Claiming The Captain's Baby. Rochelle Alers
felt as if someone had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart, making it nearly impossible for him to draw a normal breath. He hadn’t found himself in love with Samantha, yet if he had known she was sick, he would have been there for her even if she wasn’t carrying his child. “I’m so sorry.”
Mya exhaled an audible sigh. “She’s at peace now.”
He leaned forward, hands sandwiched between his knees. There was something he had to know before he decided his next move and he hoped Mya didn’t construe it as heartless. “Was Samantha of sound mind and body when she drew up her will?”
“Are you thinking of challenging her will because you don’t believe she was in her right mind?”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” he argued softly.
“That’s exactly what you’re saying,” Mya said in rebuttal. “There was nothing remotely wrong with Sammie when she drew up her will. She refused to tell me who had fathered her child, and I didn’t understand her reasoning until Mr. McAvoy mentioned your name. Sammie did reveal that she was sleeping with a wealthy New York businessman, and when I finally heard the name Wainwright I understood her reluctance to tell me, because you probably would’ve talked her into having an abortion so as not to besmirch your family name when the word got out that you had a baby mama.”
Giles covered his face with his hand, unable to believe what Mya was saying. “Is that what you really think?” he asked through his fingers.
“It’s not what I think, but how Sammie felt. I know she withheld the fact that she had your child, but in the end she did redeem herself with the codicil. She didn’t want Lily to spend her life looking for her father as it had been with her and her birth mother.”
“What about you, Mya? Do you intend to raise Lily as your daughter?”
With wide eyes, she stared at him. “I will raise her as my daughter. I’m not only her legal guardian, but also her adoptive mother. I’m the only link between Lily’s past and her future, so if you’re thinking about suing me for custody, then I’m prepared to fight you tooth and nail for my daughter.”
Giles went completely still. He had underestimated Mya. There definitely was fire under her cool demeanor. “There’s no need to fight each other when we both want what’s best for Lily.”
“And that is?”
“For her to grow up loved and protected.”
“And you don’t think I’ll be able to love and protect her, Giles?” Mya asked.
He smiled. “I don’t doubt you will, but she needs to grow up knowing she has a father.”
“She will, because Sammie has granted you visitation.”
“How many times a year? And don’t forget a month in the summer.”
“Being facetious will definitely not endear you to me, Giles.”
“I don’t intend to be facetious. I’m just repeating the terms of the codicil.”
* * *
Mya closed her eyes. The verbal interchange was beginning to wear on her nerves and give her a headache. Not only was Giles strong-willed but he was also relentless in his attempt to undermine her sister’s decision to conceal her pregnancy from him. The Wainwright name was to real estate as Gates was to Microsoft, and Samantha, knowing this, had attempted to make provisions for Lily that would prevent her from becoming a legal football between the Lawsons and Wainwrights.
“I’m not your enemy, but if you keep pushing me then I’ll become your worst nightmare. I’m willing to grant you more liberal visitation than what Sammie stated in her will. And that means I’m not opposed to you taking Lily to New York to meet your family, but not without me. Wherever she goes, I go along.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.”
Mya was mildly shocked he would agree to her terms. “You’ll have to let me know in advance because she has scheduled doctor’s appointments.”
“What about you, Mya? What about your work schedule?”
“My schedule is flexible, because I’m now a stay-at-home mother. I resigned my teaching position once Sammie moved back home.”
“What and where did you teach?”
“Comparative literature at the University of Charleston.”
He mentally filed away this disclosure. “Do you miss teaching?”
“A little, but I love being with Lily.” Mya didn’t tell Giles that working at home allowed her to pen her novels in her spare time. “When are you going back to New York?”
A beat passed. “Tomorrow morning. Once I get back I’ll have to rearrange my work schedule before I return. I’m going to give you several numbers where you’ll be able to reach me. Jocelyn Lewis is my administrative assistant. So if you call my office, make certain you identify yourself and she’ll put you through to me.”
Mya stood, Giles also rising with her. “I’m going to get my phone so you can program your numbers into it.”
Reaching into his shirt pocket, Giles handed Mya his cell phone. “You do the same with your contact info.”
Her thumbs moved quickly over the keys as she tapped in her name, address, cell and landline numbers, along with her email address. She retrieved her phone from where she had left it on the dining room table and gave it to Giles.
“How many numbers do you have?” she asked when he took an inordinate amount of time tapping keys.
“Three. I’m giving you my cell, the number at the office, and the one in my apartment.” Glancing up, he winked at her. “You can always send me a text if you need me for anything. And I do mean anything.”
Mya stared, momentarily speechless. The warmth in his voice and the tenderness in his expression made her fully aware of why her sister had been taken with him. Not only was he urbane, but also unquestionably charming when he chose to be.
She smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind if I do need you for something.”
Giles returned Mya’s phone to her. “I’ll call you once I make arrangements to return. You don’t have to see me out,” he said when she made a move to walk him to the door.
Mya met eyes that shimmered like polished blue topaz. “Safe travels.”
He inclined his head. “Thank you.”
* * *
Giles settled himself into the rear of the car. He had revised his plan to remain in Wickham Falls for more than one day. Scrolling through his phone directory, he tapped Jocelyn’s number. She answered after the first ring.
“I need you to arrange for a flight back to New York for tomorrow morning out of the regional airport.” The regional airport was a shorter distance from his hotel. “And please call my mother and let her know I would like to see her tomorrow night at seven. Be certain to let her know dinner will be at my place.”
“Consider it done.”
“Thank you, Jocelyn.”
He had asked Jocelyn to contact Amanda because Giles did not get to see his mother as often as she would like. Unlike her other son, Giles’s position took him out of the country, and he wanted to tell her in person that she had another grandchild—and this time it was a girl.
And while he wanted to wait for Lily to wake up from her nap to see her again, he knew Mya needed time to accept that she would now have to share her daughter with him. Putting distance between them would also help him to try to understand why Samantha had elected not to tell him about the baby.
Had she viewed him as someone who had used her for only for sex? Did she not trust him to take care of her and the baby? Or had she denied him