The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement by Charlene Sands

potatoes.
    â€œWas it? She could have stayed on longer.”
    â€œIt wasn’t necessary. I’m feeling fine. It’s just that I’ve never really remained in one place long enough to have a lot of close friends. She and I sort of bonded. I’m hoping now that I’m in Napa for good, I’ll be able to make some friends.”
    Leah fussed and Brooke put down her fork to lift her out of the playpen. “You want outta there, baby girl, don’t you?”
    She set Leah on her lap and continued with her meal while Nick looked on. “I’ve left another message with Mollyand I hope she calls me back. I’d like to reconnect with her. Not that I won’t have enough to keep me busy,” she said as she tried the spinach. Leah’s hand came up and she grabbed the fork from her and giggled. “Leah!”
    The next time she tried to get a forkful into her mouth, Leah twisted in her lap, squirming so much that Brooke had to put her silverware down. “What, you want to play now?”
    She was just about to stand up, when Nick reached for Leah. “Here, let me have her. Finish your meal, Brooke.”
    Leah went willingly to Nick, nearly bounding out of Brooke’s arms and into his. Leah adjusted herself onto his chest and settled in, her small body against Nick’s strong chest. Brooke’s heart gave way a little.
    â€œLet your mama finish her meal,” he said in a stern tone and when Leah twisted her face, ready to let go big tears, Nick softened his voice. “Okay, okay, Leah.” Then he bounced her on his knee.
    Brooke smiled wide and Nick shot her an annoyed look. “What? You think I don’t know how to bounce a kid on my knee?”
    â€œI didn’t say a word.” Brooke finished her meal with her head down, refusing to give in to the tender emotions that washed over her as Nick consoled her baby daughter, speaking softly and charming her with sweet words.
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    That night, Brooke had a slight argument with Nick over their sleeping arrangements on their way upstairs. She wanted to give him his room back, since she’d be staying on for weeks. But Nick wouldn’t budge claiming she needed the extra space for the baby’s things and the guest room had everything he needed for the time being.
    Stubbornly, she wasn’t ready to give up until Nick walked over to her in the hallway near the master suite, ready tocompromise. “Or we could share my room,” he suggested with an arch of his brow. He began taking his shirt off.
    Brooke froze on the spot, watching one button after another open to his tanned chest. She was very much aware that they were alone in the house. Carlotta, much to her surprise, didn’t live in the house. She used a downstairs room for sleeping when the Carlinos had a big party or special occasion; otherwise she went home before dark to spend time with her husband. “Fine, you made your point. I’ll take your room. Th-thank you.”
    Nick backed away then, satisfied.
    She entered her room and closed the door. After she bathed Leah and nursed her one last time before putting her to bed, she took a long hot soak in the bathtub and fell into a gloriously deep sleep.
    Brooke woke in a great mood. She fixed Nick a breakfast of bacon and eggs and home-fried potatoes, grabbing a quick plate for herself before heading out. Nick had called Randy, arranging for Brooke to drive by his shop this morning so he could double-check the car seat for Leah. Randy had been nice enough to make a few adjustments and she drove away relieved to know Leah was as safe as she possibly could be. Still, Brooke drove five miles under the speed limit all the way to the house, garnering some dirty looks from the drivers behind her.
    â€œHere it is, sweet girl,” she said once they arrived. “This is our new home.”
    Brooke spent the better part of the day making assessments and writing up a list of all the