Free Maybe This Time by Joan Kilby

them. No doubt you can predict their reaction.”
    “Your mother will be excited but your father will worry about you. He didn’t have anything good to say when your cousin had a baby on her own a couple of years ago.”
    “What about your family? What’s their reaction?” He was silent. “Oh, my God. You haven’t told them yet.”
    “It’s only been a week. I haven’t seen them.”
    “Your father is in the pub every week.”
    “Yeah, well, I need to think about how to tell them. They took our divorce pretty hard.” Darcy ran a hand through his hair. “This whole situation is unexpected.”
    “It’s not going to get any easier. Just tell them.” She paused, suddenly understanding his reticence. “You know they’ll be thrilled. You’re just afraid they’ll pressure you to reconcile with me.” Was he also afraid he might be tempted? “Don’t worry. I’ll set them straight on that score.” The last thing she wanted was to reunite only because their families wanted it.
    “I’ll talk to them soon.” He studied her face. “You look tired. I’d better go.” Then he paused. “Before I do, is there anything you need?”
    Oh. The electrical outlet in the nursery wasn’t working. But she couldn’t ask... “No, I’m good. Thanks.”
    “Your eyes flickered. What is it?”
    “It’s all right. I’ll call an electrician—”
    “Those guys charge an arm and a leg and take a week to come. Where is it?”
    “If you really don’t mind... The socket in the spare room sparks when I plug something in.”
    “I’ll have a look.” He offered without hesitation which was to his credit, given she hadn’t exactly welcomed him into her home. That was the great thing about Darcy; he was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. Including her.
    “This way.” Emma reached for the bags and carried them across the foyer and down the short hall to the second bedroom. She was practical but some things, like electrical problems, were beyond her. His steady footsteps behind her were comforting. She shouldn’t like that he was taking charge. But she did.
    * * *
    D ARCY FOLLOWED, half wishing he hadn’t agreed to look at the outlet because he had to get to the pub. But Emma needed his help. She was one of the most competent people he knew, but like a lot of women she didn’t know how to handle tools. That wasn’t being sexist, simply stating a fact. Even though they weren’t together he still felt responsible for her. Holly had tied them together and now this baby was another link. He had mixed feelings about that. He couldn’t imagine life without Emma in it. On the other hand, how would he ever move on if he kept seeing her?
    The new-paint smell hit him as he stepped in the doorway. He stopped dead, his gaze sweeping the room. The walls were a pale yellow below a frieze of colorful balloons. He took in the white-painted cot, matching dresser and changing table.
    This wasn’t a spare room. It was a nursery.
    He hadn’t been prepared for baby furniture. Or for the tightness in his chest. Or the flash recall of Holly, her bright hair and gurgling smile, as she played peekaboo through the bars of her crib.
    He didn’t usually allow himself to think about her. Holly was gone. Never coming back. There was no point in torturing himself. Love and happiness were ghosts. They flitted in and out of his life, haunting him with memories and taunting him with unfulfilled dreams.
    “Darcy?” Emma was looking at him strangely.
    He shook his head, banishing the image. “Sorry, were you saying something?”
    “It’s this socket next to the dresser. I want to put a lamp here for when the baby wakes in the night.” Emma dropped the bags on a toy chest with a padded lid that doubled as a bench seat. “When I tried to plug it in, the outlet crackled.”
    “Have you got a screwdriver?”
    “In the laundry room. Hang on a tick.” She hurried out of the room.
    Darcy pushed aside the bags and sat on the toy