Read Online The Baby Arrangement by Samantha Chase - Free Book Online Page B

since Derek found out that the baby was his brother’s, he was getting more hand’s on.  Kayleigh didn’t know what to think of that, but surely it couldn’t be a coincidence.
    When she walked back in to the room, Derek was seated on one of the sofas with Emery in his arms as he spoke softly to her.  Taking one of her tiny hands, he examined it as if seeing it for the first time.  Then he did the same with her feet.  Kayleigh’s heart nearly broke as she watched this big, strong man gently caress the infant’s cheek in wonder.
    Sensing her presence he looked up.  “She’s so small,” he said, his voice laced with sadness.
    Dropping her portfolio next to the sofa, she went to him.  “She won’t stay that way for long.  In the last week I can see a difference in the way some of her clothes fit.  Jared said she’s fine; we’ll get her weight and measurements tomorrow and you can see for yourself that she’s growing.”
    He merely nodded. 
    Rising, Kayleigh went to the kitchen and prepared a bottle for him to feed to Emery.  Within minutes she was back and sitting beside him and there was something oddly comforting in the silence.  There wasn’t a need for conversation, they just sat and merely enjoyed watching the baby take her evening meal.  Soon it was time to change her and get her ready for bed, which they did together, and Derek was the one who placed her down to sleep for the night.  Standing in the doorway, Kayleigh could sense his inner turmoil. 
    When they were back in the living room, she knew they should go back to talking business , but she was unwilling to do so without addressing the elephant in the room.  “What’s going to happen to Emery when your brother gets back?”
    Derek turned to her, stunned by her question.  “What do you mean?”
    “Well, I realize that I don’t know him personally, but I know enough about him to make me wonder what’s going to happen when he finally gets back and finds out that he has an infant daughter.  Aren’t you the least bit concerned?”
    He wanted to yell and scream that he was ; to rail at the unfairness of it, but that wasn’t his style.  He didn’t want anyone to know how much the thought of Brian coming and claiming Emery was bothering him.  “I’m sure he’s going to be fine, Kayleigh.  I mean, I adjusted to having her here; I’m sure Brian will need a little bit of time and then everything will work out.”
    “But what if it doesn’t?”
    Derek didn’t even want to think about the possibility.  He knew his brother better than anyone and if he were honest with himself, he’d admit that there was a greater chance of Brian screwing this up than of there being success.  “He’ll be fine.”
    With a huff of frustration, Kayleigh turned to grab up her portfolio and then stopped.  “Look, I know that you’re his brother and you believe what you’re saying , but I have to be honest, I’m concerned for Emery.”
    He pinched the bridge of his nose and counted to ten before allowing himself to speak.  “I appreciate your concern, Kayleigh, I truly do, but as you al ready stated, you don’t know Brian.”
    “I know enough about him,” she mumbled.
    “You know gossip; not everything you hear around the water cooler is true.”  There was condescension in his tone that Kayleigh didn’t like or appreciate.
    “Believe me, I know that not everything is gospel truth, Derek, but can you honestly stand here and tell me that you think that your brother is responsible?  I mean, where is he?  No one knows!  God forbid something happened to you or your grandparents, because no one can reach him!  Are you telling me that he doesn’t date a different woman every week?  Do you think that once he’s back he’s even going to remember half of the women that he’s slept with in the last year?”
    “Kayleigh…”
    “No, seriously, I can tell you as someone who’s worked for you for five years that I can count on one hand