The Billionaire's Fake Engagement / Man From Stallion Country. Robyn Grady
Natalie wasn’t sure she understood.
Her mother’s voice lowered more. “Do you love him?”
She thought it through. She loved her parents, she’d loved her baby. After that horrible black day six years ago, she’d never wanted to love anyone again. She hadn’t thought she was capable.
“Alexander and I…we get on very well,” she murmured truthfully.
“That’s always a good sign.”
“He treats me like a lady.”
Her mother’s smile was reminiscent. “So he should.”
“He doesn’t know…doesn’t know about—”
She bit her lip, damming the sudden rush of emotion.
Her mother hugged her daughter tighter. “Tallie, you were always a good girl. Even good girls can take a wrong turn.”
But Natalie pulled away and growled. She was sick of feeling seventeen.
“I wish I could go back.” If only she hadn’t stumbled that day. If only her baby had lived. God, she’d felt so helpless. “I wish I could squeeze all the horrible memories from my mind. Sometimes I think I have. But I’ve only ever pushed them down.”
“It was God’s will.”
“Then why do I feel so responsible?”
“Because you’re a deeply caring person who has a wonderful heart. That’s why I believe in you. Why I’ve always believed.”
Wrung out, Natalie searched her mother’s gentle gaze. “If the baby is his, Alex should marry the mother of his child…shouldn’t he?”
Not me.
Not even when she could already feel that dear baby in her arms. Knew the lullabies she would sing.
Her mother’s mouth tightened. “Do you know what I really think?”
She shook her head. “Tell me.”
May held her daughter’s flaming cheek and Natalie saw that her mother’s eyes were edged with tears. But then May smiled and stood, urging Natalie to her feet as well.
“I think we need a strong cup of tea.” Bright again, May showed her only child to the kitchen. “After lunch, we’ll see darling Mrs. Heigle over the road. She loves your visits, too.”
The sun was a shimmering orange ball melting into the horizon by the time Natalie headed out of town.
After kissing her mother goodbye, she’d gone to spend an hour beneath the graceful umbrella of that poinciana tree. Following tradition, she replaced last month’s soft toy—a small pink bear—with a new toy, a purple poodle puppy. Then she’d sat on the grass, gazed at the headstone, saying nothing.
Only wishing.
Now, as she cruised by the faded sign that read, Visit Constance Plains Again Soon, a car passed her coming in and Natalie did an unconscious double take.
Nothing unusual about the vehicle—your everyday, run-of-the-mill four-wheel drive. It was the glimpse of the driver that niggled. She wasn’t sure why until ten miles out when the fleeting snapshot she’d caught gelled with the information knocking at her brain.
But then she laughed, shook her head.
That driver had ginger hair, yes. Didn’t mean he was the reporter from the other night. Even if he, or anyone else for that matter, had wanted information on her, Internet and phones would be far quicker than an eight-hour round-trip like the one she’d complete today.
Which reminded her.
Natalie selected a CD then, settling into her seat, stifled a yawn.
She wouldn’t reach Sydney until around nine. After a couple of restless nights, she couldn’t wait for her head to hit the pillow. Even thoughts of Alexander and their uncertain future wouldn’t ward off the Sandman tonight.
Her limbs were aching weights when, hours later, she steered into her apartment block’s driveway. With a heavy arm, she swiped her keycard and the automatic gates leading to the underground car park rumbled up. Then something in the shadows caught her eye. A car, and this time the model was highly distinctive.
Sleek black Audi R8s weren’t so run-of-the-mill.
Suddenly alert, she steered her car beneath the gate and swerved into her park. By the time she collected her bag off the passenger seat, Alexander stood by her door, reaching for the handle. A moment later, his warm hand gripped her elbow to help her out.
His face was dark and voice curiously gravelled. “It’s after nine. I was beginning to worry.”
A part of her was touched by his concern, but a bigger, thoroughly ragged part was slightly peeved.
“No need,” she said, winding casually out of his hold. She’d been doing that drive for six years and she’d continue to do it for another sixty.
Then, through her exhaustion and jolt of his unexpected appearance, the obvious question dawned.
She studied him more closely. “Alex, why are you here?”
Was something wrong with Bridget…with the baby?
“It’s been a crazy day,” he said, walking with her to the lift, his eyes cast down. “I’ve needed to make some decisions. Decisions that affect you.”
“Is Bridget all right?”
“I spoke with her briefly. Mateo said he’d fit her in anytime, but it was hard pinning her down to a day.” He stabbed the lift’s call button. “She said she wishes none of this had happened. She apologised for dragging me into it.”
Her heart dropped more. Bridget Davidson sounded sweet. Someone who deserved a good man as well as a nice life for herself and her baby. Natalie almost felt she knew her.
She found her voice over the stone stuck in her throat. “I’m sure you told her that you feel as responsible as she does.”
He slid over a look. “As I’ve said before, if I’m responsible, I’ll be there for them both, no question.”
After they stepped into the lift, Alex closed his eyes and rubbed his brow while Natalie pressed her floor’s button and a warning tingling stole up over the back of her scalp.
He looked so preoccupied. So drawn. Was she jumping to conclusions or was the decision he’d made today concerning her linked to his last statement? Was he here to tell her that he’d had a change of heart? Perhaps after his discussion with Bridget today he’d decided that, if the baby was his, he’d be there for them in more than a single-parent, part-time kind of way.
It shouldn’t be a surprise. Alex staying with the mother of his child was the morally right thing to do. She couldn’t forget how Chris Nagars had run out on his responsibilities. He’d turned his back, not only on her but also on the baby she’d carried.
She turned her face toward the wall.
Then again, she was no angel. She’d had her own reasons for kidding herself and accepting Alex’s ring. Fact was, Alex should focus on Bridget and that baby now, and they both knew it.
“I spoke with your boss today.”
She straightened and concentrated on his words. Alex had spoken to Phil? “About the Quinton house?”
“In part. Given you were unavailable, I asked him to arrange for the contract to accommodate rent before handover.”
“You plan to move in straightaway?”
“Yes, I do. With you.”
Her breath caught. One minute he was announcing he would be there for Bridget. Now he’d decided to move in with the other woman?
She