Harlequin Heartwarming June 2021 Box Set

by Patricia Johns

  “I’m fine,” she said.

  “You’re overheated, probably dehydrated, and you’re seven months pregnant,” he said. “If one person in this lodge has the right to help you, I think it’s me.”

  “Noah...”

  “Should I get someone from housekeeping to look in on you instead?” he asked. “Because I’m not comfortable just leaving you on your own right now.”

  She peeked at him again from under the cloth, and he was eyeing her with a stubborn look on his face.

  “You’re preferable to housekeeping,” she murmured with a rueful smile.

  “I figured I might be,” he said with a low chuckle.

  There was a knock on the door, and Noah went to open it. He returned a moment later with a plate of orange slices and a tall glass of water with a lemon slice floating on top.

  “Drink this,” he said.

  She pushed herself up onto her elbows and took a few sips. When she handed it back, Noah put the glass on the table next to the bed.

  “What would you have done if I weren’t here?” Noah asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “Probably asked Janelle for some water.”

  “Janelle would have called an ambulance,” he said. “That’s what would have happened.”

  She sighed. “I don’t need a hospital.”

  “I know, but that’s the protocol here. If a guest can’t get upstairs under their own volition and they’re obviously in some distress, it’s an immediate call to 911.”

  His gaze was locked on her now, and she sucked in a wavering breath.

  “What are you trying to tell me?” she asked.

  “I’m just pointing out that you might need...I don’t know...a backup plan, just while you’re pregnant, or when the baby is small,” he said.

  “I’ve got a plan,” she said, and closed her eyes again.

  “I know,” he said. “But while you are here, maybe you could just consider me your backup plan. If you need a hand, you let me know.” He stood up and eased the cloth off her eyes. “Let me cool that cloth off again.”

  Noah disappeared into the bathroom, and she listened to the water running.

  The baby stretched and squirmed, and Taryn rubbed her hand over the spot. He was active in there, so he was fine. That was a relief.

  Was she as ready to be a single mother as she thought she was? Or was she going to need more support than she’d ever imagined?

  Noah came back out with the cloth, and he handed it back over. Taryn used it to wipe her arms and face, the coolness feeling good against her skin.

  “I’m serious about you calling me,” Noah said. “You have my number, and I don’t want you to hesitate to use it. I know we have an unorthodox arrangement, but I am the father. At the very least, I can step in and do a few of those things a partner would do for you.”

  “Like foot rubs?” she joked.

  Noah shot her a grin. “You want a foot rub? Because I will.”

  “No,” she smiled. “Not just now. I think I’m feeling a bit better.”

  She pushed herself up to a seated position and took the cloth off her head.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “I’ll probably stay up here for a bit to cool off in the air-conditioning,” she admitted. “But yes, I’m feeling better.”

  “Then I’ll head out,” he said, and he glanced around, spotted her phone next to the TV and brought it over to her bed and put it next to her. “Anything, Taryn. Okay?”

  He caught her gaze and held it.

  “Okay,” she said.

  Noah headed for the door and let himself out. She lay back down in the semidarkness, feeling her son’s small movements inside of her. She put the cloth back onto her forehead, and then her phone blipped. She looked down at it, and then laughed softly. It was Noah.

  Drink more water.

  She reached for the glass of lemon water and took another sip, then she ate an orange slice. It was cold and sweet and made her feel better still. She closed her eyes. Today, she’d needed a little bit of help—she’d admit to that. But it would be easier if the man she was forced to rely on weren’t Noah. She needed a buddy right now, not potential heartbreak.

  * * *

  NOAH SAT AT HIS DESK, a report open on his computer in front of him, but he couldn’t seem to focus on it. His mind was on Taryn. When he’d seen her staggering toward the building, the teenage girl she was leaning on looking downright panicked, his heart had just about stopped in his chest.

  But she’s fine, he reminded himself. She was upstairs and resting...and every instinct inside of him was pushing him to go up and check on her.

  This wasn’t really his place, though... He’d given himself the job of protector, but disturbing her when she was resting might be over the line. It had been two hours. She might be asleep.

  He turned back to his computer and put his glasses on. He’d been kicking himself for that kiss last night. It had been honest, but it hadn’t made things any easier.

  His phone pinged, and he looked down to see a text from Taryn.

  I’m feeling better. I’m just taking a shower, and then I’ll be down to work.

  He felt more relieved than he probably had a right to.

  Glad to hear it, he texted back.

  The orange slices hit the spot, Taryn texted back. Thanks for that.

  He texted back a wink, and smiled to himself. Good. He wasn’t willing to examine how he was feeling right now. Seeing Taryn again, and knowing that baby was his, had stabbed under all his defenses. He’d never wanted to be a father, but he could see now why other men did. Maybe he could even see why Brody wanted that family...

  Taryn was going to need help, and while he might never be the kind of man who made a good dad in the home, he would definitely be the kind of parenting partner who provided what he could.

  He’d support his child financially, and the more he made, the better he could provide. Hey—sometimes his instincts weren’t terrible.

  A few minutes later, Taryn passed his office and poked her head inside.

  “Feeling better?” he asked.

  “A lot better,” she said. “I’m going to edit some video in my office.”

  “Okay.”

  She smiled, then disappeared again. She was fine. The color had evened out in her face, and she didn’t look sweaty anymore. No need to worry. So why was he feeling this protective urge toward her? His feelings for Taryn had gotten complicated, and kissing her hadn’t helped. If anything, he’d made things worse. And being able to help her out when she was vulnerable?

  Noah wondered if they’d only met under normal circumstances, there might have been a chance for them. Except she wanted a baby... So no matter how great she was, he’d never have been her answer. He would have been a disappointment.

  He sighed and turned back to his work. There was a resort to run, and he had meetings to attend. Angelina still needed his best.

  * * *

  THAT EVENING, NOAH headed off to the Alpine Pub. For the last few hours of the day, he’d dreaded this meeting with Brody. Gabe would say it was a good idea, but Noah really didn’t feel like opening up with Brody. This wasn’t going to be polite... Twice, he almost texted to cancel, but maybe it was better to just get this out of the way.

  The Alpine Pub was a rustic little place off the beaten path so that not too many tourists had discovered it. There were always a few chalk clapboard signs set up to lure passersby down the unassuming lane toward the pub, but they weren’t terribly successful. That was why the locals liked the place.

  When Noah arrived at about five past eight, Brody was already there. He’d staked out a booth in the back, and he didn’t wave or stand. He just stared straight at Noah, looking like he was dreading this, too—that would be small solace.

  Noah ordere
d a beer and headed over to the booth. Brody looked up at him uneasily, and Noah slid in opposite him.

  “Hi,” Brody said. “I almost called this off, but Nevaeh said I had to do it.”

  So it was Nevaeh’s influence. Noah smiled faintly. “She wants me around? I thought she’d be glad to keep me at a distance.”

  “She says she wants me to be happy,” Brody said.

  “And I’m the source of your unhappiness?” Noah said.

  Brody rolled his eyes. “She cares.”

  About Brody, at least. Noah took a sip and eyed the other man uncomfortably.

  “She feels guilty,” Brody added. “She knows that me and her getting together was...kind of close for comfort. I mean, you and I being best friends, and going from being engaged to you to dating me...”

  Noah eyed Brody irritably. “I don’t think it is her fault. She broke up with me for good reason—she wanted kids after all. That was fair. What wasn’t fair was my best friend dashing to her side. That’s what I’ve been wondering all this time. The very weekend she broke it off with me, you rushed to her side. Could that not have waited a few weeks?”

  Brody leaned back. “No.” There was no apology in his voice.

  “No?” Noah couldn’t help the way his tone dropped.

  “No, I couldn’t wait,” Brody replied.

  “Were you already hooking up?” Noah cast about, looking for the explanation. “I honestly thought there was no cheating—”

  “There was no cheating,” Brody retorted. “Look, I told you before how I felt about her. I told you that if you ever let her go—”

  “You were seriously just waiting for your chance with my fiancée?” Noah shot back. “You don’t hear how base that is?”

  “Look, feeling about her the way I did, I wasn’t going to let some other guy swoop in there when she was finally available. The thing with Nevaeh is that she is faithful. If she started up with some other guy, even if he was a rebound, I’d be stuck in the wings. I knew her well enough to know I had to get in there. So I did.”

  “The way you felt about her—” Noah leaned forward. “Gabe seems to think you were in love with her for quite a while.”

  “I was. I am.” Brody’s voice shook. “I fell in love with her the first time I met her.”

  “You met her when I introduced you to my girlfriend,” Noah said flatly.

  “I’m not saying it was great timing,” Brody replied. “And I’m not proud of it. But I thought our friendship could tough it out.”

  “And you didn’t worry that you might be a rebound for her?” Noah asked.

  “I have considered the fact that she probably still has a few unresolved feelings for you,” Brody said.

  “Yet you figure marrying her right away is a good idea?” Noah said. “Yeah, Gabe filled me in. Are you trying to rush this so she won’t change her mind about you, too?”

  He saw the flicker of anger in Brody’s gaze, and for a moment, he felt satisfaction at having hit a nerve. What made Brody think he was so special?

  “Yeah, I do think it’s a good idea,” Brody replied. “You know why? Because I’m willing to give her everything she wants, everything she’s longed for. I’m ready to start that family with her.”

  That was what it had come down to—children.

  Noah felt a wave of guilt. He was on the road to fatherhood. Was that going to feel like a betrayal to Nevaeh later? Maybe. Should it even matter to him? It did a little, because he’d loved Nevaeh, too, and he didn’t want to hurt her. She didn’t deserve that. His son might be an irritation between Nevaeh and Brody later on, too, if Nevaeh ever thought that she might have changed Noah’s mind after all... But he couldn’t worry about all of those what-ifs. Life was messy and complicated. The fight seeped out of him. Had Brody been the friend he’d needed? No. But maybe he wasn’t quite the villain Noah had been picturing him as, either.

  “Are you ready to be a father?” Noah asked, softening his tone.

  “I think so,” Brody replied, and something in his gaze softened, too. They were backing away from their battle lines.

  “It doesn’t scare you—the thought of fatherhood and all that?” Noah asked. Because it sure scared him...

  “Nevaeh and I are solid. We built a really strong friendship over the last couple of years. And I know the same people you do, Noah. Dennis and Audrey broke up when the twins turned two. And then there was Ben and Allison, Tony and Vanessa—”

  All divorced couples who’d split up after the kids arrived. The men had all complained about how things changed once kids were in the picture. The women changed—they were mothers now, and there were certainly more demands on them. The relationship changed—it wasn’t just about the two of them anymore. Even extended-family dynamics changed... Even for Noah’s mother and Tom, it was parenting that was the problem between them. Kids didn’t make relationships any easier, if other people’s relationships were any indication.

  “They all seemed to split up after the kids came,” Noah said.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “You aren’t daunted?” Noah asked.

  That sounded like he was trying to freak Brody out, but he wasn’t. He was looking for wisdom here—something he could use for his own situation.

  “No, I’m not daunted,” Brody replied. “What about Gabe and Cassie? They’re completely in love and have three kids. Your sister and Henry are doing just fine, too. So I’m not scared. Nevaeh and I can talk about anything. And I think that’s what makes us different. We don’t shy away from the tough stuff. I think we’ll do just fine.”

  Noah eyed Brody for a moment, the pieces falling into place in his mind. Brody and Nevaeh had been friends first... And Brody was probably right that the strength of their friendship would make the difference. Noah and Nevaeh had had a passionate relationship, but they’d never really been friends. What had meant the most to him when he’d met Taryn in that pub? A conversation—being able to finally fully open up, even if it was with a stranger.

  “Look, here’s the way I see it,” Brody said. “Romance—that comes down to sparks and passion and connection. And we have plenty of that. But raising kids—that’s built on the friendship. You don’t have a strong united front because of a romantic spark. Parenting is more like being soldiers in the trenches together. And it’s based on a different connection. It’s less about candlelight and more about high fives.”

  A memory popped into Noah’s mind of Laura and Henry miming a high five across the kitchen. Noah had to grudgingly agree. When it came to pulling together to raise a child, that friendship just might be the difference between success and failure.

  “Is that just a theory based on zero actual parenting experience, or did you hear this from someone reputable?” Noah asked.

  “I read a parenting article,” Brody said with a smirk.

  Noah didn’t answer, his mind was skipping ahead. Noah was going to be a father, like it or not, and he’d have to maintain some sort of relationship with Taryn. Maybe that was the secret—build a friendship. If parenting was more about the high fives, then maybe he and Taryn could develop that kind of connection for the sake of this little boy. They had limited time, though. Their passionate connection wasn’t going to get them anywhere—not as co-parents. It would only get in their way.

  “So anyway, I think we’re going to be okay,” Brody said, pulling Noah’s attention back.

  Noah was silent. Brody and Nevaeh would be fine—great. But how was Noah going to navigate being a father? He wasn’t equipped for the job.

  Brody eyed him. “Is this it? Our friendship is over?”

  “What do you want me to do?” Noah asked, trying to keep his voice low, but not sure he was managing it.

  “I know this wasn’t...ideal, but I want you to recognize that we didn’t try to hurt you,” Brody said.

  “Yo
u act like you tripped over a rock in the street,” Noah said. “You chose this.”

  “No, I chose her.” Brody’s eyes glittered, daring Noah to counter that. And he couldn’t. He couldn’t fight whatever had tugged Brody and Nevaeh together. It was bigger than him.

  “Acknowledged.” Noah slid out of the booth and stood up. He didn’t want this fight after all. “I’m not holding a grudge. I’m not wishing you ill. I’m just—” Noah’s voice caught with an expected swell of emotion. Everything had changed... Everything. “You two have moved on. You have to let me do the same.”

  Because while Noah and Nevaeh had broken up, in a way, so had Noah and Brody. That friendship, the camaraderie, the loyalty and trust—it was broken. Things weren’t going back to what they used to be for any of them.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THAT EVENING, TARYN turned off the TV and picked up a bottle of lotion to smooth into her hands before bed. Noah had surprised her today. Not only had he taken care of her when she was overheated, but he had a protective, sensitive side. She almost wished she hadn’t seen it.

  It would be easier to move forward with their co-parenting arrangement if he wasn’t so sweet. What she needed was practicality and respect, not tenderness...not this strong, testosterone-filled attentiveness...because that was making her long for things she wasn’t going to get. Not with Noah, at least.

  Taryn kept remembering the rumble of his bass voice as he’d gone about her suite, getting her a cool cloth, ordering up some lemon water... She’d been somewhat judgmental of his fiancée before—a woman who didn’t know what she wanted, and left pain in her wake because of it. But now Taryn felt more sympathetic to Nevaeh’s plight. Noah was a very tempting man—more so than he even seemed to realize.

  He’d be easy to fall for...and perhaps it’d be rather easy to tell herself lies in order to keep him.

  Her phone blipped, and she glanced down, expecting a text from her mother or one of her friends.

  But the text was from Noah.

  You up still?

  She could ignore it...go to bed and do her best to not make the same mistake Nevaeh had made with this man. That might even be smart. She paused for a moment, considering. But if she did that, she’d only be thinking about him.