Formula: Father

From Megan Maitland’s Diary

Dear Diary,

It’s happened at last. Darcy Taylor has come home. I always believed she would, despite the glamour and riches of her modeling career. She and Mitchell belong together. I hope they see it before it’s too late.

I think I hear the baby crying, so I must go. But one last thing, Dear Diary. Please let me be wise enough to help my family through these troubling times. Help me show Mitch that he deserves to love again. That he’ll be a wonderful husband and father. That he wasn’t responsible for Angela’s death…

Dear Reader,

There’s never a dull moment at Maitland Maternity! This unique and now world-renowned clinic was founded twenty-five years ago by Megan Maitland, widow of William Maitland, of the prominent Austin, Texas, Maitlands. Megan is also matriarch of an impressive family of seven children, many of whom are active participants in the everyday miracles that bring children into the world.

When our series began, the family was stunned by the unexpected arrival of an unidentified baby at the clinic—unidentified, except for the claim that the child is a Maitland. Who are the parents of this child? Is the claim legitimate? Will the media’s tenacious grip on this news damage the clinic’s reputation? Suddenly rumors and counterclaims abound. Women claiming to be the child’s mother are materializing out of the woodwork! How will Megan get at the truth? And how will the media circus affect the lives and loves of the Maitland children—Abby, the head of gynecology, Ellie, the hospital administrator, her twin sister, Beth, who runs the day-care center, Mitchell, the fertility specialist, R.J., the vice president of operations, even Anna, who has nothing to do with the clinic, and Jake, the black sheep of the family?

Please join us each month over the next year as the mystery of the Maitland baby unravels, bit by enticing bit, and book by captivating book!

Marsha Zinberg,

Senior Editor and Editorial Coordinator, Special Projects

Formula: Father

Karen Hughes

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Karen Hughes enjoys writing about men and women who want to commit to each other, share dreams and grow old together. She believes romance lives in everyday life and thinks there is a hero inside every man—he just needs the right woman to bring out his best qualities. Wide-open spaces call to Karen, yet she also likes the bustle and convenience of city life. Experience has taught her that true love can be found anywhere.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER ONE

DARCY TAYLOR pulled the brim of her baseball cap down, so far, in fact, that the blue bill touched the top of her sunglasses. She wanted to stand outside a little longer, to really drink in the sight of Austin’s Maitland Maternity Clinic.

Mayfair Avenue had changed in the years Darcy had been away, but the feel of the street was the same. Or perhaps it was her nostalgic mood playing tricks on her.

She hadn’t felt misty a few days ago when she’d stopped by the clinic, but then a few days ago she didn’t have an appointment with Mitchell Maitland. Much to her surprise, she’d awakened this morning with a sense of excitement and fear. To see him again…

They had been inseparable. She remembered how she and Mitch had gotten in so much trouble the year they’d set off the firecrackers right underneath the window of the nursery. And there was no way she’d ever forget the day Mitch had kissed her, her very first kiss. Her gaze went to the spot, behind the big oak.

Was it possible? Could it still be…

She crossed the drive quickly, looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was around. When she got to the towering tree, she hesitated, wondering if it would be better not to know. Curiosity won. She circled the massive trunk and searched the bark.

There. Oh, heavens, it was still there. A crudely etched heart. Inside, a simple but heartfelt message: DT+MM FOREVER.

Darcy closed her eyes. She hadn’t known then that forever would be one year and two months.

She turned away, angry at herself for being such a sentimental sap. She’d been a kid when she’d used her mother’s good steak knife to make her mark on the tree. She wasn’t a kid anymore. And now she needed her old friend for the most important thing she’d ever done.

Leaving the tree and her past behind, she headed for the front door and stepped inside. After signing in, she made her way to the main waiting area. The lovely soft pastel walls were as comfy as the couches and chairs chosen specifically for the ease with which very pregnant ladies could sit down on them and stand up again. Three such women sat there, one reading a romance novel, which she perched on her belly, one filing her nails and the third, who didn’t look very pregnant, thumbing through last month’s issue of Vogue.

The receptionist, a youngish woman with gorgeous long hair, smiled. “May I help you?”

“I have an appointment with Mitchell Maitland.”

“And you are?”

Darcy took off her glasses and tucked them in her purse. “Darcy Taylor,” she said, keeping her voice low so only the receptionist could hear.

The receptionist, who looked to be around the same age as Darcy, blinked in surprise, then turned to the woman holding the Vogue. There, on the cover, was Darcy Taylor, wearing a new Gautier, her hair piled extravagantly on top of her head, her makeup exaggerated and perfected with airbrushing and computer manipulation.

“I’ll call Dr. Maitland, Ms. Taylor.”

Darcy smiled. “Thank you.” She didn’t sit down. It was better to stand and wait. Not just because she didn’t want to be recognized, but because the moment the receptionist picked up the phone, Darcy’s heart started pounding in her chest. She felt her pulse throb and her chest tighten. Her face felt cold, and so did her hands.

She realized right then that she’d made a terrible mistake. What had she been thinking? Of all the doctors in the world, why on earth had she picked him? He might have a reputation for being the best in his field, but surely there were other terrifically competent doctors she could have chosen. Doctors who hadn’t kissed her in fourth grade. Doctors who hadn’t broken her heart.

“He’ll be right down, Ms. Taylor.”

Darcy nodded, suddenly unable to speak, her mouth had gone so dry. She grabbed a mint from the desk and got the wrapper off a millisecond before she shoved the candy in her mouth. A moment later, she was able to concentrate on her breathing. On calming herself using techniques she’d learned in front of the camera.

He was an old friend, that’s all. Someone she’d known once upon a time. Of course he was the logical choice to help her. Why not? He’d probably forgotten all about how she’d left. Why wouldn’t he?

Many bridges had been crossed since those long-ago school days. He’d gone on to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. She’d gone on to fulfill her mother’s dream of becoming a model.

And now, with almost scary synchronicity, she’d come home to fulfill her own dream. To do the one thing she wanted most in the world.

She was going to have a child.

Her hand went to her stomach, and she tried to imagine a life inside her, but her imagination wasn’t good enough. What she could picture was her belly growing, her body changing. Scary stuff. But not as scary as a future without a baby.

The muted ding of an elevator made her look up. The doors hissed open and there, in a white coat that came down to his knees, dark blue jeans and a white shirt with a Garfield necktie, stood Mitchell Maitland.

She knew him instantly, even though she hadn’t seen him in years. He had the same unruly dark hair. The same inquisitive green eyes. The same Maitland nose. But he’d developed a few things since she’d seen him last, like those wide shoulders and all that height—he’d been shorter than she was when she’d left. Now he stood several inches above her six feet.

Her gaze moved down his body, seeing everything, every detail. His long, lean legs. The beeper at his belt. The stethoscope tucked into his coat pocket.

When she reached his tennis shoes, she smiled. He’d worn tennis shoes to everything from gym class to church.

“Hey, Taylor,” he said, his voice soft, barely above a whisper.

She raised her eyes as he approached. “Hey, Maitland,” she said, the old greeting soothing her fears.

“I didn’t believe it,” he said. “I figured it was some other Darcy Taylor.”

“I came by to see Beth but I told her not to mention it. You look great by the way,” she said, meaning it.

It was Mitchell’s turn to give her the once-over. His gaze traveled over her khaki jumper, down to her woven sandals, then up again. It shouldn’t have bothered her in the least. God knows, she’d been looked at enough in her life. But she couldn’t remember wanting anyone’s approval as fiercely as she wanted his.

He smiled. His crooked grin did something to her insides, made her wish she could turn back time. “You’re still the prettiest girl I ever knew.”

She took three steps, right into his arms. Into a hug so tight it was a little hard to breathe. She didn’t care. For the first time in years, she felt safe. She’d been a fool not to call him before. She could have had years of incredible hugs, years of a friendship that had nothing to do with her looks or her money or the covers of magazines.

His hand moved down her back, pressing her closer, making her aware that this wasn’t the same boy she’d known all those years ago. Her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned against the man he was now. The hundred questions that had been on the tip of her tongue seconds ago seemed unimportant. She was home. Back in a world that had brought her more pain and more joy than any she’d experienced since. And most of that joy had been centered around Mitchell Maitland.

When he finally pulled back she met his gaze. Many things had changed in the years she’d been away, but the kindness, the curiosity, the warmth in those green eyes hadn’t.

“Shall we go upstairs?”

She nodded.

Mitch turned to lead her to his office, then glanced at Elaine behind the receptionist’s desk. Her mouth hung open as she stared blatantly. He knew it wasn’t because Darcy was a celebrity—too many celebrities had walked through these doors to rattle Elaine’s cage. Her bewilderment came from the fact that Darcy Taylor had hugged him. Stodgy, practical, stick-in-the-mud Doc Maitland. He had to admit he enjoyed the look of shock on her face. It felt good to surprise someone for a change.

But then his gaze went to Darcy, and Elaine was instantly forgotten. Darcy took up every bit of his attention. Just getting used to the idea that she was really here was proving quite a task.

He led her to the elevator, and as they waited, he tried twice to ask her questions, only to get flustered each time. There were too many questions, that was the problem. Questions he’d rehearsed a hundred times before, just in case he ever ran into her again.

“Mitch?”

“Yes?”

“I think you have to press the button if we actually want the elevator to come.”

He felt heat rush to his cheeks as he leaned over to press the up button. It occurred to him that the last time he’d blushed, he’d been fifteen years old. Darcy had tripped on a piece of wood on the high school football field, and when she’d fallen, her dress had flown up, revealing a pair of tiny pink lacy underpants. He’d had an immediate, embarrassing, nearly life-threatening erection, and instead of helping her to her feet, he’d run as fast as he could to the boys’ locker room.

She hadn’t spoken to him for two days, for which he’d been grateful, since he seemed unable to control himself when he got anywhere near her. God, he’d wanted her. Was there ever again such an acute need as that of a fifteen-year-old boy for his first love?

How he’d loved her. More than school, more than his family, more than life itself. And when she left him, it very nearly killed him.

The elevator doors opened, and he touched the small of Darcy’s back to usher her inside. He felt a slight quiver under his hand. And then she turned to face the front, and he wasn’t quite sure his perception had been accurate.

He remembered to press the button to the second floor, and on the ride up, he wondered how much she knew. His sister Beth and Darcy had kept in touch over the years, although infrequently. Had Beth told her about Angela? About the child? Did Darcy know about the scandals that had rocked the Maitlands? No, probably not. If she had, he doubted she would have come here.

Which led him to the big question—why had she come here? Was it personal? Professional?

The elevator stopped, and he felt tempted to touch her again, but he held back. Until he found out what was going on, he had to assume that she was a patient and act accordingly.

Darcy walked with him, keeping up with his long stride easily. As they passed a meal cart in the hallway, she moved very close and her scent hit him, soft, evocative, slightly sweet. He found himself reacting to the incredibly feminine fragrance. Or maybe it was just the nearness of her that made his pulse race.

They finally got to his office, and he held the door open for her. As she passed him, he took a deep breath. He wanted to remember the scent. It seemed important.

Darcy didn’t sit down right away. She went to his degrees on the wall. Bachelor of Science. Medical Degree. Phi Beta Kappa key. The most important parts of his life were on that wall, including a picture of his family. There was one notable exception: the woman turning to look at him.

“You did it, Maitland.”

He smiled at the familiar address. “Yeah, I did, Taylor.”

She smiled, too, and he felt his chest tighten. “I’ve thought about you.”

“Oh?”

“I wondered if there was someone at college. You know….” She shook her head slowly. “Someone who challenged you like I did?”

“Challenged? Are you kidding?”

“Have we forgotten so soon?” She took a step toward him, her grin growing more devilish by the second. “Who was it that got the top score on the biology final?”

“Yeah, but who was it that aced the chem final?”

“I still think you cheated.”

“Ha.”

She met his gaze, and her smile faded. “Ha,” she whispered, but he had the feeling the gibe wasn’t meant for him.

“You’ve done pretty well for yourself,” he said, wanting to bring back the fire in her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah.” Her fingers played over his medical books, and he felt a little surprised that her nails were polished. Which was idiotic. The woman was a fashion model, one of the most famous in the world. Of course she’d have her fingernails polished. She wasn’t the kid who espoused the idea that makeup was a plot to keep women subservient and that high heels were a medieval torture device. He wondered if she’d ever really been that kid.

“So what brings you home, Darcy?” He cleared his throat, surprised at how gruff he’d sounded.

She didn’t answer him right away. She looked around the room once more, then at him. “It is home, isn’t it?”

“I heard you live in New York now.”

“Not anymore. I sold my apartment.”

“Oh?”

“I bought a house. A great big beautiful house.”

“In Manhattan?”

Her smile came back, and it was easy to see why she’d made it to the top of her rarefied world. Her eyes lit up, and the face that had launched a thousand magazines looked luminous and so beautiful it seemed impossible. He rarely noticed the details of a woman’s appearance, but with her, he couldn’t help it. Her skin looked softer and smoother than any child’s. Her eyes, doe-shaped and mysterious, chocolate brown with thick, dark lashes, made him think of Audrey Hepburn. But it was her mouth that had captured the attention of the entire male population. Her lips, which she’d hated as a girl, were her trademark. Almost too generous, her smile suggested much more than a demure kiss. It was sexy and sweet, both at the same time. And then there was something more…something he couldn’t identify, even though he’d given it a great deal of thought.

She’d been a beautiful girl, but she’d blossomed into an exquisite woman. A woman who could have any man she wanted. The rich, the famous, the infamous. All she had to do was crook her little finger, and they’d lie down before her. The tabloids had chronicled her love affairs in terrible detail. It was his private masochism that made him keep reading the damn things, even when each word hurt like hell.

She tilted her head to the side, and her hair, as dark and luxurious as mink, fell over her shoulder. “What is that look for?”

“What look?”

“You know what I’m talking about. Come on, Maitland. It’s me. The science nerd from fifth grade. The one who helped you get back at Craig Thomas for stealing your homework. Remember?”

“Of course, I remember.” He stepped behind his desk, needing the distance and the furniture between them. “But a lot has changed since fifth grade, huh?”

“Maybe not too much? At least I hope not too much. I liked us back then.” Her statement and the look in her eyes were enigmatic, and before he could even venture a guess as to what she meant, she moved to the wall of diplomas. “I hear you’re the man when it comes to fertility.”

He laughed as he sat down. “You make it sound like I’m the one doing the fertilizing.”

She smiled, too, and for a moment, it was as if they were in high school again. But the feeling left him as quickly as it had come.

“Why did you choose this?” She nodded toward his diplomas, then turned to him again. Her gaze held no humor, just intense curiosity.

“I was going to be a surgeon at first, which was more out of rebellion than a love for surgery. But then I did a rotation in reproductive obstetrics, and everything changed. I figured I could make a difference here at the clinic. And there you have it.”

“I have a feeling that was the Cliff Notes version.”

“I didn’t want to bore you silly.”

She sat across from him and leaned forward so her elbows were on the edge of his desk. “Maybe someday you’ll tell me the whole story.”

He didn’t answer her. It didn’t seem likely that their paths would cross again. He still wasn’t sure why she’d come today.

“Mitch?”

“Yes?”

“Tell me about this artificial insemination. I mean, what it takes.”

His curiosity made him speechless for a moment. Was this for her? Was she—

Her right brow rose slightly, and he set his curiosity aside. But as he explained the different methods of insemination, the ovulation kit, the fact that most pregnancies occur in the first four cycles of therapy and all the other basics, he couldn’t look at her. The only reason he got through the entire spiel was that he’d done it hundreds of times before.

When he came to the end of the talk, he met her gaze, and once more he was reminded of sitting next to Darcy in algebra, when Mr. Green was explaining a new concept to the class.

Mitch’s grasp of the subject always suffered because he’d end up watching Darcy. No one listened the way she did. She would lean forward, like now. Her eyes widened, and when she had her moment of comprehension—that great aha!—she blinked rapidly for several seconds. If she didn’t understand something, she nibbled on her lower lip.

He’d dreamed about that.

She sat back in the suede wing chair, sighed, and as if she’d read his thoughts, nibbled on her lower lip. He forced his gaze away from her mouth. “You have questions?”

She nodded. “The donors,” she said, her voice a little timid. “How does the woman select which sperm…”

“Assuming it’s not going to be the husband’s?”

“Yeah. Assuming that.”

“We have a sperm bank here, on the premises. Each donor is screened very carefully, and we keep up-to-date profiles on each one.”

“Wow,” she said, more to herself than him.

“Darcy?”

“Hmm?”

“You want to tell me what this is about?”

She nibbled a little more on that lucky lower lip, then she took a deep breath. “I’ve quit modeling. For good. I bought the Kendrick place. In fact, escrow closed this morning. I’m not married, and I don’t think I ever will be. I’ve come back to Austin to have a baby. And I want you to help me.”

CHAPTER TWO

DARCY HELD HER BREATH as she watched Mitch go into shock. She wished she knew for sure which tidbit had made him pale. That she was giving up modeling? No. Mitch wouldn’t care about that. He’d never been particularly impressed with celebrities or fashion.

That she’d bought the Kendricks’ house? They’d played on the great expanse of lawn that was Marjorie and Bob Kendrick’s front yard so often, it was like their personal playground, right around the corner from the Maitland house. Darcy had told Mitch that one day she would live there. He hadn’t believed her. Frankly, she hadn’t believed it, either.

Who was she kidding? The shock had nothing to do with careers or houses. It had everything to do with babies.

Mitch came out of his stupor with a jolt, then coughed to cover his lapse. He opened his mouth, shut it, opened it again, then shook his head as he shut it once more.

“Surprise,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

“To say the least.” His voice sounded a bit funny, but at least words had come out this time.

“So, can you help me?”

“Can I? Yes. Should I? I have no idea.”

“Why?”

He blinked at her as if she’d missed something incredibly obvious. “Because I— You and I— Because we—”

She grinned. It had always been fun to make Mitch sputter. She’d found that out in sixth grade and had used the knowledge to torment him on a regular basis.

“What are you smiling about?”

“It’s good to see you, Maitland.”

His shoulders relaxed visibly. “It’s good to see you, too. I think.”

“Hey, you remember the time capsule?”

His brows furrowed for a moment, and then it came to him; she could see it in his face. “God, I haven’t thought of that in years.”

“I found it.”

“No.”

She nodded. “Right where we left it.”

“What’s in it?”

“I don’t know. I figured we’d better open it together.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I’ll be damned. We buried that…when?”

“Nineteen seventy-seven. September. Right before school started.”

“Right.” He nodded. “We’d read that book.”

“Yeah.”

For several minutes, he didn’t speak. He’d locked his gaze on a stack of folders on his desk, but she didn’t think he was really seeing them. Instead, he was looking at the past, just as she had the moment her shovel had hit the tin lunch box buried under the juniper bushes at the Kendricks’ house.