Page 4

Jim made a low sound in his throat. “Like I said, the guy needs a good beating.”

She stared at him for a long time without speaking. He was incredibly good-looking and, from what she could tell during their brief acquaintance, a real, live hero. “Do you walk old ladies across the street in your spare time?” she asked.

“No. But I do think a man should always do the right thing. You’re in no position to teach this guy a lesson, so I’m volunteering. I don’t mind helping.”

He wasn’t kidding. Heather didn’t know what to do with that information. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d met a decent man, at least not one under the age of fifty.

“You’re a nice man, Jim Dyer,” she said. “I know that men hate to be called nice because it’s not macho and sexy, however I’m hoping you’ll indulge me and simply accept my compliment. I mean it most sincerely.”

“Thank you.”

She sighed softly. How would her life have been different if she’d met someone like him during the past ten years instead of the three deadbeats she’d been involved with? Heather shrugged off the thought. She didn’t believe in dwelling on the past or the difficult times in her life. Right now, she was doing great. She was healthy, about to give birth, and financially she was going to be fine. She had everything she needed. If a dream or two was going unfulfilled, so what? It wouldn’t be the first time that had happened.

“What are you thinking?” Jim asked.

“That I’m very lucky.”

“Because you’re trapped in an elevator with me?”

His eyes were an impossible shade of blue—dark and welcoming, not to mention fringed with long lashes.

“Compared with some of the other possibilities, you are the ideal elevator companion,” she said. “You don’t seem the type to start panicking, which is good. One of us should remain calm and in control.”

“You’re doing great,” he said. “I can barely notice you’re nervous.”

“Gee, thanks.”

But she didn’t mind his teasing. He was easy to talk to, concerned without being intrusive, but strong. If he were—

Pain ripped through Heather. She felt as if invisible hands were twisting her in two from the inside out. She was so stunned by the sensation she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even cry out. Then it was gone and she was left to wonder what on earth was happening to her.

Jim glanced at the phone in the elevator panel and thought about calling to find out how much longer the repair would take. So far, Heather was holding up great, but the stress of being trapped in an elevator couldn’t be good for her. She had a pretty face, with big green eyes and a mouth that smiled easily. She looked as if she should have given birth a month ago. With her arms and legs so thin, she looked all tummy and very uncomfortable.

His gaze drifted to her stomach and he tried to imagine the baby inside. He didn’t want to think about children or infants, but it was hard not to. So he forced himself to concentrate specifically on Heather and not to think about his past.

Heather was bright, funny and pregnant. What kind of bastard would turn his back on her? He shook his head slightly and told himself she was better off without the jerk in her life. He wondered if she felt the same way. She’d sounded as if she was more than ready to write off the guy, but women didn’t always—

Heather jerked suddenly. Jim stared at her. “What’s wrong?”

Color drained from her face. Her knees came up toward her chest and her hands curled into fists. Even before she spoke, he saw the pool of water darkening the gray carpet on the floor of the elevator.

“Heather?”

Her eyes were big and unfocused. She wet her lips and tried to smile. “I hate to impose on our very short acquaintance, but I think I’m going to have this baby. Now!”

Chapter Two

“You’re kidding, right?” Jim asked desperately, not wanting to believe what he’d heard. This couldn’t be happening. Not to either of them. He did not want to be trapped in an elevator with a woman about to give birth, and he knew she wanted to be stuck with him even less.

The damp stain on the carpet grew as another fierce contraction gripped her. Heather blanched as she squeezed her eyes closed and gasped for breath.

“I’m sorry,” she said when the pain faded. She looked at him and tried to smile. “I wish I was kidding, but as you can probably tell, my water broke, and from the pain, I’m assuming this is the real thing.”

Her face was thin and pale, just like her arms and legs. She wore a short-sleeved green dress that billowed out around her, making her look like a small child dressed up in her mother’s clothing. Except there was nothing childlike about her discomfort or her large belly.

Jim swore silently, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do. All he wanted was to walk away. He shifted uneasily. “Are you all right?” he asked awkwardly, then waved his hand. “Stupid question. Don’t bother answering it.”

“And here I promised you I wouldn’t go into labor before reaching the parking level.”