HER BABY'S SECRET FATHER by Lynne Marshall

kept the information to himself, he had an option to back out, without ever hurting Jaynie or appearing like a coward.
    If he didn’t think he could stand the responsibility of fatherhood, the risk of loving someone more than life itself and the pain of loss, he could retreat with his macho pride. And he had out-of-state medical school interviews to prepare for as a distraction.
    The usual excitement he felt when he thought about his future didn’t manage to rally itself while he stood there watching Jaynie and Tara. Instead, his heart ached with a strange sense of yearning.
    He took one last look at what should be the center of his universe and made a decision. He wouldn’t tell Jaynie he was the father…not yet. First, he needed more time to sort out his feelings for her and their child. And he could give Tara the zebra toy another day.
    * * *
    Another week passed and Tara was showing great promise, with a few ounces of weight gain and a stronger rooting reflex. Every time Jaynie swaddled and held her the little mouth seemed to search for a nipple, and on several occasions, with the nurse’s encouragement, she had offered herself for Tara’s exploration. Jaynie dreamed of the day when she’d finally get to nurse her.
    “When we go home, you’ll have your own room, and lots and lots of toys.” Jaynie spoke quietly to her snoozing baby. “You’ll get to eat and sleep all you want—”
    “Speaking of eating—” Terrance’s deep voice interrupted.
    Jaynie’s glance shot across the room, finding him instantly. Her eyes went wide, and a tiny gasp escaped her lips. “Oh, hi.”
    Reaching lightning-fast for a small cotton blanket, she draped it over her shoulder, covering both her and Tara. A flush of heat rose up her cheeks.
    “Hi,” he said.
    Tara jerked her head and Jaynie smoothed her fingers over the baby’s neck to help settle her down.
    “I’m really sorry,” he said, raising his hands and moving closer. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, but to be honest you stunned me.” His face flushed, which struck her as odd. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    “No, you didn’t.” She smiled and shook her head. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Have you been away on a big adventure? Waterfall-surfing or something?” she teased, with a playful glance his way.
    He scratched his jaw. “Now, that sounds like it has possibilities.” His eyes searched for hers, and when they met, she was struck by the change in his look from horsing around to dead serious. “Actually, I thought it was about time I took you out for another meal. You’re looking skinny—except for that large growth on your chest.”
    She flashed a look at her ample cleavage over the top of the swaddling blanket, with Tara’s head tucked between, and subtly pulled it up a bit higher. Terrance’s cheeks grew the faintest shade of pink.
    “I didn’t mean those… I meant that…” He scrubbed his hand across his face and grimaced.
    Jaynie laughed at how he’d put his foot in his mouth…again. But Terrance recovered quickly.
    “I meant the little bundle there.” He pointed toward Tara. Serious again, he continued. “Anyway, how about it?” He clapped his hands together. “Will you have dinner with me tonight, after I get off work?”
    Tara startled. Jaynie soothed her.
    Terrance covered his eyes and grimaced—again. Sorry, he mouthed.
    Jaynie had been spending a lot of time in the nursery, and even more time alone at home. The thought of keeping company with Terrance had a certain appeal.
    “Thanks for asking. I’d like that. I’ll need to go home and change, so you can pick me up there.”
    Judging by the smile on his face, she’d given the right answer.

CHAPTER SIX
    J AYNIE put her arm around Arpita as the doctors whisked Manish off to surgery. “What’s going on?”
    Arpita wrung her hands. “He started passing blood in his diapers. They said he needs surgery for a blockage.” She burst out in tears. “What