by Jo Leigh
“I’m ready when you are.”
He walked over, crouched next to her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m cool.”
“Really? No more morning sickness?”
“Not for a week.”
“That’s a good sign.”
“I like to think so.”
He kissed her on the nose, then on the lips. Rubbed her cheek with the back of his hand.
“Dad, I want to go swimming.”
Nick looked up at her. “Did you hear something?”
“No,” she said. “Not a thing.”
Patrick stood by the pool, his hands on his hips, his hair slicked back like his father’s. “It was me. Hello. I said, I want to go swimming.”
“No one’s stopping you,” Nick said.
“For real?”
“You’ve completed your swim classes and graduated with honors. You can go in the pool by yourself, as long as an adult is watching.”
He didn’t need a second invitation. He hightailed it over to the deep end and jumped in, feet first.
Jenny touched her husband’s hand. “He’s getting so big.”
“I know.”
“You think he remembers?”
“I think the bad things fade. He’s doing so well in school, and with his friends. I think if there was a problem, we’d see it.”
She nodded. “I remember.”
Nick winced. “I wish I could take it all away.”
“But that’s just what you did. You saved me.”
“No. We saved each other.”
She leaned over and kissed him, then looked him in the eye. “You don’t miss it? The FBI?”
“Nope. Not a lick. I like my practice here. Heck, I’m going to be the best damn will writer in Utah.”
“You’re not bored?”
“Are you kidding? I get to fish six months of the year. What could be boring about that?”
“Sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“You pregnant women are all alike.”
“Hey, watch it.”
He stood, kissing her on the way. “I’m just kidding. No one is like you.”
“Damn straight.”
“Hey, Dad. Watch this!”
They both watched their son swim the entire length of the pool. When he hopped up, his grin was ear to ear. They applauded, cheering his wondrous accomplishment.
“Like mother, like son.”
Jenny looked up at him. “What?”
“I told you once that you were the bravest person I’ve ever met. The strongest.”
“And?”
“And Patrick is just like you. He puts his heart into everything. He’s brave and determined and he does his best, always.”
“And you don’t think he got any of those traits from his father?”
“Nah. All he got from me was dark hair and flat feet.”
“No. You’re wrong. He got something else.”
His hand rested on her shoulder. “What’s that?”
She held out her hands, about a foot apart. “He’s got a huge—”
“Jenny!”
“Heart.”
“Ah.”
She smiled. “Ah, indeed.”
Nick headed for the pool, but stopped just before he reached the deck. “Did I tell you I loved you today?”
“Several times.”
“Just checking.” Then he ran to the deep end and jumped into the pool, feet first.
Jenny sighed. This was so much better than her dreams.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-3262-4
NOT-SO-SECRET BABY
Copyright © 2005 by Jolie Kramer
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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* The Girlfriends’ Guide To…
Table of Contents
Letter to Reader
About the Author
Books by Jo Leigh
Cast of Characters
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Copyright