Page 55 of The Guest Cottage

“She’d previously downgraded to the most basic plan, so it wasn’t expensive. She can call or text but can’t access the internet, and there’s no GPS or long-distance calling. That wasn’t my decision; it was just the plan she’d chosen before her service was shut off.”

“Trying to conserve funds, I guess.”

“That’s what she said. Understand, honey, she protested. She kept saying the diapers and a bed to sleep in were more than she’d dared to hope for.”

Marlow groaned. “If Dylan was here, I’d beat him up.”

Envisioning that, Cort smiled. He’d put his money on Marlow. “I assume he was your age?”

Her head came up with a fierce frown. “Four years older, so he was damn near forty and involved with anineteen-year-old. And not a sophisticated nineteen-year-old, either.”

Cort didn’t disagree with her. It was unconscionable that the man had used Pixie as he had. “Knowing she was pregnant, he should have legally made sure she’d be protected.” That sounded wrong, like an insult to Marlow, so he amended with, “Not that a married man should have ever touched her in the first place. All that aside, though, she’s here now, and she’s anxious to do whatever she can to repay you.”

“And you.”

Knowing Marlow as he did now, he assumed she had a plan in mind. She’d probably already plotted out the next few days, maybe even the next few weeks. Her willingness to get involved astounded and pleased him.

There couldn’t be many people like her in today’s jaded world.

To put her mind at ease, he said, “I gave her my number in case of an emergency and told her we’d check on her tomorrow.” That was hours ago. It would be dawn soon.

“Did you give her my number, too?”

“No. That’s for you to do, if you want to.”

“I want to,” she said firmly. “I’ll feel better knowing she can reach me if it’s necessary.” Tapping her fingers on the table, she detailed some of her plans. “I’ve thought about her and this situation nonstop since she arrived.”

He’d known she would. “And?”

“I have some ideas on how I can help her regain her independence. That’s important for anyone, but especially for a single parent. She’ll need to know that she can take care of herself and Andy, no matter what.”

“So that she never again finds herself in a position like this one?”

Marlow waved that off. “Things are sometimes out of our control. That could happen to anyone.”

Such a remarkable attitude for a woman as independent and accomplished as Marlow. More and more every day, she impressed him.

She did more finger tapping. “I’d like to see her better armed for success, and I’d like for her to have options. That means she needs marketable skills, and probably more savvy. I can help her with both.”

How was a man to guard his heart against that type of logic? “I bet you were one hell of a sexy businessperson.”

Her smile showed a load of confidence, and that was sexy, too. “Cort, would you be amenable to adjusting our agreement just a little?”

He wasn’t sure what agreement she meant, not that it mattered. “Right now, here with you, I’m amenable to just about anything. But to be sure we’re talking about the same thing, why don’t you lay it out for me?”

Her dark eyes stared directly into his, making both promises and demands. Reaching across the table, she settled her small, warm hand over his forearm. “I know it’s late, or rather early, and we’ve both had a full day. However, I propose we bump up our assigned Sunday date to this very minute. Well, after I have a quick shower, that is.”

Pushing back his chair, Cort said, “I have one stipulation.” He got to his feet and held his hand out to her. “We enjoy that shower together.”

“You’re a tough negotiator.” Grinning, Marlow placed her hand in his. “But I’ll agree to your terms.”

* * *

Pixie woke disoriented, on soft sheets, with a sense of security wrapped around her. For a single moment she thought she was back in her old life, at her small apartment—before she’d ever met Dylan Heddings.

Then the baby made a grumpy sound, bringing her back to the here and now.

The second awareness hit her. She reminded herself that she was safe. More importantly, Andy was safe. Tears gathered in her eyes, but good God, she’d done too much crying already. “Just a second, sweetie.” She hurried to the tiny bathroom. It was clean and fresh, without the mold she’d dealt with in the motel. The house was warm, and best of all, it was secure.

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