For the Babies' Sakes (Expecting) (Harlequin Presents, No. 2280) by Sara Wood Page A

heart. Now she was left with nothing.
    Except, perhaps his baby.
    Helen’s heart tumbled over and over. She became still. ‘Are you in there, baby?’ she said experimentally, and moved both hands over her abdomen. A small spark of life rippled through her dulled spirits, lifting them a fraction. ‘I’ll look after you,’ she said, just in case her child felt anxious, in case her distress and the rows with Dan had caused harm. Suddenly a fierce strength poured into her, filling every nerve and fibre of her being. ‘I will be tough. I won’t mope. If you’re in there, I promise I’ll be a model mother-to-be.’ Briefly she let a faint smile lift her sad mouth. ‘But I draw the line at pink gingham. OK with you?’
    Filled with curiosity she ran to the full-length mirror, hauled up her shirt and studied her body. Was that what a pregnant woman looked like? Certainly her skin glowed—though that could be something to do with a succession of intensely satisfying orgasms.
    She judged herself critically. The dark mass of herrough-dried and tumbled hair looked undeniably sexy. There was a definitely sultry expression filling out her lips and making them look quite lush. No wonder Dan had grabbed her.
    But was she pregnant? She sighed impatiently. She’d soon know one way or the other.
    And feeling ravenously hungry, she went downstairs to cook up a huge pile of chips.
    â€˜Comfort food,’ she mused, and tucked into a double helping of chocolate mousse. It could be the last wicked meal she ate for the next seven months.
    She put down her spoon, suddenly unable to eat. The prospect of going through a pregnancy without Dan’s support filled her with a terror that made her loins turn to water.
    He’d always been there for her in the past. And she’d taken him for granted. Oh, sure, he was to blame for his roving libido. But she’d shut him out. Had been too tired for sex. What a mess she’d made of her life.

CHAPTER SIX
    F OR the third day running, Dan cancelled all his appointments, sending his loyal secretary frantic.
    â€˜You can’t afford the time, not now Celine’s walked out,’ Diane pointed out, looking harassed—as well she might. ‘You have contracts set up, deals to clinch—’
    â€˜I know,’ he agreed curtly. ‘And I can’t begin to think how I’ll manage without her.’ Heaving a heavy sigh, he said, ‘I’m sorry to put you in this position but this is important to me, Diane. I must take this time off. I’ll work a twenty-four-hour day for a while if necessary, to catch up. Give everyone my promise that the work will be done—’
    â€˜How about I call Celine at home and talk her round?’ Diane suggested gently.
    A spasm of pain tightened his mouth. The two hours with Celine had been a nightmare he didn’t want to repeat.
    â€˜No,’ he muttered. ‘Our row touched the Richter scale and she went ballistic.’
    Diane touched his hand in brief sympathy. ‘I know what you thought of her, what your relationship meant. I’m sorry. If you need a shoulder, I’m here. In the meantime, I’ll get on and ring your clients, then hold the fort till you return with the relief party.’
    â€˜Thanks. Appreciated.’
    â€˜You look awful. Will you be all right?’ Diane asked tentatively.
    â€˜I’ve no idea,’ he said, and left before he spilled his emotions on the office floor and compromised his self-control.
    Preoccupied with keeping icily detached, he stalked into the cottage surgery and found Helen there alone, her face drawn and white and her cringing figure quite transparently indicating that she was a bag of nerves.
    But he handled himself well, just giving her a curt nod and picking up a magazine, which might as well have been the Domesday Book for the attention he paid to it.
    He slanted a quick glance at her and quite