Be My Baby: Barefoot Bay World

By June Bowen

Kelly Edwards returned to her hometown of Mimosa Key to forget her feelings for her boss, Rafael Martinez, who is out of her league and a confirmed bachelor to boot.  But thanks to a computer virus, her email contemplating having a child using a donor goes to Rafe instead of her sister. 

Rafe sees the note as an opportunity to get an heir without risking his heart. Kelly would make a great mother even if she appears to be immune to his charm. But when Kelly gets a makeover from her high school friend, will Rafe's offer be enough or will he need to up the ante to marriage?

• Language: English
• Publisher: June Bowen
• Release date: Sep 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386591214

Book preview

Be My Baby

Barefoot Bay World

June Bowen

Table of Contents

Welcome to Barefoot Bay World

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Epilogue

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Barefoot Bay World, a place for authors to write their own stories set in the tropical paradise that I created! For these books, I have only provided the setting of Mimosa Key and a cast of characters from my popular Barefoot Bay series. That’s it! I haven’t contributed to the plotting, writing, or editing of Be My Baby. This book is entirely the work of author June Bowen, a talented writer I handpicked to write in the world of Barefoot Bay.

A Florida-based writer like me, June has been a friend for many years. In fact, I read the concept for this story and the opening scenes years ago and never forgot the clever concept. I am overjoyed that June brought her cross between You’ve Got Mail and Cinderella to the shores of Barefoot Bay. Enjoy!

Roxanne St. Claire

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Barefoot Bay Series

www.roxannestclaire.com

This story is set in a world created by Roxanne St. Claire as the Barefoot Bay series, and this work has been published with her permission. Information and links to Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay books can be found at http://www.roxannestclaire.com/barefoot-bay-series/.

Chapter One

Mimosa Key, FL

It’s later than you think! The inscription on Kelly Edwards’ desk clock was the perfect commentary to match the late hour. Seeing the time, Kelly realized that she had once again worked away another Friday night.

I’ve got to get a life. Kelly looked back to the computer screen where she had been composing a note to her boss, Rafael Martinez.

I’ll bet he’s not sitting home, Kelly told her laptop, knowing that the CEO of Martinez Consulting was a frequent subject in Tampa’s society pages. He was usually pictured with an attractive member of the Bay area’s female A-list. Although she knew Rafe didn’t expect her to work at home, much less on a Friday night, Kelly didn’t feel like being charitable. She felt more comfortable blaming him than taking a look at exactly how shallow her life had become.

Besides, she was still mad at him. He’d made her fall in love with him. She didn’t know when, if ever, she could forgive him for that. Not only was he out of her league in looks, charm, and status, he was a confirmed bachelor. Instead of picking a nice seven plus, she had it in a bad way for a guy who broke the ten-point chart.

Needing to talk but knowing it was too late to call her sister, Kelly opened another email message and started composing a note.

Dear Janie,

I hate to admit it, but you were right. Moving back to Mimosa Key didn’t change anything. Although I’m telecommuting, I still work all the time and my feelings are the same. Don’t get me wrong, I love to be back so close to the beach we grew up with but I still feel stuck. My temporary move into Hibiscus Court apartments has turned into an extended stay.

It’s time to do something different in my life instead of just picking it up and moving it someplace else. For me personally, having a work family is no substitute for one at home.

I know I have you, Jake, and the kids, but you’re so far away. If I moved up there to be closer to you, Jake would likely be transferred again. What I really want is a family of my own. The only problem is that I haven’t had any takers. Men just don’t respond to me like they do to you. What’s more, I’m at a loss for even knowing how to try to make them do so.

Kelly paused. Maybe this wasn’t the best way to introduce this possibility to Janie. But was there a good way to broach this subject? Deciding not, she simply jumped right in.

Because of this, I’ve actually been thinking about having a baby on my own with a little help from a sperm bank.

When Kelly realized she was wincing as she typed the last bit, she laughed self-consciously. Well, at least her computer hadn’t blown up like she believed her sister would.

Now before you go getting riled up, I don’t plan to do anything without a lot more consideration. I know I can be determined and impatient when I get something in my mind, but I promise I realize what a life-altering action this would be. You’ll be glad to know I haven’t even contacted one of these biological-lending institutions. (Although, I guess they aren’t truly lending institutions because they don’t want you to pay back in kind. That’s a good thing!)

I know this isn’t what you would necessarily want for me, but please understand I have a heart full of love to give to someone on a daily basis. I know a two-parent household would be better, but a mother’s love has to count for something.

Well, I guess I had better sign off now so I can finish up my work