Read Online To Love and Protect by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online

compliment her, to make her feel special, to let her know that she was the most amazing woman he’d ever met. But the words got tangled up in his throat.
    She tilted her head. “We could have lunch together sometime.”
    Relief nearly made him giddy. Of course. Why hadn’t he thought of that? “Great idea. I’d like that a lot.”
    “Good. We’ll do that.” She glanced at her watch and sighed. “I’m due back on the floor. But I’ll see you soon?”
    “Sure. You can bet on it.”
    She rose and then held out her hand. “By the way, I’m Nancy Allen. A nurse on the maternity floor.”
    He already knew that, but didn’t admit it. He didn’t want her to think he was some creepy guy who’d been spying on her.
    He stood and took her hand in his. Her skin was soft and warm and he felt a flicker of desire shoot through him.
    “Everett Baker,” he said. “I’m an accountant here at Children’s Connection.”
    “A man with a head for business. I like that.”
    He smiled because speaking was physically impossible.
    “I’ll see you around, Everett,” she said as she pulled her hand free and headed for the door.
    He watched her go, then slowly sank back into his chair. His head spun with possibilities. Nancy had talked to him. She seemed to like him. This was turning out to be the best day ever!
     

    Liz sat in a rocking chair and held baby Natasha close to her chest. She breathed in the scent of powder and baby skin and did her best to get lost in the moment. Staring into the infant’s big, blue eyes relaxed her and made her believe anything was possible. Even her brain had finally slowed down from nearly fifteen hours of whirling and considering and worrying.
    She shouldn’t have slept with David. Not that she was sorry; the experience had been amazing. But things had gotten weird afterward and she’d wanted to duck out and he’d let her and when she’d gotten back to her hotel room she’d started to miss him and regret bolting at the first sign of fear, but what else was she supposed to do when—
    Stop!
    She gave herself the command as forcefully as she could, then had to smile. So much for her brain slowing down. Between wanting to see David again, knowing it was best that she didn’t, and worrying about Natasha, she’d barely slept.
    “But I’m here with you now,” she told her soon-to-be daughter. “And that’s the best part of my world.”
    Sophia walked into the nursery. The teen wore her dark hair pulled back, and there were shadows under her eyes as if she, too, hadn’t been sleeping.
    “Morning,” Liz said with a smile. “Are you all right?”
    “Fine.” She touched the little girl’s cheek. “She remembers you from yesterday.”
    “I hope so. She’s awake, but quiet.”
    “She is a good baby. Some cry all the day, but not her.”
    “They told me you’ve spent a lot of time with her,” Liz said.
    “Her and others. I like to be with the babies.” Sophia’s mouth tightened.
    From what? Liz didn’t know what she was thinking, nor was she sure she should ask. “Sophia, how old are you?”
    “Seventeen.”
    She looked younger. “Do you have family around here?”
    “No. In the country. A long train ride away.” She touched the blanket around the baby. “She likes to be held after she eats and she likes being in the sun. She likes singing.”
    “You’ve been very good to her.” Liz grimaced. “You’re going to miss her.”
    Sophia shrugged. “There are many babies in Moscow. Babies with no family. Others will come to take her place. They will be alone and sad. Last month twins were here. They left for America. Natasha will have a better life there, yes?”
    “Yes.”
    Liz was determined to make that happen.
    “Then it is all right.”
    The teenager smiled and turned away, but not before Liz saw the tears in her eyes. Her heart tightened in empathy. How horrible to bond with these babies and then watch them be taken away by someone else. Was the promise of a