The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement (7 page)

“Why didn't you tell me before now?”

“I forgot all about it. It was on the terms of her agreement.”

“It's not a bad name at all,” Brooke said, still smiling. Her entire face lit up when she was happy. “I don't know too many women who really like their name.”

Nick tilted his head. “You don't like your name?”

She shook her head. “Not really. Brooke sounds so…I don't know, boring?”

“It suits you.”

“So you think I'm boring?” Her amusement faded.

Nick winced. He'd stepped in it now. “Hell no. It's a strong name, like the woman. That's all I meant.” He wouldn't tell her that her eyes reminded him of streaming clear aqua waters. What better name than Brooke?

Thankfully the conversation was interrupted when Nurse Jacobs approached with Leah in the stroller. “She's ready for a feeding.”

“Okay,” Brooke said, bending down to lift the baby out. “How's my pretty girl?” Brooke planted a kiss on Leah's forehead. “Did you like your walk?”

Leah clung tight to her mother, then focused her wide blue eyes his way and gave him a toothless smile.

Nick looked at mother and baby and an off-limits sign posted in his head.

“I'll take her inside and feed her, then I'll make dinner.”

Brooke walked off with the baby and Nick stood in front of the house with the nurse. “As you know, Brooke got a clean bill of health from the doctor. I want to thank you for all you've done, and on such short notice.”

“You're welcome. It was a treat for me too. I don't often get a chance to care for a young family. Leah's precious.”

Nick nodded politely.

“Brooke is a determined young woman. It's a hard life, being a single mother. I hope she finds someone to share her life with.” Nurse Jacobs cast him an assessing look. “You'll look out for her, won't you? As her friend?”

The “F” word. Brooke wouldn't want that label put onto their relationship. He didn't know how to label it, but they weren't friends. Exactly.

“She'll be working here for a while, so you don't have to worry,” Nick replied, sounding as noncommittal as he could.

She nodded. “I'll go inside now and say my goodbyes.”

He shook her hand and thanked her once again, watching as she walked inside the house, leaving Nick alone with some nagging thoughts.

 

Brooke nursed Leah, knowing that pretty soon the pediatrician would probably encourage her to begin feeding the baby solid foods. Leah's appetite was growing and she was ready to have more substance in her diet. Brooke gazed down at her daughter—the bond they made through eye contact during this special time touched her heart. She'd miss these daily feedings, when she could forget all else, put her feet up and simply enjoy this special time with her baby.

Brooke's guilt came in sudden waves now when she thought about Leah's father. Her ex-husband didn't know he had a daughter. He didn't know Leah existed. Would it matter to him? A little voice in her head told her he had a right to know, but her fear had always won out. And if she were honest with herself, she'd have to admit that both fear and
anger
were at the root of her holding the truth from Dan.

Their marriage hadn't been perfect, but she would never have guessed that her husband was capable of such deception. Right under her nose, Dan had been carrying on an affair with another woman. He'd been sleeping with both of them.

She'd been blindsided by the betrayal and wasn't in any frame of mind to divulge her own pregnancy to him, not when he'd made it clear that he no longer loved her. But
deep in her heart, Brooke knew she would have to confront him one day and reveal the truth to him. One day…but she didn't want that day to be anytime soon.

Brooke took Leah down to the kitchen and set her into her little playpen positioned by the granite island in the middle of the room. “Watch Mommy cook.”

Leah looked up with wide curious eyes and picked up a pretzel-shaped teething ring and stuck it into her mouth. She gnawed on the ring with glee, as if it were a one-hundred dollar steak.

Brooke grinned. Her little girl would be cutting her first tooth soon.

“Okay, what shall we surprise Nick with?” Brooke scoured the refrigerator and pantry and decided on her meal. Cooking soothed her nerves. There was something therapeutic about producing a fine meal for someone who would appreciate it. She'd always enjoyed the nearly instant gratification she'd felt when it all came together better than expected. Working as a waitress while in high school, then managing the inn more recently, where she'd lend a hand in the kitchen, had taught her a thing or two about taste, presentation and nutrition.

By seven o'clock dinner was ready and the table was set. When Nick didn't appear, Brooke picked up Leah and went in search. She found him sitting in the downstairs study behind a desk, head deep in paperwork. The room was so masculine, with dark walnut panels combined with warm russet textured walls, massive bookcases and a wood-framed bay window that looked out to verdant vineyards, that Brooke felt uncomfortably out of place.

Leah's little baby sounds brought Nick's head up.

“Hi,” she said, witnessing Nick's power and status once again, as he sat in the Carlino office. Sometimes, when he was adjusting her baby's car seat or holding Leah in his
arms, she'd forget that he was a wealthy wine magnate with a vintage heritage that went back for generations. “Dinner is on the table.”

“Okay, smells great from here.” Nick rose and smiled at her. “What's for dinner?”

“It's a surprise. Come and see.”

Nick followed her into the kitchen and she filled his plate and set it on the table. “Have a seat.”

He glanced at the table set for one. “After you.”

“What? No, Leah won't sit still. This is her fussy time. You eat. I'll have something later.”

Nick glanced at the baby in her arms. She was peering straight at him with a look of contentment on her face.

Leah, don't make a liar out of your mommy.

“I'd like to have your company during dinner, Brooke. Set yourself a place.”

“Why?”

“Why not? You have to eat too. Why should we both eat alone? Besides, how else can I critique your meals?”

“Oh, so you're going to rate my cooking.”

“I'd like to
taste
your cooking. Are you going to sit or what?”

“You're grumpy when you're hungry.” Brooke moved the playpen closer to the table and set Leah down, then dished herself a plate. She sat across from Nick and he watched her carefully. “Dig in,” she said. “It's pork loin with tangy mango sauce. Cinnamon sweet potatoes and creamed spinach. Carlotta said you eat your salad last.”

“I do.”

“Why?”

“I like to get to the good stuff first,” he said, casting her a look so hot, she could have burst into flames.

He dug into his food and Brooke waited patiently for a comment.

“You gonna eat or watch me clean my plate?” he asked after about a minute.

She passed him the basket of warm Italian bread she'd sliced and toasted under the broiler then coated with olive pesto. “I can do both, you know.”

Nick looked at her with admiration. He pointed with his fork to what was left on his plate. “This is delicious.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Carlotta said it was one of your favorites.”

“Yeah, but I've never tasted anything this good.”

“Helps when you have an amazing kitchen to work with. And good cuts of meat.”

Nick shook his head. “You never could take a compliment.”

“I didn't get that many from you,” she blurted.

Nick smiled. “Now who's grumpy?”

Brooke clamped her mouth shut, hating that she made a reference to their past. She wanted no reminders of that time in her life.

Nick got another plate of food and demolished it before Brooke had a chance to finish her first helping.

“It was hard to say good-bye to Nurse Jacobs.” She took a small bite of her potatoes.

“Was it? She could have stayed on longer.”

“It wasn't necessary. I'm feeling fine. It's just that I've never really remained in one place long enough to have a lot of close friends. She and I sort of bonded. I'm hoping now that I'm in Napa for good, I'll be able to make some friends.”

Leah fussed and Brooke put down her fork to lift her out of the playpen. “You want outta there, baby girl, don't you?”

She set Leah on her lap and continued with her meal while Nick looked on. “I've left another message with Molly
and I hope she calls me back. I'd like to reconnect with her. Not that I won't have enough to keep me busy,” she said as she tried the spinach. Leah's hand came up and she grabbed the fork from her and giggled. “Leah!”

The next time she tried to get a forkful into her mouth, Leah twisted in her lap, squirming so much that Brooke had to put her silverware down. “What, you want to play now?”

She was just about to stand up, when Nick reached for Leah. “Here, let me have her. Finish your meal, Brooke.”

Leah went willingly to Nick, nearly bounding out of Brooke's arms and into his. Leah adjusted herself onto his chest and settled in, her small body against Nick's strong chest. Brooke's heart gave way a little.

“Let your mama finish her meal,” he said in a stern tone and when Leah twisted her face, ready to let go big tears, Nick softened his voice. “Okay, okay, Leah.” Then he bounced her on his knee.

Brooke smiled wide and Nick shot her an annoyed look. “What? You think I don't know how to bounce a kid on my knee?”

“I didn't say a word.” Brooke finished her meal with her head down, refusing to give in to the tender emotions that washed over her as Nick consoled her baby daughter, speaking softly and charming her with sweet words.

 

That night, Brooke had a slight argument with Nick over their sleeping arrangements on their way upstairs. She wanted to give him his room back, since she'd be staying on for weeks. But Nick wouldn't budge claiming she needed the extra space for the baby's things and the guest room had everything he needed for the time being.

Stubbornly, she wasn't ready to give up until Nick walked over to her in the hallway near the master suite, ready to
compromise. “Or we could
share
my room,” he suggested with an arch of his brow. He began taking his shirt off.

Brooke froze on the spot, watching one button after another open to his tanned chest. She was very much aware that they were alone in the house. Carlotta, much to her surprise, didn't live in the house. She used a downstairs room for sleeping when the Carlinos had a big party or special occasion; otherwise she went home before dark to spend time with her husband. “Fine, you made your point. I'll take your room. Th-thank you.”

Nick backed away then, satisfied.

She entered her room and closed the door. After she bathed Leah and nursed her one last time before putting her to bed, she took a long hot soak in the bathtub and fell into a gloriously deep sleep.

Brooke woke in a great mood. She fixed Nick a breakfast of bacon and eggs and home-fried potatoes, grabbing a quick plate for herself before heading out. Nick had called Randy, arranging for Brooke to drive by his shop this morning so he could double-check the car seat for Leah. Randy had been nice enough to make a few adjustments and she drove away relieved to know Leah was as safe as she possibly could be. Still, Brooke drove five miles under the speed limit all the way to the house, garnering some dirty looks from the drivers behind her.

“Here it is, sweet girl,” she said once they arrived. “This is our new home.”

Brooke spent the better part of the day making assessments and writing up a list of all the repairs she'd need, setting her priorities. Yesterday, she'd called to have the electricity turned on, and that made her work much easier. She noted the sizes of the beds in each room and checked the bed linens in the closets. There were antique quilts that she could have cleaned but the bed sheets and
all the towels would have to be replaced. Thankfully, the kitchen appliances were in working order, though on the old side, their dated look added charm to the kitchen. The dining room was full of dust and debris but the table and chairs were made of fine wood that would polish up nicely.

Brooke contacted a few local handymen and painters in the area by phone and set up appointments, then she called to make Leah an appointment with the pediatrician. She also placed another call to Molly Thornton, hoping her friend was still living in Napa.

She felt an odd sense of belonging here. She'd never owned a home of her own. Even the house she'd shared with Dan had been a rental. At least during their quickie divorce, she didn't have to deal with property settlements; he'd taken what was his and she'd taken what was hers.

But this house was all hers and an overwhelming sense of pride coursed through her system. Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked around the old house, seeing it not as it stood today, but envisioning how it would be one day. Her dream was finally coming true and it had been a long road getting here. Often she'd wondered if this was her aunt's way of making up to Brooke for what her father had done to her. Nothing really could. How can you make up for a man who'd abandoned his family?

But she was grateful for her aunt's generosity. Because of her, Brooke would secure a future for Leah without any outside help. If she didn't rely on anyone, then she couldn't be disappointed. Her ex-husband had taught her that hard lesson.

Yet it was Nick's face that had popped into her mind. It was so unexpected that her breath caught in her throat. Why had she been thinking of Nick? Was it because he'd disappointed her once, or was it because she wanted to
make sure he wouldn't have the chance to disappoint her ever again?