The Boss's Baby Arrangement

Did she know he could hear them?

He did his best to seem disinterested and aloof, channeling years of cutthroat business meetings to school his features into a mask of neutrality.

Easton’s eyes momentarily flicked back to Xander. For a brief moment he swore Easton’s head nodded slightly. Was that a sign to pay attention? What did his brother have planned?

“Xander has a lot of his time and energy—and heart—invested in this place.”

“That, he does. I was surprised to see him dance last night.”

“Who would have thought he could dance a jig?” Easton winked over his shoulder at his brother, making it clear he knew full well his brother could hear every word. “Who would have thought he would dance at all? That has certainly been in question since Terri died.”

“She was a lovely lady.” Maureen’s voice meshed into the sounds of the nearby birds.

Xander tried not to look desperate as he strained to hear the rest of the conversation.

“She was. We all miss her. Her parents do, too, obviously. We always will. But I can’t help hoping my brother will find a way to move on.” Easton’s lips had thinned into a smile and he stuck her with a knowing glance.

Maureen shook her head and tendrils of red hair fell out of her loose ponytail. “You’re reading too much into a dance.”

“I didn’t say a thing. You did.” A taunting, brotherly tone entered Easton’s voice. He lifted up his hands to her, palms out in an exaggeration of placation.

“I’m definitely not making a move on your brother.” The words were jagged on her tongue. Even from his seat, Xander could see pain jutting into Maureen’s normally fair, bubbly features.

“Again, I didn’t say that. You did.”

“I’m divorced.”

“I know.”

Shrugging her shoulder, she leaned against the rail of the boat. “It was ugly.”

“So very sorry to hear that.”

“The past is past. I’m focused on my present and my job.”

“Is that the reason you’re so determined to stay here? Because your ex is back home?” Easton’s eyes flicked back to Xander who pretended not to notice. But the truth was that his heart pulsated in his chest as he continued to listen to their conversation. A bad divorce? He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.

“Staying here is certainly easier. Fresh starts often are.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“I appreciate your optimism.”

“Um, hello?” Portia’s voice rang out, urgency coloring every syllable. “Um, Doctor?”

“Yes, Ms. Soto?” Easton turned to face her.

“I’m getting seasick.” And with that, Portia pulled herself up to the railing, turned a particularly sunset shade of scarlet and hurled the contents of her stomach overboard.

Xander reacted, setting their course back to the dock. Portia needed land, and fast.

They weren’t too far away. Within minutes the dock was in sight.

And so were Xander’s in-laws. It was never a good sign when they showed up from Miami unannounced. A pit knotted in his stomach and he felt his jaw tighten and clench.

Xander leaped off the boat as soon as it stabilized and helped Portia out. She’d gone ghost-pale and her hands were clammy—clearly she was much more seasick than she’d let on. Once Portia’s feet were on solid ground, she covered her mouth, nodded politely at Xander’s in-laws and dashed up to the house, probably stifling the urge to hurl the whole way.

His in-laws surveyed the landscape with eyes that revealed complete disgust. His mother-in-law’s gaze followed Portia up the slope to the house. Delilah’s brow arched, a silent conversation seemed to unfold between her and Jake, Xander’s father-in-law.

So the verdict was out on this place. They’d hated it and did little to try to disguise that.

Jake looked at Portia’s disappearing form and then back at Xander. Disapproval danced in his gaze.

Xander stifled the urge to grind his teeth. Did they actually think he was interested in Portia? And was that really any of their business to pass judgment on his dating life? Of course they all missed Terri, but she was gone, for over a year, and that was the tragic reality.

Besides, he wanted to tell them they had it all wrong, anyway. Portia wasn’t his type. Xander didn’t know why they’d assumed she’d be the kind of woman he was interested in, and he didn’t want them to believe he hadn’t loved their daughter with his whole soul. Xander certainly didn’t want them to think she’d been so easily replaced.

The protest nearly formed against his tongue when reality jabbed him. Portia was polished, quiet, reserved... As far as types went, she shared a lot of Terri’s qualities.

But Portia had never crossed his mind. Not once. Not in passing. There was no draw to her. Not like there was to the fiery Maureen. Xander’s eyes flicked quickly to Maureen. She was helping Easton dock the boat.

Turning his attention back to his in-laws, he surveyed them, trying to anticipate the reason for this unannounced visit.

Jake and Delilah Goodwin were good people, if intrusive. They were what the news media deemed helicopter parents.

Xander had always imagined their hovering had everything to do with the circumstances of Terri’s birth. For years Delilah and Jake had tried to conceive but never could. The doctors had told them it was practically impossible for them to become pregnant. But somehow Delilah had been able to conceive and carry Terri to full term. The miracle child. Their only child.

Terri had been pampered and sheltered her whole life. They’d treated Terri like spun glass, like a fragile thing that needed protection from everything and everyone. Now having a daughter of his own, he understood the motivation and desire, but Jake and Delilah had taken hovering to its extreme.

Xander watched as Jake gave Delilah’s hand a quick squeeze. His business instincts told him the gesture was one of support. He understood that. Terri’s death had changed everything.

Delilah straightened her heirloom pearls on her neck, the only piece of jewelry that spoke to their enormous wealth. They were kind people, but they were used to dictating orders. They weren’t the compromising type.

“We heard our grandchild is ill and you’re out here. Who’s watching her?” Jack said, his voice even but stern.

“She’s napping while Elenora watches over her. Rose has an ear infection. We went to the emergency room last night and the pediatrician today.”

Laying a manicured hand to her chest, Delilah stiffened. “She could have a relative watching her.”

“She does. Her father and her uncle.” Xander kept his tone neutral, doing his best to remember that they didn’t mean to be insulting or accusatory.

“Both of whom are out partying on a boat,” Delilah continued, her voice shrill and unforgiving.

The correction was gentle but necessary. He wished Terri was here to help him navigate this. “Working.”

“Okay, then. Working. She could have her grandmother all day.”

“I’m appreciative of your offer to help. Who told you about the ear infection?”