AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Garret stopped in front of her and, the way it had every time he stood so near, her heart picked up its pace. He was so handsome. Especially when he looked at her with that expression of tender concern and—No, he wasn’t interested. Not any more than the average guy would be interested in a very rounded, pregnant woman. Sex appeal? Yeah, right. Somehow she’d managed to stumble upon a genuinely nice man.
“The meeting ended early and the other one was canceled. I came to find you and let you know you’re not going to a motel.”
“I’m not?”
“No, come on. You can tell me what the doc said on the way.”
Minutes later Darcy was seated in the Escalade beside Garret getting grilled on the ob-gyn’s every word.
They left the hospital parking lot and drove around the outer belt of road surrounding the area. Lined with bare trees and snowbanks, the houses had been made commercial. Now they were quaint-looking doctor’s offices, a law firm, three florists and a health food store.
And there it was again. That flash of a smile, the look, and—a firm nod? “Why are you nodding?”
“Because it makes me feel even stronger about you not staying alone while you’re here.”
“Dr. Clyde said I’m fine. I just need to take it easy for a few days and then I can get back to work. My blood pressure is up, but she thinks it’ll go down once things are settled.”
He turned and traveled down a quiet street. On the right was a large sign.The Village.Garret slowed and turned again just in front of it, waving at the guard at the gate. They passed small, two-family homes with one-car garages on either side of the houses, then several buildings two and three stories tall.
“You brought me to stay at anursinghome?”
Still going, Garret chuckled and parked in front of one of the three-story buildings. “That’s only one section. You’re staying in the condos.”
“Weren’t those condos back there?”
“Those are townhomes. They require more maintenance. The condos are maintenance free.”
“Garret, I appreciate the gesture, honestly, but this looks out of my price range. Would you mind taking me to the motel?”
Garret stretched one hand across the interior of the SUV and gave her palm a reassuring squeeze. “Trust me. This is better than any motel room, and it’ll ease my mind knowing you’re safe.”
She stared into his dark, moss-colored eyes and found herself wishing the impossible. It was scary how easily he reassured her. She was aware of him on so many levels.
Overactive hormones.They’d brought more than one woman low over the years.
“Don’t move. I’ll grab your suitcase and come get you. It’s still icy.” Her hand tingled long seconds after he’d released it.
Inside the building, Garret removed his warm palm from her elbow and knocked on a door. Someone else was in there? Absurdly nervous, she tugged at her maternity blouse, fluffed her hair where her coat had crushed it and tried to hide her misgivings.
The door opened. “Garret.” An older woman greeted them. Seventy-something, she had jet-black hair streaked with silver and cut in a sleek style. She wore black pants and a black sweater with dangling earrings Darcy knew had to be diamonds. The only other splash of color came in the intricately woven silver wrap the woman had tied loosely around her shoulders.
Darcy watched as Garret bent to drop a kiss on the woman’s wrinkled cheek. Whoever she was she’d aged well.
“You look beautiful as always.”
“And you’re overcompensating for the fact that you work so much you never come see me even though I’m practically right next door.”
Garret looked embarrassed by the chiding statement. “I’m here now, aren’t I? And I brought the company I promised you.”
Darcy bit back a gulping moan when the woman turned her shrewd gaze on her.
“You must be Darcy. Garret’s told me all about you, dear.”
She wished she could say the same. “It’s nice to meet you…” She looked toward Garret for help.
Garret appeared boyish as he wrapped his arm around the woman’s shoulders and grinned. “Darcy, allow me to introduce you to Gram, otherwise known as Rosetta Tulane, my grandmother. Gram, Darcy Rhodes.”
He’d brought her to stay with hisgrandmother?She pasted a smile on her lips. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
