The Midwife's Glass Slipper / Best For the Baby: The Midwife's Glass Slipper

“Do you miss me so much?”

Francesca was quiet and Emily knew something was on her mind.

“What?” Emily asked.

“It’s about Jared…”

Emily knew Francesca was hesitating because she didn’t like gossip any more than Tessa or Emily.

Emily waited.

Finally Francesca said, “I’ve heard he has no time for anything serious…that his divorce really affected him and that the last thing he wants is to get involved with anyone long term.”

“He has his daughters to think about,” Emily replied quietly.

“Yes, he does,” Francesca agreed. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I haven’t taken many risks in my life,” Emily admitted.

“And you want to now?”

“It’s too soon to tell.”

“You know you can call on me or Tessa if you need us.”

Emily did know that.

She checked on Jared’s progress. He’d just reached the checkout line. “I’d better go.”

“Have fun. But stay safe.”

Emily’s throat closed a little at her friend’s concern. “I’ll try.”

A few seconds later, Emily hunkered down beside Amy, who was reaching for candy bars. “Do you really think your dad would want you to have three?”

Jared heard Emily’s question and raised his brows at his daughter. He lifted his index finger. “One candy bar. You and Courtney can share it. Okay?”

Amy flashed him one of her best grins.

As he helped the clerk put the groceries into a bag, he asked Emily, “Did Francesca think you were abducted by aliens?”

“Not abducted. She was afraid I went willingly.”

He laughed out loud. “Thank you, Emily. I don’t know when the last time was I really laughed.”

“You laugh with the girls.”

“That’s different.” His shoulder bumped hers as they transferred bags to the cart. “I’m glad I’m getting to know you better.”

“I’m glad I’m getting to know you…and Courtney and Amy,” she added hastily.

But the intense look in his eyes and the tightening of his jaw told her there was something going on here between the two of them that had nothing to do with his daughters.

On the way out to the car, Jared carried the bags. Emily held Amy and Courtney’s hands as they crossed the parking lot. She held on firmly.

Suddenly, right in front of them, a car’s backup lights flashed, signaling the driver was backing up.

Emily swung the girls to the side out of danger.

Jared hurried to her. “I didn’t see his backup lights at first. Sometimes I’m in too much of a hurry. Thanks.”

The gratitude in Jared’s eyes drew her closer to him, to the pull that was so strong between them.

Emily was struck by the stark difference between Jared Madison and her ex-husband, Richard. Jared thought about the people around him before he thought about himself. He didn’t hesitate to say “thank you.” She could probably count on one hand the times Richard had said “thank you” during their marriage, and she wasn’t exaggerating. Richard had expected things of her. He’d expected her to act in a certain way, have sex when he wanted it and play the hostess when his work demanded it. Gratitude and appreciation never entered into it.

“What?” Jared asked in a low voice as if they were the only two people in the parking lot.

“Nothing,” she murmured, knowing this wasn’t the right time to reveal details of her marriage.

“I don’t believe that was a nothing that crossed your mind, but I’ll let it go for now.” Moving toward his sedan, he pressed the remote to open the doors.

Why did Jared Madison move her so? How would he react if she revealed everything about her past?

After today, they’d probably both go their separate ways. His cousin would be taking care of the girls until he could find a nanny or until his mother was on her feet again. Emily would be put back into her colleague slot. She realized that definitely wasn’t where she wanted to be.

An hour later, Jared asked, “What do you think?” as he offered her a taste of the sauce on a wooden spoon. He had changed into a Dallas Cowboys T-shirt and boot-cut jeans.

And she was having trouble keeping her mind on what he was cooking, rather than him.

He held the spoon while she took a taste, all the while her gaze on his. The heat she felt came from the two of them, not the electric burner.

“It’s delicious,” she managed to say, then added lightly, “You might have to give me cooking lessons.”

He gave her a wry smile. “My repertoire is limited.”

“Did your mom teach you?”

His shoulders stiffened. “No. When I was in med school, I either had to learn to cook or starve.”

“Does your mom cook along with taking care of the girls?” Emily was trying to get a sense of his life.

“Most of the time. I give her a break on weekends if I can.” He stirred the sauce thoughtfully, and after a glance at her, he went on. “I told you my marriage broke up because of the long hours and my profession. I was just wondering. What broke up yours?”

Terror struck Emily because the obvious reason her marriage ended had been the lawsuit brought against her. Yet as she took a calming breath before replying, she realized the root of her problem with Richard had been something else.

Jared’s voice turned gentle, his eyes serious. “You turned so pale. Was your husband abusive?”

She didn’t want to give Jared the wrong impression. “No, he wasn’t abusive. But he was…I think he felt entitled. When we got married, he felt entitled to certain privileges. He felt entitled to being superior over me. At first we both had our jobs and I played the trophy wife whenever it suited him. But then the—” She stopped abruptly. She’d been about to say that the lawsuit had changed everything.