On the drive to the estate, Julian listened patiently as Eve explained the many reasons why she didn’t want to stay in the mansion. For every point she offered he had a counterpoint. Neither showed any signs of relenting, so they reached a compromise. She would stay on the estate, but instead of the mansion, she would reside in one of the guesthouses on the grounds.

Eve wasted no time in giving him an earful on how the Cranes lived. Seven guesthouses surrounded the mansion, and that didn’t include Sheridan’s cottage. The smallest dwelling had three bedrooms and two full baths and she insisted on staying there. Since the household staff tended to the houses on a weekly basis, they were all ready for occupants, minus food, so Julian called the main house and had Sally bring over a few things until he could purchase whatever Eve wanted in the morning. Once settled in, Julian drew Eve a hot bath and turned down the bed. He still sat on the edge of the bed when she emerged from the bathroom wearing baby blue silk pajamas with furry white slippers covering her feet.

Julian smiled. “You look very comfortable.”

“I feel very comfortable,” she said kicking off the slippers and sliding under the covers.

He pulled the covers up to her waist. She smelled heavenly, like blooming flowers in the springtime. Julian still couldn’t get over her warm maternal glow. She was more beautiful than ever. He brushed away the dark tresses that framed her gorgeous face and softly kissed her lips. “No more nausea?” he asked, stroking her cheek.

“None. I think I might even be able to keep something down. That roasted chicken Sally brought over looked pretty good.” Her gaze met his. “You sure she doesn’t suspect anything?”

“She doesn’t know you’re here, and I told her to inform the staff to stay away from this house until I say otherwise. Of course, we’re not exactly a secret. TC and Liz know.”

Eve nodded. “Yes, but they don’t know about the pregnancy and I just—I need to talk to the girls first. And there is Rebecca.”

He buried his face in her hair. “Don’t remind me.”

Eve took his hand in hers and brought it to her lips. “Alright, I won’t.” She laughed. “I have to say I’m surprised at how fast you left the bathroom after you helped me with my back.” His heart pounded and his trousers suddenly felt a lot tighter. Her fingers trailed up and down his forearm. “You didn’t have to leave,” she said.

Every stroke aroused him more and more. He cleared his throat and stood from the bed. “Well, I--I thought you could use your privacy,” Julian stammered. He silently admonished himself for his lack of self-control now and in the bathroom earlier. Even at six weeks, he noticed the changes the pregnancy had on her body. Her curves were curvier and her full breasts even fuller. He wanted to take her right there in the tub, but hurried out instead. He had to rein in his hormones. Eve had been through a lot today, she needed rest, and relaxation, not sex.

“Julian, are you okay?” she asked, sitting up against the headboard.

“Me? Oh, I’m fine.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, hoping some slight adjustments would alleviate the pressure in his loins. It offered some assistance, but not near enough. Thank heavens for whoever created long pullovers. “I’m great.”

“Then why are you so far away?” She patted the space next to her. “Come back over here.”

The continual throbbing in his pants reminded Julian why he shouldn’t follow that suggestion. Why did she have to be so alluring? He needed some air. When he got back, with any luck, he’d be of stronger flesh. “Actually, I--uh, I need to go up to the house and take care of a few things first. Will you be alright by yourself for a little while?”

“I’ll be fine.” Confusion shined in her eyes. She tilted her head. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re acting a little strange.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be my old self in no time.” About five minutes in some fresh air and a severe tongue lashing for being such a man when Eve needed emotional support and not his physical attention should do the trick. He wanted to go over and give her another kiss, but he didn’t trust himself. “I won’t be long, my love.”

Eve grabbed the baby book from the nightstand. “I’ll be right here.”

While she perused the book, Julian made his way outside. He filled his lungs with the cool air of the autumn night. Yes, this walk would do the trick. By the time he reached the front door of the mansion, Little Julian rested peacefully. His plan to grab a few things from his closet and be on his way got waylaid when Rebecca met him at the door, dressed in a white peignoir.

“Where have you been, Pookie?” she asked, attempting to give him a hug he promptly shrugged off. She stepped back and pursed her lips. “You shot out of here this afternoon without a word, and security told me you drove through the gates over an hour ago. Why are you just now getting to the house? It’s almost eleven o’clock.”

Julian groaned. How did he ever put up with her for so long? “Rebecca, I don’t answer to you,” he said, making his way around her and toward the stairs.

She grabbed his arm. “Yes, you do!” He jerked his arm away. Rebecca frowned. “I’m in control here, Julian. Remember, I know all about how you tried to kill your sister,” holding up to fingers she said, “twice. It would be wise for you to remember that.”

The self-satisfied smirk on her face boiled his blood. Her free reign in his life ended now. “Or what?” he challenged.

She folded her arms across her overexposed breasts. “What do you mean ‘Or what?’?”

“Just that! What are you going to do if I don’t do what you say? Call Sam Bennett?” Julian walked into the living room and picked up the cordless phone. Rebecca’s heels clacked against the marble floor as she followed him. “Do you want me to do it for you?”

A nervous chuckle passed her lips. “You’re not serious.”

“Aren’t I?” He began to press numbers. Julian knew he played with fire, but ridding himself of Rebecca and spending his life with Eve, their new baby, and hopefully their son drove him to continue.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Rebecca pulled the phone from her hands. “Pookie, what is wrong with you?”

“You, Rebecca! You are what’s wrong with me. I’m through with you and your threats and I want you the hell out of my house.”

“Where do you expect me to go?”

“I really don’t give a damn, so long as it’s out of here and off my property.”

“You can’t just toss me aside like some—some used Kleenex,” she sputtered. “I have the goods on you, Julian. I will go to the authorities if you don’t marry me.”

“No, you won’t. You see, Rebecca, I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I’ve decided I’m going to marry the woman I love. The woman I should have married decades ago, and you can rest assured it’s not you.”

“And I’m supposed to stand back and let you leave me for some tramp? Who is this slut?”

Julian bit his tongue. He wouldn’t lose his temper. He had to keep his head clear so when he showed the bitch the door she would know not to come back. Taking her by the arm, he showed her to the stairs. “Pack your bags, Becks, it’s time to go!”

Her flying red hair caught him in the face, blinding him for a moment. “Unhand me!” She twisted her arm away. “I am not leaving this mansion, Julian. I will see you in prison first.” She pulled away the errant locks sticking to her face. Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe for a second you will turn yourself in, so you can just forget about marrying some tart. I will be the next Mrs. Julian Crane, and you will send this nameless tramp on her way.”

Julian shook his head. The woman was incorrigible. He walked to the phone and pressed two numbers. “Yes, Sally, call for a taxi and have it pull up in front of the house. Yes, Ms. Hotchkiss will be waiting for it outside.” He replaced the phone and turned to Rebecca. “You can make this easy or hard, your choice.”

“What is wrong with you, Julian? Ever since I got back from L.A. from visiting my poor Gwennie you’ve been different, on edge. Then, this afternoon, you get a phone call and race out of here like the place is on fire. And now you’re throwing me out!” Rebecca’s bottom lip met her chin. Julian expected her to pitch a temper tantrum on the floor. Her balled fists thrusts downward. “Who is this woman, and what has she done to you?”

“She is the love of my life and she’s made me see what’s important. You’re not going to Sam Bennett because you don’t have a shred of proof to back what you’re saying. By pointing the finger at me, you’re pointing the finger at yourself as an accessory, and also, this unpleasantness will not sit well with Alistair. Have you forgotten whose idea this was? I promise, you do not want to rile him.”

She tossed back her hair and stuck out her chin. “I’ll take my chances.”

Julian found her defiance laughable. “Okay, let’s say you’re right and I do go to prison, where does that leave you? If not in prison with me, I’d say out in the cold.” Fear filled her eyes. She obviously hadn’t thought of that. “What? Did you think Father would pick up the slack? We both know better than that. And you have to know you won’t get a dime from me. Either way you slice it, your ride on the gravy train is over.”

Tears spilled from Rebecca’s eyes. She sniffled. “How can you do this to me?”

If she thought her tears and sad, puppy dog eyes would affect him she had another thought coming. Julian checked his watch. “If I were you I’d stop talking and start packing. What you don’t have when the car gets here will go to charity. Considering it was all purchased with my money, I’m being generous by allowing you to keep anything.”

Outrage replaced her show of sadness. Her chest rose and fell as her breath came in short, quick pants. “You’ll pay for this, Julian!” she vowed, rushing up the stairs to collect what Julian was certain to be the diamonds and furs she acquired as his self-appointed houseguest. Rebecca was angry, but he knew she wasn’t stupid. “You’ll pay for this!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled, unfazed. She couldn’t touch him, and they both knew it, even if she wasn’t ready to accept it yet. Freedom! It felt so good. Julian proceeded up the stairs. His cell phone rang just as he reached the top. “Julian Crane,” he answered.

“Are you still at the house?” Eve asked.

Julian smiled and his heart swelled. Just the sound of her voice made him happy. “Yes, my darling, I’m still here. I got sidetracked by a red-headed hurricane.”

She groaned. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. Did you need something?”

“Not exactly, but your daughter wants some ice cream.”

He laughed. “Does she?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought cravings didn’t happen for several more weeks.”

“We have an advanced child,” she answered with a chuckle.

“Does our little one have a flavor preference?”

“She wants to be surprised.”

Julian couldn’t stop smiling. Though months from being born, this child had already brought him immeasurable happiness. “Okay, I can surprise her. Does Mommy want anything?”

“No, our daughter said she’d share.”

“Did she just tell you that?”

“Uh-huh,” Eve confirmed.

“Seems we have a wunderkind on our hands,” he said through his wide grin and ceaseless laughter.

“Yeah, we do.”

“I’ll be there soon, Eve. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Julian pocketed the phone and entered his room, not noticing Rebecca as she slithered back into her room.