The Baby Quest

by Pat Warren

  “Then I won’t waste my time, not if you’re going to ask around and keep me informed.”

  “I told you I would, and I appreciate you coming in and telling me your news. By the way, what did Ellis Montgomery say about the baby? Indians aren’t his favorite folks.”

  “Don’t know,” Jack said, rising. “He’s been out of town. He’s due home this evening. Should be interesting.”

  In more ways than one, Sloan thought, becoming aware of the timetable, that Jack had to have been at the house at midnight and Ellis not home. Well, why not? Rachel was certainly a lovely woman.

  “Better brace yourself,” Sloan warned. “It’s going to hit the fan.”

  “You’re probably right.” Jack stood and turned toward the door, then turned around at Sloan’s call.

  “One more thing, Jack. Tell Rachel I’ll be by to check out that little girl as soon as I get a chance. I’ll arrange DNA testing on her and Christina for positive ID.”

  “Right.” With that, Jack left, thinking he’d go to Rachel’s to see if she was home from her shopping spree.

  Rachel gazed at the baby contentedly sleeping in her basket near the hearth, and her eyes filled with tears. The sadness was for her sister, that she would never know this beautiful child.

  What had happened on that rocky hillside that August day when Christina had given birth, then died? Had she been alone? If not, who had been with her? What had gone through her mind in that terrible lonely time?

  Rachel wiped at the lone tear, overwhelmed with guilt. She should have paid more attention, should have kept track of Christina, should have returned more frequently. Never mind that her sister hadn’t wanted her interference, she should have insisted. Hindsight. It was wonderful, but useless.

  The doorbell ringing startled her and she shot a glance at Alyssa, but the baby didn’t stir. She’d worn out the poor child, dragging her shopping most of the morning.

  Rachel hurried to the door before the visitor hit the bell again, and opened it. “Jack, I’m so glad to see you.” And she was, her emotions close to the surface, her feelings unguarded.

  “You’re crying,” Jack said, walking in and closing out the cold. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m just sad that my sister had to miss out on raising her child.”

  He removed his jacket and took her into his arms, placing a kiss on her sweet-smelling hair. “That’s a shame, but at least Alyssa has the next best thing. You.”

  Rachel slipped her arms around him, inhaling deeply the pine aroma of the outdoors and his own clean masculine scent. Tall and solid, he was like a tower of strength, one she was glad was around right now. She wanted to share her excitement.

  “Come look at the things I bought,” she said, taking his hand and leading him into the living room to see the boxes and bags spread on the couch, a chair, even the hearth.

  “Sort of bought out a store or two, didn’t you?”

  “I did get carried away a little.” She began dragging out little sleep sets and undershirts and socks, sweaters, two dresses and a snowsuit. There were more bottles, cans of formula, blankets, rattles. And finally, a portable crib plus a colorful mobile to hang above it. “What do you think?”

  “I think Alyssa’s one lucky little girl.” He couldn’t ignore the excitement in Rachel’s eyes, her cheeks flushed, her lips smiling. He kissed her soundly. “You did good, babe.” The child looked satisfied and Rachel had even built a fire. She was a born nurturer.

  “You really think so? I mean, the poor little thing came to us with the bare essentials. I didn’t get things like a high chair or a stroller or a real bed because…well, I’m not sure how long I’ll have her.”

  “Wise move.” Jack hoped Alyssa’s father wasn’t using Rachel for an interim place to park her while he worked things out, one day to return and take her away, but it very much appeared that was the case. “It’s going to be hard for you to not get too attached. She’ll be returning to her father, you know.”

  “Yes, yes, I know.” But she didn’t want to think about that right now, because it would also mean the case would likely be over and there’d no longer be a reason for Jack to stay. Already this morning, he’d been on the phone with his office, checking on his other cases. His other life was calling him back. “So, tell me about your morning.”

  But before Jack could, they heard a key turn in the door lock and watched as Ellis Montgomery crossed the threshold into the entryway, closing the door behind him.

  “Damn cold out there,” he said with a shiver before carefully placing his Stetson on the hall table. He glanced into the living room and saw his daughter with that private investigator whose car was parked in the driveway and his whole demeanor soured.

  “Hello, Dad,” Rachel said, aware that Ellis hadn’t noticed the basket. She sidled over, blocking the baby from his view, delaying the inevitable. “How was your trip?”

  “Fine.” Ellis hung up his coat before entering the living room and eyeing Jack who greeted him politely.

  “Why are you still here? I thought I made it clear that we don’t need anyone other than the local authorities on my daughter’s case.” Ellis crossed the room and leaned close to the fire, warming his hands.

  “I hired him,” Rachel reminded her father, “And I—”

  A baby cried out once, then louder.

  Ellis looked as startled as a deer caught in the headlights. Jack seemed surprised, since Alyssa hadn’t once cried that he’d heard since she’d arrived last night, and Rachel pivoted and leaned down to the basket.

  “Shh, darlin’, it’s all right. Go back to sleep.” With a light touch, she rocked the basket gently, hoping Alyssa would go back to sleep. The baby closed her eyes and Rachel turned back to face the scowl on her father’s face. “I can explain…” she began.

  “I certainly hope so,” Ellis said, his tone impatient.

  “Her father came here last night, left the basket on our doorstep, rang the bell and drove away.” She pulled the note from her pocket. “He asked me to care for her until he returns.”

  His scowl deepening, Ellis quickly read the note. “Who the hell expects you to nursemaid their child for who knows how long? His kid, his responsibility. Take her back to him.”

  Rachel sucked in a calming breath, trying not to feel as though she were fifteen and being called on the carpet for missing curfew. “I don’t know who he is, so I can’t take her back. Besides, I don’t want to take her anywhere. She’s Christina’s baby and belongs with us.”

  “Christina’s baby?” His voice was loud and incredulous. “What makes you think so?”

  “Dad, please, lower your voice. You’ll frighten her.” Rachel glanced at the baby and saw her squirm as if on the verge of fully awakening.

  “This is my house and I’ll shout if I want to.” Ellis was growing more impatient and angry by the minute.

  “She’s got Christina’s blue eyes and—”

  “Hell, half the people around here have blue eyes.”

  “Not just exactly like Christina’s they don’t. More importantly, she’s got the birthmark on her foot. Just like her mother had and I have. Max, too. You remember, Dad.”

  Standing by, deciding it was better if he stayed out of it, Jack was amazed at Rachel’s patience with her overbearing, pompous father. He never could have carried it off.

  “I don’t remember any such thing. Move aside,” he commanded his daughter.

  Taking in another deep breath, Rachel stepped closer to Jack, felt him take her hand and give it a squeeze, while Ellis leaned down to the basket. She waited for the explosion that was sure to come.

  Her father didn’t disappoint her. “What the hell is this? This baby’s an Indian. She’s not Christina’s child. No, sir. No way.” He swung around and glared at Rachel. “Take her out of my house.”

  “Dad, Sloan’s ordering a DNA test that will prove what I already know to be true. This baby is Christina’s.”

  “Damned if it is.”
Ellis’s face was red with fury. “No daughter of mine would bed down with an Indian.” He marched back to the vestibule, grabbed his coat and shrugged into it. “I’m going out for a couple of hours. When I get back, she’d better be gone.”

  “Then I’ll be gone with her,” Rachel said defiantly.

  “Fine with me.” Ellis placed his Stetson squarely on his head, opened the door and left, slamming it for emphasis.

  Rachel tried to compose herself, to push aside her own anger at her bigoted father. “I should have known he’d never change. His precious image means more to him than any of us. Always has.” She glanced at all the baby things she’d picked out with such loving care earlier today, her mood happy and hopeful then. In ten minutes Ellis had pulled the rug out from under her, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and bereft.

  Jack searched for the right words. “Listen, I had coffee with Gina this morning. She knows what Ellis is like and told me you and Alyssa are welcome at their home as long as it takes you to make other plans.”

  Rachel blinked at tears threatening to fall over the kindness offered by a woman she’s only recently met. “Thank her for me, but we can’t impose like that.” Squaring her shoulders, she walked to gaze out the window, desperately needing a plan of action.

  “She meant it, Rachel. Gina wasn’t just being polite.” He moved up close at her back and slipped his arms around her.

  “I know she meant it. Gina’s awfully sweet. But I’ve got to find a place of our own.”

  “I hate to bring up something else that might be upsetting, but aren’t you scheduled to go back to your job in Chicago soon? How are you going to take care of this baby in Montana and maintain your job, too?”

  “I’ve talked with my head designer and arranged for an indefinite leave of absence. I have a good deal of time coming and I don’t think they want to lose me permanently.”

  Rachel wanted to lean back into his strong arms, to close her eyes and make the world go away. But she couldn’t. She had a small baby depending on her now. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her.

  Turning, she glanced around the room, as if searching for something. “Where did I put yesterday’s paper?”

  Jack spotted it. “Over on the footstool.”

  “Thanks.” Quickly, Rachel found the section she wanted and hastily paged through it. “There it is. I went to school with Ruth France. She’s the only real estate agent worth anything in Whitehorn. She sells houses but also rents out cabins for summer visitors. However, during the winter months, most of them are vacant.”

  Memorizing the number, Rachel headed for the phone, tossing a smile over her shoulder at Jack. “I’m going to rent the first nice cabin Ruth can find for me. Then I’m going to move Alyssa and me into it.”

  Seven

  “How does this color strike you?” Jack asked, stepping back from the wall, paintbrush in hand.

  Rachel cocked her head, considering, her eyes traveling between the latest streak of paint and comparing it with the other two. “I think the second one’s the prettiest. What do you think?”

  “I think you’d better make up your mind soon because I’m not going back to the store again if one of these three doesn’t suit you,” he said, his voice exaggerating patience. “Do you really think Alyssa will be fussy about what shade of pink her room is painted?”

  “Yes, she will. The Montgomerys have a real sense of color.” She bent to where he was fastening the lid on the rejected can and kissed the top of his head. “You’re sweet to offer to paint her room.”

  Sweet. Yeah, that was exactly how he viewed himself, Jack thought with a frown. “Glad you think so.” “Sappy” might fit him better. Since meeting Rachel, or more accurately since Alyssa’s arrival, he’d found himself doing all sorts of “homey” things he’d never done before.

  When Ellis had stormed out after seeing Alyssa that day, leaving Rachel in need of a place to stay right away, Jack had to help her. The Realtor Rachel knew had immediately set up several appointments to view available rentals. Naturally, he’d gone with her because someone had to drive while Rachel kept watch over the baby, who was in a car seat, and looked over the properties.

  She’d finally chosen a two-bedroom cabin off Silver Creek Road. Jack had to admit the little house had a lot of charm, nestled the way it was among the pines with a stream along the back lot line, the water frozen now, of course. There was a great room with a fireplace and bookcases, the carpeting new, the furniture oversize and comfortable. The kitchen was fairly large and surprisingly modern, as were the two baths. The master bedroom had oak furniture, including a big four-poster, but the second bedroom had been empty.

  Rachel had gotten permission to decorate it as she saw fit. That was where Jack had come into the picture.

  First, he’d helped move them in that very night. After all, Ellis had told her he wanted both of them gone by the time he returned. So Jack had put Rachel’s suitcase into the Lincoln’s big trunk along with all the things she’d purchased for the baby, and the three of them had driven to the cabin.

  Jack had busily arranged to have utilities and phone turned on while Rachel had done some cleaning, not trusting the former tenant’s sanitation. That evening, he’d driven some distance to find a pizza joint and they’d eaten the gooey concoction by the fire while sipping the wine he’d also picked up. Studying Rachel in the glow of the firelight, he’d thought she’d never looked more relaxed or happy, even though her whole life had literally been turned upside down for who knew how long.

  And she’d never looked more beautiful. After Alyssa cooperated by falling asleep early, they’d crawled into the big feather bed and made love for hours. Her eyes closed, Rachel had snuggled into his arms, but Jack had lain awake for a long while, his emotions in a turmoil.

  What was he doing in this domestic scene, the kind he’d always run from? Sure, he loved making love with Rachel, although he knew that thrill would wind down, too. It always had with other women he’d known. He even enjoyed watching her with the baby, amazed at the transformation of a cool professional career woman turning into a picture of cooing and cuddling maternal bliss.

  But this wasn’t his life, his future. This was a break in routine, an unexpected happening, an interim diversion. He was enjoying it simply because being here with Rachel and the baby was so different from his normal, everyday life. Just to be sure he didn’t get too far afield, he’d flown back to L.A. last week and stayed five days, getting caught up on paperwork and other ongoing cases. Much to his surprise, Ronnie Drake, the partner he’d taken in after Gina had quit to get married, had been handling things well and all was under control.

  Actually, he’d felt as if he wasn’t needed, something new to Jack.

  Telling himself that the case in Whitehorn hadn’t been settled to his client’s satisfaction, he’d flown back. After all, although Christina’s baby had been found, her murderer hadn’t been caught. Jack wasn’t in the habit of leaving until a case was closed. He was needed in Montana to find a killer.

  And to paint Alyssa’s room. Setting aside the two rejected paint cans, Jack opened the chosen color and stirred the contents.

  Humming to herself, Rachel measured the two windows for curtains, occasionally checking on the baby who was napping in her basket in the great room.

  “Isn’t she due for a bottle soon?” Jack asked, surprising himself at how quickly he’d become aware of Alyssa’s schedule. Domesticity snuck up on a guy when he was busy daydreaming about the woman in question. Next thing he knows, he’s reeled in like the fish of the day.

  Only that wasn’t going to happen to Jack Henderson. He was not marriage material, and certainly not a father figure. He’d made that clear to Rachel and was certain she knew how he felt. Not that she had any intentions along those lines, either, he was sure. She’d had a bad experience and wanted nothing to do with marriage. More than likely, she’d needed a break from her job that, although challenging, had been stressful. So she was taking this time
to regroup and relax, let her maternal instincts have free reign. But just until Alyssa’s father came to claim her.

  Rachel was a realist, not a dreamer. When the time came, she’d hand over the child and go back to Chicago. And Jack would return to his life in L.A. Two adults who’d met through circumstances, enjoyed one another during that time and then went their separate ways with no one getting hurt. Because no one had unrealistic expectations. He would hang on to that thought.

  “I’ll feed her soon,” Rachel answered.

  “Anything cooking for us big people?” he asked, pouring paint into the tray, then picking up the roller he’d prepared. He’d begun to look forward to her tasty, imaginative meals.

  She came up close and squatted beside him. “Just what would this big person want for lunch today?”

  He grinned over his shoulder. “You have to ask?”

  “Mmm, I believe you had that after dinner last night and again early this morning. Are you trying to wear me out?” Her voice was soft and teasing.

  He straightened and brought her up with him, looking at her face, even more lovely without makeup. Long and hard, he stared, as if trying to see the answers to unasked questions in the blue depths of her eyes. “Why is it that I can’t seem to get enough of you?” he asked, sounding truly perplexed. He should have been seeing signs of boredom by now, coming up with reasons to move on. Instead, when he’d checked out of the motel before going to L.A., he’d never checked back in. When he returned, he’d driven straight to the cabin and moved in with Rachel and Alyssa.

  Temporarily, of course. Until the case was solved.

  Rachel didn’t quite know how to answer him. What had started out as a frivolous question had suddenly taken on an intensity that had his green eyes darkening. “I can’t answer that except to say that it’s the same for me. I should probably add that it scares me to death.”

  “Me, too.” Why was he pursuing this? Jack asked himself. He’d never been one to talk about feelings. Maybe because he’d never felt quite like this before. “You know, I’ve never lived with a woman before, even temporarily. I’ve lived half my life alone, with the exception of other men on the base.”