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Noah groaned How horrid could he be? Stacey would no doubt think of all the s that’d need cleaning and the floors to vacuue house ‘Stacey, I’ain Say no if you want to’

She shook her head, still s ‘I want to know more about you, Noah I’ll come’

Stacey slapped at her face, wiping themascara over her cheeks If there was any left after her crying jag when Holly had woken again and said, ‘Mummy’ Her body ached, her heart achedtheir best to give her a headache, and succeeding She wanted to curl up on the bed, holding Holly close, and cuddle her all night long Equally, she’d be afraid of holding her too tight and hurting her

Eyes closed, Noah was sprawled in the chair Was he asleep? Or was he going over and over the fact he was a father? He hadn’t said outright she couldn’t be his Instead, he’d said he believed her, even though the doubts had crept back in since then He had also beento listen than she’d have believed But he hadn’t said a word about accepting he was a father, about what he’d want for his daughter’s future, and how much tihts, or weeks

She’d feel bereft, not having Holly at hohout her body Could she trust Noah not to hurt her? To understand her feelings and the sense of loss just sharing Holly ti selfish, and had known this ht happen, but she couldn’t help herself She didn’t know a life without Holly in it all the ti he heard

‘I put Holly before all else I have to go to work, but she’s well cared for by s a week’ The neighbour left the gate open and that’s why they were here Would he hold that against her?

Those eyes she’d first fallen for opened and locked onto her ‘Relax, Stacey I give you my word I will not take her away from you You’re a devoted mum and love her to bits I’ve seen that already’

She couldn’t relax but soaze returned to Holly she realised he hadn’tup, she crossed to the bed and lowered the rail ‘Cohter’

At first she didn’t think he was going to, but after a couple of laden minutes he crossed to the bed and did as instructed Slowly he reached out and ran his finger down Holly’s ar her pain relief The look of wonder in his eyes stole Stacey’s breath away Noah was accepting his daughter Step one passed Mind you, who couldn’t fall for her little girl? She was so sweet and cute and downright wonderful

A shiver ran down Stacey’s spine ‘What if she’d been injured even worse than she was?’

‘Don’t go there She wasn’t Be grateful for that She’s still got a little way to go before she’ll be back dancing and singing, so you need to stay strong’

He was right The nurse in her was returning and bringing along a load of coo home’

Noah glanced up ‘Don’t rush it Keep her here as long as possible It’s best for her’

‘I know’ Bending down, she carefully lifted Holly off the bed and placed her in her father’s aro’

As he gazed down at Holly, shein love He had the right instincts, and Holly was going to be the winner And Noah She was glad he knew about his daughter He’d already missed out on too much Whatever unfolded between Noah and herself, this was the right thing to have done

If only he could fall for her as he had for Holly Watching his fascination with his girl, the love for Noah that’d been growing day by day ca her wish she could kiss hi to win him over about Holly There’d been moments between them all henever they had been close that hadfor her, or if he was only thinking of the sex they’d shared

On Monday she’d wondered if she ht come to love him Today, even before this moment, she’d known deep down she was close, if not there Only ti the three of them

Watching hiht since the phone call to say Holly had been hurt began softening Her neckinto balls anya rhyth her, but it was still there inside her head as she relaxed against the back of the chair She wasn’t alone here She had her daughter’s father to share this Very different from her parents’ support Not that she could relax entirely They had a long way to go

Noah’s irl in his arht Holly Kennedy Wham Holly Kennedy That was her name No, that wasn’t fair to Anastasia But he wanted his child to carry his na breath She was asleep He could avoid that problem for now

But it wouldn’t go away unless he gave in Like a lot of the issues they’d have to face and sit down for a full and frank discussion about Not tonight It was after eleven, and Stacey was shattered She needed sleep He’d remain here until she woke up, whatever ti Holly Unless she woke up If she did she’d get a fright to find it wasn’t Mu her

Daeous, he repeated to hiain looked at Stacey Another gorgeous feet away She’d given hi time She could’ve kept quiet and he’d have been none the wiser, unless they’d started getting serious about each other, and he had been wishing for that—when he wasn’t looking for excuses to run before he got too involved Which proved yet again how genuine she was

Stacey wasn’t sonore truth Deep down, he accepted that It hat he’d been looking for, for so long

‘Hello, soned to Holly appeared at the bedside

‘Holly or Stacey?’

‘Both I’ She was exhausted’ The nurse talked in a low voice, obviously not wanting to wake anyone ‘And this little one needs all the sleep she can get’