His Lullaby Baby

by Airicka Phoenix

  “I think we’re supposed to get closer to the stage,” Mark said, squinting into the murky darkness.

  Addy followed his line of sight to where the other bachelors and bachelorettes were filing behind the curtains once more.

  She nodded. “I think you’re right.”

  With him at her side, she made her way forward only to be drawn short by Mrs. Donnelly and Mrs. Clout blocking her path.

  “Mrs. Donnelly, I really need to—”

  “Yes, dear,” the woman agreed with a nod. “But I was hoping you could do something for me? I really need to run to the washroom, but I don’t want to miss the draw. Could you hold my ticket until I return?”

  Addy glanced down at the slip of paper the woman was holding out to her. “What … why can’t—?”

  “Susan has to help with my dress,” Mrs. Donnelly explained. “It’s a bit of a process. We won’t be long.”

  Mark waved at her to hurry up and Addy took the slip.

  “Sure, but I might be on stage.”

  Mrs. Donnelly smiled. “That’s fine. Like I said, we won’t be long.”

  “What was that about?” Mark asked when the two slinked back through the crowd.

  Addy shook her head. “I couldn’t tell you.”

  At the stage, they parted to opposite sides and waited to be called up. The second time around wasn’t so bad, she noted. Her legs were almost steady as she climbed the metal steps onto the platform. She ran her hands over the fabric of her dress and was adjusting the swash of fabric over her shoulder when a movement across the way made her glance up.

  Toby.

  He reached the last step and joined her on the landing. Like her, he was the last one and that left them alone in the shadows of the curtains. His blue eyes met hers and an odd sort of sadness passed through her.

  “I’m—”

  Her apology was swallowed by his sudden stride forward. Then by the slant of his mouth over hers. She hadn’t been expecting it and by the time her head and body caught up, he was pulling away.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that all evening,” he breathed.

  “Oh,” she whispered for lack of anything better.

  Her breath caught with the whisper of his fingertips along the warm curve of her cheek. Shivers worked along her spine, making her painfully aware of how close he stood.

  “We need to talk, Addy,” he murmured. “Maybe not tonight, but soon. Promise me.”

  She would have promised him anything when her senses were drowning in his scent.

  “Promise.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted. “They’re calling you.”

  Addy blinked. “What … oh!”

  Gathering up what was left of her composure, she hurried to the curtain’s edge. Sucking in a breath, she stepped out. Cheers and applause followed her to the end where Calla stood with the mic.

  The woman’s winning smile turned teasing as she turned her body slightly in Addy’s direction and lowered the mic.

  “Lipstick smudge,” she whispered over the noise.

  Horrified, Addy rubbed around her mouth while Calla blocked her from view. At the blonde’s nod, she lowered her hand and smiled gratefully. Calla continued to grin as she turned back to the room.

  “Addy was our highest bid of the evening,” Calla announced. “A whopping five figures and our highest bid to date.”

  Addy’s sharp inhale tangled with all the others that passed through the room.

  “Ticket holder 95836 please step forward to claim your date!”

  Addy wasn’t the only one looking around when the numbers were called. All heads turned in search of the crazy person who would pay five figures for a single night.

  For a moment, nothing happened. The low murmur of confusion continued to ripple through the silence. Addy’s nerves rattled in that age old fear of being stood up when the murmurs rose into gasps and excited chatters. Calla turned first and Addy followed her gaze to the man strolling down the runway towards them.

  “You?” she blurted.

  Toby grinned. “You didn’t honestly think I’d let another guy take you home, did you?”

  That familiar warmth that was forever rolling up and down her body every time he did or said something sweet hit all her sweet spots. It took all her efforts not to catapult herself into his arms.

  Calla had no problem with getting words out though as she rounded on her brother. “Are you even allowed to do that?” she hissed.

  Toby shrugged. “It’s my event. I’m taking liberties.”

  Calla’s frown deepened. “Well, next time you decide to change the rules, how about giving me a heads up so I don’t look like an idiot?”

  “Please, everyone’s loving this.”

  Sure enough, the crowd was in a frenzy between delighted, shock and—in a few cases—outrage. But no one called it foul as Calla proclaimed Toby her winner.

  Things got a little confusing after that when Addy had to leave the stage alone so Toby could get won. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of some other woman taking him home, but she graciously descended the steps and waited with the others for his numbers to get called.

  “Our second largest bid of the evening,” Calla announced. “An impressive four digits … ticket holder 58352 come claim your handsome companion.”

  The sound of movement filled the room as numbers were reviewed. Addy looked from face to face, waiting for the moment someone hit the jackpot. But all she saw was confusion.

  “58352,” Calla repeated, slower.

  Heads shook. Shoulders shrugged. Confusion rose. Addy was about to think the person might have left, when she remembered Mrs. Donnelly’s ticket. The thing was creased beyond repair and damp from her sweat, but it was still legible.

  “Oh my God!” she blurted. “It’s me! I mean, not me, but…”

  “Hey! It’s her!” Someone behind her shoved Addy forward.

  Calla’s blue eyes found her and widened. “Addy?”

  Sheepishly, Addy held up her slip. “I have those numbers, but…” She broke off as she scanned the room for some sign of Mrs. Donnelly or Mrs. Clout. “See, the thing is that—”

  “Addy!” Calla called her attention forward. “Is it your bid?”

  “Yes … no! I mean…” She could see the patience wearing thin on Calla’s face and gulped. “Yes?”

  A muscle jumped in Calla’s cheek. Her gaze went from Addy to Toby, her annoyance evident as she straightened and smiled at the crowd.

  “We have our winner! Addy, come on up and claim your … date.”

  Even Addy could hear the exhaustion weaving through date. She felt momentarily guilty as she climbed the steps and joined Toby on stage. Amusement shone in his eyes, but she focused on the blonde.

  “I have to tell you something,” she said. “It’s not—”

  “Let’s get off this stage and we’ll talk,” Calla grumbled. “You two are making me go gray.” Turning away, Calla addressed the crowd. “That’s our evening.” She went on to thank everyone for coming and for donating.

  Addy wasn’t listening.

  Toby’s shoulder brushed hers as he leaned into her space. “We probably should have worked this out better.”

  “It wasn’t me,” she hissed back. “Now, can we please get off this stage? I feel like one of your admirers might throw a shoe at me, or a hatchet.”

  She didn’t wait for anyone’s permission before climbing quickly down the steps.

  “Addy, wait!” Toby followed, setting the rubber grip of his cane on each step to the bottom. “What do you mean it wasn’t you?”

  “I was holding on to it for someone,” she said once he’d joined her.

  An eyebrow lifted. “Are we talking about drugs or the ballot?”

  She shot him a glower that wasn’t nearly as potent when she could feel laughter bubbling in her chest. “The ballot. Mrs. Donnelly asked me to hold on to it while she went to the bathroom.”

  Toby’s eyes widened. “Oh dear God …
please don’t let her take me.”

  The dame broke and she burst out laughing. “Sorry, Romeo, but she’s the real winner.”

  “You are a cruel woman.” He lifted his head and searched the sea of heads. “I don’t see her.”

  “Me neither,” she admitted. “Maybe she’s still in the washroom. I’ll check.”

  His fingers wrapped around her wrist and he drew her to a stop. “Leave it. I’ll call her in the morning. Let’s get the kids and go home.”

  Something tightened in her chest at how natural and seamless the words had left him. What’s more, how he’d included the kids.

  “Okay.”

  He kept a palm on the small of her spine the whole way to the door and upstairs. His limp made their progress slower than it normally would have been, but she found she preferred the pace, especially when her shoes were killing her and walking fast made her want to cry. No one stopped her as they reached the top and picked their way to the kid area. The door was open and a small crowd of parents already stood darkening the threshold.

  “Why don’t you go grab your things,” he suggested. “I’ll get the kids.”

  “Really?”

  Toby nodded. “If you’re okay with that?”

  She peered into his face, her heart melting a little in her chest. “Yeah, that would be great.”

  Giving him a small smile, she left him and hurried to the room at the end of the hall, so excited to get out of that dress and those shoes. The room was empty when she slipped inside. She moved quickly to the table she’d set her clothes on and gathered them up.

  “Addy?”

  Addy gave an undignified squeak and dropped the bundle in her arms. She whirled around and nearly butt planted when her heels caught. She grabbed the table to steady herself.

  Beth stepped out from behind the dress screen, palms raised. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Heart palpitating wildly, Addy shook her head. “It’s okay. I didn’t realize anyone was here.”

  Beth ducked back behind the screen before stepping out completely, dressed in her jeans and sweater. “I love parties, but those heels…”

  “Yes!” Addy gasped.

  Beth chuckled. “I don’t know how Calla can stand on those things all day.”

  “Five minutes into the event, I wanted to set them on fire,” Addy confessed. “Not that I’m ungrateful…” She grimaced. “I really love the dress and the shoes…”

  Beth put her hand up. “It’s okay. I feel the same.”

  Not sure what to do, Addy scooped up her things. “Are you done using the screen?”

  At Beth’s nod, she ducked behind the shield and hurriedly stripped. She redressed in her comfy clothes and stepped out with the dress and shoes in hand. She walked over to the coffee table and rifled through the clothes tags Calla had cut and tossed aside. She found the one that belonged to her dress and shoes and did a quick math in her head … and swore.

  “You don’t have to worry about that,” Beth said, glancing up from where she was unearthing a hairbrush from her purse. “Just leave the dress and—”

  Addy shook her head. “I wore them and it wouldn’t be right if someone else bought them used.” Especially for that price, she thought. She dug out her wallet and fished out several bills. She set the tags on top and walked over to where the other woman stood. “Can you see that Calla gets this, please?”

  Beth hesitated, but she took the money.

  Addy threw on her coat and purse and started for the door. She paused and glanced back with her hand on the doorknob.

  “It was nice to meet you.”

  She slipped out before the woman could say anything.

  “Mommy!”

  Hanna, Sean and Toby were making their way towards her when she shut the door behind her.

  “Hey guys!” She scooped Hanna up and settled the girl on her hip. With her free arm, she pulled Sean into her side and kissed the top of his head. “Did you have fun?”

  “Yes!” Hanna said without hesitation. “We played forever.”

  Sean shrugged. “It was all right.”

  Addy was about to ask what they’d done when the change room door opened and Beth emerged. She looked from Addy, to her son and settled on the children.

  “Hello,” she said with a touch of surprise.

  “Mom, this is Sean and Hanna,” Toby introduced.

  Hanna waved enthusiastically. Sean merely inclined his head in silent greeting.

  Beth focused on Hanna. “I know you.”

  Hanna nodded. “I’m Kari’s friend.”

  Beth’s mouth twitched. “Yes, I remember. You were at Kari’s birthday party a few months back.”

  “We had cake,” Hanna confirmed.

  Beth chuckled and turned her gaze to Sean. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

  “I’m in Owen’s class, ma’am.”

  Beth gave a visible start. “Ma’am? I think I just felt myself age ten years.”

  Uncertainty had Sean’s eyes darting to his mother a split second before returning to Beth. “Mrs. McClain?”

  The pained look never left Beth’s face, but it was overshadowed by the laughter in her eyes. “I’ll take it over ma’am.” She lifted her focus to Toby. “Where are you guys headed?”

  “I was thinking ice cream. Then home.”

  Toby had said the magic word. Hanna’s entire face lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “Ice cream!”

  “It’s ten o’clock!” Addy protested. “It’s well after your bedtime.”

  Hanna’s shoulders dropped with her smile. Her lip puckered.

  “But … ice cream…”

  It was almost devastating to see the pitiful heartbreak in her big eyes. Addy glowered at Toby. This was his fault.

  “One scoop,” he vouched.

  Between the two of them, Addy was completely out numbered. She turned her attention to the other person in the group.

  “What about you, Sean?”

  The boy shrugged. “I like ice cream.”

  “The ice creams have it!” Toby declared, to which Hanna joined in with a squeal.

  “Actually…” Addy set Hanna down, her arm getting sore. “We might have to reschedule for tomorrow.”

  “Why?” Hanna demanded.

  “Because I should go down and help clean up. There was a million things we had to do before we started, I’m sure that tripled since this morning and I wouldn’t feel right leaving things as is.”

  “Aw!” Hanna sulked. “There goes all my dreams.”

  “Why don’t I take the kids for ice cream and you just come home when you’re done? You have your car here, right?”

  Addy nodded. “Yes, but you don’t have to do that.”

  Toby frowned. “Well, what else are you going to do with them? Make them wait three, or four hours until you’re finished? Jared and Damon already took the other kids home so there’s no one there. Even the babysitters are gone for the night.”

  He had a point. She probably wouldn’t be finished until well after midnight and she couldn’t ask the kids to sit around and do nothing, especially when no one else would be there.

  “Okay, thank you.” She passed her dress and heels to Toby and her purse to Sean. She dug out her car keys and shoved them into her coat pocket. “Be good for Mr. McClain, okay, guys?”

  “Are we getting ice cream?” Hanna asked.

  “Yes, we are getting ice cream,” Toby assured her.

  Hanna beamed. “Then I will be so good!”

  Chuckling, Toby peered up at Addy. “We’ll see you at home.” At her nod, he turned to his mother. “And I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  With that, he led the kids to the stairs and down. Hanna’s excited chatter about all her favorite flavors wafted up until it faded altogether. Addy faced the silent woman next to her with a small, hesitant smile.

  “Well, goodnight.”

  “Addy?”

  She stilled mid turn and glanced back. “Ye
s?”

  Beth peered in the direction of the stairway before focusing on her once more. “I owe you an apology.”

  Addy stiffened. “What? No—”

  Beth put a hand up, swiftly cutting her off. “I acted exactly how I hate people for acting. I was rude and I hope you’ll forgive me.”

  She started to shake her head. “There is nothing to forgive. Really. I understand.”

  Beth’s shoulders rose with her inhale. “No, I don’t think you do and even if you do, it doesn’t make it right.” She cleared her throat and fixed Addy with a level stare. “Come to dinner tomorrow.”

  Addy’s mouth opened and closed several times before words emerged. “To the family dinner?”

  Beth nodded. “The event kind of cut into our usual weekend, but we normally have one Sunday dinner before the week starts. Everyone will be there, including Rachel, and I hope you … and the kids, of course.”

  “Oh, um…”

  “I’d like to get to know you,” the woman stated. “If that’s all right with you?”

  Not sure what to say, Addy nodded. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

  With a smile, Addy waved and hurried down to help with the cleanup. She found Willa snapping the final round of pictures for the evening. She caught sight of Addy and hurried over.

  “Oh shoot! You’re dressed.” The blonde clicked her tongue. “I was hoping to get a nicer photo of you and Toby. I have one with you two on the stage, but—”

  “What is it for?” she asked.

  “The paper,” Willa answered simply. “You know I write the occasional article for the Willow Creek Gazette, right?” At Addy’s nod, she continued. “Well, I was covering the event tonight. It turned out really well. I’ve got photos of everyone.”

  Addy placed a hand on the other woman’s arm. “Could I ask you for a favor? Could you please not post any photos of me?”

  Delicate eyebrows lowered into a frown. “I don’t understand. The article is about the bidders and the participants.”

  “I just really don’t want my photo in the paper,” she explained. “It would really mean a lot to me.”

  Willa’s frown remained, but she gave a slight shrug. “All right, but that might be a bit hard to do, because I’m not the only one on this piece and Terry’s already gone to—”