Page 85 of The Blessings of Christmas
Connor touched her shoulder. “Take care, Cindy. Amanda and I are going to take a walk.”
“Bye, Cindy. Stop by and see our baby tomorrow, okay?”Our baby. Felt surreal.
The dry heat of the hospital encased them when they swept into the hallway. “Where should we go?” Connor asked.
“Outside.” Although she’d shed her coat, Amanda still felt sweltering. “Maybe the top level of the garage?”
“Perfect.”
They took the elevator down to three, walked over the bridge and grabbed another elevator to the top floor of the parking garage. McKenna had mentioned she always parked up here. The icy air Amanda complained about all week felt refreshing.
“You okay?” Connor asked, pulling her into a cove behind the elevator shaft.
“Yep. Guess so.” Amanda pressed one hand to her tumbling stomach. “Still battling the bug, along with half the students and teachers at school…which reminds me.” She was not about to mention ulcers. Didn’t want to see the I-told-you-so look. She checked the time on her phone. “I’ll have to call Nancy Sheridan at six thirty so she can find a sub for me.”
“Don’t worry. They won’t have any trouble getting someone to fill in for you.”
Connor’s gray sweat shirt felt soft against her skin. “Gosh, this will bring me right up to my maternity leave.”
“Maternity leave,” he murmured into her hair. “You’re going to be a mother, Amanda.”
“And you’ll be a dad.” She felt him stiffen and looked up. Her rock of a husband looked a little uncertain. “Connor?”
His jaw shifted. “It’s nothing. I’m, ah….”
She pivoted in his arms to face him. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”
“It’s just that, well, how do I know, Amanda? How do I know I can be a good dad?”
“Why wouldn’t you be? Big Mike was one of the best teachers …and Malcolm and Mark are terrific fathers.”
“They are. And that’s the thing….” Her husband stared out at the city.
“Wait a minute. Are you worried you may not be as good a father as your brothers are?”
The confusion swimming in his liquid brown eyes melted her heart.
“Oh, come on. Ofcourseyou will be.” When had she ever seen him this way? She gave him a little shake but it was like trying to budge one of the garage pillars. “I mean, you’ll have to help me. What do I know? I’m an only child!”
Connor’s lips tilted into a grin. “You’re right.” He hugged her closer, resting his chin on her head.
Had she ever loved this man more? She was seeing a whole new side of him.
“We’ll help each other.” He bent his head. Twisting, she swung up on her toes to meet his lips. The kiss sealed a pact.
“Oh, Connor.” She finally pulled away to catch her breath. “Soon it won’t be just the two of us.”
“What? You’re not ready to share?” Mischief danced in his eyes.
“Are you?”
His phone dinged. She held her breath while he read the text. Hadn’t even finished it before he was pulling her back to the elevator.
“Is it Maria?”
Connor nodded just as the doors swept open.
Logan Sinclair stepped out. “Connor? Amanda?”
