The Baby Arrangement. Moyra Tarling

think I’m not cut out for it. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since before he was born.”

      Faith hid a smile. “Welcome to the real world,” she said. “Go take a nap. The bed in the spare room is always made up.”

      “Thanks.” Paula rose from the armchair. She’d taken only a couple of steps when she stopped and turned to Faith. “Uh...it is all right. I mean, you don’t mind looking after the baby, do you?” she asked with some hesitation.

      Faith lifted her gaze from the sleeping infant and smiled at her twin. “No, I don’t mind,” she answered, surprised and pleased to discover she was speaking the truth.

      She hadn’t as much as looked at a baby, never mind held one, since Erica’s death. In fact, Faith had deliberately made a point of avoiding situations where she might run into anyone with an infant.

      But feeling the weight of Nicky in her arms, mingled with his sweet scent, was strangely comforting. Watching his chest rise and fall, she was mesmerized by the miracle in her arms. And holding him seemed to diminish the pain of her loss and restore a small measure of peace.

      “Well, Nicky,” Faith said softly, once Paula had disappeared down the hallway. “I guess it’s just you and me. By the way, I’m your aunt Faith.” Nicky’s eyes flickered open in response to her voice, and seconds later he started to cry.

      Carrying him into her bedroom, Faith proceeded to change and feed the infant. Afterward, she put him down in the center of her king-size bed for a nap while she tidied her workroom. Just that morning a courier had picked up the children’s illustrations she’d completed for her publisher.

      Paula joined her in the kitchen two hours later. After inquiring about Nicky, she filled a glass with orange juice and turned to Faith. “Listen, sis, I have to fly to L.A. tonight,” Paula suddenly announced.

      “Tonight?” Faith repeated with a frown. “But you just got here,” she added, disappointment tugging at her because Paula and the baby had to leave so soon.

      “It’s really important,” Paula continued. “It could be the turning point of my career. That’s why I had to—” She broke off. “I need to get there as soon as I can. I’ve waited so long for this and I can’t afford to blow it....”

      “Blow what?” Faith asked, but Paula merely shook her head and brought the glass to her lips.

      Paula sighed. “I don’t have time to explain all the ins and outs. I have to catch a plane. But I need to ask a favor,” she hurried on.

      “Anything. You know that,” Faith responded, wondering if Paula would ever tell her the whole story.

      “Can I leave Nicky with you?” Paula asked.

      Startled, Faith felt her breath catch in her throat at the unexpected request.

      “I know it’s asking a lot....”

      “What about his father? Can’t you leave Nicky with him?”

      Paula hesitated, and avoided Faith’s gaze. “Right now, that’s not an option. And please don’t ask me why,” Paula hurried on. “Look, it’ll only be for a couple of days...a week at the most.”

      Faith heard the familiar pleading note in her twin’s voice. Reaching for the towel on the drain board, she dried her hands. “Of course I’ll look after Nicky,” she said. “Take as long as you need.”

      Paula’s eyes instantly lit up, her features relaxing in obvious relief. “Do you mean it?” she asked breathlessly.

      “When have I ever been able to say no to my baby sister?” Faith teased gently.

      Faith suddenly found herself enfolded in Paula’s arms. “Oh, sis, thanks. This means a lot to me,” Paula mumbled before spinning away. “Oh...can I borrow some clothes? I was in such a hurry when I left, I didn’t think to take any of my regular clothes with me. I’ll hit the stores once I get to L.A.”

      “Sure. Check in my closet,” Faith said, only just managing to refrain from voicing the question Left where? “There’s not a lot to choose from, but help yourself,” she added.

      Paula had phoned the airline and, after making a reservation, had called for a taxi. While they’d waited for the cab Faith had tried to coax some more information from her twin, but Paula had ignored her questions, and had simply kept repeating that her future depended on the outcome of the trip.

      “I’ll know more when I get there,” Paula had said when the cab finally arrived. “I’ll call tomorrow morning, say around ten,” she’d said, and, giving Faith a final hug, she’d climbed into the taxi.

      

      But Paula hadn’t called, at least not yet. Faith set the empty baby bottle on the end table beside her. She glanced at her watch. It was past nine-thirty. Shifting Nicky to her right shoulder, she began to rub his back in slow, circular motions.

      Faith’s gaze drifted to the man dozing in the armchair. There could be no mistake. The description Paula had given her of Jared McAndrew the night before fitted him to a T.

      Asleep, he looked considerably less threatening. Several strands of jet black hair had fallen across his forehead, affording him a boyish, almost youthful appearance. But she only had to transfer her attention to the dark shadow outlining his jaw to dispel that notion.

      Nonetheless, Jared McAndrew’s threat to take Nicky was definitely real. A shiver chased down Faith’s spine. Should she call the police? she wondered. But even if she did, could they do anything to prevent him from taking Nicky?

      Paula hadn’t left her the baby’s birth certificate or any documentation to prove she was related to the child. And besides, Paula had said Jared was a lawyer, and in all likelihood that would work in his favor.

      Why hadn’t her twin warned her to be on the lookout for Nicky’s father? What had happened between them? Suddenly Faith recalled the comments Jared had made outside earlier, implying Paula had been running away. But why?

      It appeared he was unaware Paula had a twin sister, and Faith wondered if keeping that knowledge to herself, at least for time being, might give her a slight edge.

      She glanced again at his sleeping figure. The idea of tiptoeing past him and making her escape with Nicky was very tempting, but she sensed if she tried to leave, he would awaken.

      Deciding to test her theory, she tightened her hold on the baby and with her pulse starting to race, she carefully eased herself out of the rocking chair.

      She’d barely taken a step before the stranger’s dark, sweeping lashes lifted and a pair of piercing blue eyes met hers.

      “Going somewhere?” He jerked upright into a sitting position.

      “Nicky’s asleep,” Faith told him. “I was going to put him down for a nap.”

      “You named the baby Nicky?” Jared asked, rising from the chair to effectively bar her exit.

      “Nicholas,” she corrected, taking a step back.

      “Nicholas McAndrew...” he said, testing out the name. He glanced at the sleeping child in her arms and a slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Nicholas McAndrew. I like it. It’s got a nice ring to it.”

      “I’m glad you approve,” Faith said, fighting to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

      “But there’s no point putting the baby to bed,” he told her evenly.

      “Why not?” Faith took another step back, his nearness making her feel a little claustrophobic.

      “Because I’m taking him home to Grace Harbor with me.”

      “Grace Harbor?” Faith repeated, never having heard of the place.

      “Come on, Paula,” he said, his tone scathing. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but it cuts