LITMIR.BIZ

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obvious confusion brought his thick dark brows together in a frown. “What the hell are you talking about?”

      Impatient with herself and fumbling for the right words, Emily stamped her foot. “If you’ll sit down and stop roaming around like a grazing horse, I’ll tell you.”

      Glaring at her, Kat flopped down at the base of the tree, then ran his hands through his hair. Resting his forearm across his bent knee, he waited. “Start talking and try to make it understandable this time.”

      Emily retook her seat on the blanket. She tucked one leg beneath the other, then raised her chin to face him. She cleared her throat. “Lawrence Tippens called me to his office a few days ago. He said he’d found a codicil to my father’s will.”

      Sitting a little straighter as Emily related what Lawrence had told her, Kat listened intently. She explained why adoption or any of the other options wouldn’t do. Then she waited while he digested the information.

      He couldn’t believe his ears. Frank Kingston had done some pretty outrageous things, but where did he get off blackmailing his own daughter into having a child? “I take it you’re going to do it.”

      She nodded. “There was never any question about it.”

      “And exactly how do I figure into this?”

      “I want you to donate your…sperm and father the baby.”

      He laughed, but stopped abruptly when he saw her frown. “You’re serious aren’t you?” He had to be dreaming.

      She scowled at him. “If I wasn’t serious, do you think we’d be having this conversation? I don’t make it a habit of popping out babies just for ha-has.”

      “No, I mean about me donating my sperm. Why was I chosen to be the lucky one?”

      She shrugged. “We’ve known each other forever. You know how much the farm means to me. You must know I’d never ask this if I could find another way to keep the farm.”

      Suddenly aware of an unfounded anger rising in him, Kat fought to keep it tamped down. “So you’re bringing a small life into this world just to save your farm?”

      Emily jumped to her feet and stood over him, her face flaming red, her fists jammed on her hips. “Are you crazy? Do you think I’d do that to any child? I want this baby for me. I’d want it even if I’d never had the farm.” She waved her hand. “I’ll admit, I didn’t want it at first. After all, it did come as somewhat of a shock. It still scares the hell out of me. But I’ve had time to think and I really want the baby, Kat—for myself.” Her face softened. “Really.”

      Maybe he was nuts, but he believed her. “Okay. Sit down and cool your heels.” He waited while she resumed her seat. “Have you given any consideration to doing this the way most people do? You know, love, marriage, bed, two people….” He had no reason to finish the sentence. The blush that rose to her cheeks told him she’d gotten his drift.

      “That’s out of the question. The last thing I’m looking for is emotional involvement.” She pulled a piece of paper from her jeans. “I wrote down the conditions.” She unfolded it and began ticking off the things she’d listed. “You’ll need a complete physical. When the doctor says you’re healthy, you’ll donate the sperm, then I’ll be inseminated and you can go your merry way. No attachments, not complications, no responsibilities, no—”

      Kat jumped to his feet, his anger boiling to the surface and out of his control, not that he even tried to control it. “Let me get this straight. You want me to agree to my child being the end result of an hour in a locked bathroom with a paper cup and a girly magazine? Then I’m supposed to walk away as if the child didn’t exist?”

      “That’s putting it a little crudely, but essentially, yes, that’s right.”

      He raked his hands through his hair in an effort to keep from shaking her senseless. Gazing out over the meadows, stretching beyond the back of the house and dotted with grazing horses, he closed his eyes and saw a small wooden cradle holding a tiny baby and sitting on a stranger’s doorstep.

      “No.”

      “No?” She scrambled to her feet. “You mean, no, you won’t do it?”

      He swung on her. “You got it, Em.”

      “But you’ve always helped me out when I needed you. Why not now? I won’t make any demands on you as the father. I promise. You’ll be free to leave.”

      She just didn’t get it. He wanted demands made on him. He wanted to take part in the life of any child that carried his blood and his genes. He would not do to a child what had been done to him. But he couldn’t tell her that without telling her everything, and he wasn’t ready to share any of that until he got the answer he craved.

      “We’re not kids anymore, Em. You’re not planning to swipe apples from Old Man Watkins’ orchard. I’m not going to blindly follow your lead this time. This is too damned important.”

      “Don’t you think I know that? I’m not asking that you blindly follow my lead. I’ve told you everything I expect of you. All you have to do is agree to the terms.”

      “And after the baby’s born. I just walk away, right?”

      “Free to forget us.”

      He ran his fingers through his wind-rumpled hair. “Em, I’d jump out of a tree again for you, with or without a parachute, but this time I think it’s going to hurt too much when I land. You need to find yourself another guinea pig.” He stepped to her side. “I may be an oddball, but by damn, no kid of mine will be.” Skirting around her, he stalked toward the house, grabbed the pry bar, then began tearing at a burned board.

      A vehicle turned into the driveway. Ignoring the new arrival, Kat glanced over his shoulder in time to catch the flash of Emily’s yellow sweater disappearing into the trees. The remains of their picnic lay scattered over the blanket at the base of the tree.

      His heart hurt for Emily and himself. Didn’t she know that he’d gladly give her anything she asked? Anything—except the right to raise his child without him?

      The door on the newly arrived vehicle slammed. Kat turned toward the sound, his heart still heavy about the conversation he’d just finished with Emily. Dave Thornton strode toward him.

      “Hi. I was out this way to attend a meeting and thought I’d drop by to see what kind of progress you’re making.”

      Throwing down the pry bar and glancing once more toward where Em had disappeared into the trees, Kat turned to his visitor. “I’m doing okay. Right on schedule.”

      “Schedule?”

      “I’d like to put the house on the market in a month.” He shrugged. “It’s not written in stone, but it gives me a target.” He gestured toward two saw horses. “Have a seat.” Once Dave was settled, Kat searched for something to take his mind off Emily’s proposition. “You say you’re out here for a meeting?”

      “Yeah. The Horseman’s Benevolent Association.” He flushed. “I’m president this year. I don’t need the extra work, but it’s a good cause. We’re knee-deep in planning our annual charity drive.” Dave grinned. “I don’t suppose I could talk you into donating the house when it’s done?”

      “No. The only charity that’s gonna see the money from this house is Kat Madison.”

      “Too bad. It’s a nice house in a prime location.” He pulled a business card from his jacket pocket. “I’m a real estate broker, too.” He grinned sheepishly. “Hey, with a kid on the way and two more at home, every little bit helps.” He handed Kat the card. “When it’s ready, give me a call. I’d be happy to show it for you.”

      Kat took the card, then walked Dave to his car, but he was barely aware of him pulling out of the driveway.

      Kat’s

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