A Baby for the Billionaire(65)

Footsteps sounded on the stairs as she wandered into the living room. Within seconds Emily emerged, Hunter in her arms.

“You’re back,” Emily said.

“Couldn’t stay away,” she replied, holding out her arms to the baby who was already reaching for her.

Clara closed her eyes as she pulled him close, inhaling his sweet baby scent. Chubby arms grabbed at her neck as she hugged her little boy. Or at least, she hoped he was hers. Because if she didn’t ever get to hold him again, a piece of her heart would break and she wasn’t convinced the damage would be reversible.

“Where is Walker?” she asked, swaying gently as Hunter cooed his delight.

“He’s still at work,” Emily replied. “But Ms. Tagg is outside on the balcony.”

“Veronica?”

“The same.”

“Did she…” She swallowed past the lump in her throat and tried again. “Did she stay the night?”

“No, but she came back early to spend the day with the baby. Walker gave her permission.”

“Good,” she said, though the word felt hollow. “She should have a place in Hunter’s life. They need to bond.”

Emily scoffed, a clear sign the nanny wasn’t so quick to agree. “She’s good enough with him in small doses, I suppose.”

“You have to build up stamina to be around kids all day every day.”

“You didn’t.”

She ran a hand over Hunter’s back to calm him when he started to fidget. “I had a lot of experience to draw from. It’s not a fair comparison.”

“Walker adapted very quickly and he had no prior experience.”

“Walker is…”

One of a kind.

“Just give her a chance is all I’m saying. For Hunter’s sake.”

They both looked down at the baby who blinked at them sleepily, his little hand firmly wrapped around a handful of Clara’s hair.

“I was about to put him down for a nap,” Emily explained.

“And I’m keeping him awake.” Pressing a kiss to his forehead, she handed him back to his nanny. “Sorry. Thanks for letting me get my Hunter fix.”

“Do you want to keep him up?” Emily offered.

“No, no. It was hard enough to get him on some sort of schedule. Go ahead. I’ll go have a chat with Veronica and see how her first day back has been going.”

“Good luck,” Emily said, polite as ever, even though her tone was less than encouraging.

“Thanks. I might need it.”

She watched Emily and Hunter make their way back upstairs before rolling back her shoulders. Time to face her rival.

Stepping out onto the balcony, she spotted the other woman on a lounger, her head tilted up toward the sun. She wore clothes for sunbathing and designer shades that boasted a logo Clara would never be able to afford. A half-finished cocktail waited on the little table beside her as she enjoyed her afternoon. The scene was more appropriate for the decks of a Mediterranean cruise rather than day one of being a mom.

Clara remembered how frazzled she’d been those first few days. Wardrobe had been the least of her worries, especially since her clothes sported formula stains these days. She’d been lucky to drag a comb through her hair, and here was Veronica looking like a fashion plate.

She is so different.

Like a separate creature altogether standing on a very different playing field. Worse, hers was a world Walker fit into. One of wealth and excess. Of luxury and decadence. Veronica was exactly the sort of woman she’d always thought her friend would end up with.

But he’s with me now. I have nothing to worry about.

Veronica wasn’t a threat. Was she?

“Oh,” the other woman greeted, noticing her presence. “It’s you.”

As graceful as a goddess, she rose to her feet. The airy sarong wrapped around her body floated in the breeze as she walked forward on heels that made Clara wince in sympathy.

“You’re Walker’s friend, right?” Veronica held out her hand. “We didn’t get a chance to really meet yesterday.”

“No, we didn’t,” she agreed, shaking the offered hand. “I thought I’d come by and see how things were going. How has the day with Hunter been?”

“Wonderful,” Veronica said as she gestured to the outdoor couches.

Clara perched on the colorful cushions as Veronica sank down beside her.

“Emily is a godsend,” she continued. “Everything is much easier here than it was on my own.”

“Walker is a very devoted father. He spares no expense when it comes to his son or his care.”

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Veronica agreed. “I hoped Hunter would do better with him.”