Making Plans

Ben & Liana

At breakfast the morning after the barbecue, Ben couldn't help teasing Liana more. "So, how're you feelin' about politics after your first "public appearance"?

"Oh, it wasn't too bad." She pretended to be deep in thought about it. "As a matter of fact, if this works out I might consider running for prime minister."

"Don' even joke about somethin' like that."

"Hey! You're the one who got me into all this, Ben Wade! So, if I find out I like it, you'll be the one to blame! Besides-" She gave him a little smile. "I'm not going into anything full-time. Except mothering." Liana ran a hand over her belly, which she fancied had actually started showing a bit of a bulge, even though Ben assured her it hadn't yet.

"That reminds me." She looked up at him. "I'm thinking about calling up Katherine Harbor. Asking if she'd like to go baby shopping with me in Sydney."

Ben frowned. "Honey, I don' care none for that Sid. 'Harbor's a phony name if I ever heard one. That man's hidin' things."

"Ben," she told him patiently. "I'd be going with Katherine, not Sid. I don't care for him either, but she seems nice." Liana put a hand over his. "If you really don't want me to go, then I won't ask her, but I think it might be fun. And if her husband insists on coming along, then I'll insist on you coming too."

Ben smiled at her indulgently. More and more, Liana got her way simply because he found it hard saying no to her. Especially since he'd found out she was pregnant. "All right, honey. If you really want to."

In the back of his mind, though, Ben was planning to send someone to follow her and watch over her. Wouldn't have his woman and his baby roaming around on their own where some harm could come to them.