Nine Months Part 1 (36 Hours)

by Beverly Barton

  Well, silly, what did you expect? That he’d treat you like a lover—a lover he’d been unable to forget, as you’ve been unable to forget him? He told you that he thought it best if you both pretended your night of passion hadn’t happened. Obviously he’s been able to do just that. Forget it.

  But how could he have forgotten, when, for her, the experience had been so unforgettable?

  How on earth was she going to continue working for him, day after day, growing bigger and bigger with his child, and act as if he meant nothing more to her than an employer? Dear God, Paige prayed, how would she ever explain her pregnancy? She didn’t want to lie to him. But he might give her no other choice.

  * * *

  “Ms. Thompson, please ask Ms. Summers to gather up all the facts and figures on the Rocky Springs Ranch development and bring them in to me in about ten minutes,” Jared said.

  “Yes, sir.” Her brilliant smile dazzled the two men watching her. “And may I say, we’re very pleased that you’ll be in Grand Springs for a while.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Thompson, or may I call you Kay?” Jared thought the lovely divorcée was not only a shrewd businesswoman but a charming addition to the Montgomery Real Estate and Land Development staff. He didn’t doubt for a minute that, with Kay’s years of experience and real estate savvy, he’d be putting her in charge of one of his many branch offices someday soon.

  “Yes, please call me Kay.”

  “Good, but only if you’ll call me L.J., as all my associates do.”

  “All right, L.J.”

  The moment Kay exited the office, Greg slapped Jared on the back and chuckled. “Are you considering breaking your cardinal rule about not dating your employees?”

  Jared snapped his head around. “What?”

  “Kay Thompson is a striking woman, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, she is.” Rounding his desk, Jared twisted the lever on the miniblinds covering the huge window and exposed the view from the top of the Wellman Building. “I’m surprised you haven’t made a move on her.”

  “I have, but she declined the offer,” Greg said. “She told me that she went through an unpleasant divorce not long ago and she’s not quite ready for the dating scene again. But she might change her mind if the big boss asked.”

  “I don’t intend to ask. I’m not going to break my rule for anyone, not even the charming Ms. Thompson.” Jared could have added that if he broke the rule for anyone, it would be for Paige Summers, not Kay Thompson. But no one knew about the evening he’d spent with Paige, trapped in the elevator. No one except Paige and him. And that’s the way he wanted it. That little incident had created enough problems in his life without other people knowing and spreading gossip around the office.

  “I don’t know how you do it.” Greg shook his head. “You’re surrounded by attractive women in every branch office and yet you’re able to resist temptation. I’m afraid I don’t have your willpower.”

  “Yes, I know.” Jared grinned. “That’s why you have a reputation for being the company Lothario. Besides, there are more than enough beautiful ladies who don’t work for me from which to choose.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Greg agreed. “But how any man could resist your assistant is beyond me. Our Ms. Summers is one hot little number, don’t you think?”

  Jared pivoted sharply, his green eyes boring into Greg. “What do you mean by that!”

  “Whoa! Have I hit a nerve?”

  “Explain what you meant by your remark about Ms. Summers.” Had Greg come on to Paige? Had she succumbed to his charm? Had the two of them made love? Jared hated the unaccustomed feeling of jealousy that suddenly raged inside him.

  “Isn’t it obvious? I mean, just look at her. She’s young, beautiful and build like a brick—”

  “Shut up!” Jared slammed one big fist down on top of his desk. The force of his blow shifted the telephone and several items neatly arranged on the smooth oak surface.

  “Well, well.” Greg rubbed his chin, mocking a meditative gesture.

  “I’m surprised your shenanigans haven’t gained us a sexual harassment suit before now.” Glowering at Greg, Jared knotted his hands into tight fists. If Greg had touched Paige, he’d kill him!

  “What’s got you so riled up, old buddy? You know damn well that I never cross the line. Besides, if you’d just told me that you’d already staked a claim on Paige Summers, I wouldn’t have asked her out.”

  “You’re dating Paige…that is, Ms. Summers?”

  “No, but not for lack of trying,” Greg admitted. “After the fifth try, I gave up. I had to accept the fact that the lady isn’t interested.”

  “Then she has a boyfriend,” Jared said, uncertain whether or not he wanted to believe his statement.

  “Well, when I asked if there was someone else, she said that there was.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Greg asked.

  “There’s nothing going on. I just don’t want you pestering my assistant. From now on, stay away from her and don’t make any more remarks about her…er…physical attributes.”

  Jared realized, too late, that his reaction to Greg’s comment about Paige had been a mistake. Greg was no fool. He knew how uncharacteristic it was for Jared to lash out at him over a woman—any woman. In the past, their common code had been live and let live.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so…possessive.” Greg stared at his boss, as if seeing him for the first time. “What I can’t figure out is why. You’ve only seen the woman twice. The first day she came to work here and again a few minutes ago. Come on, old pal of mine, fess up. What’s going on with you and Paige?”

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Greg wasn’t buying it, but Jared could hardly tell him the truth. “After I finish with Ms. Summers, we’ll need to discuss the particulars of the Rocky Springs Ranch deal. Until then, go get some work done and leave me the hell alone.”

  Holding up both hands in an “I surrender” pose, Greg whooshed out a breath and backed toward the door. “I’ll tell Ms. Summers you’re ready for her.” Greg grinned, but before Jared could respond, he jerked open the door and exited quickly.

  Willing himself into an uncertain calm, Jared stood and waited for Paige to enter his office. A moment later, carrying a stuffed file folder, she appeared in the doorway.

  “Are you ready for these now, Mr. Montgomery?” she asked.

  He’d been a fool to think that seeing Paige again would break the spell she’d cast over him. In person, she was even lovelier than he remembered. Her dark red hair shimmered with a healthy burgundy glow. Her creamy skin beckoned for his touch. She lifted her eyes and looked directly at him. He’d never forget those huge brown eyes gazing at him with such passionate longing four months ago. But not now. Not today. Her look was cool, distant and wary.

  “Yes, please, come in, Ms. Summers.” If he acted purely on instinct, he’d reach out and grab her, pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Then he’d take her, here, on his desk.

  She laid the folder on his desk instead of handing it to him, obviously not wanting to risk their touching. “I think you’ll find everything you need in there.”

  What I need is you, Paige. Naked, lying beneath me and sighing my name as I give you pleasure. You’re what I’ve needed for the past four months. Every day. Every night.

  “I’m sure the file is complete,” he said. “Mr. Addison tells me that your work here is exemplary. I hope you’ve found working for Montgomery’s challenging and satisfying.”

  “Yes, I have.”

  “We reward good work. Performance like yours deserves an increase in salary.” The moment the words were out, Jared wished them back. God, how would she interpret what he’d said? Would she think he was referring to their one-night stand instead of her excellent work record?

  “I—I… Thank you.”

  “I understand that Greg…Mr. Addison, has asked you out several times.” Jared took a
deep breath and swallowed hard. “I want to assure you that he won’t bother you again. One thing we pride ourselves on at Montgomery’s is a sexual-harassment-free workplace for our employees.”

  “I understand, and I’m sure all your employees are grateful. But Mr. Addison didn’t offend me in any way. He was a perfect gentleman every time he asked me for a date.”

  Unlike you. Jared heard the words she left unsaid. Greg had always acted like a perfect gentleman, whereas he, on the other hand, had acted like a barbarian. He—a stranger—had taken her, passionately, standing up, in a stalled elevator. And afterward, told her to forget it had ever happened. No doubt Ms. Summers didn’t think much of him. And he couldn’t blame her. He didn’t think much of himself and his actions that Friday evening four months ago.

  “I’m glad to know that Greg didn’t offend you.” Jared picked up the folder, sat down behind his desk and opened the file. “I want you to be happy here, Ms. Summers. If you ever have a problem of any kind, I want you to come to me. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good.”

  For the next twenty minutes, Jared went through the motions, putting on his best Big Boss facade. He’d been fooling himself to think getting Paige out of his system would take nothing more than seeing her again. If anything, being around her again made him want her all the more. Hell, if she wasn’t his employee and if she wasn’t so damned young and sweet, he’d rush her into a torrid affair and let the fire between them burn itself out. But as things stood, he would have to take an alternative route.

  Jared decided he’d have to suffer through more withdrawal symptoms and try to find solace in the arms of another woman. Maybe tonight. He sure as hell hoped so. He couldn’t go around the office every day blatantly aroused. That was something he couldn’t pretend didn’t exist.

  * * *

  “Have you got things wrapped up?” Kay asked as she stopped by Paige’s desk.

  “Just about. Give me another five minutes. Mr. Montgomery is trying to make up for lost time today.” Paige didn’t admit to Kay that her inability to finish up on time had more to do with her frame of mind than with Jared’s workload.

  “I know why I don’t have a dinner date tonight and am going out with a female friend,” Kay said. “But why aren’t you dating someone?”

  “I—I…uh…there’s someone. I mean, there was someone and I’m not quite over him.”

  “Oh, brother, do I know how that is. As bad as my marriage was, I sometimes find myself thinking about that bastard I stayed with for five years. I loved him so much when we first got married.”

  “I always thought love—real love—was meant to last a lifetime, even forever.”

  “Yeah, well, so did I. But when love is one-sided, it can’t last. My ex-husband loved me, I suppose. In his own way. The only problem was that he loved half a dozen other women just as much.”

  “Oh, Kay, I’m so sorry. You’ve never said before what happened.”

  “And you were too nice to ask.”

  “My college boyfriend left me for someone else, too,” Paige said. “I guess I should have known it would happen. The whole time we were dating, he kept trying to change me. He hated that I was so emotional and naive. He wanted me to be someone I wasn’t. If he had truly loved me, he would have accepted me for who I was.”

  The outer office door opened and a tall blonde sailed in, swaying her slender hips and smiling warmly at Kay and Paige. The woman was beautiful. She was dressed in the height of fashion, and diamonds and gold accented her ears, fingers and wrists.

  “May I help you?” Paige asked.

  “Are you Jared’s administrative assistant?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Then you can help me. Please tell him I’m here.” She held out her hand to Paige. “Marcy Dailey. Jared asked me to meet him here.”

  “Paige Summers.” Still seated behind her desk, she lifted her hand and exchanged a cordial greeting with Ms. Dailey. Returning the woman’s smile, Paige wondered just who Marcy Dailey was.

  “Oh, you’re Mr. Montgomery’s interior decorator, aren’t you? I’m Kay Thompson. You picked up the keys to Mr. Montgomery’s house from me a couple of months ago.”

  “Oh, yes, Ms. Thompson. I remember you.”

  “I thought you’d finished the decorating job,” Kay said.

  “I did. I’m not here on business. Jared called earlier today and asked if I was free for dinner tonight.”

  Paige felt as if someone had hit her in the stomach. His first night back in Grand Springs and he already had a date. With another woman! And not only was the other woman beautiful, she was nice, dammit!

  “I’ll tell Mr. Montgomery that you’re here,” Paige said.

  You are not going to let this upset you, she told herself. What difference does it make? She already knew that she didn’t mean a thing to Jared, that he’d put their night together behind him. As far as he was concerned, it hadn’t happened. But it did happen, she wanted to scream. And I have the living proof growing inside me.

  Before Paige had a chance to inform Jared that his dinner date had arrived, he opened his office door and stuck his head out. “Ms. Summers, could you— Oh, Marcy, hello.” He glanced down at his watch. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late. Give me a minute and I’ll be right with you.”

  “Is there something you need?” Paige asked.

  Yes, Jared thought. I need for you to stop looking at me with those sexy brown eyes of yours. I need to get you out of my mind. I need to regain my equilibrium and put my life back on track. “No, Ms. Summers. It can wait until tomorrow.”

  He rushed back into his office and reemerged after putting on his jacket and straightening his tie. Without giving either employee another glance, Jared said, “Good night. See you both in the morning.” He took Ms. Dailey by the arm and escorted her out of the office.

  Paige jumped up from her desk and ran toward the bathroom. She thought her bouts with morning sickness had ended weeks ago, but she made it to the rest room just in time. She lifted the commode seat, bent over and vomited.

  Kay rushed in behind her, wet a paper towel and handed it to Paige. “You haven’t had one of these episodes in weeks. Are you all right?”

  Paige had thought she’d hidden her morning sickness quite well and had been unaware that Kay suspected anything. Her friend had never mentioned it.

  “Thanks, Kay.” Paige flushed the commode, then accepted the damp towel and wiped her face with it. “I’m all right now. It’s been a trying day. I think the stress of having Mr. Montgomery here in the office just got to me.”

  “Stress over L.J.’s presence might have triggered this little bout of nausea, but it doesn’t explain the weeks of morning sickness you’ve been experiencing.”

  “Morning sickness? I don’t know—”

  “I was pregnant once,” Kay said. “I was sick for four and a half months. I miscarried the baby. Lucky for all of us, I guess, since my marriage didn’t last.”

  “Kay, I’m so sorry.”

  “Hey, my problems are in the past. What about yours? You’re obviously pregnant and unmarried.”

  “Do you think anyone else here at Montgomery’s suspects?”

  “No one suspects a thing. Believe me. I hear all the gossip that goes on not only at Montgomery’s but in the entire Wellman building.”

  “Kay, I’d rather you didn’t mention this to anyone. I know that, sooner or later, my condition will become apparent, but until then—”

  “I won’t tell a soul.” Kay wrapped her arm around Paige’s shoulders. “Are you and the father going to get married?”

  “No.”

  “Is he already married?”

  Paige gasped. “No, of course he’s not married.”

  “Then what’s the problem? Is it that he doesn’t want to marry you or don’t you want to marry him?”

  “He doesn’t know about the baby.”

  “What? Why haven’t you
told him?”

  Paige closed the commode seat and slumped down, sitting before her trembling legs gave way. “You and I have become friends these last four months and I trust you, but—”

  “Don’t tell me anything you don’t want me to know.”

  “I’ve told my parents. My mother is the Rock of Gibraltar. My father has murder in his heart.” Paige laughed shakily. “They’ve promised to stand by me and help me get through the pregnancy. My mother’s agreed to take care of the baby until he or she is old enough for preschool. And with my salary and good insurance, I should be able to get by just fine.”

  “Why haven’t you told the father?”

  “Because…” Paige hesitated, wondering just how much she dared tell Kay. “I’ve had only one other lover. The college boyfriend I told you about, and we’d planned to get married. Things didn’t work out after he got a job in L.A. and met the girl of his dreams—the boss’s daughter. There hadn’t been anyone else since Kevin. Not until four months ago.”

  “So, four months ago you started a new relationship and accidently got pregnant.”

  “I didn’t start a new relationship,” Paige said. “I did something unthinkable. At least, it was unthinkable for someone like me.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I had a one-night stand with a stranger.”

  “Oh, my God, Paige, you didn’t!”

  “I’m afraid I did. We got trapped in the elevator that Friday night in June that Grand Springs lost its power.”

  “You had sex with a perfect stranger in a stalled elevator?”

  “Uh-huh.” Paige nodded her head.

  “Then you have no idea who he is, the man who fathered your child? You never saw him again?”

  “I saw him again. The following Monday morning.”

  “The day you started work at Montgomery’s?”

  “Yes.”

  “He works here in the Wellman Building?” Kay asked.

  “Yes.”

  “For heaven’s sake, Paige, who is he?”

  Paige hesitated a moment. “L. J. Montgomery.”

  For once in her life, Kay Thompson was utterly speechless.