Free Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) by L. A. Miller Page A

Macy.” He said and he hung up. He stared at the phone then looked up the stairs where Bailey had disappeared. Again he began to wonder about her and if she was involved with someone else. Was she making the same arrangements with him? Would he be moving into the house Beckett was providing for her? The thought of that made him angry and he chose not to join his family again but to go outside for some air. As he stepped out onto the porch Regina Montgomery approached. She looked at him for a moment studying his expression before she spoke.
    “Bad news?” She asked.
    “Nothing I can ’t handle.” He said studying her. How was it possible this woman who seemed to emanate strength and iron will had raised such weak minded children? The only one who seemed to have shown any backbone defied her when he married Bailey’s mother.
    “Have you met my granddaughter yet ?” She asked.
    “Yes .” He replied not giving anything away.
    “And does she meet with your satisfaction?”
    Beckett was shocked she seemed to refer to Bailey as a piece of property instead of a blood relative. Again he wondered what Bailey had done that had given this woman so much power over her that she dictated who she married.
    “ What if she didn’t?” He asked trying to gauge her reaction.
    “ Then we would be at an impasse.” She said raising one eyebrow in challenge.
    “Your granddaughter exceeds my satisfaction .” He said honestly.
    “I thought she would .” She smiled. “May I suggest the two of you take these next few days to get to know each other….maybe go out on the town and be seen….it will help promote the belief in when the announcement is made.”
    “ Are you ordering me to date your granddaughter?”
    “No…just merely a suggestion…it will make things less awkward between the two of you.”
    “And what if Bailey refuses ?”
    “I will see that she doesn’t .” She smiled as she stepped inside.
    Beckett felt like once again he had walked into her game and she had manipulated his pieces. He considered ignoring her advice but knew he wouldn’t. He was curious about Bailey and found that he truly did want to get to know her and understand what had brought her here to this deal. He was about to go in search of her when he saw her heading down towards the stables.

Chapter 7
    It took her awhile to get both kids settled down and ready for their nap. Each of them had their own room with an adjoining bathroom. Bailey’s room was across the hall from them allowing her access to them but also her own privacy. She had been pulled by each to see their room and felt like she was in a tug of war for their attention. Alexis’s room was done in pink and Bailey noticed it had recently been painted. A large white canopy bed occupied the one wall and fluffy lace pillows were piled high against the head board. A collection of dolls stood in one corner and a table complete with a tea set occupied the other. Bailey was relieved there was no balcony on this side of the house. Tristan’s room was done in blues and browns complete with models on the shelves and airplanes hung over head. He had a collection of army men and tanks in his toy box and a game table that lifted up revealing crayons and coloring books inside. What surprised Bailey the most was that their closets were filled with brand new clothes exactly their sizes. Selene had explained that Ms. Regina had ordered everything and insisted it be completed before they arrived. She had evidently been confident Bailey would take the deal. She began to wonder exactly when her grandmother knew about social services arriving on her door step.
    Once both kids were soundly napping she checked out her room. It was done in soft greens and lavenders complete with a large canopy bed and curtains that closed giving her privacy. Her room had a collection of books and a reading chair set up next to the window for lighting. She also had a fireplace in her room which she imagined came in handy