When Phil and Alex found her again a few minutes later, after Sam had congratulated Sharon and admired the change in her figure, she didn’t care that the beans had clearly been spilled regarding her plans.
‘Yes,’ she confirmed. ‘I want to have a baby. You got a problem with that, Phil?’
‘Hell, no.’ Phil smirked at Alex. ‘I know better than to have a problem with what Sam wants to do. I might get my shins kicked.’
Alex smirked right back. ‘Yeah. She’s a determined woman, your little sister.’
‘Dad will be thrilled,’ Phil told Sam.
‘Oh, yeah…right! You don’t get a medal for producing a baby, you know.’
‘You might!’ Phil gave a shout of laughter. ‘If you can manage it without having sex with its father.’
‘Oh, come on!’ Alex winked at Sam and gave Phil a knowing nudge. ‘You’ve heard of turkey basters, haven’t you?’
‘What?’
‘You know, those big plastic syringe things with the rubber bulbs on the end.’
‘Oh…Please!’ The idea that Alex had put more thought into the mechanics of donor insemination than she had was very disturbing. Not to mention embarrassing. Sam could feel a level of heat that had nothing to do with the crowd of people around them. ‘Do you boys have to be quite so gross?’
‘Probably.’ Phil wasn’t looking remotely abashed but then he sighed. ‘Sorry, Sam. I’m just having a bit of trouble getting my head around this one. What’s the problem with finding a real father if you want to have a kid so much?’
‘Because then I might have to live with him,’ Sam said shortly. ‘And I had enough of having men trying to control my life when I was growing up.’
‘Hey, we never tried to control you. We just tried to stop you killing yourself.’
‘I had to try and kill myself before Dad ever noticed me.’
Having a conversation at loud volume made it easy to make a joke of something that hurt. Having a drink or two made it easy to confess a hurt that had never been spoken about directly.
Her brother’s mirth faded, though. He had sensed what lay beneath Sam’s joke.
‘You know why he ignored you, don’t you, Sambo?’
The use of a childhood nickname took her back effortlessly.
Back to a time when Sam had felt so isolated it had been unbearable. Phil had been her lifesaver but he was nearly six years older and he’d preferred to try and keep up with his older brothers than spend too much time with a lost and lonely little girl.
The sting of old memories was enough to prick the festive bubble Sam had felt encased in. She nodded her head sadly.
‘He just wasn’t interested in having a girl around. They had it sorted, didn’t they? You came along just after the twins and that was enough. I was a mistake.’
Phil shook his head vehemently. ‘You’ve got it so wrong, Sam. You know what I remember most about the day you were born?’ He leaned closer. ‘Dad cried. Can you believe that?’
‘No.’ Sam hadn’t even seen her father shed a tear at her mother’s funeral. Strong men didn’t do that and nobody was stronger than her father.
‘He didn’t know I saw him and I was too scared to ever say anything.’
‘Maybe he was upset that I was a girl.’
Phil shook his head again. ‘I heard what he said to Mum.’
‘What?’
‘He said, “She looks just like you, Annie. I love her already.”’
Alex had been eavesdropping shamelessly on the conversation Sam was having with her brother.
There wasn’t much point in trying to circulate because of the crush. Besides, Sam was by far the best-looking woman in the place and it never hurt one’s image to stay close to a stunning female.
Alex still couldn’t get over just how stunning she looked. She’d never dressed like this before. He was suspicious that this sudden transformation into sex-on-legs had a lot to do with her current agenda, and that was another reason he didn’t want to leave Sam to have conversations he wasn’t privy to.
If she was out to find a man to father her baby, then Alex wanted a say in who got chosen, despite the fact that it was going to be an immaculate conception.
It had better be an immaculate conception. If there was any question in Sam’s mind, Alex would be happy to provide the turkey baster himself. For some obscure reason, the idea of Sam having sex with some random bloke was extremely disturbing and if word got out in a crowd like this, she’d be fighting off a queue of candidates. Alex knew a lot of the men present tonight. They’d agree to anything the way Sam was looking right now.
Alex shoved the question of why he felt so concerned into a deep recess somewhere in his brain and washed out any airholes with a good slug of his beer. He was just looking out for Sam, that was all. They were partners. Mates. Who wouldn’t feel protective, the way Sam was looking at the moment? Phil’s revelation about her father had made her bottom lip wobble, which was doing something very odd to Alex’s gut. Or maybe it was the quantity of beer in there. Phil put an arm around his sister but Alex stepped closer as well.
He was there for her, too. Whether it was because she was upset by memories of what must have been a tough childhood or because she had some crazy idea of what she wanted to do next with her life.
Besides, he needed to step closer because Phil was speaking more softly now and it was hard to hear. Alex didn’t want to get left out of something that was obviously so important to Sam.
Of anything that was so important to Sam, come to that.
She needed someone looking out for her and whose partner was she, for heaven’s sake?
He had a duty to look out for her.
And Alex Henry had never shirked a duty in his life.
CHAPTER SIX
‘IT’S TRUE, SAM.’ Phil’s arm tightened around his sister. ‘I reckon it hurt to look at you because you were the spitting image of Mum. Dad never got over her death but he’s a lonely man now.’
‘He’s a hero. Heroes don’t get lonely.’
‘He’s sixty-five next year and he’s going to retire. What’s he going to have then? A big old empty house and a bunch of children who are too busy following in his footsteps to visit very often.’ Phil’s face brightened as he let go of Sam. ‘What he needs is a grandchild. That’ll take the pressure off the rest of us to settle down and reproduce. This is a brilliant idea of yours, Sam.’
Alex groaned inwardly.
‘Do you really think he’d be pleased?’ Sam sounded dubious.
‘It would give him something to love. Something he didn’t have to shut away with all the stuff that reminds him of what he lost. It would be a new start and I think he’d be thrilled. He might even be useful.’
‘Useful?’ Sam appeared to be soaking up her brother’s words.
‘Think of all the time he’d have available to babysit when he retires.’
‘He won’t be too thrilled if I don’t produce a husband to go along with the baby.’
‘I dunno. This way you get to carry on the family name as well. Now…’ Phil’s smile lightened the atmosphere instantly ‘…do you have anyone in mind yet?’
‘I was thinking of using a sperm bank and making it anonymous. Less complicated all round.’
Phil wrinkled his nose. ‘Bad idea.’ He looked up to include Alex in the conversation. ‘Don’t you think, Alex?’
‘Yeah.’ Alex wasn’t averse to throwing a bit of cold water on Sam’s grand scheme. ‘Who knows what you’re going to get in the way of genes?’
‘Or how many relatives they might have out there. What if they ended up marrying a sibling and you got a grandchild with three arms?’
That strange stirring in Alex’s gut returned when Sam finally smiled again, only this time it was pleasant rather than reminiscent of indigestion. Or was that pleasant feeling coming from the glimpses of Sam’s breasts that he couldn’t help catching repeatedly, thanks to the holes in that peculiar top she was wearing?
‘You work with dozens of blokes,’ Phil continued. ‘There must be someone you know who wouldn’t mind helping out?’
‘Too complicated,’ Sam said hurriedly. The glance Alex received was unreadable. Was she referring to him being so shocked at her initial suggestion that day in the ED?
Funny, but it didn’t seem nearly so shocking now that he’d had time to get used to the whole idea. And why was Sam grinning at Phil like it was some kind of a joke? Was she serious about this or not?
‘You know what you and the boys have always said,’ Sam reminded her brother. ‘“No fishing from the company pier.”’
Phil laughed. ‘I thought it was “Don’t screw the crew.”’
‘Whatever. It would be a bad idea. I need someone I don’t have to work with. One of your mates might fit the bill. Or a police officer maybe. Who do you know that’s here tonight so I can see what they look like?’
‘Looks aren’t everything,’Alex protested. ‘Personality’s more important, surely?’
Sam’s eyes widened. ‘I don’t want an ugly kid, thanks.’
Fat chance of that with Sam for its mother. Why hadn’t Alex ever really noticed the way Sam’s eyes shone when she smiled and how cute that bit on the end of her nose was where it turned up? He’d always thought that her spiky hair was prickly, but under the tavern lights he could see that it looked quite soft. Alex had to suppress a ridiculous urge to run his fingers through it. To find out if he was right.
‘What about Ray?’ Phil said. ‘He’s not bad-looking and he’s up for anything. I reckon he’d be delighted to oblige.’
‘Ray Dobson?’ Alex was pleased to see Sam looking appalled. ‘No way. He’s too…’
Sam seemed to be searching for a reason to discard the suggestion. Alex was quite prepared to help if necessary. Ray was too young. Too irresponsible. He just wouldn’t make good father material.
‘Too blond,’ Sam said vaguely.
A lame reason, but it was good enough for Alex. He nodded in agreement.
‘What colour hair do you want, then?’ Phil queried.
‘Black,’ Sam said decisively. ‘Or at least dark brown.’
Alex’s hair was black.
‘That way, they’re more likely to get brown eyes,’ Sam continued. ‘Brown eyes are my favourite.’
Alex’s eyes were brown. At least his colouring was acceptable, he thought wryly, even if he was never going to make any short list.
What was so wrong with the rest of him anyway?
‘He needs to be intelligent and have a good sense of humour,’ Sam added. ‘And be healthy, of course.’
He was healthy. And reasonably intelligent. His sense of humour seemed to be dissipating, however. He wasn’t finding any of this particularly amusing.
‘Well…’ Phil was peering into the crowd. ‘There’s Lewis, I guess. He’s dark. I could have a word with him and see if he’s interested.’
‘Who’s Lewis?’
‘He’s over there. See? With that short woman in the green dress.’
‘Is that his girlfriend?’
‘His wife.’
‘I think it might be better if they were single, Phil.’
Alex was single. He finished his beer and resisted the urge to plant himself in front of Sam and say, ‘What about me?’ Instead, he caught Phil’s eye.
‘Want another beer, mate?’
‘Nah, I’m good, thanks. I’ve got to go soon. I’m on an early shift tomorrow.’
‘You can’t go,’ Sam protested. ‘I need you to introduce me to people I don’t know.’
‘Introduce yourself,’ Phil advised. ‘They’ll be a lot more interested that way.’ He gave Sam a resigned smile. ‘Beats me why you’re out hunting anyway. Sounds to me like you’ve just been busy describing Alex.’
Sam avoided looking at Alex. ‘Don’t screw the crew, remember?’
‘But you wouldn’t be.’ Phil was grinning again. ‘We’re talking turkey basters, aren’t we?’
Alex couldn’t take his eyes off Sam. No way. If she wanted his genes he would make damn sure there were no mechanical accessories involved. They would do it properly or not at all. The very idea of having sex with Sam was having an astonishing effect on Alex. His jeans felt at least a size too small.
‘So…you up for it, Alex?’
Alex forced a smile to his lips. It was just as well neither of his companions could know how close to home Phil’s question had struck. Alex raised his eyebrows and twisted his mouth into an ‘I suppose it’s not beyond the realms of possibility’ sort of expression.
‘There you go.’ Phil laughed as he gave Sam another quick hug. ‘I’ve done my best to help, sis. You won’t find anyone better than Alex. I’ve gotta go. Enjoy the rest of the party.’
Alex hadn’t looked horrified this time but could that simply be attributed to the calming effect of a good dose of alcohol?
Sam had escaped Alex’s company before he’d had time to comment on Phil’s mischievous parting shot. She had spent the next two hours catching up with old friends, dancing with some of them and eating the wonderful supper that had been provided. The crowd seemed to have grown and the music had become steadily louder, but no matter how hard Sam partied, she couldn’t avoid frequent glimpses of Alex.
And she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Wondering…no, hoping that Phil’s suggestion had not simply been dismissed as the joke it had been intended to be.
Every man Sam had spoken to tonight had been subconsciously subjected to a mental check-list and every one of them had failed to make the grade so quickly that the conscious desire to investigate further never surfaced.
How could any of them succeed, anyway, when she had Alex to compare them to? Phil had been right. She would never find anyone better than Alex. If she couldn’t have Alex, Sam decided by the end of the evening, it would have to be a lucky dip at the sperm bank. The thought was dispiriting enough to signal an end to Sam’s stamina. She worked her way towards Alex.
‘I think I’ll go home,’ she told him. ‘I can get a taxi if you want to stay.’
‘No. I’m ready to go.’
‘You all right to drive?’
‘Yeah. Haven’t had a drink since Phil left.’
Her brother’s name seemed to hang between them as they made their way to the car park. Or rather the conversation with Phil did. It added a tension they were both clearly at a loss to know how to break and the ride home was silent until Alex parked in front of Sam’s apartment.
‘So…’ he said finally, staring through the windscreen, having turned the engine off. His fingers tapped out a pattern on the top of the steering-wheel. ‘Did you find someone?’
‘No. Nobody made the grade.’
‘You set high standards, then.’
‘Absolutely.’
Alex turned. His gaze caught Sam’s and she almost gasped at the intensity of it. Her skin was doing that strange burning thing again but perversely she could feel goose-bumps on her bare arms.
‘You might want to reconsider, then,’ Alex suggested softly.
Having a baby? ‘I don’t think so. I’ve made up my mind, Alex.’
‘But you said you hadn’t found anybody. I don’t think you really want to use the sperm bank, do you?’
‘No, but I’ll find someone. I’ll just keep looking.’
‘Maybe you don’t need to keep looking.’
It was there, in the depths of those dark, dark eyes. A willingness to help. A desire to help even.
Sam’s heart skipped a beat and then started racing. ‘You mean…you?’
The silence stretched between them. Sam was teetering on the edge of a precipace here. She couldn’t say anything else. She couldn’t even breathe. And then, just as she was about to fall into the dashing of new hope, Alex caught her.
‘Yeah,’ he said slowly. ‘Me.’
Sam could breathe again but the inward rush of air got stuck halfway as she caught it. This was e
xactly what she’d hoped for. Alex had had time to get used to the idea. It could work. It could be absolutely perfect.
‘There is one condition I’d make, though,’Alex warned.
‘Sure. What is it?’ Sam didn’t care that she sounded as eager as a child. Ready to promise anything in return for getting what she most wanted. She held Alex’s gaze and smiled reassuringly but then he spoke and never had a smile been wiped from her face quite that fast.
‘No turkey basters,’ Alex said matter-of-factly. ‘This has to be a natural conception or I’m not interested.’
A bucket of cold water being poured on her head would have had a similar effect. Sam gasped with shock.
‘What? Why?’
‘Why not?’ The shrug was pure Alex. So was the smile. Casual to the point of arrogance. Confident. He knew he was the perfect candidate, dammit.
‘Because it would be…weird. We’d have to…’ Oh, God! How could the thought of having sex with Alex make her skin tingle so ferociously? Or cause that delicious shaft of sensation that speared her straight to the depths of her abdomen? Why had she never noticed how attractive Alex was in more than a purely academic sense?
‘Yeah…’ It was by no means the first time that night that Alex’s gaze had been drawn to her cleavage. She’d brought this on herself, hadn’t she? ‘…we would.’
This wasn’t going according to plan any more. To Sam’s horror she found herself badly wanting to say yes. To invite him in, no less, even though she had no idea whether or not she was in a fertile part of her cycle. This was insane.
‘You…you wouldn’t consider doing it another way, then?’
‘Nope.’ Alex looked sad. ‘I’m afraid that even the thought of a turkey baster is enough to put me right off. I just wouldn’t be able to perform. Sorry.’
He wasn’t sorry at all. He was enjoying this. He was teasing her. He’d offered what she wanted and now he was making it impossible for her to accept. Any hint of that peculiar attraction she’d been feeling for her partner was sucked into the blackness surrounding them. Sam wasn’t disappointed at having her hopes crushed this time, though. She was furious.
Emergency Baby Page 9