Page 8 of Baby Me

I leaned my head to the side. Kate should have known better than to question our finances. With the money I’d saved from bounty hunting and the real estate investments I’d made back in New York, we were set forlife.

“I’d give all our money away just to see youhappy.”

“It’s not our money. We’re not evenmarried.”

She gasped as if she’d said something she shouldn’t have. Yet the thought of marrying Kate had crossed my mind many times. She was perfect for me. But I wouldn’t take the step until I knew that she was ready. Her emotions were still all over the place after the ordeal we’d been through. She might not have agreed, but she needed more time to heal, not only physically but alsoemotionally.

“Sure it is, and does it matter if we’re not married? We’recommitted.”

By the look of her smile, she must have liked what sheheard.

“Thank you, Cameron. Thank you for taking such good care of me the past two months. I don’t know what I would have done withoutyou.”

“You have nothing to thank me for. I’m just happy that you’re getting better, and I promise that by the time we go back home, you’ll be fullyhealed.”

“Do you think it will be beforeChristmas?”

“It shouldn’t takelong.”

I also didn’t want to tell her that I was afraid Aaron Cortez could find us way before the end of theyear.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, catching me offguard.

“Nothing. Now, how does a Hungarian goulashsound?”

“You’re trying to change the subject. I’ll let it go for now, but you will tell me what’s bothering you one way oranother.”

“Oh, yeah? And how do you suppose Iwill?”

“I have my ways. Now, is the goulash the one with potatolatkes?”

“Yes,” I laughed. “That’s the one. You’ll loveit.”

“I’ll have one of those, then,” she confirmed, as if it had been her idea in the firstplace.

Fifteen minutes later, Marianne Lockheart brought out our food. She seemed so busy with her grandson that we barely got a chance to exchange more than two sentences, which was good because that only meant a quicker return to the cabin where I could finally have my way with Kate. Now that her casts had been removed it was time to make up for everything we’dlost.

Kate ate like she hadn’t eaten in months, and the sounds coming out of her mouth were making me harder by the minute. I was willing to cut today’s tour short and go back to the cabin where hopefully I could satisfy all her other appetites, but I was sure Kate wouldn’t want to miss our next tourstop.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” I asked, selfishly hoping she’d say no and we’d head back to thecabin.

“I love this. It’s… it’s… I just really needed this. How did youknow?”

“Well, you’ve been closed off from the world for two months. I’m actually surprised that you haven’t killed meyet.”

“You’re kidding, right?” She reached across the table and took my hand. “You know how much you mean to me, Cameron, don’tyou?”

“Of course I do. And you to me aswell.”

A high-pitched sound drew our attention to Mrs. Lockheart behind the counter where she was holding her grandson in her arms, teasing the little boy with a freshly baked cookie. I watched as Kate’s face fell when she saw them. Her hand immediately flew to her stomach and her eyes welledup.

“Kate, I’msorry.”

“No, it’s allright.”

But I knew it wasn’t because deep in my chest I felt her loss. I felt that ache of emptiness that filled her from her head all the way down to her toes. I would have given anything to watch Kate’s belly swell and to smooth my hand over the bump that secured ourbaby.

“One day when you’re ready, we could try again,” Isaid.

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