Baby, Oh Baby!

“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.

Chapter Three

After parking in the designated area at the courthouse, Rachel got out, opened the rear door of her compact car and released the restraints on Emma’s carrier. The baby was sleeping soundly, lulled by the car’s motion on the short ride from the apartment to the square in the center of downtown Sweet Spring.

Sighing, Rachel thought how beautiful this child was with her full cheeks, soft skin and cupid’s bow mouth. Sometimes her feelings were so big she was overwhelmed and reminded herself to keep her emotions in check. But how did one censor such a thing? It was there every time she looked at Emma, got bigger when she picked the baby up and held her, fed, bathed and rocked her to sleep.

She’d wondered whether or not to bring the baby to the legal proceeding. In the event the ruling went against her and it was necessary to surrender the baby, she’d decided to bring Emma along. Rachel’s legal counsel was the hospital’s attorney who assessed risk management at the medical facility and had volunteered her time as a favor. Although child custody wasn’t her sphere of expertise, the lawyer had done some research. She’d cautioned that in these cases, nothing was cut-and-dried and there were no guarantees.

Rachel had mixed feelings. Part of her wished Jake would win and it would be over. She stared at the baby as she lifted the carrier out of the car and her heart gave a funny little lurch, as if the earth tilted. Then she thought of Holly whose maternal feelings must be ten times as strong. Rachel knew she had to do everything possible to protect the teenager’s rights. Who else did Holly have in her corner?

But every time Rachel championed someone in need, she got ripped off—either her money or her heart. She brushed a finger across Emma’s cheek and realized this time she could lose both.

Crossing the blacktop parking area, she noticed a truck pull into the lot and recognized Jake behind the wheel. She hadn’t seen him for almost a week. Before things had turned adversarial between them that night in The Fast Lane, she’d enjoyed talking and laughing with him. She’d thought about that often in the days since. He had a nice smile and the crinkle lines around his blue eyes indicated he did it often. Just not with her.

But the tender way he’d looked at Emma… Well, Rachel’s heart had come dangerously close to a melt-down. It was the way she’d always imagined a parent looking at a child—the way her father and mother would have looked at her. If they’d lived.

Wow, what was it about this situation that was stirring up all her most painful memories?

Jake started toward the courthouse, then hesitated when he saw her. He was wearing a navy suit and red tie. His thick dark hair was conservatively cut and neatly combed and she couldn’t help thinking he cleaned up pretty nice. But there was something about the bad boy black cowboy hat and the way he filled out his jeans—it was silly, maybe even stupid, but she missed that impossibly male look.

He walked over to her. “Hello, Rachel.”

“Jake.”

His gaze slid to the baby carrier. “How’s Emma?”

“Sleeping like a baby.” She had the satisfaction of seeing his mouth quirk up.

“Is it my imagination, or is she bigger than the last time I saw her?”

“No, you’re not imagining it.” Rachel shifted the carrier to her other hand. “It’s almost as if I can see her growing.”

“Can I take her for you?” He reached out, his big hand strong and steady.

She hesitated for just a moment. Would it violate the promise she’d made to Holly? Heck, she’d already let him hold the baby. But they were on opposite sides of this issue and she probably shouldn’t even be talking to him. Still, Emma was his niece. It would be more wrong to be inflexible.

She handed the baby over. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

He automatically took her elbow as they crossed the blacktop then climbed the steps to the imposing stone courthouse. It was the legal hub of the city and a busy place. People milled around talking or hurried in and out of the building. Many of them glanced in the infant carrier and smiled at the sleeping baby, then nodded at her and Jake. After Cora and Janie made their assumption that night at The Fast Lane, Rachel figured anyone who looked would also assume they were a couple and Emma belonged to the two of them. Soon the baby would be with one of them legally, if only temporarily. Unless… Rachel decided to try one more time to talk him into dropping his petition.

She put a restraining hand on his arm when he reached out to open the glass door to the building. “Can I talk to you for a minute—before we go in?”

“Okay. What?”

She looked up at him and smiled. “This is way too civilized for two people who are going to do battle shortly.”

“I heard you hired an attorney.”

“I have legal counsel. Whatever happens, I figured I’d give it my best shot for Holly’s sake.” If she’d been with her own mother while she’d been growing up, Rachel wondered if she would be going to the mat on this. Between that tragedy and her unfortunate, yet inherent nature to champion the underdog, she decided she had no choice.

She looked up at him and put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun’s glare. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other night.”

“What did I say?” he asked, frowning.

“Do unto others before they can do it to you. I just wanted to make sure you understand that I’m not trying to do anything to you. I’m just keeping a promise to a young girl who has to live for the rest of her life with the decision she makes. In that spirit, won’t you consider skipping the legal stuff? Can’t we take care of Emma together until the kids come back?”

He let out a long breath. “Look, Rachel, Holly might be okay with you running things, but I’m not. Emma is Dan’s child, too—and my family. No one goes through life without baggage, including me. But you’re interfering in a family matter.”

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