Bachelor Mother

She could picture his face

First he'd stare, incredulous. Then he'd laugh. Then he'd treat her to a long assessing look, and their friendship would dissolve right before her eyes.

Melanie Randell could picture it all, but with no husband and no lover, to whom could she turn but Bubba Williams--easygoing, empathetic Bubba, her next-door neighbor in Santa Monica and her oldest pal in the world.

If she thought about it rationally, it was really a small favor to ask. She didn't expect Bubba to marry her, didn't want him to feel responsible in any way. She only wanted Bubba to get her pregnant.