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Jake watched as Rachel disappeared through the doorway. Moments later, down the hall a door closed with just a little more force than was necessary. He made himself sit down with the baby, even though he was itching to follow Rachel and demand to know what the hell was going on. Because he had a feeling she knew more than she’d said. He badly wanted to know what Rachel Manning was hiding and why she had his brother’s baby.
Glancing down at the small, warm body in his arms, Jake felt the hole he always carried inside him open wider, followed by an aching sadness. This new baby reminded him of everything that had been taken from him. But he wasn’t a kid now. And it wasn’t going to happen again. Not to his brother. He would see to it.
Leaning back, he snuggled Emma to his chest and glanced at the doorway where Rachel had disappeared. Her guarded expression when she’d opened the door to him said a mouthful. She’d told him once that he was butting into his brother’s life, throwing his weight around. Takes one to know one. And he knew her kind—a straight-up, straight arrow, by-the-book, toe-the-line, card-carrying buttinski. She wouldn’t know the meaning of minding her own business if it bit her on the fanny.
Under the circumstances he wouldn’t have expected it, but that thought made him smile. Little Miss Muffet wasn’t his type, thinking she knew what was best for the whole world. But she had one fine fanny. And in those pajamas that covered next to nothing, the rest of her wasn’t bad, either.
The baby squirmed and squeaked and he gently settled his palm on her abdomen. It nearly covered her from chest to ankle. She was so little and the need to protect and care for her body-slammed him. This child was his niece—his family. And he was going to do right by her. This time no one would get in his way.
Almost as if Rachel had heard that thought, she came back into the room. In buttercup-yellow shorts and a matching tank top, with her golden hair mussed as if a man had run his fingers through it, she looked like a walking sunbeam. He noticed she’d washed the mascara from beneath her eyes.
She walked over to him. “I’ll put Emma in her bassinet now.”
She leaned over and slid her hand into the crook of his arm beneath the child’s head, then nudged the other under the baby’s bottom and lifted. Where Rachel’s hands had touched him, a trail of warmth lingered. When her gaze locked with his, he wondered why he’d never noticed before that her eyes were so big. And brown. Normally blondes had blue eyes and the unusual coloring was nice. Almost before the thought formed, she left with the baby. Then a few moments later, she returned and closed the door that separated her living room, kitchen and dining area from what he figured were the bedrooms down the hall. She sat across from him in a green wing chair that kept the oval oak coffee table between them.
He stared at her. “Now tell me where Dan and Holly are.”
Something flickered in her gaze before she said, “Like I told you before, I don’t know.”
A cold, hard feeling settled in his gut. “Did you know they were planning to take off?”
“Look, Jake, the kids are scared. They’re trying to do the right thing—”
“Did you know?” he asked again.
“Yes, but—”
“So they ran away?”
“That implies they don’t intend to come back.” Her gaze met his as she let out a long breath. “They didn’t run away—exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
“They were making plans—find an apartment, jobs, that sort of thing. I was supposed to know where they were going. But for some reason they jumped the gun and left without telling me. At least I have something in writing from Holly giving me permission to take the baby to the doctor.” The odd expression on his face made her suspicious. “Did you do something to put pressure on them? Something that made them take off?”
He shook his head. “If I’d known they were up to something— This is completely irresponsible.”
“Not completely. Look at it from their point of view. They wanted time to see if they could take care of themselves.”
“How much time?”
“The rest of the summer.” Her hands fluttered, and she kept talking, the words tumbling out fast. “They need to think through whether or not they want to keep the baby.”
“There’s nothing to think about. She’s Dan’s responsibility.” Anger surged through him and he stood, running his hand through his hair. “It’s not like Dan to go off half-cocked like this. Sounds like some hare-brained scheme Holly would come up with.”
Her mouth compressed to a straight line. “Actually, it was sort of my idea.”
“Yours?” Jake felt as if she’d slugged him in the stomach. She was an adult who should know better. “What the hell were you thinking telling them to run off?”
“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.”
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?”
Jake felt the knot in his gut pull tighter. “He made other plans.”
And didn’t see fit to share them with me, he silently added. Every time he thought about his brother taking off without saying a word to him, he got mad all over again.
“Look on the bright side,” Sally said, studying him. “Table for one will ease the strain on your wallet. The way that boy can pack away food is scary. I’m not looking forward to footin’ the bills when my little guy takes a growth spurt like Dan has. What can I get you tonight?”
“Coffee for starters,” he said. “And a menu.”
“Since when do you need a menu?” she asked. “It hasn’t changed in the five years I’ve been working here and you know that sucker by heart.”
He shrugged. “Just thought looking at it might help me make up my mind.”
“Comin’ right up.” Her hips swayed as she walked away.
Jake noted her curvy figure covered in tight worn denim and an equally snug T-shirt with The Fast Lane printed on the back. A vision of spiky blond hair, big brown eyes and a body dressed in sunbeam yellow flashed into his mind. It had been several days since he’d seen Rachel Manning, but she was never far from his thoughts. Partly because she was a damned attractive woman. And partly because today Little Miss Muffet was probably sorry she’d gotten between him and his family.
Behind him, the bell over the door rang as it was opened, then dinged again when it shut. He moved his napkin-wrapped eating utensils aside, then unfolded his newspaper and spread it on the Formica table in front of him. A moment later he smelled perfume and sensed someone standing beside him.
“Jake, we need to talk.”
Rachel. He braced himself, but not enough. When he looked up, his gut pulled tight again, but not from anger, annoyance or regret. It was plain old-fashioned appreciation for a beautiful woman.
“Rachel,” he said.
She was wearing shorts that flared a bit at her thighs and a tank top made out of T-shirt material with skinny straps that curved over her tanned shoulders. Her hair was combed this time in a deliberately mussed style that looked like a man had just run his fingers through it. The circles beneath her eyes were deeper and darker than they’d been a few days before. That awareness stirred the annoying protective streak he’d first noticed that morning in her apartment. Hardening himself against the feeling, he turned his attention to the baby carrier she held. Emma was supposed to be the primary focus of this newly discovered protective streak.
“Have a seat,” he said, indicating the place across from him.
“This isn’t a social call.”
“Didn’t think it was, but you can still sit.”
She shifted the carrier to her other hand, then flexed her fingers as if the combined weight of Emma and the contraption had taken a toll. He reached over and took the infant seat from her, then set it on the table.
His heart contracted at the sight of the sleeping baby. Her little mouth was puckered up and moving as if she sucked an imaginary bottle in her sleep. Long, dark lashes curved above cheeks just beginning to show signs of getting chubby. Jake didn’t know the first thing about babies, but this one was a stunner in his book.
“How’s she doin’?”
“Great.”
It was just one word, but there was a softness in Rachel’s voice that made him look up. Her expression as she stared at the baby held a tenderness he wouldn’t have expected from a woman so tenacious and hard-headed.
“Everything all right?” he asked, glancing at the little girl sleeping in the seat.
“She’s perfect,” Rachel answered, placing a hand on the carrier.
Just then Sally Jean returned. “Here you go, Jake. Coffee and a menu.” She glanced at Rachel. “Need another one?”
“No,” Rachel said.
“Yes,” he answered at the same time.
“I’m not staying for dinner.”
“Have you already eaten?” he asked.
“No, but that’s not why I’m—”
“On second thought,” he told Sally Jean. “We’ll have two orders of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.”
“I’m not hungry,” Rachel said.
“It comes with a salad or soup,” Sally Jean said.
Jake studied Rachel and figured she was a greens kind of gal. “We’ll have salad with thousand island dressing.”
“Biscuits, French rolls, or garlic toast?”
“Garlic toast,” he answered, deciding there was no way the two of them would be kissing.
“Comin’ right up,” the waitress said, then moved away.
“I came to talk to you, not to eat dinner,” Rachel informed him.
“You can kill two birds.” And in that vein, he figured buying her dinner could feather his own nest. If he was nice to her, maybe he could soften her up and talk her into bowing out gracefully.
Rachel stared at him and before she could respond, two old ladies, one with gray hair, the other bright red, slid out of the booth behind her. Jake spent a lot of time on the ranch and didn’t recognize the two women. When they started past, Gray Hair stopped by Emma’s car seat and peeked in.
“Congratulations,” she said, looking from Rachel to him. “What a beautiful baby.”
“Isn’t she?” Rachel said to them. “Cora Edens, Janie Compton, I’d like you to meet Jake Fletcher.”
“Hello,” gray-haired Cora said.
“Nice to meet you.” Flame-haired Janie stuck out her hand and Jake shook it.
“Rachel, dear,” Cora said. “I didn’t know you were married.”
“Oh, it’s not what—”
“Or pregnant,” Janie said, looking at the baby. “What’s her name?”