For the Babies' Sakes (Expecting) (Harlequin Presents, No. 2280) by Sara Wood

he suggested for morning sickness. You know something? I feel better already, even after the one dose.’
    â€˜What about this nutrition stuff?’ asked Dan doubtfully, waving the sheets in his hand.
    â€˜Fresh, organic food? No contaminants? Makes sense to me,’ she replied, pleased with her new-found knowledge and eager to know more.
    â€˜Hmm. But you’ll need proper drugs during the birth—’
    â€˜No. I’m willing to put my faith in Dr Taylor’s treatments. Dan, he made perfect sense when he talked about using natural and safe remedies. I don’t want the baby to start life with a mass of drugs in its body,’ she declared, quite astonished and overwhelmed by the fierce, protective passion she felt for her unborn child.
    Dan shrugged, clearly not convinced. ‘Whatever you say. Only I warn you, I will intervene during the birth if I think the baby’s at risk.’
    Her eyes rounded. ‘You…you mean to be there?’ she squeaked.
    â€˜At the birth? Of course. I have a vested interest, remember?’
    Helen bridled and set off down the village street, trying to deal with that. It was such a personal thing to do. And by then Dan would have been living with Celine for some months.
    Sexy, luscious Celine. Helen let the jealousy surface. Some time during the third week in January, Dan would be torn from Celine’s arms to watch his inflated, pregnant, ex-wife pant and scream her way through agonising hours,in the most undignified position imaginable. She’d seen films. She knew what it was like.
    â€˜You can wait outside and pace up and down. I don’t want you there!’ she stated with unusual ferocity.
    â€˜Why?’ he countered.
    Vanity. Humiliation. Because it would only remind her of what might have been, at a time when she’d be emotionally vulnerable. In an unguarded moment of sentimental slush she might even beg Dan to come back to her. And he’d look at her whale-shaped body with horror and crush her self-esteem for ever.
    â€˜You won’t be my husband by then,’ she said sullenly. ‘I want my birth partner to be someone who’s close to me.’
    â€˜Like who?’ he shot through clenched teeth.
    â€˜How should I know? Perhaps my mother. Or I might have made friends with someone here, or fallen madly in love with some guy—’
    He looked at her in shock. ‘You’re pregnant! You can’t do that!’
    Helen groaned inwardly. How had she got into this stupid discussion? Now she’d have to justify her position!
    â€˜You can’t help your feelings,’ she said sniffily. ‘Love happens. I’m not a complete dog, Dan. It’s quite possible I’ll meet someone who thinks I’m fantastic, and I’m certainly not ruling it out just because I’m pregnant!’
    Dan’s eyes were cold and hard and his manner was menacing. ‘I had no idea that it would be so easy for you to switch your affections,’ he muttered. ‘It says a lot about the superficiality of your so-called love for me.’
    This was terrible. She was being backed into a corner, saying things she didn’t really mean. She’d never love anyone as much as she’d loved Dan. And it annoyed her that he was making out she was in the wrong for imaginingsome future love in her life. He was the one who’d been unfaithful!
    â€˜I could say the same about you,’ she complained crossly. ‘Your affair with Celine isn’t my idea of showing depth of commitment to marriage.’
    â€˜I didn’t have an affair,’ he said tightly.
    She shrugged. ‘Still in denial, I see. Well, admit it or not, it’s finished between us and I’m being realistic. I mean to move on. To put the past behind me and look for happiness elsewhere.’
    â€˜Another man.’
    â€˜Yes.’ Her head jerked up in defiance, sending her hair swirling.