A Randall Hero

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Mom felt you needed more things. Don’t worry about it. She loved doing the shopping.”

“But I don’t think I have enough money right now. I’ll—I’ll pay her back as soon as I get a job, but—”

“Lucy, you’re part of the family. Don’t forget that.”

“That doesn’t mean a lot to me. In our family—”

He stopped her with a finger to her lips, soft and supple beneath his touch. “You’re in a different family now. In the Randall family.”

Before Lucy could reply to that, Caroline stepped into the room. “Are you ready to go, Lucy?”

John noticed her hesitation. She refused to look at him when she said, “I’m not sure I should go with John. His mother has bought a lot of things for Emma. I can’t pay her back.”

“You don’t understand, Lucy,” Caroline said. “Camille doesn’t expect you to pay her back. She just wants to make you as comfortable as she can.”

“But, Dr. Randall, I’m not sure—”

“I’m sure,” John said, no longer willing to listen to her beat herself up over the nonissue. Without awaiting her consent, he gathered up the bags. “I can probably handle Emma, too, if you’d like.”

“No, I’ll carry Emma,” Lucy said, finally standing and moving to her daughter’s bassinet. She lifted Emma out, wrapping her in a blanket. “Do you think she’ll be warm enough, Dr. Randall?”

“I’m sure she will. John will turn on the heater in his truck, too, just to be sure. Right, John?”

“Right, Caro. We’d better go while the truck is still warm, Lucy.” He started out the door.

Lucy stood there, holding her baby, not moving.

Noticing the hesitation, Caroline helped John’s cause. She stepped toward Lucy and put an arm around her shoulders. “Lucy, Camille and John will take good care of the two of you, I promise.”

With her voice shaking, Lucy said, “It’s a little scary thinking about leaving here. I’ve been safe and happy here.”

Caroline smiled. “It’s pretty amazing to hear someone want to stay in the hospital. Most of our patients are anxious to leave.”

“I’m just not sure—”

“I am. I know Camille and John very well. Neither one would harm a hair on your head, and certainly not Emma’s.”

John returned to the room. “What’s taking so long? I’ve got the truck warming up and your bags in it. Now I can carry Emma and you can hold on to my arm, Lucy. Come along.” He took Emma from her arms, gently pulling the blanket more closely across the baby, and waiting for Lucy to take his arm.

Caroline smiled at her. “You’re on your way, Lucy. I’ll check on you in a few days.” She walked the couple to the door of the hospital and watched as John put Emma in the rear car seat, then helped Lucy into the truck.

He circled the truck and got behind the wheel.

“Are you sure her car seat is safe?” Lucy asked the moment he sat down.

“We bought the best kind available.” He looked over his shoulder at Emma. “She looks fine.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“Lucy, why are you feeling so unsettled?”

Lucy looked down at her tightly clenched hands. “I—I think it’s because I’m leaving the hospital. I got comfortable there. Now I’m leaving it to go some place I haven’t ever seen. It’s difficult.”

John reached over and put his hand over hers. “It will be all right, Lucy, I promise. If it’s not, if you’re unhappy, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

Her eyes grew larger. “Really? You’d do that?”

“I would, as long as you had some place to go. But I think you’ll find Mom a great hostess. She’ll love you and your baby, just like a real grandmother.”

“I don’t understand why. I’m not sure my mother would even acknowledge my baby’s birth if we lived next door. My father has a new family and doesn’t even know I’m having a baby. Why would your mother care?”

“Because you’re lovable, Lucy,” John said slowly. “Your husband may not have noticed, because he was too wrapped up in his own feelings, or your parents, but I see a gentle, kind young woman who is going to make a wonderful mother.”

His compliment elicited a blush that gave a glow to her cheeks. Her eyes looked down to her lap as she said, “Th-thank you, John.”

Before he revealed too much of his sudden feelings for her, he changed approaches. “You know, in reality, you’re going to be doing me and Dad a favor.”

“I am?”

“Yeah, but you’ve got to promise not to tell Mom.”

“Why? What are you talking about, John?”

“Mom had major surgery last year. Dad and I have been wanting her to slow down. We tried to get her to hire a housekeeper, but she refused. But with you there, maybe you can help her with some of her jobs taking care of the house. Not a lot. I know you’ve got Emma, but a little help would be nice. We’d just like to know that Mom is relaxing a little bit. Enjoying life more.”

From the relaxed set of her shoulders John could see Lucy’s tension evaporate. Her eyes nearly sparkled now when she spoke. “Of course! I’ll be glad to help her. I’ve been wondering what I can do to repay her for all her kindness.”

“Just remember, you can’t tell Mom what you’re doing. She’d be furious with us if she knew.”

“Of course not, but I’ll be glad to help out.”

“Thanks, Lucy. That will make a difference in Mom’s life. She can rock Emma some, too. She’s been wanting a baby to cuddle for a long time.”

Lucy turned to look at her sleeping baby. “Emma will be glad to volunteer for some cuddling. I think cuddling is a good thing.”

“I think so, too,” he said with a smile. And he knew just who he’d like to cuddle—the beautiful woman beside him.

After a few minutes John came to a stop outside his parents’ house.

“This is nice, and quite large,” Lucy said as she surveyed the ranch house.

“Yeah. That’s why we think Mom needs some help.” He knew his parents’ house was large. And it was true that his father had tried to hire some help, but his mom had refused.

He came around the truck and opened the door. Then he reached up for Lucy, lifting her up and out of the seat. He held her gently, liking the feel of her in his arms.

“John…You can set me down now.”