I realize your feelings for me don’t run deep. We have our baby to think about,” she said to reiterate her point, despite her fury over the prenup. Even if she signed it, it didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy Cameron’s money while they were married. “We can’t be at odds all the time. Surely we can be civil, and hopefully more to each other. Over time, I believe we’ll be close. We’re great in bed. We just have to transfer that mutual pleasure to our everyday lives.” That’s it. She’d make him want to stay married to her.
She said all the right things sometimes. And sometimes she didn’t.
Cameron needed to stop being so hostile toward her. He was upset about the situation. She wanted them to get along for the child’s sake, if nothing else. He could do it. He’d start now.
“Come with me to pick up Emma from school. We’ll give her the good news. We’ll go fishing tomorrow like we planned and it will be one more opportunity for all of us to spend time together.”
Oh, God, fishing.
Not her idea of fun, but time alone with Cameron might give her an opportunity to ask him about getting some money before the wedding to take care of a few things. What was one fishing trip in the scheme of things? She’d play the devoted fiancé for six weeks. Then she’d have everything she ever wanted.
“Sounds wonderful. I bet Emma will be pleased to find out she’ll have a sister or brother soon.”
“And a mother. I expect you to treat her like she’s your own daughter. I won’t have her upset or feeling left out. She and I are a package deal. You need to understand that going in.”
“Of course I understand. Emma is a darling little girl. We got off to a rocky start. I haven’t been feeling like myself. It’s probably just the hormones. I promise you, darling, we’ll be the best of friends. I’ll be patient with her.”
Cameron wanted to groan. It all sounded sincere. He hoped it was. If Emma got hurt because of him, he’d never forgive himself.
“Great. Let’s get going. We’ll tell her about the baby and wedding, then we’ll bring you back here for your car. I’m taking Emma to Knight’s for dinner.”
“We aren’t going as a family?” Okay, that might have been over the top, but she wanted to go to dinner and see inside the gorgeous mansion. It was just the kind of grand house she wanted to buy after she married Cameron. If she went to dinner with Cameron tonight, she could take a look around and get some ideas.
“Knight wants to talk to me about something important. He made it sound personal. I’d like to bring you, but it wouldn’t be appropriate. I’d like some time alone with him.”
He didn’t want to take her. He wanted to talk to Knight, spill his guts, and get some advice. He’d help him put things into perspective. At this point, he feared he had no other options than the path he’d chosen. He hoped George could help him sort out this mess.
There was that word again. Hope. That’s all he had left of his life. Well, he’d always have Emma. The brightest light in his life.
His mind conjured a perfect picture of Marti. He didn’t want to analyze why he couldn’t stop thinking about her. She hadn’t been far from his mind since he’d met her and now he was engaged to another woman.
He rubbed at the back of his neck and thought he’d never get the knots out of it.
“Don’t forget, I want those lab results. Until I see them, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention the engagement or the baby to anyone. Like you pointed out, I have business contacts and associates. I’ll make a formal announcement in some way that doesn’t shock and surprise people when everything is confirmed.”
“Sure, darling. Whatever you think is best. I’ll have the results for you Monday or Tuesday of next week.” Time enough to take one of her old lab reports, scan it into her computer, “doctor” it, and present Cameron with a positive result.
So long as the ceremony was completed and she was Mrs. Cameron Shaw, she didn’t care if he didn’t tell anyone. All she needed was his name and access to his friends, his lifestyle, and all his money.
Chapter Thirteen
* * *
“I DON’T CARE what you say, she is not my mother. She never will be. I hate her.”