Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online Page A

really know her beyond some e-mails and letters. She’s been in touch with me over the years. She’s the one who told me about Nicole getting married and all that.” Jesse tried to keep the pain out of her voice. Despite everything that had happened between them, she loved Nicole and had hated being cut off from her. Nicole’s life had gone on, as if she, Jesse, had never been a part of things.
    “How long are you back here?” Paula asked.
    “I don’t know. A few weeks. I’m half owner of the Keyes Bakery, but I’m not asking Nicole for anything. I’m going to work there and give her my brownie recipe. I’ve been working on it for months. It’s finally perfect and—”
    Jesse pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry. I’m going on and on about my life when what you really want to hear about is Gabe. I just haven’t had anyone to talk to in a long time.”
    “Me, either,” Paula told her. “Where are you staying?”
    “In a motel. I’m going to rent some place furnished in the University District. It will be cheap in the summer.”
    “That will make for a lot of driving,” Paula said. “You could just stay here. With me.”
    Jesse didn’t know what to say. Talk about an unexpected invitation. “Are you sure?”
    “Come see the rooms, then decide.”
    Stunned, Jesse followed her upstairs. Two bedrooms sat at one end of the hallway, a shared bathroom between them. Both were set up for guests, with double beds and bright colors. The rooms were lovely, well lit and clean, so different from the seedy place she would have to rent, that she felt herself getting emotional.
    “Paula, this is beyond generous,” she murmured.
    “They’re both yours for as long as you want,” Matt’s mother said. “I’ve missed four years of my grandson’s life because I was a scared, lonely woman terrified of losing the little she had. Well, I did lose it and I’ve been regretting that more than I can say. Stay here. Please. Let me have the chance to get to know you and Gabe. Let me make up for how horrible I was five years ago. You didn’t deserve that, Jesse. This is the least I can do.”
    Actually, it was an irresistible offer, Jesse thought, looking at the rooms. One she wasn’t about to refuse.
    “Thank you,” she said, feeling safe and welcome for the first time since arriving in Seattle. “You’re being more than kind. Gabe and I would love to stay.”
    “Good. Why don’t you head back to your hotel and pack while I go to the grocery and stock up. Oh, you’ll have to tell me what you both like to eat. I’ve missed cooking for more than myself.”
    A beautiful place to stay and someone to do the cooking? It was a little corner of heaven, Jesse thought. And Paula was the most unlikely angel.

CHAPTER FOUR
    MATT STOOD IN FRONT OF the large window as he spoke. He was still angry; he could feel the rage burning inside, although he did his best to keep his voice controlled. Not that his attorney was fooled.
    “This isn’t the time to make decisions,” Heath told him. “Wait a few days, a couple of weeks. Nothing is going to change and you’ll get a chance to calm down.”
    “You wouldn’t be furious in my position?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
    Heath sat on the edge of his desk. “I’d be beyond pissed,” the other man admitted. “Not telling you she was pregnant and then taking off is unforgivable. We can sue her for that in civil court.”
    That wasn’t going to happen, Matt thought grimly. Mostly because Jesse had told him she was pregnant—he just hadn’t believed her. Or rather he hadn’t believed the baby was his, which was about the same thing.
    He didn’t want to think about the past. That was a different time and he was a different man now. More controlled and capable, not someone to be led by his emotions. He’d learned a damn hard lesson and he wouldn’t make those same mistakes again. Just because he was the kid’s father didn’t change the fact that she’d