Baby, Oh Baby!

“That’s not exactly what I said or how it happened.” She twisted her fingers together in her lap.

“I don’t get it. After the baby was born, I told her the two of them could stay on the ranch. As long as she wanted.”

“She wasn’t comfortable with that and asked to stay with me a little longer. I agreed. There but for the grace of God and all that. She and Dan were talking about marriage. But since Emma was born, she says they’ve been fighting a lot. He’s got a full college football scholarship.”

“That I know about.”

“Holly doesn’t want to stand in his way. She’s in a catch-22 situation. She wants to go to college, too, but she doesn’t see how that can happen with taking care of Emma. On top of that, she’s not even sure she and Dan will stay together. How can she do it on her own?”

“I told her I would help.”

Rachel’s gaze flicked to his. “She wasn’t comfortable with that, either. Look, you have to understand where she’s coming from. Holly loves her daughter and wants the best for her. We discussed the possibility of a stable adoptive home. If she’s going to give her up—”

“Not going to happen,” he said, shaking his head. “The Fletcher family takes care of its own.”

“As I was saying, in the course of our talks, I casually mentioned that no one would blame her and Dan if they took time to make their decision. Because it’s permanent. In fact, they have an obligation to Emma to do everything possible to determine what’s best. They came up with the idea to get summer jobs and an apartment to see if they can handle it.”

“Of all the irresponsible—”

“They think they are being responsible.”

“Not them. You,” he said, looking down at her.

She stood suddenly, brown eyes blazing. “How dare you judge me? You don’t even know me. I agreed to care for the baby because I’d innocently said something to put the idea in their heads. And that was only after suggesting they leave the baby with you—”

He blinked. “You did?”

“Yes. But Holly adamantly refused.”

“For crying out loud,” he snapped. “I’m family—”

She held up her hand. “I’m just telling you what she said. Don’t bite off the messenger’s head. They were upset and threatened to take off. I didn’t think that was a good alternative for anyone, especially the baby. And Dan said you knew and approved of the idea.”

“I didn’t.”

“I’m only telling you what he told me.”

“And you didn’t think to run it by me first?” he demanded.

“He’s adult enough to be a father, I figured he could make this decision on his own.” She folded her arms over her chest.

“You should have figured it was a dumb thing to do and mentioned it to someone,” he said.

“You mean ratted them out to you.”

Jake let out a long breath as he ran his fingers through his hair again. When he got his hands on that kid—

His brother had screwed up big time. Déjà vu all over again. Was the trait wired into their DNA? He’d raised Dan after their parents died and he’d done his level best to see Dan didn’t make the same mistakes Jake had. For all the good it had done. But that was a completely different issue. Jake intended to see that lightning didn’t strike the Fletcher men twice.

“You might want to cut him some slack, Jake. He’s got a lot to think about. So does Holly.” Rachel walked to the door and opened it.

Was she throwing him out? The idea of it almost made him laugh as he looked at her five-feet-nothing, one-hundred-pounds-soaking-wet frame. What made her think he was okay with any of this and would leave? Why should he believe she didn’t know where his brother was? What if she was lying? Jake had been burned in the past. He got the feeling Rachel was turning up the heat.

“I’ll say one thing for you.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

What could it hurt to bait a hook and go on a small fishing expedition? “You’re a lousy liar.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“So you’d rather be a good liar?” he asked, one eyebrow quirking up.

“That’s not what I meant.” She blew out a long breath and shook her head. “I really and truly have no idea where those kids have gone.”

“Have it your way.” He picked up his hat from the couch and put it on. “Makes no difference to me.”

“Good.”

“It doesn’t change the fact that I’m taking Emma back to the ranch with me.”

Chapter Two

He was taking Emma to the ranch? Over her dead body, Rachel thought. She’d wondered if this day could get any worse. Now she had her answer. Apparently the gods eagerly pounced on her negative challenge and made it so. She wanted to rephrase—could this day get any better?

Jake Fletcher better leave and take his sweeping pronouncements with him. She had given Holly a solemn promise to keep the child until she returned. Rachel knew how deeply a betrayal could cut. No way was this man taking Emma back to his ranch—or anywhere else for that matter.

Rachel closed her front door, then moved to block the hallway that led to the room where Emma was napping. Looking up at him, way up, she knew there was no way she could stop him if he decided to do this. But she was prepared to bluff him as best she could.

She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not going to let you take Emma out of this apartment, Jake.”

“Oh?”

“Like I told you, Holly gave her to me for safekeeping.”

“I’m not going to hurt her.”

“That’s your interpretation.”

He shook his head. “You accused me of making judgments about you without information. Well, right back at you, Rachel. What kind of man do you think I am? I would never hurt a child, especially my own niece.”

“There are lots of ways you could hurt her. Like keeping her from her mother,” Rachel said.

She couldn’t see his eyes because the brim of his black hat shadowed them. But Jake’s mouth thinned.

“What makes you think I would do that?”

“What I think doesn’t matter. It’s what Holly believes. She made me promise not to give Emma to you. She thinks you’re planning to take the baby away from her.”