Free Sweet Surrender, Baby Surprise by Kate Carlisle Page B

interests in mind, everything would be fine.
    He lay back down and as he drifted into sleep, a plan began to form in Cameron’s mind.
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    It was an effort just to slide the key card into the door slot, Julia admitted the following evening. She was exhausted. She hadn’t slept well the night before and she’d just spent one of the most grueling conference days ever. She was looking forward to a glass of wine and a long soak in the tub after she got Jake settled for the night.
    But as she stepped into the foyer of the suite, she was instantly assailed by the sounds of controlled madness. Music was playing and people were laughing and talking. Was Cameron having a party? Where was Jake?
    Julia had just spent ten long hours working the conference. She was not in the mood for a party. Could she possibly get away with sneaking straight through to the hall and disappearing into the back bedroom?
    But that would be a spineless act of cowardice. Julia considered the alternatives and decided she was okay with that.
    Before she could make her move, though, a woman about her age walked into the living room and spied Julia lurking in the foyer.
    â€œYou must be Julia,” she said with a smile. “Cameron’s told us all about you.”
    And what was that supposed to mean? Julia wondered.
    â€œHello,” Julia said, trying not to eye the other woman with too much suspicion. Not only was she drop-dead gorgeous and tall, with thick brown hair and perfect skin, but she looked really nice and friendly.
    Was Cameron dating her? Not that she would blame him; the woman was lovely. But did he have to rub Julia’s nose in it? Had he invited his friends over for a party? Julia was more convinced than ever that slinking off to the back bedroom was the way to go. She had no place here among Cameron’s friends.
    At that moment Sally Duke marched into the living room. “Trish, where is—” She stopped when she saw Julia and cried, “Oh, she’s here!”
    â€œHi, Sally,” Julia said, now thoroughly confused.
    â€œCome in, sweetie. We’ve completely invaded your territory and you must be beat after that long day.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” she said weakly.
    â€œCome meet my boys and have a glass of wine. You’ve already met Adam’s wife, Trish.”
    â€œNot exactly.” Julia turned and smiled much more warmly and extended her hand to shake the other woman’s. “Hi, Trish.”
    Trish ignored the handshake, instead pulling her close and giving her a hug. “I’m so glad to meet you. Jake is precious. We’re all so lucky Cameron found you both.”
    â€œThank you. I’m happy to meet you, too.”
    â€œI’m relatively new to the family, too,” she said, linking her arm through Julia’s. “Adam and I just got married a month ago.”
    â€œOh, how wonderful. Congratulations.”
    â€œThanks. We’re really happy.”
    â€œWell, of course you are,” Sally said with a wink. “I wouldn’t have planned it any other way.”
    They both laughed, then Trish glanced at Julia. She must’ve been wearing a look of sheer bewilderment because Trish quickly said, “It’s complicated.”
    Sally laughed again. “But you’ll hear the whole story eventually. Come meet my sons.”
    Sally grabbed Julia’s other arm and she and Trish led Julia through the dining room and up to the kitchen bar.
    The first thing Julia noticed was that the spacious kitchen area was literally dwarfed by three big, handsome men, obviously Cameron and his brothers, who chatted and laughed with Sally’s girlfriends, Beatrice and Marjorie.
    The next thing Julia noticed was that the largest of the brothers was holding her baby over his head as though Jake were a paper airplane about to be launchedacross the room. Jake screamed with laughter and excitement.
    Julia, on the other hand, had to take some