Bachelor Mother by Elda Minger Page A

was doing him a favor.”
    “You could live in Beverly Hills and own your own home. Donnie would still want to run your life. You know that,” Bubba said quietly.
    “I know. And Mom is going to look so quietly hurt, I won’t be able to stand it! And my father – I think I may just write him a letter.”
    “You don’t think they’ll understand once you tell them why?” He sounded as if he didn’t quite believe her.
    “My family has its moments too, Bubba. There were certain standards we grew up with and with Donnie enforcing them, I guess they’ve been drilled into me pretty thoroughly.”
    “But you have to take individual situations into account.”
    “I know.” She sighed, clasping her hands between her knees. “I know it all so logically, but when I think about telling my family I’m going to be a single mother…”
    “Do you want me to talk to Donnie?”
    “ No!”   She met his gaze directly, fiercely. “I’m telling him last. And I don’t ever  want you to tell him that you’re the man who helped me out.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Positive. You don’t know what Donnie can be like.”
    He glanced away from her, over toward his backyard. “Mel, I want you to know something before tomorrow night. If there’s ever a moment when you think you might not want to go through with this, I want you to tell me. I don’t care when it happens or how far along things go. Just let me know and I’ll stop.”
    Deeply moved by his declaration, she smiled. It was so good talking with Bubba, sharing her worries. He cared a great deal about her welfare.
    She shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll be backing out.” Even as she said the words, she felt her stomach constrict with tension.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow night at seven, okay?” He stood up and walked over to where Henry was lying in the sun. The large cat looked up sleepily as Bubba swept him into his arms and chucked him under the chin.
    “Okay.” Mel watched him until he rounded the corner of her house. Then she stretched out on the chaise and let out a soft breath.
    How was she ever going to get through tomorrow night?

CHAPTER FOUR
    Melanie stared at the inside of her closet, then turned around and studied the clothing piled on top of her queen-sized brass bed.
    So what does one wear when one is planning to sleep with one’s best friend?   Too bad there wasn’t an article on this subject in Cosmopolitan.
    The beginning of a love affair. Not really.   She wrinkled her nose and began to sort gently through her clothing.
    It’s not a love affair. He’s simply helping you get pregnant.
    How clinical.
    She hadn’t seen Bubba since he left the day before. She knew he was probably getting ready too, but she couldn’t imagine him being as nervous as she was. At least he’d had a considerable amount of practice at this sort of thing.
    It’s not like you’re a virgin.
    She tossed a red cotton jumpsuit on the white wicker chair next to her bed. Preparing for this evening was impossible. There was no way she could do anything with even a semblance of feeling calm. Closing her eyes, she ran her fingers over the clothing on her quilt and grasped one of the outfits.
    She opened her eyes as she pulled it out of the pile. It was a dress Alicia had encouraged her to buy six months ago. One of her favorites, pale blue silk, simply cut. Elegant.
    What to wear to a baby’s conception. Melanie knew she was being ridiculous, knew her emotions were running away with her. She didn’t have any more time and couldn’t keep putting off getting ready. She certainly didn’t want to be late.
    Throwing the dress to the foot of the bed, she stormed into the adjoining bathroom.
    If it were possible to boil a body, she did it. Every inch of her skin was meticulously washed, then smoothed with scented lotion. As she slipped into silk underwear, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.
    You’ve gained a little weight. Nothing like anxiety to cause a