Accidental Baby Read Free

direction. ‘I’d say my child is my concern, wouldn’t you?’
    The instant’s silence was deafening and then suddenly everyone began talking at once.
    ‘I’m going to be a grandmother again,’ Maggie said faintly, sinking into a chair.
    Jessie’s eyes were sparkling with interest. ‘I knew they shared everything but I didn’t know they shared that too!’ she whooped. ‘It gives a whole new meaning to “joined at the hip”.’
    ‘Jessica! That’s enough,’ her father barked.
    ‘Is this true, Liam?’ Pat asked slowly, shaking his head in disbelief.
    ‘Ask Jo,’ Liam replied, his ice-blue eyes daring her to contradict him.
    ‘I’ll never forgive you for this as long as I live!’ she declared passionately.
    ‘That might not be very long,’ he shot back equally grimly.
    Maggie surged to her feet and clapped her hands together. ‘I’m so happy,’ she declared, tears pouring unchecked down her cheeks. ‘I always knew you two were meant for each other.’ She enfolded Jo in a warm embrace. ‘You two, at last. A grandmother, I can’t believe it.’
    ‘I’m having some difficulty adapting to it myself, Mother.’ He shot Jo a baleful look over Maggie’s shoulder.
    Maggie released Jo only to clasp her son to her maternal bosom. ‘When are you getting married?’ she sniffed.
    ‘Married?’ Riding on the crest of his righteous anger, this question brought Liam down to earth with a bang, and Jo could hear the crash. The hypocritical pig, she fumed.
    ‘Yes, Liam,’ she asked innocently, ‘when are you going to make an honest woman of me?’
    ‘A wedding!’ Jessie squeaked, forgetting for a moment her teenage cool and general lack of interest. ‘Can I be bridesmaid?’
    ‘I think Jo and I need to discuss these things in private.’
    ‘Oh, yes, you’re very big on private now, aren’t you? Pity you didn’t think of that earlier. We don’t need to discuss anything, Liam Rafferty, because I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth!’ she concluded with enough passion to compensate for lack of originality. ‘This is my baby. I’m sorry, Aunt Maggie,’ she said as the older woman burst into tears again. ‘Now look what you’ve done!’ she shouted, turning on Liam. ‘It’s all your fault!’
    ‘Don’t think I’m not aware of that fact.’
    Jo’s head came up with a snap. ‘I knew it!’ she said with grim satisfaction. ‘I just knew you’d say that. Well, let me tell you, Liam, the last thing I need at the moment is a speech about your shortcomings. I’m not interested in talking about liability or blame. I want this baby, not because it’s my responsibility, but because. . . because I love it!’ She clamped her hand over her trembling lips as her shaking voice became totally suspended by tears.
    ‘Oh, God, Jo.’ The anger died from Liam’s face leaving a conflict of emotions in its place. ‘Can we use the study, Dad?’
    ‘Of course, son. Just you go gently, or you’ll have me to answer to,’ Pat rumbled stiffly.
    Anger flashed in his son’s eyes. ‘What do you think I am?’ Pat lifted one eloquent eyebrow and Liam grated his teeth. ‘I get the message. Will you talk to me, Jo?’
    Her chin came up to a defiant angle and she glared at him through a sheen of unshed tears. ‘If I must,’ she muttered ungraciously.
    Liam walked straight to the bureau in the study and reached for the half-empty bottle of his father’s favourite malt. ‘Want one?’ he asked. He paused, glass mid-air. ‘I forgot. . . ’ His eyes touched her middle and he visibly flinched.
    ‘Are you going to get drunk?’
    ‘It hadn’t occurred to me, but now you mention it. . . ’
    ‘Well, if you’re going to be flippant,’ she snapped defensively.
    ‘Flippant,’ he said, draining the shallow layer of amber liquid on the bottom of the glass, ‘is the last thing I feel. Why the hell didn’t you tell me, Jo? You wrote to me about everything else: work, the new wallpaper in