Read Paradise Valley for Free Online

having babies,” Paul said. “I just know that when little Matt was coming I worried so much about him. Vanni was so upset and sad, I worried that might hurt the baby in some way. I think Mel was worried, too, but she told me that if being worried and scared caused serious problems, there wouldn’t have been a single healthy birth in the history of the world. I just wish you could be happy.” He cleared his throat. “I bet Cameron’s on your side. Bet he wishes that, too.”
    She tilted her head and just smiled at him. “You’re right. I have to work on that. After all, I have some problems, but they’re under control at the moment. And I’m going to move forward with Cameron. If he doesn’t hate me too much…”
    “Oh, he doesn’t.” She shot him a questioning look. “I’m sure he doesn’t,” he amended. He smiled lamely.
    “I wish I could have a good strong cup of coffee,” Abby said, looking jealously at Paul’s big mug.
    He laughed at her. “See, that by itself could make you cranky. All the things you give up to be a good mother.”

    Vanessa was barely up with the baby when Abby was shrugging into her coat to leave the house. She thought if she got to the clinic before they opened, she could have a word with Cameron in private. She wasn’t sure what that word was going to be besides, “Sorry.”
    She had to bang on the door more than once and finally, she saw a shadow approaching. She glanced at her watch; it was only seven-thirty and they weren’t due to open for business till nine. When he opened the door, her first word was right on. “Oh, sorry.”
    He was wearing sweatpants, his chest and feet bare, a towel slung around his neck and his hair wet from the shower. She flushed a little, remembering that wide, hard chest as it had been pressed against her breasts. And those muscular arms that had held him up over her to keep from crushing her with his weight.
    “I wanted to get here early, but I think I got here too early,” she said.
    “Don’t worry about it,” he said, opening the door for her. “You all right?”
    “Well, I guess so.”
    “What’s wrong, Abby?” he asked, looking instantly concerned. “Are you sick? In pain? Anything physically wrong?”
    “I was a bitch. I came to apologize.”
    “Oh,” he said, letting out a slow breath. “Forget it. You were upset. We were both upset. Having twins isn’t stress free. Let’s let it go.”
    “I thought maybe we could talk a minute, if you have time.”
    He gave her a small smile. “How about a cup of herbal tea?”
    “I’d rather have a strong cup of coffee with a little Irish Mist and lots of cream, but I suppose that’s out of the question….”
    He laughed lightly. “Bad idea. But there’s tea in the kitchen. Mel has it on hand for the pregnant girls.”
    “That’s me,” she said. “Mel’s not a tea drinker?”
    “Oh, no. Mel’s a hard-core caffeine junkie. She’d take it in the vein if she could.”
    “I relate. I might be in withdrawal. That could be half the problem.”
    “The tea is herbal, so it’s also decaf.”
    “Beautiful,” she said sarcastically. “One blow after another.”
    And this time his laugh was a little stronger. “Come to the kitchen. Have you had breakfast?”
    “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll save that for after we’ve talked a bit.”
    He filled the kettle and glanced over his shoulder. “Something about this little mission of yours upsetting your stomach?”
    “Something about two babies is upsetting my stomach. Double morning sickness. It’ll pass.” She sat down. “I’ve already thrown up this morning, so we’re safe for a while.”
    Cameron stared down at the kettle on the stove. She wouldn’t understand this, but he wished he could have been there for that. He’d like to be around for even the worst parts of the pregnancy; he’d like to be the one she complained to, blamed, criticized and harangued. Even though he was already getting plenty of that,