Free What If I'm Pregnant...? by Carla Cassidy Page A

command of her own.
    It was almost time for her to go home when a taxi pulled up in front of the store and Tanner got out. He ran inside, shaking raindrops from his hair like a dog after a bath. Colette tried to ignore the way her heart leaped at the handsome sight of him.
    â€œI thought you might have taken the day off,” he said to her.
    â€œWhy would I do that?” she asked coolly.
    He grinned, a teasing sexy grin that shot electricity through her veins. “I thought maybe you would haveto recuperate after your wild night with the naked dancing men.”
    â€œWhat naked dancing men?” Gina asked as she joined them next to the register.
    â€œNever mind,” Colette replied. “Your brother is simply attempting to be funny.”
    â€œActually, I’m attempting in my own special clumsy fashion to apologize for what I said yesterday,” he replied, his blue eyes shining earnestly. “It wasn’t my intention to offend you.”
    â€œWhat did you do to offend her?” Gina asked, her gaze going from her brother to Colette, then back again. “What’s going on?” she asked with frustration.
    â€œNone of your business, poppet,” Tanner replied and touched the tip of her nose with his index finger. He looked back at Colette. “So, is my apology accepted?”
    She hesitated a moment, then nodded stiffly. She wanted to stay mad at him, felt as if she needed to hang on to her anger, but it was impossible with his brilliant blue eyes appealing to her.
    â€œGood,” he said with satisfaction. “And now I have a question to ask you.” He looked at Colette. “Do you have plans with your mother for Sunday?”
    It always surprised Colette when thoughts of her mother sent a hollow ache radiating inside of her. When would that ache finally disappear forever? Sheshook her head. “Lillian is going to be out of town for the weekend,” she said.
    â€œAnd the shop isn’t open on Mother’s Day?”
    â€œThat’s right. We’re never open on Sundays.”
    â€œThen how about the three of us do a nice dinner together on Sunday…my treat,” he suggested.
    â€œThat sounds like a great idea,” Gina agreed instantly.
    â€œIt isn’t necessary for you to take me out to dinner,” Colette protested.
    â€œBut it is, and I insist,” Tanner said, a touch of steely intent in his voice. “Why don’t we plan on dining around six Sunday evening. I’ll pick you ladies up at about five-thirty.”
    â€œSounds good to me,” Gina said. Colette merely nodded.
    â€œOh, and since it was close to the time you went home yesterday, I told the taxi to wait and take you home,” he said to Colette. He flashed her a charming smile. “I didn’t want you to have to walk home in the rain.”
    â€œYou don’t have to take care of me,” she replied. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
    She wanted to be irritated by his arranging for the taxi.
    She didn’t need or want anyone to take care of her. But someplace deep inside she was also touched by the gesture.
    Aware that she had sounded less than gracious, shecontinued. “But thank you for your thoughtfulness. I guess I’ll head home right now.”
    Moments later, ensconced in the back of the taxi with the driving rain beating against the windows, she thought of the dinner invitation for Sunday.
    She told herself there was absolutely nothing wrong with her having dinner with Tanner and his sister. It wasn’t as if she was going to be spending any time alone with Tanner. There would be no opportunity for him to kiss her again, which was just fine with her.
    She tried to imagine what Tanner’s reaction would be if he knew she’d been artificially inseminated and intended to raise a child alone. There was no doubt in her mind that he would heartily disapprove.
    Of course, there was no