The Father Of Her Child

Michael unclenched his jaw, relaxed his facial muscles and dutifully tuned back into Evan’s flow of excitement over his jam-packed schedule of interviews with the media. Global Publications, via Lauren Magee, was certainly doing him proud in their efforts to launch his new historical novel on the Australian reading public. Michael hoped it would sell well, not only for his friend’s sake, but also for his own satisfaction as Evan’s literary agent.

He silently congratulated himself on getting Evan an extremely good deal for the book, though he would have privately preferred the highest bidder to have been any other publishing house than Global Publications. But business was business. The best interests of all the authors on his list had to be served. That was one of the principles by which he’d gained his reputation as an agent whose judgment could be trusted.

He knew books. He knew what they were worth and where their market was. Evan Daniel’s sweeping saga of early colonial days in the convict settlement of New South Wales was a rattling good story and had the elements for solid, commercial success. All it needed was the right push to bring it to public attention.

“I need your help, Michael.”

Evan’s excitement seemed to have faded into a sudden fit of anxiety. Michael raised his eyebrows, inviting elaboration on whatever problem was troubling his friend. This had to be the underlying reason for his visit this morning. It was a long drive from Evan’s home at Leura in the Blue Mountains to Michael’s apartment-cum-office at Milson’s Point in the very heart of Sydney. Enthusing over his promotional tour hardly constituted a strong enough motive to bring him here.

All the signs of inner agitation were evident. Evan shifted his somewhat roly-poly body uncomfortably. He tugged at the frizzy brown curls above his ears, pulling them out into tufts. With his round face and big, dark, soulful eyes, Evan frequently reminded Michael of a cuddly koala bear. Despite his rotund shape, women were attracted to him. There was something very appealing about Evan. His bright and benevolent personality reached out to people.

“Could you take the time off to come with me on the tour to Melbourne and Brisbane?” he finally blurted out.

“You don’t need me to hold your hand, Evan. You’ll do fine. Your natural enthusiasm about your book…”

“It’s not that. I’m not scared of the interviews,” came the hasty assurance. His ensuing grimace held both apology and an appeal for understanding. “It’s Tasha. She’s going to be rabidly jealous of Lauren the moment she lays eyes on her.”

Michael was astounded. “Lauren Magee?”

“You know how gorgeous she is. And I’ll be staying in the same hotels with her.”

“Lauren Magee…gorgeous?” Michael couldn’t believe it. In his mind’s eye Lauren Magee was a sexless martinet, as thin as a matchstick with every bit of feminine sweetness squeezed out of her.

Evan looked puzzled. “Haven’t you met her?”

It would be pistols at dawn if he did, Michael thought darkly. “I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure,” he drawled with deliberate carelessness.

“I thought you knew everyone in the publishing industry.”

Evan’s surprise was comical. Michael had to smile. “The publishers and the commissioning editors, yes. I haven’t met every single person on their staffs.”

“But Lauren. Oh, well, you can meet her at the party tonight. I’ll introduce you. Then you’ll see why I need you to come with me on the tour. I know it’s asking a big favour, Michael, but…”

“I won’t be there tonight,” Michael stated flatly.

It was Global’s launching party for all its new books for the coming year. Roxanne would be swanning around with her second choice of husband, who was, Michael thought cynically, quite perfect for her. Her preening didn’t bother him, but she made such a pointed show of it in front of him he felt sorry for the other guy. It was distasteful. Such comparisons always were.

Michael prided himself on being civilised. Most of the time he was. Very civilised. Extremely civilised. The combination of Roxanne on parade, trying in her perverse vanity to make a fool of him, plus Lauren Magee on the sidelines with her feminist cant, just happened to bring out the savage in him. It was not a feeling he liked.

Evan looked hurt. “I’m one of the speakers.”

“I’m sorry, Evan, but you don’t need me to applaud your speech.”

“I do need you. Not for applause. If I could stand you between Tasha and Lauren, it would save me a power of trouble. Tasha wouldn’t get any funny ideas with you around. It’s perfectly obvious that any woman with two eyes in her head would go for you, not me.”

That wasn’t necessarily true, Michael thought. Superficially, he supposed, he fitted the tall, dark and handsome tag, but in a savage mood, he knew he could look more intimidating than attractive.

“And if you came on tour with me,” Evan pressed, “Tasha would have no reason to get upset.”

The impassioned plea tried Michael’s patience. “Your marital problems are none of my business, Evan. If you can’t assure your wife of your unbreakable fidelity, take her with you.”

“You know Tasha is eight months pregnant,” came the plaintive protest. “Can you see her manoeuvring into an economy-class seat on one of those small intercity planes? Not to mention her doctor’s orders to rest and take care. We’re not taking any chances with this baby. Not after two miscarriages.”

Michael frowned. He had forgotten Tasha’s delicate condition and the trouble she’d had in carrying a child to full term. Evan was right. It was stupid to take any risk. If it was his wife and baby Michael knew he’d be cocooning them in cotton wool.

His desire to have children had been frustrated by Roxanne’s deceptions, and he wondered now if he’d ever get to be a father. Finding the right woman had to come first. He assured himself that at thirtyfour, he was still in his prime and his choices in life were wide open. He was not restricted by time.

“Surely Tasha can trust you,” he offered. “It’s only for a few days.”

Evan sighed. “Normally, yes, but she’s in a very fragile mood, feeling all lumpy and undesirable. We’ve had to refrain from sex because. Well, I don’t want to go into that.” He flushed. “Anyhow, she’s not going to be happy about me flying off with a woman as gorgeous and sexy-looking as Lauren Magee.”

Lauren Magee sexy-looking? Michael shook his head incredulously. That was wrapping a wormy apple in a glossy skin.

The glum, discomforted face of his friend stirred sympathy. Evan and Tasha were going through a tough time. The successful launching of this book was important to them financially, so it couldn’t be dropped, and Evan was quite likely to fumble the interviews and get smashed on double gins if he was upset.

“Please?” he begged. “There’s no one else I can turn to. If you don’t help me.” He rolled his eyes and gestured despairingly.

Michael’s curiosity was piqued. “Do you like her, Evan?” he asked pertinently.

“Who? Lauren?” He looked innocent. “She’s a lovely girl, but I’m a married man, Michael. I love my wife and I’m not about to stray.” Hotly earnest.

“Does she like you?”

Uncomfortable shifting again. “Well, er, only in a friendly kind of way. I just don’t want Tasha to misunderstand. If you’re with me, everything will be all right.”

A nasty little troublemaker, amusing herself by coming between husbands and wives, Michael thought with considerable venom. Not this time, Lauren Magee, he silently vowed. Lovely girl…huh! She might be gorgeous and sexy-looking, but she clearly had the sting of an asp, poisoning other people’s relationships.

Michael decided it would give him immense satisfaction to do a bit of stinging of his own. Besides, Tasha deserved to have peace of mind during this difficult period. The strain of an advanced and possibly threatened pregnancy was more than enough for her and Evan to cope with. Protecting them from any capricious harm by Lauren Magee was the decent thing to do.

“Okay, Evan, I’ll run interference for you,” he said, a dangerous little smile lurking on his lips.

Relief burst over his friend’s face. “At the party tonight? And the tour?”

“Yes. You can count on me for both.”

And to hell with Roxanne and her ridiculous gloating with her new husband! He could stomach that if he had to for one evening. It was in a good cause. As for Lauren Magee, well, he was beginning to look forward to locking horns with her.

Evan surged out of his chair and reached over Michael’s desk to grab his hand and shake it vigorously with both of his. “You’re a true, true friend and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means I can relax and enjoy everything, and Tasha will, too. She’s been looking forward to tonight’s launching party. Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Then I hope she’ll have a happy evening.”

Evan grinned. “Champagne on tap. I love free drinks.”

“Don’t forget you have to drive,” Michael warned dryly.

“Uh-uh. We’re staying in the city overnight. Taxis both ways.”

“What hotel? I could pick you up. Best if we arrive together, don’t you think?”