The Bribe and the Baby: Shona and Neena, #2

By Tressie Lockwood

Author's Note: This title is CLEAN. It is the sequel to Planning His Wedding.

Willem betrayed Neena, and Neena betrayed him right back. Then she left town pregnant with his baby. When she returns four years later, she claims her son isn't his. Not even her best friend Shona believes her, but Neena is closed-mouthed about her life while she was gone. She's determined to start over and leave the past behind.

When Willem learns about Neena's son, he's determined to find out if the boy is his. He made mistakes four years ago that he regrets, but he won't let Neena push him away because of them. He will show her what she meant to him then and what she means to him now.

Willem's family didn't stay out of their business four years ago, and they refuse to stay quiet now. Manipulation and interference almost destroyed Neena and Willem. The Visser family is powerful and will do whatever is necessary to protect their own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393500148

Book preview

Chapter 1

I ’m pregnant.

Neena finally said it. She’d run this conversation through her mind a hundred times the last couple of days. On one hand, she was excited and couldn’t keep it together. Her, the woman who had claimed she was more interested in taking care of her body than allowing it to grow out of shape with a baby. She was overwhelmed just at the idea of having Willem’s baby.

On the other hand, the unexpected news might shock him. They weren’t married, and they certainly weren’t talking about a relationship beyond the physical one they shared over the last few months. Finding out she was pregnant might scare the crap out of him.

It’s not like I planned it though.

She twisted her fingers together, hating the fact that she couldn’t see his face. He stood at the stove, the usual place when they spent time together. Willem would try out new creations he thought up for his bakery, and she would be his taste tester. At first, she gained some weight, but after while she pulled it together and started exercising plus cutting back.

They’d had fun. Willem was awesome in bed and a sweet guy, unlike many of the men she dated in the past. He was her first white boy, but she found she liked it—liked him. A lot.

Her heartbeat picked up. Yeah, she was really into Willem. When she started falling for him, she didn’t resist. Not much. She almost laughed thinking about it. The pee stick turned positive, and she had visions of her and Willem becoming like her friend Shona and her husband. Who would have thought that Neena James would be a mom, or for that matter would settle down?

Willem, did you hear me? she asked when he didn’t say anything. I said I’m—

I heard you!

She jumped at his tone.

You did this on purpose, he growled. To get me to marry you.

Her mouth fell open. She struggled for words.

The blue eyes flashed fire, and a muscle tensed in his jaw. Those huge gentle hands, which she enjoyed touching her, flexed. The knuckles cracked like he wished his fingers were wrapped around her throat. You thought you would trap me to get money.

Excuse me? Her voice caught in her throat. This wasn’t the reaction she expected, and she couldn’t fully grasp it. Fear at the prospect of being a father, maybe, but anger? I’m not sure what you’re getting at.

His words penetrated her psyche. She gazed around the kitchen. Willem owned a small bakery near her job. Women visited there buying donuts and other pastries by the droves. Their true intentions were to flirt with and make eyes at Willem.

At six foot four inches, blond, and with beautiful baby blue eyes, Willem was everything a woman could want physically. Neena knew his perfect body by heart. It didn’t faze her one bit that women tried to get him. As soon as she set her sights on him with serious intent, he was hers.

Willem, with his slight accent because he was originally from Holland, was sweet and gentle and always smiling. He loved to bake, and wanted nothing more than to create various sweets for others to enjoy. This guy was now accusing her of trying to trap him into giving her money?

I’m sure your bakery is doing great, but I didn’t take you for Mr. Moneybags. Even if I did, I can take care of myself. I don’t need anyone else to do it for me, and I definitely don’t appreciate you accusing me of trying to trick you.

I—

No, don’t! Her voice rose. She felt herself losing control. Her chest tightened. If she didn’t get out of there, he’d see her cry, and that wasn’t happening. Not this century. Don’t say a word. You said all you need to.

Neena.

A lump rose in her throat. She’d loved the way he pronounced her name from the first time she walked into his shop. He said it wrong, with the emphasis in the wrong place. She never corrected him.

I said, don’t.

He ignored her command. Anger still rolled off him, and she realized she had never seen him angry. You’re telling me you don’t know who I am?

The question sounded accusing.

A jerk? A loser? A deadbeat? A guy who thinks too much of himself if he thinks Neena James is going to trick his behind? Am I getting warmer?

His expression darkened.

Whatever. Goodbye.

She left him standing there and walked out. The front of the shop was empty. On Sundays, Willem gave his employees time off. He used the day to bake to his little heart’s content, coming up with new flavor combinations.

Scents of cream cheese, blueberry, and yummy flavors stirred Neena’s senses as she walked, but she ignored them all. Before she hit the front door, the tears rolled down her face. She swiped them away angrily and kept moving.

On the highway, speeding down the street, she didn’t recall the process to getting there. The tears kept coming. The pain in her chest was so strong she could hardly draw a breath. Stabbing the button on her phone that would connect her with Shona, she tried to pull it together.

An explosion of noise filled her car, Shona’s baby crying and her husband Micah singing loud and off key in the background. Hey, girl, what’s up? Shona called out above the den.

Neena thought about the baby growing inside her and compared her situation with Shona’s. She’d never felt so stupid, useless, and unwanted in her life. The donuts she had eaten earlier threatened to come back up. She swerved on the road and pulled to the side before she killed herself or someone else.

Neena, you there?

Um… Neena cleared her throat, trying to get the hiccups to stop. She sniffed and searched for a tissue in the space between the seats. There were none. I just wanted to tell you…

Tell me what? Wait, hang on. I can’t hear you. It sounds like you’re upset, but this goofball is so loud. I’m going to have a conversation with him about not singing.

The noise lowered somewhat. Micah called out, Where are you going, Shona? Zinnia likes my singing.

A lighthearted argument followed. The baby stopped crying and started laughing. Micah had switched to tickling her maybe and making funny faces Neena had seen him do every time she visited.

Okay, sorry about that, Neena. You know what a zoo it is around here sometimes. So what did you say?

The decision was an impulse, but the more Neena thought about it, the firmer she was on her choice. "I’m going away for a while. I’m sorry I can’t give notice, but I have to get out of here. Now. And I don’t know when I’ll be back."

Chapter 2

Neena’s phone rang for the hundredth time. She’d argued with Shona about leaving. In the end, she said she would think about it, but what was the point? She had no family to keep her in town. One great aunt up north was the only family she had left. Her parents had passed years ago from illness, and she and they had been only children.

If Neena stayed here, she would have to face seeing Shona’s happy family constantly. Not that she spited her best friend. She was happy for Shona, but it tore her apart to see it.

She pulled a suitcase out from the closet and set it on the bed. A look back at her closet sank her already flagging spirits even further. She loved clothes and jewelry. Her small walk-in closet was bursting at the seams. One suitcase wasn’t going to cut it.

Maybe I shouldn’t leave, she moaned. Maybe in a few days, he’ll reconsider and figure out his stupid behind was wrong.

Yeah, right, and maybe he would show up on her doorstep with a ring. She wouldn’t hold here breath. Neena knew her sharp mouth and crazy selfish ways wouldn’t get her brought home to Mama.

What did he mean by insinuating I know who he is? Being alone in her apartment, she had no one to answer the question. She’d never felt so lonely, but she ran a hand over her belly. No, I’m not alone anymore. Not with you coming, baby. We’ll stick together, you and me.

The doorbell rang, and she couldn’t tamp down the hope that rose in her. Visions of Willem danced in her head. She knocked knuckles against the side of it, telling herself to stop.

It’s not impossible, though. He’s a good guy, even if he doesn’t love me. He’ll want to take responsibility for his baby no matter what he thinks of my character.

When she opened the door, she blinked in surprise. Willem’s twin stood there. No, not his twin, she realized when she studied the blond. This man was leaner, maybe an inch shorter than Willem, but the family resemblance was obvious. Too bad for the dude, he wasn’t as cute as Willem.

God, give it a rest, Neena.

She put a hand on her hip. May I help you?

Willem sent me.

She gasped. He spoke with the same accent, but his was stronger. They sounded so similar Neena’s heart ached. You’re…?

Daan, his brother. The man looked beyond her, taking in her apartment as he stepped past the threshold without an invitation. She could almost see his assessment of her home and pronouncing it a hovel.

Daan stood in the center of the living room, erect, proud, and imposing. His long slender nose curled on the ends as he looked down on her. Neena ground her teeth. What do you want? Why in the world did Willem send you over here? I know he’s not scared to talk to me directly.

I’m the one who usually handles these situations.

Situations?

His blue gaze dropped from her face to her belly. She instinctively hugged herself around the middle.

I assume you have proof?

What?

He held his hand out. Proof.

Feel free to jump off a cliff. She turned her back and opened the door she had shut when he marched. Get out of my apartment.

He didn’t budge. In the bedroom, her phone rang. She assumed it was Shona calling again. Wait until she told her friend about this mess. Willem had sent his brother over to bully her. Tears threatened.

It’s funny when I think about it…not.

If you think you’re going to bully me, think again. I have a gun. She lied. Firearms scared her. Once she’d dated a cop. He tried to convince her to learn to shoot and took her to a firing range. She freaked out so bad she almost fainted. Needless to say, she broke up with him soon after.

Look, I don’t have a lot of time. I have a flight to catch.

Neena examined him, noting the expensive suit and the smart shoes. He looked and smelled like money. The silky blond hair, expertly cut, the manicured nails on hands that