Coming Home to Texas. Victoria Chancellor

“I hope you like Earl Grey.”

      “One of my favorites,” she said, pushing her shoulder-length blond hair behind her ear. His eyes settled on her neck and he remembered, with a flush of heat, how sensitive she was in that particular spot, just below her ear. He’d felt an enormous sense of possession when he’d kissed her there, hard, as he’d moved inside her.

      Shaking away the memory, he straightened and tugged on the hem of his old U.T. sweatshirt. Jodie was sitting in one of the big carved wood and upholstered chairs near the fireplace. He took the other one, then grabbed a mug of tea, searching for a safe way to begin this conversation.

      “So, have you been in California?”

      “Mostly, although I spent some time in New York City. That’s one of the reasons I needed to see you right away. Something has developed in my career.”

      “Something good?”

      “Absolutely. I think I mentioned a possible cosmetics contract last month when we were…well, in Monte Carlo. As soon as I returned, I found out that they want me to become their new image. I signed the contract two weeks ago to become ‘the girl next door,’ as they call it.” Jodie looked away and laughed mirthlessly, a sad sound against the soft crackle of the fire. “Some girl next door. Unless, of course, your neighbor is pregnant and unwed.”

      “If you’ve already signed the contract, surely they’ll work with you on the ad campaign. Maybe change the timing or just show you from the chest up.”

      Jodie shook her head. “It’s not that simple. The contract has a morality clause. I can’t do or say anything that will negatively impact myself or the company while I’m representing them. Keep in mind that I’m supposed to be the girl next door, not the jet-setting California tramp.”

      Ouch. Becoming an unwed mother would probably violate the contract, even with the relaxed morality of big cities as opposed to small towns. “I see your problem.”

      “It’s rather obvious, isn’t it? Without your cooperation, I can have my baby or I can have my career.” She leaned forward, holding the mug like a talisman. “Well, I want both.”

      Travis took a deep breath. “I’ve tried being married, Jodie. I didn’t like it.”

      “Tough. Look, I’m not asking you for eternal love and commitment. I’m asking for your name for our baby, your cooperation in a marriage. A temporary marriage. Perhaps make some appearances with me. Act happy over the baby, that sort of thing. I promise I won’t bother you all that much. After all, I’ll be pretty busy with my endorsements, assignments and other activities.”

      “Not to mention the baby.”

      “Of course. I meant, before the baby is actually born. My agent is quietly working on a deal with a maternity clothing line.”

      “Sounds like you have it all planned out. Hell, this could be a great break for you.” He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice, but knew he failed. So what? Although life had handed her a basket of lemons, it sounded to him as if Jodie was making lemonade with great gusto. Or maybe she’d been “expecting” these lemons all along. Was he just another part of her plan?

      “Everything seems to be coming together for you nicely. All you need is a husband, now that you have the new contract and a baby on the way.”

      “I didn’t plan to get pregnant! I knew nothing about this ‘girl next door’ campaign the company has planned.”

      His suspicions must have shown on his face. Travis shrugged. “Still, you got pregnant, and now you’re here, demanding my cooperation because of all your contracts and endorsements.”

      “Hoping for your cooperation,” she interrupted, “so I can save my career and support this baby.”

      “Whatever. All I know is that you claim to be having my baby, but I haven’t had any say in your plans.”

      “This baby is affecting my career, not yours.”

      “Don’t be so sure about that.”

      “What do you mean?”

      He leaned forward, facing her over the edge of the ottoman. “I mean that I live in a small community with traditional values. I don’t want my friends and neighbors thinking I’m an irresponsible man or a dead-beat dad. I don’t want them assuming I have indiscriminate affairs.”

      “Oh, so now I’m to blame. I’m indiscriminate?” Her voice rose with the color on her cheeks.

      “It takes two to tango, Jodie, and I remember both of us being involved. Look, I’m not saying you planned to get pregnant by me, but since you did, you’ve gone ahead and made a lot of assumptions. A lot of plans. In all fairness, I should be a part of your decisions.”

      “I’m not asking for much, Travis. I need your cooperation in going through the ceremony, making a few appearances, that sort of thing.”

      “And I need to be involved. You’ve had several weeks to think this through. The least you can do is give me several days.”

      “I’m running out of time!”

      “And I’m not running to the altar again until I’m sure about who I’m marrying and why!”

      JODIE FELL BACK AGAINST the bed and threw her arm over her eyes, certain she wouldn’t be able to sleep even though Travis had suggested she “rest up” before dinner. Just as he’d strongly suggested she would stay with him rather than find a hotel somewhere.

      She wished she could make the past five weeks go away as easily as she could shut her eyes and block out the gray Texas day. Or change just that one moment when she’d decided to step into the shower with Travis. She hadn’t given a thought to protection and apparently neither had he. And now they were both paying the price.

      No, she shouldn’t think that. The baby was completely innocent. And Jodie realized she was already starting to have feelings for the tiny life, even though it was bad timing for a pregnancy.

      In all honesty, she didn’t wish she’d never met Travis. Or fallen into his bed so easily. Or anything about that weekend—but she did wish they had been more careful. A baby hadn’t been part of her plans for the near future, despite the fact that she was getting to the age where she had to start seriously considering having children…or not. No, this wasn’t great timing, but then, Travis certainly had good genes to give to a child. He was tall, fit, muscular and intelligent, never mind gorgeous, and had a terrific personality. Otherwise she wouldn’t have fallen for him so quickly and completely.

      He’d been a great guy, a fantastic lover. She’d seriously regretting leaving him on Monday to return home. He’d seemed equally sad that they’d had to part so soon.

      But did he call? She shook her head. Not once. Of course, she hadn’t called him, either, despite the fact he’d left her with a card. Just in case, he’d said. They’d both agreed they weren’t looking for a relationship, just a brief fling. They’d known their lives weren’t compatible. He was Texas; she was California. He was laid-back in his established profession; she was hard-charging about her rising career.

      Apparently her egg and his sperm hadn’t realized how incompatible they were outside the bedroom. The little critters had teamed up at the first chance to make a baby.

      Jodie let her hand drift to her stomach. Somewhere inside a tiny life nestled, completely unconcerned about the problems of the two irresponsible adults. She couldn’t let her baby down. She’d make a darn good single mother. Of course, she’d allow Travis to have visitation if he wanted to be part of the child’s life. She wasn’t unreasonable. On the other hand, she wouldn’t push for money or anything else.

      Her mother had provided a good home for her. Jodie planned to do the same for her baby. Her father hadn’t wanted to be part of their family and they hadn’t needed him—financially, emotionally or in any other way. Jodie had always believed that independence was