The Baby Surprise by Brenda Harlen Read Free Book Online Page B

when it was returned to the lab. He was so willing and helpful that Paige didn’t know how to tell him that she didn’t want the package to be given priority, that she would actually prefer if it disappeared into a crack somewhere in the lab.
    She did tell Zach that Cameron would let her know when the package was received so that they could go in for the test. He seemed satisfied with that information, but she knew that he was eager to have the question of paternity settled.
    On the fourth day after Zach’s arrival in town, he called in the morning to tell her that he had some errands to run but would stop by after lunch to spend some time with Emma then. But when Paige opened the door after she’d settled the little girl down for her nap, she found Megan on the porch instead.
    â€œThis is a surprise,” she said, stepping away from the door so her cousin could enter.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind,” Megan said, waddling in. “I was up a few times in the night with a backache and Gage was threatening to cancel a meeting today to stay home with me, but I told him I would spend the afternoon with you so he didn’t have to do that.”
    â€œI don’t mind at all,” Paige assured her. “In fact, I’m grateful for the company.” And for the buffer that her cousin’s presence would provide when Zach showed up later.
    â€œIs that coffee I smell?” Megan was already moving toward the kitchen.
    â€œYeah, but I thought you gave it up for your pregnancy.”
    â€œI did, aside from half a cup in the morning,” her cousin agreed. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t drink in the luscious scent.”
    Paige smiled. “I can make you a cup of tea.”
    â€œThat would be great.” Megan eased herself onto one of the stools at the breakfast counter while Paige filled the kettle and set it on the stove to boil. “Where’s Em?”
    â€œSleeping.”
    â€œWhich means I’m intruding on the only quiet time you have during the day.”
    â€œSometimes it’s too quiet,” Paige said.
    â€œHas Zach been here already today?”
    She shook her head. “He said he wanted to come this afternoon, to go with Emma and I on our daily trek to the park.”
    â€œI know you’re not thrilled with him hanging around,” Megan said, “but you have to applaud his effort. The man is definitely trying.”
    â€œI know he is,” Paige admitted. “And Emma is starting to warm up to him. Yesterday she threw a block at his head.”
    Megan’s brows lifted. “That’s warming up?”
    â€œBefore that, she completely ignored him.”
    â€œThen I guess that’s warming up,” her cousin agreed.
    â€œBut enough about Zach,” Paige said, wanting to talk about anything but the man who seemed to occupy far too many of her thoughts already. “Tell me about this backache that had you up in the night.”
    Megan shrugged. “I’ve had twinges for a few days. Which probably isn’t surprising, considering that I’m hauling around an extra twenty-four pounds and I’m three days past my due date.”
    Paige smiled as she turned off the kettle and poured water into a mug. Her cousin’s obvious disgruntlement confirmed that she’d expected her baby to pop out precisely on schedule and was none too pleased with the delay. She set a box of lemon cookies in front of the expectant mother along with the tea.
    â€œDidn’t I just say that I’ve put on twenty-four pounds?” Megan demanded, but she was already opening the box.
    â€œYou did,” Paige agreed. “But I happen to know that those are the baby’s favorites.”
    â€œWhich probably explains twenty-two of those pounds,” her cousin mumbled around a mouthful of cookie.
    They chatted and ate cookies while Megan drank her tea and looked longingly at Paige’s cup of coffee. But