this is so hard,” Mia said, shifting her body to and fro, rocking baby Rose. The baby’s weight drained her strength and stung her arms, but she didn’t want to stop rocking her. She didn’t want to give up one second of her time with Rose. Her sweet face was docile now, so very peaceful. She was a joy, a living, breathing replica of her mama. How could she lose Anna a second time? “I can’t imagine not seeing her every day. I can’t imagine giving her up.”
“She’s ours, too, you know.” Grandma Tess sat in her favorite cornflower-blue sofa chair. As she smiled her encouragement the wrinkles around her eyes deepened. “We won’t really be giving her up,” she said softly. “I’m sure...this Adam, he’ll do the right thing. He’ll allow you contact with the baby.”
“Allow.” A frown dragged at her lips. She’d raised Rose from birth. They’d bonded. Now someone would have the power to allow her to see Rose?
“He may not be the father, after all. Have you thought about that?”
“I have,” she said, her hips swinging gently. “But my gut’s telling me he’s the one. Rose has his eyes. And his hair coloring. She’s not dark like us.”
“Well, then, maybe you should get going. Lay the baby down in the playpen. She’ll probably sleep most of the night. We’ll be fine—don’t you worry.”
“I know. She loves you, Gram.” Tears formed in her eyes. Her heart was so heavy right now. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to see Adam Chase tonight. She wanted to stay right here with Rose and Gram. She caught the moisture dripping from her eyes with a finger and sighed. “I won’t be late. And if you need me for anything, call my cell. I’ll keep it handy.”
She laid the baby down in the playpen that served as the crib in Gram’s house. Wearing a bubblegum-pink sleep sack, Rose looked so cozy, so content. Mia curled a finger around the baby’s hair and, careful not to wake her, whispered, “Good night, Sweet Cheeks.”
She left the baby’s side to lean down to kiss Gram’s cheek. Her skin was always warm and supple and soft like a feather down pillow. “Don’t bother getting up. I’ll lock you in.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Don’t forget the groceries.”
“I won’t,” she said.
As she passed the hallway mirror, she gave herself a glance. She wore a coral sundress with an angled shoulder and a modest hemline. Her injured foot had healed enough for her to wear strappy teal-blue flat sandals that matched her teardrop necklace and earrings. Her hair was down and slight waves touched the center of her back.
“You look beautiful, Mia.”
“Thanks, Gram.” She lifted the bag of foodstuffs she’d need to make the meal, glanced at Rose one more time and then exited her grandmother’s house, making sure to lock the door.
The drive to Adam Chase’s estate was far too short. She reached his home in less than twenty minutes. Her nerves prickled as she entered the long driveway and pressed the gate button. After a few seconds, Adam’s strong voice came over the speaker. “Mia?”
“Yes, hello... I’m here.”
Nothing further was said as the wrought-iron gates slid away, concealing themselves behind a row of tall ivy scrubs. She drove on, her hands tight on the steering wheel, her heart pumping. She had half a mind to turn the car around and forget she’d ever met Adam Chase. If only she had the gumption to do that. He would never know he had produced a child. But how fair would that be to him or to Rose? Would she wonder why she didn’t know her father and try to find him once she grew up? Would she pepper her aunt Mia with questions and live her life wondering about her true parents?
In her heart, Mia knew she was doing the right thing. But why did it have to hurt so much?
She parked her car near the front of the house on the circular drive. Adam waited for her on the steps of the elaborate front door, his hands in the pockets of dark slacks. Her breath hitched. A charcoal silk shirt hugged arms rippling with muscle and his silver-gray eyes met hers through the car window. Before she knew it, he was approaching and opening the car door for her. His scent wafted up, clean and subtly citrus.
“Hello, Mia.” His deep voice penetrated her ears.
She took a breath to calm her nerves. “Hi.”
“How are you?” he asked.
“I’m all healed up thanks to you.”
“Good to hear. I’ve been looking forward to the meal you promised.” He stretched his hand out to her and she took it. Enveloped in his warmth, she stepped out of the car.
“I hope I didn’t overstate my talents.”
His gaze flowed over her dress first and then sought the depth of her eyes. “I don’t think you did.” A second floated by. “You look very nice.”
“Thank you.”
He spied the grocery bag on the passenger seat and without pause lifted it out. “Ready?”
She gulped. “Yes.”
He walked alongside her, slowing his gait to match hers. As they climbed wide marble steps, he reached for the door and pushed it open for her. Manners he had. Another plus for Adam Chase. “After you,” he said, and once again she stepped inside his mansion.
“I still can’t get over this home, Adam. The bat cave is one thing, but the rest of this house is equally mind-blowing. I bet it was a dream of yours from early on, just like your gallery garage.”
“Maybe it was.”
He was definitely the king of ambiguity. Adam, guarded and private, never gave much away about himself. Already he was fighting her inquiries.
“I’ve got wine ready on the veranda, if you’d like a drink before you start cooking.”
“We.”
“Pardon me?”
“You’re going to help me, Adam.” Maybe she could get him to open up while chopping vegetables and mincing meat.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought I’d just watch.”
“That’s no fun.” She smiled. “You’ll enjoy the meal more knowing you’ve participated.”
“Okay,” he said, nodding his head. “I’ll try. But I’m warning you, I’ve never been too good in the kitchen.”
“If you can design a house like this, you can sauté veggies. I’m sure of it.”
He chuckled and his entire face brightened. Good to see. She followed him into the kitchen, where he set her bag down on an island counter nearly bigger than the entire kitchen in her apartment. Oh, it would be a thrill cooking in here.
“So what’s the dish called?”
“Tagliatelle Bolognese.”
“Impressive.”
“It’s
