Growing Love (Brookfield) (4 page)

Chapter Four

Oh crap. Diane didn’t know if she should turn and run or face Matt head-on. She’d been back in Brookfield less than twenty-four hours and she’d hoped for at least a week here before he discovered she was in town.

“Uh, she’s staying here for a few days.” Alyssa was the first to speak as she walked over to Diane. “You’re
supposed to be upstairs watching TV.”

“I heard a male voice and I thought maybe it was Connor. I was going to see if on his lunch break
, he could stop by the apartment. I need something.”

Alyssa glanced at Matt. “Let me call him and see what
his schedule is. Go have a seat in the back.”

Great. She’d much rather
have her sister tell Matt to go away. But she couldn’t avoid him now. It looked like her only choice was to face this head-on. She went over to the chairs in the corner and sat. Matt joined her, sitting in the chair opposite. He leaned forward slightly with his hands cupped loosely between his knees.

“How long have you been in town?” he asked.

“I got in yesterday afternoon.”

“How long are you staying?”

She toyed with a strand of hair. “I don’t know. A little while.” She eyed the bag sitting by his feet and saw in big, bold red words
pregnancy
. “What’s in the bag?”

“Books.”
His voice was laced with irritation.

She already knew what type, but she wanted to hear him say it for some odd reason. “What kind?”

He cleared his throat the way he did when he was nervous. “Books on pregnancy. I want to know everything I can. It’s not like you’re being very forthcoming.”

“Why
? You aren’t pregnant.” She was egging him on and knew she should stop.

“No shit. You are. And I want to know what the hell Braxton
Hicks are. How big the baby is. All that stuff. This is important to me.” He paused and stared into her eyes. “
You
are important to me.”

He appeared to be sincere and t
he way he looked at her caused her heart to race. His dark eyes bore right into her soul. She sucked in her bottom lip. She couldn’t let these feelings resurface for him. She stood and he did as well.

“You okay?”
The concern in his voice nearly melted all her resolve.

“Fine. I’m gonna go back upstairs for now.”

He reached out and touched her arm. She should pull it away, but for some reason she didn’t. “Can I check on you while you’re visiting?”

No. Just go away. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

His arm fell to his side. “I’m gonna head home and start reading.”

Diane didn’t stick a
round for any more chit-chat. She climbed the stairs that led to Alyssa’s apartment. After closing the door, she leaned against it to wrap her head around what had happened. Alyssa’s cat Zoe sauntered up to greet her.
That cat must live by the door waiting on someone to enter.
She picked Zoe up and headed for the couch. As she pet the cat, she slowed her breathing and attempted to get her emotions under control. If she let her guard down, she knew he’d weasel his way back in to her life in no time.

Diane sighed.
Matt looked so handsome all wet. His dark hair had been flat and messy from the rain. And the way his shirt clung to his chest… Not that she should’ve noticed. She’d have to make sure she didn’t run in to him again.

“There you are,” Alyssa said from the doorway.
“Connor said to give him a call and let him know what you needed and where it is and he’ll go pick it up. He’ll be in meetings most of the afternoon, so the sooner you call, the better.”

“Thanks. I better do that before my nap.”

Alyssa smiled. “I love having you here. We’ve got to start chatting about names though.”

“Go back to work.” Diane groaned.

The door to the store closed. Diane leaned her head back against the couch cushion. She shouldn’t be so tired. She’d better call Connor before she fell asleep.

*
* *

Matt kicked his shoes off
the second he entered his house then headed straight for his kitchen. He needed an extra jolt of caffeine after the long hours he’d been working the last few days. Once the rain let up, it was work, work, and more work. Apparently the deadline had been moved up. He just hoped the rain stayed away, or he’d be working more hours like the past few.

He picked up the pot of coffee
leftover from the morning. Swirling it around, he decided there was enough for a cup. He poured it into a mug and placed it in the microwave. Once it dinged, he removed the cup and went into the living room.

The pregnancy books sat on his table. He’d
been reading some each night. He now knew Braxton Hicks were normal. Though he wasn’t quite sure why
Diane
was on bed rest, he’d read several reasons why women were put on it and now had some ideas. Maybe if he’d listened to Tom longer, he would know for sure. It was hard for Matt to even talk to him though. But if he wanted a place in his son’s life, he was going to have to learn too.

Matt sipped his hot drink and waited for the
caffeine to kick in. He wanted to get some more reading done but wasn’t sure he could hold his eyes open long enough. 

Leaning forward, he set his coffee down when he heard a knock on his front door. He wasn’t in the mood for a visitor right now. But when they knocked again,
it was apparent they weren’t going away.

He dragged his tired body to the front door and opened it.

“Hey.” Cody stood there, still in uniform. “Can I come in?”

He shrugged.
“Sure, but I might not be the best company.”

His guest
grinned as he entered. “I won’t stay long.”

Matt was sure he knew why Cody was here. While they weren’t best buds, they did get along. But they didn’t make it a point to hang out.

“Have a seat. Can I get you anything?” He motioned toward the couch.

“Nah.” Cody sat. “My sisters have been a real pain in my ass lately.”

Matt chuckled. Poor Cody. Those two had him wrapped around their fingers and went to him about everything. It was no wonder he was still single. His sisters didn’t leave him much time to date.

“Alyssa wants me to find out if you really want to be around for the baby. Or if this is what she is calling a phase.”

He wished he could just tell Alyssa to butt out. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“She also said Diane has made it crystal
-clear she doesn’t want you in the kid’s life and you’ve mentioned taking her to court.”

Matt pinched the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t necessarily say I would to take her to court. I told her I wanted to be in the
baby’s life, but if she continued to refuse, I would have to take other actions.”

“Women have a way of spinning words.” Cody leaned back. “Anyway, I hope it doesn’t come to that. Any plans on getting Diane to come around?”

I wish.
“I’m just going to be here for her. I know she’s with Tom now and I’m not trying to steal his woman.”

Cody laughed and shook his head.

“What’s so funny?” Matt asked.

“If only you knew. Anyway, so you aren’t trying to get back with her but be friends
, I take it?”

If I only knew what
? He was confused. “Friends. Yes.”

Cody shrugged. “That should be doable.”

Easy for him to say. Diane was stubborn and not easily persuaded. That’s how they ended up in the mess they did. She wanted another man in their relationship and would’ve done it regardless. She was a tough woman. If anyone ever messed with their son, she’d have their head on a stick.

“I know you’
re tired, man. If we can convince Diane to stick around, that would be a good thing. I still can’t imagine her being a mom. But I’m sure she’ll be great at it.”

“Yeah, I think she will. And if I have my way, she won’t be going anywhere.”

Cody stood. “I’ll be seeing you around, maybe. I’m thinking of finding a hole to hide in until things settle down.”

Matt chuckled.
“Don’t blame you.”

Cody nodded and left. Matt picked up the coffee and finished it off. He turned the TV on
, hoping to entertain himself for a few. But before he even made it through one thirty-minute sitcom, he was asleep.

*
* *

Diane stared at the ceiling
, the phone resting on her big bump, as Tom spoke through the speaker. He was filling the air with some lame excuse as to why he wasn’t coming this weekend.

“I’m gonna try to come during the week. It isn’t like I planned this unexpected business trip,” he explained.

Sure, she understood that. Things happened. But she was disappointed. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all week. My sister has been wonderful, but I’m sure she needs a break from me. We all know how demanding I can be.”

He chuckled. “
Yes, we do. But at least you two are finally getting along and bonding.”

He was right. She’d be lost without her sister.
Alyssa’d been waiting on her hand and foot, never once complaining. When this was over, Diane would do something nice for her. Maybe a spa day. “At least I have her kitty keeping me company all day on the couch.” She scratched Zoe behind her ears.

“I get back from my trip on Tuesday. So maybe I can come out that way for the day on Wednesday or Thursday.”

“And then back that weekend?” A girl could be hopeful.

“I will do whatever it is you want me to.”

She sighed. Sometimes she wanted Tom to just tell her what he wanted and not make it about her all the time. “Do what you want. Quit worrying about me all the time.”

“You’re not a burden.”

It sure was hard not to feel that way. The man had dedicated his life to her and helping her raise another man’s child. That other man who now wanted to be a part.

“I know you need to pack. Call me soon,” she said.

“As always, you’ll be my last call of the night.”

She smiled. Tom was such a sweet man. She was entirely too lucky to have him. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

She placed
the phone down next to her. Zoe stared at her from her chest, her green eyes bright. Diane really wanted a cat. She’d always loved Zoe. Maybe after the baby was born, she’d look at getting a kitten. Her son and it could bond and be lifelong friends.

Placing a hand on her stomach,
she felt the baby kick. How could she be so in love with someone she hadn’t met? She couldn’t wait to meet him, hold him in her arms, and rock him to sleep at night. She’d never complain like some moms did when he came into her bedroom at 2:00 a.m. from a bad dream and wanted to snuggle with her. No way. She loved this little guy with every breath. Now to figure out a name.

“Diane,” Alyssa called as she entered the apartment from the bookstore.

“In here, on the couch, as usual.”

Alyssa walked in carrying a small brown bag. “Here. It’s from Matt.”

Diane sat up and took the small bag. “What is it?”

“Open it.”

She unfolded the brown edges and peeked inside. A banana nut muffin.

“What is it?” Alyssa asked.

“A muffin.”

Her sister beamed.
“That was nice of him.”

Diane set the bag down on the floor next to her. “And stupid. What if the baby is allergic to nuts
?”

Alyssa gave her a dirty look. “This is getting so silly. You’re not going to hurt the baby by eating the treat he gave you. Why won’t you give him a chance?”

“Because…he reminds me of all the pain I caused you. I stole him from you, remember?” Diane sighed. “I’m worried if he’s around, you and I won’t keep improving our relationship and we’ll go back to hating each other.”

Alyssa sat down on the end of the couch. “Matt isn’t going to come between us again. I’ve moved on
. You know that. And if Matt being around for the baby will make you happy, then so be it.”

“What about holidays? You’d have to see him.”

Alyssa grunted. “Look, sis. I get you’re younger than me by a good bit and don’t have all this life experience as me. But at some point you need to put you and Baby Bean first. If Matt being in this kid’s life is what you both need, then do it. I shouldn’t be a deciding factor.” She rubbed Diane’s ankle. “Besides, Jerkface and I have an understanding now.”

Diane giggled. “I suppose I n
eed to work out something with Jerkface as well. I have a feeling he isn’t going anywhere.”

Alyssa stood
, rubbing her arms. “Me too. I need to lock up. We’ve got an appointment with Dr. Blossom in an hour.”

After Alyssa was gone, Diane reached down and picked up the bag. She pulled out the muffin. Banana nut, her favorite.
He was sucking up and she liked it. She unwrapped the plastic from the pastry and bit in. Ah, this was from The Cookie Jar Bakery. Before Diane knew it, she’d devoured the entire thing.