled her into his car, shutting the door with more force than was necessary. He strode around to the driver's door, his hand clenched so tight that the keys gouged into his palm. The engine roared to life, a deep growl that fitted his mood.

  Kelly's huddled pose reminded him of the night he'd picked her up. The thought fed into the rage gnawing at his gut. He should have beaten the bastard to a pulp while he had him within reach. His hands tightened on the steering wheel. If he had been alone, he would have taken the Corvette out of town, found some lonely stretch of road and floored it, hurtling down the pavement until he'd left some of his fury behind.

  But he wasn't alone. And it was time he learned to deal with his anger in some less childish fashion. He had responsibilities now. Kelly and the child she carried—they depended on him. Which was exactly why he should have beaten her father to a pulp, his more primitive side argued.

  Neither of them spoke on the drive home, each wrestling with their private demons. Darkness had drifted over the town by the time Dan parked the car. Kelly walked up the pathway ahead of him, her movements mechanical.

  Dan unlocked the front door, ushering Kelly in ahead of him. She still looked as if she'd seen a ghost Or had a glimpse of hell.

  Kelly hardly seemed aware of her surroundings. She stood in the hallway, still wearing the coat and gloves she had taken so much pleasure in. She might as well have been wearing sackcloth and ashes.

  Just that one glimpse of her father had been enough to show her how fragile her security was. She'd almost managed to convince herself that she was safe—but she had only to look at him to know she'd never be safe. He was always going to be there. He would find her wherever she went, waiting to punish her for her sins.

  She turned abruptly, her eyes blind. Dan stood just inside the doorway, taking off his coat, his face grim. She hardly saw him.

  "I've got to go," she muttered as much to herself as to him.

  "Wait a minute." Dan stepped in front of the door, blocking her way. "Where are you going?"

  "I don't know. Out. Away. Somewhere he can't find me."

  "Kelly, he's not going to find you here."

  She looked at him as if in a trance. "I have to go," she repeated, wondering why he didn't see the obvious.

  "No, you don't. I'm not going to let him hurt you ever again."

  "You can't stop him," she whispered. "He thinks I have to be punished and he'll find me. Oh, God, maybe he's right" She turned away, wringing her hands. Fear had taken over, blotting out every other emotion. She didn't have to close her eyes to see her father standing over her, that terrible, terrible madness in his eyes, his fist lifted to strike her. The image was so vivid, so real, that she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with dry sobs.

  "Stop it," Dan's voice made the command gende but firm. He caught her shoulder, ignoring her attempt to pull away as he turned her to face him. "We've had this discussion before. You didn't do anythi
ng wrong. I want you to stop thinking that."

  When she didn't respond, he put one hand under her chin, forcing her face up until he could look directly into her eyes.

  "Kelly, listen to me. I'm not going to let him hurt you. I'll kill him before I let him near you again. No one's ever going to hurt you like that again. Do you hear me? I'd kill him before I would let him hurt you."

  It may have been the force of the words that got through. It

  may have been her own desperate need for reassurance—for someone to believe in. Whatever it was, he saw the frozen mask of despair slowly dissolve. She pressed her fingers against her mouth as it began to shake.

  "I couldn't stand it again."

  Dan had to lean close to her the muffled words. His heart ached for her pain. Slipping his hand to the back of her neck, he drew her forward to rest her head against his chest. She remained stiff for only a moment before giving in to the very human need for comfort, for someone to share the burden.

  "It's going to be okay, Kelly. I'll take care of you. I promise. You don't have to be afraid anymore." He stroked his hand over the back of her head, murmuring reassurance, hardly aware of what he was saying. What he said wasn't important. What was important was that Kelly felt safe, that she understood he would take care of her.

  She didn't cry. She only leaned against him like a tired child, all her strength seemingly gone. She allowed him to slip the thick coat from her shoulders, tossing it over a hook in the open coat closet.

  If she had been tired before, it was nothing compared to the exhaustion she felt now. The emotional turmoil of seeing her father had drained the last bit of energy from her. In the back of her mind was the thought that she should move, should do something to prove that she was strong and that she could handle this little scare. Except she didn't feel strong. And it felt so wonderful to have Dan holding her, protecting her.

  Dan bent, sliding his hand beneath her knees and lifting her into his arms. He carried her into the living room, settling in the big overstuffed chair with her on his lap.

  Grunge jumped up on the coffee table, his battered face alight with curiosity. The big tomcat had shown an immediate devotion to Kelly. From the moment she'd moved in, Dan might as well have ceased to exist. The fact that Kelly admitted she'd never had anything to do with animals didn't seem to bother Grunge at all. It simply made her easier to train in the proper way of doing things.

  Now he watched Dan settle into the chair before making the

  leap from the coffee table to the arm of the chair. When he stepped down onto Kelly's knee, Dan moved to push him off but Kelly grumbled a protest.

  "It's okay. I like him."

  "You spoil him," he told her without heat. Grunge picked his way delicately onto Kelly's lap, pausing to knead his paws against her thigh.

  "Everybody ought to be spoiled," she said, her voice dragging with sleepiness.

  Then why hadn't anyone spoiled her? he wondered, watching the cat find a spot and settle in.

  He leaned his head back, closing his eyes. How long was it going to take for her to heal, inside as well as out? How long before she could believe that she'd committed no wrong, unless loneliness was considered a sin? And if loneliness was a sin, heaven knew he was guilty.

  Chapter 9

  It was after ten o'clock when Kelly awoke. With only the hall light burning, the apartment was dim. And it was quiet. She didn't have any of that momentary disorientation that occasionally comes on waking. She knew exactly where she was, exactly why she felt so warm and safe.

  Dan was sprawled in the big wing chair, his feet on the coffee table, his arms holding her even in sleep. Grunge lay stretched over her legs, his torn ear twitching in response to some feline dream.

  She lifted her head slowly, careful not to disturb either of them. Dan's head had settled into the corner where the back of the chair met the arm. She studied him in the sparse light. He looked younger in sleep, almost vulnerable.

  Vulnerable. It wasn't a word she would normally have applied to Dan Remington. Her acquaintance with him had been relatively brief in terms of time but it had been eventful. In that time, he'd shown her nothing but strength. And kindness.

  She mustn't forget just why he'd been so kind. He wanted the child she carried. That was the only reason she was here, the only reason he was so determined to help her.

  Dan stirred in his sleep, one hand shifting until it lay just beneath her breast. Kelly flushed at the feel of his long fingers. Even though she knew he was asleep, the touch seemed intimate, warming her skin. She was suddenly aware of the way his body cradled hers, the feel of his thighs beneath her, the muscled width of his chest against her shoulder.

  The heaviness she felt in the pit of her stomach had nothing to do with the child she carried and everything to do with its father. Her flush deepened until her face burned.

  Moving carefully, she tried to slide off Dan's lap without waking him. At her first move, Grunge meowed, digging his claws into her leg as a gentle suggestion that she might like to stay where she was. When Kelly persisted, he got up and jumped off her lap, turning to give her a reproving glance.

  Kelly ignored him. Dan stirred as her feet found the floor. Seeing his lashes starting to lift, she abandoned her attempt at stealth, sliding off his lap with more speed than grace.

  "Hello." His voice was just-awakened rough. His eyes held a sleepy awareness that made her flush anew. There was nothing offensive in the look, but there was something in it that made her suddenly aware of the lateness of the hour and the intimacies they'd shared.

  ' 'Hello.'' She ran a hand over her hair, smoothing the tangles out. "I guess we fell asleep."

  "Guess so." Dan stood, arching his back in a deep stretch. Kelly backed up a step, wanting a little distance between herself and the maleness that she was so suddenly aware of. She glanced away, tugging the hem of her sweater down over her slacks.

  "Well, it's late. I guess I ought to go to bed."

  "How are you feeling?"

  "Okay. I'm sorry I made such a fuss earlier. It's just that it was a bit of a shock to see him."

  "You've got nothing to apologize for," Dan said easily.

  "I overreacted."

  "I think you're entitled to a little overreaction."

  "Maybe." She hesitated, not sure why she was lingering. "Well, I should probably get to bed," she said again.

  "You want a cup of cocoa?"

  "Cocoa?"

  "You know, the brown chocolatey stuff that you drink?"

  "I know what it is. I haven't had cocoa since...in a long time."

  Since her mother died? Dan wondered.

  "Well, I'm a moderately skilled cocoa maker" was all he said.

  "I...sure, it sounds nice."

  It was, he thought, like having a half-wild kitten in the house. She wanted to be friends but she was wary of being hurt—with good cause, heaven knows. But he was going to do his damnedest to make sure she didn't get hurt.

  "Can I help?" She'd trailed after him to the kitchen and leaned against the corner of the counter. Glancing at her, Dan could see that she was still too pale and there was a tired droop to her eyes. Obviously her lengthy nap hadn't been enough to recharge her energy. Weren't pregnant women supposed to get lots of sleep?

  "I've got it," he told her as he got out the milk and found a pan. "Why don't you sit down. You look like a strong wind would blow you over."

  "I feel fine." But she walked over to the table and pulled out a chair.

  She watched Dan make the hot cocoa, his movements efficient. It occurred to her that he probably knew his way around a kitchen as well as she did, which meant that their deal that she would do the cooking and cleaning might not be as much to his advantage as she'd thought.

  That didn't disturb her as much as it might have twenty-four hours before. Maybe it was having clothes like a real person. Or maybe it was that seeing her father had made her realize nothing was as important as the fact that she'd gotten aw
ay from him. Maybe it was just that she was too tired to care. She'd worry about pulling her own weight tomorrow. It would be soon enough.

  "Here we go." Dan set a steaming mug in front of her.

  "World-famous cocoa at a moment's notice. That's our motto."

  "World famous?" She drew the mug closer, inhaling the dark, earthy scent that drifted up from it.

  "Okay, 'locally pretty well-known' might be a more accurate description," he admitted as he sat down in the chair across from her. "It's my dad's recipe, and when the construction business got him down he used to threaten to chuck the whole thing and open a cocoa stand."

  "It's very good," Kelly assured him after taking a sip.

  "Thanks."

  Silence drifted between them, a surprisingly companionable silence. Somewhere during the course of the day, she'd lost her wariness of him, or at least her vague fear. Whether it was the way he'd clowned around while they were buying clothes, or the rage she'd felt boiling inside him when they saw her father, or the way he'd held her while she slept, she couldn't have said. Maybe it was nothing more than the way his hair insisted on falling onto his forehead in a dark blond wave.

  "When did your father die?" she asked, thinking that she knew too little about him.

  "Almost four years ago."

  "Were you close?"

  "Yes. We had our ups and downs but we were close. He had a great sense of humor. We had just begun to get past a lot of the father-son garbage. I think we were beginning to be real friends."

  Kelly tried to imagine what it was like to be able to say that about either parent and failed. She'd loved her mother but she couldn't imagine that they would ever have managed to be friends. Sara Russell had always been too fragile, too turned into herself, to be friends with anyone, even her own daughter,

  "What about your mother?" she asked, following her own train of thought.

  "She lives in Europe. After Dad died, she didn't want to stay here with all the memories so she packed up and took a tour of Europe."

  "And she decided to stay?"

  "More or less. She fell in love with someone. He's a count or a baron or something. Very old family. He even owns a molding castle. He apparently took one look at Mom and decided that the sun rose and set for her. Took him nearly a year to convince her but she finally married him. They live in France."