Read Online Best for the Baby by Ann Evans - Free Book Online

cocked her head sideways, as though inspecting him. “She said she’d seen you recently. So now I’m coming to you for the details.”
    “Details?”
    “Why didn’t you tell me the other day that you’d seen her? Do you know where she is now? What’s she doing? Is that guy still in the picture? That Jeffrey?”
    Zack held up his hand. “Whoa. Did you ask Alaina any of these questions?”
    “I did. She clammed up. She just said she’s fine and plans to call Mom and Dad soon to have a long talk. When I tried to press, she said she had to go. Something about moving out of where she is today, and needing to hit the road again. But where is she, and how did she link up with you?”
    Stalling, Zack set the soup down on the coffee table. Although he saw Alaina’s parents very seldom, he spoke to Maggie often. From the day Alaina had left Miami, Maggie had been beside herself with worry, trying to think of some way to get her sister to come home. But how much could he safely tell her? Especially when Alaina had clearly decided not to tell her family about the baby yet.
    He dropped his head for a moment, thinking, before looking over at his good friend. “It’s really up to Alaina to fill you in, Mags.”
    “Yes, it is. But since she won’t, I’m counting on you. You actually saw her. You wouldn’t keep me in suspense when you know I’m so worried about her.”
    “She’s fine.”
    Maggie was a tough lady, but he saw the fleeting glimpse of desperation in the blue eyes that were so much like her sister’s. “Please, Zack. If she won’t talk to the family…you’re all we have.” Maggie moved to his side to catch his arm. “I’m so grateful that we still have some contact with her through you, but please…give me something more than ‘fine.’ I’m so sick of hearing that word.”
    He nodded slowly. He didn’t have to reveal all of Alaina’s secrets. They were hers to tell. But he couldn’t stand to see Maggie so tormented. They’d been friends for too many years.
    “She needed a place to stay temporarily. I gave her the keys to Heron Cove.” Maggie’s mouth opened in surprise at that information. He added, “It was very brief. I saw her for about two hours, and considering where our relationship stands, I assure you, we didn’t sit around catching up on old times.”
    It took Maggie a long moment to answer. “She’s at the cottage? I could be up there in no time….”
    “I thought you said she was planning to leave there today?”
    “Oh, damn. I’ve missed my opportunity to talk some sense into her, haven’t I?”
    “Maybe you need to back off a little, Mags. Does she really need another Tillman lecture?”
    “I’m her sister. I want—”
    “What you want doesn’t count for a damn thing withAlaina right now. She’s a grown woman, and she can do as she pleases.”
    Maggie didn’t take offense. Instead, she gave him an odd, speculative look. “Your mother is right,” she said unexpectedly.
    “About what?”
    “She says that lately you’ve been crankier than a bear in a cave. She thinks it’s because of your ankle, but I’m not so sure. Now I wonder if it has something to do with Alaina.”
    “Wow,” he said, forcing out a laugh. “From police detective to psychologist in less than ten minutes. What else can you do?”
    “Did you break up with Damaris?”
    “Yes. Not that it’s any of your business.”
    “Before or after you saw Alaina?”
    “Before.”
    “About time. Damaris wasn’t the one for you.”
    “Thanks for the advice, but I came to that conclusion on my own,” he said, sounding more irritated than he intended.
    “So what are you going to do now?” She tilted her head again. “Your mother says she has a friend whose daughter would be perfect for you….”
    No way was he having this conversation. He shot her a deliberate grin and went over to pick up the container of soup. “I’m going to have lunch. Want to join me?”
    She made a disgusted sound and