parents depending on him.
“All right,” she said. “Your place it is.”
Nathan pulled into the driveway of his really big house before Cindy had time to process that she’d actually agreed to move in with him. He’d packed her things and wouldn’t let her lift a finger, which was seven different kinds of sweet.
Now here they were. Parked beside a BMW SUV in his driveway. It was a reminder that he already had a guest. Her stomach clenched.
“Did you tell your mother about the baby? Does she know you’re bringing me here?”
“Yes.” He pulled the keys from the ignition, then looked at her. “And yes.”
“Good.” At least there wouldn’t be that awkward moment where she had to stand quietly by while he explained the unexplainable.
When she started to get out of the car, he said, “Stay put. You’re not supposed to be on your feet.”
“Then how am I going to get inside?”
A shimmy of anticipation danced up her spine when she remembered him sweeping her into his arms to carry her inside at her house. But the romantic notion dissolved when he emerged from the front door pushing a wheelchair.
“Be still my heart.” Cindy wondered what kind of damage was done when a romantic fool dropped back to earth. But she sat in the chair.
It was a beautiful June day and already getting hot, so the cool air that washed over her when he pushed her inside felt good. When her eyes adjusted from bright sun to the dim interior, she saw that travertine tile went on forever in the entryway. There were high ceilings with crown molding and pale wheat-colored walls.
An older but very attractive woman walked into the entryway. She was tall and slender with a short brunette bob. Her eyes were hazel, and it was obvious that Nathan got his coloring from his mother. And his fashion sense. Her white capris were crisp and spotless. The black and white striped silk blouse was trendy and fitted. Even her sandals coordinated with the summer ensemble.
“So here you are,” she said, her eyes narrowing on Cindy.
Nathan’s voice came from behind the wheelchair. “Shirley, this is Cindy Elliott. Cindy, Shirley Steele, my mother.”
They shook hands and Cindy felt at a disadvantage in the chair. Even standing she would be shorter, but at least she wouldn’t have been loomed over.
Nathan leaned down. “I’m going to get your things out of the car and put them in the guest room.”
Moments later he walked inside with her two suitcases then disappeared down the hall. He returned and glanced at his watch. “I have to get to the hospital. Shirley, will you get Cindy settled?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll be back later.” He looked down at her with a warning expression on his face. “Take it easy.”
Nothing about this was easy to take, especially being left alone with his mother. But he walked out the door and it was just the two of them.
Cindy didn’t know how to be anything but direct. She got up from the chair and met the other woman’s gaze. “This pregnancy was an accident.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I didn’t even want to go out with him.”
“Technically one doesn’t have to actually go out for something like this to happen,” Shirley commented, her tone guarded. “But why did you? Go out with him.”
“He was relentless and I said yes to get him out of my life.”
“Yet here you are in his home. So we can see how well that worked.”
“I didn’t want to move in.” Cindy refused to look away, even though that’s what she desperately wanted to do. “But he’s so darn stubborn and he wouldn’t leave me alone. He’s exhausted and the only way he’s going to get any rest is for me to stay here. That’s the truth.”
“All right then. Nathan is a grown man and knows what he’s doing.” Shirley glanced over her shoulder. “I take it you know your way around?”
“Actually, I’ve never been here before.” Cindy stopped there, not wanting to explain the one-night stand at her house.
The older woman looked just the tiniest bit surprised when she asked, “Would you like a tour?”
“Are you going to make me use that stupid chair?” Cindy glared at the thing.
“I think that’s about my son being overly cautious. Stay off your feet means don’t do the trampoline or go bungee jumping, not be an invalid.”
Cindy nodded. “I think so, too.”
“All right then. Follow me.” Shirley turned and started walking away. “This place has five bedrooms and a guest house. That’s where I stay.”
Interesting. Nathan didn’t really need her to be a buffer between him and his mom. There was plenty of space for the two to peacefully coexist. This house was big enough for its own zip code.
Cindy noted that the living and dining rooms were separated by the wide entryway and filled with dark cherry wood furniture and fabrics in earth tones. White plantation shutters covered the windows. The family room was right off the kitchen and had a fireplace on one wall. A huge leather corner group sat in front of a gigantic flat-screen TV.
“My whole house would fit in this room,” Cindy said, still in awe.
“The bedrooms are down this hall,” Shirley said.
She pointed out the master bedroom at the back of the house, and Cindy politely glanced through the doorway, although it felt like invading Nathan’s privacy. The room was huge, with a king-size bed across from a sunken conversation area and fireplace. A little twinge that could be jealousy told her it was best not to think about all the women who’d no doubt “conversed” in here with him.
Across the hall there were two more bedrooms connected by a bath. Her suitcases were visible in the first room.
“This is where you’ll stay.” Shirley walked through the bathroom into the connecting bedroom. “This gets the morning sun. And there’s that charming window seat. I think this would make a wonderful nursery.”
Cindy glanced at the L-shaped desk with the computer on top. There was an eight-foot couch and a wing chair in another corner. Clearly it was set up as an office.
“It would certainly work. But I’m not staying here permanently,” Cindy protested.
“But you and Nathan will share custody.”
It wasn’t a question except in Cindy’s mind. If she had to judge by her experience, Nathan wouldn’t be around long enough to share custody or anything else. But telling his mother that didn’t seem appropriate.
“I believe children should know both of their parents,” Cindy said diplomatically. “If
