The Pregnancy Contract Read Free

early?”
    â€œIt was a case of having to. The treatments, both here and overseas, left him pretty wiped out. But he maintained a keen interest in everything almost until the end. You know what Rex was like.”
    And where had she been a year and a half ago? Somalia? No, Kenya. She’d been helping at a women’s clinic there. After that had been flood relief in Asia, then volunteering tohelp reconnect victims with their families after an earthquake in another devastated land. Everywhere but where she’d really needed to be. The one place where she should have made a difference.
    Piper was suddenly hit with a massive weariness. She fought back a yawn and failed miserably.
    â€œStill tired?” Wade asked.
    â€œYeah, when I got here I’d been traveling for about thirty-six hours. I don’t think my body clock has caught up with the fact that I’m stationary yet.”
    â€œWhy don’t you go on up to your room? I’ll get Mrs. Dexter to bring you a tray if you’re hungry.”
    Despite all her good intentions, Piper bristled. This was her home, so who’d appointed him to the role of gracious host? If anything she should be offering him her hospitality under her father’s roof. Reminding herself of her determination to be a better person, she swallowed the retort that hovered on the tip of her tongue. Instead she unfolded herself from the chair and stood up.
    â€œDon’t bother Dexie. I’ll grab something from the kitchen on my way up.”
    She stretched slowly, easing out muscles that had been unused for far too long with all the travel she’d endured. She halted midstretch, suddenly aware of Wade’s eyes locked onto her body. A long-suppressed, yet still familiar, tingle started deep inside and tendrils of heat began to unfurl from her core, radiating out to her extremities. She swallowed against the lump of tension that formed in her throat.
    That old attraction was still there. Just as strong as ever. Did he feel the same way, too? Her eyes met his—for a moment seeing the same heat that had infused her body and now painted a faint flush against her suddenly warm cheeks. Then in an instant his eyes were the cool gray of indifference that had met her at the front door only a couple hours ago.
    Stung by the clear rejection, Piper summoned every last ounce of dignity and offered him her hand.
    â€œThank you for everything you’ve done today.”
    Wade stood, his six feet two inches eclipsing her barefooted five feet eight. He took her hand in a brief clasp.
    â€œI did it for Rex.”
    â€œI know that, and I appreciate it. Really.”
    He let go her hand as if the idea of holding it for a moment longer than necessary was abhorrent to him.
    â€œWell,” she said, gathering courage to her like a cloak, “I’ll see you out and then I think I’ll have an early night. No doubt I’ll have plenty to do with the legal side of things tomorrow.”
    When Wade didn’t make a move for the door, she speared him with a glance. “Is there something else you wanted to discuss?”
    A slow smile, somewhat lacking in humor, spread across his handsome face.
    â€œNo,” he replied. “I’ll say good-night, then.”
    She watched as he left the room, but rather than heading toward the front vestibule he turned and made for the sweeping staircase that led to the upper floor.
    â€œWhere are you going?” she asked.
    â€œTo my room.”
    â€œTo your room?”
    His response was short and sweet. “I live here.”
    â€œLook, I appreciate that you probably stayed here for a while with Dad but that’s not necessary now and, quite frankly, I’d really appreciate a bit of space and privacy to come to terms with everything.”
    â€œNo problem. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to.”
    His answer left her baffled. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œI think you heard