"Are you ready?" Jared asked as he parked their rental car in front of a snowy hillside house. It was a massive house, nothing like the small, cozy cabin Jared had described on the flight from Chicago to Denver.She fidgeted in her seat. Jared's parents were inside that house, and she was going to meet them."Ready?" She swallowed thickly. She was definitely not ready to meet Jared's parents. The last month of November and part of December had flown by. She and Jared had managed to settle into a comfortable relationship. They'd gone to art galleries, Jared's favorite museums by the lakeshore, and had managed to fit in time together between work and school. There had been nights where she'd fallen asleep before Jared had gotten home, and mornings when she'd had to slip out of bed early to get to work at Sabine's, but being with him had been wonderful, a dream. But now she was at Jared's parents' homeor one of the three homes the Redmond family had. How was she going to face them? She

Jared hummed as he leaned over the hot tub, peeling away the cover. Fluffy white snow that had been sitting on the top of the cover showered down on his bare feet as he peeled the cover off the hot tub. Then he tested the water with his fingertips. Nice and hot. He walked over to the control panel and crouched down to search for the knob that would turn on the jets. Bubbles burst forth and filled the big hot tub."Yes." He grinned and rested his hands on his hips. This was going to be so good. He'd get his little princess hot and wet in more ways than one. It was a perfect night with the barest breeze drifting through ice-dusted pine trees. There was a natural calm and quiet isolation to the night that made Jared forget about the bustle and noise of Chicago. The sky was a light purple, and the snow-filled clouds were drifting closer. It might even snow tonight. He hoped it did so he could see Felicity's face light up with joy.The soft click of the patio door opening made him glance

A baby. How could she have a baby? She had so much to do, and a child wasn't part of her life plan. Not yet. And with her and Jared likely parting ways in the spring, she'd be a single mom with a tight income.She could give the baby up­no. The thought of losing a baby created out of a moment of love between her and Jared was impossible. She would keep it and do whatever it took provide for her child."Hey­Felicity, please look at me." Jared's voice was a soft masculine rumble that soothed her enough to look up at him."I'm sorry," she gasped. "I don't feel so good, and my body hurts pretty bad." She winced as she shifted on the bed."What did the nurse say about your injuries? They didn't tell me much except that you were going to be okay." He cupped her cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears coating her face."They­" She swallowed and fought for control. "Gave me some pain pills. I hurt my back and my hip, so no more skiing.""When can you go home?" Jared asked."To

"Your dad isn't the type of man to greet his daughter's boyfriend with a shotgun in his hands, right?" Jared asked as he eyed the little one-story white painted brick house that belonged to Felicity's parents.He and Felicity stood on the sidewalk of the narrow street, and his heart beat wildly. He'd dealt with some of the most powerful men and women in Chicago in his law offices, and yet here he was in a small town in the Midwest, nervous about meeting a mechanic and a nurse.Because they are Felicity's parents, and I need them to like me.He gave Felicity's hand a little squeeze. She'd been quiet on the long drive from Colorado to Nebraska. Ever since the skiing accident she seemed­different. At times intensely happy and then distant and a little sad. Jared tried to tease the blues out of her, but she didn't respond the way he'd hoped. What smiles and laughter he could win from her quickly faded."Don't worry." Felicity met his gaze solemnly. "Dad doesn't even have a shotgun."H

"How far along are you?" Felicity's mother asked, her voice a whisper.Felicity froze over the bathroom sink where she'd been getting another glass of water. Her mother stood behind her, brow furrowed. Their eyes met in the mirror. Felicity closed her eyes, trying to quell the wave of shame and panic inside her that her mother had discovered she was pregnant."You are pregnant, aren't you?" Janet asked, a little uncertain now.There was no point lying to her mother, and she didn't want to. The idea of having a baby when she wasn't ready was terrifying, and as silly as it felt, she needed to have her mother's support and guidance right now."A little over eight weeks. I only found out a few days ago when I got into a skiing accident and was taken to the ER. I was on the pill, but the nurse thinks I didn't use condoms long enough after starting and the pill wasn't effective yet." She couldn't finish as she met her mother's gaze.A mixture of emotions flashed in Janet's eyes. Disappointme