Daddy by Christmas / Christmas Magic on the Mountain. Patricia Thayer

breaths she eased back against the pillows and shut her eyes. Why had she come here today? Okay, she’d wanted to come to the party. And Dr. Drake had said she could be out for a few hours if she was careful and didn’t overdo things.

      Mia caressed her stomach, feeling the tension slowly ease from her body.

      There was a soft knock and the door opened and Jarrett came in carrying a tray with a slice of pie. He stopped at the side of the bed, frowning. “You okay?”

      “I’m fine,” she fibbed. “I’m just resting.”

      He continued to stare at her. “You don’t look fine.”

      She closed her eyes again. “Then don’t look at me.”

      He sat the plate on the nightstand. “Are you having contractions?”

      She opened her eyes. “Just a little one.”

      Jarrett pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and took out a business card. He grabbed the phone off the table.

      “What are you doing?” she asked.

      “Calling your doctor.”

      “You can’t, it’s Thanksgiving.”

      “Then we go to the emergency room.” He paused. “Your choice.”

      Jarrett had worried this might happen if Mia left the apartment. They were lucky that Dr. Drake was on call today, and it only took her minutes to return his call.

      The doctor talked with Mia, who didn’t look happy when she handed the phone back to Jarrett.

      “Yes, Doctor?” he said.

      “I instructed Mia not to get out of bed for anything except to use the bathroom, and I want her in my office first thing in the morning. Could you bring her in?”

      “We’ll be there when your doors open.” He ended the call and hung up. “Looks like you’ll be staying here tonight.”

      He watched her eyes widen. “I can’t stay here. It’s not fair to you.”

      “Hey, I haven’t been staying here anyway.”

      “But this is your room, your bed.”

      Smiling, he glanced around at the large space. “I guess we’ll have to share.”

      She glared. “You need to get a life, McKane.”

      “I have a life, thank you, or at least I did before I moved into the Mountain View Apartments.”

      There was another soft knock on the door and Kira peered in. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

      “It’s under control now. Mia’s had some contractions. Her doctor wants her to stay in bed and come in tomorrow.”

      Mia sat up. “I tried to tell Jarrett that I’ll be able to rest better in my own apartment.”

      Kira stood at the end of the bed. “I know this is difficult, Mia, but you really need to stay put. In the last months when I was pregnant with Jenna, I couldn’t even sit up to eat.”

      “See,” Jarrett said. “And she delivered a healthy baby. So you stay.”

      Suddenly two more people appeared at the door, Nola and Sylvia, looking concerned.

      “Please don’t worry,” Mia said. “I’m fine. But I guess I have to stay put for tonight.”

      Nola came closer and patted her hand. “We’re not worried. Jarrett will take care of you.” She looked down at the tray of food. “You need to eat.”

      Jarrett backed out of the room, leaving the women to pamper Mia. He couldn’t help but wonder if he was the cause of her problem.

      He rubbed his hand over his face. He had no business near her, let alone kissing her.

       What happened to keeping your distance, McKane? The woman is pregnant, for Christ’s sake.

      He looked up to see Trace coming down the hall. “Is everything okay?”

      Hell, would the cavalry be coming next? “Mia had a few contractions, but she’s resting now.”

      “That’s good.” Trace studied him. “You seem to have inherited a lot more than just an apartment building. Need any help?”

      Jarrett wasn’t surprised at his brother’s offer. For years the kid had tried to get close to him, but Jarrett had always rebuffed him. It made him ashamed of his past actions.

      “Thanks, but I’m handling it.”

      Trace smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day my brother entertained a group of senior citizens in his house and had a pregnant woman in his bed.”

      Jarrett started to argue, but he had no words.

      Trace grinned. “Be careful, bro, you’re getting soft, or else, Mia Saunders is doing something no other woman ever has.”

      Jarrett sighed. “I don’t want to hear this.” He walked out into the great room, seeing the rest of his guests waiting for some news. He hoped he could convince them everything would be okay. First he had to convince himself.

       Darkness surrounded her, but Mia knew she wasn’t alone. The small room was filled with loud music, a lot of voices trying to be heard. She could smell cigarette smoke. Someone was smoking.

       No! It was bad for the baby. She tried to stand, but someone pulled her back down.

       “You can’t leave, honey,” a man with a slurred voice said. “The party’s only getting started. Here have another drink.” He put a glass in front of her face and she nearly gagged on the stale smell of beer.

       “No! Let me go.” She managed to break his hold, and get out the door. The night’s cold air caused her to shiver as she looked around, but she couldn’t recognize anything. She had no idea where she was, but knew she had to get home. But she had no home.

       “Margaret!”

       She turned and saw her father. She gasped and tried to run, but her legs were too heavy to move fast and Preston Saunders grabbed her arm.

       “You can’t get away from me,” he threatened.

       “Let me go,” she cried. “I don’t want you.”

       “I don’t want you either, but my grandchild is a different matter. If you think I’ll let you raise this baby you’d better think again. It’s a Saunders.”

       “No, it’s my baby. It’s mine! It’s mine!” she cried.

      “Mia! Mia! Wake up.”

      She felt another touch. This time it was different. Gentler. Soothing. She opened her eyes and saw Jarrett leaning over her. With a gasp she went into his arms and held on. Tight.

      Jarrett felt her trembling. His arms circled her back and pulled her close and he felt her breasts pressed against his bare chest. The awareness shook him, but he worked to ease her fears.

      “Ssh, you were having a bad dream. It’s okay, Mia.” He felt her tears against his shoulder. “I’m here.”

      She shivered again and then pulled back but refused to look at him. “I’m sorry.”

      With the moonlight coming through the French doors, he could see she wasn’t all right.

      “Bad dream, huh? You want to tell me about it?”

      She shook her head, but didn’t let go of his hand. “It’s just one of those where someone is chasing you.”

      “Anyone you know?”

      She shrugged. “Just