Surrogate and Wife Read Online Free

help thinking a few minutes later as he tucked the phone back into his pocket and made his way to his car.
    Kate was unlike any woman he’d ever met. Tough, cynical and stubborn. Boy, she was stubborn.
    He knew he was right—she would need help in the coming months—but he had no idea how to convince her of that. Still, he couldn’t help admiring her for clinging so passionately to her independence. She was a complex and intriguing woman. Way too intriguing.
    Under the circumstances, he should probably be thanking his lucky stars she’d refused his offer. He was off the hook. Not even Stewart could say he hadn’t tried.
    So why couldn’t he shake the feeling that something really important had just slipped through his fingers?
    He couldn’t explain—not even to himself—why he wanted so desperately to be a part of this pregnancy. Surely his offer to help Kate was nothing more than that. Help. It certainly didn’t have anything to do with this inexplicable pull she suddenly had over him.
    Shaking his head, he shoved the thought aside. As he steered his car toward home, he knew he should be rejoicing in his freedom. And he didn’t let himself wonder why he wasn’t.
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    Her week—which had started out so badly—only got worse.
    From the news about Beth’s pregnancy, to the bizarre dinner with Jake, to this—being called on the carpet by Judge Hatcher first thing Thursday morning.
    Two years ago Hatcher had been elected a district judge on a platform of conservative family values. Since associate district judges like Kate were merely appointed, Hatcher was essentially her boss. She wasn’thappy about it, since they shared years of barely concealed animosity, dating all the way back to when they’d both worked in the Georgetown D.A.’s office. However, since he had the power to make her life very difficult, and since she knew this position was only a stepping-stone to further his political ambitions, she’d stayed out of his way. Until now.
    As she made her way back to her chambers in the courthouse annex, she struggled to calm herself. She found Kevin Thompson, the other associate district judge, waiting for her, noisily poking through the papers on her desk.
    â€œHow’d it go?”
    Still feeling bristly, she glared at him. “How did you know about my meeting with Hatcher?”
    â€œAre you kidding? In this office, gossip spreads like wildfire.”
    She grimaced. As if she needed that reminder.
    Kevin propped himself on the edge of her desk. “So, how did the meeting go? Did he just want to rake you over the coals a little?”
    â€œIt went about the same as all my meetings with him go. He was patronizing and rude. I kept my mouth shut.”
    â€œGood girl. I know he drives you crazy, but it’s best to keep your head down and your nose clean. And look at it this way, in six months he’ll be out of here.”
    She sank into her chair. “That’s not reassuring. In six months the elections will be over. If he’s out of here, that means he’s been elected to the Texas Supreme Court.”
    Kevin shrugged. “True, but at least he’ll be out of our hair. And let’s face it, ever since he announced he was running, he’s been a pain in the patootie.”
    Kate sighed. That was sure the truth.
    Meeting Kevin’s gaze, she said, “He wants me to step aside and let him handle the McCain case.”
    Kevin let out a low whistle. “Guess we should have seen that coming. Are you going to do it?”
    â€œStep aside? No. Not if I can help it. That case has been on my docket for months now.”
    â€œA high profile divorce like that? To be honest, I’m surprised this is the first time it’s come up.”
    Roger and Shelia McCain had worked for a local personal computer company during the boom. The millions they’d made thrust them into the local limelight.