Page 31 of Bryson

Barbara realized with reluctant admiration that the woman was recovering nicely. After the initial nervousness, she was rallying around. She watched as Julianne walked to the tray and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Would you like a cup?"

"No thanks." Pleating her hands in her lap, she lifted her chin. "My son never discussed you moving in here."

Taking the tea with her, Julianne went to sit on the loveseat. She was calm and surprisingly unintimidated. There was nothing the woman sitting across from her could say to her to make her lose her cool. At least, she hoped so.

"I think that's something you should take up with him." She sipped the tea slowly. "I expressed myself strenuously about coming here and he rolled over me. Your son has a way of getting his own way. And he made some valid points and a few threats." Her eyes glinted in amusement.

"Normally, I would tell him to go straight to hell, but I realized he was right. I needed the care and here's where I can get it. I apologize if my being here is offending you, but like I said, you should take it up with Bryson."

"I love my son."

Julianne inclined her head in agreement. "I believe you do and he loves you too. The thing is, we're going to be parents, whichmeans we're going to be in each other's lives for the foreseeable future. I know that's not what you wanted, but here we are."

"And that's it? You're just going to be parents and nothing more?"

Julianne's tapered brows lifted. "I do believe you're asking if we have plans on tying the knot. If that's the case, then I have to tell you it's between me and Bryson."

"I've seen the way he looks at you." Barbara gripped her fingers together tight. "I used to dream of my husband looking at me that way. It never happened."

"And I'm sorry you went through such a lousy marriage," Julianne told the woman sincerely.

"I don't need your pity," Barbara shot back primly. It galled her that this woman could feel sorry for her. "I did what I had to do for my son and have no regrets."

Julianne eyed her steadily, suddenly realizing that Barbara McNab had endured years of abuse, and that was what it had been. The man might not have been physically abusing her, but the emotional and psychological abuse had taken its toll. "I'm sure you don't," she answered quietly. "But you have mysympathy and the assurance that I'm not with your son for what he can do for me. I love him." She smiled slightly, the assurance of how she felt filling her heart with wonder.

She had not declared her love for him since she returned, thinking unfairly that if she did, it would mean she was staying. But wasn't that already decided for her, she mused in wonder. Brian had warned her and seen what she refused to. Being here with him like this, sharing this pregnancy experience with him, meant she was here to stay.

"I love him," she repeated, her smile widening. "And I'm not leaving." She looked at Barbara, her expression one of determination. "You can either stand in my way or stand with me. You mentioned that you love your son and I have no doubt about that, but I happen to be in love with him and he loves me."

Rising gracefully, she went to lift the cover off the silver tea service. The potent scent of the sausage hit her full force. At first, it felt as if she was going to endure the smell and handle the queasiness that had sprung up, but that was wishful thinking.

Slamming down the tray cover, she bolted for the bathroom, a startled Barbara lunging to her feet.

Barbara waited a few minutes, an unwilling feeling of concern pouring through her. She had been in this situation before,where nothing would stay down. Firming her lips, she picked up the bedside phone and summoned a maid. As soon as the woman hurried in, she ordered her to take the tray away.

"Have the kitchen prepare a fresh pot of herbal tea and some crackers."

When Julianne still had not come out of the bathroom, she ventured towards the open door, her footsteps hesitant. This was the woman carrying her son's child after all, and he would have wanted her to lend a helping hand.

"Do you need some help?" she called out uncertainly.

"You don't have to stay."

"I'm aware." Barbara stepped closer. "I used to go through the same thing myself. I suffered with nausea for almost the entire nine months."

"That's not making me feel better. In fact, it's downright depressing."

Barbara smiled in spite of herself and edged even closer. Her heart contracted when she saw the woman sitting on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chin.

"You should get up. I sent the tray away and asked them to send up some tea and crackers."

"You don't have to stay, and I don't want Bryson hearing about this." Taking a deep breath, she shoved herself up and staggered to the sink to rinse out her mouth.

"You're very fortunate, you know."

Spitting out water, Julianne turned to give the woman an incredulous look. "Fortunate?"