His Miracle Bride. Marion Lennox

so needed a shave. He looked so vulnerable.

      Stop it. She gave herself a sharp metaphoric slap to the side of the head. Do not fall for Pierce MacLachlan because you feel sorry for him.

      ‘Just because I’m a soft touch…’ she whispered, and he smiled.

      ‘Two of us. Two soft touches. We’re doomed.’

      ‘Speak for yourself.’

      There was another whimper from above his head, but this time it didn’t stop. It built fast to a wail. He winced, set his coffee mug down with a sigh and rose. ‘She slept for three hours. I can’t expect much more.’

      ‘What will you do now?’

      ‘Cuddle her until she goes back to sleep.’

      ‘Ruby said you’re not getting work done.’

      The yells from upstairs were getting more insistent. ‘Define “work”. But I guess it doesn’t matter. I just take one day—one moment—at a time.’ He walked to the door and then paused. ‘Shanni, you’ve helped me enormously today and I’m deeply grateful. If you leave right now I’ll still be grateful. I won’t put any more pressure on you. But you do need a bed for at least tonight?’

      ‘Wendy showed me her mother’s bedroom. She’d already made up the bed.’

      ‘Wendy wants you to stay.’ He put up his hands in mock defence. ‘I know. I said no pressure.’ He raised his gaze to the ceiling. ‘Okay, Bessy, I’m coming. We’ll leave Shanni here to make up her mind.’

      ‘I…I’ll think about it.’

      ‘Please.’