"Brian, Amanda - Womb For Rent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Brian Amanda)

The kitchen door swung open. Clad in a light blue polo shirt and faded jeans, he looked more like a college student than a serious, calculating business investor. He padded barefoot across the ceramic tile floor, smiled and bussed Maimie's cheek. "What's got you in such an uproar this morning?"
"You know exactly what's the matter. Don't you go playing all soft and cozy with me, Mister Big Shot." Her hands fluttered as she went off on her tirade.
"Now, now Maimie, remember who the boss is here." Joseph tried to calm his wife, to no avail. She was too far gone in her speech to hear him.
"I remember exactly who the boss is. Don't you worry about that none. What I'd like to know is why he thinks he needs to advertise for a woman to produce an heir?" She waved her arm at the paper on the counter.
Derek paused before answering. He let his gaze swing from Maimie to Joseph, then back again and cleared his throat. "I think you know the answer to that question already," he said softly, taking a coffee cup from the cupboard and turning away. His back presented a formidable barrier.
Maimie clucked under her tongue and approached Derek. She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her. "Listen here boy, your parent's problems were just that, your parents'. You aren't to be held accountable for what happens in someone else's life, only your own."
"Maimie, it wouldn't work. What do I possibly have to offer a wife? Empty nights and long, lonely days with only the dogs for company? You know I already proved "that" theory five years ago," Derek replied.
Maimie stared at him. The son she had never been able to have. One she had come to love as her own flesh and blood. He was a good man. He took care of his own. Joseph and Maimie Henderson found that out ten years ago. Flat broke and on the streets, they happened into the right place at the right time. Derek had been in need of a housekeeper and chauffeur and they were there, ready and willing to fill both the jobs and the void in his life. Over the years, Maimie saw the angry young man grow into a confident business entrepreneur. Whatever possessed him to think he needed to advertise for a mother for his child?
"Derek, I love you like a son. But you have to realize this isn't the way to go about it. What's wrong with finding a nice girl? Try dating one for awhile, maybe ease into marriage. Better yet, what about Talli? She's a nice girl, she knows you, you know her. You've already made it past the first hurdle. Do you think the past is going to repeat itself all over again with another woman on your wedding day?" She spoke softly, her words boring straight to his heart.
No one knew the hurt and anguish he had gone through after finding out about Lydia and Gary. His own bride caught on film cavorting with his best man. Back then, he would have given anything to see them both ruined forever. Yet time, combined with Maimie and Joseph's caring, had brought him out of his cold, uncaring bitter shell and back into the world around him.
He uttered a sigh and shook his head. "I'm not even going to consider one of my own employees. Maimie, this is the only way it's going to work. Forever exists only in fairie tales. Look at me, do I look like Prince Charming to you? I'm not husband material. But I am father material and I want a child. Someone to fill my aging years with love and laughter. I'm not getting any younger, you know."
Derek watched Maimie throw up her hands in disgust. "People can change. Surely you of all people know that." She paused, her head tipped to one side as she studied him. "You are just plain stubborn, boy."
Joseph cleared his throat and furtively approached Derek. "The morning paper, sir."
"Thank you, Joseph. At least someone in this kitchen knows their place," Derek remarked grinning.
The patio door wall slid open and four baying, barking dogs barreled into the kitchen, followed by an equally exuberant Talli.
"Maimie, did you see the morning paper yet? What's he doing now...?" Talli skidded to a halt, finding the kitchen inhabited by more than just Maimie. "Oh, good morning Mr. Cameron, Joseph." She was suddenly conscious of her faded blue jeans and Loony Tunes sweatshirt.
"Good morning, Talli," Maimie greeted. "All right, you four-legged mutts, off my clean floor. Shoo, over there on your rugs!"
Talli watched Maimie push the fearless foursome across the kitchen.
Once the animals were sitting quietly, she reached inside her apron pocket and pulled out a handful of doggie treats. "There you go. There's enough for each of you. Be nice now."
"Spoils them rotten," Talli muttered under her breath.
Maimie brandished a wooden spoon in her direction. "What was that crack, young lady?"
"Nothing." Talli's eyes widened in mock fear, as she retreated to a bar stool and perched upon it.
Derek watched the scene in his kitchen. He hadn't noticed before how well Maimie, Joseph and Talli got along. As though they had known one another for years. He saw Talli sneak her fingers along the tiles to snitch a slice of raw potato, her jeans molding to her backside as she reached across the edge of the counter. His stomach lurched as the worn denim clung to her curves, igniting a fire deep within him.
As if sensing his scrutiny, Talli looked up and met his gaze. She blushed furiously and put a finger to her lips to keep him quiet. Her other hand had just closed around the potato when Maimie swung back, whacking Talli's knuckles with the wooden spoon.
"Young lady, breakfast will be served in five minutes, not before. Got that?"
"I got it," Talli answered, sticking her tongue out at the retreating form.
"I saw that," came back a retort.
Derek grinned and focused his attention on the dogs stretched out in the sunshine.
"They look good. I've been watching you work with them. You're doing a great job." He walked over to the dogs and lowered himself down to their level.
The dogs looked up expectantly at him. Derek was puzzled by their silence.
"How come they're still sitting here? Why won't they come to me?"
"I've been using certain catch phrases to train them. If you want them, all you have to say is..." She paused for a moment, a devilish gleam in her green eyes. "Just say...free."
The kitchen erupted in a frenzy of barking and baying. The dogs bounded off their mats and into the unsuspecting arms of Derek Cameron. The unexpected launch propelled him off his feet and down onto the floor amid a pile of bouncing, panting canines.
Talli bit back a laugh at the sight. Derek's look of surprise was priceless. Apparently, he hadn't thought about this reaction.
Derek glanced at the trio of people above him. Joseph stood nervously shifting from foot to foot, whereas Talli and Maimie had huge smiles on their faces.
"Okay, very funny. Now, how do I get them back to their mats?"
"Down, to your mats," Talli's voice commanded over the din. In one fluid motion, all four dogs left Derek's side and returned to their earlier positions. Quiet once again reigned.
Talli nodded, crooning softly. "Good babies. Stay now."
The dogs wiggled in unison, but remained seated.
Joseph walked over to Derek and extended a hand. "Your breakfast is ready, sir.
Derek took his place beside Talli at the counter and lifted his fork. "I'm beginning to think I was set up."
"Why, Mr. Cameron, I would never dream of such a thing." Talli feigned innocently, her green eyes wide and a broad smile on her face. "After all, you are my boss."
Minutes later, Derek dropped the napkin on the counter and pushed his plate back. "Maimie, great breakfast. Now, business beckons." Derek rose from the bar stool and, with a jaunty step whistled his way out of the kitchen. Talli's eyes followed his departure.
Maimie shook her silver-gray head and sighed sadly. "That boy don't know what's good for him, that's for sure."
Talli brought her plate to the sink and carefully set in on the counter. "Maimie, what exactly is this ad all about? Is it for real?"
"It's for real. As real as real can be. That boy has got it in his head he wants to be a daddy, but not a hubby. He wants to find someone to have his baby for him, then just up and walk away. Can you imagine?"
Talli nodded and waited for Maimie to continue.
"Well, believe you me, he won't find a proper woman with the kind of money he's offering."
Talli's head snapped up at the words. "Money? How much money?"
"Well, let me think now. What was it? It's an awful lot."