Free For Better or Worse (Book 2 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) by Erin Landy Page A

trusted you to respect my decision on the subject of children. A few words from you would have averted this entire situation.”
    “Yeah, but we both know I didn’t want to prevent it. This was my evil plan. Luckily for you, you were smart enough to see through it.”
    “Being sarcastic isn’t going to help. Have you thought about what this baby is going to mean for your own life? Being a single mom is no picnic. If you won’t consider an abortion, you might want to seriously think about adoption.”
    “Wow, Mitchell. You almost sound as if you care about me. Thanks for the advice. I wish you well with the new woman in your life.”
    Before he could reply, she ended the call and threw the phone at the wall. It was too bad it couldn’t have been Mitchell’s head. He refused to compromise his chance of happiness! That said it all. If that was how he felt, she didn’t want him around. She didn’t need someone so uncaring and self-centered anywhere near her baby.
    Mitchell might find the thought of a child an inconvenience to be avoided at all costs, but Hannah felt the opposite. Since the moment she watched the blinking light on the ultrasound screen and been told it was her baby’s heartbeat, she’d felt an almost primitive urge to protect the life growing inside her.
     

Chapter Four
    Jackson sat back in the chair and rubbed his stiff neck. He and Hannah had been studying for a statistics test for at least three hours. “I think we’ve covered everything that could possibly be on the exam.”
    She closed the book and couldn’t suppress a yawn. “I just want it to be over.”
    “By tomorrow at this time, it will be. When will you know your grade?”
    “They’ll be posted online by the end of the week.”
    As she stood up, his glance went to the small bump just visible beneath her shirt. “You’re starting to look like a mother.”
    “I know; I can’t hide it any longer.”
    “Have you been given an official due date?”
    “Valentine’s Day.”
    Jackson smiled. “Well, a baby is better than flowers or candy.”
    Hannah laughed so hard tears formed in her eyes. “That’s one way to look at it.”
    “Your life is going to change in new and exciting ways.”
    “It seems unreal – like it’s happening to someone else.”
    “Are you going to find out what the sex is?”
    “I haven’t decided yet; it would be nice to know so I could do the nursery in an appropriate theme. On the other hand, I like the idea of being surprised.”
    “You have lots of decisions to make.”
    “Decisions I have to make alone.” She sighed deeply. “All of this is my own fault. As my mother would say, I’m reaping what I sowed. I trusted someone to be there for me and when I needed him, he looked the other way.”
    “There are ways to force Mitchell’s cooperation.”
    “I don’t want to force someone to do things for me or the baby.” She sat back down and drummed her fingers on the table. “Jackson, I’ve been thinking. I know this sounds crazy, but would you consider marrying me?”
    Was he hearing things? Had she just asked him to marry her? The phone in his hand dropped to the floor. “Where did that come from?”
    Her eyes fell away from his. “I want my baby to grow up with a father, and I can’t think of anyone better than you.”
    “Your baby has a father,” he pointed out gently.
    “He doesn’t want any part of me or his child. He’s made that very clear.”
    Jackson shifted in his chair. She’s overwhelmed and scared. That’s the only reason she’s willing to marry you. “Marrying me would solve one problem only to create others. A father isn’t the only important male influence in a child’s life.”
    Hannah looked up at him. “Do you know the statistics for children who grow up in a home without a father?”
    He looked past her to a picture on the wall. “Marriage works best when the two people involved love each other.”
    “Putting aside the love aspect, would you have any