A Baby on Her Christmas List

by Louisa George

  And with that her mouth clamped shut and as he grasped her hand, she did exactly what he’d suggested.

  CHAPTER NINE

  WHEN GEORGIE WOKE the next morning the left side of the bed was cold. He was gone. As she’d thought he would be. It had all been too good to be true. He’d had second thoughts and hot-footed it to Afghanistan or somewhere equally unreachable. Typical Liam. Typical men. She lay back on the pillow and growled.

  And then growled again, because since when had her mood been determined by a man?

  Since Liam MacAllister had become...whatever he’d become. More than a friend...and with added and rather nice benefits. He certainly was very, very good at the bedroom side of things, even if he was quiet—mute—on the history side. But, hey, a forward-thinking man was always better than one looking back, right?

  Although his past had shaped who he was, and that intrigued her. It had also created those barriers he was so keen at throwing up between himself and anyone who wanted to get close. The sex had been a really crazy idea. Lovely but crazy, and now she was even more confused than before. Ask him for clarification? Not likely. She imagined how that conversation might go and decided she didn’t need to have him actually voice the rejection out loud.

  After a few minutes of lying there, debating what to do, there was a gentle tapping at the door and in he walked, topless, with jeans slouching off his hips, a tray in hand, a pot of coffee and a plate of something that smelled nice but looked a little...suspect. He gave her a smile as he placed the tray on the bed. ‘Morning. Here’s a sad-looking croissant I found at the back of the freezer, along with a couple of rogue frozen peas and a lot of ice. There was literally nothing else to eat. Nothing. You really do need to go food shopping.’

  ‘The trouble is I eat it as fast as I buy it. I can’t keep up.’ Without his shirt he looked good enough to eat—did she need anything else? And he hadn’t run off, he was here, making sure she ate properly. Was this a dream?

  She rubbed her eyes, which she really shouldn’t have done because the corneal abrasion was still healing, but it was too late and... Yes, he was still here, not an apparition. With food. And coffee. The man was a god.

  The god sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Well, seeing as we’re having a day off renovating today, I’ll make sure we fill up the fridge before we’re done.’ He buttered a piece of croissant, offered it to her, then waited until she’d opened her mouth and popped it in. ‘Come on, get your strength up, we’re going to need that soon enough.’

  ‘Thanks. Eugh. Not such a great croissant. I can’t even remember when I bought— Wait...we’re having a day off? Who says?’

  ‘You said you wanted to go shopping. And I’m tired of sanding and painting and you look like you need a decent break. I want to forget about this dust and dirt and do something else. So I’ve made some calls. I have a plan: your breast pump will have to wait, along with the Christmas decorations. Eat up and then we’ll get going.’ He got up as if to leave.

  ‘Not so fast.’ She caught his hand and he took it, wrapped his fingers around hers and squeezed. In all the years of knowing him she’d never been aware of this tender side to him. She liked it. Goddamn, she liked it, just when she was trying to think of more reasons not to like him. Not to lose her heart or herself to someone who wouldn’t want it. ‘To where?’

  ‘It’s a surprise. But there’ll be proper fresh air. The sea. Decent food. No dust.’

  ‘Is this just another tactic to avoid the issue? You know...talking?’

  He gave her a guilty grin. ‘I feel restless. I just need to get going. Out. Somewhere.’

  This was the guy who spent most of his life travelling and the last few months cooped up in her house. He never stayed anywhere for long, so she could see why he’d need to cut loose sometimes. Plus, a break would be fun. ‘Then what are we waiting for?’

  ‘Well...’ He pulled the sheet down a little and exposed her breasts. Then he kissed her neck, her throat, her nipples, and she was putting her arms around his neck and drawing him to her. He whispered against her skin, ‘I really need a shower before I set foot outside. You?’

  ‘What? Me and you? In that tiny bathroom? You think we’ll fit?’

  ‘If it’s big enough for a highland jig, it’s big enough for a shared shower. We’ll squeeze in somehow.’ His fingers stroked down her back and she could see the bulge in his jeans. He was hot and hard for her.

  Which made her hot in return. She couldn’t resist reaching her hand to his chest. Felt his heart beating underneath her fingers. Solid. Steady. Liam. This was Liam. This was all kinds of surreal. She remembered his little dance in her tiny bathroom, the way he’d looked at her, the way she’d wanted to touch him then. How touching him now made her feel excited and jittery and turned on. Not solid or steady at all. ‘But it wasn’t big enough for a highland jig, remember?’

  ‘We’ll fit. Trust me?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ That was half the problem. And, yes, he’d stuck to his words and been there for her throughout this pregnancy. Not once had he mentioned the contract again. He seemed committed to the baby, even though there were times when she caught his worried face and just knew the spooks were there, haunting him a little. But he’d surprised her with his resolve. And kept on surprising her, but could a man really change? She just didn’t know. For a few minutes last night she’d thought he’d been having doubts, had felt his restless legs keen to leave, had known that if she’d let him he’d have gone. Would she always have to keep anchoring him here? Would she never be enough for his first instinct to be to want to stay?

  For now, though, he was here and was asking for nothing more than to spend time with her. Time she didn’t want to waste analysing things to death. ‘Oh, okay. Where’s there a will, there’s always a way.’

  ‘Always...’ His laugh was deep and sexy and there was no way she was going to put up any kind of fight against those fingers, that mouth, those eyes. Had she been thinking about fighting? She couldn’t remember. Her whole world narrowed to this single moment when she could forget everything else. ‘So what are we waiting for?’

  His hands closed around her fingers. ‘Absolutely nothing.’

  * * *

  An hour and a half later, which truly could have been only thirty minutes had it not been for a lovely long shower and a very deliciously sexy start to her day, Georgie let out a yelp of excitement as Liam steered his expensive and very un-child-friendly two-seater coupé into a car ferry terminal. ‘Waiheke Island? A day trip?’

  ‘If that’s okay?’ He looked genuinely concerned that she was happy with his choice. ‘I thought it’d be nice to do something different.’

  ‘Yes, it’s fabulous. It’s a lovely idea. I haven’t been there since a school trip years ago.’

  He stared across at the ferry. ‘My grandparents lived there, we used to go over and stay at their house every holiday when I was little. I can’t remember the last time I visited.’

  And there was something else she hadn’t known about him. Maybe that concern on his face was really apprehension? ‘Oh, I had no idea. Will it bring back bad memories for you?’

  ‘I’m hoping to cement some new ones. It’s a big enough island for me not to even go there.’ A stream of vehicles appeared and queued up behind them as a crew member gestured for the cars to embark. Cranking the car into gear, Liam drove up the metal ramp and parked the car on the ferry platform. Once out, and breathing a lungful of fresh sea air, he slipped his hand into hers and whisked her towards the bar area. ‘Come on, let’s get a coffee and watch the world go by.’

  The short journey across the Hauraki Gulf was smooth and pleasant, enhanced greatly by a pod of dolphins that came alongside to play. Diving and chasing and showing off, they added extra magic to this unexpected trip. Standing on deck, watching him walk towards her with two cups of coffee in his hands, grinning and gesticulating to the wildlife, Georgie’s stomach gave a little hearty jump at the thought of a stolen day with
Liam. Things were definitely changing, moving along in a direction she hadn’t ever imagined. She didn’t know if the changes were for the good, but she did know she would never be the same after all this.

  Waiheke, famed for its vineyards and olive oil, was showing the tentative beginnings of the new spring season. After a long wet winter the hills were green, the acres of vines stretching on and on to the horizon were budding and leafy, while ewes watched over lambs in the fields adjacent to the roads. Once away from the main township they headed east along a winding road that eventually opened to vistas of clean empty beaches and blue water sparkling in the pale sunshine. Such a difference from her city house, which she adored—but stepping onto green fields would be nice for a change. Liam had been right, time out would do them both some good.

  After half an hour or so he pulled left into a white gravel driveway that led towards the sea. On their right was a large whitewashed colonial house with a sign advertising wine sales and tastings. Georgie was surprised he’d pick a place like this. ‘Oh? You booked us lunch at a vineyard? I assume you want to sample the wares?’

  ‘I may have a small glass. But it’s not so much the vineyard I was planning to see.’ He threw the car into park and got out.

  She stepped out of the door and sighed at the wisteria just starting to flower and framing the large wooden door. The soft pink against the white was startling and soothing, and like something from a film set. ‘Oh? So what is it? What’s the big secret?’

  ‘It’s not so big really, more a thought than a secret. Wait and see. And apparently they do a very nice lunch platter. It’s huge. Which seems to be the only consideration you make these days when choosing meals.’ There was a flurry of activity as their hosts found them a table out in the garden, bottled water and much-needed shade.

  The garden was private and secluded, but felt somehow open rather than cloistered. Cushioned candy-striped hammocks hung between trees flanking a small neat square of grass. Palms and large ferns gave much-needed shade. There were fairy lights entwined around the vegetation that she imagined would give a pretty effect in the evenings, along with tealights in coloured glass jars on the ornate ironwork tables. It was tranquil, cool and very calming, and as they sat she felt some of the tensions of the last few months float away.

  The menu was limited but sounded delicious. Suddenly she felt famished and so ordered a large mixed platter that promised fish, freshly cooked meats, a selection of local hard cheeses and lots and lots of bread. Most of which, she knew, she could eat and not worry about them having any effect on her baby. The rest she’d leave for Liam.

  As they waited for the food he started to chat. ‘Chris, the owner of this place, is an old school friend of mine. He inherited the vineyard from his dad and has turned it into a very successful business.’

  As she listened to the sound of...nothing, except the fuzzy hum of bees and faint birdcalls, and took in the impossibly breathtaking surroundings, she felt the most peaceful she’d felt in weeks. Either that, or the sex-induced endorphins had made her limbs turn half to rubber. ‘It’s amazing.’

  ‘Isn’t it?’

  ‘So what made you decide to come here of all places?’

  ‘He sent me a link to his new website the other day. I took a look, saw the photos of the deck and the garden.’

  They were momentarily interrupted as their drinks arrived, then were left alone again. Liam took a sip of pinot gris, then put his glass down on the table. ‘Then, when I was standing on your deck this morning, looking out at the garden, I thought that we really need to sort it out. The wood’s rotting in places and there are nails popping up all over. It’s a wreck, Georgie, and could be dangerous if we don’t do something about it. The inside of your house is almost complete now so I thought we should finish things off properly. The baby’s coming in the summer, and with the usual Auckland humidity you’re going to want to sit outside. I thought the hammock idea would be great. And the palms give great shade. A lawn in the middle would be a pretty cool place for a baby to learn to crawl—no risk of injury.’

  ‘Well, wow. That’s really thoughtful. And, yes, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I can see it working perfectly in the space I have. That’s very kind of you, and especially to bring us all the way out here to actually see it.’ She felt a little as if the ground was shifting. Half hope, half...what?

  He shrugged, looking a little embarrassed at her enthusiasm. ‘It’s just a day trip, Georgie.’

  But it was one of the kindest things anyone had ever done for her. Why did he have to keep getting better and better? Why couldn’t he slink off and make her feel unhappy and not pine for more? In cold, harsh reality she was scared that she’d get too attached to a man who would break her heart. Because even if he did want to be involved in her family, how could she be sure he’d be in it for the long term? With her? How could she be sure he’d love her?

  ‘But it’s—’

  ‘Oh, here’s lunch. And here’s Chris. Clearly a busy man, he owns the place, makes the wine and so, it seems, serves the food.’ He stood and shook the hand of a thickset man who looked older than Liam’s thirty-two years. ‘Good to see you, mate.’

  ‘You too.’ Liam’s friend’s eyes grazed over Georgie, down to her belly, and he beamed. ‘And you must be Georgie. I’d know you anywhere, that social media’s a beast, isn’t it? You feel like you know people without ever meeting them.’

  ‘Yes. Isn’t it? Hello.’ She may have been Liam’s friend on any number of social network sites, but Georgie wondered how much Chris really knew and what Liam had said, if anything, about their unusual situation. After all, not many couples got pregnant first and then had sex. Everything was happening the wrong way round. Besides, the word ‘couple’ hadn’t been breathed out of either of their lips.

  They hadn’t discussed yet what to say, if anything, to anyone who enquired about their situation. But as that seemed to be changing by the day, it was probably better that they hadn’t come up with any definite description. Just Liam and Georgie, same as it ever had been.

  Still, the winemaker seemed gentleman enough not to pry and diverted his gaze from her bump back to Liam. ‘Look, I’ve got a bit of a rush on, can’t stay and chat. Give my regards to your father, Mac. I hear he’s retiring up north.’

  Liam’s eyebrows lifted. ‘Oh? Really?’

  It was his friend’s turn to raise eyebrows. ‘You didn’t know?’

  ‘I haven’t caught up with him for a while.’

  ‘No. He said as much last time he was over. He seemed a bit miffed. But, then, he always did. Are you going to pop over to The Pines?’

  Liam shook his head. ‘No. He sold it years ago. No point going backwards, is there?’

  ‘I don’t suppose so. Look, thanks for coming. Lunch is on the house. Good to see you.’ Chris turned to leave then paused. ‘Oh, make sure you try the syrah too. Delicious.’

  Lunch was lovely, and as filling as Liam had promised, and Georgie ate as much as she could, managing almost the whole meal without mentioning the last conversation. But in the end it got the better of her. Her heart began to race as she brought up the difficult subject, so she tried to keep her voice level. ‘So, when did you last talk to your dad?

  Liam shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Two years ago?’

  ‘Two?’ It seemed nonsensical to have no communication with family members. If she—

  ‘Look...’ Pushing aside his empty plate, he let out a long breath. ‘Please don’t give me a lecture on how lucky I am to have a father and that I need to make the most of him. I know that’s how you feel about families. But it isn’t how I do.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘It’s a lovely day. I really don’t want to spoil things.’

  ‘That may be a little late.’ Although she knew she shouldn’t have pushed it, he’d brought her out of a desire to help her, and to give her a rest. She was the one spoiling things.

  For a moment she thought he was going to stamp or growl, but
he fought with his emotions and put them back in that place that he never let anyone see. The man must have some ghosts, she thought, if he was so unwilling to talk. But he was tight-lipped about his work too—he kept everything tied in. Some people needed counselling, but he just wore it all in his skin, would never consider any kind of help, not even to get things straight in his head.

  He saw that as a strength. ‘Let’s not do this today, Geo. Let’s enjoy ourselves, plan the garden, take a walk, anything but this. Talking about my family tends to put a huge downer on everything.’

  ‘Okay.’ But something niggled at her. Ate away at her gut. She was genuinely trying to help. ‘Or we could say everything really quickly and get it out in the open.’

  He shook his head with irritation, but he smiled. ‘Or say nothing at all.’

  ‘Or I could ask Chris.’

  ‘He doesn’t know everything.’

  Now she knew she could leave it and walk away and pretend this conversation hadn’t happened. Or she could take it a step further...hell, he knew everything about her. Everything. ‘And I know nothing. When did you last see your mother? What is The Pines?’

  ‘Okay, so we are doing this.’

  She took a sharp breath and threw him her most winning smile. ‘I see it as my duty as a friend to annoy you until you actually get to the nitty-gritty.’

  ‘You don’t have to take that role so much to heart, Georgie. Maybe the nitty-gritty isn’t what you think it is.’ He placed his napkin on the table and stood, offering her his hand, but he looked impatient rather than annoyed. ‘The Pines was my grandad’s house and I am resolutely not going there so don’t even ask. Just don’t. It’s a no. There is no point going over stuff, it doesn’t help. You can’t change the past and some of it is best not remembered. And I last saw my mother on Mother’s Day. I took her out for tea. And it was awkward as always.’

  ‘No. You were in Pakistan, or South Sudan—somewhere. Either way, you weren’t here. Make it the year before.’ They walked out into the vineyard. Rows and rows of vines stretched before them on and on into the distance. They wandered aimlessly down a row, inhaling the smell of freshly mown grass. ‘You know, Liam, your parents will be the only grandparents our child has. Seriously, they are the only other people in the whole world with a connection to him...or her. They are flesh and blood. I really wish you could try to make things work between you all. If not for anyone else’s sake, for Nugget’s.’