Read Online Maybe This Time (The Educators Book 3) by Kathryn Shay - Free Book Online Page A

smiled. “Hello, darling. I’m back.”
    o0o
    Insecurity haunted Delaney as she stretched out on her couch in the living room. She’d come back here when the beautiful Andrea, who was even more gorgeous and sophisticated than Brie Corelli, told Delaney she could leave. In reality, the woman had dismissed her like she was a babysitter. Delaney could understand why. She’d borrowed biking shorts and a Black Eyed Peas T-shirt from Stephanie and they’d gone for a long walk around the neighborhood. She’d scrubbed all her makeup off and pulled her hair up in a ponytail so she probably seemed closer to Steph’s age than Gage’s. Minutes after they returned to the house, the doorbell had rung.
    Andrea had embraced Stephanie and seemed genuinely glad to see her. Steph was reserved, though. But when Andrea insisted Delaney leave so mother and daughter could have some time together, Delaney lit out of there fast. Trying to erase the way Gage’s ex had looked down at her, she’d come home, combed her hair out so it hung in soft waves down her back and dressed in plain jeans and an over-sized white top.
    The doorbell rang sometime later. That didn’t happen often. Her dearth of friends was obvious again. She wanted somebody to share the baby news with. And when she had this child, she’d need people in her life. Well, she’d have to get them. Rising from the hammock, she crossed the room, opened the front door.
    And there he stood. The father of her child. He’d taken his tie off, but was still in a navy blue pinstripe suit and white shirt he must have worn to work. His eyes sparked green with emotion. Alarm shot through her. “Is it Stephanie?”
    “No, but we need to talk about her later.” He stepped inside without being invited and didn’t sit. He ran his hand through his hair and mussed it beautifully. Delaney’s whole body tingled at the sight of him. Finally, he stopped pacing and faced her. “Are you pregnant?”
    It was the last thing she expected. Her hand went to her stomach and she stood stock still.
    “I think you are. The unexplained nausea. Dizziness. And the nap you took at my house that day. If you are, it’s got to be mine. You haven’t slept with anyone since we came back. I know it in my bones.”
    “No.”
    “No, you’re not pregnant or no, you haven’t slept with another man?”
    With a momentous leap of faith, she said, “I haven’t slept with another man.”
    “Oh, my God. Oh, Delaney.”
    “I found out Monday. I didn’t even know if I was going to tell you. But I’m having this child, Gage.”
    He frowned. “Of course you are.”
    The tightness in her throat loosened. She hadn’t known how he’d react if she told him. Thank you Lord for that one.
    “I don’t expect you to marry me or anything,” she rushed on to say. “I don’t expect you to be her father. But…”
    She fell silent as he approached her and drew her gently in his arms, cuddling her close to his heart. Her eyes closed, she sighed at his familiar scent and the rapid beat of his heart beneath her ear. They stayed that way, savoring the moment, his hand lightly stroking her hair, for a long time.
    When they pulled apart, he focused on her intently. “I’m so pleased, Delaney. I can’t express how much.”
    “Why?”
    He looked confused. “Because new life is a miracle.”
    “Actually, no. It’s biological, a sperm and egg.”
    “Don’t minimize this. Having a child is beautiful and wonderful and I do very much want to be his or her—I don’t care which--father.”
    The expression on his face was profound and delight replaced all the insecurity she felt earlier. “I am, too. I’ve always wanted a baby. I can’t tell you how much.”
    He grinned.
    After a few moments, she sobered. “This is going to cause a lot of problems, though, Gage.”
    “At work?”
    “Maybe. They could probably fire me on a morals charge. But I was referring to Steph. I’m afraid she’ll think I showed an interest in