Baby Makes Four

by Cynthia Thomason

  “I have dresses, so no.” Camryn lifted the door handle. “Call me later,” she said. “And drive carefully.”

  “Oh, I’ll call you, probably a dozen times between now and Friday when you go out with the gorgeous Mr. Bolden.” She gave Cam a wicked little grin. “You do want all my dating advice, don’t you?”

  “Only the advice I specifically solicit.”

  Brooke laughed. “But Cam, seriously, tell the guy you’re pregnant. He has a right to know that this adorable, glowing creature you’ve become in the last three months isn’t the real you.”

  “Okay, I’ll warn him not to expect much glowing after the baby is born.” She glanced down at her blouse. “Even this impressive chest will go back to normal.” Cam got out of the car. Before shutting the door, she leaned back in. “I guess you can call me with a little advice,” she said.

  Getting a thumbs-up from Brooke, Camryn got in her truck and headed back to Cottontail Farm, glad that this journey was over but still worried about Brooke.

  * * *

  CAMRYN RAN INTO Reed a couple of times on Thursday and Friday morning. Each time she saw him, he mentioned the date, adding details as they became necessary. By Friday afternoon she knew that Reed was picking her up at seven, and they were going to the best restaurant in Harborside, South Carolina.

  Mark was due to pick up Esther at four o’clock, which gave Camryn plenty of time to shower, shave her legs, do her hair and dress. However, in typical, super-busy Mark fashion, he was a half hour late. Esther had grown tired of waiting for him and was playing in her room when he got to Cottontail Farm.

  “So this is the country estate you’ve been bragging about?” he said when he came into the house he’d never seen before.

  “This is it,” Camryn said. “What do you think?”

  “It’s cute. Are you sure Essie is happy here?”

  Oddly, that was the first time Mark had asked that question. “Find out for yourself,” Cam said. “I haven’t coached her on her answers.”

  Mark clapped his hands loudly. “Where’s my beautiful daughter?” he called out.

  Esther raced from her bedroom. “Daddy!” She threw herself in his arms. “I thought you were never going to get here.”

  “Sorry I was a little late, pumpkin.” He twirled Esther around. “Good grief, Es, you’re twice as big as the last time I saw you, and that was only a month ago when Mom brought you to Charleston.”

  “Kids grow fast, Daddy,” Esther said in a surprisingly grown-up voice.

  He smiled. “So I’ve heard. Are you ready to go?”

  “Just have to get my suitcase,” Esther said. “I’m all packed.”

  “Why don’t you go to your room and make sure you didn’t forget anything,” Mark said. “I need a minute to talk to Mommy.”

  Esther went back to her room. Camryn offered Mark a chair and hoped he didn’t want to chat long. “What do you want to talk to me about, Mark?”

  He sat, crossing his very tanned legs that stuck out from his perfectly pressed shorts. Mark had always prided himself on his golf course tan and naturally sun-lightened blond hair. “First I want to know how the latest bun in the oven is going, Cam.”

  “Everything is fine,” she said. “Nothing to worry about.” Nothing for Mark to worry about, but she worried constantly.

  “That’s good. I know a healthy baby is the most important thing to you now, Cam.”

  “Isn’t it important to you, too, Mark?”

  He had the decency to look a bit sheepish. “Of course.”

  “Well, you’re right. I want a healthy baby, and the safety and security of our firstborn.”

  “Nothing more than I want,” Mark said. “That’s partly what I want to talk to you about.” He cleared his throat. “I got a promotion, and it’s a pretty darn good one.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “I’m telling you because I don’t want you to worry about money. I got a sizable raise.”

  “That’s nice, Mark, but I’m not worried about money. I still have my job with Southern Square as well as other sources of income. You’ve been prompt with your support payments.”

  “Well, Esther’s my kid. I want the best for her. And for you, Cam, even if you don’t believe it.”

  Camryn remained silent.

  “When the second baby comes, I’ll increase my payments by seventy-five dollars a week. I figure you’re going to need that at least.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “It’s nice that we can talk about these things without having to go to court, don’t you agree?”

  She nodded. “Of course. Is that all you wanted to tell me?”

  “No. There’s one other thing.” He glanced into the hallway, presumably to make sure Esther wasn’t coming out of her room yet. “The thing is, Cam... I’ve met someone. This woman is new to our office, a recent hire recommended by one of the headhunter corporations. She’s working in our financial department.”

  Keeping her voice level, Cam said, “I’m happy for you, Mark.”

  “Esther will meet her this weekend. I’m sure they’ll get along great. The best part is, Paula has a daughter, Zoey, just a couple of years younger than Es. A built-in playmate.”

  Camryn tried to see the advantages of this situation, but instead all she envisioned were more problems. “Mark, you have to promise me that Esther will be your main priority this weekend. You won’t force her into relationships she’s not ready for.”

  His brow furrowed. “I’m her father, Cam. Do you think I want her to be unhappy?”

  “No, but...” Camryn got up from her chair and paced in her small living room. “This divorce is still new to Esther. She may not be ready to accept you with another woman yet. And what if Esther and this other child have completely different interests? What if they don’t get along?”

  Mark drummed his fingers on his knee. “Still the same old mother hen, I see,” he said. “When are you ever going to trust anyone but yourself with our child, Camryn?”

  “I do trust you, Mark, but by adding Paula and Zoey to your life, you’ve added a whole new dynamic to your relationship with Esther. I just need to know you will be aware that this situation might be difficult for her. You may have to be patient and more understanding...”

  Mark stood, glowering down at Camryn. “I get it, Cam. You’re the only perfect parent in the entire world.” He called down the hallway. “Come on, pumpkin. Let’s get going.”

  “Coming, Daddy.” Esther came into the living room carrying her suitcase and a couple of stuffed animals. “I’ll see you on Sunday, Mommy. Don’t forget to feed my Ameraucanas.”

  Camryn bent down and kissed the top of Esther’s head. “I won’t forget, sweetie. You have a great time with Daddy.”

  They left the house, chatting all the way to the car. Camryn didn’t realize until they were halfway down the drive that she’d been clasping her hands so tightly the knuckles hurt. She suddenly felt so alone, as if the best part of her, the part that made her stable, had just been ripped away.

  She took several deep breaths. “You don’t have time for a panic attack, Camryn. You only have two hours, and who knows how many times Brooke will call before Reed gets here.”

  * * *

  WHEN REED ARRIVED at seven, Cam stood at her bedroom mirror one more time. “Not bad,” she said aloud. She smoothed the scoop neckline of her basic black dress, checked her hair one more time, deciding she had done wonders with the flat iron she’d almost forgotten she owned, and adjusted the strap on one of her high-heeled sandals. A minute had passed, just long enough for Reed to have waited at the door, and for Camryn not to appear overly anxious.

  She was anxious of course, about two important issues. Mark may never have tried to understand her. He may have coaxed her into being someone she wasn’t, and let her know when
ever he was disappointed in her performance. But he did love his daughter. Don’t let your worry for Esther ruin this evening, she said to herself. Your apron strings don’t reach all the way to Charleston.

  The second consideration on her mind was whether or not to tell Reed about her pregnancy. Part of her knew that Brooke was right. How could she expect this friendship...or whatever it was...to continue if she wasn’t honest with Reed beginning right now, tonight? But another part of her was so excited about this date, and the prospect of more, that she didn’t want to risk her momentary happiness with news that might change everything. She’d just have to wait and see how the date progressed and what her instincts told her.

  “You look beautiful,” Reed said when she opened the door.

  The perfect compliment, simple and elegant. She wanted to return the praise, for he did look handsome in black dress jeans, a light blue shirt and a tan sports coat. “You look nice, too,” she said. “I hope I don’t fall off these shoes. It has been a while.”

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “Those heels just give me a good excuse to hold on to you all night.”

  She went to the sofa to pick up her bag. “I just need to put on some lipstick...”

  “I wish you wouldn’t,” he said.

  “What? Why not?”

  “I haven’t kissed you yet, and if only one of us is going to wear lipstick, I’d rather it’s not me.”

  She waited for him to cross the living room and take her in his arms. His kiss was sweet and warm and made her think of what might come later, what she’d allowed herself to actually wish would come later.

  “Our reservation is for eight,” he said when he stepped back. “We should make it in plenty of time. It’s cool outside. Do you want to bring a coat?”

  “I should, yes.” She took her coat from the closet and he helped her into it.

  She turned on the porch light and locked her front door. Reed came around the SUV to open the door for her. Somehow she just knew he would follow the rules of polite courtship. Courtship...was that what this was? An old-fashioned word for emotions that had become entirely new.

  Reed turned his vehicle around and drove to the end of the lane. “Nice night,” he said.

  “Yes, very nice.”

  Before entering the road, he looked at her. She was staring out the front window but felt his gaze on her, warm and caring. “Is everything okay, Cam?” he asked. “Esther went with her father without complaint?”

  “Yes. She was happy to see him.”

  “And my boys are with Grandma eating cupcakes.” He pulled out of her lane. “I relented and gave them a video game reprieve tonight. I figured why make my mother suffer with two bored boys?”

  She smiled. “That was probably a good idea.”

  “So, our kids are fine. You look like a goddess, and I couldn’t be happier to be with you. I’m thinking this night will end up every bit as great as it has started out. Here’s the plan...no talk of kids or chickens or birds of any kind. I want to get to know all about you, and you can get to know as much about me as you want. It’s ‘open book’ night, okay?”

  Oh, goodness. He didn’t know what he was suggesting. She’d already come close to promising Brooke that Reed Bolden would hear all the important details about her life, for good or ill. And once he did, would this evening end up as great as it had started? Or would Reed decide that she simply had too much baggage for him to consider seriously? She wished she would receive a sign from above about what to do.

  “Okay,” she said, forcing her mind to respond to his suggestion. “Open book it is.”

  He took her hand, settled it on his knee while he drove. Camryn felt young and desirable and on the verge of something truly wonderful. And yet scared. The whole truth and nothing but the truth did that to some people.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE DINNER AT Wayfair’s Dockside Restaurant was elegant, even more, it was perfect. The restaurant staff had set up standing heaters that sent waves of comforting warmth over all the tables. Like the other customers, Camryn removed her coat. Reed took off his sports coat. Beyond the heaters the temperature might have registered in the fifties. But here, on a deck at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, the comfort was ideal.

  Reed ordered a glass of red wine. Camryn ordered sparkling water. “Is there a reason you don’t drink?” he asked her.

  “Actually I do drink,” she said. “Sometimes, though, I lay off for a while.” She looked longingly at his crystal wineglass. “Have to say, that wine looks awfully good.” Later, if she followed through with her current decision to tell him everything, he would know exactly why she wasn’t having a drink herself.

  “So tell me about yourself,” he said. “How does it feel to be a twin?”

  A safe topic, and one that opened the door to talk about growing up with a look-alike sister. She admitted that she and Brooke were very different, but that hadn’t stopped them from being close their whole lives. She ended by disclosing that they had been adopted as infants.

  “In fact,” Camryn said, “our adoption was the reason for that little errand I told you I had to run on Wednesday.” Reed was so easy to talk to. He was attentive and considerate, commenting when it was appropriate and letting her get her story out without interruption. She ended up telling him all about meeting Marlene and the disappointing ending for Brooke.

  “Sounds to me like your biological mother has a guilt complex,” Reed said. “One that has turned her into a bitter, unfulfilled woman. I hope Brooke is able to realize this and put the past behind her.”

  “I’m hoping she’ll try,” Camryn said.

  When the main course was served, Reed began talking about his relationship with his sister, Penelope. “She’s so smart she’s almost scary,” he said with unmasked pride. “She’s a professor at Rutgers, specializing in family counseling and marital problems.” He smiled. “Unfortunately she wasn’t able to save my marriage, but I doubt the most brilliant psychologist in the world could have.”

  That remark led naturally into a discussion of both Reed and Camryn’s failed marriages. Camryn understood Reed’s guilt at not being the most responsible father and his disappointment with his wife’s failures and infidelity. She summed up her divorce by explaining that she was never happy being a corporate wife always striving to live up to Mark’s high expectations. “Honestly,” she said, “it was never a good match from the beginning.”

  She took a breath, stared at the candle in the center of the table for a moment. “And then there were the miscarriages,” she said.

  “Plural?” Reed said. “You lost more than one baby?”

  “Yes, two. Each time was horrible. I felt like such a failure. After the first one, I thought I would never conceive again, but I did, and Esther was born healthy, thankfully.” She smiled. “I couldn’t wait to try again, but the next pregnancy, two years later, failed also. I’m afraid I didn’t recover well from that one.”

  While she talked, he finished his meal. She’d practically forgotten her own meticulously prepared salmon. Reed took her hand. “I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he said. “How did Mark react?”

  “As well as he could, I suppose,” she said. “Mark was seriously working his way up the corporate ladder by that time. He was busy, distracted much of the time. But my sister and parents were there for me. Even so, I don’t think I could go through that loss again.”

  Reed’s eyes were kind as he said, “You know, Cam, your history explains a lot about the woman, the mother, you are now.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, like why I’m such an over-the-top fanatic about protecting Esther?”

  “Yes. I’ve never lost a person who was close to me. But you lost two babies, and I get it. But Cam, Esther’s a bright girl. So when you can finally accept that she’s growing up and can make decisions on her own, and those decisions will be
the right ones for her, or she’ll learn from them, you’ll loosen up on the reins a bit. Maybe there just hasn’t been enough time.”

  He squeezed her hand. The feeling was so comforting and reassuring that Camryn almost believed that anything was possible. How different her life might have been if she’d been married to someone like Reed instead of... She closed her eyes, drew a deep breath. No use speculating about what couldn’t be changed.

  He took the last sip of wine from his glass and tipped it toward her plate. “Listen, lady, you haven’t finished your meal. Don’t you like the salmon?”

  “It’s delicious,” she said. “I guess I’ve been talking too much.” She took a bite of fish and relished the lemony, mild flavor. “I think I might finish it now, though.”

  “No hurry,” he said. “We have the whole evening.”

  The mischievous glint in his eyes told her he was happy to be thinking about the hours ahead.

  After dinner they bundled up again and went for a walk along the city’s seascape. The moon was full and bright and lending what warmth it could to the crisp evening. Camryn didn’t notice the cold. Her jacket was enough protection and her hand was comfortably secure in Reed’s. They stopped in the shadows of one of the historic streetlamps, and Reed kissed her, a long, lingering embrace that she wished could go on forever. When he ended the kiss, Camryn tucked her head under his chin and breathed in the woodsy scent of his aftershave.

  She felt his breath in her hair as he spoke. “You know, Camryn, I didn’t expect to feel this way about anyone when I moved here. I came because my parents were here, and I thought it would be good for my sons. I never had expectations of meeting someone as wonderful as you, or of feeling as strongly about you as I already do.”

  She smiled, though he couldn’t see it. “My sister always says that the best options are the ones that sneak up on you.”

  He chuckled. “I wouldn’t call the effect you’ve had on me a sneak attack,” he teased. “When I saw you in the feedstore that first day, I was drawn to you, and wanted to get to know you better. And now that I do know you better, I realize that the first reaction I had was real and honest. I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for, but Camryn, I’m falling for you.” His breath ruffled her hair. “Unless you tell me to back off, I intend to keep getting to know you, the little things, the big things, everything you want to tell me.”