Soon To Be Brides: The Marrying Macallister / That Blackhawk Bride

“Do you need some help opening that?”

“Aakk,” Caitlin said, her head snapping around. “Who are you?”

“Matt MacAllister,” he said, frowning. “Marsha introduced me when I came in. Remember? No, I guess you don’t. This is quite a moment in your life. Go ahead. Say hello to your daughter.”

“Yes, yes, I’m going to do that,” Caitlin said, nodding jerkily. “Right now.” She slid a fingertip under the flap of the envelope, lifted it, hesitated, then reached inside and took out two pictures. A lovely smile instantly formed on her lips and her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, look at her. Just look at her. She’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. My daughter. This is my baby.”

Matt craned his neck with the hope of getting a peek at the photographs but couldn’t see them. He moved closer to Caitlin, just as she turned the pictures over to read what was written on the back.

“She’s… Oh, I’ve forgotten every bit of math I’ve ever known. Okay, let’s see. She’s six months and…two, three…yes, six months and four days old.” She looked at Matt. “Isn’t she gorgeous?”

Matt chuckled. “I’m sure she is, but I haven’t seen her yet.”

“Oh,” Caitlin said, turning the photos back over and holding them side by side for Matt to see. “Look, here she is.”

A funny little sensation of warmth seemed to tiptoe around and through Matt’s heart as he studied the pictures of the baby.

She had black hair that was sticking up in all directions, dark almond-shaped eyes that were staring right at the camera, a rosebud mouth and in both shots she was scowling with not even a hint of a smile. In one picture she was wearing a pink blanket sleeper and in another a faded red one.

Matt’s palms actually began to tingle as he had the irrational urge to reach out, lift the baby from the photograph and nestle her close, hold her tight, tell her everything was going to be just fine.

“She’s…” He cleared his throat. “She’s a heart-stealer, Caitlin. Congratulations. Your daughter is…well, she’s really something. What are you going to name her?”

“I can’t decide between Mackenzie and Madison,” Caitlin said, gazing at the pictures again. “I think I’ll wait until I actually hold her in my arms before I pick which one is right for her.”

“Is everybody happy?” Carolyn said from across the room.

A chorus of affirmative replies filled the air.

“Some of you may have gotten more than one picture of your daughter,” Carolyn went on. “There’s never any rhyme or reason to what they send. I know you could spend the rest of the evening just gazing at those photos, but we have a lot to cover. Marsha, why don’t we have our potluck supper, then we can get down to business. Let’s take a few minutes to share the photographs with everyone before dinner.”

“Okay,” Marsha said, getting to her feet. “Matt, come see the picture of your goddaughter. She’s eleven months old and she’s standing alone in this photo. She’s fantastic. Oh, I’m going to cry again.”

Matt crossed the room and grinned when he saw the picture of Marsha and Bud’s baby. She was wearing a dress that was much too large for her, was obviously not very steady on her feet, as she was holding her arms straight out at her sides, but had a broad smile on her face as though she knew that standing alone was a very big deal. She had a little fluff of dark hair on the top of her head and her smile revealed four teeth—two on the top and two on the bottom.

“Dynamite,” Matt said, laughing. “You two better get your track shoes ready. This little lady is about to conquer the challenge of walking.”

“Isn’t her hair funny?” Bud said. “I love it. Just one wild plop on the top of her head. Hey, Grace, I’m your daddy. Grace Marsha Mathis. How’s that, Matt?”

“Perfect,” Matt said. “Grace. That’s nice. I like it. Caitlin is still undecided between naming her baby Mackenzie or Madison.”

“Oh?” Marsha said, raising her eyebrows. “Caitlin told you that?”

“Well, yeah, I was sitting right there and asked her what she was going to name her and… Marsha, don’t start your matchmaking thing. Okay?” Matt rolled his eyes heavenward. “I almost didn’t survive that bit the last time you did it. Concentrate on Grace Marsha Mathis and forget about me.”

“What I want to know, ole chum,” Bud said, “is whether or not you’ve made up your mind about going to China with us.”

“Count me in. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. When do we leave?”

“I’m not certain. Carolyn may announce the date after dinner.”

“Dinner,” Marsha said. “That’s what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Marsha rushed off and Caitlin followed her to help put the potluck dishes on the dining-room table. The pictures of the babies were passed around, and Matt made no attempt to curb his smile as he looked at each one. They ranged in age from four months to two years.

“What made you decide to go with us on this trip?” Bud asked Matt.

“A lamebrain attorney. Well, that was the reason when I arrived here tonight. But now? This whole thing is awesome, Bud. Families are being created, kids are going to be brought out of crowded orphanages into loving homes and…I want to be there when you see Grace for the first time and Caitlin holds Mackenzie or Madison, whichever name she decides on and… I’m honestly looking forward to going on this journey. I’m…I’m honored to be included.”

Bud nodded. “We’re glad you’re going to be with us, sharing it all.” He paused. “I am now going to chat—not gossip—chat with you. Caitlin works with Marsha at the fashion magazine. Marsha is the assistant editor, as you know, and Caitlin is a copywriter. A very talented one, as a matter of fact.

“The way Marsha tells it, Caitlin wanted to hear every detail of what we were discovering about adopting from China since Marsha is unable to have kids. The Chinese government allows single women to adopt and Caitlin decided it was the perfect answer for her as well.”

“Why?”

“That we don’t know.” Bud shrugged. “She just said that she hoped her approval came through at the same time as ours so we’d be traveling togetherto get our daughters. I believe a girlfriend of Caitlin’s is going with her to help out, like the agency suggested for single moms. The friend must have been busy tonight.”

“Interesting,” Matt said. “I mean, hey, Caitlin is a lovely young woman. Why isn’t she married and having a slew of kids herself? Why is she going the single-mom route?”

“Don’t have a clue,” Bud said. “I’m hungry.”

“Who’s hungry?” Marsha called from the doorway.

“I swear, my wife can read my mind, which is a scary thought at times.”

Matt managed to snag the chair next to Caitlin, and Marsha and Bud sat across from them. The pictures were placed carefully in front of plates around the table. The food was delicious, the conversation centered on babies and the eagerly anticipated journey to the other side of the world.

“Attention, attention,” Carolyn said as a three-layer chocolate cake was being served for dessert. “I’ll talk so I won’t be tempted to indulge in that chocolate delight. Question. Has there been any change in the number of people going along with you?”

“Yes,” Caitlin said. “My girlfriend who was to accompany me to help with the luggage and what have you broke her ankle while in-line skating with her son. My mother and stepfather live in Italy and my stepfather is ill, making it impossible for my mother to leave him right now. Other friends can’t get vacation time on such short notice. So, I’m on my own.”

“We’ll all help you, Caitlin,” Bud said. “In fact, we’re adding Matt to the list of who is going and he’ll be free to assist you with your luggage. Right, Matt?”

“Sure,” Matt said. “No problem.”

“All things should be so easily solved.” Carolyn laughed. “Okay, then, I have the final count so reservations will be made. You’ll be called just as soon as everything is arranged and we have a date of departure. It will be soon, I promise. Matt, is your passport current?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m ready to rock and roll.”

“Excellent.” Carolyn paused. “Finish your sinful dessert while I get the information packets I want to pass out to you.”

“I appreciate your willingness to help me with my luggage, Matt,” Caitlin said.

“It will be my pleasure,” he said, smiling at her. “I’ll just be hanging around tickling babies and taking in the sights.”

Caitlin frowned. “I guess I don’t quite understand why you’re going on this trip. Have you always wanted to travel to China and the opportunity presented itself?”

“Well, not exactly.”