Baby in Her Arms by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online

Sit down.”
    Having run out of excuses, she collapsed in the seat across from him. He poured a glass of orange juice and put it down in front of her before taking his own place, coffee cup in hand.
    “The breakfast looks great,” he said, smiling.
    “Good.”
    “It’s a real luxury to have someone else do the cooking. Thanks.”
    She kept her gaze on the glass of juice. “Welcome.”
    Tense silence filled the small kitchen as he took several bites of bacon and egg. From under downcast lashes, Maggie watched as he lowered his fork to his plate. A quick glance told her he still had a good deal of breakfast to eat.
    “Maggie, I’m sorry I embarrassed you. I was afraid you’d left.”
    “It’s all right,” she said hurriedly, looking longingly toward the door. “I overreacted.”
    “I’m sorry I slept late, too. I don’t usually. I shouldn’t have stayed in bed so long,” he added.
    Josh’s voice was calm, comforting, but when he extended his hand across the table toward her, she jumped back.
    He sighed. “Maggie, you’re acting like a cat on a hot griddle. Did I frighten you so very much this morning?”
    “No, of course not. I’m just not used to—I live alone.” Stupid response. She tried again. “I mean, I don’t usually wrestle with anyone before I—Well, most people don’t wake up like you.”
    He grinned. “Sorry, old habit.”
    It was time to change the subject. “I made a list of agencies for you to call about a nanny. But I want to alert you that some of them may be very expensive.”
    Her warning didn’t seem to bother him. “That was good of you. I suppose I’d better start calling.”
    She nodded, breathing a sigh of relief when he stood. Yes, it would be good when Josh lined up someone else to take care of Ginny. Because it was time she returned to her solitary apartment Before it became too difficult to leave.
    She rose to clear the table as Josh headed for the living room, only then realizing he hadn’t finished his breakfast. “Josh? Don’t you want any more breakfast?”
    “Huh? Oh, I forgot.” He appeared as distracted as she did. Which made her feel better.
    “I’ll...I’ll go check on Ginny.” She sped from the kitchen before he could protest.
     
    Josh watched Maggie flee the kitchen as if she were being pursued. Glumly he turned his attention to his breakfast.
    He made her uncomfortable.
    Hell, she made him uncomfortable. He wasn’t sure why. She wasn’t unattractive, if a man liked the quiet type. Her brown hair was lustrous, silky, but it was brown, not blond, his usual choice.
    She didn’t flirt with him. In fact, she avoided his touch whenever she could. Instead of agreeing with him, she argued and tried to tell him what to do. Of course, he needed her to do that when it came to Ginny.
    But he didn’t need to want her. She was definitely off limits, because she was a homebody. One who would want her husband home every evening, mowing the grass every weekend. Selling insurance, or doing some other deadly dull job.
    Having finished his breakfast, he took the dishes to the sink, rinsed them out and put them in the dishwasher. Then he walked to the living room, his resistance in good shape.
    Only to discover Maggie and his daughter cuddling on the sofa, Ginny giving fat chuckles as Maggie teased her chin.
    “Having fun, are we?” he asked, unable to resist smiling, too.
    “Yes. Why don’t you hold her? She’s in a very good mood.”
    Maggie’s suggestion stopped him in his tracks. “No, uh, I’d better not. Where is the list you made? I need to arrange for a nanny right away. We’ve taken advantage of you more than we should have.”
    She pointed to a piece of paper on the plank coffee table.
    He settled into his favorite leather chair beside the lamp table that held the phone and made his first call.
    Half an hour later he hung up in frustration. “I can’t believe it. They charge outrageous fees and won’t work a minute past five o‘clock. No