Читать книгу Somebody's Baby - Amanda Stevens - Страница 7

“Grant, I swear,” Vanessa Baldwin drawled. “I’ve never seen a man take to a baby the way you have to John David. You’ve been back from Caracas, what, three weeks? And already you’ve spoiled that child rotten.” She toyed nervously with a pink diamond that lay in the hollow of her throat.

Grant’s sister was as beautiful as always, but she looked a little more fragile than he remembered. He wondered if she was taking care of herself, if she was taking her medication as she was supposed to.

He arched a brow in her direction. “So what if I am spoiling the little guy. Isn’t that what an uncle’s supposed to do?”

They were sitting in Grant’s office at Chambers Petroleum while Vanessa waited for her husband, Clayton Baldwin, the company’s vice president, to finish with his meeting. A meeting that had ominously excluded Grant.

Since returning from a four-year stint in the Venezuelan oil fields, Grant had found it harder than he’d expected to assimilate himself back into the political machinations of the company. His return had renewed speculation regarding his father’s successor at Chambers Petroleum. As J. D. Chambers’s only son, Grant should have been the leading contender for that position. But four years ago, he’d managed to land himself in the middle of a scandal that had proved almost ruinous to the company and to the family. His subsequent exile to the Venezuelan jungle had been his retribution and, considering the success of the venture, his redemption.

But in Grant’s absence, his strongest competitor, Clayton Baldwin, had managed to get himself promoted to vice president, marry the boss’s daughter and—the coup de grâce—present J. D. Chambers with his only grandchild. A son, no less. The only Chambers heir.

Grant stared down at the baby he held on his lap and tried to muster a little resentment. But it was no use. When he looked at his nephew, all he saw was a cute kid with a toothless grin. A nearly bald little charmer who had managed to wrap his uncle around his little finger.

Visions of baseball games and hot-dog stands danced in Grant’s head.

“…just can’t wait around forever,” Vanessa was saying. “You don’t have any idea how long Clayton and Daddy will be in that meeting with the Ventura people?”

“I wasn’t made privy to their agenda,” Grant said dryly.

His sister frowned. “Oh, Grant. You know I despise this competition between you and Clayton. It just doesn’t seem fair. Why should I be put in the position of having to choose between my brother and my husband?”

“It’s not exactly your choice,” Grant reminded her.

“I know, but I can’t help wishing—” Vanessa broke off, biting her lip.

“That I would bow out gracefully?”

Her blue eyes took on a repentant look. “I know how much you love this company. You’ve worked like a dog since high school. But, Grant, I honestly can’t see you settling down to run Chambers Petroleum. The day-to-day details would bore you to tears.”

He glanced at her. “And not Clayton?”

“He’s a family man now. He has responsibilities. He’s matured a lot since you’ve been gone.”

And grown into an even bigger jerk, Grant thought but refrained from saying so. He made a face at the baby instead, and John David laughed, waving his arms appreciatively. Grant settled him at his shoulder, so the little boy could look out the window behind them.

Vanessa’s expression grew puzzled. “How do you do that?”

“What?”

“Act so…I don’t know…natural with him. You’ve never been around babies. I didn’t even think you liked kids.”

Grant shrugged. “Neither did I, but John David and I just hit it off. Didn’t we, buddy?”

As if in agreement, the baby gurgled and laughed, then promptly spit up on Grant’s shoulder.

Vanessa jumped to her feet. “Oh, no. Grant, you’ll positively reek for the rest of the day.”

“I’ve smelled worse, believe me. You haven’t lived until you’ve been in the jungle for two months at a stretch.” Calmly, Grant handed John David to Vanessa, then reached for the baby wipes she put on his desk. Vanessa held the child gingerly, as if afraid he would spit up on her pink suit.

Grant didn’t understand why his sister seemed so uneasy with the baby. John David was six months old. Surely Vanessa should be used to motherhood by now, but in the three weeks Grant had been home, he had begun to notice a disturbing pattern. Both Vanessa and Clayton talked incessantly about the baby, but neither of them seemed to spend much time with him. John David was usually in the care of his nanny.

And as if on cue, Alice Becker came bustling into Grant’s office. She looked windblown and frazzled, but rather than letting her catch her breath, Vanessa stood and handed her the baby. “You’re late.”

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Baldwin,” the woman said contritely. “It won’t happen again.”

“I hope not.” Vanessa turned to Grant. “I can’t wait any longer for Clayton. Will you tell him I stopped by?”

“Sure.”

To the nanny, she said, “I have another appointment near here, but I’ll take you and the baby home first.”

“Oh, I was hoping you could drop us at the park,” Alice said, her eyes lowered. “We could both do with some fresh air.”

Vanessa frowned. “I’m sure you could, but thanks to my husband, I’m running late enough as it is. The park is out of the question. By the time I take you all the way home—”

“What are you talking about?” Grant interjected. “There’s a park right across the street.”

“What?” Vanessa whirled, her blue eyes wide with surprise, as if she had somehow forgotten his presence.

Grant pointed to the window. “Mirror Lake Park is just across the street. It’d be a shame for John David to be cooped up in the house on such a beautiful day. Why don’t you drop him and Mrs. Becker off at the park, then pick them up when you finish with your appointment? It would even save you from having to take them all the way home first.”

Vanessa’s lips tightened almost imperceptibly. “My appointment could take a couple of hours.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind,” the nanny chirped in. “Mr. Chambers is right. The weather is beautiful.” She threw him a dazzling smile, which Grant briefly acknowledged, then glanced away. He didn’t want to give her encouragement. In the few times he’d been in Alice Becker’s presence, she’d made him decidedly uncomfortable.

“There was a mugging in Mirror Lake Park a few weeks ago,” Vanessa said. “I don’t think it’s safe.”

Grant laughed. “You’re just being an overprotective mother. Every park in Houston has the occasional mugging. Mirror Lake is perfectly safe, especially in the middle of the day.”

Vanessa bit her lip. “I don’t know.” She glanced at Alice Becker and John David, obviously torn by what seemed to Grant an inconsequential decision. Then she shrugged. “I suppose it’ll be okay. But look—” she tapped her diamond watch with her fingertip “—I want you to have the baby in the parking lot at a quarter of one. I don’t want to have to go tramping all over the park looking for you.”

“Of course, Mrs. Baldwin.” Alice Becker sent Grant another smile, then bent to retrieve John David’s diaper bag. Slinging it over her shoulder, she competently shifted the baby to her other hip and hurried out of the office.

Vanessa gave Grant a sour look. “See what you’ve done. As if that woman wasn’t smitten enough before—”

“Don’t even start,” Grant warned. He came around the desk to give his sister a peck on the cheek. “And stop worrying. It’s just an afternoon in the park. They’ll be fine.”

“Easy for you to say,” Vanessa fretted. “You don’t know what it’s like to be a parent.”

“No, I guess I don’t.”

If there was regret in his tone, Vanessa seemed not to notice. She picked up her purse and headed for the door. “Don’t forget about tonight,” she called. “The party is in your honor, so don’t even think about not showing up.”

“That was the old Grant. You’re looking at the new and improved version.”

She paused at the door and glanced back. “Not too new and improved, I hope. I sort of liked you as the black sheep.”

“Only because it made you look so good.”

Vanessa smiled, her pink-tinted lips curling in amusement. But there was something in her eyes, a glimmer of emotion Grant couldn’t quite define. “You always did know me too well,” she murmured.

* * *

The park was nearly deserted. It seemed lonelier than usual without the shouts and laughter of the children, but most of them were still in school this time of day.

Perhaps it was just as well, Nina thought, walking along a leaf-strewed pathway. Though she’d haunted the park—the last place she’d seen Karen Smith—for months, the children were always a painful reminder of her loss.

Lifting her face to the sky, Nina drew a long breath. The sun warmed her face and shoulders, but the coldness inside her lingered. Six months, she thought numbly. Six long months without a trace.

Where was Dustin at this moment? Was he happy? Was he being taken care of? Or was he…?

Nina closed her eyes briefly. Most of the time, she was able to keep the terror at bay, but there were times like today when every mother’s nightmare tormented her. Her baby was missing, and she had no idea where he was or who had him. Had he been hurt? Was he still alive?

Abruptly Nina turned down another path, heading toward the deserted playground. Finding a bench, she sat down, her thoughts spiraling back to the days when she’d come to the park after Garrett’s death, when a tiny life growing inside her had been all that had kept her from despair.

Nina scanned her surroundings. What are you looking for? Did you think Karen Smith would simply appear out of the blue and give you back your son? Is that why you came here today? Is that why you always come here?

It had been a day very much like today when she’d first met Karen in the park. The sun had been shining then, too, but the weather had been cooler. Nina had worn a loose sweater over jeans, and although her pregnancy had not yet been outwardly noticeable, she’d been fascinated by all the changes occurring within her body. She’d been sitting alone on a bench that day, hand on her stomach, when she’d felt her baby move for the first time.

Startled at first, she sat stone still, unsure what was happening to her. Then the tiny flutter came again, and Nina laughed out loud, marveling at the miracle growing inside her.

“Excuse me.”

Nina glanced up to find a dark-haired woman standing over her. She was petite and very pretty, her blue eyes softly glowing behind black-rimmed glasses. She smiled knowingly, as if she shared Nina’s secret.

“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

Nina stared at her in surprise. “How did you know?”

The woman’s smile turned shy. “I’ve been watching you. I’ve seen you here before. You always keep one hand on your stomach. See?”

She nodded, and Nina glanced down. Her hand was still resting against her stomach. Almost self-consciously she removed it.

The woman sat down beside her. “I only noticed because I did the same thing when I was pregnant. It was the most wonderful experience in the world.” She broke off and glanced down. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m crazy, coming over here like this.”

“No,” Nina said impulsively. “No, I don’t. I know exactly what you mean. It is wonderful. So wonderful you want to share it with someone.”

And Nina had no one. It hadn’t hit her until that moment how truly alone she was. No friends, no family, no one with whom to share this blessing.

And Karen Smith seemed just as lonely. There was something about her that immediately drew Nina to her. Perhaps it was the shadow of pain in the woman’s eyes or the self-conscious way she had of dipping her head, as if she didn’t quite have the courage to look you in the eye. Perhaps it was because Karen had suffered a great loss, too, miscarrying three months into her pregnancy.

Nina could relate to all of those things. She and Karen were like kindred spirits. They began meeting in the park almost daily, their conversations revolving around Nina’s baby at first. But then gradually, as their friendship deepened and Nina’s pregnancy progressed, she found herself confiding in Karen as she had never been able to do with anyone else. Not even with her husband.

She told Karen about her impulsive marriage to Garrett, how he had swept her off her feet and how his family had despised her from the first, how they thought she was nothing but a gold digger after the Fairchild money. She told Karen about her insecurities and how she had allowed Garrett’s family to use them against her. How in the end, he had chosen his family over her.

Karen had been so sympathetic, the perfect listener. How could Nina have known it was all just pretend, that the deception had begun the moment Karen had approached her in the park that day?

“Excuse me.”

Nina was so caught up in her reverie, that when a woman’s voice spoke in front of her, she jumped. She looked up, almost expecting—hoping—to see Karen Smith, but the woman who gazed down at her was a stranger. Her plump, round face had none of Karen’s fragile beauty, and her hair—rather than dark and exotic—was a light mousy brown.

The woman, pushing a baby carriage, indicated the bench beside Nina. “Would you mind if we sit here? He’s a little fussy. I think he’s ready for his bottle.”

Nina swallowed and nodded. She hadn’t been this close to a baby since the day Dustin was born. Her arms ached when the woman lifted the child from the stroller and settled him on her lap.

Nina tried not to look. She tried to glance away, but the baby’s obvious distress drew her attention in spite of herself.

She couldn’t tell much about his features, other than the fact that he had almost no hair. His face was red and puckered, and for a long moment, no sound came out of his mouth. Then he finally caught his breath, stiffened his body, threw back his head and let loose a wail that could have been heard two city blocks away.

Nina watched in fascination as the woman struggled to quiet him. She reached forward, fishing in an overflowing diaper bag for a bottle as the child screamed and squirmed on her lap.

She gave Nina an apologetic glance. “He’s teething, too.”

“Can I help?” Nina asked hesitantly.

“I can’t find his bottle,” the woman said in exasperation. “I know I packed it.”

“Maybe you left it in the car,” Nina suggested.

The woman cut her a look. “I hope not. His mother dropped us off. We don’t usually come to this park. There’s one much closer to the house, but Mrs. Baldwin had an appointment and this one was more convenient. She won’t be back for a while.” The woman held the child with one arm while rummaging through the diaper bag. “John David, be still. You’re only making things worse.”

After a few more moments, the woman gave up. “Maybe you can help.”

Nina reached for the diaper bag, but the woman raised the baby in her arms instead. “Do you mind?”

Nina hesitated. Don’t do this, a little voice warned. Don’t torture yourself. Don’t remind yourself of what might have been.

But it was no use. She could no more have stopped herself from taking that baby than she could have prevented the sun from coming up in the morning.

A nun in the orphanage where Nina had been raised once told her that she was born to be a mother. That someday all the love she had stored up inside her would be lavished on her own children. And they would adore her in return. Nina had dreamed of that day. Lived for the moment when she would finally hold her baby—her own flesh and blood—in her arms.

Her throat tightened as she held the writhing child against her, drinking in the sweetness of him. The innocence.

He looked to be about six months old, as Dustin would be now, and what little hair he had was dark, as Dustin’s had been. The child stirred something powerful in Nina she didn’t understand. He was a stranger, and yet so many emotions rushed over her. What was happening to her?

“It’s okay, sweetie,” she crooned, cradling him against her as she rocked to and fro. “Everything’s okay.”

“His bottle isn’t in here,” the woman beside her muttered. “I don’t know what could have happened to it. Mrs. Baldwin must have taken it out, though for the life of me—” She turned with a teething ring and handed it to Nina. “Here, let’s try this.”

Nina did as she was told, but the baby promptly shoved the useless plastic away. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” she murmured.

The woman sighed. “I’m afraid he’ll just have to wait until his mother gets here.”

She reached for the baby, but Nina said quickly, “Oh, may I please hold him for a little longer? I think he’s starting to quiet.”

The woman looked doubtful. “I’ve imposed on you long enough.”

“It’s no imposition. Please. Just a minute more.” There was a desperate note in Nina’s voice she didn’t recognize. Why was it so important she hold on to this child? He was a stranger and she was acting as if—”You’ve been very kind.” The woman’s tone grew insistent. “But I’ll take the baby now.”

“Please—”

“Give me the child!”

The fear in the woman’s eyes startled Nina. What on earth was she doing? She’d frightened the poor woman half to death, and all because she’d wanted to hold the baby in her arms a little longer. Wanted to pretend a little longer.

“I—I’m sorry,” she stammered. Just as she was about to hand the child back, she saw a man striding toward them. He was tall and broad shouldered with thick black hair and—Nina saw when he drew closer—gray eyes that were very dark and very piercing.

The woman beside her looked enormously relieved when she spotted him. She jumped up from the bench and grabbed his arm. “Mr. Chambers! I’m so glad to see you!”

His dark gaze went from the woman to Nina, and then to the baby she still held on her lap. His eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?” he demanded, in a voice every bit as dark and deep as his eyes.

As if also affected by the man’s sudden appearance, the baby on Nina’s lap grew still, staring up at the stranger with rapt attention.

“She won’t give the baby back to me!” the woman said in a shrill voice. “She insisted on holding him while I looked for his bottle, and then she wouldn’t give him back to me.”

Nina winced. “No, please, it wasn’t like that. I can explain—”

The man walked over and took the baby from her with such authority, Nina shrank away from him. He swung the child up into his arms, and John David laughed delightedly, momentarily forgetting his hunger pains.

With the flair of a magician, the man produced a bottle from his jacket pocket. “I thought you might be needing this,” he said to the woman beside him. “Vanessa left it in my office.”

“Oh, thank heavens,” she exclaimed, taking both baby and bottle from the man. “You’re a lifesaver, Mr. Chambers.” She settled the baby in the stroller and gave him his bottle. The baby instantly quieted. The woman straightened and glared at Nina. “Should we call the police?”

The man nodded toward the parking lot. “Why don’t you take John David back to my car? Vanessa should be here soon.”

“Yes, sir.” With one last look at Nina, the woman turned and headed across the park.

Nina tore her gaze from the departing stroller and glanced up at the stranger. He towered over her, looking dark and grim and more formidable that she would have ever thought possible.

He was very handsome in a tough and arrogant sort of way. The casualness of his apparel—jeans, boots and a lightweight leather jacket—didn’t fool her. He had the look and demeanor of a man who had power and money and knew how to use both to his advantage.

He reminded her of the Fairchilds, and Nina felt a sudden stab of resentment. Who was he to judge her? He didn’t know her. He didn’t know anything about her.

“I wasn’t going to hurt your baby,” she said. “I would never do that. I…just wanted to hold him.”

He said sharply, “Who are you?”

“I’m no one. I didn’t mean any harm. I’ll go quietly away, and you’ll never see me again.”

He caught her arm when she stood. A thrill of fear shot through her as his gaze probed her face. “Why do I get the feeling I know you from somewhere?”

“You don’t.” Nina forced her tone to remain even. “I’ve never seen you before. I wanted to hold your baby because I—” She started to explain about Dustin, then broke off. “It doesn’t matter why. I’m sorry.”

Was it her imagination or had his features softened? He was still gazing down at her with a quizzical look in his eyes. “No harm done, I guess.” His hand fell away from her arm. “But I would be careful from now on if I were you. People are very protective when it comes to their children. Someone might get the wrong idea, and you could find yourself in some pretty serious trouble.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode away. Nina waited for a few minutes, then took a circuitous route to the parking lot, hoping he would be gone by the time she arrived at her car. But as she reached to unlock her door, she saw him.

He was standing beside a silver BMW, bending slightly to talk to the blond woman inside. The other woman—the nanny, Nina presumed—was busy fastening the baby into his car seat. Then she climbed into the back with him while the man stored the stroller in the trunk. He said another quick word to the blonde, then she started the engine and backed out of the parking slot.

Nina hurriedly climbed into her own car, hoping she wouldn’t be detected. But as the silver BMW approached Nina’s parking space, the blonde slowed the car, waiting for a truck that had backed out in front of her. Her window was still down, and as she drew even with Nina’s car, she glanced over, then away, then back again. Their gazes locked.

It was one of those life-defining moments. One of those impossible coincidences. It couldn’t really be happening, and yet there she was.

Nina’s breath left her in a painful rush as she stared at the woman behind the wheel. The hair color was different, as was her expression and demeanor. But her eyes…something about her eyes…

For one split second, both women seemed frozen in time. Then the blonde whipped her head around, and the car shot forward. But the shock on her face mirrored Nina’s. She’d recognized Nina, too, and for one very good reason.

The woman in the silver BMW was Karen Smith.