Читать книгу Baby By The Book - Kara Lennox, Kara Lennox - Страница 12

Rand remembered the first time he’d seen a woman hold her newborn baby. It was when his own mother had Alicia. He’d been only fourteen at the time, still reeling from his stepfather’s desertion and his sudden elevation to “man of the house.” His mother, like Susan, had been without insurance, and she’d had her baby at the Coastal County Hospital, classified as an indigent.

Rand had sat in a grubby waiting room, taking care of the seven-year-old twins, feeling scared and lonely and thinking that having a baby was the worst thing that could happen to a woman. But after it was over, Rand had been invited for a brief visit to his mother’s room and a peek at his new sister. He had never seen his mother smile like that.

Since that time, he’d seen all three of his sisters within minutes of delivering their children, and they all had that glowing, ethereal look about them the first time they held their babies. It was the only thing Rand had ever seen that struck him with awe.

Susan was no exception. They didn’t let her hold the baby for long. Because Penny was premature, they whisked her away to an isolette in the neonatal unit as a precaution. But during those few seconds when Susan held her child, she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Rand wondered how it would feel to be a first-time father. Not that he’d ever know. Once upon a time he’d assumed a wife and family were somewhere in his distant future, but given his abysmal track record with women, he’d given up that fantasy.

It wasn’t something he’d worried much about, especially lately. He figured he’d waited a long time to have his house all to himself, and he wouldn’t give up his solitude easily. But for at least half a second, when he’d gazed on Susan and Penny, he’d yearned—yearned—to be part of a family, to be a father.

He’d come down to earth in a hurry when Susan had talked about finding Gary. It was ridiculous to think, for even a minute, that he had any proprietary relationship with Susan or her baby. They belonged to someone else—even if he was a jerk, even if he’d disappeared.

“So what do we do now?” Alicia asked. They were out in the hall, giving Susan some privacy while she cleaned up and dressed.

Rand shrugged. “I guess we go home. And I find another carpenter to finish the bookshelves or that room will still be a wreck when your wedding rolls around.” Alicia was getting married in a few weeks at his house, and she wanted the whole house to be in perfect shape for the big event.

“I’m not worried about that,” Alicia said surprising him. “What about Susan? She doesn’t have anyone.”

“She has Arnette, who appears to be a good friend.”

Alicia shook her head. “She just seems so alone.”

“We can’t take up for every lonely person we meet. We got her safely to the hospital, I made sure her medical bills would be paid. At this point she might like some privacy.”

Alicia didn’t look convinced, but she agreed they should at least let her rest.

That was before Susan declared she wasn’t staying in the hospital.

“The baby should stay here, of course,” Rand heard her telling the nurse who’d come to take her to her room. “But I’m not sick. I’ve just had a baby, which is a perfectly natural event, not an illness, and I can recuperate at home just fine.”

“And how are you planning to breast-feed the baby when you’re fifty miles away?” Arnette argued. “Susan, you know I’m a big fan of home birth, but I’m also in favor of mothers and babies being together.”

“But the doctor said Penny will be here several days,” Susan objected.

“At least stay overnight,” Arnette said soothingly. “You had a difficult labor, you’re very weak, and it’s the middle of the night. You’re not ready for an hour in the car and climbing two flights of stairs to your apartment.”

Rand knew he should stay out of it. But he figured if Susan understood she didn’t have to pay her hospital bill, she would be more reasonable. He went back into the room.

“Susan, if you’re worried about the cost, don’t. It’s taken care of.”

She sat on the edge of the bed wearing a hospital-issue gown and robe, looking very pale. She just stared at him, her blue eyes seeming even larger than normal.

“I don’t mind taking care of it,” he continued when she didn’t immediately seem grateful. “I can afford it.”

“That’s not the point!” she sputtered indignantly. She cast her gaze around the room, looking for someone to agree with her. Alicia, Arnette, and the nurse scurried for the door like rats abandoning a sinking ship. “It’s not your responsibility,” Susan continued. “You hardly know me!”

“I just spent fourteen hours with you, helping you bring a new life into the world,” he said quietly. “How can you say I don’t know you?”

“I don’t want to have a debt to you the rest of my life,” she retorted. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done. But I have to draw the line at your paying my bill. I’m sure the hospital will work out payments.”

“The hospital wouldn’t have admitted you if I hadn’t given them my credit card,” he said gently. “And you don’t have to pay me back.”

She slumped back onto the bed. “Okay, okay. I’ll stay here one night. But I will pay you back.”

“If it will make you feel better.”

“Yes, it will. My daughter is not coming into this world as someone’s burden.”

“She isn’t a burden, and neither are you.” He reached for her hand, then thought better of it and stopped himself. “Once upon a time I needed help, and someone gave it to me. Now I’m passing it along to someone else. And someday, you’ll do the same. Or maybe you already have.”

With that he turned and left the room.

ONCE UPON A TIME I needed help… That sentence ricocheted around Susan’s head in her sleep, and all the next day, which she spent mostly gazing through the neonatal nursery window at tiny, helpless Penny.

When had Rand needed help? He seemed so strong, so capable, an unstoppable force. It was hard to imagine him needing anything, depending on outside sources for support of any kind.

Not money, obviously. He lived in that wonderful old house, practically a mansion.

What was his story? she wondered. And who had helped him?

Penny wiggled, and Susan stared, fascinated. Had any so entrancing creature ever been born? Of course she was red and wrinkled, and her head was still a bit squashed looking, something that had alarmed Susan the first time she’d seen Penny, until Arnette had reassured her it was normal and would fix itself before long. She was still the most beautiful child ever conceived.

But beautiful or not, the child would need food and clothes and a roof over her head. Susan knew she’d not planned as well as she could have for the birth. She had bought a crib and some newborn clothes and diapers, but she hadn’t set anything up, as she’d been planning to move it all to her new apartment right after she finished Rand’s bookshelves—before Penny made an appearance.

She had only a few days to get everything ready. Which meant she had to get started now. Whether anyone agreed with her or not, she was going home today.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Susan lay on her couch, feeling overwhelmed and miserable, and regretting her decision to leave the hospital. Arnette had picked her up from the hospital and brought her home, but the short trip had completely exhausted her. Plus, she missed Penny. She’d already called the hospital twice to check on her. Luckily Susan had plenty of milk, so she’d left behind enough supply for quadruplets.