The #1 Bestsellers Collection 2011(74)

Lana’s heart jumped with fright. “Don’t.”

“This is only temporary. Once things settle down we’ll try and find a day care center close by where we know she’ll be safe, okay?”

She nodded, not sure she wanted to let her baby out of her sight ever again. She was just overreacting, of course, but she wanted Megan to have a normal life. Now that her daughter was recognized as a Valente, that would be impossible.

Just them, Ruth came into the room with a bowl of baby cereal. Lana thanked her then concentrated on feeding Megan, aware of Matt watching her.

“By the way,” he said as she placed a spoonful of mush in Megan’s mouth. “My mother has offered to look after Megan at any time, especially if we need to go out for an evening.”

“That’s good of her but I can’t see it being necessary.”

“There may be some events we can’t avoid.”

The spoon stopped midair. “Our marriage was to give your name to Megan. That’s it.” He’d made that more than clear, and she was more than happy with that.

“I don’t like it either, but there are particular obligations that go along with being a Valente. Would you prefer I take another woman as my partner?”

The thought of him with other women had always made her feel sick to the stomach, but only because she’d wanted him so much herself. She’d hated being one of many.

And yet surprisingly she’d let him make love to her without a condom. She may have been slightly drunk, but somehow deep down she’d trusted him. It was crazy that she still trusted him in that respect.

She managed to school her features. “For Megan’s sake, I wouldn’t want you out and about with another woman, but that’s your choice.”

He swore softly. “Of course I’m not going to take another woman, but I wanted you to see how ridiculous the situation is. If I need someone to accompany me anywhere, then you’re it, Lana. For Megan’s sake,” he reminded her.

The little girl in question started to babble and reach for the spoon in Lana’s hand. “Sorry, pumpkin,” she said, continuing to feed her.

When she turned back to look at Matt, he was pouring some muesli into a bowl and adding milk. She let his comment pass. Fine, so there were some things she would have to do as Matt’s wife.

A few minutes later he pushed his empty bowl to the side. “There’s a park around the corner. We should take Megan.”

“A park? Today?” It was Saturday, but it was the last thing she expected he’d suggest the day after their wedding.

“Why not? The weather’s supposed to be nice and the fresh air will do her good.”

So he’d checked out the park as well as bought a new house? He’d been busy. If only he wasn’t so involved … no, that was an idiotic thought.

“She would enjoy that,” she said, and received a mocking look from him that she wouldn’t.

Half an hour later, Lana gave Matt a quick lesson in changing diapers and dressing Megan in a playsuit, then she placed Megan in her stroller.

“I’ll push it,” Matt said, coming up behind her.

She was used to doing it herself. “No, that’s okay.”

“I don’t mind.”

She could see he wanted to do it, so she relented.

It was a funny feeling walking to the park with him. Never in a million years would she imagine her and Matt Valente together like this.

Married.

Parents.

Not lovers.

Once there, Matt looked like any proud father, pushing Megan on the swing, taking her down the slide, taking her on the small merry-go-round where he insisted Lana join them. A couple of times, she had to give herself a mental shake to stop believing this was real.

It was only real for him and Megan.

It wasn’t real for them as a family.

A few yards along the small lake a man started tossing pieces of bread at the swans, who quickly began snapping it up. Suddenly Megan started to giggle.

Matt darted an amused glance at Lana. The man threw more bread and the swans ate it and Megan giggled louder. Her laughter was infectious and love rose in Lana’s throat, not only for her little girl, but that she could share this moment with Matt.

It was a moment to treasure.

Suddenly Matt looked down at his daughter in his arms. “Oh God, she’s gorgeous!” he said in awe, sending an odd tenderness through Lana.

“Yes, she is.”

Their gazes touched for a brief moment before Megan began squirming in his arms and Matt turned away. “Come on,” he said. “It’s time to go.”

Their morning was over.

Once back inside the house, Matt lifted Megan out of the stroller and handed her to Lana without looking at her. “I’m going into the office. I have some work to catch up on. You and Megan will be fine here.”