Colton's Covert Baby

by Lara Lacombe

  “I’ll find out.”

  “No!” She tightened her grip on him. “Please don’t leave me.”

  “I have to check,” he said softly. “But you won’t be alone.”

  He led her over to his car and opened the door to the back seat. Furbert let out a happy yip at the sight of Molly. She climbed inside the car and threw her arms around the dog.

  Max withdrew his cell phone and handed it to her. “Do you know where we are?”

  She nodded. “Good. Call the sheriff and tell him. Have them send an ambulance—no, make that two ambulances.” No way was he going to ask Molly to share a rig with Elaine.

  She nodded again, her blue eyes impossibly wide. “Please be careful,” she whispered. “She might have a gun. That’s how she forced me to go with her. I couldn’t risk her hurting the baby...” Molly trailed off, tears filling her eyes.

  Max knelt and cupped her cheek with one hand. “You don’t ever have to explain your actions to me. I know you did what was best for you and the baby.”

  “I tried to,” she said, sniffling with a wince.

  “You did,” he replied firmly. “Don’t ever doubt it.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze, then released it. As he walked away from Molly, he tamped down his emotions and tried to get his head back in the game. Until he knew what had happened to Elaine, he couldn’t fully relax.

  He yanked open the door of the warehouse but didn’t enter yet, waiting a second to see if Elaine was going to fire on him.

  Nothing.

  Cautiously, Max knelt and peeked around the corner, scanning the space before leaning out again.

  From what he could see, the warehouse was abandoned. There were a few wire shelves set up along the far wall, but nothing that would provide cover. The office was situated at the opposite end of the building, a plate-glass window separating the space from the warehouse proper. Presumably, Elaine was in there.

  Max made a quick trip back to the rental car.

  “Is she dead?” Molly asked tearfully.

  “I don’t know yet,” Max said. “I can’t see her from here.” He popped the trunk, grabbed the tire iron inside. It was a poor defense against a gun, but he felt better having a weapon to hand.

  After another quick look to make sure the coast was clear, he entered the warehouse. Moving fast and staying low, he crept along the wall toward the office.

  He crouched below the window, inching toward the door. Pressing his back to the wall, he listened hard, straining to hear any sounds from within.

  Elaine was still inside—he could hear her breathing. Not dead, then. He felt a small spurt of satisfaction at the realization; after what she had done to Molly, Max wanted the woman to enjoy a long stint in prison.

  He risked a glance into the room. She was sprawled on the floor, apparently unconscious. Max knew better than to assume, though. He hadn’t come this far to get shot by a woman playing possum.

  She didn’t move when he entered the office. He knelt next to her, spying a large, bloody gash on her forehead and a dented green thermos on the floor nearby. Way to go, he thought, feeling a burst of pride at the evidence of Molly’s handiwork.

  A quick pat down turned up a small pistol in Elaine’s front jacket pocket. A chill went down Max’s spine as he imagined a different outcome for this fight, one in which Elaine had managed to grab her gun before Molly had clocked her across the head. A few seconds of hesitation, and he might be standing over Molly’s lifeless body instead of Elaine’s unconscious form.

  Max glanced around the room, his anger building as he took in the surroundings: a rusted-out metal desk and file cabinet, a hospital bed that looked straight out of a horror flick, and a thick metal chain anchored to the middle of the floor.

  But it was the plastic bucket by the desk that nearly pushed him over the edge.

  “Damn you,” he muttered.

  Elaine began to stir, moaning softly. Not trusting himself to remain civilized, Max grabbed the handcuffs dangling from the end of the metal chain. He snapped the open end around Elaine’s wrist, tightening the bracelet until it was flush against her skin so that she had no chance of sliding free.

  “Let’s see how you like it,” he growled.

  Sirens wailed in the distance, the high-pitched sound music to his ears. Hopefully the sheriff and ambulances would arrive soon. Molly looked superficially fine, but he wouldn’t rest easy until she and the baby had been checked by a doctor.

  Max stood and walked out of the office, leaving Elaine alone on the filthy floor. He paused just outside the warehouse, bending at the waist to set her gun on the ground in plain sight. Then he headed for the rental car, back to his woman and his baby and his dog.

  His future.

  Chapter 17

  “Back so soon?” Dr. Fitzpatrick tutted as he walked into Molly’s room. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I had hoped not to see you again.”

  Molly smiled, appreciating the man’s lighthearted tone. “I feel the same way. The last few days have been...challenging.”

  His lips pressed together as he nodded. “So I heard. I’m so sorry you went through that.” He gave her foot a soft pat. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  “Me, too.” She blinked, determined not to cry. She’d shed enough tears recently to last a lifetime.

  “I peeked at your chart before coming in,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said as he began flipping switches and turning dials on the ultrasound machine. “From what I saw, you’re doing fine. A little dehydrated, but that’s why they have you hooked up to this.” He gestured to the IV line running saline into her arm. “We’ll take a quick peek at the baby to confirm she’s okay, too, and then send you on your way.”

  “That sounds nice,” Molly replied. She wanted nothing more than to go home, crawl into her comfortable bed and sleep until the baby was due.

  “I saw your husband in the waiting area, talking to the sheriff. Would you like me to wait for him to finish before I start the scan?”

  Molly didn’t bother to correct the doctor’s misapprehension. “Ah, no. That’s all right. I’m not sure how long he’ll be tied up.” It was the truth, but she still felt a twinge of guilt for proceeding in Max’s absence. He probably would have liked to see the baby again.

  “Fair enough,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “Here comes the goo.”

  Less than a minute later, her daughter was on the screen. Molly watched as the baby kicked and rolled, seemingly unaware of the troubles going on in the wider world.

  “Just as I thought,” the doctor said as he moved the wand over her belly. “She’s looking good.”

  He finished up and handed Molly a small towel with a smile. “Nothing to worry about here, mama. Your baby is doing just fine.”

  “That’s good to know.” A sense of relief washed over her, carrying away her last lingering worries. Now that she knew her baby was all right, she could truly relax.

  Dr. Fitzpatrick pushed the cart toward the door. “Get some rest,” he advised. “You’ve been through a lot. You need time to heal, and not just physically.”

  Molly nodded, a lump in her throat. “Thank you,” she croaked.

  He gave her a parting smile and left, unaware of how right he was.

  Molly’s body was fine. Sure, she had a few bumps and bruises, but nothing a hot bath and a good night’s sleep couldn’t help. No, the part of her that was truly broken was her heart.

  First Sabrina. Then Max. The hits had come fast and hard, with no time for her to recover before suffering the next blow. What she needed more than anything was to retreat from the world so she could work on stitching her heart back together. Her baby deserved a happy, healthy mother, not a broken shell of the person she’d once been.

  A soft knock sounded on the door. Max poked his head into the room. “Mind if I come in?”

  Speak of
the devil, she thought. She nodded her permission. He walked over to the side of the bed and looked down at her, his green eyes warm.

  “Everything okay?” he asked. “I thought I saw the OB leave.”

  “You did,” she confirmed. “He did a quick scan to make sure the baby is okay. He said everything looks good.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He let out a sigh.

  “How did your interview with Trey go?”

  Max nodded. “I think it went well. I just told him what I knew, what I’d done.” Something about the set of Max’s mouth made Molly think that wasn’t all they’d discussed, but she didn’t press the issue.

  “And what did you know? You never told me how you found me.” Now that the immediate shock of her ordeal was over, she was curious to know exactly how Max had been in the right place at the right time.

  “It’s kind of a long story,” he said. He pulled a chair closer and sat down. “It all started yesterday afternoon...”

  Molly listened in amazement as he told her his side of things, from going to her house to following Elaine’s car out to the warehouse. “Wow,” she said, truly impressed. “I’m so glad you figured out something was off with Elaine. I wouldn’t have known what to do after calling the sheriff’s office. Thank you for not giving up.”

  He shrugged, blushing a little. “It gave me an excuse to dust off my skills,” he said, deflecting her gratitude.

  “I’m just glad you were there to play the hero.”

  “Oh, please,” he said. “You didn’t need me. You came tearing out of there before I had a chance to save you.” He reached for her hand, holding it between his own. The corners of his mouth turned up. “It was a real blow to my ego, let me tell you.”

  Molly laughed, rolling her eyes. “You look like you survived.”

  “Just barely.” His expression turned serious now. “After hearing Elaine’s plan to take the baby and kill you...” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I don’t ever want to come close to losing you again.”

  Molly didn’t know what to say to that. She studied his face, noticing the dark circles under his eyes and his wrinkled clothes. He looked like a man who’d been through hell. In another time, she would have taken him into her arms and held him while he slept. But he didn’t want that from her anymore.

  “There’s something I want to say to you, but I know this might not be the best time.”

  She frowned. “What’s on your mind?”

  He took a deep breath. “I made a mistake, Molly. Earlier, when we talked about our future. I told you I didn’t think I could give you what you need, that we wouldn’t work. But I realize now I was wrong.”

  It was exactly what she’d hoped to hear from him. Two days ago. Now? She wasn’t so sure...

  “And what caused this revelation?” It was a complete reversal of what he’d said earlier. Hard to believe he’d so thoroughly changed his mind in such a short period of time.

  Max leaned forward, lifting her hand to brush his lips across the back of her knuckles. “When I thought you were...dead,” he said, grimacing over the word, “it made me reevaluate my life. I know now that I was wrong to put my work before you, before us. You and the baby are the most important things in my life, and I want to be here for the two of you, to give you everything you need.”

  It sounded so beautiful, the realization of all her hopes and dreams. So why couldn’t she accept that what he was saying was true?

  Max’s eyes searched her face. “You don’t look happy.”

  “I don’t think I am,” she replied.

  He frowned. “But...I thought this was what you wanted.”

  Molly lifted one eyebrow. “It was. But when you put it like that, I have to wonder if you really mean it, or if you’re just saying it because you think that’s what I want to hear.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “That’s the part I can’t figure out,” Molly said. She sighed. “I want to trust you, Max, I do. But I can’t think straight right now. You broke my heart the other day.” Tears welled in her eyes, and he looked away, guilt flashing across his face. “How do I know you’re not going to do it again?”

  “Molly, I won’t—”

  “You say that now,” she interrupted. “But have your feelings really changed? Or is this just a knee-jerk reaction in the wake of Elaine’s actions?”

  “It’s not,” he said firmly. “It’s more than that.”

  She shook her head. “Max, you said you couldn’t commit to me because you’re already so involved with your charity. That hasn’t changed. So why do you suddenly think you can multitask, when before, you’d made up your mind that wasn’t possible?”

  “Don’t you see? When we spoke before, I’d lost sight of what’s most important to me. You and the baby.”

  “So you’re ready to be a full-time dad now? No more monthly visitations?” Molly didn’t bother to keep the edge from her tone.

  Max winced. “Not my best idea, it’s true. But to answer your question, yes. I do want to be here for the baby, from the beginning.”

  Molly absorbed his words, wishing she could let go of her hurt and doubts and trust everything he was saying. She could tell from the look in Max’s eyes that he genuinely believed he was telling her the truth. But she wasn’t ready to take the chance that he wouldn’t change his mind once the shock of this experience wore off and real life set in again.

  Max gave her a sad smile and got to his feet. “I can see you don’t believe me. And that’s my fault. But I’m serious—I want us to be together, to raise our daughter together as a family.”

  Molly said nothing. She held his gaze, wishing she could give him the answer he so clearly wanted.

  “I’ll leave you now. Blaine is here...he said he’d take you home. Again,” he added with a soft laugh. He leaned in, pressed his lips to hers in an impossibly sweet kiss. “But we’re not finished yet. I’m going to prove to you I meant every word I said here tonight.”

  “Max...” She shook her head, unable to see how he could do that.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I know what I need to do. You just rest. Take care of our little one.” He placed his hand on her belly, a large, warm weight against her skin. As if sensing her father’s touch, the baby shifted and kicked.

  Max’s eyes widened. “Was that—?”

  Molly couldn’t help but smile. “Yes. That’s her.”

  A delighted grin spread across his face. He leaned over, putting his mouth close to her belly. “Hello, Little Bit. I’m your daddy. I have to go now, but I’ll be back soon.” He paused a second, then added, “I love you.”

  Molly blinked away tears, touched by his heartfelt sentiment. He was normally so serious and reserved; it was nice to see him soften toward their daughter.

  He straightened and met her gaze. “Call me when you’re ready to see me again.”

  “Aren’t you going back home on Friday?” They would have to figure out some kind of visitation schedule before he left. Molly knew if she waited until he was back at work, she’d be talking to his secretary instead of him.

  “No.” Max shook his head. “I’ve canceled my flight reservation.”

  His answer surprised her. “How long will you be staying in town?”

  His green eyes sparkled with an emotion she couldn’t name.

  “Indefinitely.”

  * * *

  “Are you sure you don’t need anything, dear? The girls and I would be happy to cook for you, run errands or do laundry. Anything you need.”

  Molly held the phone to her ear and smiled on Friday morning. “I appreciate the offer, Aunt Mara. But I know you and Phoebe and Skye already have your hands full planning the film festival.” Her cousins had both dropped by yesterday to check on her. She’d enjoyed seeing the twins, but could tell they were stressed to the max alread
y. Phoebe was coordinating the awards ceremony for the festival, while Skye was focused on making all the arrangements for the movie stars who would be attending.

  “But that’s not all,” Skye had said, practically vibrating with excitement. “I’ve been asked to cover the festival for an online magazine.” She’d rattled off the name of the site, and Molly had pretended to recognize it. “They want me to do live interviews with the stars from several of the events! I can’t wait!”

  Molly had smiled, happy for her cousins. Their joy was a bright spot in her otherwise gray mood.

  “We’ll always make time for family,” Aunt Mara said, pulling Molly back to the present conversation. “I know your parents are due to arrive today. Please call me when they get in. I want to see them.”

  “I will,” Molly replied. She ended the call, then dialed Mason. He hadn’t responded to her calls or texts yesterday, and she was worried about him.

  “Hello?”

  Relief filled her at the sound of her brother’s voice, even though she could tell he was in a bad way. “Mason! I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you okay?”

  He sighed. “No. I’m not.” He was silent, and for a second, Molly thought she heard him crying.

  “Mason, please come over. Or let me come to you.”

  He sniffed. “I can’t, Mols. Not right now.”

  “You know I don’t blame you, right?” In the aftermath of her rescue, it had become abundantly clear that Elaine had acted alone. Mason hadn’t had any idea of his wife’s awful plan or of her actions. He’d been horrified to discover what she’d done, and he’d called Molly just as she was leaving the hospital, apologizing profusely for what had happened.

  “I know,” he replied. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t blame myself.”

  “Please don’t,” Molly said. “You’re not responsible for what other people do.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say...”

  Molly heard a voice in the background that sounded like an intercom. “Where are you?”