Because of the Baby Read Free Page A

won’t.”
    They both stood up, eager to escape each other. Unfortunately they came face to face with his aunt Louise. Karen looked to Matt to rescue her, but he was fresh out of ideas.
    â€œDance, you two.”
    Aunt Louise issued the order like a drill sergeant. The woman always did enjoy meddling in other people’s affairs. It was either obey her dictates or be trapped in a thirty-minute question-and-answer ordeal.
    Karen glanced at Matt; he shrugged. “Shall we?” he asked, motioning toward the dance floor. Judging by the look she gave him, Karen had weighed her choices and decided that dancing with him was the lesser of two evils.
    Matt had often observed that when one thing went wrong, others were sure to follow. The music, which to this point had been fast and lively, abruptly changed to something slow and soft. Matt couldn’t avoid touching Karen, nor could he avoid holding her close.
    He slipped his arm around her waist and she held herself stiffly in his embrace. Matt did his utmost to concentrate on the music and not on the woman in his arms.
    He could feel her reluctance with every step.
    â€œDon’t worry,” he whispered, “I promise not to bite.”
    â€œYour bites don’t worry me.”
    â€œWhat does?” he asked.
    â€œEverything else.”
    He smiled to himself and unconsciously moved his head closer to hers until his jaw pressed against her temple. Matt never had been light on his feet, but when he danced with Karen he somehow managed to look as though he knew what he was doing. It was as though they were born partners.
    Neither spoke for the rest of the dance. The second the music stopped he released her and stepped back. The ache in his chest intensified, and he wondered how much longer he’d have to stay at the reception. He didn’t want to slight his sister and brother-in-law, but being with Karen was pure agony. Pretending he didn’t still love her was becoming impossible.
    â€œLanni and Charles are getting ready to leave,” Karen said quickly. He sensed that she felt as awkward as he did. “I’d better see if she needs my help.”
    â€œThanks for the dance.”
    Her eyes briefly met his and filled with an unmistakable sadness. “It was good to see you again, Matt,” she mumbled, then hurried away.
    Much as he longed to escape, Matt observed the proprieties—he kissed his sister and shook hands with Charles. They were honeymooning in the Virgin Islands for two weeks. He wished them a great trip, made the rounds to say his farewells and returned to the lodge.
    Because he felt about as low as he ever had since his divorce, he brought out a dusty bottle of whiskey and poured himself a stiff drink. He didn’t drink a lot, but there were times when little else would do.
    This was one of those times.
    He sat on the leather sofa in front of the massive stone fireplace, his feet propped up on the raised hearth. He held the glass in one hand and the bottle in the other.
    Soon his guests began to arrive. His parents came in first. It had been a long, exhausting day, and after a few words of greeting, they wandered up the stairs. The two bridesmaids followed and then another couple, married friends of Lanni’s.
    Karen was the last to show up. Matt didn’t ask who’d escorted her to the lodge. Probably Duke, but he didn’t want to hear that.
    She paused in the large hall and looked around. Plenty of work remained to be done, but it was a pleasant, inviting room. Besides the sofa, Matt had set a couple of big overstuffed chairs close to the fireplace. The other half of the room was set up with hardwood tables and chairs.
    â€œThis is very nice,” Karen said, sounding surprised.
    â€œThanks.” He’d worked hard, getting this place in presentable shape. For just a moment he wondered what she’d thought when she heard he’d purchased the lodge. Years before, a fire had destroyed