Bargaining for Baby Read Free Page B

uninspired, he could fly back to the scorched red plains of the Australian outback and leave Beau here in civilization with her. No child should need to grow up in a wasteland anyway.
    One moment the cafeteria doorway was an arm’s length away, the next Jack’s impressive frame was blocking her escape. His legs braced shoulder-width apart, he deliberately set his fists low on his hips.
    Maddy huffed over a smirk.
    Well, whaddaya know. I got a reaction .
    His head slanted. “Where are you going?”
    “What do you care?”
    She angled the carriage to swerve around him, but heshifted to block her path again. “I care more than you’ll ever know.”
    But she was done with words. She moved again. He moved, too. Narrowing her eyes, she let out a jaded sigh. “I’ve tried being reasonable. I tried understanding. I’ve even tried appealing to your better nature. Now I give in. You beat me, Jack Prescott.” She raised her hands. “You win.”
    “I didn’t realize we were in competition.”
    Oh, please . “Only from the moment you laid eyes on me.” He’d wanted her gone? He could clap himself on the back. Mission accomplished. If Dahlia had heard this exchange, she wouldn’t blame her friend for walking out.
    “So, you’ve made up your mind?” he asked and she smiled sweetly.
    “If you’d kindly step aside.”
    “And the baby?”
    “We both know how you feel about raising Beau.” It was in every curl of his lip.
    A sardonic grin tugged one corner of his mouth. “You think you have me figured out, don’t you?”
    “I wish I could say I had the slightest interest, but I’m afraid I have as much curiosity about your workings as you’ve shown toward your nephew today.”
    While she simmered inside, his gaze drilled hers for a protracted, tense moment before his regal bearing loosened slightly. “What are you proposing?”
    “What you’re dying to have me propose. I’ll relieve you of any obligation and take Beau off your hands.” She would raise him, and show him love and loyalty and a million other values of which this man was clearly devoid. She’d work it out somehow with her job, with her father. “And if you’re worried that I’ll ask for financial support,don’t be. I’d rather wash dishes fifteen hours a day than take one penny from you.”
    The air heated more, crackling and sparking between them before those big bronzed hands lowered from his belt.
    “How are you in small aircraft?”
    Her mouth fell open then snapped shut again. What was he talking about? Hadn’t he heard a word she’d said?
    “I flew down in a twin engine,” he went on. “There’s room for passengers but some people get queasy about small planes.” His mouth twitched. “Though I have a feeling you’re not the queasy type.”
    “I meant what I said—”
    “You meant what you said to Dahlia,” he cut in, but then dropped his voice as a curious older couple wove around them. “I don’t need you to understand me. Believe me, you don’t want to. But know this. I want you to keep your promise. I want to do right by this boy. I want to give him a home.” Under the artificial light, his green eyes sparkled. “Come back with us to Leadeebrook.”
    A choking breath caught in her chest.
    Infuriating. Insufferable. How dare he be charming and sincere now!
    But, although she’d like to deny it, the note of caring in his voice had touched her. Maybe there was an ounce of human in Jack Prescott, after all.
    Sensing her slide, he moved to take over the carriage’s handles. Still wary, she shook her head. “I’m not sure…”
    But then he actually smiled—a damnable slow, bone-melting smile. “I think you are, Maddy.” He began to walk and when she relented and followed, he added, “You’ve got two weeks.”

Three
    F our days later, Maddy clutched her passenger seat armrest as Jack Prescott’s private aircraft touched down on Leadeebrook Station’s unsealed airstrip.
    Jack had given her two weeks to fulfil