self.”
“Not hard for Rocky apparently.”
“I don’t know. I think she went bonkers for a few seconds. Right after she gave him hell, she burst into tears and threw herself into his arms. That’s when the old man broke.”
Rae’s eyes burned as she imagined the scene, the emotions. She thought about the intense love between the Monroe siblings and their parents and acknowledged a gaping hole in her heart. She’d never had that kind of connection with her mother. She couldn’t remember her birth father. She’d never had a chance to bond with her second and third stepfathers because Olivia kept sending her away. As for Geoffrey … there would be no bonding there. Ever.
“Rae.”
“What?”
“I asked if you were okay.”
“Yes. Yes, of course.” She palmed her forehead, gathered her wits. “I was just thinking about how your father’s illness has impacted everyone. I thought he was beating this thing.”
“He was. And there’s still a strong chance he will.”
“So where do things stand?”
“Dad buckled regarding the test. Dev called the specialist and I don’t know who did what, but they were able to move the CT scan up to tomorrow. Whether Rocky and Jayce postpone the wedding hinges on the results.”
“Awfully close to the wire,” Rae said.
“Things are a little tense,” Luke said. “So how was your day? How’d it go with the publisher? How’s it looking with Sugar Tots?”
Rae snuggled back against her pillows, smiling and jazzed to share her day with Luke. Hoping she could brighten his mood with uplifting news. “Everything went great. Just as I’d hoped Brett, our editor, was intrigued with the concept of exploiting my name, or rather my fortune and my mother’s name, to give our cupcake book an edge over every other cupcake book saturating the market right now.”
“I would think that the history of the Cupcake Lovers, the military angle and charitable aspect, would be edge enough,” Luke said.
“A celebrity tie-in is a guaranteed sales boost. Not to mention it ensures free publicity. Brett’s taking this new angle—Daisy calls it our gimmick—to a marketing meeting tomorrow. Except, my wheels started turning while we were talking and, I have to say, Luke, I’m not sure it’s in our best interest to go for forward with Highlife.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just don’t sense they believe in our cause the way we do. I don’t trust Highlife will do right by the CLs. Which got me to thinking … what if we self-published the book instead of going through a conventional publisher? Cut out the middle man allowing us more profit for the charities?”
“The Cupcake Lovers signed a contract.”
“There might be a way around that. Especially since they’ve fudged on their end. Chloe said she’d have Dev look into it.”
“You spoke to Chloe about this?”
“And Daisy. The opportunity was there and I was dying to run the idea by someone. Chloe and I are researching self-publishing so we’ll be able to present a strong and educated case to the club on Thursday.” Rae got all tingly just thinking about it. The prospect of taking control, in playing a vital role in furthering such a great cause.
“If you cut out the middle man,” Luke said, “someone else will have to take on that work.”
“It would mean hiring some freelance help.”
“The club’s nonprofit, Rae. They, we, can’t afford that kind of upfront investment.”
“I can.”
Luke fell silent for a moment and Rae frowned.
“I sense apprehension,” she said.
“Seems like you’re taking on an awful lot. Financing and overseeing the publishing of a book plus purchasing and reorganizing, hell,
“I have a lot of money.”
“And time and energy.”
“I have that, too.”
“What about as you get further along in your pregnancy? What about after you have the baby?”
“Did you think I was going to be a stay-at-home mom?”
“You can afford to be.”
She didn’t know why that statement bothered her. It was true. And there’d been no sarcasm in Luke’s tone. He’d just stated a fact. “By the time the baby comes, the Cupcake Lovers’ book will already be out—one way or another. As for Sugar Tots…” Her mind whirled with all her plans—the renovations and expansion. The programs and staff. She didn’t want to skimp on one single aspect and yet she knew it would be a lot of work. Frustrated now, she blew out a breath. “I’ll figure it out. Lots of women juggle motherhood and a career.”
“Don’t get angry.”
“I’m not—”
“You are. I hear it in your voice. I’m not telling you what to do, Rae. I’m just pointing out that you have some pretty aggressive and time-consuming plans. I know you’ll do right by the baby. I guess I’m wondering how you’ll make time for us?”
Rae blinked.
“You know what? Forget I asked. That was … never mind. I’m not myself tonight. This thing with Dad. I should go.”
“Luke.”
“Did you scope out any rental properties today?”
Off balance now, Rae palmed her forehead. “Although that had been my plan, no. The day got away from me.”
“Good. Hold off.”
“Why?”
“I hope to be back by Wednesday. Just hold off.”
“Okay.”
“I love it when you say that.”
And just like that Rae sensed a change in Luke’s mood. She smiled a little, arched a brow. “You love it when I say ‘okay’? Why?”
“Mostly when you say it to me, it means you’re putting your faith in me. Trusting my judgment. My abilities.”
She frowned now. “Why would I doubt—”
“I know you know about my reading problem.”
Rae pushed off of the pillows, shocked and primed by the turn in conversation.
“Are you going to pretend otherwise?”
“No. That is, I suspected.” Rae licked her lips, choosing her words carefully. “I have a stepbrother who struggled with dyslexia. Plus part of my studies involved the complexities of learning disabilities,” she said straight on. “I picked up on signs most people wouldn’t. You cope well.”
“If by cope you mean I hide it well, then yes. I do. It’s always been enough for me. But now … now I worry it won’t be enough for you. Or our child.”
“Luke—”
“Regardless of my … challenge, I can take care of you, Rae, and our baby. When I said you could afford to be a stay-at-home mom, I wasn’t thinking about your fortune. I’m a hard worker and more than capable of being a good provider.”
Her heart swelled and ached knowing his pride was taking a monumental hit. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.”
“I just wanted to get it out there.”
