NO EXCHANGES, NO RETURNS
The Return to Redemption series—Book Four
A new twist on O. Henry’s classic tale, The Gift of the Magi
by
Romance Writers of America®
Golden Heart® Award-winning author
Laurie Kellogg
There were never such devoted sisters….
Dr. David Lambert and his wife, Brianna, received the ultimate Christmas gift from her fraternal twin. They gratefully accepted it, of course, because everyone knows you can’t return a baby like an itchy sweater. Yet, that’s essentially what Brianna does when she has a meltdown and unexpectedly divorces David. She runs from their home in Redemption, Pennsylvania, and leaves their surrogate—her sister, Casey—pregnant with his little bundle.
When David chose her beautiful twin over her, Casey McIntyre hid her hurt behind a wall of sarcasm. Now that her sister has divorced her husband, it’s increasingly difficult to remember why the hunky pediatrician is supposed to be off limits—especially since Brianna doesn’t seem to want him or care if Casey and he get involved.
David always liked and admired his selfless ex-sister-in-law—despite that the sassy preschool teacher is always busting his chops. Consequently, after his wife bails on marriage and motherhood, it’s only natural he turns to Casey for sympathy. Unfortunately, the exasperating pixie becomes more irresistible with each day she carries his child. He already mistook lust for love once and jumped way too fast into marriage. He’s not about to botch up his life that way again.
Casey wants whatever happiness she can grab, whether it’s temporary or not. The only problem is, if she lets herself love her baby (or David), what will happen to her when her sister inevitably realizes her mistake and returns to Redemption?
No Exchanges, No Returns
Copyright 2012 Laurie Kellogg
All rights reserved
ISBN-13: 978-1-938618-05-5
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations. Thank you for respecting this author’s hard work.
This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locations are used only to provide authenticity and are used factiously. All other characters, places, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and should not be construed as real. Any resemblance between the novel’s characters and setting and actual individuals or places is completely coincidental. All inaccuracies or mistakes are the author’s fault and accidental. The author apologizes for any factual discrepancies or typographical errors. If you find any, please contact the author so she can correct them for future copies.
Editor
Gwynlyn MacKenzie
Copy Editor
Heidi Luchterhand
Proofreader
Elizabeth Walls
Dedicated to all women who want children
and are unable to have them
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I praise God for giving me the imagination and ability to write. So many people have contributed to my career and helped mold me into the author I’ve become. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank:
My husband who’s given me more support than any writer could hope for and who is the kind of man who inspires all of the best characteristics of the heroes in my stories
My son—not just for his encouragement and advice, but for blessing me with the best daughter-in-law any woman ever had and for giving me an adorable grandson
My wise daughter who never doubts me and who did me the favor of marrying a wonderful man, who is also a talented author
My mom who passed on the love of reading to me and who never lets me forget there are other things in life besides writing
My father and my dear late friend. Both of you believed in me but left us too soon to share in my joy. I miss you both every day.
My sister and sisters-in-law, a/k/a my most faithful cheerleaders
My nieces and nephews who motivated me to keep going and compelled me to set an example of perseverance
My brother and brother-in-law who never considered my writing a hobby
My prior neighbor and good friend who convinced me to join RWA® and start writing
My critique partner and sister-of-the-heart who never lets me down pointing out why my babies aren’t ready for the runway
My beta-readers, proofreaders, and good friends
Romance Writers of America® and all its generous members who helped me learn to use the talent I was blessed with
The members of the RWA chapters Bucks County Romance Writers, New Jersey Romance Writers, and the Golden Network
All my Golden Heart® friends from 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011—especially my 2009 Ruby-Slippered Sisters who I share a multi-author blog with at www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com
Prologue
It seemed Brianna Lambert had everything over her fraternal twin—jaw-dropping beauty, a glamorous career as a regional sales rep for a cosmetic company, and a hunky, pediatrician husband who spoiled her beyond any woman’s dreams.
Sadly, appearances could be deceiving, and all the superficial things the world valued couldn’t begin to compensate for lacking what really counted like, say, a normal uterus—a blessing which Mother Nature had bestowed on Casey.
The knife dug into the cutting board as Brianna hacked a fresh pineapple into bite-sized chunks. She watched her sister bustle around the kitchen preparing the rest of a scrumptious Christmas dinner for their family.
Apparently, that old adage about a fine line separating love and hate must be true.
She loved her sister for her willingness to cook the entire holiday meal, and at the same time, she resented Casey for excelling at everything for which Brianna lacked even a speck of talent or aptitude.
“What time is everyone arriving?” Casey asked as she poured cheesy cream sauce over a pan of layered potatoes and onions.
“I told them all one o’clock, but knowing David’s parents, they’ll be early.” Brianna glanced at the enormous Christmas tree that actually seemed small beneath the adjoining family room’s cathedral ceiling. “I’m just glad the new furniture arrived on time so we’ll all have someplace comfortable to sit.”
Casey slid the au gratin potatoes into one of the eight-burner range’s professional-grade ovens. “I don’t understand why you insisted on having dinner here when you’ve barely begun to furnish the place. I know it was crowded at Dad’s on Thanksgiving, but I could’ve made dinner—”
“Since Dad proposed to Liz, I feel like his house is her domain now. Besides, Dave really wanted to celebrate our first Christmas in our new home.” Before now, they hadn’t had the room to entertain both their families.
“Right. Heaven forbid Dr. Lambert should miss the chance to show off the McMansion he built. I don’t know why you let him invest in all these upscale appliances just to nuke take-out food.”
Ever since Brianna began dating David a year ago, her twin had served as her culinary Cyrano de Bergerac, preparing his favorite dishes and allowing Brianna to take credit.
She narrowed her gaze, reveling in Casey’s uncharacteristic envy. “I don’t believe it. You actually sound jealous.”
“Of your kitchen?” Her sister released a soft snort. “You bet your sweet A-double-S I am. I doubt the White House’s kitchen is as well-equipped.”
“I know Dave went a little crazy with all the luxury upgrades, but that’s how he shows his love.” He’d gone overboard when he’d bought a fully loaded Porsche for her birthday, too. She limped to the built-in china cabinet
and stretched, reaching for a crystal serving bowl.
Casey frowned. “Go sit and let me do that. Your leg is obviously acting up again.”
Brianna glanced down at the top of her sister’s head and laughed “As if a tiny elf like you could actually reach it.”
“That’s what they make stepstools for. And if you don’t mind, I think I prefer David’s comparison. Fairies are beautiful. Elves—not so much.”
“Okay, have it your way, Tinkerbelle.” She hobbled back to the island and scooped the pineapple chunks into the bowl. “My leg always aches when it’s cold and damp. I’ll ask David to light a fire later.”
“Won’t the smoke and ashes kick off an asthma attack?”
“Not necessarily.” She caught the dubious look her sister slanted at her. “Okay, maybe. But I’ll deal with it.”
Casey brushed away a strand of light brown hair that had escaped her French braid before punching down the bowl of yeasty dough she’d mixed up earlier. “So when are you gonna finally confess your cooking skills only extend as far as opening cans and reheating frozen dinners?”
Probably about the same time she admitted she had no eye for decorating. She’d also relied on her artistic twin to choose their new family room furniture and accent pieces. And their gorgeous tree only looked like the ones at the mall because her sister had helped trim it last weekend.
“Now that Dr. Clueless has given you every foodie’s dream kitchen, he’s bound to wonder why you’re not using it.”
“I know.” Brianna sighed, dreading the day her husband would realize he’d married a fraud. “He’s so busy with his practice, about the only time I see him is in bed. I’m hoping to celebrate our silver anniversary before he notices my only real talents are singing and giving mind-boggling blow jo—”
“La-la-la-la.” Casey covered her ears with her forearms and laughed. “Listen, I know we share almost everything, but that’s way too much information.” She formed oblong dinner rolls and, one by one, laid them on a cookie sheet to rise. “Why don’t you simply let me teach you to cook? I guarantee it’s easier than learning to walk again.”
“That might be true for someone who actually enjoys cooking. In case you haven’t noticed, that’s not me. He’s rarely here for dinner, anyway.”
Casey shook her head. “And that doesn’t bother you?”
In truth, the only thing that bothered Brianna was that it didn’t really bother her the way it probably should. “Look, I know you think Dave is a shallow workaholic, but he’s a wonderful doctor, and I love him.”
“I know. I saw how great he is with kids when he gave my class the tour at the hospital. I just worry about you.”
“Well, don’t. At some point, you must’ve liked him a little. Otherwise, you never would’ve invited him to our New Year’s Eve party last year.”
“Hey, we all make mistakes.” Casey chuckled, although her sky-blue eyes lacked their usual twinkle. “All kidding aside, I like David fine. I just think he could spend more time with you. But if you’re all right only seeing your husband in bed, then it’s all good. I just want you to be happy.”
And there it was. The whole reason Brianna had spent her life caught in an emotional tug-of-war.
Casey’s tendency to selflessly put everyone else’s needs before her own left Brianna deeply ashamed of the bitterness that assailed her every time life handed her the short end of the stick. Her sister couldn’t help it if Mother Nature possessed a warped sense of humor and had given Brianna all of the challenges and flaws she’d spared her fraternal twin.
The first time she could remember resenting her sister’s good fortune, they’d been four years old. While Casey attended dancing school, Brianna remained home because dancing aggravated her asthma. The next time Casey had class, Brianna sobbed pitifully, and her sister insisted on skipping her lesson to play Chutes and Ladders with Brianna while she had her nebulizer treatment.
It set the pattern they’d followed ever since, as Brianna caught one lousy break after another, and Casey dedicated herself to making life’s inequities as easy as possible for her. At fourteen, Brianna received the most devastating blow of all when the doctor explained she’d been born with uterine agenesis, and her underdeveloped organ would never be able to carry a child.
Casey couldn’t do a blessed thing to change Brianna’s childless future or share her pain. Or at least that’s what Brianna thought....until a month ago.
She and Casey had been cleaning the kitchen after their Thanksgiving dinner when they overheard her father-in-law, Gerald, talking to their dad about David’s and her plans to adopt.
Gerald released a regret-filled sigh. “As much as my wife and I love Brianna, I have to admit we’re a little disappointed our family’s bloodline will end with David.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Brianna’s dad sputtered.
“No. Why would I joke about something like that?”
“Don’t you think that attitude is a bit archaic?”
“Maybe. I guess I find some consolation in the idea that, when we pass away, we live on in our children.”
“Ahh. That explains why my daughter seems to feel like a failure lately.”
“No, Archer, I swear, I haven’t said word to her,” Gerald assured her dad. “And I never will. Maybe if David’s brother was still alive to have kids, I might not care as much about him adopting.”
Tears stung Brianna’s eyes as she listened to them discuss her shortcoming.
“Well, I’ll be happy to have grandchildren—however I get ’em.” Her father sighed. “In any case, I’ll probably never have a natural grandchild, either. Casey hasn’t dated anyone since she ditched that jerk she was engaged to two years ago.”
“And you don’t care?”
Her father hesitated a moment before answering, “Of course, I care, but the situation is what it is.”
“In this day and age, it doesn’t have to be,” Gerald said. “Brianna could consider using a surrogate instead of adopting.”
Her throat cramped as she attempted to swallow and failed.
Casey’s eyes flooded with concern as she pulled Brianna to the opposite side of the kitchen and whispered, “Well, have you?”
“Have I what?” she croaked.
“Considered using a surrogate?”
“Of course I have. I thought I told you Gerald talked to David about it, and Dave and I discussed it. But after learning how many court rulings favored surrogates in custody battles, we’re worried we’ll—”
“What if I carried your baby? Dad asked me how I would feel about it a few weeks ago, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot. He’s worried your inability to give David his own child is eating you up inside.”
“What?” Brianna stared at Casey and shook her head. “I couldn’t let you do that.” Hadn’t her sister already sacrificed enough for her?
“Why not? Dad’s right. I’m not dating anyone. We’re gonna be thirty-four soon, and it’s not like my preschool is turning enough profit to consider single parenthood. This may be my only chance to have a baby.”
“Being a surrogate isn’t as simple as you seem to think. The in vitro success rate isn’t very high, so it could take several attempts for you to conceive. Meanwhile they’d be flooding both of us with drugs to harvest my eggs and to synchronize your cycle. Taking hormones isn’t without health risks, and truthfully, I don’t need any more problems. It’s one of the other reasons we decided to adopt.”
“I know all of that, Brie, but a blind man can see you feel like you’re letting David down.”
Not to mention their fathers.
Brianna couldn’t deny it. She felt completely inadequate and guilt-ridden. Bad enough she’d waited to reveal her reproductive problems until after David proposed, thereby making it impossible for him to walk away without feeling like a heartless bastard. Now, hearing how disappointed his parents were had simply multiplied her guilt threefold.
“What’re you thinking, Brie?�
� Casey jerked her attention back.
“I’m thinking I also don’t want to pass my dyslexia and health problems on to a child. It’s not as if I’m a bundle of great genes. And God only knows how much all the medication I’ve taken in my life has affected my DNA. You’ve always been healthy, so I wouldn’t have a problem using you as my surrogate if we could skip the in vitro process.”
“Skip the in vitro?” Casey frowned “How?”
“We could simply use your eggs in an artificial insemination.”
Her sister’s stunned silence testified to how appalling she found the idea. Evidently, it was way too big a favor to ask.
“Look, forget I even suggested it.” Brianna waved her hands as if erasing the idea. “I couldn’t let you give your baby to me.”
“N-no.” Casey grabbed one of Brianna’s wrists and gently squeezed it. “I’m not saying I won’t. I just need a little time to consider it.”
They’d had that discussion a month ago, and Casey hadn’t mentioned it since.
In the weeks following Thanksgiving, Brianna had begun to wonder if she’d made such a presumptuous request to test her sister. Perhaps she’d subconsciously wanted to prove St. Casey wasn’t as selfless and perfect as everyone believed.
The door to David’s home office opened, and he emerged into the family room, inhaling deeply. “Wow, something smells amazing.” He wandered over to Brianna and nuzzled her neck. “What’re you two making for dinner?”
She glanced at Casey and bit her lip.
“Glazed ham with all the fixings,” Casey told him, brushing the rolls with frothy egg white before sprinkling them with sesame seeds.
“Yum. Sounds great. Dare I hope you brought one of your amazing carrot cakes for dessert?”
“Of course.”
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