A Little Bit Pregnant

By Charlotte MacLay

He was expecting one visitor . She was expecting three!

Two seconds after meeting him, Kristi was falling for Michael Running Wolf O'Leary. His chiselled features and taut body were as sculpted as the New Mexico mountains. Unfortunately, two hours before, she'd switched places with the friend of the family he was expecting to visit. Apparently that "innocent" stranger had neglected to tell Kristi a few crucial details like the fact that she was to be Michael's wife and that she was pregnant .With triplets!

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460863459

Charlotte MacLay

A multi-published author of more than fifty romance, cozy mystery and inspirational titles, Charlotte Carter (aka Maclay) lives in Southern California with her husband of 50 years. They have two married daughters and five grandchildren, who Charlotte is occasionally allowed to babysit. When she's not writing, Charlotte does a little stand-up comedy, G-Rated Humor for Grownups, and teaches workshops on the craft of writing. Visit her website: www.CharlotteCarter.com

Book preview

Prologue

"Pregnant? You want me to pretend to be you and you’re pregnant?" Kristin Hughes’s voice rose at the impossibility of the idea.

It’s no big deal, the other woman assured her. Despite her words, she grasped Kristi’s hand like a drowning woman clinging to the one bit of flotsam in a stormy sea. "You only have to pretend to be a little bit pregnant. If you don’t take my place, I may never see Tonio again and I love him so much," she pleaded.

I know, I know. Kristi responded with the sympathy that was second nature to her. She’d readily admit to being a sucker for a sob story and a romantic at heart, but this was certainly the oddest position she’d ever found herself in.

She’d come across Sandy Cordell in the rest room here at Los Angeles International Airport sobbing her heart out. No one else was paying the poor woman any attention. Kristi, on the other hand, was constitutionally unable to walk past someone crying that hard without at least trying to help.

What’s wrong? Kristi had asked, sitting down beside the young woman on the cot provided for weary travelers and terminally airsick passengers.

My whole life is ruined, she sobbed, her eyes red-rimmed, her mascara running.

Things aren’t usually as bad as they seem, Kristi assured her.

But they are, she wailed. My boyfriend and I were going to get married and my parents... She hiccuped. They wouldn’t let us. Then Tonio and I had a fight, and he went away. Then I found out I’m pregnant!

That is serious, Kristi conceded. Certainly not an enviable position to be in, but not necessarily life ruining. Kristi had known a good many other women who had—

But that’s not the worst of it. My parents are sending me to stay with a wealthy friend of theirs, and I’ll never see Tonio again. He won’t even know about the baby!

You could write him a letter.

I tried and it came back. I’ve even talked to the Red Cross.

Red Cross? Where is he?

They can’t find him. He’s in the Marines and he must be on a secret mission. Sandy whispered that last little bit of news. But they think he’ll be back soon. No more than a month. If only I could still be here—

So that’s when Sandy had asked Kristi to take her place in New Mexico—impersonate her for just a little while.

This Michael O’Leary they’re sending me to lives in practically a resort area, Sandy assured her. It’s got to be superfancy. He even owns a restaurant.

Kristi pictured one of those posh resorts she’d seen in travel brochures with a golf course, nice restaurants and zillions of swimming pools. She’d never had enough money to stay at a place like that. Thirty days of being pampered wouldn’t be so bad.

But she could understand Sandy’s reluctance to be exiled there indefinitely without her beloved Tonio. Beneath the woman’s tears she could see the glow of love. And her desperation.

My baby’s whole future is at stake, Sandy continued. You’ve got to do this for me. Please, please. I swear to you, within thirty days I’ll come to New Mexico and explain everything. Tonio will be home by then and we can get married.

It sounded so logical the way Sandy explained everything. And desperate. Even workable, given that Kristi and Sandy vaguely resembled each other with blond highlighted hair and blue-gray eyes. Sandy might be a few years younger than Kristi but not much, though it was hard to tell for sure given Sandy’s more generous use of makeup. Kristi wished she could tell her that less would be better in this case, but she supposed now wasn’t the time to play big sister.

In fact, in lots of ways Sandy reminded Kristi of her younger sister Beth, who was sometimes a little ditzy and was forever getting herself in some kind of trouble. Kristi had been the one to get her out of more than one mess. It seemed almost natural to be helping Sandy Cordell in the same way.

Still, Kristi hesitated. Wouldn’t this O’Leary person know I’m not you?

He’s a distant friend—really only a family acquaintance. He’s never met me. He probably didn’t know I even existed until my parents asked him to take me in. Sandy sniffed. It’ll be so awful. I’ll be with strangers when I... Despondently, she rested her hand on her stomach.

Kristi could understand the woman’s despair, and her heart went out to her. She’d certainly want to be with the man she loved if she was having his baby.

You taking my place will work, Sandy insisted. She looked ready to get down on her knees to plead with Kristi. I swear it will. One month is all I’m asking.

And as it happened, Kristi had just about thirty days to spare before she had to finalize her plans to wed the nicest man in the world, a wonderful friend, a man who everyone had expected her to marry since they were in elementary school together. A dear man for whom she felt absolutely no chemistry.

She sighed.

She was en route home now, to Kansas. And unlike Dorothy and Toto, she wasn’t in the least hurry to get there.

But if she didn’t marry Bill, her father would lose his mortgaged-to-the-hilt wheat farm, so indebted was he to Bill’s father. And the payment was due by late summer. That meant the wedding had to take place by then or Kristi’s whole family would practically be homeless.

She couldn’t let that happen.

The thought of a thirty-day reprieve was more than tempting, however. A short delay before she returned home wouldn’t be a hardship on anyone. For the sake of another woman’s search for true love, Kristi’s plans could wait. After all, she hadn’t told her mother—or dear, sweet, boring Bill—that she’d finally given up on her dream here in Los Angeles. She’d planned to surprise everyone with her return. If she wanted, she could call her folks and tell them she was taking a breather, a little vacation at a fancy resort before she went back home. If that’s what she decided...

Don’t you see, Kristi, your being here and our meeting like this is fate. You’ve got to take my place. One month. That’s all the time I need.

Kristi hesitated. How can I be sure you’ll show up. I’ve really only got thirty days before I have to—

Here. Sandy ripped a ring from her finger and placed it in Kristi’s hand, folding her fingers around it. I know the stone isn’t much, but Tonio gave this ring to me. I would never, ever give it up. I swear I wouldn’t. I’d rather have my finger cut off.

That sounded pretty convincing. If you’re sure... Kristi said cautiously.

Sandy’s victorious smile and the shine of love in her eyes warmed Kristi’s romantic heart right down to her toes.

You won’t regret it, Sandy promised, hugging her.

One last adventure for the sake of another woman’s true love? No, Kristi didn’t think she would regret that small gesture of kindness. Besides, she intended to enjoy every moment of her final month before settling down for the rest of her life with a man who... somehow... had never set off fireworks in the way she had dreamed it would happen.

But she’d have to play her part well, Kristi realized. If O’Leary learned she wasn’t Sandy, he’d send her packing, and Sandy’s search for Tonio would come to a screeching halt. Who knew what would become of the poor woman then?

Kristi didn’t want to be responsible for destroying not only one but possibly three lives.

Chapter One

As the arriving passengers filed into the Albuquerque airport waiting area, Michael Running Wolf O’Leary held up his handmade sign.

Despite his best efforts to remain indifferent, his nerves knotted in his gut. She might not come, he told himself. People—even good people—didn’t always do what they said they would.

Watching the crowd, he observed a half-dozen family reunions. He couldn’t recall a single time when anyone had ever met him getting off a plane—except maybe a drill sergeant when he arrived at boot camp.

He had a general description of Sandy Cordell, of course. Judge Norman Whitefeather had provided that and filled in a few other blanks, all the while trying to convince Wolf it made sense that he and Sandy get married. You want a family, the judge had said. Sandy is a lovely girl, she’s pregnant and needs a husband Sounds simple enough to me.

It didn’t sound all that simple to Wolf. But Norman Whitefeather had been his friend and mentor for fifteen years and had never led him wrong yet. It was the judge who had been the one steady influence in Wolf’s rocky and rebellious adolescence; he had helped him accept the person he was and had been there for Wolf s naming ceremony. More than anyone else, Judge Whitefeather knew Wolfs heart.

And the truth was, Wolf did want a family. He just didn’t have the time to go hunting for a wife, nor did he think he was capable of the kind of love most women would demand. In this case the marriage would be more like a business arrangement. Sandy Cordell would stay out of jail for whatever minor misdeeds she’d done, she’d have her baby, and Wolf would gain a family.

A partnership, that’s how he was thinking about the arrangement. If they both went into this marriage with their eyes wide open it could work. Wolf was sure of it.

Over the years, he’d learned to trust the judge’s judgment and his own.

The fact that she was already five months pregnant did give him a good deal of anxiety, however. That meant they couldn’t stall too long getting acquainted before they tied the knot.

As a rule, Wolf was not a man to make hasty decisions.

On the other hand, as he scanned the incoming crowd, he realized making a quick decision about someone like the good-looking blonde in the sundress coming toward him would be easy. A dynamite smile, sun-kissed shoulders that looked as soft to touch as ripe apricots, and a fluid way of walking that made Wolf think of the mountain stream that flowed swiftly and smoothly through the red-rock canyon he called home. Brightly colored earrings shimmered like butterflies intent upon kissing her cheeks.

Unfortunately, any woman who had agreed to marry a man she’d never seen would be something of a dog, he figured. But it didn’t matter. His goal was to have a family. Almost any decent woman would do. Unlike the woman in the loosely fitting sundress, she didn’t have to look like an angel.

Kristi’s footsteps faltered when she spotted the man holding up the cardboard sign. This was Sandy Cordell’s rich family friend? The one who had conspired with her wealthy parents to keep her apart from the man she loved and vowed to marry as soon as he returned home on leave?

Lordy, everybody ought to have a friend like O’Leary. Not Irish, she thought. His chiseled features, burnished complexion and long, raven hair pulled back and held by a thong marked him instead as a quintessential Native American. And he was young. No more than thirty, she guessed, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist and jean-clad legs that would look at home straddling a horse as he galloped across the prairie.

Kristi had never before been swept off her feet by the sight of a man. The sensation left her feeling stunned and a little giddy. Her heart beat painfully in a rhythm suggesting the imminent onset of altitude sickness; her breath came in irregular gasps. Dumbstruck by what could only be described as lust, she finally forced air through her lungs and spoke.

You must be O’Leary. Self-consciously she smoothed a few strands of hair behind her ear.

Running Wolf wanted to be the O’Leary this woman was looking for. He really did. Her voice had a lyrical quality; her soft blue-gray eyes were both intelligent and bemused...compelling. A man could look into those eyes every day for a hundred years and always see something different there. A new, intriguing reflection of the sun and stars, a mirror into her soul.

No way could this woman be ready to settle for an arranged marriage. Any guy who called himself a man would be willing to line up at her door. Wolf included.

I’m Sandy Cordell, she said, raising her voice slightly as if he were deaf, indicating the cardboard sign he still held up in the air. I think you’re looking for me.

He’d been looking for her all of his life.

Wolf blinked, trying to re-establish an inner equilibrium that had suddenly slipped out of kilter. I’m sorry. You aren’t exactly what I expected.

I hope I’m not a disappointment.

No, never that. In spite of himself, his lips quirked into a ghost of a smile. Welcome to New Mexico.

Thanks. I’ve never been here before.

She seemed more pleased about her arrival than Wolf would have expected, given that she’d been allowed few other alternatives. She’s been hanging out with a bad crowd, some of them dangerous, the judge had said. She’s gotten into a little trouble herself, though so far nothing serious. But she comes from a good family. Given a chance, I think she‘ll turn out fine and make some lucky man a good wife.

As far as Wolf could tell, she’d already turned out better than average. His problem would be to not rush her into a decision about him too fast. He didn’t want to frighten her off.

Have you got luggage to pick up? he asked. His throat was oddly dry, his tongue thick.

Just one piece. They said it would be on carousel four.

Not much in the way of worldly goods for a woman who was about to get married, he mused, aware of a sudden urge to shower her with gifts. Feminine things. Lacy things he’d later be allowed to remove.

Seizing an excuse to touch her—any excuse to make sure she was real—he clasped her upper arm to escort her toward the baggage area. Her cool skin was as smooth as he’d thought, like silk. Gotta say, you sure don’t look five months pregnant to me.

Kristi nearly dropped her carry-on. Five— She choked on the word. Where did you get that idea?

The drop-dead gorgeous hunk who had met her slid Kristi a curious look. Don’t worry, Sandy. The judge told me a lot about you.

He did? What judge? Could Sandy’s father be a judge? She hadn’t mentioned—Just exactly how much did the, ah, judge tell you?

I guess not all that many details besides the pregnancy and that you’ve had some other troubles. Just how far along are you?

Instinctively, Kristi’s hand slid across her midsection in a protective gesture. She was grateful the dress she was wearing had a full, concealing skirt.

His gaze followed the movement of her hand over terrain a hundred sit-ups a morning and an eagle eye on her diet had kept flat. Well, maybe not that flat, she conceded, and not exactly every morning. The truth was, she’d never been accused of being model thin.

She swallowed hard. Even so, five months pregnant was a hard thing to disguise, though Sandy’s loosely fitting blouse, which she’d been wearing at the airport, had apparently done the job, Kristi realized. Five months may have been an exaggeration, she suggested, frantically trying to come up with a story to get her out of this impossible jam without letting the lie get too far out of hand. Three months would be closer to the truth.

Strangely, she thought she saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but didn’t have a clue why that would be.

However, five months certainly explained why Sandy Cordell had been in such a hurry to marry her boyfriend. Why on earth would her parents send the girl away when she was that far along in her pregnancy? Talk about old-fashioned, trying to hide an unwed mother in the wilds of New Mexico with a family friend. So none of their rich cronies would know, Kristi assumed. Shame on them!

Wolf turned to her when they reached the top of the stairs. Let’s get a few things clear right up front, Sandy. You may have made some mistakes in your life but that’s all behind you now. This is your chance to start over.

Yes, I guess you’re right. For thirty days she could be someone else. Few people had a chance like that, especially one that included living the life of a tourist in a posh resort.

It’s particularly important that you not take anything that doesn’t belong to you—either from me or from one of my friends.

I wouldn’t take—

"The

Reviews for A Little Bit Pregnant

[scoutmomskf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic friends to lovers story with an interesting twist. Nicki has worked for Zane for three years and has developed a great friendship with him as well as a great working relationship. There's a lot of good natured teasing between them, but they also know that they have each other for support if it's needed. What she has kept buried deep is the crush that she has on her playboy boss.I loved Nicki. She's smart, she's independent, and she's got challenges rarely seen in a romance novel heroine. When she was fourteen she was involved in a skiing accident that left her unable to walk, so she has been in a wheelchair ever since. She has a wonderful "can-do" attitude about almost everything, and rarely lets her handicap get her down. At the beginning of the book, Zane is giving her a hard time about her latest boyfriend, who hasn't impressed him. When she gets stood up for an office party, Zane suggests that they go together, as he's between women right now.Zane likes Nicki. She's pretty, she's fun to be around, and he feels like he can be himself around her. When he picks her up for their "date" suddenly there's an extra kick to the way he's looking at her. In an effort to demonstrate to her what a loser her boyfriend is, he begins treating her the way he would treat any of his other dates. When he takes her home after the party, an effort to show her how a good night kiss should be done suddenly gets out of hand. That night together was off the charts hot, and suddenly Zane is looking at her in a whole different way. But Nicki is afraid that becoming lovers will wreck their friendship, so she backs off. She's sure that getting involved with him will end up with her getting hurt. After all, she's nothing like his usual woman. They work to get past the awkwardness and make it back to their old relationship just in time for a business trip together that sends their chemistry rocketing out of control again. Just as she's considering the possibility of continuing with the affair, she discovers that she is pregnant.Zane is stunned by the news. He had planned to never have children. He had been blissfully married five years earlier, when he and his wife were both Marines. When she got pregnant, he insisted that she transfer back to the States, where she and the baby would be safe. When the helicopter she was on malfunctioned and crashed, he held himself responsible for her death, and swore he'd never risk his heart and someone's safety again. Having Nicki become pregnant sends him into a panic.I have to say that Zane was pretty amusing with the way he reacted. Once he got past the shock, his first reaction is that they should marry so that he can keep Nicki and the baby safe. His protectiveness goes into overdrive and he becomes quite obsessive in that determination. At first Nicki believes it is because he thinks she can't handle it because of her handicap, and that makes her really angry as well as hurting her feelings. Once she realizes that's not it, she gets a little more patient with him, but still has to work at keeping him under control.Nicki keeps rejecting Zane's proposals since she won't settle for anything but love as a reason to marry. She loves him, but believes that he can't love her in return. Zane's fears are overwhelming to him, and keep him from seeing the truth about his feelings for her. When he actually takes the time to face those fears, he is stunned by the realization of what he has been doing. I loved his "aha" moment, and seeing the advice he gave his friend Jeff get turned around and applied to him. Seeing him finally open his heart and show Nicki how he felt was great. I loved how the chapter ended with words of love and some of their usual banter. The epilogue was different with it taking place so far in the future.One of the things I liked best about the book was the treatment of the heroine. I loved that her handicap was treated so realistically. She has dealt with it for a long time and has accepted it, but also has moments where it gets her down or frustrates her. I really loved her frustration as she dealt with the hassles of travel because it was so true to life. I understood her need to be seen as a person outside her handicap. Seeing the way that Zane dealt so easily with her challenges while still seeing her as a woman made him just about perfect in my eyes.