An Accidental Family

by Ami Weaver

  There was the tiniest of hitches in her step. “Right. Of course.”

  He forced himself to ignore the hurt in her tone. He needed to build the distance between them back up. But when she turned those big blue eyes on him something long buried inside him cracked. “Lainey—”

  She gave a little shake of her head as she reached her car. “Thanks again.”

  To hell with it.

  Ben turned her around as she fumbled in her pocket for her keys. Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but before she could say anything he dipped his head and covered her mouth with his.

  After a heartbeat her cold mouth opened and let him into her warmth. God, it had been so long since he’d felt anything, anything, and she was warm and soft and so, so sweet. He fisted his hand in her hair, to angle her head so he could go deeper, and her moan lit fires inside him that had long been dormant.

  For a reason.

  He broke the kiss and stepped back, his ragged breath catching in his chest. God, what had he done?

  She blinked up at him, her gaze smoky and slightly confused. Then her eyes cleared and a look of pure horror crossed her face.

  “I’ve got to go,” she said, yanking her keys out of her pocket.

  “Lainey, I’m sorry.” As soon as the words were out he knew they were the wrong thing to say.

  Her back stiffened as she unlocked the car. “It’s forgotten.” She got in the car and slammed the door.

  He stood in the cold and cursed as her taillights disappeared out of the park. Hell. He’d just made a huge mess of something he had no right even to start.

  And he had no idea how to fix it.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “THEY DID WHAT?” Beth’s words ended on a small shriek. The look on her face would have been comical if Lainey could muster the energy to laugh. “No way. Is that even legal?”

  “Unfortunately,” Lainey said as she selected a few silk ’mums for the centerpiece she was working on.

  “They’re kicking you out,” Beth breathed. “I never thought—”

  “It’s not technically a kick out,” Lainey corrected her. “It’s a very strong suggestion I move in with them.” And a heck of a way to do it, too. Though where in the budget she’d find the money to rent a place plus continue to pay her parents she didn’t know.

  How had it not occurred to her parents that their “helping” would put her in this kind of bind?

  Beth frowned. “Are you going to? How would that work with the baby?”

  A chill ran through Lainey. “I can’t think of anything I want less than to live there. Especially since my mother is apparently in cahoots with Daniel. I’m going to ask Rose if she knows of any rental houses. I know she owns a couple.”

  Maybe she’d get lucky and one would be open. On the other hand, that would make Rose her landlord, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to risk extra contact with Ben. The kiss flashed through her mind and a delicious little shiver ran through her. It had been a mistake, which he’d acknowledged. She had to agree. But a small part of her was hurt. She’d spent much of her adult life being made to feel everything she did was a mistake. To hear it after something as sweet as that kiss, on top of her parents’ antics, had cut deep.

  “Wow.” Beth shook her head and cut a length of ribbon. “I’m just floored.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Lainey fitted the ’mums into the floral foam and stepped back. “These look nice. Let’s get them in the window.”

  It took a nice chunk of time to redo the front windows with a fall theme geared toward Halloween. Lainey was pleased with the result. She glanced at the clock. Almost noon. “I need to call Jon and tell him.”

  Beth came around the counter. “Do you need me there?”

  Lainey gave her friend a hug. “Thanks, but, no. I’ll be fine. I just need to get it over with.”

  She climbed the stairs to her apartment with butterflies roiling in her stomach. She and Jon hadn’t even bothered to exchange contact info. It had been pretty clear how forgettable the whole thing was—or would have been except for the baby.

  Her hands shook as she sat down at the computer and pulled up the website she’d found for Jon’s company. Since California was three hours behind Michigan it was early morning there, so she hoped she had a chance of catching him at his office.

  It took two tries to dial the number correctly, but amazingly she got through. His assistant sounded about twenty and possessive, and Lainey bet Jon valued looks over work ethic. How could she have such poor judgment when it came to men?

  “Jon Meier.” His crisp voice sent a chill over her skin.

  “It’s Lainey Keeler. We—ah—met at the reunion.” She stumbled a bit over the words. How exactly did one phrase one-night stand for polite company?

  A pause. “Lainey. What’s going on?” His tone was wary.

  Lainey stared at the ceiling of her living room. It seemed there was only one thing to say and one way to say it. “I’m pregnant.”

  The silence roared in her ears. She gripped the small phone tighter.

  “Jon?” she ventured after a few seconds.

  “I’m here,” he said, sounding slightly strangled. “Are you sure it’s mine?”

  Indignation spiked. “Of course it’s yours. Who else’s would it be?” Like she was some slut.

  He said a clear and succinct curse word and Lainey winced.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low. “But there’s something you should know.”

  Her heart kicked up in a pattern of dread. Those words never meant anything good. “What’s that?”

  She heard him exhale roughly. “I’m married.”

  Nausea hit Lainey like a freight train. Oh, God. Married? How had she not known? He was just like her ex-husband. Her stomach rolled and she sank down on the floor, hand pressed over her mouth. Oh, no. No, no.

  “Lainey? Are you still there?”

  I’m married. The words almost physically crawled over her skin. She’d played a role in the betrayal of a marriage. What Daniel did to me. “Oh, my God. How could you? You cheated on your wife.” She couldn’t keep the horror and disgust out of her voice.

  There was a rustle of paper. “Well, in my admittedly weak defense, we were going through a rough patch. She doesn’t—she doesn’t know. I can’t have her know. I can pay to take care of it, though, if you’d rather not have it.”

  It took her a second to sort through the numerous atrocities in those sentences. “Are you—are you offering to pay for an abortion?”

  “You’re what? Eight weeks? Early enough. Listen, Lainey—”

  “No.” The word came out furious and flat. Temper rose like bile in her throat, a sharp burn.

  “I can’t be a father to that baby, Lainey. My wife—she’s pregnant, too. I can’t risk—”

  “Can’t risk what? Her finding out what a slime you are?” She couldn’t help the angry words. Not because she wanted him in her life, or the baby’s, but because she’d given her child this kind of man for a father. The same kind of man her ex was. She pressed her hand over her eyes, willing the tears of anger and frustration away.

  He let out a sigh. “Something like that. Listen, I haven’t been the best husband, okay? I get that. But we are finally getting on the right track again. I can’t—I just can’t risk it.”

  Lainey sucked in a breath. The depth of his deception hit her hard. She couldn’t get involved in his mess, though. She and her baby would stay above this.

  She couldn’t keep the disgust out of her voice. “I want you to sign off on all parental rights. I don’t want you in my child’s life.”

  “I’ll talk to my lawyers,” he said after a moment, and she allowed herself to breathe again. “I don’t see how I could be involved even if I wanted to be. My wife...” H
is voice trailed off. Then, “I’m sorry, Lainey. I really am. But—you understand?”

  Your poor wife. Lainey truly felt for her. She could see her own ex-husband pulling this exact same stunt. For all she knew he had. The thought made her even angrier. “What I understand is you are a cheating, lying bastard. When will I hear from you?”

  “End of the week,” he said, apparently unfazed by her description of him. “I’ll need your contact info. I’d prefer to communicate through email, if we need to discuss anything further.”

  “Fine with me.” She gave him the relevant information and hung up, mind whirling. The sick feeling wouldn’t recede. Most likely she’d get what she wanted, but at what cost? What could she tell her baby? The loss here was truly Jon’s, but her baby deserved a father.

  She dropped her face into her hands. Given her track record with men who seemed great on the surface but were total losers, she wasn’t sure she could trust herself to know a good man when she met him. She pushed herself off the floor and went to get a glass of water.

  Ben flashed across her mind. He was a good man. His kiss. His quiet playfulness last night. Even though it had seemed as if he was coming out of a deep shell, for that scant hour she’d spent with him he’d been more real than her husband or Jon had ever been. Maybe it was because he hadn’t wanted anything from her. Maybe it had to do with the other two men being cheaters. Another wave of nausea flowed over her and she put her head back in her hands. She’d been with a married man. How had she not known? How could she know, with no ring and no mention of a wife?

  She went back downstairs. A couple of months ago her life had been pretty simple. Keep her shop open and stay out of her parents’ line of fire. Period. Now she was looking at single motherhood and her parents buying their way into her life and pulling her ex along—not to mention her odd connection to Ben.

  Maybe one of these days she’d do something the easy way, instead of somehow making everything as difficult as possible.

  * * *

  Lainey called Rose that evening and at her friend’s invitation went over to her house. She didn’t want to see Ben, seeing as how the awkwardness level there would be epic, but she wasn’t going to avoid her friend. Plus, being with someone who didn’t want to manipulate her sounded wonderful.

  She didn’t see Ben’s truck, which was both a relief and an unexpected disappointment. Ignoring the disappointment part, she saw he’d been busy. The framework for the ramp was already in place. It touched a little sweet spot in her that he took his grandma’s issues so seriously.

  Rose opened the kitchen door with a concerned look. “Hi, honey. Come on in. Everything okay?”

  She stepped in with a smile. “Yes. Just a little tired.” She didn’t ask where Ben was as she slipped her jacket off. She told herself she didn’t care. Not to mention it was very important that Rose did not realize Lainey’s conflicted emotions regarding Ben. She didn’t want any matchmaking attempts, and she doubted Ben would appreciate it, either. Possibly less than she did, if his aloof manner was any indication.

  But, oh, the man could kiss.

  “Dear, you look a little flushed. Are you sure you’re okay?” Rose wheeled over to the table.

  Her face heated even more. She couldn’t very well tell the older woman she’d kissed her grandson, so she took a seat at the table and filled Rose in on her parents’ bombshell.

  Rose frowned when she’d finished. “I’m sorry, Lainey. I understand they mean well, or think they do, but they really don’t take you into consideration, do they?”

  Lainey stared at the table, a small knot in her throat. It was the truth. “Not really.”

  Rose reached over and squeezed her hand. “Well, as it happens I’ve got a little place you can rent.” Her surprise must have shown on her face because Rose chuckled. “I do. I’ve got a little rental house over by the lake. The same couple has rented it for—oh, goodness—decades. Thirty years or so? Anyway, they moved out a couple weeks ago. Decided to retire in Florida.”

  Lainey opened her mouth, then closed it. Hope surged through her. “I—wow. Really?”

  “Of course. Two bedrooms. Nice backyard. It’s a little Cape Cod. Not real large, but plenty big for you and your cat.”

  Relief rushed through her. “It sounds wonderful.”

  Rose reached for the phone. “It needs a little work. Nothing major. Just some freshening up and some minor repairs. Why don’t you go take a look? Ben’s over there now, assessing what all needs to be done. He seemed to think it could be ready in around a week or so. You can even pick your paint colors.”

  Ben was there. Anticipation zipped through her, too quick for her to stifle. She didn’t see a way to refuse without raising Rose’s suspicions. “All right. I’d love to see it, if you’re sure?”

  Rose waved a hand. “Of course I’m sure. I can’t think of anyone I’d like more to have for a tenant than you. Let me call him real quick and you can head over.”

  * * *

  Lainey followed Rose’s directions to the house, which was on the other side of the lake from her parents’ place, a block from the water. The little white house was charming, from what she could see as she pulled in the driveway behind Ben’s truck. It had a garage, a front porch, and the backyard was fenced. A little shiver of excitement ran though her.

  “It’s very cute,” she said aloud as she walked up to the front porch. The light was on. She knocked, then stuck her head in. “Hello?”

  She’d been hoping somehow that Ben wouldn’t be here, or that someone else would be here, too. Anything but just the two of them. Not that she couldn’t control herself—of course she could—it was just the last thing she needed was another complication in her life. As Ben appeared in the living room archway she couldn’t help but wish all complications could be so hot.

  “Lainey?” Ben said, looking behind her. “I’m sorry. Grandma said there was a potential tenant coming to check the place out.”

  In spite of her nerves, Lainey laughed. Oh, Rose. “It’s me. I’m the tenant.”

  “You?” His brow shot up. “I thought you lived above your shop.”

  Lainey closed the door behind her and unzipped her jacket. She couldn’t quite keep her voice steady. “Not for long.”

  She saw understanding dawn in his eyes, but all he said was, “I see.”

  Awareness sparked between them, hot and deep, and she knew while he didn’t mention it he was thinking about the kiss. Lainey pulled her gaze off him and focused on the wall behind him. He looked so good, even with the wary expression he seemed to wear perpetually. Except the other night, when he’d actually laughed. And kissed her.

  Darn it. She shut her eyes. Not helpful.

  “You okay?”

  She opened them again and gave him a small smile. “Peachy.” She gestured with her hand. “Can I look around?”

  Ben stepped back out of the doorway. “Sure. Kitchen—dining room through there—” he pointed to his right “—bedrooms. Bathroom that way. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.” Then he disappeared.

  She took a minute to wander around the room she stood in—a good-sized living room, with two large windows and a fireplace, flanked by two smaller, higher windows over built-in bookcases. The former tenants’ drapes remained, but otherwise the room was bare. The floor was hardwood, scuffed and worn and in need of being redone. She rubbed the toe of her shoe on it. How would a hard floor be with a baby? Maybe she could get some thick rugs. The paint color was an odd shade of pinkish tan, but maybe that was the light from the overhead fixture, which was a little harsh. Still, it had charm and lots of potential.

  She walked across the floor and it creaked under her feet. She heard banging and swearing from the direction of the kitchen, so she detoured that way down the short hall.

  Ben was on his knees, ben
t over, half in the cabinet under the sink, and her gaze locked on his very fine butt and flexed thigh muscles. The back of his shirt had ridden up, exposing an inch or so of an equally nice back. She blinked and forced herself to refocus.

  “Is there a problem?” she asked.

  He scrambled back out from the cabinet, whacked his head and muttered another choice word. She winced.

  “Sorry,” she said. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine.” He stood up and rubbed the back of his head. “Need something?”

  “Um...no. I heard some noise and thought I’d see what was going on in here.” She looked at the array of tools and wet towels on the floor. “Maybe you need a plumber?”

  Ben stared at her, then let out a sharp bark of laughter. “What I need is another wrench.” He bent over and she tried very hard to keep her eyes off his butt and failed. She very much wanted to chalk it up to pregnancy hormones, except for the little fact she wasn’t attracted to any other man but this one. He pulled out two pieces of what had been a wrench and held them up.

  “Oh. That’s not good.”

  “No kidding. Are you parked behind me?”

  He was going right now? The little stab she felt couldn’t be disappointment. It had to be relief. “Yes. I’ll move my car.”

  He turned away to wipe his hands on the towel lying on the counter. She glanced around the room, noting the old but serviceable appliances, the Formica counters that were a bit worn, the old linoleum on the floor. The cabinets were in good condition. It was a nice size. It would work well for her.

  “Not what you’re used to, I’m sure,” Ben said and she blinked at him.

  “What isn’t?”

  He swept his hand out, indicating the room. “This.”

  It took her a second, then anger spiked. “Oh, for God’s sake. Why would you think that?”

  He just looked at her and she shook her head, sadness chasing the anger away. Just because she’d been raised in a wealthy household it didn’t mean those things mattered to her. “You don’t know me. At all. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your judgments to yourself. I’ll go move my car to the street.”