A Baby on His Doorstep

Read the Excerpt

In this brief, edited excerpt from the book, Max Crane and Rachel Whittaker have been talking
about the growing gossip in town:

He cleared his throat. “Maybe there’s another way. What if we use those rumors to our
advantage, let people think we’re romantically involved after all?”

Rachel blinked. “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

“Engaged,” he said, forcing the word out. “You and me. That will quiet the gossips. Plus, with a
ring on your finger, this town will really have something to talk about. Before you know it, they’ll
be planning our wedding. So let them. What do you think?” He added, “It’s not as if there’s
nothing there. I mean, we did kiss—once. Of course, we wouldn’t have to repeat that. This
would be a fake engagement…”

Rachel was staring at him. “Max, I—I don’t know. This makes sense in a way, but do you want
people to start planning an event, believe we’re in love…then, maybe when Averill [the baby’s
mother] comes back, we split up? Everyone in Barren will feel sorry for you, and they’ll hate me.
I do like you, Max, and you make some good points. But—”

Please, he thought. He could sense her weakening. “We can make this work. We can worry
about afterward later.” He gazed at Rachel until she finally smiled. “Yes?” he asked.
“This is strange, but okay,” she murmured. “Yes.”

As if to seal the deal, and surely not because he simply wanted to, Max enfolded her in his arms.
When he bent his head to kiss her, she didn’t resist. He liked this kiss even better than he had
their first. Pretend, or not.