Her growing anger cooled a little at his concern.
“And Megan needs a mother who’s fit and healthy, not exhausted,” he added, undoing the momentary good feeling she’d had toward him.
So this was about Megan again, not her. She didn’t mind him being right about Megan needing a fit mother; he just wasn’t right about her.
“You seem to have forgotten that you went into work today and you’re Megan’s father. Should I be questioning your fitness?”
His eyes reflected a glimmer of surprise; then he frowned. “How much work have you got?”
She glanced at the files on the bed. “A lot.”
He remained quiet for a lengthy pause. “Okay, here’s the deal. I’ll look after Megan tomorrow if you take it easy tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ll look after her?”
“I’ll take her to my parents’ place for a few hours, and then Ruth can help me when I get back. Deal?”
She thought about Matt sharing the responsibility for Megan’s well-being. She’d been so used to doing everything herself that it took a second to rethink it.
All at once it hit her how much change this marriage would make to her life. When it had been just her and Megan, she’d been fully occupied with being responsible for every aspect of her daughter’s life and juggling it with her own. Now she had no cooking, no cleaning, no food shopping, and nothing much to do each night at all. She certainly wouldn’t have to sit down and work out the bills. In fact, she’d have plenty of time to spare.
And she’d have to learn to share her daughter. Coming to terms with that would take some time.
She looked up at Matt. “I’d appreciate all that, but I’ll still need to work tonight to catch up.” Their conversation at the breakfast table came to mind. “Unless you have other plans for us tonight?” As soon as the words left her mouth she felt herself blush. “I mean, we’re not expected to go out or anything, are we?”
Derision entered his eyes. “No, we’re not expected anywhere. I’ll be going out myself after dinner anyway.”
“Oh.” Not wanting him to read her expression, she concentrated on putting on her shoes. “Then there should be no problem with me working tonight once she’s down.”
There was a moment’s silence.
“Not one,” he muttered, and left the room without waiting for her.
For a moment she sat back down on the bed, her heart constricting. Was he going to see another woman tonight? He’d said he wouldn’t have any affairs for Megan’s sake, but would he stick to that promise?
Could he?
Four
“Peekaboo!” Cesare said to the little girl sitting on his lap, and Megan giggled.
Matt watched his father in amusement. “You’re such a pushover for a pretty face, Dad.”
“How can I not be a pushover? She is so beautiful.”
Matt felt himself swell with pride. He’d never been conscious of wanting his father’s approval before, but it was a nice feeling knowing he had it now.
“He’s a softie when it comes to his family, Matt,” Isabel said, coming into the room with a small teddy bear in her hands.
“He’s not the only, Mum,” Matt said pointedly.
She smiled. “I’m allowed to spoil my granddaughter.”
Matt held up his hands. “Hey, don’t let me stop you.”
Isabel sat next to Cesare and waved the teddy bear in front of Megan’s face. Megan immediately forgot the peekaboo game and reached for the stuffed animal. Matt laughed at the affronted look on his father’s face.
Then Cesare turned to him, a sharpness in his eyes that had been there all along. “So the marriage is going well?”
Matt kept the smile on his face. “I’ve only been married two days, Dad.”
Isabel tutted at her husband. “Give them time, Cesare.”
Matt didn’t set her straight. He hadn’t told any of his family that the marriage was temporary, not even his parents. But they had to know he wasn’t in love with Lana.
Thankfully Megan started to get a bit irritable just then, and Matt looked at his watch. “Speaking of time, Megan’s due for her morning nap.” He pushed to his feet, relieved to have something to do. “Here. Give her to me, Dad,” he said, and scooped up his daughter.
Isabel stood, too. “Come on. I’ll show you the spare room. We’ve put a crib in there for her.”
Matt grinned wryly. “You haven’t turned the room into a nursery, have you?”
His mother’s lips twitched. “Not yet.”
After that, Megan didn’t wake up for a couple of hours, so it was mid-afternoon before he arrived back home.