Читать книгу Soon To Be Brides: The Marrying Macallister / That Blackhawk Bride - Barbara McCauley - Страница 11

Chapter Six

Caitlin sat next to one of the windows on the rickety bus that had picked up the group at the Nanjing airport, her gaze riveted on the bustling crowds within her view.

Nanjing, she decided, was absolutely enchanting, an intriguing blend of the old and the new. There were tall, modern buildings next to small, shanty-type houses, and the number of people riding bicycles in the surging traffic seemed to outnumber those in automobiles.

Some of the people were dressed in clothes she might see in Ventura, while others were wearing traditional dark pants and boxy jackets that she’d seen so often in photographs of the Chinese populace. The weather was perfect, warm with a cooling breeze.

“Oh,” Caitlin gasped as she witnessed yet another near miss of a car colliding with a bicycle. “It’s dangerous out there. The people on those bikes are demanding equal space on the roads. Scary.”

Matt leaned forward to look out the window, then immediately settled back again in his seat with a chuckle.

“I don’t think watching that madness is good for my blood pressure. This makes driving in Los Angeles or New York City a leisurely outing. Whew.”

“There are amazingly few accidents,” Elizabeth said, overhearing what Caitlin and Matt were talking about. “It looks awful, but it’s organized chaos, or some such thing. The majority of people can’t afford cars, so the mode of transportation is most often a bike. There is a stiffer penalty for stealing a bicycle than a vehicle.”

“Fascinating,” Matt said, nodding.

“Caitlin,” Marsha said from across the aisle, “you should be taking notes on some of this. I think with your talent for writing you could do some very interesting articles for the magazine from a fashion angle, make our readers feel as though they’ve actually visited China. It would be a nice way to add to your income while you’re working at home, too.”

“In between changing Miss M.’ s diapers.” Matt chuckled.

“Babies do take naps, you know.” Marsha frowned. “But I guess that’s when you take one, too, or maybe get caught up on the laundry and what have you. I don’t have a clue.”

“We’ll find out very soon, sweetheart,” Bud said. “You know, I have to admit I’m getting nervous about meeting Grace for the first time. What if I scare the socks off her? She’s almost a year old, so I imagine she has definite opinions about things…like her father is terrifying.”

Marsha patted Bud’s knee. “We’ll just take it as it comes, give her space, time to get used to us. When we bring her back to the hotel tomorrow we’ll let her call the shots. If she doesn’t want us to hold her, we won’t push it.” She paused. “Oh, dear, now I’m getting nervous.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Just relax. If your new daughters sense that you’re uptight they’ll react accordingly. My years of making these trips allows me to say with confidence that you’ll all be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your girls adjust to you and their new environment. They’re extremely resilient little ladies.”

“Goodness,” Caitlin said. “I never gave a thought to the idea that Miss M. might not…well, like me right off the bat. We’ve all fallen in love with our daughters by just looking at their pictures but…oh dear.”

“Don’t get tense,” Matt said. “Miss M. will take one look at you and it will be love at first sight, Caitlin, you’ll see. I don’t believe in that stuff when it comes to adults, but babies? They know when they’re connected to someone special. Everything will be just fine.”

As conversations started throughout the bus about what they were seeing out the windows, Caitlin cocked her head to one side and studied Matt, who looked at her questioningly.

“What?” he said.

“You believe that babies are capable of experiencing love at first sight, but adults aren’t?” Caitlin asked. “At what point in their lives do they change their view on the subject?”

“Well…” Matt shrugged. “I don’t know. When we grow up and get worldly and wise, I suppose. Love at first sight? Give me a break. Love…adult, man-and-woman love…is something that grows over time, has to be nurtured, tended to, sort of like a garden that eventually produces beautiful flowers and… Jeez, I’m getting corny here.”

“No, you’re not,” Caitlin said quietly, looking directly into Matt’s eyes. “I think you expressed that very nicely, and I agree with you.”

“Which is why,” Matt observed, switching his gaze to the scene beyond the window, “I don’t see falling in love in my near future because I don’t have time for the nurturing, doing my part in tending to the…well, to the garden.”

“I know,” Caitlin said, then stared out the window again.

Well, Matt thought, he covered that topic very thoroughly, right on the mark. And for some unexplainable reason it had caused his ulcer to start burning with a hot pain as though voicing displeasure at what he had said.

Matt reached in his pocket, retrieved an antacid tablet and popped it into his mouth, frowning as he chewed the chalky circle.

“I saw that, MacAllister,” Bud said. “Whatever you’re talking about over there, change the subject. Your doctor has spoken.”

“Cork it, Mathis.” Matt glared at Bud.

The bus driver made a sudden sharp turn, and moments later they rattled to a stop in the circular driveway in front of a modern high-rise hotel.

“We have arrived,” Elizabeth said. “This is a lovely hotel, and you’ll be very comfortable here. I’ll check us in as a group again and hand out the key cards. It would be best if you’d wait in the lobby, though, while I telephone Dr. Yang and find out what time the vans are coming to take us to the orphanage. That will save me having to call each of your rooms to let you know. Okay?”

Elizabeth received quick, affirmative and excited answers to her request. The group was soon standing in the spacious, nicely furnished lobby with luggage at their feet and key cards in their hands as they waited to hear the outcome of her call.

They were all booked into the fourth floor, Elizabeth explaining that it kept crying babies from disturbing other guests. Matt glanced at Caitlin’s key card, then his own, and nodded in approval that they were in side-by-side rooms.

Good, he thought. He’d be close at hand if Caitlin needed help with Miss M. She didn’t have any experience with babies, while he had years of it due to being a MacAllister.

A MacAllister. Ah, yes, the powerful and well-known family of Ventura, the movers and shakers, the overachievers, who seemed to excel in whatever career choices they made. As each new generation came along, the pattern was repeated. Pick a subject? There was a MacAllister who did it…extremely well. Lawyers, doctors, architects, police officers, the list was endless. If you were a MacAllister, by damn, you’d better be top-notch at whatever you did or…

Whoa. Halt. Enough, he thought, frowning. Where was all this coming from? He was standing in a hotel lobby halfway around the world from Ventura and his clan. Why was he suddenly focusing on something that had hovered over him from the time he was a kid? A kid who wasn’t good at sports in school, who had been an average student not a super brain, a kid who looked at the Mac-Allisters surrounding him and continually wondered why he fell short time after time after…

“Matt?” Caitlin said.

“What?” he said, looking at her.

“Do you have a headache? You’re frowning and rubbing your forehead. Are you okay?”

“Oh, sure, sure, I’m fine.” He forced a smile. “Just suffering from a bit of jet lag like everyone else.” He paused. “Maybe I should figure out the time difference between here and Ventura and decide when I can call the hospital and see if everything is running smoothly.”

Caitlin sighed. “I wondered how long it would take before you felt the need to do that. You’re not focused on a new daughter like the rest of us. You’re centered on your work.”

“That’s not true. I’m really eager to see Miss M., Caitlin, I told you that. Remember? I said there was nowhere else I’d rather be than—”

“Calling the hospital in Ventura,” she interrupted, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze.

“Forget the call. I’m not going to do it. I’m not telephoning the hospital and checking up on things.”

“Right.” Caitlin rolled her eyes.

“I mean it. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. Oh, hey, here comes Eliza beth.”

No one spoke as Elizabeth rejoined the group.

“Okay, we’re on target,” she said. “It’s four o’clock. Go unpack and be back down here at five ready to go to the orphanage.”

“Oh,” Caitlin whispered. “Oh, my goodness.”

Three new mommies-to-be burst into tears.

“Shoo, shoo,” Elizabeth said, laughing and flapping her hands at them. “Go to your rooms. There. I sound like a stern old auntie. I’ll see you all back down here in an hour.”

Everyone collected their luggage, and Caitlin and Matt headed to their rooms.

Matt stopped as Caitlin poked the key card in the slot when they reached her room, then opened the door when the green light blinked on. She stepped inside the room far enough to hold the door open with her bottom and look back at Matt.

“I see the gizmo on the wall for the card so I can turn on the lights,” she said, laughing. “I’m a quick study.”

“Good for you, but maybe you should turn around and see what they’ve put in your room.”

Caitlin frowned slightly in confusion, turned, then a gasp escaped from her lips.

“Oh. Oh, Matt, look. It’s a crib. A port-a-crib. It’s Miss M.’ s crib where she’ll sleep after I bring her back here tomorrow. Isn’t that the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

Matt’s gaze was riveted on Caitlin as he heard the awe, the wonder, the heartfelt emotion ringing in her voice.

“Yes, I’m looking at one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen.” He cleared his throat as he heard the rasp of building emotions in his voice. “I’ll knock on your door when it’s time to go back downstairs. Okay?”

“’Kay,” Caitlin said absently, starting toward the crib.

The door swung free and closed in Matt’s face with a thud. He stood statue still for a long moment, attempting to visualize Caitlin inside the room, maybe running her hand over the rail of the crib, or across the soft sheet on the tiny mattress, or perhaps just gazing into the crib and envisioning Miss M. sleeping peacefully there, where she belonged, with her mother watching over her.

He looked quickly in both directions to be certain that no one had seen him standing there like an idiot who was attempting to carry on a conversation with a closed door before trudging back to his room.

Everyone in the group was fifteen minutes early arriving in the lobby, but no one settled onto the comfortable-looking chairs and sofas, not having the patience to sit still.

“What time is it?” Marsha said to Bud.

“One minute later than when you last asked me,” he said, smiling. “Chill, pretty wife, or you’re going to pass out cold on your nose.”

“Oh, right,” Marsha said, frowning at him. “Like you’re Mr. Cool, huh? Might I mention that you forgot to tie your shoelaces?”

“Well, cripe,” Bud said, looking down at his feet.

Matt whopped Bud on the back as he bent over to tend to his laces.

“Little shook up, Daddy?” Matt said. “Mmm. Maybe we should check your blood pressure, Doctor. You’re in a high-stress mode.”

“Can it, MacAllister,” Bud said, straightening and glaring at Matt. “Caitlin, do something about this man.”

“Me? What man?” she said, laughing. “I’m such a wreck I’m having trouble remembering my own name.”

“The vans are here,” a woman said, more in the form of a squeal.

“So they are,” Elizabeth agreed, joining the group. “Is everyone ready? Let me count noses.” She did a quick perusal of the gathered people. “Right on the money. Let’s go meet some new baby daughters.”

The fifteen-minute ride to the orphanage was a total blur to Caitlin until they suddenly turned onto a narrow street lined with small, shabby houses made of a variety of nonmatching material. At the end of the street a tall, seven-story building could be partially seen.

“That’s the orphanage,” Elizabeth said. “It’s big, as you can see, and filled to the brim with kids. There are infant floors, where the little ones sleep two and three to a crib at times, toddler floors, then older children have several floors where they sleep dorm-fashion until they are fostered out to work in the fields in rural areas.

“There is no heat in that building. They have to layer the kids in lots of clothes in the winter to keep them warm. A portion of the fees you paid for this trip will go directly to the orphanage for food, clothes, medical supplies, what have you.

“The vast majority of the children are girls, as you know. The few boys that are brought here have some kind of medical problem, or perhaps a birthmark that is too noticeable, or they might have been the second boy in the family, breaking the law about only being allowed to have one child, and there isn’t a thing wrong with them. However, it’s rare for boys to be in the orphanages.

“And,” Elizabeth said as the vans drove around a circle driveway. “Here—” the vans stopped “—we are.”

Matt reached over and squeezed one of Caitlin’s hands, finding it ice cold.

“Calm down,” he whispered to her. “If you touch Miss M. with hands that cold she’ll have a screamer of a fit.”

Caitlin nodded jerkily.

A beaming Dr. Yang greeted the group as they entered the building. He was a slightly built man in his mid-thirties with handsome features and dark, almond-shaped eyes that seemed to be actually sparkling.

“I feel as though I know you,” he said, his English having only a trace of an accent, “because I’ve read all of your dossiers. Welcome to China. Welcome to Nanjing. Welcome to the humble place where your daughters are waiting to meet you. Our elevator is very small, so I’ll ask that you go up to the third floor four at a time, please.

“We will go into a living room, then I’ll tell the head of the orphanage that you are here and that the caregivers should bring the babies to where you are. My paperwork is upstairs that documents the matches.” He laughed. “Same as always, Elizabeth. You bring me people who are too nervous to speak.”

“Never fails,” she said, smiling.

“But soon they’ll be crying those happy tears we always see,” Dr. Yang said.

“They’ve been practicing those already. Okay, folksies. Here we go.”

The living room Dr. Yang had spoken of was quite large, but the furniture and carpeting was very faded and worn. The paint on the walls was a color somewhere between gray and yellow and was peeling in numerous spots. There was a dusty, plastic red rose in a bud vase on a shabby end table in one corner. No pictures adorned the walls.

Caitlin, Matt, Marsha and Bud settled onto a threadbare sofa. Bud wrapped his arm around Marsha’s shoulders and she sat as close as possible to him. Matt fought the urge to do the same to Caitlin as she sat next to him, her hands clutched so tightly in her lap the knuckles were turning white.

Elizabeth and Dr. Yang left the room and a heavy silence fell as the minutes ticked slowly by. Then everyone stiffened as the pair reappeared followed by caregivers in white uniforms, some holding one baby, others with two.

Dr. Yang consulted a sheet of paper he was holding, then placed his hand on the shoulder of one of the caregivers.

“Sally and Fred Roberts,” he said.

And so it began, the uniting of parents and their daughters, with happy tears flowing freely. Marsha and Ben were called and their Grace gurgled and smiled when Marsha lifted her from the caregiver’s arms and held her close, laughing and crying at the same time.

“That’s my goddaughter. Awesome. You have to be next,” Matt whispered to Caitlin, “because you’re the only one left. Are you ready?”

“Oh, I am so ready,” Caitlin said, staring at the empty doorway. “Why isn’t there another caregiver standing there. Where’s Miss M.? I don’t understand why—oh…my…God. Matt, look.”

Matt’s eyes widened as a caregiver stepped into the living room, a baby tucked in the crook of each arm. Without realizing he was doing it, he grabbed Caitlin’s hand and got to his feet, drawing her up next to him.

“Caitlin Cunningham,” Dr. Yang said, smiling. “Last, but certainly not least.”

“I…” Caitlin said, making no attempt to free her hand from Matt’s as she walked toward the caregiver on trembling legs. “There are two… The pictures I got of Miss M. were of two babies, not just two photographs of the same baby. Dear heaven, they’re identical twins. Twins? I’m going to be the mother of twins? Did I know this? I didn’t know this. Oh, they’re so beautiful, so… Twins?”

Dr. Yang frowned and looked at the sheet of paper. “Yes, it says here that you have been matched with identical twin girls of six months of age. Is there a problem?”

“Let’s just all stay calm,” Elizabeth said quickly. “Caitlin, you and Matt take the babies to the sofa while I speak with Dr. Yang and see what is going on here. Dr. Yang, we at the agency and, therefore, Caitlin, didn’t realize she’d been matched with twins. Nothing came across my desk indicating that.”

“Really?” Dr. Yang said. “Well, come with me, Elizabeth, and we’ll telephone Beijing, where all these decisions are made and discover what is taking place. Our caregivers have so much to do so… Caitlin? Matt, is it? Would you please tend to the babies until we return?”

“Yes, oh, yes,” Caitlin said, lifting one of the infants from the caregiver’s arms. “Matt?”

“Sure thing,” he said, accepting the other baby. “Hello, Miss M.” He glanced at the baby that Caitlin held. “Hello, Miss M. Man, they are really identical, aren’t they? And they’re both scowling, just like in the pictures you got. Let’s go sit down and see if we can get them to smile. Caitlin?”

“Twins,” she said, staring at the baby she held. “That’s two. One plus one equals two. Twins.”

“Sitting down now,” Matt said, shifting the baby to one arm and gripping Caitlin’s elbow. “Right now.”

On the sofa, both Caitlin and Matt propped the babies on their knees, having to support their backs as they obviously were unable to sit up alone. Tears filled Caitlin’s eyes as her gaze darted back and forth between the little girls.

“Oh, my gosh, they are so fantastic, so incredibly beautiful, and wonderful and…”

“And twins,” Marsha said. “Caitlin, what are you going to do? You’re a single mother, for Pete’s sake. I’m scared to death about tending to Grace with Bud’s help and you’ll be all alone with two?” She paused and smiled. “But, oh, they are so cute. Grace, look at your little friends.”

“Twin friends,” Bud said. “Holy cow.”

Matt bounced the baby a bit on his knees, then made a clucking noise that sounded rather like a sick chicken. The baby stared at him for a long moment, then a smile broke across her face, revealing two little teeth on the bottom gums.

“She smiled at me,” Matt said, beaming. “Caitlin, look at Miss M. She’s smiling.”

Caitlin sniffled. “My Miss M. isn’t smiling. I think she’s about to cry.”

“No way,” Matt said, leaning toward the other baby and making the same ridiculous noise. The baby grinned, and she had the same two teeth on the bottom. “There you go. We’ve been waiting for that smile ever since we saw the pictures of her looking so grumpy. Well, actually it was the pictures of both of them looking so grumpy, but…” He shrugged. “Now they’re smiling.”

“They’re so beautiful,” Caitlin said, unable to halt her tears. “I can hardly believe I’m actually holding… Oh, but, Matt, Marsha’s right. How can I possibly cope, tend to, care for, twins? But they’re my daughters. I fell in love with the baby in the photograph. So, okay, I didn’t know I was falling in love with two babies but… Oh, dear, my mind is mush.”

Dr. Yang and Elizabeth returned and came to where Caitlin and Matt were sitting.

“Um…Caitlin?” Elizabeth said. “Dr. Yang has something he wants to say to you. Hear him out, please, and don’t…don’t overreact to what he says. You must remember this is a culture far different from ours.”

“Yes, well, we spoke to the person we needed to in Beijing. It seems a new employee in the office checked the wrong box on the final approval sheet, indicating you wanted twins. So, the match was made.

“The officials in Beijing said you are certainly cleared to take both of the babies if you so choose, but if not…” He shrugged and smiled. “Well, that’s fine, too. It was a clerical error on our part, and can be rectified by you simply picking the baby you want from the pair if you feel you can only raise one. That solves the problem.”

Caitlin’s eyes widened in horror, and a flush stained her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but Elizabeth spoke first. “Caitlin, take a deep breath, count to ten, think before you say anything. We’re guests in this country, dear, who are being allowed to adopt these wonderful children. We don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the program in place. Dear.”

“Yes, I understand. Well, Dr. Yang, I think the officials in Beijing are being very…um…accommodating and I certainly appreciate being given the choices you’ve just presented to me.

“But, you see, I wouldn’t dream of separating identical-twin sisters under any circumstances. It’s a matter of…doing things just a teeny tiny bit differently in our country.

“So, sir, with heartfelt thanks, I accept being the mother of both of these girls and I’ll love them to pieces and do the very best I can raising them.”

“Very good. I’ll call Beijing right back and inform them of your decision.” He turned and hurried from the room.

“Nicely done, Caitlin,” Elizabeth said, letting out a pent-up breath. “The Chinese people place little importance on twin girls staying together in these situations. Our emphasis that they not be separated baffles them. But you did very well. Are you certain you want to do this, though?”