A Baby Between Them

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Clearly, this was Simone DeRosier’s daughter. Though the jazz singer had been dead for a year by the time Rae joined Kincaid Communications, she had heard plenty of stories about the famous woman from her coworkers. According to the rumors, though Simone had often been away on tours and promotional gigs, she’d been a devoted mother, if not quite a devoted wife.

“I heard that Harrison’s sister has multiple sclerosis,” Rae said. “But she looks perfectly normal.”

“We’re hoping she’s going to be one of the lucky ones,” Aidan said. “The disease has been in remission for almost a year now.”

“Autumn is beautiful,” Rae said. “She looks amazingly like her mother.”

“Yeah. That’s what everyone says.”

Aidan sounded gloomy, and Rae shot him a curious look. Simone DeRosier had been a classic beauty. Surely the fact that her daughter resembled her was not a bad thing?

NESSA KINCAID BROOKE spun the Frisbee toward her niece, then froze as a pregnant woman approached the beach from the road. Nessa had antennae for expectant mothers, just as in a crowd she always picked out babies…especially infants.

The pregnant woman walked in that particular wide-footed way that was so common to the final trimester. One hand rested on her rounded belly.

What would it feel like to have a baby inside you? With all her heart, Nessa envied the woman. She was beautiful, too, with dark, wavy hair and a fair, yet rosy complexion.

Nessa checked out the man beside her, then blinked as she recognized Aidan.

Harrison had told her Aidan was coming to the island for a holiday. So that meant this woman with him was Rae Cordell, the up-and-coming corporate genius Harrison was so pumped about.

He and Justine had told her that, while Aidan wasn’t saying anything, the scuttlebutt at Kincaid Communications was that Rae and Aidan had had an affair, then Aidan had transferred Rae to the Pittsburgh office.

It all sounded too sordid to Nessa. Not like Aidan, at all. Yet, the fact that he was here with Rae now, made it likely the story was true.

“Watch out, Auntie Nessa!”

The Frisbee was coming right for her head. Nessa snatched it out of the air, then laughed at Autumn. “That was a good throw.” She pointed to Aidan. “But look who’s here.”

Autumn glanced over her shoulder, then started to run. “Uncle Aidan!”

Nessa followed at a slower pace, watching as Autumn hurled herself into Aidan’s arms for a hug. Aidan’s eyes were on Nessa as he squeezed the little girl briefly, then gently set her on the ground.

In the past, Nessa had noticed a certain reserve in Aidan’s manner with the little girl. Given the close relationship between Aidan and the Kincaid family—in particular, Harrison—that had always struck her as odd.

“Aidan, hi. Harrison told me you were coming to the island.”

“Hey, Nessa. It’s good to see you. You’re looking terrific.” He hugged her warmly.

“Uncle Aidan!” Autumn tugged on the hem of his T-shirt. “Auntie Nessa taught me some new songs. Do you want to hear them?”

He brushed his curly hair back from his forehead. “Umm…”

“Later, honey!” Nessa laughed. “Give us a minute to chat, first.” She held out a hand to Rae, trying not to look too longingly at the obvious evidence of her pregnancy. “Hi, I’ve been meaning to drop by the summerhouse to introduce myself. Harrison has told me how invaluable you are at Kincaid Communications.”