Читать книгу Montana Cowboy's Baby - Linda Ford - Страница 12
ОглавлениеShe should not have revealed her worry about the baby. A doctor or nurse did not frighten family members with either words or expressions, but she could not put a serene mask over her features. All she could do was cling to the fact Ellie was improving.
Conner lifted one hand and cupped her shoulder. “Kate, you’re doing a good job if Ellie’s present condition means anything.”
Ellie opened her eyes and found Kate’s face.
“See, even the baby knows it. She likes you. She knows you’re helping her.”
Kate smiled at the baby and stroked a finger along the tiny cheek. “She is certainly a sweetie. So beautiful.” A fierce protectiveness crowded all else from her mind. “Ellie, you are going to eat and fight and get strong. You hear me?”
The baby considered her solemnly, then smiled. The smile disappeared so quickly Kate wondered if she’d imagined it. “Did you see that? She smiled.”
Conner chuckled. “I told you, she likes you.”
“We’re going to do this.” She looked deep into Conner’s eyes. “We are going to save this baby, so help me God.” She meant it as a prayer and a vow, and when Conner nodded, she felt as if they had joined hands in mutual agreement.
There welled up within her a sense of something sweet and powerful. She tried to tell herself it was the same sensation she got whenever she helped her father, saw a baby or a child or an adult improving and knowing she had a hand in it. Only, the feeling was unlike any she’d ever before experienced and she could not dismiss it so easily nor fit it into a tidy slot in her brain.
She knew of one sure way to bring her thoughts into order and she concentrated on feeding Ellie. When she was satisfied the baby had taken all she would, she hurried to the kitchen...in need of an escape from the intensity prevailing in her thoughts while sitting so close to Conner, feeling the rise and fall of his chest, hearing his deep voice murmur to the baby. And knowing all the while that Thelma belonged where Kate now sat.
She found food in the pantry that Annie had prepared earlier and served them a simple dinner. She wished she had time to do more. Cooking and baking were pleasures for her. And wonderful diversions. Grandfather joined them to eat.
They all retired to the sitting room again. She needed to get back to her father. As she had done all morning, she prayed he would be handling things well on his own.
She was about to say she must leave when the sound of approaching horses drew their attention to the window. She was holding Ellie, who dozed after another decent feed. Conner hurried to look out. “Pa, Logan and Dawson are back.” His father and two brothers. Conner scrubbed his hand back and forth over his head, as if anxious over their reaction to discovering a baby in the house.
Grandfather made a disapproving sound. “You hoping to frighten them with a scarecrow look by doing that?”
He smoothed his hair into some semblance of order and jammed his hands into his front pockets.
Grandfather continued, “You’ll have to tell them the truth.”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
Kate could almost feel sorry for him, but having fathered a child, he must face up to his responsibilities. Still, she didn’t envy him having to confront his brothers and father.
They all turned to listen to the outer door open and shut, booted feet stomp off the trail dust and then a parade of thuds across the floor toward the sitting room.
Conner’s pa entered, followed by his two sons.
She studied them, wondering how they would react to Conner’s predicament. Bud, the father, was tall, blond and blue-eyed as were all the Marshalls. A man used to working hard and expecting those around him to work equally hard. Dawson, the eldest brother, was now married to Kate’s best friend, Isabelle. Logan, the youngest, was married to Sadie, the schoolteacher.
Bud’s gaze rested on the baby in Kate’s arms. “What do we have here?”
Kate rose, eased the baby into Conner’s hold. “I’ll let you explain.” She walked from the room and into the kitchen, where she couldn’t overhear a conversation she expected would be difficult.
Kate heard no angry sounds as she waited in the kitchen. What sort of reaction would Conner be facing? How would he be feeling? Shame? Regret? She twisted her hands together, wishing she could offer him the same comfort and encouragement he had offered her.
Which was rather silly. All she could offer him was help with Ellie and that only for a few more hours at most.
Logan and Dawson hurried through the kitchen saying they were going to hitch up a wagon. She expected they were going to see their wives. In the men’s absence, Dawson’s six-year-old daughter, Mattie, and his wife, Isabelle, had gone to town to visit Sadie and the children she and Logan had adopted.
She stared at the doorway to the dining room. She couldn’t see the sitting room door beyond. What had taken place in her absence?
Bud strode through the room, muttering under his breath. Grandfather shuffled out to sit on the veranda and she waited. Should she return?
“Kate?” Conner’s voice came to her and she needed no more invitation to hurry back. Perhaps he would tell her what had transpired. She drew to a halt, facing Conner.
“That went as well as could be expected.” Conner sat with Ellie cradled close to his chest, wariness in his eyes. “Dawson is going to ask Sheriff Jesse to come out and see me. I’ll ask him to find Thelma. Dawson said he could easily give Jesse all the needed information, but I’d like to see him myself.” He shrugged. “Maybe I can explain a few things and hope he’ll understand.”
She kept her attention on the baby. How did he hope to explain away a baby daughter? There was simply no way. Thelma must be found. He must marry her. Kate would no longer be needed. But who was she fooling? Once Conner’s sisters-in-law returned, Kate would have no reason to stay. Yes, the baby was weak still, her condition fragile, but she was eating. Anyone could take care of her now.
“I can’t imagine going through another night like last night,” he said.
“You will manage just fine. Just make sure she eats often.”
His mouth drew back. His eyes widened. He wore the expression of a fearful man.
She almost laughed. “She’s getting stronger with every feeding.”
He shook his head. “What if something happens? What if she takes a turn for the worse? Or—” His mouth worked before he finished. “What if she chokes again? Can’t you at least stay overnight?”
She assessed her choices. Ellie likely needed her more than Father did. And she truly wanted to tend the baby a little longer...to hold her, feel her chest rise and fall with each breath, listen to her suck the bottle and catch a fleeting smile or two. “I’ll stay, but I must get word to my father and ask him to send a few things for me.”
“Here, hold Ellie. I’ll go let Logan and Dawson know they need to stop by before they leave. There’s paper and pencil in the desk that you can use to write a note to your father.” He pointed to the rolltop desk in the corner. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” But he was gone before she finished. She smiled at Ellie. “I’m glad I get to enjoy you for a few more hours.” She cradled the baby in one arm as she quickly wrote a note explaining the situation and asking Father to send out a few items of clothing. She finished with, Are you doing okay? If you need me, I will come back.
She folded the paper just as Dawson came to the door and handed him the note. “This is for my father. He’ll want to send a bag back with you.”
“I’ll take care of it. Kate, I’m glad you’re staying.” His footsteps rang across the kitchen floor, and seconds later, the rattle of a wagon signaled his departure to town.
Kate stared toward the sound. She’d been away all morning and into the afternoon. Was Father managing okay or was he suffering memory lapses? What if he had one while tending a patient? If something happened, it would be her fault for leaving him.
She turned back to Ellie. But if she left the baby, how would Conner manage on his own?
How would she live with herself if things went wrong?
Conner returned and took the baby while Kate prepared a bottle.
He chuckled as he fed Ellie. “Logan was in a mighty big hurry to get to town.”
“I suppose he misses his family.”
“It was good of Sadie to give up teaching to be a mother.” He referred to the fact that Logan and Sadie had adopted three orphans. “Is there anything nobler than providing a home for a family?”
“Isn’t it nobler to serve a bigger cause, help more than those in a family circle?” She’d been taught so since the Bakers had adopted her at age ten. Even Grammie, before her death, had asked Katie, as she was then called, to use her gift wisely. Kate knew she referred to her ability to help those ill and suffering. She’d been doing so for Grammie for over a year as she’d grown weaker. “I thought it was too bad she gave up teaching.” She laughed a little in an attempt to hide her defensiveness.
Ellie blinked and her eyes focused.
“Do it again,” Conner said. “She likes it.”
“Do what?”
“Laugh. It got her attention.”
“I can’t laugh unless I’m amused.” And at the moment she wasn’t feeling very amused at Conner’s opinion about Sadie giving up teaching. It seemed to her she could do both. After all, Sadie was an exceptionally good teacher and there were far too few of them out in western Montana.
Conner brought his gaze to her and studied her a moment. “How many men are willing to live with sharing a wife with the whole world?”
“Probably none, which is why I don’t intend to combine doctoring with marriage or raising a family.” She’d made a promise to Grammie, but besides that, she liked taking care of people. It went a long way toward filling her heart.
“I think I hear someone riding in.” She rushed to the window. “Yes, it’s Dawson and he’s got Isabelle and Mattie with him.” Unable to stop her rush of words, she recited every detail of the man’s approach. “I hear him talking to Grandfather.” And then the outer door opened and booted feet crossed the floor.
“Howdy,” Dawson said. He handed a satchel to Kate. “Your father put a note in there for you.”
“Thanks.” She took the bag and reached in for the paper her father had written on.
“Jesse is on his way?” Conner asked.
“’Fraid not. There was a note on the door saying he had gone to Great Falls with a prisoner. He’ll be back in the morning. Now I’m going home to enjoy some time with my wife and child.” He strode from the room.
Kate unfolded the message and read, Dear Kate, you must indeed stay and tend that baby. I am coping admirably though I haven’t been able to find the carbolic acid. Stay as long as you are needed. As you ask, I will send for you if I think it necessary. Blessings, your father.
She folded the page carefully and returned it to the satchel. She’d put the carbolic acid on the shelf where it belonged. Was Father having a forgetful spell? They had grown infrequent in the past few weeks, but having her away, not pointing toward the things he needed, not reminding him what he meant to do would surely be a test of his recovery. She shivered. If he should fail while she wasn’t there to direct him, it could prove disastrous. Father God, please keep his mind clear. Don’t let him make a mistake.
She lifted her head to discover Conner watching her.
“Is everything all right with your father?”
“What do you mean? What could be wrong?” She’d done her best to cover her father’s momentary lapses as he mended.
Conner’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t suggesting there was. But I saw the little worry frown in your forehead and wondered what caused it.”
“My forehead?” She rubbed the spot that she knew furrowed when she worried overly much. “You’re imagining things.”
He laughed. “Not that line across your forehead and don’t think you can rub it away.”
She covered her forehead with her hand and tried to look as if it didn’t matter a bit. But heat stole up her neck and she knew her blush would reveal how much his words flustered her. Wanting to divert him, she went to the baby, forgetting how close it would bring her to Conner. Thankfully he was too interested in Ellie to notice her warm cheeks and she slowly backed away.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly with repeatedly feeding Ellie. Knowing Conner and his family must learn to care for the baby on their own, Kate purposely spent as much time in the kitchen as she could. Annie was a good housekeeper, so there wasn’t a lot to do. Kate washed up the dishes that had accumulated throughout the day, scrubbed the few items of clothing that had accompanied Ellie and hung them to dry. For a moment, she considered making a batch of cookies. But this wasn’t her house. She didn’t have the right.
However, they had to eat and she prepared another meal from the food Annie had left. Conner held the baby in one arm, just like he’d been born to be a father, as he joined the others at the table.
Kate sat on the chair that Bud indicated, across from Conner. Grandfather and Bud sat across from each other. It was Grandfather who offered the grace.
“We’re grateful for the food, Lord, but right now we’re concerned with little Ellie and we beseech You to make her strong. Amen.”
Grandfather concentrated on dishing up food for a moment or two, then turned to Kate. “Conner says you are staying overnight. I have to say I’m glad you’re here. Don’t mind telling you I was worried about that little one in there last night.”
“Can’t see the boy managing on his own,” Bud added. “He thinks because he fed an orphaned calf, he knows about babies.”
Kate laughed at Bud’s woeful tone and wondered how Conner felt about being referred to as “the boy.”
“You, my dear, are an answer to prayer.” Grandfather’s gratitude was a balm to Kate’s soul. “Though we acknowledge that the results are in God’s hands. We humans do what we can. No one should ask any more than that from us. Or us of ourselves.”
She promised herself to keep in mind that gentle reminder to do her job and leave the results in God’s control.
The conversation shifted to talk about the cows Bud and the others had checked on. He brought a good report.
“Sure wish I could go see for myself,” Grandfather said. Then he brightened. “But then I wouldn’t have been here when the baby was dropped off on the doorstep.” He chuckled. “Sure glad I was here to see the look on Conner’s face.” He tipped his head back and roared with laughter.
Conner shook his head and gave a half smile. “It was the last thing I expected.” His gaze came to Kate. His eyes warmed as if to remind her how they had shared that moment of surprise and concern.
For the briefest of moments, she allowed herself to think he enjoyed having her at his side during those first awkward, tension-filled hours. Then she reminded herself she was simply a medical person, appreciated for her ability to help Ellie and teach Conner how to care for his little daughter.
No doubt the sheriff would soon locate Thelma and there would be a wedding for Ellie’s parents.
That was as it should be and she promised herself she would rejoice that Ellie would have a permanent home with a father and mother.
While Kate continued with her own plans...ones that left no room for babies and family. Her decision had been made, based on the facts she understood and accepted.
The men pushed back from the table and Conner took the bottle Kate prepared for Ellie. He remained in the kitchen while she cleaned up. She told herself his only reason for staying had nothing to do with keeping her company and was to have her nearby to coach him, but in truth, he needed no guidance from her. And despite all her arguments against the idea, she enjoyed him being nearby as she worked.
Later, the others went to their rooms, leaving Kate and Conner in the sitting room, caring for the baby.
“You might as well relax in Grandfather’s chair. He often sleeps in it, so I can only assume it’s suitable for a nap,” Conner said.
She sank into the deep armchair, surprised at how weary she was. “It’s very comfortable.”
“Feel free to close your eyes and rest.”
“Just for a few minutes, then I’ll take her and feed her while you sleep for a bit.”
She had no intention of sleeping. Her role there was to provide medical care.
She leaned back, watching Conner from beneath her half-lowered eyelids. He stroked the baby’s face and hummed a lullaby. Little Ellie watched him, slowly drinking from the bottle of milk. Such adoration in Conner’s face. He would be an excellent father.
She must have dozed for she jerked awake, suddenly alert with the sense of someone watching her, and she met Conner’s steady gaze. It must be sleep clouding her mind to think his look was warm. Heat crawled up her neck and pooled in her cheeks. Why was she so aware of this man especially given the circumstances? A father of a baby. And somewhere, a woman who would claim his name. She broke from the intensity of his look and turned toward the baby sleeping contentedly in his arms.
Why was it that, after years of schooling herself to be professional and detached, she continually failed to do so in this situation? What was wrong with her?
* * *
Conner had studied Kate as she slept through the lengthening night hours. She was a beautiful woman with a serenity about her that intensified her beauty.
Familiar sounds of the house settled for the night and the little sleeping noises Ellie made were all that broke the silence. The quiet gave him time to review the events of the day. Like how Pa had reacted when he saw Ellie.
Conner, hoping to delay the questions in his pa’s face, had cradled Ellie in one arm and faced his father and brothers. “Pa, Dawson, Logan, meet Ellie.”
“Howdy,” Pa said and his brothers had each touched the baby’s hands, tenderness in their eyes and curiosity on their faces.
“Why are you holding her like you own her?” Pa asked.
“Yeah, Conner, you can’t bring babies home and keep them,” Logan said. “They aren’t like puppies.”
“Where’d you find her?” Dawson asked.
Conner had plucked Thelma’s note from his back pocket and handed it to Pa. Logan and Dawson read it over Pa’s shoulder. Then three pairs of shocked, disbelieving eyes came to him.
“She’s yours?” Pa’s voice rang sharp enough to make Conner cringe inside. He’d never let anyone see him cringe on the outside.
“No.” It took a minute to convince them Ellie was not his daughter.
“Then why?”
Conner repeated his worry that the baby was in danger. “It’s best if no one knows the truth until we can find Thelma and know why she did this.”
“In the meantime, who is going to look after her?” Pa asked. “Is Annie back?”
Grandfather grunted. “He knows nothing about babies. Thinks they’re like calves. If not for Kate...” He shook his head.
Conner’s confidence in caring for Ellie grew with each feeding, thanks to Kate. Like Grandfather said...if not for Kate. A rod of tension had eased when she agreed to stay the night.
He didn’t know how long he’d been watching her when her eyes opened and their gazes connected. She blinked away her sleep and she sat up, instantly awake. Her gaze darted away from him. Likely she wondered why he watched her so intently.
“You deserve to marry and have a family of your own.” He blamed the fact that they were alone, the room lit only by a lamp, for his rash words.
She jerked her wide-eyed gaze back to him. “That will never be. I am going to become a doctor.” She bolted to her feet.
He caught her hand before she could escape. “You could also be a wife and mother.”
She shook her head. “I know I couldn’t do justice to both roles. Doctors can’t count on being there for family events. I should know.”
The truth hit him like a sledgehammer. “Did you feel you were less important to your parents than their work?”
She tugged at her hand, but he wouldn’t let her get free. She shook her head and turned away.
He knew as surely as he breathed that her life had been full of loneliness and uncertainty. “Oh, Kate.” He felt her pain and confusion as if it were his own and his voice cracked with emotion.
He could not stand to see her so distressed and pulled her close, pressed her face to his shoulder, Kate in one arm, Ellie in the other. His throat tightened. His chest clamped tight so that it hurt to breathe. Why must people be wounded and suffer such pain? Little Ellie so weak because of neglect or illness. Kate feeling neglected by her parents if even for a noble cause.
She shuddered and tried to sit up, but he pressed her back, not ready to let her leave his arms. “I want to hear all about it.”
“They were only doing their job and I understood that. Their dedication was why Grammie sent me to them. ‘You’ve the gift of caring,’ she said to me. ‘Promise me you won’t waste it.’ And I won’t.”
She pulled away and Conner, feeling the depth of her resolve, let her go even though he longed to persuade her that she could make other choices. A promise given to her grandmother when she was a young child should not control her into adulthood. Surely her grandmother would want her to choose what suited Kate best.
“We all must do what we must do.” Her tone was flat as if the final word had been spoken on the subject. “Just as you must marry Thelma.”
“Thelma?” He’d forgotten about her. It was on the tip of his tongue to say he didn’t love her. Perhaps he never had, though it had devastated him for her to walk away without a backward look. It no longer hurt.
He tried not to think of the many reasons she would have sent the baby to him and said it was his—none of them reassuring. A cruel husband and father, choosing her profession over her own baby, or worst—she had died and just before her death arranged for the baby to be taken to Conner. If she was alive and unmarried, would he marry her to give the baby a home? He studied wee Ellie. She certainly deserved a loving, supportive family.
But he could not tell Kate the truth about her or the baby until he found Thelma and straightened things out.
“Time to feed her again.” With a great deal of dignity in every step and in the way she held her head, Kate went to the kitchen.
Conner leaned back. He must tell her the truth about Ellie...that he wasn’t the father. How would she react? Would she welcome the news? He closed his eyes and forced himself to think sensibly. Why would it matter to her? She’d been clear that she had no interest in anything but pursuing her plans to become a doctor.
From Grandfather’s room came a rumbling snore. Bedsprings creaked upstairs as someone rolled over. Outside a horse whinnied softly. From a nearby hill came the yipping of several coyotes. The moon shone through the window, giving a silvery glow to the room. So calm and peaceful. Unfortunately the feeling did not reach his heart. His thoughts tangled with questions about Thelma and why she had sent Ellie to him and a yearning from deep within.
He sat up and met Ellie’s gaze. This tiny little girl was the reminder he needed. He was not going to allow himself to care for a woman who didn’t put him and family life ahead of dreams of what some might see as bigger, better things...like being a singer. Or a doctor. How had Kate put it? She saw it as being nobler.
He had a baby who needed him. And then there was Thelma. Whatever Thelma’s situation, she had done the right thing and sent Ellie to him, no doubt knowing Conner and the entire Marshall family would see that this little one was well taken care of. His life was quite complicated enough at the moment.
Kate returned and gingerly took Ellie from him. Her movements were stiff and unnatural and he couldn’t deny it hurt a little to know she tried not to touch him.
She returned to the armchair and spoke softly to the baby.
Conner caught only a few words...enough to know that Kate informed the baby she was going to eat well and get strong and healthy.
Ellie seemed fascinated with all the things Kate saw for her in the future and drank steadily. Finally, she turned away and smacked her lips.
Kate held the feeding bottle toward the lamplight and gasped. “It’s half gone.” She sprang to her feet. “Conner, Conner. She took half a bottle of milk.”
“She did?” Conner grabbed Kate by her upper arms. “Really and truly?”
“Really and truly.” Kate laughed. “She’s taken a turn for the better.”
“That’s wonderful.” Conner’s voice caught. The good news filled him with an overwhelming sense that the world was a good place. “God has answered our prayers.” He pulled Kate close, the baby between them.
Kate tipped her head back to smile at him. Her smile dipped into his heart. For the moment, all that mattered was the joy over Ellie’s improvement and gratitude toward this woman who had been instrumental in that improvement.
Her gaze held his, searching for what he could not say. But he longed to be the one to give her what she sought.
He trailed the back of his hand along Kate’s cheek. His fingers lingered at the corner of her mouth and his gaze dipped and then he caught her lips in a gentle-as-dawn kiss. If not for the baby between them, he would have held her close.
She pushed away. “How can you kiss me when you belong to Thelma?”
“Kate, it’s not what you think.” He pulled the baby closer as if it would anchor his thoughts.
It failed to do so. He wanted to explain about Thelma.
“I’m not interested in dillydallying with a man. I will be pursuing my studies in medical school as soon as it can be arranged.”
He wasn’t interested in dillydallying either. Nor was he interested in a relationship of any sort with a woman whose plans left no room for him.
But if she knew the truth about the baby and Thelma, would she be willing to consider a different option than the one she seemed committed to? He’d heard loneliness in her voice when she talked about the difference between the family next door and her own. Kate, he knew, wanted and needed family. But she fought it. He wanted her to see that even if there remained no room for him in her heart. But before he could say anything, Grandfather shuffled from his bedroom. “How is the patient this morning?”
Conner realized with a start that the night had flown by. Holding the baby, he told the older man of the improvement.
Grandfather patted her cheek.
Suddenly Conner held the baby away from him. “I believe our little girl’s kidneys are working just fine.”
Kate burst out laughing.
He narrowed his eyes. “You think it’s funny?”
“The look on your face is priceless.” She seemed to try to muffle her amusement as she found a dry diaper in the basket, then took the baby from his arms.
He was glad to have lightened the tension between them. He watched as she changed Ellie’s diaper.
Conner saw her spindly legs and thin thighs. “She’s gaunt.” He blurted out the words without thinking.
Kate finished pinning the dry diaper in place, then turned her serious gaze to him. “She’s been ill or neglected for a long time.”
Conner’s jaw muscles tightened. “I will find Thelma and get an answer as to why this baby is like this.” His heart thudded. Finding Thelma was likely going to make his life even more complicated than it was now.
Grandfather had gone to the kitchen.
Kate faced him. “I know you belong to another woman. We should not have kissed. It must not happen again.”
He had no response. What could he say?
Kate laid the baby in her basket and hurried away without a backward look.
Conner took his time going to the kitchen. How could he explain to Kate he didn’t belong to Thelma in any way? He looked at the baby snuggled in her blankets looking more content than she had since she’d arrived on his doorstep. It was more important to protect Ellie than anything else that he might want to do.
He joined the others for breakfast. Kate sat across the table from him and kept her attention on her plate. Would it make a difference to her to know Ellie wasn’t his daughter? He failed to see how it would. She had made it crystal clear that she would soon be going to medical school with plans to never marry. Imagine not wanting a family. He couldn’t understand it.
Would anything make her change her mind?
Someone banged on the outside door and Pa hurried to open it. He led the sheriff into the kitchen.
“Jesse. Good.” The man was practically a brother and would have helped even if his job didn’t require it.
Jesse greeted everyone.
“Did you get your business tended to?” Pa asked.
Jesse grabbed one of the hard chairs and plunked down, his hat dangling from his hands. “Turned my prisoner over to the marshal and rode home again. But what can I do for you?” He looked at Conner.
Before Conner could answer, Annie clattered into the house. She saw Jesse and Kate. “What’s going on? What did I miss?”
Conner got to his feet. “I’ll show you.” He led the way into the sitting room. Everyone followed. Conner scooped the baby from her basket.
“Ahh,” Annie said, her eyes full of tenderness toward the baby.
Jesse’s mouth fell open. He closed it, swallowed hard and stared. “It’s yours?”
Conner didn’t answer. Let his friend draw his own conclusions.
Jesse tried again. “You have a baby?”
“Thelma does.” He wondered if Kate would notice the distinction he made.
“Thelma is back?” Jesse glanced around. “Where is she?”
“She’s not here.” Everyone waited for him to continue. “I need you to find her for me.”
“Where do you suggest I look?”
“She was with the traveling show last I heard from her. But that was a year and a half ago.”
“I know the show you mean. I’ll make some inquiries,” Jesse said. “So this is your baby? A boy or girl?”
“Little girl. Elspeth, but we call her Ellie.”
Jesse watched the baby for several minutes, shook his head as if he still didn’t believe what he saw. “You sure you want me to find Thelma?”
Conner opened his mouth but could not utter a word. What did Jesse mean?
Jesse continued, “She could take the baby away and it’s obvious you’re very fond of her.”
Conner wondered how Jesse had come to that conclusion. From the look on Conner’s face, the way he held the baby close to his heart or had he seen some other indication?
Kate crowded to Conner’s side and stroked Ellie’s head. “Doesn’t he have as much right to keep the baby and care for her as Thelma?”
Grandfather harrumphed. Pa gave Conner a very pointed look.
“Not if I’m not the father.” He spoke quietly, knowing his news would shock her.
Silence followed his admission.
Jesse broke the silence. “Then why is the baby here?”
“I don’t know, and until we learn the reason, would you keep the fact she isn’t mine a secret?”
“Of course.” Jesse headed for the door. “I’ll start inquiries about Thelma.”
The others quietly slipped away, leaving Conner and Kate.
Kate came round to face Conner. “You’re not the father? Why would you lead me to think otherwise?”
“I didn’t know why Thelma sent her to me. I still don’t.”
Kate kept her head down so he couldn’t see her face. It left him floundering to guess how his announcement had affected her. “Does it make a difference?”
“It changes nothing.” Her head high, she returned to the kitchen, not once looking his direction.
He had his answer as to whether or not she would reconsider her decision regarding a family.
There was no reason he should feel a weight of disappointment pressing on his heart.
She’d never given him reason to think otherwise.
Nor had he changed his mind about protecting his heart against a woman like her.
Except could he really think she was the least bit like Thelma?
