A Match Made by Baby

“The Mommy Club did a great job recommending one. It’s on the first floor of an old house. I still don’t have an upstairs neighbor, which is nice because the kids have the run of the yard anytime they want it. And I can’t believe how reasonable the rent is. I think my next goal is to find a job nursing in Fawn Grove so I don’t have to commute. Mom and Dad need a life, too, outside of babysitting.”

“I’ll keep my ears open.”

“Thank you. How are you?”

Today she was a bit disconcerted, but other than that... “I’m good.”

“Are you going to The Mommy Club fund-raiser at Raintree Winery next week?”

Kaitlyn had to smile. “The bachelor auction? I don’t know. I’ll help Sara and Jase get the word out, but the event itself isn’t quite my cup of tea.”

Because the thought of a dinner date threw her into a tizzy? She’d never been much of a dater, not with her med school workload and meeting Tom. When she looked back at her marriage, she wondered if she and Tom had settled for each other because it had been convenient, because they’d both wanted a family. But her miscarriage and the reason behind it had ended that possibility in Tom’s mind.

“Are you going to the fund-raiser?” Kaitlyn asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“No,” Val returned with a firm shake of her head. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to think about dating again.”

“You need more time.”

“And a fairy godmother,” Val said with a laugh.

Did all women really have dreams of finding Prince Charming? On that score, Kaitlyn’s dreams had dissolved into something much more practical—a thriving practice where she could help the kids she saw every day. She didn’t need anything else.

However, as Kaitlyn was driving back to Fawn Grove, she felt an inexorable pull toward Adam’s condo to see how he was faring with his niece. After all, she’d told him she’d check in on him. She told herself that picking up some Chinese on the way was mostly for her sustenance. She’d skipped lunch. She’d also told herself as she rang the doorbell, chemistry and a doctor’s busy lifestyle simply didn’t mix.

That maxim held water until Adam opened the door. This time he was wearing the baby sling with Erica in it, but his niece was wailing again.

Adam seemed unreasonably glad to see Kaitlyn, yet unsettled, too. Was he pleased she was here to help? Or because...

Or because he couldn’t forget about their kisses, either?

Without preamble, he said, “A mother wearing this contraption and me wearing this contraption are entirely two different things.”

“Do you want me to come in, or do you want me to leave with my Moo Goo Gai Pan?”

* * *

“Moo Goo Gai Pan?” The thought of hot food was the one thing that might bring him a little pleasure. Well, maybe there was more than one thing that would, but they’d concentrate on the food.

“Sweet and sour chicken, too,” she added.

He had to wonder why she was doing this. After all, she’d run away before. “So now The Mommy Club delivers takeout?”

“So now a pediatrician with The Mommy Club was hungry and thought you might be, too. I didn’t see much food in your refrigerator.”

He didn’t have a comeback to that remark because it was true. He simply crossed into his living room where the swing stood, leaving her to close the door behind her. “The swing worked for about fifteen minutes.” As he transferred Erica from the sling to the swing, his gaze found Kaitlyn’s.

Darn if the room didn’t tilt again. Mini earthquake?

Although the aroma from the food was making his mouth water, he couldn’t take his eyes from Kaitlyn’s. Whenever she was around, his head practically spun. Or maybe that was just a lack of sleep.

With a mental shake, he settled Erica in the padded seat and cooed a bit to her as he wound up the mechanism so the swing would swing. For some reason his niece seemed to like cooing and gooing. Babies were as tough to read as women.

“I hope you brought your magic touch with you,” he suddenly said, “or that food’s going to get cold. I’m paying you, by the way.”

She looked startled, as if she hadn’t expected the offer. “You can pay me if you get the chance to eat any of it. We can split the cost.”

That made him straighten from his crouch and study her carefully. “You’re one complicated woman.”

Her eyes widened a bit. “And you’re an open book? One thing I’m not, Mr. Preston, is gullible.”

“Mr. Preston,” he scoffed. “After what we almost did, first name basis should be a given. So don’t try to put even more distance than the past year between us.”

Kaitlyn looked away, obviously not wanting to have that discussion now. But he did. If not now, then soon. He had to know what had made her bolt like a scared rabbit.

Erica seemed to be quieting with each pass of the swing.

“If we only have fifteen minutes, we should take advantage of it,” he decided. “I’ll find dishes. Some of each?”

She raised her hand in a “sure, why not” gesture. As she followed him into the kitchen, she asked, “Did you get the crib put together?”

“Who do you think I am? Superman?”

The way she studied him made him wonder if she was imagining him in that superhero getup.

* * *

A short while later, they were sitting on the sofa quietly eating their supper, the swing rocking back and forth, easing Erica into sleep, when Kaitlyn asked Adam what was foremost on her mind. “Did you try to call Tina again?”

He put down his fork. “Three times. I don’t even know if she’s getting my messages. I try not to sound panicked. I try to sound reasonable. But I’m worried about her.”

“I know you are.”

It was obvious to see, though she wondered how much of it was worry that he’d be stuck with Erica. She was afraid that’s the way he looked at it. She couldn’t tell yet if Adam was bonding with the baby, or just caring for her. There was a difference.

As they ate in silence for another few minutes, Kaitlyn took a deep breath. Having dinner with Adam wasn’t as easy as she’d thought it would be. That sizzle in the air...the way he looked at her sometimes...

“I’m going to drive to Tina’s apartment tomorrow,” he said, breaking the silence. “Maybe I’ll find a clue as to where she’s gone.”

“You’re taking Erica?”

“What choice do I have? Besides, I have to learn to handle her in and out of the condo. I can’t be stuck here twenty-four hours a day. No wonder new moms get cabin fever.”

“There’s no reason why Erica can’t go where you go. You just have to remember to take along everything you need.”

“Bottles, diapers and the kitchen sink.”

At least he was keeping his sense of humor. That could be tough in this situation. She’d liked his sense of humor that night—