“That means we’re going to have to default on our contracts. We could lose the church.”
“Who would do such a thing?” Roger demanded as he pushed back from the table.
“The Reaves.” Nick shook his head.
“But why?” Mary asked. “That makes no sense. They love our church.”
“To get to me.” Nick felt sick. “I’m really sorry, Dad.”
“I don’t want you to worry about this, son. You’re doing the right thing by your baby, and I’m going to support you. We all will. We’ll find a way to fix this.”
Nick looked around the table, but Mary quickly looked away as indecision filled her face. Would they? He wished he could be certain his father was right.
“I’ve called an emergency board meeting,” his dad said. “We need to go to the church and see if we can figure a way out of the mess. Would you like to join me?” he asked looking at Roger and Mary.
“Of course,” Roger said, and they both rose.
“We’ll take care of the dishes, Mom,” Gillian said. “You guys go.”
Mary looked worried as she set her plate on the counter. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
Nick stood too. “Dad, do you want me there?”
“No. You don’t need to explain yourself. You are the child’s father. You have every right to raise her. I’ll let them know where we stand on the matter.”
Nick had never felt his father’s support as much as he did at that moment. “Thank you.” His voice broke over the words.
As their parents hurried out the door, Gillian started to clear the table, but Nick couldn’t move. Hopelessness surged through him. He could understand the Reaves going after him and his business, but to go after his dad and their church? That was just wrong.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said.
Gillian set the dishes she had in her hands on the counter and then took his hand. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, her gaze holding his.
“My dad doesn’t deserve this. Neither does his congregation.”
“Neither do you.”
He leaned over and hugged her, holding her tight. Her touch was a lifeline in a turbulent sea. “Thank you for being here. For helping me.”
Gillian rested her head on his shoulder. “You are my oldest and best friend. Even if I forgot that for a little while, I’m back now, and I’m here for you.”
It’s true. She was his oldest and best friend, but she was also the woman he’d loved, and she’d left him. He pushed the thought away. Right now, he needed her. “Maybe I should give up. Maybe Bailey would be better off with her grandparents. I think your mom would agree.”
Gillian pulled back and stared up at him. “Nick Carr, you are not a quitter, and you will not give up your child. You would regret it to your dying day if you did. Do you really want Bailey raised by people who are this evil? This diabolical?”
Her words and passion surprised him. “Of course not.”
“Exactly, so put that thought right out of your head.”
He smiled. “I love it when you’re bossy.”
“Since when?”
“Since now.” Her mouth was only inches from his. Her warm breath bathed his cheek, and he could almost taste her sweet lips. He inched toward her and before he could stop himself, he kissed her. He held on tight, not wanting to let her go.
Her arms twined around his neck, and she kissed him back, her tongue sparring with his, her warmth filling him. He growled deep in the back of his throat. Damn, he never stopped wanting her. However much he told himself he had, he’d been lying. She was all he wanted.
She pulled back and licked her lips, smiling as her eyes met his. “You still taste the same.”
“Do I?” He wanted her so bad he was about to burst. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. I’m so sorry I left. Sorry, I never explained—” She kissed him again, with more passion this time, her hand slipping under his shirt, skimming across his muscles.
Fire rushed through him.
“Take me to my room,” she ordered.
She didn’t have to ask him twice. He lifted her out of her chair and walked toward the den that had been set up as her bedroom. He didn’t know if he was making a mistake, but at that moment he didn’t care. He wanted her, more than he’d wanted anything in a very long time.