His breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t tell herthat. And yet, if he wasn’t completely honest, he might lose what little trust he’d gained so far. His mind scrambled to think of a believable reason to give her, but so far, he wasn’t getting any brilliant ideas. And of course, the longer he hesitated, the more she would doubt his sincerity.
It was time to turn on a little more charm. He stepped closer to her. “Will it make a difference why I wanted them?”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Would you believe me if I told you I wanted them becauseyouwere in them?” He drew his knuckles along her arm.
She laughed. “No, I wouldn’t believe you. Try again.”
“Oh, I’m wounded.” He grinned. “Because I’m sure those pictures would have looked believable. Why don’t you show me so I can see?”
Slowly, she shook her head. “I’m not falling into your trap, Mr. Seducer-of-women. Try again. This time, I want therealreason.”
He really hated that he couldn’t charm her like hethoughthe’d done the other night. By the softness of her hooded gaze when she watched him, he knew she still found him attractive.
“Well, you see...” he started with a chuckle. “I’m quite embarrassed to admit, but—”
The fast knock at the door halted their conversation, for which he was relieved. He still hadn’t found a plausible excuse.
“Excuse me for a moment.” She hurried to the door and opened it.
“Nikki...” The woman at the door breathed heavily as she held her pregnant belly. Sweat coated her forehead, and her skin looked pasty. “I’m... in labor.”
Nicole gasped and clutched the other woman’s arm. “Oh, Kate. We’ve got to get you to a hospital.”
Kate shook her head of curly red hair. “There’s been an accident on the road...” She grimaced as her breaths came out sharp and ragged. She moaned and bent over.
Mick panicked. That poor woman was going to have her baby soon. He’d already been in a situation like this before. By the way the woman breathed, and the way she half-squatted while holding her swollen middle that had dropped considerably, Mick knew she wouldn’t have time to get to the hospital.
He jumped from his chair and hurried to her. “Nicole, she needs to lie down.”
He slid an arm around the woman’s stiff shoulders as he led her into Nicole’s office and toward the brown leather sofa.
“Yes, of course.” Nicole helped her friend to the couch. “I’ll call an ambulance.”
As she hurried to her desk to grab her cell phone, Kate raised her hand, getting Nicole’s attention.
“A diesel has overturned on the road. An ambulance can’t get in and we can’t get out.”
“Oh, no!” Nicole slapped a hand over her mouth. Her wide eyes met Mick’s.
“Kate,” he asked in a calming voice as he turned back to the pregnant woman, “is this your first child?”
“No. My fourth.”
He grumbled under his breath. This baby would come quickly. He peeked at Nicole over his shoulders. “Sweetheart, I need you to find blankets. See if there is some kind of twenty-four-hour kit here or in someone’s car. I also need a first aid kit, and hopefully, sterile gloves along with it.”
Nicole’s hand dropped from her mouth. Shock registered on her expression.
“Youare going to deliver Kate’s baby?”
He nodded once. “There’s no time to ask questions. The baby will be here soon, so hurry and find me what I need.”
Nicole spun toward the door and took off running.
Mick met the pregnant woman’s worried face, and he gave her a tender smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve done this before.”
He didn’t want the other woman frightened. He just hoped he could remember everything he’d done the first time this happened.
