Public Affair, Secretly Expecting (22 page)

BOOK: Public Affair, Secretly Expecting

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Juno turned to her friend and gripped her hand, the grin she’d been sporting for a good seven months getting wider by the second. ‘Not for us,’ she said simply. ‘You know how nervous Mac’s been getting in the last few weeks.’ She felt emotion tickle the back of her throat at how desperately he’d been trying to hide it. ‘He’d have gone into a complete tailspin if I’d made him wait a minute longer. He practically had a fit as it was when I told him the church wasn’t available till April, way back in October. He would have kidnapped me then and there if I’d even hinted we wait until after the birth.’

The memory of how desperate he’d been to get them safely wed still had the power to make her heart quicken.

Daisy stifled a giggle herself. ‘Having seen the look on his face this morning when I told him he couldn’t see you, I guess you have a point.’

The bells of the noon hour rang out across the small vestry.

‘Oh, dear,’ Daisy said, the teasing tone turning to consternation. ‘I had to promise Connor we would not be fashionably late, so he wouldn’t have to physically restrain Mac from storming down the aisle to get you.’ She gave an apologetic smile as her eyes dipped to Juno’s cleavage. ‘But that means I won’t have time to find some lace to preserve your modesty.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ Juno said, still smiling. ‘The dress is gorgeous. And if the worst comes to the worst and I end up flashing the minister we’ll just have to hope he doesn’t have a heart attack or Mac really will kidnap me.’

They both laughed.

Daisy sobered first. ‘God, Ju.’ She clasped Juno’s hands tight, tears sparkling in her eyes. ‘I’m so proud of you.’

‘Why?’

‘Remember how panicky you were at the prospect of wearing that maid of honour gown when we were last here? Since then you’ve blossomed into the beautiful butterfly you were always meant to be. And it’s all your own doing.’

‘No, it’s not. It’s Mac’s too,’ she said, sniffing back tears of joy. ‘Anyone can be beautiful when they know they’re loved.’

As she walked down the aisle towards the man of her dreams and saw the love shining in his eyes—and the flare of arousal as his gaze drifted to her cleavage—her heart soared. How could any one heart feel so full and not burst? she wondered.

A week later, sore and exhausted after a demanding twelvehour labour, Juno had her answer as she watched her husband of eight days hold his tiny baby daughter in his arms for the first time.

‘So what do you think of her?’ she whispered, her voice weary, her heart full to bursting again.

His eyes met hers over the bundle cradled so carefully against his chest, his gaze filled with pride and awe and unconditional love.

‘You did well, Mrs Brody. She’s the most gorgeous baby in the known universe.’ A single frown line wrinkled his brow. ‘Although I may have to give you both a lecture on not missing your cue.’

She laughed, recalling how frantic he’d been when he’d woken up in the middle of the night to find her panting through her first contractions, three whole weeks early.

‘I’m sure I’ll do much better next time,’ she teased, and watched the colour drain out of his face.

‘Now, now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,’ he said forcefully. ‘It’s going to take a considerable time for my heart rate to get back to normal after this little one’s arrival.’ But then he glanced down at his daughter and grinned. ‘But at least Daddy’ll die a happy man, won’t he, darlin’?’

Juno sighed as she sank into the pillows and her husband settled next to her with a besotted smile on his handsome face.

Her heart soared into the stratosphere, but still didn’t burst—and she realised why.

I guess you just get used to being this happy.

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

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First published in Great Britain 2009
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

ISBN 978-1-4089-1345-1

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