Читать книгу Baby, Oh Baby! - Teresa Southwick, Teresa Southwick - Страница 10

He was taking Emma to the ranch? Over her dead body, Rachel thought. She’d wondered if this day could get any worse. Now she had her answer. Apparently the gods eagerly pounced on her negative challenge and made it so. She wanted to rephrase—could this day get any better?

Jake Fletcher better leave and take his sweeping pronouncements with him. She had given Holly a solemn promise to keep the child until she returned. Rachel knew how deeply a betrayal could cut. No way was this man taking Emma back to his ranch—or anywhere else for that matter.

Rachel closed her front door, then moved to block the hallway that led to the room where Emma was napping. Looking up at him, way up, she knew there was no way she could stop him if he decided to do this. But she was prepared to bluff him as best she could.

She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not going to let you take Emma out of this apartment, Jake.”

“Oh?”

“Like I told you, Holly gave her to me for safekeeping.”

“I’m not going to hurt her.”

“That’s your interpretation.”

He shook his head. “You accused me of making judgments about you without information. Well, right back at you, Rachel. What kind of man do you think I am? I would never hurt a child, especially my own niece.”

“There are lots of ways you could hurt her. Like keeping her from her mother,” Rachel said.

She couldn’t see his eyes because the brim of his black hat shadowed them. But Jake’s mouth thinned.

“What makes you think I would do that?”

“What I think doesn’t matter. It’s what Holly believes. She made me promise not to give Emma to you. She thinks you’re planning to take the baby away from her.”

He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “That’s the last thing I’d do.”

“Unfortunately I am not the person you have to convince,” Rachel pointed out. “But here’s the deal. I gave Holly my word that I would take care of Emma until she comes back. She made me specifically swear that I wouldn’t hand the baby over to you for any reason.”

“Why would she think I was planning to take Emma?” he asked.

“Because taking over is what you do, Jake.”

“And how do you know this?”

“I saw it for myself. You insisted on being at the childbirth classes. What was that about? And when Holly wouldn’t follow your command to get married, you tried to talk her into going to the ranch after she left the hospital with the baby, even though she made it clear she didn’t want to go anywhere with you. You questioned everything she did from the way she held the baby to how Emma was dressed. It’s plain as day you don’t trust her. Next you’ll probably check into the electronic surveillance ankle bracelets they make prisoners wear.”

“After this stunt they’ve pulled, it’s not a bad idea,” he said.

“The point is, you’re always there, not giving them a chance to breathe.”

“I’m supporting my brother,” he said, an edge to his voice.

“That’s commendable. But his actions speak volumes. He left with Holly. I think the two of them have had about all the support from you they can stand.”

“His actions leave a lot to be desired. He put his child in the care of an outsider,” he said.

“An outsider maybe. But it was his decision to make, not yours,” she pointed out. “That means I have permission from him as well as Holly to care for their baby until we have some word from them. And that’s what I intend to do.”

The muscle in his lean cheek contracted. “You’re interfering in a family situation.”

She chose to ignore the interfering remark. “You and Dan are family, but Holly hasn’t got anyone except me.”

Rachel promised herself she would never take in another person in need. Ever. But now that she was up to her eyes in alligators on Holly’s behalf, she would go to the mat on the issue of protecting Holly’s rights to her baby. Mother and child went together like home and hearth.

“What if she doesn’t come back?” he asked.

“Of course she’ll be back,” Rachel said automatically.

But she knew from firsthand experience that sometimes things happened. Sometimes mothers didn’t come back. Or fathers, either. Yearning for what could never be spasmed inside her, like a hunger that could never be satisfied.

“Come on, Rachel. Be realistic. There’s a story on the news almost every night about a baby abandoned, sometimes in a Dumpster.”

“Holly didn’t do that. She arranged for me to care for her baby until she comes back.”

“If she comes back.”

She would, Rachel thought. She was almost sure of it. “Holly didn’t just run off without a word. She was breastfeeding and waited to do this as long as she could—until the baby had received the benefits of breast milk.”

“If she’d stayed, Emma would still be receiving the benefits,” he said.

“I’m not saying it’s an ideal situation. But a lot of working mothers wean their infants because they have to return to work.”

Jake folded his arms over his chest. “Sugarcoat it all you want, Rachel. She’s irresponsible.”

“That’s your opinion.”

“And I’ve got another one. It’s weird for an attractive, single woman to turn her life upside down for a teenager’s baby.”

“So if I was an unattractive woman it would be okay?” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s not like I’m going to adopt Emma. This is just for a few weeks. So unless I hear differently, I intend to keep my promise. When Holly comes back, her baby will be here waiting for her.”

Something told Rachel that Jake would be waiting, too. He was Emma’s biological uncle and frustration seemed to be rolling off him in tangible waves. On the one hand, she understood Holly’s concerns about Jake’s tendency to take control. On the other, Rachel had to give him credit for getting involved. How many men would so aggressively seek out the burden of a newborn? She couldn’t decide if he was concerned, caring or just plain crazy.

But in this regard Jake was certainly different from the men she normally met. Rachel knew her fatal flaw was her inability to turn away from someone in need. She had no illusions. No good deed went unpunished.

“So we’re at an impasse,” he said.

“Unless you decide to muscle your way past me and forcibly take Emma.”

“I’m not in the habit of manhandling women.”

A discreet look at his broad chest made her wonder what he was in the habit of doing with women. That thought sent an unwilling shiver over her arms.

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said.

“Well you won’t be glad to hear that I intend to stop your interference.”

“Why can’t you just relax and let Holly and Dan do this their way?”

“If you would give me the baby, I’d be happy to relax. But since you refuse, I’ll go to plan B.”

“That’s the one where you bulldoze everyone to get what you want.” She nodded. “I’ll consider myself warned. And you know the way out.”

He touched the brim of his hat in what was probably an automatic, ingrained polite gesture. Then he walked out of her apartment. After turning the deadbolt and fitting the chain lock securely across the door, Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.

Jake had voiced her worst fear—what if Holly didn’t come back? Rachel decided to be an optimist. No one knew better than she that the road to hell was paved with good intentions. But unless she had evidence to the contrary, she planned to keep the baby healthy and happy until she could put her back into her mother’s arms.

In a perfect world, Holly and Dan would decide to get married, make a home for their baby and live happily ever after. But life wasn’t a fairy tale. She shivered as the thought reminded her yet again of February 29 in New Orleans. They had joked about the scenario calling for three wishes, and they’d each had one.

If the situation she found herself in truly was a result of her birthday wish, she could only be grateful she hadn’t had two more of her very own. She could be in three times as much trouble.

She tiptoed down the hall to check on the sleeping baby. Rachel smiled tenderly as she looked in the crib. Somehow, even on her back Emma had scooched her way straight up into the corner, her head butted up against the bumper pad. Touching the downy head and tiny fist with one finger, Rachel’s heart contracted. Feelings as big as the wide open spaces of Texas expanded inside her.

“You’re not trouble, little one,” she whispered. “You’re nothing but a blessing. It’s your uncle who’s a pain in the posterior.”

And not only because he was going to throw his weight around.

Three days later, Jake walked into The Fast Lane, Sweet Spring’s bowling alley coffee shop, with the newspaper under his arm. He sat down in his usual booth, then stared at the tufted red Naugahyde seat across from him. It hit him suddenly that he’d never noticed the color or the tufting before. Because usually Dan sat across from him. They came here for dinner often.

Sally Jean Simmons sidled up to him, order pad and pencil in hand. “Hey, Jake. How’s it goin’?”

He looked up at the tall, pretty brunette. “Okay. How about you? How’s that boy of yours? He’s what now? Five? Six?”

“Seven,” she said smiling. “He’s doin’ great, thanks.” She glanced at the empty seat across from him. “Where’s Dan tonight?”

Jake felt the knot in his gut pull tighter. “He made other plans.”

And didn’t see fit to share them with me, he silently added. Every time he thought about his brother taking off without saying a word to him, he got mad all over again.

“Look on the bright side,” Sally said, studying him. “Table for one will ease the strain on your wallet. The way that boy can pack away food is scary. I’m not looking forward to footin’ the bills when my little guy takes a growth spurt like Dan has. What can I get you tonight?”

“Coffee for starters,” he said. “And a menu.”

“Since when do you need a menu?” she asked. “It hasn’t changed in the five years I’ve been working here and you know that sucker by heart.”

He shrugged. “Just thought looking at it might help me make up my mind.”

“Comin’ right up.” Her hips swayed as she walked away.

Jake noted her curvy figure covered in tight worn denim and an equally snug T-shirt with The Fast Lane printed on the back. A vision of spiky blond hair, big brown eyes and a body dressed in sunbeam yellow flashed into his mind. It had been several days since he’d seen Rachel Manning, but she was never far from his thoughts. Partly because she was a damned attractive woman. And partly because today Little Miss Muffet was probably sorry she’d gotten between him and his family.

Behind him, the bell over the door rang as it was opened, then dinged again when it shut. He moved his napkin-wrapped eating utensils aside, then unfolded his newspaper and spread it on the Formica table in front of him. A moment later he smelled perfume and sensed someone standing beside him.

“Jake, we need to talk.”

Rachel. He braced himself, but not enough. When he looked up, his gut pulled tight again, but not from anger, annoyance or regret. It was plain old-fashioned appreciation for a beautiful woman.

“Rachel,” he said.

She was wearing shorts that flared a bit at her thighs and a tank top made out of T-shirt material with skinny straps that curved over her tanned shoulders. Her hair was combed this time in a deliberately mussed style that looked like a man had just run his fingers through it. The circles beneath her eyes were deeper and darker than they’d been a few days before. That awareness stirred the annoying protective streak he’d first noticed that morning in her apartment. Hardening himself against the feeling, he turned his attention to the baby carrier she held. Emma was supposed to be the primary focus of this newly discovered protective streak.

“Have a seat,” he said, indicating the place across from him.

“This isn’t a social call.”

“Didn’t think it was, but you can still sit.”

She shifted the carrier to her other hand, then flexed her fingers as if the combined weight of Emma and the contraption had taken a toll. He reached over and took the infant seat from her, then set it on the table.

His heart contracted at the sight of the sleeping baby. Her little mouth was puckered up and moving as if she sucked an imaginary bottle in her sleep. Long, dark lashes curved above cheeks just beginning to show signs of getting chubby. Jake didn’t know the first thing about babies, but this one was a stunner in his book.

“How’s she doin’?”

“Great.”

It was just one word, but there was a softness in Rachel’s voice that made him look up. Her expression as she stared at the baby held a tenderness he wouldn’t have expected from a woman so tenacious and hard-headed.

“Everything all right?” he asked, glancing at the little girl sleeping in the seat.

“She’s perfect,” Rachel answered, placing a hand on the carrier.

Just then Sally Jean returned. “Here you go, Jake. Coffee and a menu.” She glanced at Rachel. “Need another one?”

“No,” Rachel said.

“Yes,” he answered at the same time.

“I’m not staying for dinner.”

“Have you already eaten?” he asked.

“No, but that’s not why I’m—”

“On second thought,” he told Sally Jean. “We’ll have two orders of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.”

“I’m not hungry,” Rachel said.

“It comes with a salad or soup,” Sally Jean said.

Jake studied Rachel and figured she was a greens kind of gal. “We’ll have salad with thousand island dressing.”

“Biscuits, French rolls, or garlic toast?”

“Garlic toast,” he answered, deciding there was no way the two of them would be kissing.

“Comin’ right up,” the waitress said, then moved away.

“I came to talk to you, not to eat dinner,” Rachel informed him.

“You can kill two birds.” And in that vein, he figured buying her dinner could feather his own nest. If he was nice to her, maybe he could soften her up and talk her into bowing out gracefully.

Rachel stared at him and before she could respond, two old ladies, one with gray hair, the other bright red, slid out of the booth behind her. Jake spent a lot of time on the ranch and didn’t recognize the two women. When they started past, Gray Hair stopped by Emma’s car seat and peeked in.

“Congratulations,” she said, looking from Rachel to him. “What a beautiful baby.”

“Isn’t she?” Rachel said to them. “Cora Edens, Janie Compton, I’d like you to meet Jake Fletcher.”

“Hello,” gray-haired Cora said.

“Nice to meet you.” Flame-haired Janie stuck out her hand and Jake shook it.

“Rachel, dear,” Cora said. “I didn’t know you were married.”

“Oh, it’s not what—”

“Or pregnant,” Janie said, looking at the baby. “What’s her name?”

“Emma,” Rachel answered.

“She’s a beauty.” Cora glanced at Jake. “She’s got the same indentation in her chin as her father. I think she’ll have your coloring, too. Can’t tell much from that fuzz all over her head, but my guess is her hair will be dark.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, unsure what response to make, but knowing one was required. He could have said they weren’t married and Emma wasn’t theirs, but that was a can of worms he didn’t particularly want to open.

“Cora, Janie,” Rachel said, “Jake and I aren’t married. This isn’t what you think—”

Apparently Rachel didn’t feel the same way about worms.

Janie put a finger to her lips. “Don’t you fret. Far be it from me to judge you and your young man for doing the wild thing.”

“No, it’s not that—”

“If I was a few years younger, I’d be suckered by those blue eyes, too, honey. I just know you and your fella will do right by this baby and get married. It’s plain as day.” Cora patted her arm, then took another look into the carrier. “She’s somethin’.”

Janie curved her fingers around the other woman’s arm. “C’mon, sister. We have to go before you embarrass this nice young couple any more. Good to see you, Rachel. Jake, nice to meet you.”

“Wait—” Rachel held her hand up as the bell above the door double-dinged their departure. She met his gaze and there was a hint of a grin in her brown eyes. “Why didn’t you set them straight?”

“Because I saw how you were wasting your breath,” he said. “Besides, I was too busy trying to wrap my mind around that ‘wild thing’ remark.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, her cheeks pink. “I had no idea talking to you here would be a problem.”

“No harm done.”

“That may not be entirely true.”

“How do you know those two? Doesn’t seem like you’d travel in the same circles.”

“Cora was in the hospital when she broke her hip and had surgery. As soon as a patient is admitted, it’s my job to juggle their course of treatment with their insurance reimbursement. I also check into nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. In Cora’s case, she needed heavy-duty physical therapy to get her back on her feet. It’s nice to see her up and around. On the other hand, she’s up and around and moving so well the whole town will think we’ve had a baby together.”

“Are you saying that sweet little old lady has a big mouth?”

“Mouths. Plural. Those two sweet little old ladies spread stories like a farmer spreads manure,” she said, sitting down across from him.

Jake laughed. He couldn’t help himself. Then Sally Jean set two salads in front of them. With her hands on her hips, she looked from Rachel to Jake. “You two look like you’re havin’ fun.”

Jake wouldn’t go that far. But if anyone had told him he would be laughing over dinner with the woman who was messing with his family, he’d have called the person crazy.

“Entrées will be out in a few,” she said, and walked away without waiting for an answer.

“Eat. You need to keep your strength up.” But when the smile disappeared from Rachel’s face, part of him wanted to call the words back.

“My strength? Because of the baby,” she guessed, her gaze narrowed on him. “If you have your way, that won’t be an issue much longer.”

“You got the papers?” he asked.

“Regarding Emma’s custody hearing? Yes,” she said, picking up her fork.

Jake studied her, wondering if she was planning to stab him with it. Just a moment before, when she’d laughed with him, her brown eyes had been sweet and warm as cocoa. Now her expression was pinched and uncomfortable, as if her panties had shrunk two sizes.

“How could you, Jake?”

“You left me no choice.”

“There’s always a choice. I’m here to try to talk you into dropping your custody petition.”

“Now why would I do that after that high-priced attorney spent so much time on it?”

“Because you want what’s best for Emma.”

He didn’t see it that way. But the least he could do was hear her out. “Tell me how ignoring the fact that my niece isn’t with her family is in her best interest.”

“You don’t have to ignore anything—especially her. In fact I would encourage you to spend as much time with Emma as you’d like. Keeping this situation out of the court system is what would be best for everyone. It’s not too late to rescind the paperwork.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Jake, listen to me,” she pleaded. “You must see that ideally Emma should be with Holly and Dan. They’re her parents.”

“Okay. I’ll grant you that.” He met her gaze. “But they’re not here at the moment. They took off and left their child with you. I don’t see that as ideal.”

“Me, neither. But where’s the harm in leaving things status quo?”

“I’m just making sure my brother’s rights are protected.”

“I’m not going to trample his rights. I’d like nothing more than to put this child in his arms and Holly’s. That’s what I plan to do as soon as possible. But if the court gets involved, it will only complicate issues when Holly and Dan come back.”

“How can you be so sure about Holly?” he asked.

For an instant doubt shadowed her eyes, making them dark and distant. A moment later the look disappeared. Determination hardened her expression, compressing her full lips.

“I told you before, Jake, this is her baby. She’ll be back.” Rachel sat up straighter and met his gaze. “For that matter, what about your brother?”

“What about him?”

“You keep doubting Holly, but what about Dan?”

“Say it straight out, Rachel.”

“He lied to me,” she reminded him. “How do you know he won’t keep on running?”

If he knew what was good for him he would, Jake thought, trying to decide what sort of punishment would fit this crime. But sooner or later the Fletcher instincts would kick in. Dan would do the right thing.

“He belongs here. The land is in his blood. He’ll be back,” Jake said, absolutely convinced he spoke the truth.

“Then there’s no reason to go to court. Emma will be fine with me until her parents come home.”

It wasn’t that simple. He’d had a child taken from him; he knew how it felt. He wouldn’t stand by and do nothing while the same thing happened to his brother. This time he wasn’t a boy. No one was going to take advantage of him.

“It’s nothing personal, Rachel.”

“Then why does it feel that way?”

“I couldn’t say. I’ve learned not to take chances. Do unto others before they do it to me.”

“That’s awfully cynical.”

“I’ve got my reasons.”

“Of course.” She put her fork down, leaving the salad untouched. “But I’m wondering if I should be insulted.”

“That wasn’t my intention. I’m just trying to protect Dan.”

“I assure you that I have no intention of hurting him. I’m just trying to keep you from inadvertently hurting Holly.”

“I have nothing against Holly.”

“Then I propose we try to find the kids and talk the whole thing over.”

“I’ve got a private investigator looking for them. In the meantime, we’ll talk it over in court and let a judge make the decision.”

Rachel shook her head. “If this gets into the judicial system, it’s out of our hands. Don’t you see, Jake?”

“Yeah, I see fine.”

“But you won’t change your mind?”

“Not a chance. Not when I’m holding all the cards.”

She slid out of the booth and picked up the infant carrier. “I guess I’ll see you in court.”

Then she was gone and the bell over the door double-dinged. He stared again at the tufted red Naugahyde across from him. The Fast Lane felt suddenly empty. What was that all about? An evening that had stretched out before him pretty dreary and depressing had picked up considerably when Rachel had arrived. Now she was gone and he was alone. Again.

Jake found he was looking forward to seeing her in court—for all the wrong reasons.