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Lily was anxious to see how the baby had progressed, eager to hear that sweet heartbeat that made the whole world seem perfect and right. She had to focus on her child right now. Her love life, or the love she’d falsely believed in, would have to wait because this innocent child came before lies, deceit and broken hearts.
* * *
Entering the open wrought-iron gate flanked by stone pillars, Lily steered her rental car into the long drive lined by pristine white fencing.
She couldn’t believe she was actually there. Nerves had her hands shaking as she maneuvered up the drive toward the impressive two-story colonial-style home. White columns extended up from the porch, stabilizing a second-story balcony that stretched across the house. A separate three-car garage sat just behind the house, and off to the left of the drive were the massive white-and-green stables.
Horses out in the field swished away flies as their tails swiped back and forth. An old oak dominated the front yard, but the tire swing dangling from a sturdy branch caught her attention. Why would Jake have a tire swing on a tree? He was single and didn’t have any children...yet.
The landscaping around the wide porch had to have been professionally done with the perfectly placed variegated greenery and pops of color from various buds.
She should have turned around. The house was too inviting and the last thing she needed was to be drawn into this part of Jake’s world.
As easy as it would be for her to convince herself to turn around, she had things to discuss with him. They were bound forever, whether she liked it or not, and the doctor had expressed some minor concerns with the baby. Jake deserved to know. Unfortunately, she needed his help, too. As much as she hated to admit it, she couldn’t impose on the Barringtons any longer. She’d been there nearly a week and, after her appointment, she knew she needed to stand strong and take control back in her life.
Lily stepped out into the summer heat and made her way up onto the wide porch. Colorful pots filled with various greenery decorating each side of the door made for a picturesque entry. Everything about Jake’s home looked like something out of a magazine.
This was not what she’d expected at all. Jake’s rental house had seemed homey, but that had been a stage, a prop in his game. His real home was just as inviting, if not more so.
Lily rang the bell before she could change her mind and race back to her car. Moments later a young lady, probably somewhere in her early thirties, answered the door. The beautiful woman with long, blond hair had eyes the color of emeralds and a pleasant smile. Jealousy punched Lily straight in the gut.
“Hello,” the lady greeted. “Can I help you?”
Whoever this woman was...
No. Lily had left Jake, so what he was doing now was none of her business. But seeing that he’d moved on so fast only intensified the hurt she’d lived with for the past several days. Or had this woman always been here waiting on Jake?
“Wait...aren’t you Lily Beaumont?”
Celebrity status strikes again. “I am,” she replied, trying to find fault with the stranger, but her beauty was flawless. “Is Jake here?”
The young woman nodded with a smile. “He’s down in the stables,” she said, pointing across the way. “He won’t mind if you go on down. He told us you may stop by.”
Anger slid through her veins, gliding right through the hurt he’d caused. “Oh, he did, did he?” she asked, raising a brow. “Thank you.”
Turning on her heel, Lily’s sandals slapped against the concrete as she marched her way toward the stables. The heat was nearly unbearable and Lily had to focus on the open doorway to the stable. Once she had her say, she could get back in her air-conditioned car and cool down, then this wave of dizziness would subside.
Of course, trying to keep her blood pressure down was a bit difficult at the moment. How dare Jake alert...whoever that lady was that Lily would be coming by? What a cocky, ego-inflated—
The rant died a quick death in her mind when she stepped through the open door and found Jake shirtless, holey jeans riding low, sweat glistening over every bare spot her eyes took in as he cleaned out one of the stalls.
He hadn’t seen her yet, which gave her the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of his body. Just because she was pissed at him for lying didn’t mean she was dead. Jake had the sexiest body she’d ever laid eyes on...which is how she ended up in this predicament to begin with. Saying no to a man like Jake was impossible.
Stepping farther into the stables, she stopped halfway up the aisle and crossed her arms. “Don’t you have a staff to do this for you?”
Jake jerked around, bumbling with the pitchfork in one hand before he caught it with the other. Gripping the top of the handle, his eyes drank her in, his chest heaving from obvious exertion. Lily had to remember she was here for one reason only...and it wasn’t to appreciate the beautiful male form standing before her.
