Baby on His Doorstep

by Tessa Berkley

  The child’s cries began anew. Despite Haley’s attempts to quiet the child, her cries grew with intensity.

  “Haley, what on earth is going on in here? We could hear…” Haley’s mother’s footsteps ground to a halt. Her eyes rounded in disbelief. “A baby?” Her glance went from Haley to Avery.

  “She won’t stop crying,” Haley replied, raising her voice to carry over the cries of the bundle she held.

  “Give me that child.” Josephine flew into action and quickly crossed the floor to take the child from Haley’s arms. “My goodness, she’s trying to shake you to death.”

  Haley rolled her eyes and glanced over to Avery. The six-foot-tall cowboy was dressed in his white undershirt and jeans. His belt wasn’t even fastened, a testament to the quickness of his departure from home.

  “Where did this baby come from?” Josephine demanded.

  Avery brushed the hank of honey-brown hair from his eyes and shook his head. “I-I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know?”

  Haley recognized the irritation in her mother’s voice and stayed silent.

  “I don’t know,” Avery repeated, opening his arms wide.

  One more poignant glare and Josephine turned her attention back to the infant. “Poor thing, you’re hungry.” She glanced at Avery. “Did you bring her bottles?”

  Avery said nothing.

  “Avery?” Josephine had that no-nonsense look in her eye.

  “There weren’t any.”

  Haley watched her mother’s brow furrow.

  “Just what do you mean, young man?” she demanded.

  Avery swallowed and prepared to answer, but another figure filled the doorway.

  “What’s going on in here?” Jim Davis demanded. His glance went to each face in the room before him, finally landing on Avery. “Avery, where did you get that baby?”

  “I…” He glanced at Haley. She put her hands up, signaling he was on his own. His Adam’s apple bobbled as he swallowed again. “I-I don’t know, sir.”

  Jim Davis’s eyes narrowed. Before he could reply, others filtered into the room.

  “A baby!” Alicia Davis cried, then looked to her husband. “Where did it come from?”

  Jim Davis shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  Haley found a stool and sat down. This is going to be good. She took a sip of her orange juice.

  Alicia Davis gasped. “Haley?”

  She choked on her juice. “Not mine,” she sputtered.

  “Avery?”

  His face looked blank. She turned to her husband. Jim Davis took a slow, calming breath. “Someone has some explaining to do.”

  All eyes turned toward Avery.

  Chapter Two

  “What do you mean you don’t know?” Jim Davis asked one more time, his voice rising over the incessant cries of the child.

  “Dad”—Belinda Davis pushed past him and moved toward the cabinet—“can’t this wait until we get a bottle for the baby?” She peered over Josephine’s shoulder and smiled. “You’re a pretty little thing. Yes, you are.”

  Don’t talk gibberish to the child,” he fumed.

  “Now, Jim, Belinda’s right. Let’s get this child fed and changed.” Alicia joined Belinda and patted the baby’s back. “She’s just hungry, that’s all.”

  “I think we have some of those premade bottles left from when the Carsons visited last week.” Alicia glanced at her daughter. “We put them in the pantry.”

  “Bottom shelf,” Josephine called as Belinda slipped past her.

  “Sit down.” Jim motioned to the stool at the counter.

  Avery did as he was told. “Mr. Davis, sir, I-I don’t know how this happened.”

  Jim Davis’s brow arched again, this time higher. “I suppose you took notes in health class?”

  Haley’s mouth twitched as she watched Avery’s face turn bright red. He glanced down at the countertop, then to her. His lips twisted into a scowl when he saw her grin. Quickly, she pushed her mother’s glass of orange juice toward him.

  “Here, take a drink.”

  He glared, then picked up the glass.

  Haley took note of the trembling of his hands. Always one with a quick joke and a devil-may-care grin, Avery was the Diamond D bad boy. Part of her wanted to feel empathy for him, the other part of her wondered if he was finally getting his just deserts.

  “Here we go,” Belinda called as she emerged from the pantry.

  Her mother took the glass bottle from her and began to shake it up. “How did she get to you?”

  “I don’t know. I woke up to her crying.” Avery raked his hands through his thick sandy-blond hair. “I didn’t know what to do. I put her in the truck and drove over.” He glanced at Jim Davis. “Honest, Mr. Davis, I’ve got no clue. The only thing I have is a note.”

  “Note!” Belinda gasped. “Did you bring it? Maybe we can recognize the handwriting.”

  “I couldn’t.” Avery remarked as he slipped off the stool and pulled the folded piece of paper from his back pocket.

  “Here’s the bottle,” Josephine murmured, hurrying to unscrew the sealed top and twist the provided cap and nipple in its place.

  “Thank you,” Alicia mouthed.

  “Just put that note on the counter. Don’t anyone touch it,” Jim ordered.

  “Why?” Haley asked.

  “Perhaps the police can pick up fingerprints.”

  “You’ve watched too many police shows,” Alicia scolded. “There.” She only had to offer the child the bottle. The infant’s hands grasped her fingers and pulled it forward to her hungry lips. “There. There.”

  “I’m going to look for some diapers,” Josephine remarked. “I didn’t see any in the pantry. I might have left them upstairs.”

  “Go.” Alicia nodded.

  As Josephine moved toward the stairs, Belinda pulled up a stool and focused on the note. “You recognize it, Haley?”

  Haley stared at the neat print. “No, not offhand.” She glanced to Avery. “Was there anything else?”

  “A metal washtub,” he whispered. “She was tucked into it with her blanket.” He glanced to Belinda. “I thought it was one of your cats, at first.”

  “I can believe that.” She nodded.

  “I’m going to call the police.” Jim Davis marched off toward the other room.

  “Now, Jim,” Alicia protested, but it was too late. Her husband left only the swinging of the door in his wake.

  “Great,” Avery hissed.

  Belinda turned to watch the door close. “Don’t worry, he’s not really mad. He’s just confused. Not every day a baby is dropped on your doorstep.”

  “No, it’s not,” Avery grumbled.

  “Here, Haley, you take the baby. I’m going to calm Mr. Davis down before he makes a terrible mistake.”

  Haley had just enough time to turn and bring her arms together before Alicia Davis deposited the infant in her care.

  “Just hold the bottle so the milk will fill the nipple. It’s not hard, but we don’t want to get any air in her tummy.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Haley shifted the child and positioned the bottle as she was told. She didn’t bother to tell Mrs. Davis this wasn’t her first rodeo. Before returning to the Diamond D, she’d taken a job as a nanny for a year, until her divorce was finalized. Gazing down at the child she held, she couldn’t help but feel the tug on her heart strings. The child was perfect—peach skin, pale blue eyes, and a hint of honey-blonde hair, so like Avery. The baby reached out and wrapped one of her tiny hands around Haley’s pinky finger.

  “Hello, sweetheart,” she murmured and brought the child to her face, inhaling the soft scent of innocence and baby powder. Her maternal hormones jumped into overdrive. How could anyone abandon such a beautiful child?

  “Did you say something?” Belinda asked.

  Haley hadn’t realized her words were spoken. “I, um, I was just wondering how anyone could abandon her.”

  Belinda lean
ed over. “I have no idea.” She sat back and glanced at Avery. “It can’t be easy raising a child by yourself.”

  Haley watched as he looked away.

  “No.”

  She heard the intake of air and glanced back at the child. “Okay, I think we’re done. Auntie Alicia will get mad at Auntie Haley if you get colic.”

  “Auntie Alicia, huh.”

  Haley leveled the giggling Belinda a back-off glance. “You want me to call your mother Granny?”

  Jim Davis’s only daughter’s eyes widened, and she held up her hands in defeat. “Me? Oh, no!”

  Putting the bottle on the counter, Haley gently lifted the child to her shoulder and began to pat her back. Seconds later, the child let out a lusty belch.

  “Sounds just like you, Avery,” Belinda teased, slipping off the stool. “I’m going to check and see how Mom’s doing. Hang tight, Daddy.”

  Haley watched Avery wince at the word.

  He waited until Belinda was out of earshot before he spoke. “I wish she wouldn’t tease about this.”

  “I think she’s trying to let you get used to the idea.”

  “I don’t want to get used to the idea.” Avery groaned. “I don’t have time to raise a kid.”

  Haley’s brows drew together. “I thought you were bigger than that, Avery.”

  He looked at the counter. Her blood wanted to boil. “Think about how the mother felt. She carried this child for nine months. Probably scared stiff to even bring it up to you.”

  His head jerked up, and he stared at her. She accepted the challenge and stared unabashedly back at him.

  “What would you have done?” She raised an eyebrow.

  Avery grew silent, his expression sober. “I don’t know.”

  Haley tilted her chin in defiance. “You keep saying that, but I bet you do. Tell me the truth. Would you have asked her to have an abortion or pressured her into giving it up?”

  At her question, his face took on a pained expression. “No.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that.” She brought the child back down into her arms and slowly rocked back and forth. The gentle motion lulled the child, who brought her tiny fists to her face and, moments later, found her thumb. “Hush, little baby, don’t you cry,” Haley softly crooned, recalling the song her own mother had sung to her on many an occasion. As she watched, the child’s dark lashes lowered to fan against her cheeks, and Haley continued to hum while waiting until the child’s breaths settled into an even pattern. Assured she was asleep, Haley asked, “Does she have a name?”

  “No. I-I haven’t given any thought to a name. I’m not even sure she’s mine.” Avery rose from the stool he was sitting on and walked to where Haley stood. Somehow, his hands found her shoulders. The warmth from his palms settled around her. It was as if no one else were anywhere near.

  “She’s so sweet,” Haley whispered. A turn of her head found Avery’s right beside her, his blue eyes trained on the child she held protectively in her arms.

  “Yeah, when she’s not screaming.”

  She softly chuckled. “She was hungry and frightened.”

  “What am I going to do with her, Haley? I’m a cowboy, not a daddy.”

  “Daddies come in all shapes, sizes, and occupations.” She gave him a sympathetic grin. “I’d say it was time to man-up, Avery. Accept what God has given you, and do the right thing.”

  Avery stared at her. Suddenly, Haley felt all quivery. The scent of his cologne washed over her, and her stomach tightened. His glance moved from her eyes to her lips. Without thinking, she dampened them. He leaned closer. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek, and she held her breath.

  “The police are coming by to talk to you.” Belinda’s voice made them both jump. Avery let go of Haley’s shoulders like she was a hot branding iron. She stepped away, allowing her back to keep Belinda from seeing the unsteady intake of air.

  Gawd, she’d wanted Avery to kiss her. Feeling wretched, Haley dipped her chin and gave a guarded glance toward the man standing behind the counter, his hands thrust deep into the pockets of his jeans. Avery Johnson, world-class cowboy, every girl’s version of heaven on earth, all six foot four inches of him. Why now did her body decide it was interested? The child in her arms shifted. The baby, that had to be why.

  “Dad sent your mother to get some diapers and formula,” Belinda announced, moving to Haley. “Oh, good, she’s asleep.”

  Haley gave a smile but kept her eyes focused on the baby.

  “Why don’t you take her into the den? You can rock her in Mom’s chair,” Belinda suggested.

  “Great idea,” Haley remarked. “Avery, go ahead and have some breakfast. You know where I am when the police get here.”

  ****

  Steve Felton usually enjoyed a trip out to the Diamond D. However, today’s call was a bit on the bizarre side. No one abandoned a child anymore, in his estimation. Turning onto the circular driveway, he parked his gold-and-tan SUV, which served as his cruiser, beside Avery’s distressed truck. It could use a good paint job, he noted. He reached for his Stetson, opened the door, and scrambled out into the heat. Before putting the hat on his head, he pushed back the strands of hair blown by the air conditioning in his vehicle, then made his way toward the set of double doors and prepared to knock, only to have one door open even as his fist aimed for it. Blinking, he gazed down on the upturned face of Belinda Davis.

  Surprised, he could only remark, “Belinda.”

  “Morning, Steve.” She smiled.

  He twisted his hat in his hands while his tongue went numb. She’d had that effect on him ever since high school. “I…ah.” His knuckles grew white as they tightened on the hat brim.

  “Yes?”

  She looked ready to laugh, while he looked away and wished he could remember how to talk. Finally, the words came to him. “You have a situation? A situation here?”

  Mirth flashed again in the warm brown of her eyes. She glanced over her shoulder. “Ah, the situation.” She opened the door wider. “You can say that for sure, cowboy.” Belinda stepped back and allowed him to enter. Steve blinked at the shadows in contrast to the brilliance of the Texas sunlight.

  “May I take your hat?”

  He glanced down at his hands, then dampened his lips and handed it over. He watched as she took great care to place it on the old sideboard behind her. When she turned back to face him, he smiled. “So, where’s Avery?”

  “Right this way,” she murmured and stepped down the hall.

  The sound of his boots echoed on the hardwood floor. His eyes focused on the soft sway of her hips and the swing of her dark hair. When she came to a sudden stop, he nearly ran into the back of her. A cut of her eyes signaled he had been caught red-handed.

  “Dad and Mom are in the den with Avery and his little problem.” Belinda pushed back the two heavy pocket doors.

  Steve did his best to ignore the awkwardness of the moment and averted his glance. “Thanks.” His gaze still locked at the floor, he gave Belinda a wide berth as he entered the room.

  “Steve, thank you for coming so early this morning.” Jim Davis rose from the chair behind the massive desk and extended his hand.

  “Glad I could come.” They shook hands. “I must say, Social Services usually handles these cases.”

  “These cases!” Alicia Davis flung the words back at him as she rose from the couch and pulled herself up to her complete five-foot-three-inch height. “Do you have many in Cactus Gulch?”

  He flinched. “Why, no, ma’am.” He glanced back to Belinda. She merely rubbed her nose with the back of her hand as if trying to wipe away the smile that tugged on her lips. “In fact,” he continued, “I think this maybe the first.”

  “Great.” Avery Johnson groaned.

  Steve glanced over at the cowboy sitting on the edge of the chair. “Good morning to you, Avery.”

  Slowly his head came up. Steve could see the green tinge underlying his cheeks and the dark circ
les that ran around the eyes. “Bad night?”

  Avery’s eyes widened. “Oh, no,” he mocked and gave a wave of his hands in dismissal. “It’s not the night but the morning that’s gone downhill.”

  Steve chuckled, hoping it might ease the tension that permeated the room.

  Alicia Davis narrowed her glance and turned the negativity of her hazel eyes to full power. “There will be none of that. You got yourself in this fix by not keeping your pants on.”

  Her sharp words made everyone come to attention. Steve pulled his notebook from his breast pocket and clicked the top of his ink pen. “Well, perhaps we best get started.”

  “This morning, about six a.m., I awoke to what I thought was one of Belinda’s cats screeching. I walked to the door and found that.” He pointed across the room.

  All eyes turned toward the rocking chair in the corner of the room next to the window. Steve moved to where Haley sat holding the child wrapped in a pink blanket. He gently pulled the blanket back from the baby’s sleeping face. “My, that’s a sweet one.”

  “She is now that she’s got her belly full,” Haley murmured and ran a finger along the infant’s soft cheek. The baby pulled her fist to the side of her little head and seemed to smile.

  Steve glanced over his shoulder. “Was there anything to identify her?”

  Avery shook his head. “Only a note and the washtub from the hook on the porch.”

  “You have the note?”

  “We do.” Jim Davis pulled it from the top of his desk.

  “Would you put it down on the desk again, sir?”

  “Sure.” Jim placed the note on the desk and backed out of Steve’s way.

  “How many people have handled this?” he asked as he pushed the note open with the tip of his ink pen and read the words there.

  Jim Davis blinked. “Myself and Avery, of course.”

  Steve gave a nod and looked up. “I’d like to take this and have forensics see if they can pull up a fingerprint.”

  “Sure,” Avery agreed.

  Steve nodded. “I’ll go out to my car and get a paper bag in just a few moments; while I’m there, I’ll call Social Services to come and collect the baby.”