LITMIR.BIZ

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I want to hear about your baby-making appointment.”

      “Not that much to tell, really. I had an interview, discussed financial terms, then I got a sneak preview of perspective sperm donors.”

      “That must have been interesting.”

      Not as interesting as Ash’s suggestion. Karen wasn’t sure she needed to burden Maria with her dilemma, but she had no one else to turn to. Maria had become a good friend to Karen, a confidante, and she always seemed so wise.

      “I have another offer on the table,” Karen began. “In terms of a father for my child.”

      Maria instantly perked up. “Really? That wouldn’t happen to have come from a handsome Arabian prince, would it?”

      She eyed Maria suspiciously. “Did he tell you?”

      “I promise he didn’t tell me anything. I only knew that he was bent on returning your purse to you.”

      “So that’s how he knew where to find me.”

      “I’m sorry, Karen.” Maria looked more than a tad contrite. “Actually, Mimi gave him the directions and I gave him the purse. He’s very persuasive.”

      “No kidding,” Karen muttered.

      “He’s also absolutely head over heels for you.”

      “Good heavens, Maria. I barely know the man.” But if the sheikh had his way, that would be remedied shortly on a very intimate level.

      “Exactly what did his offer entail?” Maria asked.

      “He’s willing to father my child. The natural way.”

      Laying a hand on her chest, Maria said, “Oh, my. That could be great fun.”

      Exactly Karen’s current thought, and her quandary. “Fun, yes. Wise, I doubt it.”

      “And he was serious?”

      “Very serious. But he won’t do it unless we’re married. He did say that we could make it a conditional marriage and if I decide to end it, I can after the baby’s born.”

      “Are you going to do it?”

      Was she? The terms of the arrangement didn’t seem as absurd once she’d voiced them to Maria. “I don’t know. Part of me thinks that I would be a total fool to do it. Another part of me…well, that part—”

      “Thinks you’d be a fool not to know the father considering the blank spaces in your own family. Not to mention, the sheikh probably has incredible genes and making a baby with him would be an out-of-this-world experience.”

      Karen couldn’t hold back her smile. “Yes, that’s basically what that part of me is saying. The feminine part.” She turned serious again. “But he’s got that whole macho thing going. That was very apparent when he took it upon himself to come to my rescue today at the shop. I could have handled that guy myself.”

      “He was only concerned for your welfare.”

      “I understand that, to a point. But he’s too in control and I couldn’t tolerate living with someone who tries to keep a tight rein on me all the time.”

      Maria shifted on the couch, looking unquestionably uncomfortable. “That could be a problem only if you’re not clear on what you expect from him. Who knows? It might even lead to a permanent relationship.”

      “Not likely. We’re from two entirely different worlds.”

      Maria murmured, “Stranger things have happened.” She pushed her dark, shoulder-length hair back with one hand. “Regardless, every child should know both its mother and father if at all possible. Family is everything.”

      Karen understood that all too well having recently lost the only family she’d ever known. And she also surmised that something was terribly wrong with Maria considering the hint of sadness in her voice. Feeling totally selfish, she said, “Your turn now, cousin dear. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

      A steady stream of tears rolled down Maria’s face, catching Karen off guard, inciting her concern. “Maria, what’s wrong?”

      “It’s a long, painful story, Karen.”

      Karen moved from the chair and seated herself beside Maria on the sofa. “I have all night. Please tell me what’s going on. I’m really worried about you.”

      Maria lifted her plain white blouse and rested a hand on her abdomen. “This is what’s going on.”

      Karen noticed a prominent belly bulge beneath the waistband of Maria’s black slacks. Realization suddenly dawned and it had nothing to do with her cousin putting on a few extra pounds from sneaking too much gelato. “Are you—”

      “Pregnant? Yes. And no one knows. No one can know. At least no one except you.”

      More confused than ever, Karen let a few moments of silence pass between them while she allowed the shock to subside. “Who is he?”

      Maria sighed. “Someone I’ve been secretly seeing since January.”

      “Secretly? Is he married, Maria?”

      “Worse. He’s a Conti.”

      Shock came calling again as Karen tried to assimilate the information. Her cousin had just told her that she was pregnant by a man who belonged to a family that had been sworn enemies of the Barones for decades. Both families—the Contis and the Barones—seemed determined to hang on to old recriminations. No wonder Maria didn’t want anyone to know.

      “His name is Steven,” Maria continued. “He’s beautiful and caring and I’m totally in love with him.”

      “He sounds wonderful, Maria. Other than the family thing, what’s the problem?”

      “The family thing is the problem. With so much going on of late—the gelato sabotage that happened right before you came, the warehouse fire—everything’s in an uproar because some of the family think the Contis are behind it. They would never accept our relationship. It would only tear us and the families farther apart if they found out about us.”

      “Maybe your relationship and this baby will help settle the rift.”

      “I can’t imagine that happening, at least not now. In fact, I’m not even up to dealing with it. I want to get away for a while, somewhere out of town. Think things through. And that’s what I intend to do, right away, since I’m already starting to show.”

      “How far along are you?” Karen asked.

      “Four months.”

      Another surprise to Karen. But come to think of it, Maria had started wearing her blouse over her slacks, something Karen hadn’t given much thought until now. “If I can do something, just name it.”

      “I’ll need you to handle the shop in my absence.”

      “Of course.” Karen would do anything for Maria considering what Maria had done for her—made her feel welcome and wanted, as if she were a sister, not a long-lost cousin. “Does Steven know about your plans to leave?”

      “He doesn’t even know about the baby.”

      Stunned, Karen asked, “Why not?”

      “It wouldn’t be fair to lay this on him now. Not until I decide what I’m going to do.”

      “You’re not considering giving up the baby, are you?”

      Maria looked mortified. “No! I love this baby and even if it doesn’t work out between Steven and me, I’ll at least have a part of him with me always.”

      “Do you really have so little hope that you and Steven can make this work?”

      “I want to hope, Karen. Really, I do, but I’m afraid the relationship is doomed. We have too many obstacles to overcome.”

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