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breath. “While you’re working on the problem of my secret lover, see another doctor. It sounds to me like your old one was so interested in preparing you for the worst he forgot to mention the possibility of miracles.”
    “I’ve lost interest, thank you,” Flynn said.
    She fell silent, staring out the side window at the tall marsh grass that covered the coastal plains. Three years ago, she’d worn herself into a nervous breakdown trying to prove herself to Flynn, and look where it had gotten her. He still thought her a liar.
    “I didn’t mean to hash over the past,” he said, at last. “I promised myself I’d forget it, at least for tonight. Will you forgive me and let’s start over again?”
    Flynn laying on the charm was worse than Flynn raising hell. She responded too much. Pride kept her face turned to the window while she struggled to get her unruly emotions under control.
    “Of course. Shall we discuss taking the kids out on your boat? You’re asking for trouble, you know.”
    Flynn laughed. “With three adults, we ought to be able to handle four children, don’t you think?”
    “Not if Johnny keeps lusting after your watch.”
    “I’m developing a deep liking for Johnny. He’s a boy after my own heart,” Flynn said, and rendered his companion speechless.
    Pride found her voice at last. “He seems to have taken to you, too. He’s the most stubborn child I’ve ever dealt with.”
    Of all the exquisite ironies, that Flynn enjoyed Johnny’s company and didn’t realize the boy was his son.
    “You know what they say about birds of a feather,” Flynn pointed out. “We stick together.”
    And how
. “When he eats the rest of your watch, don’t complain to me about its sentimental value.”
    She ought to tell him now. But Flynn was not yet ready to believe her. She held her breath until the urge passed.
    “Johnny and I are forming a mutual admiration society,” Flynn went on.
    Speechless, Pride keep her face composed and her gaze straight ahead while she imagined Flynn’s feelings if he ever realized on his own that Johnny was his son.
    She grinned suddenly. Perhaps she could suggest that Flynn offer to adopt the child from Gloria on the grounds that Gloria had too many children already. She could just picture Gloria’s indignant refutation of Flynn’s offer.
    What would be even funnier was Flynn’s face when Gloria told him that Johnny, the child after his own heart, was Pride’s son rather than Gloria’s.

Chapter Three
    Flynn felt vaguely disturbed long before he drove beneath the blue awning that sheltered the entrance to the restaurant he had chosen. Pride’s refusal to argue with him any further over her baby’s parentage hadn’t escaped him, nor had the fleeting expression of private amusement on her face.
    Neither had those ridiculous freckles she’d dabbed on her cheeks, or the blue-green dress he remembered disliking.
    He considered the matter as he drove. He’d far rather have Pride screaming at him, the way she had three years ago. It would have meant she still cared, that she was still wanted to convince him that yes, she had been pregnant, and no, she hadn’t taken another lover.
    The Pride who sat quietly beside him, however, stated her position plainly and shut up. She made it clear that she didn’t care any longer what he believed or whether he found her attractive.
    Flynn pondered it with a sense of insulted disquiet and watched her surreptitiously. For the most part, she sat with her hands folded in her lap, the picture of tranquility. At times a smile broke across her face like rays of sunshine, and he wondered who brought that tender look to her face.
    Astonished, he realized that he couldn’t stand it. “Pride?”
    She looked at him as if her thoughts had been more interesting than his company.
    “What are you thinking?”
    Three years ago, he could ask her that question and receive an answer that would send the blood singing through his veins.
    She