Claiming His Unexpected Baby (Assassins Guild #2) - Michelle Howard Page 0,6

and patted Amelie’s belly before sitting back. “You’re the better person. I’d want to stab him in the eye with a fork.”

Amelie snickered. Scarlett’s commentary about Roan revolved around stabbing him with some utensil or another. She was glad the two weren’t in danger of being in the same room together. Scarlett was turning into a protective wild animal when it came to Amelie and her baby. Which reminded her. “I got the job!”

Scarlett clapped her hands together, her look of glee making her appear years younger than the serious demean she often wore in her role as a medic. “I knew it! When I went to that store to grab something and saw how short handed they were, I immediately thought of you.”

Amelie was the brand new employee at a gardening center. It wasn’t something she had experience with but after talking to the older couple who owned it, she’d been hired on the spot. Something else she had Scarlett to thank for.

“When do you start? Do they know about the baby?”

Scarlett’s enthusiasm was catching and Amelie found herself uncontrollably grinning. “Tomorrow and yes. Ezra and Tula have agreed to give me time off for the birth and are converting space in the back office so I can bring the baby to work. I think they’re more excited about taking turns watching her.”

Scarlett nodded and shoved back a swath of blonde hair. “I’ve gone there a few times and they seem like nice folks. Remember to stick to the story if they ask questions.”

It had been drilled into her head. Scarlett gave Amelie a few details on the Gerelin she’d taken the hormone from. Not much. Apparently, he hadn’t said a lot when he’d burst into her clinic looking for a medic to repair a break to his arm and a severe laceration on his torso.

“I’ll keep it simple if anyone asks and wear the scarf at all times.” Amelie flicked the lightweight scarf she wore as an accessory tied jauntily about her neck when she was out. The strip of material helped to hide the scars on her neck in case anyone studied them too closely.

Rubbing her hands together, Scarlett asked, “More importantly, what about names? Do you have any?”

“Yes.” She’d decided last night. “But I’m not saying until she gets here.”

Scarlett groaned and Amelie felt as if she had the whole world ahead of her.

Chapter 4

At eight months along, Amelie’s stomach had grown into a generous curve. She hummed under her breath as she pulled up the flowers in the little garden she’d managed to plant, placing the flowers on a dry cloth beside her. She’d arrange them in a vase later and have them on her table to look at when she took her meals.

The thought had her sitting back on her haunches and stretching out her aching back. Her shirt clung to her mid-section and Amelie patted the mound, smiling to herself. It wouldn’t be long now before her daughter made her eagerly anticipated arrival.

“Amelie!”

Amelie jerked. Then rose on a wobble to her feet. Standing unaided had become a challenge last month. She had to shake her head at all the changes brought on by carrying this baby.

The figure striding into the small yard in front of her unit was obvious. Her gaze shuttered in recognition. She’d know that carefree amble anywhere. Roan. Months away from him had removed the colored lenses she used to view him with and she could read his insincere smile easily now.

“What are you doing here, Roan?” she asked, taking a protective step back to retain a safe distance between them. Their last conversation was all too clear in her memory.

Roan oozed fake charm as he ignored her efforts and stopped way too close, invading her personal space. “I’m here on a brief stopover because the ambassador is picking up two new members for his team. Imagine my surprise seeing you here.”

No surprise. More like pure rotten luck. Her living unit was on a popular path near the city center. Anyone going to and from would see her if she was out. It wasn’t like she went gallivanting around the Gerelin colony. She kept to herself and minded her business.

“Hello to you, Roan. Sounds like things are going well.”

He eyed her plain shirt and the old shorts she’d thrown on to muddle around in the dirt. His gaze lingered on her bump. The mouth she’d once found sexy twisted in an ugly display. “You didn’t take care of it?”

Shock and