“You’re not a one-night stand, Nora.”
“No, I’m a two-night stand,” she said slowly and deliberately, not missing Mark’s wince at her choice of words. “You don’t need to be the good guy here. I told you I wouldn’t expect anything from you. You happened to be there when I was feeling vulnerable. I didn’t wake up hoping for bouquets of roses and impassioned declarations.”
“Some would say you’re protesting too much,” Mark replied. Nora was surprised by the slight frown furrowing his brow. He leaned forward, focusing his brilliant blue eyes on her. “Tell me the truth, Nora.”
She froze. He couldn’t have guessed, could he? Was the word pregnant branded on her forehead?
Pregnancy Countdown
Linda Randall Wisdom
In memory of Frances Gesswein, my very own Grammy Fran. While you weren’t my biological grandmother, you werethe grandmother of my heart who probably encouraged your “red-haired granddaughter’s” rebellious spirit a little too much at times. I cherish the times we had together and I miss you very much.
And many thanks to Arlea Johnson for her husband and the dead coffeemaker story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Randall Wisdom is a California author who loves movies, books and animals of all kinds. She also has a great sense of humor, which is reflected in her books.
Books by Linda Randall Wisdom
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
250—WE GIVE THANKS
284—LADY’S CHOICE
293—APPEARANCES ARE DECEIVING
310—CODE OF SILENCE
325—SINS OF THE PAST
350—A MAN FOR MAGGIE
372—O’MALLEY’S QUEST
382—VOICES IN THE NIGHT
401—FREE SPIRITS
422—SOMETIMES A LADY
443—THIS OLD HOUSE
457—UNDER HIS SPELL
470—A MAN FOR MOM
487—THE COUNTESS AND THE COWBOY
515—NO ROOM AT THE INN
541—VEGAS VOWS
561—HE’S A REBEL
596—COUNTERFEIT HUSBAND
608—MOMMY HEIRESS
627—TWIST OF FATE
641—DO YOU TAKE THIS MAN…
671—NAUGHTY ’N NICE
681—MR. & MRS….& MRS.?
707—BELLS, RINGS & ANGELS’ WINGS
751—SHE’S HAVING HIS BABY
774—THE LAST TWO BACHELORS
831—MY LITTLE ONE
865—BRIDE OF DREAMS
920—TWO LITTLE SECRETS
991—PREGNANCY COUNTDOWN
Dear Reader,
The first time a friend tried these brownies she said they were better than sex. Naturally, this is something we tend not to say to men. Poor babies just wouldn’t understand that there are times when chocolate is extremely important to our well-being!
BETTER THAN SEX BROWNIES
aka Texas Brownies
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
½ cup margarine
½ cup shortening
1 cup strong brewed coffee or water (I use flavored coffee such as french vanilla or Bordeaux coffee.)
¼ cup cocoa
½ cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
Frosting
½ cup margarine
2 tbsp cocoa
¼ cup milk
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Combine flour and sugar. In heavy pan combine margarine, shortening, coffee or water and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling. Pour boiling mixture over the flour and sugar in the large bowl. Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla. Mix well using wooden spoon or high speed on mixer. Pour into well-buttered 17" × ½" × 11" jelly roll pan. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until brownies are done in center.
While brownies bake, prepare the frosting. In pan combine margarine, cocoa and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Mix in powdered sugar and add vanilla; stir until smooth. Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as you take them out of oven. If you want thicker frosting, add half again, or double the ingredients.
Enjoy!
Contents
Chapter