Desire Collection: December Books 1 – 4. Elizabeth Bevarly

his recommendation for the DNA test. But his lawyer had sown a seed. Piers wanted to be certain that Casey’s stability would never be threatened. That he’d never become involved in a tug-of-war between parents the way Piers and Quin so often had with their own parents. Even though they’d never separated, they’d spent most of their marriage living very separate lives and constantly battling over their assets. Their children, though uninteresting to them personally, were often pawns used in their bickering.

      No, Casey would have the stability he deserved. There would be no question about who was responsible for him or who would raise him. Piers would get the testing done and settle any doubt once and for all.

      “Faye, I need you to do something for me,” he said the moment she returned to the office from a meeting.

      She raised one brow in question.

      He explained what he needed and, true to form, within fifteen minutes she’d gathered the information he’d requested and ordered the test kit to be couriered directly to their office.

      “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked after she hung up the phone.

      “I don’t want any nasty surprises in the future,” he answered firmly.

      “But what if Casey’s not Quin’s, after all? Isn’t that why you’re keeping him rather than relinquishing him to state care?”

      “It won’t make any difference.”

      “Won’t it?”

      “Of course not. He’s mine now. Forever.”

      “If he’s not Quin’s child, you can change your mind.”

      Piers felt the weight of her statement as if it was placed directly over his heart. “What are you suggesting?” he demanded, his voice hard.

      “It wouldn’t be the first time someone decided parenthood wasn’t for them. I saw it at least twice when adoptions failed while I was being fostered. It’s heartbreaking for everyone concerned.”

      He looked at her in shock. Was that a measure of how she saw him? Was that why she showed no inclination to take a risk on him? Did she truly think he was incapable of commitment to anyone—a woman or a child?

      “Wow. Why don’t you just tell me what you really think of me, Faye?”

      He couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice. Her words had scored deep cuts, whether she’d intended them to or not.

      “I’m sorry, but it happens. This is all very new for you now and you’re deeply invested in the whole idea of raising Casey. I can see that.”

      “But?” he prompted when she fell silent.

      “There is no but. Before you complete the adoption process you need to be certain, for all your sakes, that you’re in this for the right reasons.”

      “And they would be?”

      “That Casey gets the best and most loving home and upbringing he possibly can.”

      There was a note in her voice that surprised him. A passion that spoke volumes as to why she was playing devil’s advocate so persistently. Was it possible that she’d allowed herself to develop feelings for Casey, too? That it would distress her if the adoption didn’t work out?

      The very idea that it mightn’t made Piers feel sick to his stomach, but he forced that feeling aside, focusing instead on Faye.

      “Those are my very reasons for adopting him,” he said finally. “It heartens me that you care so much for his welfare.”

      He watched as myriad expressions raced over her fine features and as those features finally settled into a frown. She was just about to speak when Piers’s cell phone chimed in his pocket.

      “You’d better get that,” she said before turning back to her computer.

      * * *

      Whatever the call was, it must have been important because with just a short “I’ll be back by lunch,” Piers headed out of the office.

      She sagged in her office chair, the tension she hadn’t even realized she’d been carrying in her shoulders finally letting go.

      Faye closed her eyes for a moment and bowed her head, then took in a deep breath before letting it go slowly. She’d overstepped when she’d talked to him like that but someone had to advocate for Casey. From where she sat, Piers had lived a golden life. Born into money, given the best education that money could buy, raised in luxurious indulgence—even his position here at work had fallen into his lap after his father had declared his retirement.

      While he was more than capable of hard work, he’d always started each battle with every advantage on his side. He didn’t know true hardship. Sure, yes, he knew grief. He knew that life could change in an instant, but she’d seen very little about his world that showed he truly understood personal commitment. Casey deserved that.

      “Ms. Darby?”

      Faye’s eyes flew open and she looked up to see Casey’s male nanny, Jeremy, standing in front of her.

      “Hi, Jeremy. Sorry, I was away with the fairies,” she said with a smile of welcome. “What can I help you with?”

      “I’m really sorry, but I’ve just received a call to say my wife has been in a car accident and she’s being taken to the hospital. I’ve called Laurie and she’s coming in to cover for me, but she won’t be here for another half hour, at least. I wouldn’t ask normally, but my wife is in a lot of pain and she needs to be seen as soon as possible.

      “Could you listen for Casey? He’s sleeping and I don’t expect he’ll wake until after Laurie gets here but—”

      “Leave me the monitor and go. Your wife needs you. There are plenty of us who can listen out for when Casey wakes. Don’t worry, okay? And let me know how your wife is doing after you’ve seen a doctor.”

      “Thanks, Ms. Darby. I really appreciate it.”

      “Faye. Please, call me Faye.”

      Jeremy smiled in response and popped the baby monitor on her desk. “Thanks, Faye. I owe you one.”

      “No problem, just go and see to your wife.”

      He was gone almost before the words had left her mouth.

      Faye stared at the monitor he’d left on her desk with a wary expression. Even though she’d made sure she had no direct contact with him since returning from the lodge, she knew Casey’s schedule by heart. Usually a good little sleeper, he wasn’t due to wake for at least another hour, and by then Laurie would definitely be here. She could cope with this, she told herself. All care and yet no responsibility.

      She returned her attention to her computer screen and studied the building cost analysis figures for a proposed refit of a collection of old warehouses in North Carolina. Something was off, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She sighed and scrolled back to the beginning. She’d find the discrepancy and deal with it. Details were what she did best.

      Faye had been lost in numbers and projections for the better part of fifteen minutes when she heard an enraged howl through the monitor. A chill washed through her and she looked at the time on her computer screen. No way. Casey shouldn’t be waking now. Another scream bellowed through the speaker on her desk, forcing her to her feet and out of the office. A few yards down the hall she stopped at the door to the nursery. Her hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob.

      This was ridiculous, she told herself. He was just a baby. Just a helpless, sweet thing needing comfort. And yet she could barely bring herself to turn the knob and let herself into the room. Another cry from inside pushed her into action.

      She opened the door and stepped into the nursery and was instantly assailed with an array of scents. Soothing lavender in an electric oil burner in one corner was overlaid with the powdery scent of talcum powder. Over that again was something