Countdown to Baby

“I’m sure you’re right.” Telling herself to let the experts worry about Milla’s problems, Cecilia glanced discreetly at her functional, easily readable stainless steel watch. “Wonder how soon before we can make an escape? I’m ready to get home and crash.”

“I’ll try not to take that as a comment on my sparkling companionship.”

Smiling, Cecilia shook her head. “Like Milla, I’m just tired. It really has been a long day.”

“I’m about ready to head home, myself. George is supposed to have the kids fed and homework supervised, but you know how it goes. I’ll probably have to check to make sure it all got done. And I want to read Damien his bedtime story tonight.”

Vanessa couldn’t have known, of course, that her lighthearted words would go straight to Cecilia’s heart. Though Vanessa knew Cecilia wanted children of her own, she had no idea just how strong that longing had become.

It was with some relief that Cecilia was able to change the subject of the conversation. “I think someone wants to speak to you,” she said, nodding toward a young nursing student who was trying to get Vanessa’s attention. “Looks like a lively discussion is going on over there.”

Vanessa sighed. “I’m sure there is. That group is always getting into a debate about something—and I always seem to get called in as referee.”

“Mama Vanessa,” Cecilia teased. “Go take care of your chicks. I’m going to try to score another chocolate-dipped strawberry.”

“Okay. Catch you later.” Vanessa moved to the group of nursing students and was soon engaged in an animated conversation with them.

Cecilia worked her way slowly across the crowded atrium, pausing several times to chat with co-workers. She made sure she spoke to enough people to leave no doubt that she had attended the gathering—standard office politics. On the other side of the room, her brother and his fiancée were surrounded by well-wishers. She managed to swap smiles and waves with them, but she made no effort to join them. As a rising young executive in the Bingham corporation, Eric had his own politics to practice this evening.

And, speaking of Binghams…

She smiled when Geoff stepped in front of her again. “Still looking for a cheeseburger, Mr. Bingham?”

He chuckled. “Actually, I’m hungry enough now for a thick slab of steak and a huge baked potato. These little finger foods aren’t going to hold me any longer.”

“I know what you mean. I haven’t had time to eat since breakfast this morning.”

“So, how about it? Want to go find a steak?”

She blinked. “Um…now?”

“Of course. We’re both hungry. We’ve dutifully made our appearances at this official reception thing, and there’s no reason for either of us to stay any longer. So, if you have no plans for the remainder of the evening, I would be honored if you would join me for dinner.”

She could hardly believe that Geoff Bingham was impulsively asking her out within a few minutes of meeting her. Heck, she couldn’t even say they had met, officially. She was quite sure she hadn’t even told him her name. “We haven’t even been introduced.”

His grin deepened, pushing intriguing creases into his lean cheeks. “We haven’t, have we? Of course you already know I’m Geoff Bingham, and I know you’re Eric Mendoza’s sister, Cecilia. You’re a valuable member of the midwifery team here and highly respected by everyone who mentions you. I’d like to get a chance to know you myself.”

So he did know who she was. Maybe, she decided, he just didn’t like eating alone. Maybe he was using her as an excuse to get out of this reception—being the gentleman by feeding a hungry guest, being a good executive by getting to know one of the subordinates in the organization, getting better acquainted with the sister of the man who was marrying one of his cousins. All sorts of rationales could apply. The question was, did she want to accept?

Rather surprisingly, considering her earlier weariness and eagerness to get home, the answer was yes.

Maybe she was simply trying to postpone going home alone—again—to contemplate her life and her future. Maybe watching Eric and Hannah from across the room made her aware again of her own depressing lack of a social life, if she discounted a few disastrous blind dates—which she did. Or maybe she simply liked the idea of spending a couple of hours with an attractive, charming and interesting man.

Deciding she had no reason at all to turn him down, she smiled. “Would you mind if I order chicken instead of steak?”

Satisfaction gleamed in his clear hazel eyes. “That can definitely be arranged.”

Chapter Two

If he had known when he’d dressed for the evening that he would end up dining with a beautiful brunette, he wouldn’t have been so reluctant to attend the reception, Geoff mused as he studied Cecilia Mendoza across a cozy table a short time later. Melinda’s was busy this evening, as it was most weekends, but a combination of clever table arrangement and discreet lighting gave them a sense of privacy as they studied the menus by candlelight.

At Cecilia’s suggestion, they had left the reception separately, driving their own cars to the restaurant. He had assumed the suggestion was based at least partly on discretion, since the gossip lines in the clinic were as active as in any tight-knit work environment. He had to admit it had been clever of her.

Geoff had had the foresight to call ahead as he’d left the hospital so that a table had been waiting for them, avoiding the usual lengthy wait for seating. He didn’t often wield his influence as a member of one of the wealthiest and most prominent local families, but this had been one of the rare occasions when it had been irresistible to do so. If Cecilia had been impressed, she hadn’t let it show, which was something else he liked about her.

“I think I’ll have the trout,” she said, laying her menu aside.

“Change your mind about the chicken?”

Her smile brought out tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth. Geoff couldn’t keep from staring at them as she replied, “Actually, everything looks so good it’s hard to decide. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had the chance to dine here.”

He dragged his gaze back up to her eyes. “Then I’m glad you were free to join me tonight.”

Located in an old firehouse, Melinda’s was a steak and seafood restaurant with a menu and a wine list that compared favorably to anything in the state, as far as Geoff was concerned. He liked the history of the place, the redbrick walls decorated with framed black-and-white vintage photographs from Merlyn County’s colorful past, the polished brass pole left over from the old fire station, the huge carved oak bar that made up the entire back wall of the popular lounge downstairs.

Geoff’s family had always come here for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, and the management had always given them preferential treatment. During the past few years, he had dined in some of the most renowned restaurants in the world, but Melinda’s would always feel like home to him.

Having placed their orders with the server who had been hovering discreetly nearby, Geoff focused on his companion again. “I’m told the clinic has been very busy lately.”

Her smile turned wry. “You’re told correctly. We’ve decided there’s a major baby boom going on in Merlyn County. And there’s more and more demand for midwifery services, partially due to the shortage of obstetricians in the county.”

“How are the new students performing? Is the school doing its job properly?”

“Absolutely. I would put our school up against any in the country.”

Pleased by her unmistakable loyalty to the company, Geoff nodded. “Enough about business—let’s talk about you.”

She gave him a look that warned him she wouldn’t fall easily for the usual trite lines, but he hadn’t really been feeding her one. He was interested in finding out about her. Something about the contrast between her politely restrained manner and her sexy flame-red dress intrigued him as much as her lovely face and curvy figure attracted him.

It had been much too long since he’d had time to spend an evening with an intriguing woman, he concluded. He had been so busy being the dutiful son and employee during the past ten years that he had almost forgotten how to be spontaneous and impulsive. He had tried so hard to be like his hardworking and upstanding father and not like his wild and irresponsible uncle that he had almost forgotten how to be himself. He had begun to suspect that there was a little of both his father and his uncle inside him.

It was the latter side that he called upon when he leaned slightly forward and gave Cecilia his most winning smile. “What do you like to do when you’re not delivering babies?”

“I’m an avid reader and gardener. I enjoy hiking and bird-watching in the mountains.”

“How do you feel about football?”

She lifted her wineglass to her lips and studied him over the rim. “I am positively passionate about football. Especially when it comes to University of Kentucky football.”

His interest went up a couple more notches. “A woman after my own heart.”

“I’m not after anyone’s heart, Mr. Bingham,” she said, setting her glass on the table. “Hearts are very high-maintenance organs, and I barely have time to take care of myself.”

He laughed. Now that was a sentiment he could agree with. With each passing moment he was becoming more pleased that he had followed his impulses and asked Cecilia Mendoza to join him for dinner.

Cecilia had always believed that the nicest pleasures were unexpected ones. Dining with Geoff Bingham definitely fell into that category. He was very good company—articulate, funny, attentive when she spoke. All skills picked up during the course of his job, she was sure, making him an ideal companion for a leisurely meal.

She couldn’t help chuckling as she compared this outing to the last time she had gone out on a dinner date. At Vanessa’s urging, she had reluctantly agreed to a blind date set up over the Internet. After all, there were so few available men Cecilia’s age in this area, and with her long hours at the clinic, she didn’t have many opportunities to meet other singles.

The date had been a dismal failure, a total waste of time on both sides. He hadn’t been at all interested in hearing about her work—just the opposite, actually, since he freely admitted that the idea of childbirth “grossed him out.” And his description of midnight frog gigging—his favorite sport, apparently—had done the same for her.

“What’s so funny?” Geoff asked, looking up from his nearly finished steak.

She hadn’t realized she had laughed out loud. “Nothing. I’m just enjoying the meal.”

He glanced at her plate and then at his own. “Maybe I should have ordered the trout. My steak’s good, but it doesn’t make me laugh.”

“Let’s just say it’s been too long since I’ve been out for a nice meal with a charming companion,” she said, reaching for her wineglass. “I’ve been eating alone entirely too much lately.”

Geoff’s expression turned wry. “I almost wish I could say the same. I have very few opportunities to spend any time alone. Seems like I rush constantly from one meeting or reception or dinner party to the next. I can’t even tell you the last time I had a chance to crash in front of the TV with a pizza for an entire evening.”

“You don’t enjoy your work?”

“Actually, I do, for the most part. But I think I’m going to start scheduling a bit more free time in the future.”

She nodded. “Good plan. Spend too many hours working and too few relaxing and you’ll end up burned out and suffering from stress-related health problems. I’ve seen it entirely too many times.”

“Maybe you should take your own advice. From what I hear, you’re one of the hardest workers in the clinic.”

She wondered who had been talking about her to Geoff. His sister, perhaps? While it sounded as though the conversation had been complimentary, it still made her uncomfortable to think about being discussed in her absence. “Yes, well, like you, I’ve been giving some thought to my personal life lately.”

As much as she loved her work, it was no substitute for a family or for the child she wanted so badly.

“You’re not planning on leaving the clinic, are you? Mari would have a cow if you even suggested it.”

She laughed at his wording, then shook her head. “I’m not leaving the clinic. I love my job. I just need more.”

She changed the subject before he could ask what that “more” entailed. “Tell me about your latest trip. I heard you were in Italy.” She wondered how he felt knowing he had been the subject of a few discussions, too.

If it bothered him, he didn’t let it show. He merely nodded to confirm the rumor. “Milan. I met with some scientists and international venture capitalists about investing funds and expertise into our biomedical research center.”

“Did the meetings go well—or can you say?”

“I can’t really give any details at the moment, but I can say the family was satisfied with my progress.”

Cecilia toyed with a fork-size piece of tender salmon. “Your family seems to be more than satisfied with your work. They always sound so proud when they speak of you.”

She noted that his smile was just a bit crooked. “That’s what I’ve been trained for all my life—to make my family proud.”

Was that a trace of restlessness she heard in his voice? She doubted that Geoff had been given much choice about joining his family’s business. Were there times when he wished he could have pursued his own path?

Cecilia knew all about family obligations. After all, she had pretty much put her own life on hold for several years to care for her mother. She had set aside dating and traveling and experimenting because she felt she owed it to her mother, and because she had wanted to give her much younger brother a chance to finish his education and get started in his own career.

But now their mother was gone. At twenty-six, Eric was successfully established with Bingham Enterprises, blissfully engaged to the woman he adored, and expecting a child he would love with all his heart. Cecilia was thirty-seven and still recovering financially from the daunting medical bills she had hidden from her brother. Her social life was pretty much nonexistent, and having her own child was a dream that seemed farther out of reach with each passing month.

“What’s wrong?”

She glanced up from the food she had suddenly lost interest in to find Geoff watching her from across the table, his clear hazel eyes entirely too perceptive. She felt as if he could read her thoughts in her own brown eyes, and even though she knew that was foolish, she glanced quickly away, pretending to concentrate on her meal again. “Nothing’s wrong. Why?”

“You stopped smiling.”

She smiled again and tried to make it look completely natural. “No serious talk tonight. I won’t allow it. Tell me about Milan—and make me see it in my mind.”

Proving himself to be as skilled with words as he was with a smile, he entertained her for the next twenty minutes with stories of his travels. His descriptions were so clever it was almost as if she could see the classic architecture, almost smell the spices and flowers, almost hear the music and voices, almost taste the exotic air. Maybe she would never have a chance to visit Milan for herself, but she would leave this restaurant feeling as if she had been treated to a brief glimpse of the faraway city.

Within minutes her smile was entirely genuine again. And all because of Geoff.

Funny how Geoff had fantasized earlier about spending the evening alone with his guitar. Instead, he found himself doing everything he could think of to delay his return to his empty rooms.

“Are you sure you don’t want dessert?” he asked when they could spend no more time toying with their empty plates.

Still wearing the soft smile his word-pictures had evoked, Cecilia shook her head. “I couldn’t eat another bite. But feel free to order something for yourself.”

He had no interest in dessert, either. As delectable as the pies here were, they couldn’t draw his interest away from the woman across the table from him.

It seemed he was in the mood for spicy rather than sweet this evening.

Somewhat reluctantly he paid the tab and escorted her out of the dining room. The strains of music drifting from the downstairs lounge gave him an idea for prolonging the evening. “The band sounds good tonight. Unless you’re in a hurry to get home, why don’t we have a drink and listen for a little while?”

She barely hesitated before agreeing. “That sounds like fun.”

Immensely pleased with himself, he led her in. Melinda’s lounge was a popular weekend date destination, and both the dance floor and the numerous cozy tables were almost full. Geoff thought it was another example of how magical this evening had been so far that a particularly nice table opened up just as they entered.

An efficient waitress took their orders almost as soon as they sat down. Cecilia asked for white wine, and Geoff requested the same.

The band—a group of talented local thirtysomethings—played a mix of adult contemporary and country pop numbers, the most popular genres for the usual crowd here. Geoff tapped his foot in time with a lively rendition of “Boot Scoot Boogie.” Energetic dancers two-stepped and line danced on the polished wood floor.

Geoff could two-step with the best of them, but he was rather hoping a nice, slow number would be next. The thought of holding Cecilia Mendoza in his arms was enough to make his foot tap faster.

She seemed to be enjoying watching the dancers. An amused smile flitted across her lips as she focused on one rhythmically challenged couple in matching turquoise western shirts and ill-fitting jeans.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to watch her without her noticing, he admired the way the flickering candlelight and colored dance floor lights gleamed in her dark hair. Wispy tendrils had escaped her upsweep to sway against her cheeks and flirt with the tops of her shoulders. He would like to see her hair down. Even more, he would like to see it spread across his pillow.

She chose that moment, of course, to glance his way, making him hope his thoughts were well concealed. “The band is good, aren’t they?”

“Very good,” he agreed, though he hadn’t heard a note since he’d started gazing at her.

She leaned a bit closer to him so he could hear her over the music and surrounding conversations. Though he could hear her perfectly well when she made another comment about the music, he scooted his own chair a bit closer to hers when he replied.

She lifted an eyebrow when his knee brushed hers. “You aren’t getting fresh, are you, Mr. Bingham?”

He grinned and ran a fingertip slowly down her smooth bare arm. “I was sort of thinking about it.”

“Well, let me know when you decide.”

“Are you telling me it’s okay if I do get fresh?”

She gave him a smile that heated his blood to a low simmer. “I suppose you’ll just have to try it and see.”

Obligingly enough, the band slipped into a slow number, the country arrangement of “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” As of that moment, it was Geoff’s new favorite song.

He stood and held out his hand. “Dance with me?”

Though she placed her hand in his and rose obligingly enough, she murmured, “I’m not much of a dancer, I’m afraid.”

Somehow he doubted that, considering the graceful way she moved, the gentle sway of her hips. But he couldn’t care less about fancy steps or choreographed moves—he just wanted to get his arms around her.

It felt as good to have them there as he had predicted.

Funny that he hadn’t realized until now how small she was. He would guess her to be a good seven inches shorter than his own six feet, so that even the strappy, heeled sandals she wore brought the top of her head just to his chin. Her figure was slender but nicely curved, making his hands itch to wander and explore. He kept them discreetly placed for public dancing, but he couldn’t help fantasizing a bit….

“It’s been forever since I’ve danced,” Cecilia murmured.

“It’s been a while for me, too.” The double entendre was unintentional—but accurate, nonetheless. When another couple crowded them, bringing Cecilia more closely against him, he was forcefully reminded of just how long it had been since he’d spent any quality one-on-one time with an attractive woman. It took some effort for him to keep his body from embarrassing him like a randy teenager’s.

They spent the next hour dancing and talking. Flirting. Having fun. Geoff could almost feel the last traces of work-induced tension seeping from his muscles. He sensed the same thing in Cecilia as her smiles warmed and softened.

It was inevitable that other people there recognized them with apparent surprise and curiosity, but other than acknowledging greetings, Geoff ignored everyone but his companion. Cecilia did the same, exchanging the occasional smile or wave, but subtly discouraging further approaches.

She was good at that, Geoff decided. Politely reserved. It was a skill his late mother had perfected and that Geoff had worked to develop to preserve some semblance of privacy in his hectic and very public life.

Though he paid little attention to gossip, his prominent family having been the subject of all too much of it during the years, he wondered if it bothered Cecilia that they were attracting so much notice. Tongues would probably wag tomorrow about Geoff making time with one of the midwives from the clinic. He was cynical enough to know that a few would turn the question around. “Didja’ hear that Cecilia Mendoza was making a play to snag the Bingham’s bachelor son?”

Such idle talk didn’t concern him, but maybe Cecilia took it more seriously. Then again, maybe not. After all, she must have known when they agreed to dine here that plenty of people would recognize them and speculate.

He had the feeling that Cecilia was self-confident enough not to be overly concerned at what other people said about her. He admired that about her. It was only one of the things he admired about her, he mused, his gaze lingering on her lush mouth.

Cecilia was reluctant for the evening to end, and it was clear that Geoff felt the same way. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a pleasant outing. She certainly couldn’t recall the last time she had danced this much. Even if her feet were throbbing in the heeled sandals she hadn’t expected to wear this long, it was well worth the discomfort.

It was a heady feeling knowing that Geoff found her attractive. Too often lately she had felt routine-bound and uninteresting, her days consumed with work, her home life unfulfilling. She was so often surrounded by young nurses and young mothers, who often treated Cecilia with a deference usually reserved for much older women. It was a sign of their respect for her and her career, of course, and she acknowledged that. But their attitudes sometimes made her feel older than thirty-seven.

Now a man at least five years her junior was looking at her with desire and admiration in his eyes. A very attractive, successful, interesting and respected man, who must meet dozens of beautiful and fascinating women in his travels.

She didn’t expect this to go anywhere, of course. Nor did she particularly want it to. After all, Geoff was a Bingham—and she certainly didn’t want to be involved in their lives. It concerned her enough that her brother was marrying one of the notorious Binghams—even though Hannah was only loosely connected to the clan.

Still, Cecilia thought, as Geoff’s strong arms went around her for their final dance, it had been nice to enjoy his company for a few stolen hours.

He held her more closely this time. His cheek rested against her hair. The band played Lonestar’s “Amazed,” the lead singer crooning the words into the mike. Whenever she heard the song in the future, she would remember this dance and the deliciously shivery sensations running through her.