Devin sat at the head of the table during the late-morning meeting in the conference room. It was strange but also good to have another key staff member there besides just him, Quinn, and Charles.
Adele, the new assistant editor, had started three days ago and was already fitting in well with the team.
Having her there was especially helpful since Devin’s mind was occupied with other tasks outside of the day-to-day with the paper. Absently, he grazed his thumb over a rough spot on his palm. A splinter—he thought he’d removed it last night, but part of it was still there. As aggravating as the damn thing was, the small discomfort was a happy reminder of the projects he was working on in the room adjoining his office and at his house. And strangely he had Lauren to thank for it.
He was also planning to tackle the newborn-essentials list and the questionnaire item by item, but first he was looking after Bea’s well-being...anonymously.
In a week or so, he would reach out to her directly. Maybe by then, she would be open to seeing him, and he could show her what he’d been working on for the baby. They were just a few of the changes he was making—along with hiring more people to free up his schedule. He missed her so much and would give anything to be with her again or hear her voice. But he would give her what she’d asked of him. Time.
“I really think we need to move the article about the upcoming town council meeting to the front page,” Adele said. The dark-haired Latina in her mid-thirties, studied her tablet with the draft of the upcoming newspaper on the screen. “Land zoning is current news. A lot of people are interested in what’s going to happen with the upcoming proposal.”
Charles nodded. “I agree, especially since it isn’t just a hot topic here but in the surrounding towns, too. In fact, we might consider a series of articles on this. It would also be a good way for our new reporter at large to get acquainted with the area.”
The other new hire joining the team in a week was relocating from San Antonio to Chatelaine.
All eyes turned to Devin. “Sounds good. Let’s move the article to the front page. And as far as the series, write up a proposal with the angles for each of the articles, and we’ll discuss it.”
A chime sounded from the door in the reception area.
As Quinn went to see who it was, the group continued to discuss other changes.
A moment later, she returned. “Devin—Bea’s here. She’s waiting in your office.”
“She is?” He immediately rose to his feet. Just as he reached the door, Devin remembered they were in the midst of a meeting. “Let’s take a fifteen-minute break. But if I’m not back by then, keep going without me.”
He strode to his office a couple of doors down. As soon as he saw Bea sitting on the couch, his heart thumped an extra beat in his chest.
“Hello.” As Bea stood, a hint of anxiety reflected in her eyes. Just like that day in the parking lot when she’d told him she was pregnant.
Awkwardness and uncertainty. That wasn’t what he wanted for their future.
Tamping down his own anxiety, he smiled back. “Hi.”
As he shut the door behind him, Bea came closer. “You’re working on the next edition of the paper—I’m sorry. I should have called. I won’t take up too much of your time.”
“No. You’re fine.” He couldn’t stop his gaze from straying to the door leading to the other room. Whew. Good thing he’d closed it before going to the meeting earlier that morning.
“But aren’t you on a deadline?”
“We are, but my staff can handle it.”
They really didn’t need him. The realization of that really hit Devin. For once, he didn’t feel stressed out, trying to beat the clock. Hell, he could take the entire afternoon off. If he would have been able to do that weeks ago, maybe he and Bea wouldn’t have broken up.
Regret needled him as he approached her. It was difficult not to reach out and touch her. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Really good. And so is the baby.” Her genuine smile brought a glow to her face.
Words he couldn’t stop just came out. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” A light flush came into her cheeks enhancing her natural radiance. “I...well, like I said, I feel good.” She glanced down as if gathering her thoughts. “A handyman stopped by my office earlier this morning. He said someone hired him to turn the guest room at my condo into a nursery.”
“Really?” He injected surprise into his tone. “I wonder who set that up?”
From Bea’s raised brow she already knew the answer.
Devin softly chuckled. “I guess I need to work on my poker face.”
“Just a little. Actually, the handyman gave you away. He showed me the plans only you would know about.” She stepped closer. “You didn’t have to hire him. I don’t expect you to renovate my home.”
“I know...” Unable to stop himself, Devin reached out and took her hand. Pain shot into his from the splinter, and he immediately let go. He shook off the discomfort.
Bea frowned in concern. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I just have a splinter in my palm.”
She took his hand in hers. The sting faded as she gently caressed the red spot on his skin.
“You need to take this out.”
The softness and concern in her gaze along with her scent were too alluring to ignore. Devin swallowed hard. “I will when I get home later tonight.”
“Tonight?” Bea released him, and he immediately missed her touch. “No, this could get infected. Hold on.” She went to her purse sitting on the couch and dug through it. A few seconds later, she pulled tweezers from a small cosmetic bag. “Let me see.”
He walked over to her.
Bea firmly grasped his hand, inspecting the reddened spot. “The end of it is sticking out. I think I can get it.” She probed his palm with the tweezers. “Sorry. I know this hurts.”
“I’m good.” The ache in his chest at the thought of losing her was far worse than his hand. He’d endure the pain a hundred times over if he could hold and kiss Bea again.
“Almost...” She held up the splinter with a triumphant expression. “I got it.”
“Thank you. I’m lucky you were carrying around a pair of tweezers.” On a reflex his hand tightened around hers.
Bea didn’t pull away. “They came in the pregnancy pampering box I received the other day.” She glanced down a moment. “If you’re doing these things as an apology or because you feel guilty, please don’t. It isn’t necessary. I don’t hate you or anything close to that.”
Guilt? He hadn’t realized Bea might see it that way. “No. That’s not what this is about. Come with me. I need to show you something.”
Devin led Bea to the side door to the adjoining room. Nervousness assaulted him as he gripped the knob. It wasn’t finished yet, but hopefully she’d approve of what he’d done so far.
Holding his breath, he opened the door.
Bea gasped. “Oh, Devin...”
Glancing around the room with new beige carpeting and sea-green painted walls, he tried to imagine it through her eyes. He walked to the boxes stacked in the corner. “I bought three of the cribs you wanted—one for here, for the nursery at your condo once it’s done, and the one I’m setting up at my house.
“The rocking recliner is from a store in Corpus Christi. It’s really comfortable. I chose the leather one, but they have different upholstery options if you want one of those, too.”
Devin turned to the wood cabinet connected to the wall. “I’m building another one of these with a changing table plus counter space for things like a bottle warmer. And the open space over here—that’s where I’m putting the mini refrigerator. I’m almost done with the one at my house.” As he saw the rooms completed in his mind, he smiled.
It faded as he spotted Bea, staring at the room with a shocked, weepy expression. Did he make a mistake or get something wrong?
He hurried over to her. “If you don’t like what I’ve done—”
“No.” She shook her head. “I love it. But when did you have time to do all of this?”
“I’ve made some changes. I hired two new staff members to lighten the load. And I’ll bring in more people if I have to.” As Devin faced her, he lightly grasped her shoulders. “Guilt or trying to make an apology has nothing to do with this. I want to help take care of our child. We both work, and at times, we’ll have to use a sitter. But I can watch over them here, too, and you can come by during the day whenever you’re free.”
Visions filled his mind as he glanced around the room. “I’m looking forward to sitting over there and feeding our child. Or rocking him or her to sleep.” He chuckled. “I’m even looking forward to changing diapers. I want a chance to embrace more of their precious milestones instead of missing them.”
He took her hands in his and grabbed hold of possibility. “The one thing that would make it all complete would be a second chance with you. I know I disappointed you. And I understand—”
Bea pressed her lips to his, cutting off his words.
Devin slipped his arms around her. The yearning he’d kept in check for far too long short-circuited his thoughts, and he held her close, losing himself in the lush warmth of her mouth and her soft curves pressed against him.
But as much as he wanted to keep kissing her, he couldn’t hold back on what else he needed to say.
Devin held on to her waist and eased out of the kiss. “You said you don’t hate me, and I’m really glad about that. I’m sorry for not simplifying my life sooner—if I had, it would have prevented a lot of stress between us. The last thing I ever wanted was for you to doubt whether or not you could count on me.”
Bea laid her hand on his chest. “You can’t take all the blame. I added stress to our relationship, too. I gave in to focusing on my past experiences instead of what was standing right in front of me. You.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Breathing away anxiety, he dived back in. “But there’s something else you should know. I’m falling in love with you—and not just because we’re having a baby together. It started the moment we danced at the reception.”
“That’s good to know.” She met his gaze. “Because that’s when I started falling in love with you.”
Happiness fueled Devin’s smile. Leaning away, he glanced down at her stomach. “Did you hear that? Your mama’s falling in love with me.”
Bea laughed. “If my growling stomach is the answer, they heard you.”
“Then we should eat. Where do you want to go?”
“What about your place or mine? We can talk things through...and see where it leads.”
The look of desire in her eyes made his heart leap. He brought her closer. “Should I clear my calendar for the rest of the day?”
Bea leaned more against him. “That’s what I planned to do.”
“I like that plan...a lot.” Devin kissed her, grateful for a second chance at love and a bigger life.