Family Affair Read Online Free Page A

she wanted from him. “Is there something you needed?” he asked after an awkward moment.
    How like a man! “Yes,” she said, having trouble restraining her irritation. “I want you to do right by my cat.”
    “Do right? Are you suggesting they marry?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous!”
    “Then what do you mean?”
    “It’s only fair that you share the expenses with me.” She hated the way her voice trembled. “Dr. Christman, Cleo’s vet, prescribed expensive vitamins and another checkup. In addition, I’ll expect you to find homes for your half of the litter.”
    “My half.”
    “Yes. Please submit the names to me for approval.”
    Jack scratched the side of his head. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
    That he should question her motives told her everything she needed to know about him. “Yes, I’m serious. Dead serious.” She stood and handed him a list of her expenses so far. “You can pay me whenever it’s convenient.” Holding her purse against her chest as though it offered her protection, she kept her back ramrod straight. “There are consequences in owning an alley cat, Mr. Walker. Even one named Dog.” Lacey knew how pious she sounded. Lines of righteousness creased her face as she let herself out.
    She didn’t realize how badly she was shaking until she was inside her own apartment. Her knees felt as if they were about to buckle. She sat on the love seat and Cleo leaped into her lap, eager for attention.
    Lacey ran her hand down the length of Cleo’s back. “Well, girl, you’re going to be a mother. What do you think about that?”
    Cleo meowed.
    “This is destined to be an interesting couple of months,” she said. Dr. Christman had given Lacey several pamphlets about the reproduction of cats. Lacey had read them a number of times. She’d grown up with a gentle cocker spaniel named Sherlock, but he’d been a male so she’d never been through this sort of thing.
    The following afternoon, Lacey’s doorbell rang. Jack was on the other side, leaning against the doorjamb. He gave her a slow, easy, heart-stopping grin.
    “How’s Cleo doing?”
    “Fine. She seems to need a bit more attention these days, but other than that she’s behaving normally.”
    “I had Dog neutered. He’s keeping a low profile these days.”
    Lacey was forced to pinch her lips together to keep from smiling. As far as she was concerned, it would do Dog good to have his carousing ways curtailed.
    “May I come in?”
    Lacey wasn’t sure letting Jack into her apartment was such a good idea. “All right,” she said reluctantly, stepping aside.
    Then Lacey made the mistake of politely asking if he’d like something to drink, and Jack asked for coffee. Since she didn’t have any ready, she was required to assemble a pot.
    To her dismay, Jack was intent on helping her. She turned on the water and measured out the coffee grounds, all the while complaining inwardly about her compact kitchen. She couldn’t move without touching Jack in some way. When she stood on tiptoe to lift down the mugs, he stepped behind her, the full length of his body pressing against hers.
    She felt trapped and silly and unbearably uncomfortable. Worse, she was blushing, although she did everything she could to disguise the effect he had on her.
    “It seems only fair if I’m going to share the expenses of Cleo’s pregnancy that I have visitation rights,” he said casually.
    A chill washed over her. “Visitation rights?”
    “Yes. I’d like to check on her every now and again to be sure she’s doing well.”
    Lacey wasn’t sure this was such a good idea, either, but she couldn’t think of any good reason to protest.
    “I can assure you Cleo will be well cared for.”
    “I’m confident she will be, but I’d like to check on her myself.”
    “All right,” she agreed with ill grace.
    The coffee finished brewing and she poured them each a cup. Jack took his black and strong, but he waited while Lacey diluted hers