Free Bargaining for Baby by Robyn Grady Page A

wanted to sit around, okay. She didn’t have dibs on this square of lawn, as long as Nell didn’t get any ideas about wanting to socialize. But when Beau began to grumble, Nell trotted over and the hairs on the back of Maddy’s neck stood up straight. Thankfully the collie didn’t stop and soon Maddy knew why. The sound of an engine. The same sound she’d heard leaving the property early that morning.
    Jack was home.
    Maddy’s heart began to thud. How would he tackle the subject of last night? Maybe he wouldn’t bring up that kiss at all, which was fine by her. During the hours before dawn, she’d reflected enough on the blissful way hismouth had worked over hers. Useless thoughts had wound a never-ending loop in her mind, like what if Cait had discovered them? Where would it have led if she hadn’t pulled away?
    Maddy shuddered. The fallout didn’t bear considering. If not another word was mentioned about that accident, she’d be happy. Surely Jack—a man considering marriage—felt the same way. As far as she was concerned, that caress never happened.
    Nell belted a path out into the open space and a few moments later reappeared, ushering in the late model four-wheel drive. The vehicle braked and when the door opened, Maddy’s limbs turned to jelly. Setting his Akubra in place, Jack angled out, looking taller and more formidable than she remembered.
    Everything about him spoke of confidence and ability. Raw outback masculinity and pride. Good thing he was practically engaged or she might forget her resolve about last night’s embarrassment and launch herself at him.
    He made a motion. Nell rolled over and he rubbed her belly with the toe of his big boot. Patting her damp palms on her khaki pants, Maddy pasted on a nondescript smile. When Jack’s gaze tracked her down, she gave a business-as-usual salute. He acknowledged her with a short nod and headed over. With each long, measured stride, her heart beat more wildly. She looked at those strong, large hands and felt them kneading her nape, pressing meaningfully on her back. She saw the shadow on his jaw and relived the delicious graze against her cheek, around her lips.
    The next thirteen days would be tantamount to torture—not wanting to say goodbye to Beau, yet having to get back to Sydney. Needing to leave the memory of that kiss behind yet craving to know the sensation again. Talk about chronic inner turmoil.
    Jack hunkered down beside the baby, his boots dusty and blue jeans stretched at the knee. When Beau’s rattle slipped from his tiny grasp, Jack picked it up and shook the plastic keys until Beau grabbed and stuck one back in his mouth.
    A side of Jack’s mouth hiked up. “Guess he’s hungry.”
    “He’s had lunch. I think he’s ready to be put down.”
    Jack tickled Beau’s tummy and, enjoying it, the baby squawked and threw the keys down. Jack chuckled softly. “He looks like Dahlia. Same cheeky grin.” Maddy smiled. Cheeky grins must run in the family. Whenever Jack smiled at her that certain way, whenever his gaze dipped to stroke her lips, she could dissolve into a puddle, no problem at all. Guess he’d worked that out last night.
    Cait called from the top of the stairs. “Want some lunch, Jock?”
    Still on haunches, he swiveled around on the toes of his boots. “I’ll get something later.”
    Cait nodded. “Can I put the bairn down for you, Maddy?”
    “I can do it,” Maddy called back.
    But Cait was already on her way. “You can indeed. But he hasn’t been out of your sight since seven this morning.”
    Jack scooped the baby up and gave him a little bounce in the air before handing him up to Cait.
    Beaming, Cait brought him close. “Now it’s my turn for a wee cuddle.”
    Beau looked so at home in Cait’s arms, Maddy had no reason to cut in…except, after Cait and Beau’s departure, she and Jack would be left completely alone. The idea set her pulse hammering all the more.
    As Cait and the baby vanished back into the