Their Baby Bargain

by Marion Lennox

  ‘Why are you telling me?’

  ‘Because it’s important,’ she told him. ‘And because I know my friend so well, I can tell that you’re important. Or you have the capacity to be important to her. You see, Wendy’s now suddenly different. There’s something about you that’s changed her. She’s…I don’t know…lit up somehow. But I know darn well she’ll never let you close if she thinks you’re like Adam.’

  ‘I’m not.’

  ‘No.’

  There was just enough doubt in her voice to make his temper rise. He stood up as well and met her gaze head on, his eyes steely and cold. ‘Hell, if you think that… If she thinks that…’

  ‘If she thinks that then it’s up to you to change her mind.’

  ‘No.’ He closed his eyes, and when he opened them his face was bleak. ‘I can’t convince her of something as basic as that. She has to know herself. It’s true, I’ve fallen heavily for Wendy. She’s…she’s different. But I’m not going to be able to talk her into trusting me. She has to feel it. Like I feel it for her…’

  Shanni looked at him for a long, long moment, and then she sighed. ‘You’re right of course,’ she said sadly. ‘You can’t talk or manipulate someone into trusting you. You just sort of have to do it. Like me and my Nick. But still…’ she brightened ‘…it won’t hurt that you know now what you’re up against.’

  ‘I guess.’

  ‘And there’s time.’ Her face broke into her smile again-persuasive and beguiling. ‘Do you know it’s Wendy’s birthday tomorrow?’

  That startled him. ‘No, I didn’t.’

  ‘So a surprise is allowable,’ she told him. ‘What about taking the lady out to dinner?’

  His brow creased. ‘You mean…?’

  ‘I mean a real dinner,’ she told him. ‘Wendy hasn’t had a day away from her precious children for years. What about taking her somewhere really special-over-the-top special. Like Whispering Palms. That’s a sweep-a-girl-off-her-feet type resort just south of the town. It would do Wendy all the good in the world for her to have a wonderful night completely free of children-and with a man like you she might just-’

  ‘Hey, that’s enough.’ He smiled. ‘I can make my own assumptions here.’ Then he shook his head. ‘She’d never leave Gabbie.’

  ‘She would if Nick and Harry and I arrived by surprise and just took over,’ Shanni said. ‘Gabbie trusts me. She knows and likes Harry-our little boy-and she’s met Nick. If we come out about five, bring a birthday cake to have with the kids, and then boot the pair of you out for the evening…’ She looked consideringly at the house. ‘We’ll bring our sleeping gear and stay the night, which gives you all the time in the world.’

  ‘To do what?’

  ‘If you don’t know then I’m not the one to be telling you,’ she said demurely. ‘But by the look of you your best shot might be a very good thing, Luke Grey. I’d go for it, if I were you.’

  And how could he knock back an invitation like that?

  Saturday.

  All day Luke prowled like a cat on hot bricks, and by five in the afternoon Wendy was sure there was something going on. She might be keeping her distance, but she was aware enough of him to sense his moods. The man was as nervous as could be, and she didn’t know why.

  Or-she didn’t know why until the big family station wagon pulled into the yard. Nick and Shanni and Harry were waving wildly out of the car windows and there were multicoloured helium balloons winding skyward, tied to every door handle. As the passenger door opened Wendy saw that Shanni was balancing a birthday cake that looked like…

  ‘A Basset-hound puppy!’ The cake was a near replica of Bruce’s droopy cranium, complete with candle attached to the nose. It even had the same dopey expression of canine smugness.

  ‘Because even though it’s your birthday it’s also a sort of welcoming party for Bruce,’ Shanni explained in between laughter and introductions, birthday greetings and general mayhem. ‘We even thought we might bring Darryl-that’s our new kitten-but Nick thought not.’

  ‘Nick definitely thought not,’ Nick said dryly, shaking Luke’s hand. ‘So you’re the poor soul Shanni’s organising at the moment, are you? Take my advice, get out while the going’s good.’

  ‘Yeah, like you did,’ Shanni jeered fondly. ‘You were so scared of organisation that you married me, Nick, so don’t give me that hen-pecked-husband routine. Now…’ she whirled on Wendy ‘…has Luke told you where he’s taking you this evening?’

  Wendy was looking completely surprised. ‘No. He hasn’t.’

  ‘Tell her where you’re taking her, Luke.’

  ‘Whispering Palms-as ordered,’ Luke said, so promptly that Wendy stared.

  ‘It’s very nice,’ Shanni approved. ‘Isn’t that nice, Nick?’

  ‘It’s the most expensive place this side of Sydney,’ Nick said thoughtfully. ‘Nice is hardly a description I’d have used.’

  ‘I’m not going to Whispering Palms,’ Wendy said faintly.

  ‘Don’t be silly, love, of course you are.’ Shanni grinned. ‘All you need to do is blow out your birthday candles here, have a slice of cake to celebrate with the kids, and then Nick and I are going to carry on partying with your lot while you and Luke have an evening together.’

  ‘I don’t want-’

  ‘Of course you want,’ Shanni said fondly. ‘Nick and I have taken a great deal of trouble to organise this. It’s not every day the town’s magistrate offers to baby-sit your children-even sleeping the night so it’s no matter how late you get back. Now, you can wear that lovely silky apricot dress you wore to our wedding, I think.’

  ‘Shanni!’

  ‘This is our birthday treat,’ Shanni said, in a cocker spaniel-like voice as if she expected to be kicked. Her eyes grew huge, and the faintest glimmer of a disappointed tear hung on her lashes. ‘Don’t say you don’t want it.’

  Wendy was half laughing, half close to tears herself. ‘Shanni, you manipulating twerp. This is blackmail.’

  ‘Of the very nicest kind,’ Shanni said, and her twinkle returned. ‘Let’s get this birthday cake lit and then we’ll get you two on the road. For a birthday treat to remember. For ever.’

  It couldn’t work.

  With the help of Shanni, Luke had gone to such trouble over this night, but almost as soon as they drove out the farm gate he knew he was headed for a disaster. He should never have let Shanni talk him into it, he thought grimly. He knew Wendy wouldn’t like it.

  Why not? It was the sort of evening any woman he’d ever taken out would have killed for.

  For a start, the evening itself was perfect, warm and balmy and not a hint of wind with the rose-hued sunset.

  Then there was the fact that personally he’d gone to some trouble. Luke was wearing his best dinner suit. It was Italian-cut and gorgeous, and he knew he looked okay in it. And Wendy… In the soft silk dress she emerged in after being prodded by Shanni, she simply took his breath away.

  She’d had it made, Shanni had told him. Wendy wasn’t like other women. She didn’t dress for fashion, but she’d been bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding, however, so she’d done the thing in style. The dress had a high cut mandarin collar, but was open to show just the faintest hint of cleavage. It was cut with tiny crescent-moon sleeves, and was buttoned over the breast with tiny mother-of-pearl drops. The soft, swirling cloth fitted her like a glove over the hips, then flared out softly to her calves, showing every luscious curve of her gorgeous body.

  It had been as much as Luke could do not to whistle as she’d emerged from the bedroom, and Nick frankly had.

  Now, seated in his beautiful car, with her soft curls free and flying out behind her as they headed for the resort, she looked the most beautiful creature Luke had ever seen in his life.

  But it wasn’t right.

  ‘Wendy, will you relax?’ he told her. ‘It’s your birthday. You should be having fun.’

  ‘I…yes.’

  ‘The kids are safe as
houses. Nick and Shanni will take the greatest care.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘So what’s the matter?’

  She shook her head, and managed a smile. ‘I don’t know. Nothing. I’m being stupid. This…this is truly wonderful, Luke. A real birthday surprise.’

  But it wasn’t wonderful. Luke pulled the car into the Whispering Palms car park, took her hand determinedly into his and led the way into the restaurant. But he knew it wasn’t wonderful at all.

  It should be. This was a restaurant to dream about. The whole place had been built as a resort for millionaires. Beloved of the jet set, Whispering Palms was built as a series of tree houses set over the rainforest and the beachfront below. The walls of the restaurant swung back on balmy nights like this, so lovers could dine with the sound of the surf beneath them, with the soft wind rustling in the trees and with the ever so seductive sound of a violinist in the background…

  But Wendy’s face was tight with strain and, as the maître d’ led them to their table Luke suddenly stopped.

  ‘No,’ he said.

  The waiter paused and looked enquiringly back at them. ‘Sir?’

  ‘This isn’t right,’ Luke said softly, watching Wendy’s face. ‘I think we need some privacy.’

  ‘A secluded table?’ The man smiled his approval. ‘That can be arranged.’

  But Luke shook his head. Damn, he’d been a fool. He had no chance with this, and he should have known it. He should never have let Shanni talk him into it.

  ‘That’s not what I mean. Give me a moment. Wendy, wait-please.’ He left Wendy standing by their allotted table, and signalled the man to move back to the reception desk. ‘You’re quiet tonight, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ The man glanced around the restaurant which was only half full.

  ‘Then if we were to eat on the beach below…’

  ‘Pardon?’

  Luke lifted a menu and studied it briefly. ‘Let me order for both of us right now,’ he said. ‘Then, if you can arrange it, I’d like our dinner served to us on the beach below-just around the cliff face where the river joins the sea so we’re out of sight of the restaurant. I’d like full service, but after sweets and coffee then I’d like us undisturbed. You can clear the debris in the morning.’

  ‘But sir!’ The man’s face had stiffened at this extraordinary request. ‘I don’t think…’

  But Luke had opened his wallet. With a quick look back at Wendy to make sure she couldn’t see, he laid down enough money to make the man stare. ‘That’s for the meal-so you know we won’t abscond without paying-for the extra service, and there’s a little more for the personal trouble you need to go to yourself. Can you arrange it?’

  The man looked down at the desk where the money lay, and the corners of his mouth quirked upward in the beginnings of a smile. His mind was obviously working overtime. ‘Of course I can, sir,’ he said at last. ‘Nothing would give me greater pleasure and, if I may say so, it’s quite the most romantic notion I’ve ever heard of. Maybe we could start a new service…’

  So, instead of being guided into one of the plush crimson seats and being handed a menu, Wendy was led back out into the night.

  ‘This is better,’ Luke said, his hand holding hers again whether she liked it or not. ‘Down these stairs, Wendy. We’re going to the beach.’

  ‘Luke-’

  ‘Don’t argue,’ he said, and grinned. ‘Our dinner is still being served, but served below.’ He held up a lantern which had been set romantically on the reception desk but donated now to a greater cause. ‘Behold our light. Lead on, my lady. Our meal awaits us.’

  This was better.

  The atmosphere was still strained, but it was much, much lighter than the formality of the restaurant. Wendy seemed bemused more than anything, but her sense of humour was surfacing despite her misgivings. She’d been forced into this, but it was starting to be fun.

  The waiters, formally attired in black and white and not letting on by a twitch of their eyebrows that this was anything unusual, followed them down to the still sun-warmed beach which curved around the low cliffs to the river mouth fifty yards farther on. They waited patiently while Luke chose a secluded nook in the sandhills, and then they set down what they’d been carrying-a picnic rug, a candelabra, complete with candles which they proceeded to light, beautifully polished silverware, a basket of hot rolls, butter-pats, champagne glasses, champagne…

  ‘It’s like something out of a movie,’ Wendy said, looking down at the magnificent spread in astonishment, and she couldn’t suppress her laughter. ‘For heaven’s sake, of all the ostentatious…’

  ‘It is not ostentatious,’ Luke told her severely. ‘Upstairs was ostentatious. This is a picnic.’

  Wendy glanced back along the beach toward the track leading up to the restaurant. A waiter was approached bearing two silver platters. He trod solemnly across the sand to their improvised table-and she choked on her champagne as he set down the gorgeous platters before them with all the ceremony in the world. ‘A picnic?’

  ‘It sure beats sandwiches,’ Luke said sagely. ‘I do hope you like lobster, my dear, because this is the very best lobster that Bay Beach can produce.’

  She did like lobster. She loved lobster and, despite her misgivings, she loved everything about that crazy meal. It was the dinner of dinners!-A meal to remember for ever. For the first short while she tried desperately to stay stiff and formal, but she couldn’t-not while Luke kept up a patter of ridiculous banter, and the waiters came time after time, serious and steady as they trod over the sand to this amazing dining place, and carrying one magnificent dish after another.

  ‘They think we’re nuts,’ she said, and Luke grinned.

  ‘We are nuts,’ he told her. ‘I like it that way.’ He poured more coffee from a silver jug, and offered her a plate of homemade chocolates. ‘These appear to have cherries inside. Yum! Try one.’

  ‘If I have one more thing I’ll burst,’ she said inelegantly. She shook her head. ‘No. It’s enough, Luke.’ She looked back along the beach, expecting more waiters to come and clear their meal, but courtesy of Luke’s forethought there was no one coming. The meal was at an end and they were alone.

  Silence.

  Luke’s banter had died away. He was drinking his coffee and watching her in the candlelight. The soft breeze was stirring her curls around her face. The shadows made by the candlelight were dancing across her face. She looked very, very lovely.

  ‘It’s time to go home,’ she said awkwardly and started to rise.

  ‘No.’ Luke set down his cup and took her hand, pulling her up beside him, like it or not. ‘After a meal like that, we need exercise.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, maybe a run along the beach,’ she said a trifle breathlessly. ‘You have to be kidding. I’d waddle.’ She gave her hand a tug but it wasn’t released. ‘Luke, it’s been lovely, but-’

  ‘But the night’s still young,’ he told her. ‘And it’s warm and the beach is wonderful and our responsibilities are being taken care of. So what shall we do? I know. Let’s see if we can find some prawns.’

  ‘Prawns?’

  ‘In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s a crescent moon,’ he told her. ‘It’s the very best time for seeing prawns. Or for catching them if we had a net-or if we were hungry-but maybe we’ll be content ourselves just with seeing them.’

  ‘Where?’ Despite her qualms, he had her fascinated.

  ‘In the river,’ he told her and lifted the lantern. ‘We have everything we need to spot a prawn or two. Come on, Wendy Maher. Let’s have fun.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘But what?’ He fixed her with a searching look, and then smiled. ‘Why are you looking like I’m about to bite? Did you think I’d set this up for a spot of seduction instead of prawn gazing? How could you?’ He sounded wounded to the core and Wendy had to smile back.

  ‘It did cross my mind,’ she admitted.

  ‘When all I wanted to do was give you a birthd
ay treat.’

  ‘You mean you didn’t think of seduction for a minute?’ Still he was holding her hand, and the thought of seduction wouldn’t go away. It was right there between them, prawns or not.

  He appeared to consider this seriously, but still that gentle, teasing smile remained. ‘Well, I guess I could change my plans,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘If you really want a spot of seduction for your birthday…’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Then let’s find prawns,’ he told her. ‘Damn, if I can’t give you me, I’ll give you a prawn or two. How’s that for an alternative?’

  ‘It seems fair enough,’ she said in a voice that was none too steady. ‘You or a prawn. Hmm…’ She managed a chuckle but the tension between them didn’t dissipate in the least. ‘Let’s give me a prawn any day,’ she said, but she was starting to think she didn’t know what she was talking about.

  The choice might be easy, but the prawns themselves were hard to find. Luke led her over to the river bank. Here, where the river met the sea, the river mouth spread to a wide, sprawling network of rivulets, each no more than eighteen inches deep but, combined, stretching for a couple of hundred yards across the beach. The tide was running sluggishly outward, but it must have been close to the turn because the pools of water between the separated strands of moving tide were still.

  And they were warm.

  The wide, shallow river had been sun-soaked all day. Wendy slipped off her shoes, expecting cool water between her toes, but she found it was almost body temperature. Gorgeous. She stood in the shallows and watched as Luke swung his lantern slowly back and forth across the water. Again and again he swung-and the silence and the solitariness of the place made her spine tingle.

  ‘No…no luck?’ Why on earth was it hard to make her voice work?

  ‘They must be here somewhere,’ he said, as if the most important thing in the world was to find a prawn and the prawns were personally disobliging him. ‘They’re always here.’