“Yep. There really isn’t anywhere else.”
“Have you thought about renting some workspace?” he asked her, his brows knitting together. “There has to be somewhere better than this.”
“I have, but there’s the small matter of cash flow.” Harper shrugged. “Once I get a steady income that’s first on my list. I can’t keep working out of Caitie and Breck’s home. They deserve their space.”
“I have a room you could use.” James blinked, as though surprised at his words. But then his expression softened, and he smiled at her. “There’s a whole basement in my house that is empty. It’s water tight, well lit, and I’ve never needed it. You could move all your work down there. You could make a hundred dresses and you’d still have space to move.”
“That’s a very sweet thought.” It really was getting crazy in her room. And if she made a success of things then she’d definitely need more hanging space. She couldn’t fit much more in, that was for sure.
But was it sensible? After the appointment today she was already finding it difficult to keep a distance from him. Lines were getting blurred everywhere and she owed it to this baby to be sensible. Not to be the type of woman who jumped at the first sign of a knight in shining armor.
She wasn’t going to be that mom.
“I didn’t say it to be sweet,” he told her. “You should do it.”
“I don’t know…” her voice wavered then trailed off.
“It doesn’t have to be forever. But of course you’re welcome to use it as long as you’d like. It will probably be better for your sleep if this room’s free of all your work, and you know how important rest is for the baby and you.”
“I can’t afford to pay any rent,” she admitted, hating how that made her feel. “I’d just be mooching off you.” Again. Ugh, she hated this.
James raised an eyebrow. “You’re having my baby, I wouldn’t ask you to pay rent. And as the father, it’s in my interest to make your life as easy as possible, so don’t think I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart.”
She smiled, because she knew he was doing exactly that. “I told you before I’m not good at accepting help.”
He reached out and cupped her cheek. The warmth of his palm seared her, making her breath catch in her throat. Apart from the gentle pressure of his hand against her back, it was the first time he’d touched her since that night three months ago.
And it felt as good as she remembered.
“I’m not the kind of guy who sees taking care of the mother of his baby as ‘help’,” James said, his voice low. “It’s my job. A father’s duty to his kid is as equal to the mother’s, and I take that seriously. I hate the kind of guy who says he’s babysitting his kids. He’s not babysitting, he’s their damn father. He’s doing what he’s supposed to. And I know you’re not used to asking for help, but that’s not what I’m offering. What I’m offering is to help care for my child and its mother.”
Her heart clenched. Just a little. “Are you sure?”
“Yes I’m sure. Whether you like it or not, we’re going to be connected forever. This little baby growing inside you will see to that.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding. “In that case, I’d like to take you up on your offer.” She held her breath for a moment, waiting for his response.
His mouth split into a grin. “Excellent. I’ll arrange for a van to pick up all your work stuff.”
* * *
An hour later, they were drinking coffee in the kitchen and filling out the family medical history form Ellie had given them. Harper was tapping the pen against her lips, frowning at the questions.
“Any history of heart disease in your family?” she asked.
“Not that I know of. How about yours?” He lifted the cup to his mouth, staring at her over the rim.
“None. My dad died in a car accident when I was a baby, and my grandfather died of colon cancer. My mom and my grandma are still alive.”
He noticed her voice dipping with disdain when she mentioned her family. “Are they excited about the baby?” he asked.
She looked up, shaking her head. “I haven’t told them.”
“You haven’t? Why not?”
She shrugged. “I don’t speak to my mom very often. Maybe once a year or so. And I’ve been on bad terms with my grandma since I left home for college. She wasn’t very happy with me about that.”
James frowned. “Really? My parents were so excited when I got into college, and then into med school. I had to stop them from organizing a party every time I got an ‘A’ on an assignment.”