Read Online The Baby Truce by Jeannie Watt - Free Book Online Page A

baby?” Now she looked defensive.
    â€œI…” Tom closed his mouth, then started again. “We’ve got to work something out.”
    Reggie was trying to hide it—trying to look nonchalant, as if they were discussing the most mundane of topics. She swallowed. “Yes,” she allowed.
    â€œI don’t know much about kids.”
    â€œThey need stability.”
    â€œI think we’ve been over that,” he said evenly, fighting the instant flare of anger. Who said he couldn’t control himself? “I don’t know what my role will be…how we’ll handle being parents…but this isn’t something we can put off. Obviously.”
    Reggie eyed him for a long silent moment. Her mouth tightened for a second before she again said, “Yes.”
    A meeting of the minds. That was a start.
    â€œWe can work all this out with lawyers, but that’s probably not going to be best for the kid,” he said. She didn’t answer. “I think Pete is right. I need a few months off to rethink some things. I may as well spend it here. In Reno. By the time I get a job, maybe we’ll have hammered out some kind of a truce that works for all of us.”
    Reggie reached down to scoop up that chubby, yellow-eyed cat that was rubbing its head on her ankles,and held it against her chest, stroking its ears. “That makes sense…I guess.”
    She didn’t trust him. Although he wasn’t sure why. He’d been thinking about that a lot lately, since he’d never been anything but truthful to her.
    Now the next step—to get back into a kitchen. In a way that could help both of them out, but keep him out of the public eye while he reassessed.
    â€œWe’re both cooks, Reg. The kitchen is where we met, and it’s where we can…I don’t know…get used to each other again. Figure out some stuff about the baby. Develop a working relationship.”
    She set the cat down and took a step closer. But not too close. “Only one problem there, Tom. You run kitchens. But this is my kitchen.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œDo you? If I wanted things done a certain way, and you didn’t agree, would you do them my way?”
    â€œI understand the hierarchy, Reg. Your kitchen, your way.”
    She put a hand to her forehead as if fighting a headache. “I’ve got to think about this, Tom. Talk to Eden and Justin.”
    â€œI’ve got to catch a flight back to New York tomorrow morning. Early.”
    â€œI’ll call you in New York.” She shifted her weight, crossed her arms, defensive in a different, more militant way now. “Is your cab still waiting?”
    Even though he wanted to press his case, he kept hismouth shut. Instinct told him that more was not better in this case. “Yes,” he said simply.
    â€œGreat.” She walked to the door and put her hand on the knob. “I’ll give you a call in a day or two.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€œY OU WANT TO HIRE T OM .” J USTIN leaned against the stainless steel counter and folded his arms over his chest. Not the receptive body language Reggie had hoped for when she’d asked for a council in the pastry room, out of Patty’s hearing.
    â€œDamn. Reggie.” Eden stared at her as if she’d gone bonkers.
    Maybe she had.
    â€œWe have to hammer out some kind of working relationship, before the baby is born. This is a way to do it.”
    â€œBut why does it have to be in our kitchen?” Justin unfolded his arms, picked up the spatula on the counter beside him and began to tap it rhythmically against his palm. “I mean, I’m all for you and Tom working things out. In fact, I’m highly in favor, but—”
    Eden reached out to snatch the utensil away from her brother, stopping the incessant tapping. “It’d be on Reggie’s home turf,” she said. “We’re here for backup.” But Eden