Page 10 of The CEO

He held his arms, so Lilly was laying on her back and making little snuffle sounds. It was so dang cute he couldn’t help but smile as he watched her.

“Let’s take her upstairs and lay her down. Then you can ask Carole to keep an eye on her while you take me home. I’ll come back with my car and an at least an overnight bag.” She grinned. “I won’t leave you alone to take care of her tonight. That wouldn’t be good for Lilly.”

He easily stood, even with Lilly in his arms. “Will you grab a couple of those bags and bring them upstairs? Or would you rather carry her, and I’ll get the bags?”

“No, you take her. You need to spend as much time as you can with Lilly, so you feel comfortable caring for her. I’ll be here, too, but I think you need to bond with her.”

Adam looked down at the sleeping child, ran his palm lightly over her silky blonde hair. “I think I’m already bonded.” He suddenly looked up at Bree. “How could Sally just abandon her?”

Bree shrugged. “I can’t give you an answer. I couldn’t have done it. No matter what the job. I can’t imagine any circumstance that would let me abandon my child. Although, selfishly, I’m glad that she did. She’s allowing me to have my dream. I’ll be a mother, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to be.”

As he looked at her, his brows very slightly furrowed. “Do you wish you and Brad had children?”

“Yes…and…no. I wanted to be married before I had children and then when Brad died, I didn’t think I would ever want anything again. Not love or motherhood or anything. I believe that everything comes to us in its own time, and this is the time I’m supposed to be a mother. Marrying you is my means to an end.”

“I understand that. I’m just glad you are helping me, whatever your reasons.” He stopped and looked down at her before touching her shoulder, hoping to convey sympathy. “You deserve to be happy, Bree.”

She ducked her chin. “I tell myself that, but it’s hard. It gets easier every day to go on, but I still mourn. I probably always will.”

His heart hurt, thinking about Brad. “It’s okay. I miss him, too.”

She nodded. “Let’s get this sleepy baby upstairs and to bed. Then you’ll have to find Carole before we can leave.”

Bree had set up the playpen with sheets and blankets. They got Lilly settled into it and then walked downstairs.

Carole was entering the kitchen from the backyard. She carried a basket full of vegetables she’d just harvested from her garden.

Bree and Carole were alike in that they both loved to garden and since Carole and her husband lived in a condominium, she kept a garden at Adam’s house.

“Well, you’re home early.” The trim, middle-aged woman with dark blonde hair smiled at Bree. “How are you, hon? We haven’t seen you for a while.”

Bree shrugged. “I’m good. Adam needs to ask a favor.”

Carole turned her gaze on Adam. “Anything, Boss. What do you need?”

Adam took a deep breath. “I have a sleeping baby upstairs in my room, and I wondered if you would keep an ear open for her while we’re gone for a little bit. I need to take Bree home so she can get her car.”

Carole’s moss green eyes widened. “A baby? Since when do you have a baby?”

Adam ran a hand around the back of his neck. “Since this morning. I’ll explain everything when we return. Will you do it?”

“Of course. I might have to go upstairs just to see him.”

“Lilly,” said Adam. “She’s Lilly Kincaid, and she’s, my daughter.”

Bree hadn’t thought Carole’s eyes could get any wider. She’d been mistaken. The woman looked like one of those pictures of the children with eyes so big they covered half their face.

“Carole?” Adam waved his hand in front of her face. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head a little and closed her eyes. “Yes. I’m fine. Just very surprised. You couldn’t shock me more if you told me, you and Bree were getting married.”

“Well, that’s good…because we are.” He looked over at Bree, then he looked out the door to the backyard. He saw the sixty foot lap pool he’d put in to keep in shape. It was surrounded by lawn. The pool house was in the middle of the length of the pool and was also in the colonial style to match the house.

Directly out the door was a twenty-foot-wide covered patio that ran the length of the house. They could have the ceremony there…if Bree agreed. “I was thinking we could have a small ceremony here in the backyard. We can tell everyone to bring their swimsuits and dress casually. We’ll have a pool party for a reception. What do you think?”

Bree was silent for a moment.

Adam frowned, and his chest was tight. He was sure she hated the idea. If she did, what did that bode for their future? Would they be at odds with everything?