The Secret Agent's Surprises (Harlequin American Romance) by Tina Leonard Read Free Book Online Page A

long ago she’d put a child up for adoption, a child just as helpless as these. “Pete, I have to get out of here.”
    She hurried down the stairs as fast as she could, not bothering with the elevator.
    “Hey,” Pete said, catching her by the hand as he followed her out. “What just happened back there?”
    She took deep breaths. “I don’t know. I’m not sure.”
    He pulled her close, patted her back comfortingly. “Ah. Pop’s got you freaked out.”
    “Maybe,” she said, but that wasn’t it.
    “Listen,” he said, “I brought you here to make you happy. I think it’s fun to see the little cuties. Two boys, two girls, how cool is that? Forget about Pop. He’s a schemer, and he will be until the day he dies.”
    Priscilla allowed herself to relax against Pete’s chest. Still, she couldn’t shake the painful emotions.
    She hadn’t allowed herself to think about her youthful indiscretion in years, at least not consciously.
    “Priscilla,” Pete said, tipping her face up to meet his, “don’t be scared.” And then he gently kissed her lips, so sweetly and so tenderly that Priscilla knew she had something new to worry about.
     
    “S O YOU LIKED them,” Josiah said with a broad grin. “They’re pretty durn irresistible.”
    “Yes,” Pete said as Priscilla sat across from him in his father’s study, “and we think we’ve come up with an idea.” He’d talked Priscilla into stopping by the house with him to visit Pop, in spite of the kiss that she seemed shaken by and determined to ignore. He couldn’t blame her. He didn’t know why he’d done it, other than a sheer, raw desire to connect with her. “We wanted to share our idea with you.”
    “Let’s hear it.” Josiah perked up.
    “Priscilla and I thought a community-wide garage sale to benefit the babies would be helpful. Then whoever adopts them will already have all the special equipment and everything they need.” Pete nodded at his father, grinned at Priscilla. “We don’t have all the details yet. It’s an idea that’s just been brewing since we left the hospital.”
    “It’s a terrible idea!” Josiah exclaimed. “I mean, if they need things, people can just donate them. Hell, I’ll donate everything!” He looked at the two of them, crestfallen. “Is that the best you can come up with?”
    “I’m sure, given time, we can think of more ideas—”
    “They don’t have time, son!” Josiah thundered. “They need—” he cast a sneaky glance at Priscilla “—a mother and a father more than they need toys and trinkets.”
    Priscilla blushed. Pete shook his head, somewhat embarrassed himself but not surprised his fatherstayed on key. “Pop, moms and dads are in short supply.”
    “I’ll say,” Josiah grumbled.
    “And that’s up to child welfare, likely even the state,” Priscilla reminded him. “Even if we applied, there’s no guarantee we’d be chosen or that they’d stay together. You know this, Josiah.”
    He pursed his lips. “Hope springs eternal.”
    “Maybe,” Priscilla said. “Have you considered any other candidates for Pete? That might be your best option.”
    Both men stared at her.
    “Well,” Priscilla said reasonably, “I promise not to be jealous if you can find a more willing bride for your son.”
    “I’ll choose my own wife!”
    “Oh, good,” Josiah said. “Have you got a short list we can work with?”
    “So short there’s none on it,” Pete admitted.
    “Well, that was a fast and circular got-us-nowhere.” Josiah rubbed his chin. “Priscilla, you mentioned your business is in trouble. I’ll write you a check today for the amount you’re owing if you marry my son.”
    “Josiah, Pete and I are not the match you think we’d be.”
    “I actually don’t care,” Josiah said, “as long as you both promise to be good parents. Isn’t that the point here?”
    Pete looked at Priscilla. “I’m so embarrassed for him,” he told her. “I really am. He’s the only one in the