Page 18 of Conail

They were inside Yasmine's room where her mother had brought up a tray of hot chocolate and slices of pecan pie.

"Mama looks happier and daddy—well, you never know what that man is thinking. And you should see the look on Colin's face. He loves playing boss. He's in his element."

"And in the meantime, you're worried that if you don't conceive, it will all be over."

Picking up her cup, she cradled it between her hands. "No. We get to keep the half we already received."

"But that's not enough. You need the other half to finish what's started." Maddy rose and went to the window. She had a vested interest in all of it. Not because she had signed on as their lawyer, but the family meant the world to her. Especially Colin. He was warming up to her, or at least she would like to think so.

She wanted so much more. She was longing to feel his arms around her, his body against hers, but she was being patient.

"The third time is the charm."

Madeline turned to look at her. "Eleanor is a constant visitor. I like her. For someone of her station in life, she does not put on airs."

"She's all right. And she keeps giving me reassurances. But I can see she desperately wants a positive result."

Maddy turned back to the window and felt her heart turning over inside her chest. The sun was just going down and there he was, manning the brand-new tractor that had been part of the agreement. She could clearly see him and felt her skin going hot at how handsome and manly he looked.

She was so absorbed in the scene below her—she never noticed that Yasmine had left the bed and had come up to stand next to her.

"You could always go out and talk to him."

"Oh!" Jumping slightly, she placed a hand over her heart.

Yasmine's soft smile brought a fleeting comfort to Madeline's troubled mind. The two women stood in silence, the air thick with unspoken emotions and the weight of the future they were trying to secure.

Madeline watched as Colin maneuvered the tractor with precision, his muscles flexing under the strain. She admired his determination and the silent strength he exuded. It was moments like these that made her feel hopeful, despite the uncertainty that clouded their efforts.

"He's really something, isn't he?" Yasmine's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried a sense of pride and admiration.

Madeline nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene outside. "Yes, he is. I just hope we can make all of this work. For him, for you, for everyone."

Yasmine placed a gentle hand on Madeline's shoulder, offering silent support. "We will," she assured her friend. "We have to believe that everything will fall into place. Sometimes, faith is all we need."

A slight breeze rustled the leaves outside, hinting at the approaching storm. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Madeline felt a renewed sense of determination. Together, they would face whatever challenges came their way, and she knew she had the strength to persevere.

Madeline took a deep breath, releasing her worries into the evening air. "Maybe you're right," she said, turning towards Yasmine. "Maybe we just need to keep believing and pushing forward."

Yasmine nodded. "And who knows? Perhaps the third time really is the charm."

*****

"Mother, what's the emergency?" There was more than a hint of impatience in his voice as he came down the stairs, his attention on the bow tie he had been trying to get right for the past five minutes. Blasted annoying necessity. It was a black-tie event, and he had promised Margo to be her date. All he wanted to do was work on the contract that had been sent his way by the lawyers.

Gliding forward, Eleanor brushed his hands aside and quickly and competently tied the bow. "There."

He rewarded her with a slight smile. "Now what's this about?" He glanced at his watch and wished more than ever that he had not promised to accompany the actress to the premiere. He was running late.

"Yasmine's pregnant."

He shot her a distracted look as he went to get his overcoat from the hallway closet.

"Who?"

Tamping down the frustration, Eleanor followed him down the hallway as he shrugged into the jacket. "Your surrogate."

That gave him pause and for a second, he had no idea how to feel. He had never met the woman and that was what he had specifically told Errol. He had, however, received reports about the failure of the process, which he had barely glanced at and tossed aside. "I see."

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