A Magical Christmas: Daddy by Christmas / Greek Doctor: One Magical Christmas / The Christmas Baby Bump

Jarrett took her by the arm and led her across to the queen-size bed. They sat down side by side.

“So now you’ll know,” he said, seeing the dark circles around her pretty blue eyes. He brushed back wayward strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail. His heart pounded at the surge of desire that shot through him. He needed to leave, but he already knew nothing could draw him away from her.

“Call Kira. She had trouble with Jenna, too. That’s how I knew what to do. And the next time you’ll know, too.”

She swiped at the last of her tears. “You’re lucky to have family.”

He glanced away. “Trace and Kira didn’t always think so.” He’d made so many mistakes with his brother.

“You and your brother haven’t always been close?” she asked.

“Try never,” he admitted. “It was mostly my fault.”

“You two look pretty close now.”

“Sometimes damage can’t be fixed. But thanks to Kira, we’ve been working on it.”

She watched him, waiting for more. “You’re half brothers?”

He nodded. “Different mothers. I lost mine at six.” He shrugged. “My dad remarried, and his wife had a baby, Trace.”

“Was she a good stepmother?”

“Alice? She didn’t have much time for me, so I don’t know much about her mothering skills. My dad just dealt with the ranch business, and that included taking me along.” He glanced away. “I hated it. I can still smell the stink of the cattle, the burning hide of the steers during branding. And it’s damn hard work, for damn little money. And as soon as I could, I got out. Straight into college.”

She smiled. “Bet they were proud of you.”

“Yeah, sure.

“Brad was my cheering squad. My best friend. Whether I wanted him to be or not.” She glanced away. “All I gave him was trouble.”

“I can’t believe that. I bet you were a good kid.”

She shook her head. “I was resentful, headstrong, but mostly stupid. An overweight girl who did anything to fit in. I turned out to be a big disappointment to a lot of people.” She released a breath. “So I ran with a crowd that accepted me.”

Jarrett could only nod, but he wanted to know so much more about Mia. What had hurt her so much she couldn’t talk about it?

“Sometimes we can’t see what’s right in front of us.” He began. “I took out resentment for my father on Trace. And it was well over thirty years before I figured out he wasn’t my enemy. We’re still working on it.”

She brightened. “I bet little Jenna helps.”

He tried not to smile but failed. “Okay, the little squirt has my number. But look at her. She’s too cute to tell her no.” So are you, he nearly confessed, trying to fight the attraction he felt.

“I agree. You are so lucky to have them.”

“I’m realizing that.” He eyed her closely. “When was the last time you slept?”

She shrugged. “I nap when BJ does.”

He breathed a curse. “It’s not enough, Mia. You haven’t even been out of the hospital a week.” Had it been that long since he’d seen her? Since he’d been purposely avoiding her? He’d worked late at the office, staying away to finish the repairs. Anything not to get any more entangled in her life. Trace was the family guy, not him.

Tonight, he realized how much he’d missed her. His gaze went from those brilliant blue eyes to her full mouth. God, he had to be crazy, but he couldn’t stop himself as his head lowered to hers.

“Jarrett…”

“I like the way you say my name, Mia. A lot.” He reached for her, pulling her to him until his mouth closed over hers. She released a sigh as her fingers gripped his arms and she leaned into him.

Only the sound of their breathing filled the room as his mouth moved over hers in a slow, sensual, drugging kiss, taking as much as she was willing to give. And he wanted it all.

Hungry. He was hungry for her. His tongue slid past her parted lips and tasted her, but it wasn’t enough. He never could get enough of her.

He broke off the kiss and they both drew in needed air. He knew he had to stop, it was too soon for her.

Yet, it was already too late for him.

Mia stirred in the warm bed. It felt so good as she pressed deeper into her pillow. Sleep. She loved just lying in bed. Soon her thoughts turned to last night and Jarrett. The kiss. Smiling, she opened her eyes to the morning light coming through the window, then reality hit her, as she registered her tender breasts.

“BJ,” she whispered, throwing back the covers to get out of bed. The crib was empty. Her heart pounded in her chest and she raced out to the other room. That was when she heard a familiar voice in the kitchen. Nola.

She stood in the doorway. “You are getting to be such a big boy,” the older woman cooed at the baby in the plastic tub. BJ’s tiny arms waved in the air as he enjoyed his bath.

Nola glanced at her. “Well, good morning.”

“Good morning, Nola.” She brushed her hair back. “What are you doing here? And why didn’t you wake me to feed him?”

“He slept most of the night until five o’clock, which is when Jarrett called me and asked about using the bottle of breast milk in the refrigerator. I instructed him on how to heat it and he fed BJ. That was an hour ago, when I came up to relieve him. So I decided to steal some time with this guy while you got some more sleep.” She grinned down at the baby, who was cooing. “BJ and I are getting to know each other.”

Mia glanced around the empty apartment. When she’d dozed off last night Jarrett was still here. She suddenly recalled several things from their evening together. The things she’d told him about herself. Things she hadn’t told anyone.

“If you’re looking for Jarrett, he had a meeting to go to. He said he’d be back later today. I hope in time for our Christmas party.”

“Who said I was looking for Jarrett?” She hated that she was so easy to read. “Why did he call you instead of waking me?”

“Because we’re both worried about you.” She nodded for Mia to hand her the towel. She lifted the baby out of the water and Mia wrapped her son in the hooded terry cloth. “New mothers can get burnt out.”

Mia hugged BJ to her. “I need to be able to take care of my son.”

“You are a good mother, Mia,” Nola assured her. “You’re also doing this alone. But you have what’s most important, a good heart and a lot of love for this little boy.”

Together they walked into the bedroom and dressed BJ in one of his new outfits with a shirt that said, Chick Magnet.

Before Mia could pick him up, Nola did. “You need to eat something first. And I figure you have just enough time for some breakfast and a shower before this guy wants his mommy’s attention.”

She smiled. How lucky she was to have friends. “Thanks, Nola. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“We owe you a lot, too. We’d all be homeless without your help.”

“We’ll all be homeless soon anyway. So I didn’t help that much.”