Child of Mine

“At school. Miss Randolph said that’s where she’s gonna go on her next vacation.”

“I think Miss Randolph was joking. How many more reading questions do you have?”

“Two.”

Miss Randolph must have been having a bad day, but kids could drive the most patient adult batty. Matt remembered when Danny was about three, an age when he was questioning everything. He went through a period of asking about everyone he saw. Everyone they passed on the street, walking or driving. And even though Rosewood was a small town, that was a lot of “who’s that?” Matt smiled to himself. But the little guy had been so excited to see every new face.

Every stage had been a revelation to Matt. He’d seen the world through new eyes.

Danny put his books and notebook into his backpack, then hung it on the hook near the door.

In the adjoining great room, Matt sat on a thick rug that was anchored by a heavy coffee table. On it, he and Danny had assembled an elaborate dinosaur settlement. Danny joined him, but seemed preoccupied as he adjusted the volcano.

Matt hoped Leah hadn’t said anything. “Something bothering you, pal?”

Danny shrugged. “Billy’s gonna have a baby brother or sister.”

Matt could hear the dejected note in his son’s voice. “You don’t sound very excited.”

“Billy was my only friend like me. You know, who didn’t have any brothers or sisters.”

Matt sighed. “I see.” In the past he’d told Danny that it took both a mother and father in a marriage for siblings. He had impressed upon him the value of family, the sanctity of marriage. But he didn’t want to bring up the subject of Danny’s mother right now. He’d always told Danny that he didn’t know where she was. “Billy’s always been a good friend to you, hasn’t he?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And he’s happy about having a new brother or sister?”

Danny pushed a toy brontosaurus close to a tall, plastic palm tree. “Uh-huh.”

“Then, how should a good friend feel for him?”

Danny was quiet for a while. “Happy?”

“Yes, even though that’s not very easy. But, what do we know about the right thing to do?”

“That it’s not always easy.”

Matt leaned over to hug him, his heart tightening. He believed everything he’d taught his son and what he was telling him now. But he also believed everything he’d told Leah Hunter. He couldn’t let her snatch Danny away from everything he knew and loved until she tired of whatever she was playing at. For all John’s failings, Matt couldn’t accept that he would have lied about something so important.

John’s father had been a weak man, but Matt and John’s mother had been a woman of deep faith and strong values. And Matt was convinced that John would have matured into a responsible man had he lived.

“Dad, do you think you might get married sometime?”

Matt cleared his throat. There hadn’t been much time for anyone in his life except Danny. And now… “I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “But I can’t get married just so you’ll have a little brother or sister. It has to be someone I love.”

Danny’s eyes were so serious. “Do you love anyone?”

“You betcha.” Matt tousled his dark hair. “I love you, buddy.”

Danny giggled. “I know that!”

“Good.” Matt reached across the table, adjusting one of the toy dinosaurs. “Your tyrannosaurus rex is about to eat that palm tree.”

“Nah! A rex doesn’t eat trees!”

Soon they were engrossed in the dinosaur valley and remained so until bath and bedtime. After a story and prayers, Matt tucked Danny in.

He looked so young as his eyelids grew heavy and he fought the last surrender to sleep. So young and innocent. How would it affect his son if he and Leah waged a legal battle over him?

Sighing, Matt smoothed the hair back on Danny’s forehead. He straightened the blanket, then turned the lamp off. But he left a small night-light on as he’d always done.

Back in the kitchen, he reached in the refrigerator for a Coke when he heard a quiet knock on the back door. Opening it, he was glad to see his old friend. “Hey, Roger.”

“It’s not story or bath time, is it?”

“Nope, Danny just got to sleep.”

“Wish I hadn’t missed seeing him, but I’m glad I’m not interrupting. Can I borrow your router?”

“Sure.” Matt held up his can of cola. “Want something to drink?”

“Sounds good.”

Matt pulled out another Coke and handed it to his friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring that bookcase over today.”

Roger shrugged as he straddled one of the bar stools. “I figured you got busy.”

“I got paranoid.”

Pausing midway in opening the soft drink, Roger glanced at his friend. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

“Danny’s mother’s in town.”

“What?”

Matt took the stool across the counter. “No warning. Just showed up.”

“What does she want?”

“Danny.”

Roger reared back. “Just like that?”

Matt recounted Leah’s story. “And now, showing up at the school…”

“That’s not exactly sinister. If she’s on the level, it’d make sense that she’d want to see where and how he’s being educated.”

“Or how she can get to him,” Matt replied darkly.

“You think she’s planning to snatch him?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s what I’ve been asking myself ever since she showed up.”

“But then she’d be opening herself up to a legal nightmare.” Roger shook his head. “Unless she’s completely stupid, that wouldn’t make any sense.”

“Hmm.”

“Have you considered that she could be good for Danny?”

“In what possible way?”

“Every kid wants a mother, Matt. She may not be perfect, but she is his mother.”

“Not perfect? What if she gets to know him, gets bored and walks away again? No. I’m not going to let Danny get hurt like that. He deserves the best, and up till now that’s what I’ve tried to give him. She could tear all that down, make him doubt the foundation he’s always trusted.”

“Are you sure she’s really as bad as all that? I mean, you said she just got into town. How do you know what kind of person she is? It’s been eight years. She could have changed. Sounds like she was just a kid herself when she had him.”

“She’s going to say all the right things,” Matt protested.

“Have you got a choice? At least here, it’s on your turf. If you get into lawyers, she could win. Mothers always have the edge in custody cases, even when they shouldn’t. Think about it. What better place is there to learn who the real Leah is?”

Matt didn’t want to learn who the real Leah was. He kept picturing his brother when he’d returned home, shaky, almost frightened.

But Roger was right. He had a better chance of uncovering the real Leah here in Rosewood than anywhere else.

Within a few days, Leah had discovered which classroom Danny was in and had met his teacher. One of the younger teachers, Miss Randolph was open and friendly. But then Leah had found that the entire staff was pretty much that way. As part of the Community Church, the school reflected the church’s attitude, Annie had explained.

When Leah volunteered to help out in the class, Miss Randolph was happy to have her. Nervous about her first day, Leah brought cupcakes to smooth the way. Annie, now her staunch supporter, had offered both the use of her kitchen and her grandmother’s cake recipe. But Leah had painted the faces on the cupcakes herself with layers of multicolored icing. Tigers, lions, giraffes, bears.

Now that the time had come to offer them to the children, Miss Randolph clapped her hands together. “Okay, let’s line up for treats.”

Accustomed to the routine, the kids got into an orderly line. As prearranged, Leah held the large platter of cupcakes. The kids were used to treats, but eyes widened when they saw the elaborate animal faces with realistic whiskers and expressions.

Pleased, Leah relaxed somewhat. But it was difficult to pull her focus from Danny. She wanted to watch his every move. Knowing she couldn’t single out one child for her attention, she tried to be casual, tried not to stare.

But he was so lively. And interested in everything.

All of the children were intrigued by the unusual treats and took care choosing just which animal they wanted. When it was Danny’s turn, he scrunched his face into concentrated lines, then picked the lion.

“Thanks,” he said politely with an upturned grin. “These are cool.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Did you make ’em?”

“Yes,” she replied, wanting to say more, but knowing she couldn’t. Especially since she felt the sting of tears. The cupcake was the first thing she’d given him…the first thing he’d been able to thank her for. Such a simple, ordinary occurrence.

And it meant the world.

She kept it together as she handed out the rest of the treats and then did cleanup duty. But her gaze continued to stray until the teacher divided the children into reading groups. Leah was supposed to help anyone who needed it.

Since the class, like all the others in the school, was small, so were the individual groups. Leah rotated between them as Miss Randolph had instructed, but she was drawn to Danny’s.

Danny read his section aloud without error.

It was a little girl named Lily’s turn. She was obviously much shyer. “The water hit the wall with a big…” She paused, trying to decipher the word.

“Splash,” Danny whispered.

Lily smiled. “Splash,” she said aloud, then continued reading.

Leah was pleased to see that he was kind to the children who didn’t work at his level. That behavior could come naturally.

Or from what he’d been taught.

She had to acknowledge the truth. Danny’s upbringing had been a good one. And that was because of Matt.

Beneath the man’s glower and glare, there must be something else. Something that had shaped Danny.

By late evening most of the guests at the bed-and-breakfast were either upstairs in their rooms or relaxing in the main parlor. The spacious old house had a small rear parlor off the kitchen that was Annie’s private space, one that she invited Leah to share.

“These old Victorian houses are great,” Leah said, relaxing in a bentwood rocking chair.

“Some people are put off because they’re too big. I think they’re cozy. Especially here by the kitchen.”

Leah smiled. “I always thought it would be nice to have a sturdy table right in the middle of the kitchen, the family gathering around for meals.”

“That not what you’re used to?”

“Oh, my mother likes things more formal, dinner in the dining room, using the china and crystal.” Leah shrugged, her eyes softening. “This just seems warmer, homier.”

“Do you have a very big family?”

“No. I’m an only child. My parents had me kind of late, when they were in their forties. And when I didn’t come along in the expected time line, I think they gave up. So I was a surprise. And by then they were used to giving dinner parties, entertaining clientele.”

“Sounds lonely.”

“I didn’t mean it to. They doted on me. Because they were older, their friends were, too, so I had lots of attention. We traveled, which was great. It’s just that, sometimes, I wondered about places, well, like Rosewood. Elegant is beautiful, but I wondered about simpler places where rustic is okay, too.” Embarrassed, Leah laughed. “Listen to me.”

“I’m enjoying it. I don’t have many friends from outside of Rosewood and I know practically nothing about city living.”

“How about you? How did you come to be the one who inherited your grandparents’ house? No siblings to share it with?”

Annie’s dark eyes saddened. “When I was a baby, my parents and older brother and sister were killed in a car accident. I was here with my grandparents.”

Horrified, Leah stopped rocking and laid one hand over Annie’s. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

“It’s part of who I am.” Annie’s face was drawn. “Part of the family curse.”

“Curse?”

“I don’t know what else to call it. I told you my grandparents’ first home burned. Their other child, my mother’s only brother, died in the fire.”

“That doesn’t mean your family’s cursed, Annie.”

“When I was twenty-one I met…the most wonderful man in the world.” Annie’s voice thickened. “He wasn’t from here. He was a tourist just passing through. But after we met…well, anyway, we fell in love. And we got engaged. The day after, I was waiting for him so we could call his parents. When he didn’t show up, I got worried and went over to the hotel. He didn’t answer when I knocked on his door. The manager finally got the key, and when he opened the door, David was inside. At first I couldn’t understand how he could sleep through both of us banging on the door.” Annie paused, remembering. “He had died in the night. His heart. The doctor said he must have had a preexisting condition. He was twenty-five years old. I knew then what the preexisting condition was—my family curse.”

“Oh, Annie, no! It was a terrible thing to happen, but it wasn’t your fault.”

“If he’d just kept driving, hadn’t met me—”

“You can’t believe that!”

Annie leaned back in her chair. “I keep praying it isn’t true. But it isn’t safe for anyone to become part of my family. Look what happens.”

“So you intend to live alone the rest of your life?”

“No. I turned the bakery into a bed-and-breakfast so I have company.” Annie smiled, trying, but still not hiding her pain. “And sometimes, when I’m lucky, guests are as good as family.”

“I don’t believe in curses, and I’ve always wanted a sister. So, I’ll sign on.”

Annie’s smile faltered. “Don’t even joke.”

“I’m not. I took a huge leap of faith by trusting you with the most important secret I have. You proved that was the right thing to do. Let me prove this to you.”

“Oh, I don’t know, Leah. You haven’t lived with this fear.”

“I’ve lived with the fear of thinking I might not find my son alive every day of the last eight years. There isn’t a greater fear.”

Annie’s lips trembled. “I’ve prayed that this curse isn’t real.”

Leah held out her hand. “Sisters?”

Annie hesitated, then reached out, as well. “Sisters.”

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