Baby, Oh Baby!

He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “That’s the last thing I’d do.”

“Unfortunately I am not the person you have to convince,” Rachel pointed out. “But here’s the deal. I gave Holly my word that I would take care of Emma until she comes back. She made me specifically swear that I wouldn’t hand the baby over to you for any reason.”

“Why would she think I was planning to take Emma?” he asked.

“Because taking over is what you do, Jake.”

“And how do you know this?”

“I saw it for myself. You insisted on being at the childbirth classes. What was that about? And when Holly wouldn’t follow your command to get married, you tried to talk her into going to the ranch after she left the hospital with the baby, even though she made it clear she didn’t want to go anywhere with you. You questioned everything she did from the way she held the baby to how Emma was dressed. It’s plain as day you don’t trust her. Next you’ll probably check into the electronic surveillance ankle bracelets they make prisoners wear.”

“After this stunt they’ve pulled, it’s not a bad idea,” he said.

“The point is, you’re always there, not giving them a chance to breathe.”

“I’m supporting my brother,” he said, an edge to his voice.

“That’s commendable. But his actions speak volumes. He left with Holly. I think the two of them have had about all the support from you they can stand.”

“His actions leave a lot to be desired. He put his child in the care of an outsider,” he said.

“An outsider maybe. But it was his decision to make, not yours,” she pointed out. “That means I have permission from him as well as Holly to care for their baby until we have some word from them. And that’s what I intend to do.”

The muscle in his lean cheek contracted. “You’re interfering in a family situation.”

She chose to ignore the interfering remark. “You and Dan are family, but Holly hasn’t got anyone except me.”

Rachel promised herself she would never take in another person in need. Ever. But now that she was up to her eyes in alligators on Holly’s behalf, she would go to the mat on the issue of protecting Holly’s rights to her baby. Mother and child went together like home and hearth.

“What if she doesn’t come back?” he asked.

“Of course she’ll be back,” Rachel said automatically.

But she knew from firsthand experience that sometimes things happened. Sometimes mothers didn’t come back. Or fathers, either. Yearning for what could never be spasmed inside her, like a hunger that could never be satisfied.

“Come on, Rachel. Be realistic. There’s a story on the news almost every night about a baby abandoned, sometimes in a Dumpster.”

“Holly didn’t do that. She arranged for me to care for her baby until she comes back.”

“If she comes back.”

She would, Rachel thought. She was almost sure of it. “Holly didn’t just run off without a word. She was breastfeeding and waited to do this as long as she could—until the baby had received the benefits of breast milk.”

“If she’d stayed, Emma would still be receiving the benefits,” he said.

“I’m not saying it’s an ideal situation. But a lot of working mothers wean their infants because they have to return to work.”

Jake folded his arms over his chest. “Sugarcoat it all you want, Rachel. She’s irresponsible.”

“That’s your opinion.”

“And I’ve got another one. It’s weird for an attractive, single woman to turn her life upside down for a teenager’s baby.”

“So if I was an unattractive woman it would be okay?” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s not like I’m going to adopt Emma. This is just for a few weeks. So unless I hear differently, I intend to keep my promise. When Holly comes back, her baby will be here waiting for her.”

Something told Rachel that Jake would be waiting, too. He was Emma’s biological uncle and frustration seemed to be rolling off him in tangible waves. On the one hand, she understood Holly’s concerns about Jake’s tendency to take control. On the other, Rachel had to give him credit for getting involved. How many men would so aggressively seek out the burden of a newborn? She couldn’t decide if he was concerned, caring or just plain crazy.

But in this regard Jake was certainly different from the men she normally met. Rachel knew her fatal flaw was her inability to turn away from someone in need. She had no illusions. No good deed went unpunished.

“So we’re at an impasse,” he said.

“Unless you decide to muscle your way past me and forcibly take Emma.”

“I’m not in the habit of manhandling women.”

A discreet look at his broad chest made her wonder what he was in the habit of doing with women. That thought sent an unwilling shiver over her arms.

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said.

“Well you won’t be glad to hear that I intend to stop your interference.”

“Why can’t you just relax and let Holly and Dan do this their way?”

“If you would give me the baby, I’d be happy to relax. But since you refuse, I’ll go to plan B.”

“That’s the one where you bulldoze everyone to get what you want.” She nodded. “I’ll consider myself warned. And you know the way out.”

He touched the brim of his hat in what was probably an automatic, ingrained polite gesture. Then he walked out of her apartment. After turning the deadbolt and fitting the chain lock securely across the door, Rachel breathed a sigh of relief.

Jake had voiced her worst fear—what if Holly didn’t come back? Rachel decided to be an optimist. No one knew better than she that the road to hell was paved with good intentions. But unless she had evidence to the contrary, she planned to keep the baby healthy and happy until she could put her back into her mother’s arms.

In a perfect world, Holly and Dan would decide to get married, make a home for their baby and live happily ever after. But life wasn’t a fairy tale. She shivered as the thought reminded her yet again of February 29 in New Orleans. They had joked about the scenario calling for three wishes, and they’d each had one.

If the situation she found herself in truly was a result of her birthday wish, she could only be grateful she hadn’t had two more of her very own. She could be in three times as much trouble.

She tiptoed down the hall to check on the sleeping baby. Rachel smiled tenderly as she looked in the crib. Somehow, even on her back Emma had scooched her way straight up into the corner, her head butted up against the bumper pad. Touching the downy head and tiny fist with one finger, Rachel’s heart contracted. Feelings as big as the wide open spaces of Texas expanded inside her.

“You’re not trouble, little one,” she whispered. “You’re nothing but a blessing. It’s your uncle who’s a pain in the posterior.”

And not only because he was going to throw his weight around.

Three days later, Jake walked into The Fast Lane, Sweet Spring’s bowling alley coffee shop, with the newspaper under his arm. He sat down in his usual booth, then stared at the tufted red Naugahyde seat across from him. It hit him suddenly that he’d never noticed the color or the tufting before. Because usually Dan sat across from him. They came here for dinner often.

Sally Jean Simmons sidled up to him, order pad and pencil in hand. “Hey, Jake. How’s it goin’?”

He looked up at the tall, pretty brunette. “Okay. How about you? How’s that boy of yours? He’s what now? Five? Six?”

“Seven,” she said smiling. “He’s doin’ great, thanks.” She glanced at the empty seat across from him. “Where’s Dan tonight?”