Holiday Baby

Simon stared at the bundle, feeling like he’d fallen into a deep mining hole. He looked at Cat before glancing back at the bundle, his innards roiling. Then he glanced at his friend, noticed Zach’s balled fists and broke out in a sweat. “What’s this about?”

Zach stood rigid, looking every inch the army captain ready to flog him within an inch of his life. He looked back at his sister. “Maybe Cat will finally tell us.”

Her white face flushed red.

Simon had no words. Could it be...?

Ginger pulled on her husband’s arm. “Come on, Zach. Let them handle this.”

“Handle what?” Simon asked, feeling as if that black mining hole was closing in on him.

“Go, Zach. Please, just go.” Cat’s voice was firm, pleading.

People were beginning to take note of their exchange.

“Fine, but this isn’t over.” Zach gave him a pointed glare before walking away.

Simon focused on the pink bundle. It moved and he nearly lost his breakfast when he spotted brown eyes like his own peep out from under a frilly knit cap.

“Is...is it mine?” Deep down, he knew it was but hoped for some other explanation.

Cat did not look happy. Not at all. “It is a girl. Your daughter, Opal.”

Simon backed up a few steps. His ears rang as he stared at a perfectly formed little face. The heat of the building he’d welcomed only a moment ago suffocated him now.

Cat waited for him to say something, anything, but he simply stared.

“She needs changing.” Cat shook her head and left.

Helpless, Simon watched her go. He’d always been a careful man, but they’d been under stress and...

They’d made a child.

The reality of what they’d done sank in and it wasn’t pleasant. Why hadn’t she told him?

He had to get out of there. He could not step into that sanctuary and sit like nothing had happened.

He bolted out the front door and walked blindly until he finally reached a small park that overlooked the brilliant blue waters of Maple Bay. Gulping fresh, cold air, Simon ran his hand through his hair.

He was a father.

“Forgive me, Lord,” he whispered. “I didn’t know. She never said...”

Why hadn’t she called him? Sure, he wasn’t cut out for fatherhood—he’d had no example to follow—yet he deserved to know that he had a child.

A daughter who’d need her father.

Simon rubbed his forehead. God knew how messed up Simon had been without one. He also knew how Simon had messed up his brother and sister by trying to step in and be one for them.

His stomach turned. He was leaving at the end of the year. He’d already severed his leases for the house and shop—

Opal.

The image of that little face with big brown eyes flashed through his thoughts. Cat had named their daughter Opal. She was so small and dainty. Helpless. He didn’t know what to do with a baby, let alone dealing with Cat.

But the real question was, did he want to stay and find out?

* * *

Cat remained in the small room with several rocking chairs for nursing moms. On the other side of the room, two women chatted happily about their babies, but Cat didn’t join in. Her thoughts twisted in every direction.

The only reason she’d come to her brother’s church was because she knew fewer people at his congregation versus the church where her parents went. She couldn’t face scrutiny from all those people who’d known her since childhood as she stood in the same building with the family members whose lives she destroyed. They’d raise their eyebrows at her having a baby and rightly so.

Simon was here.

Cat tried to make sense of him moving to Maple Springs. It didn’t make sense. He was a modern-day Indiana Jones—he should be off somewhere having another death-defying adventure. At least he’d made it safely out of Africa and he looked well. In fact, he cleaned up really well and she hated herself for noticing.

Had he given up gem hunting to finally settle down? Her heart beat a little faster.

“You okay?” Ginger stepped into the nursery.

Zach’s wife had a magnetic, sunny nature. In the short time she’d been home, Cat witnessed how good Ginger was with her brother. He was not only happy, but seemed at peace.

Cat wouldn’t mind if some of that peace rubbed off on her. She shifted Opal. “As well as can be expected, I guess. How’s Zach?”

“Oh, he’s fuming.” Ginger bit her lip, but laughter shone from her eyes. “I’m sure he’ll give Simon an earful the next time he sees him. So, like, is he Opal’s father?”

“Yes.” Cat couldn’t see the humor in the situation. “Wait, Simon’s not in church?”

“Nope, he left.”

Cat had never expected to see him again, let alone here in Maple Springs, in a church of all places, but knowing he’d left after their brief confrontation didn’t sit well. Not at all.

Glancing at a sleeping Opal, Cat gritted her teeth. He’d left her yet again. So similar to the way he’d brushed her off the morning after they’d stayed in that hut, as if what they’d shared had meant nothing. Evidently, Opal was nothing to him, as well.

Ginger glanced at the other two women, still talking. “He’s been coming to church for a couple of months now. Zach invited him. He owns the new jewelry shop in town and makes some gorgeous stuff. Darren bought Bree’s engagement ring there.”

“I saw it.” It was beautiful, a diamond resting in swirls of white gold.

Cat had interviewed Simon last year, yet she remembered that he’d apprenticed under a master bench jeweler in London before becoming a certified gemologist who roamed the world seeking out precious gems. Opening his own jewelry shop might make sense, given his talents and training, but why here?

It wasn’t surprising that Simon and her brother were friends. They were both shop owners. Both artisans. Simon had put down roots in her hometown of all places. He knew members of her family, yet it appeared that he’d never admitted to knowing her.

Ginger picked at the edge of the baby blanket. “He’s a nice guy, Cat. Too bad he’s closing up shop and leaving.”

“What?” Her stomach tipped and rolled.

Ginger shrugged. “No one knows why. His store seemed to be doing well, but he’s announced that he’s closing after the holidays.”