The Maverick's Christmas Baby. Victoria Pade

seemed to have formed between them through the adversity they’d shared. To return to the way things had been before—to barely being aware that Nina Crawford existed.

      He had to go, though. What else was he going to do? Especially when her family and doctor all came to stand around her bed, the Crawfords’ scorn for him thick in the air as they pretended he was invisible.

      He stole one last glance at Nina, whose big brown eyes met his, who gave him a smile that spoke of the connection they’d made, if only for a little while today. Then he raised a palm to her in a goodbye wave and finally did manage to leave.

      Wishing—for no reason he understood—that a lot of things might be different.

      And realizing only as he got back on the elevator to go down to the lobby that for just a little while with her he hadn’t felt so bad....

      * * *

      By Friday, Nina was home in her small apartment above the General Store and feeling good again. Better than ever, in fact. But she was still following doctor’s orders not to return to work until Saturday.

      Her mother had been hovering. Laura Crawford had even spent Thursday night with Nina. But over lunch Friday afternoon, when Laura was still there and giving no indication of leaving, Nina had convinced her that everything was back to normal, and that Laura should go home.

      Once she had and Nina was alone, her thoughts turned to Dallas Traub.

      Since Wednesday’s near-collision she’d been finding it nearly impossible not to think about him and had used the presence of family to distract herself. But, finally left to her own devices, she couldn’t seem to think about anything but the swaggeringly sexy, blue-eyed Traub with the great head of hair who had taken such kind and tender care of her.

      She wanted to thank him again for everything he’d done on Wednesday.

      That was all there was to her constant thoughts of him, she told herself. And it was reasonable to want to express her gratitude.

      After all, not only had he put aside whatever petty differences their families had, but he’d gone out of his way for her at every juncture.

      Until her family had arrived and been rude to him.

      And even then he’d been calm and courteous. He’d absorbed their scorn and contempt with aplomb and without dishing out any of his own before he’d gone on his way.

      She owed him more than gratitude, she decided.

      But thanking him again was a start, in order to let him know just how much she appreciated everything.

      And if she also felt the need to hear his voice again and make some kind—any kind—of contact with him?

      Maybe it was an odd phenomenon where a person developed a sense of kinship with their rescuer.

      That seemed possible.

      It seemed more possible than any kind of alternative. Like wanting contact with him because she was attracted to him....

      How crazy would that be? she asked herself.

      Attracted to someone when she was eight months pregnant?

      Attracted to a Traub?

      Completely crazy, that’s how crazy it would be.

      And even more crazy still when she factored in his age.

      That was the frosting on the cake.

      Dallas was nine years older than she was, so even if she wasn’t pregnant, and even if he wasn’t a Traub, his age alone was enough for her to steer completely clear of him.

      Leo had been ten years older than she was, and Nina had had enough of the disadvantages that came with a relationship with a wide gap in ages. Enough of accommodating and adapting and making all the adjustments because that age seemed to bring with it the privilege of some kind of seniority.

      And Leo hadn’t had kids.

      Dallas Traub did. Three of them.

      Kids only increased the need for any woman who got involved with him to be accommodating.

      Involved?

      She didn’t know why Dallas Traub and involvement had even come in the same thought. Of course she wasn’t and would never get involved with him!

      She just wanted to talk to him, for crying out loud. And then maybe find a way to show her appreciation. Like with a fruit basket or something.

      To reiterate her thanks. To apologize for the way her family had treated him.

      It was all just the right thing, given what he’d done for her. Nothing more to it. Dallas had done her a huge kindness and service, and she owed him her gratitude.

      And, hey, maybe if the two of them could treat each other courteously it could be the beginning of some kind of bridge between the two families, so that her child and his sons might not have to hate each other for no reason anyone could actually explain.

      That was probably a stretch. The bad blood between the Traubs and the Crawfords had been going on for generations, and the mere act of reiterating her thanks to him wasn’t likely to cure that.

      But still, she felt compelled to make the phone call.

      It required a few other calls to friends to get Dallas’s cell phone number, but she finally did. When she dialed it he answered right away.

      The sound of that deep, deep voice filled her with something she couldn’t explain. Something warm and satisfying.

      But she ignored the response and said, “Dallas? This is Nina Crawford.”

      He laughed. “You’re the only Nina I know. Hi!” he added, sounding happy to hear from her. Which was somewhat of a relief because it had crossed her mind that, now that they weren’t in dire straits, things between them might return to the normal state of affairs. At least, normal for their families.

      “I’ve been thinking and thinking about you—how are you?” he asked immediately and in a tone that held only friendliness.

      “I’m really good,” she said. “I got home yesterday and can’t work until tomorrow. But I feel fine and I would be downstairs doing everything I usually do right now if not for doctor’s orders.”

      “Downstairs? In your store?”

      “That’s where I work,” she answered with a laugh.

      “I’m there now.”

      He was just downstairs?

      Knowing he was that nearby sent a sense of elation through her. Strange as it seemed...

      “I live in the apartment above the store,” she informed him. “Want to come and see for yourself that—thanks to you—I’m faring very well?”

      Nina had no idea where that had come from. It was nothing but impulse.

      But Dallas didn’t hesitate before he said, “I’d like that! How do I get there?”

      “Go to the back of the store. There’s a staircase behind Women’s Sleepwear and Intimates—”

      “The boys will love that,” he said facetiously. Then he added, “Oh, I didn’t think about that. My boys are with me. Maybe we shouldn’t come up—”

      “I’m kid-friendly,” she assured. Then she laughed again. “I’d better be.”

      “You’re sure you don’t mind? And that you’re well enough?”

      “I’m sure. Come on up.”

      That was all the convincing it took for him to say eagerly, “Be right there.”

      Hanging up, Nina knew that it was absurd to be as excited as she was by the fact that she was about to get to see Dallas again right now.

      But that’s the way