They were best friends.
They would be a family—mother, father and daughter.
They would raise their child and rejoice in the wonder of the miracle they had created together.
And they would never, ever again…be lonely.
Now all Richard needed was a plan to make it all come true.
Seven
The waiting room on the maternity floor at Mercy Hospital was crowded with MacAllisters when Brenda and Richard arrived.
Both sets of senior MacAllisters were there, as well as representatives from each of the families except for Ryan and Deedee, and Ted and Hannah, as the police officers of the group were on duty and the mommies were home with the children.
Forrest did, indeed, have a bet going as to whether or not his cousin Jack would pass out in the delivery room. The betting was very detailed with money being placed on Jack surviving the ordeal on his feet or fainting dead away before, during or after the arrival of his and Jennifer’s son. That Jennifer would have a boy was a given in everyone’s mind.
“Thank you, thank you,” Forrest said to Richard, as he smacked a twenty-dollar bill into Forrest’s hand. “You’re late so you get the dregs. About all I’ve got left is Jack hitting the deck in his own kitchen when he gets home. You want it?”
“That will do it,” Richard said, nodding. “He’ll be cool here under pressure, then lose it later.”
“Got it,” Forrest said, scribbling on a piece of paper. “Hey, remember, Richard, I’ve got twenty on you in the Bachelor Bet. Just keep on keeping on in your swinging single lifestyle, cousin. You’ve always been a confirmed bachelor, and if you change your mind, I’m going to pop you a good one.”
“I fully intend to maintain my present way of thinking,” Richard said.
Which was that he wanted a wife, children and a real home, he mused. He always had, but he hadn’t been about to let this group know he couldn’t seem to find his soul mate among the multitudes. Forrest would really pop him in the chops if he knew that his so-called “swinging single” cousin Richard fully intended to marry Brenda Henderson…somehow.
“Glad to hear it,” Forrest said. “I sure wish someone would figure out how long you and that Sheriff Montana over in Arizona have to stay single before I can collect some money on you guys. This is a sloppy bet, this bachelor thing. That’s because I didn’t set it up.”
Brenda laughed. “You’re so full of yourself, Forrest MacAllister. There’s certainly nothing wrong with your self-esteem.”
“Hey, what can I say?” Forrest said, grinning. “If you’ve got it—hey.”
“Gag me with a spoon,” Michael said from where he was slouched on a sofa. “Don’t talk to him, Brenda. He’s a waste. Say, does anyone know what Jack and Jennifer are going to name this baby?”
“Nope,” Ralph MacAllister said. “Jack said they’d know for sure when they saw the baby. I already have a namesake thanks to Kara and Andrew in the form of Andrew Ralph MacAllister Malone, so…” The grandfather-to-be shrugged. “I don’t have any idea what they’ll name him.”
“Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out,” Mary MacAllister said, reaching over to grasp Ralph’s hand. “This waiting is wicked.”
“You get used to it after a half a dozen or so grandchildren, Mary,” Robert MacAllister said. “Isn’t that right, Margaret?”
“No,” his wife said, laughing. “No matter how many times you sit in this room, you feel helpless and the time just drags by.” Margaret paused. “Brenda, come sit by me, dear. I haven’t seen you in so long.”
Brenda crossed the room to settle onto a sofa next to Margaret MacAllister. The buzz of conversation picked up again, the subject now being the current winding down of the professional baseball season.
Margaret MacAllister smiled warmly at Brenda, then squeezed one of Brenda’s hands.
“I wanted you to sit here with me out of view, Brenda, dear,” Margaret said quietly. “The way you were standing, just so, made it very easy to tell that you’re expecting a baby.
“I wasn’t certain you wished that to be publicly known, since you haven’t said anything about it. If I’m wrong, then you just jump right back up and make your announcement while you have at least this many MacAllisters gathered.”
The color drained from Brenda’s face, and she attempted, and failed, to suck in her stomach.
“Oh, dear heaven, no,” she whispered, “I don’t want to make an announcement about…” She looked quickly around the noisy room. “Do you think anyone else— Oh, this is terrible, just awful.”
“Hush, hush,” Margaret said, patting Brenda’s knee. “Don’t upset yourself. You’re like a member of this family, Brenda. No one is going to censure you. If you’re happy about your baby, then we’ll be just as thrilled for you. MacAllisters put great stock in happiness. Are you pleased about your child?”
Brenda produced a small smile. “Yes…most of the time. When I’m really exhausted, I often get scared to death, but…” She nodded. “I love this baby already, and I want her very much.”
“Good. Perfect,” Margaret said, smiling. “That’s what matters. You know it’s a girl? You’ve had an ultrasound done?”
“Oh, um, no. No, I didn’t have an ultrasound,” Brenda said, mentally scrambling for something to explain her slip of the tongue. “Maybe it’s a boy. Boys are nice. Yep, they’re cute little things, those baby boys. Then again, it could be a girl. Then again…”
“Hi, Aunt Margaret,” Richard said, suddenly appearing in front of the pair.
“Hello, Richard,” Margaret said, smiling up at him. “How delightful that you could be here for your brother’s big event. I thought you were in Texas.”
“Just got home tonight.” Richard hunkered down in front of Brenda and splayed his hands on her knees. “I’ve got a buck that says you didn’t have any dinner, Bren. How about I go down to the cafeteria and get you a sandwich and a glass of milk and bring it back up here?”
Brenda slid a near-panicky glance at Margaret, then looked at Richard.
“No, thank you, buddy Richard,” she said, staring at him intently, “I’ll eat something when I get home. You just go talk to your cousins and do your guy thing. Goodbye, Richard, my pal.”
Richard frowned. “You’ve got dark smudges beneath your eyes, Bren. I didn’t notice them before we came. If this drags on too late here, I’m taking you home so you can get some rest.”
“Richard,” Brenda said through clenched teeth, “go away. I’m sure that everyone would love to hear all about Dallas. Go say something to your family in Texan…or whatever.”
“Maybe one of the vending machines on this floor has those little cartons of milk,” Richard said.
“Oh, good grief,” Brenda said, dropping her face into her hands.
Richard shifted his hands to his thighs and pushed himself to his feet.
“That’s the ticket,” he said. “I’ll go check out the vending machines.”
Brenda kept her hands in front of her face and raised her head enough to peer through her fingers to be certain that Richard was gone. She peeked at Margaret MacAllister, then nearly groaned aloud when she saw Richard’s aunt narrow her eyes, then smile and nod.
Brenda dropped her hands from her face and clutched them tightly in her lap.
“So!” she said brightly. “Is Joey excited about having a new baby brother? I assume he’s with Jillian or Hannah or… Joey is so cute. Just adorable. He’ll be a super big brother, don’t you think, Margaret? Sure. Hasn’t it been humid lately. August is just so soggy, you know what I mean? I—”
“Richard will be a wonderful father,” Margaret said. “All the MacAllister men are devoted daddies. I take it that Richard has decreed that you’re having a girl? Then you are, because that’s how the Baby Bet goes now. The daddy knows without a doubt. I’m thrilled for you both, Brenda, I truly am.”
“Oh, but… Richard who?” Brenda said, batting her eyelashes.
Margaret laughe
d. “All right, I won’t say any more about it. You and Richard love each other, are expecting a baby and beyond that your plans are none of my business. I’m sure you’ll inform the family about your news when you’re ready, and that’s just fine.”
“Margaret, listen to me,” Brenda whispered. “Richard is my best friend and I’m his best friend. Yes, we love each other, but not…not romantically, not in love, just best-friend love. We’re not getting married because that in love just isn’t there.”
“My dear child,” Margaret said, “I sat in this very room thirty-one years ago and awaited the birth of Richard MacAllister. I know and love that boy as much as I do my own sons.
“You should also remember that Richard has the expressive MacAllister eyes. I just saw him speaking with you, looking at you. Oh, yes, Brenda, our Richard is most definitely in love, no matter what you might think to the contrary. That’s not to say that he’s aware of the depth of his emotions for you yet, but—”
“No, no, no,” Brenda said. “I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, Margaret, but you’re very wrong. Richard and I are best friends…nothing more. This—” she waved her hand in the direction of her stomach “—just sort of…happened. I repeat—Richard and I are best friends, buddies, pals. End of story.”
“Mmm,” Margaret said. “The thing is, Brenda, that my darling Robert is my best friend, too, as well as my soul mate.”
“Your family has a weird take on that subject,” Brenda said, frowning. “Really off the wall.”
“Hey,” Richard said from across the room, “look who I found clad in fashionable surgical greens. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present my brother, Jack, the newest daddy of the clan. Oh, and here’s my baby sister, Kara, straight from the delivery room, too.”
Everyone got to their feet and started talking at once. Brenda drew a steadying breath, then joined the group.
Jack raised his hands for silence.
“I did not pass out,” Jack said. “Not before, during, nor after the birth of Jennifer’s and my son, nor will I conk out later, in case that got into the betting pool.”
A wide grin broke across Jack’s face.
“It’s a boy, of course,” he went on, “because I said it was, and he weighs seven pounds, seven ounces. Jennifer was fantastic, and the baby is yelling his head off. I—” Emotions choked off his words for a moment. “I am truly blessed.”
“What’s his name, son?” Ralph said.
“His name is Jason,” Jack said, then shifted his gaze to Richard. “Joey and Jason. It has a nice rhythm. Yep, he’s Jason…Richard…MacAllister.”
Richard’s eyes widened, then got suspiciously bright and glistening.
“You…you named your son after me?” he said, his voice husky. “Ah, man, Jack, I don’t know what to say. That’s— I mean…thank you.” He glanced around quickly. “Hey, Bren, where are you? Did you hear this? Jennifer and Jack named the baby Jason Richard MacAllister.”
Brenda moved to Richard’s side, and he encircled her shoulders with his arm and pulled her close.
“Isn’t that something?” Richard said.
“That’s definitely something,” she said, smiling.
All eyes were trained on the pair as they continued to smile at each other.
“Well,” Margaret said, stepping quickly in front of Brenda and Richard, “when can we see Jason Richard? Jack? Kara?”
“I’ll go check,” Kara said. “In the meantime, give this new daddy a hug, family. He did just great. No visitors for Jennifer tonight except for Jack, but Jason Richard will be on display in the nursery. I’ll be back in a second.”
Hugs, handshakes and slaps on the back were exchanged, and the buzz of chatter started up again. When Richard released Brenda to give Jack a bear hug, Margaret stepped close to Brenda.
“Richard is definitely in love,” Margaret whispered. “Now you must determine how you feel about him, during the time you have while he’s discovering the truth of his emotions regarding you.”
“But…” Brenda said.
“Don’t rush it, dear,” Margaret said. “Time holds all the answers.”
“But…”
“Jason Richard MacAllister,” Kara said from the doorway, “is now ready to receive his guests.”
“But…” Brenda said again, raising one finger as Margaret walked away, “you’re wrong and…” She sighed. “Never mind.”
“Come on, Bren,” Richard said. “Let’s go see my namesake.”
Jason Richard MacAllister was beautiful, Brenda mused, when it was her turn to step close to the nursery window and see the baby. So perfect. He had fuzzy strawberry-blond hair and rosy cheeks and, oh, he was adorable. But, good gracious, he was tiny. She’d never really paid attention before to just how small newborn babies were.
“What do you think?” Richard said, moving next to Brenda. “Neat kid, huh?”
“Yes, he’s fantastic,” Brenda said, “but he’s so tiny, Richard, and helpless and… How does a person hold a child that small without smushing him?”
“Very carefully, I guess,” he said, chuckling. “I don’t know, Bren. Natural instincts kick in and you just do it.” He shrugged. “Can’t be all that tough. Even Forrest managed to help tend to the triplets when they were little without breaking them.”
“I heard that, Richard,” Forrest said. “I’ll have you know that I was a pro within a week of the girls coming home from the hospital. Hey, there must be some kind of bet I can get going on the proficiency of new daddies. Hmm. I’ll think about that.”
“Say good-night to Jason Richard, everyone,” Kara said. “Visiting hours are over. Jack, go kiss your wife good-night. I’m off for home to share this news with Andrew. ’Bye for now, family.”
Goodbyes and congratulations were expressed to Jack, then the group went down in the elevator and separated in the parking lot, everyone heading for their vehicles.
Brenda was quiet during the drive home as she replayed over and over in her mind what Margaret MacAllister had said to her.
Margaret was a wonderful and wise woman, Brenda thought, but this time Margaret was wrong. Richard MacAllister was not in love with her.
And she certainly wasn’t in love with him, either.
It had just been wishful thinking on Margaret’s part. She simply wanted her nephew to have what all the other MacAllister couples did. But it just wasn’t there, that romantic love that Margaret was so certain she had observed in Richard’s expressive MacAllister eyes.
Brenda sighed, then frowned as she heard the strange sadness echoing in her own sigh.
That was silly. Facts were facts. It was nothing to get gloomy about. She and Richard just weren’t in love with each other. They were best friends who loved each other in that best-friend way, and that was that.
Brenda sighed again, then told herself crossly to knock it off.
“What’s wrong, Bren?” Richard said, glancing over at her. “You sound sad or something.”
“No, no, I’m just tired,” she said quickly. “And hungry. And thirsty. Need some milk. I’m going to get home, eat, drink and go to bed.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Richard said, nodding. “You need your nourishment, your milk and your rest.” He paused. “Jason Richard MacAllister. What a special gift Jennifer and Jack have bestowed on me.”
“Yes, it’s very special.”
“Second only to the gift you’re giving me, Brenda,” Richard said quietly. “My daughter. Our daughter. The next time the MacAllister family gathers in that waiting room at Mercy Hospital it will be to await the arrival of our baby. That’s a pretty awesome thought, isn’t it?”
“It’s awesome, all right,” Brenda said, frowning, “and your aunt Margaret already knows that it’s going to happen. She took one look at me and knew I was pregnant.
“Then, because you were going on and on like a motor mouth about my having something to eat and needing some milk and…well, Margaret figured out that you’re the father in this ch
arming scenario. How’s that for awesome, MacAllister?”
Richard laughed. “No kidding? Aunt Margaret nailed it, huh? Well, it’s next to impossible to get anything past Aunt Margaret. She’s sharp as a tack. What a hoot.”
“A hoot!” Brenda yelled, causing Richard to cringe in surprise at her outburst. “I’d call it a disaster, that’s what I’d call it. I’m not ready for your family to know about this baby, Richard.
“I’m not even prepared to tell my own parents that I’m pregnant because I…I just don’t know what to say, how to explain that I…” She sniffled. “This whole situation is not…is not a hoot, Mr. MacAllister.”
“Gosh, Bren, I’m sorry,” Richard said. “I didn’t mean to upset you, I really didn’t. Hey, look, we’re almost home. There’s just a couple of blocks left to go. I’ll fix you something good to eat. Okay? Would you like your milk warmed? That’s supposed to be a very soothing drink, warm milk. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll heat it up for you and—”
“Richard, stop being so nice to me,” Brenda said, throwing up her hands. “I just screeched at you like a shrew and—”
“Screeched,” Richard said, “is, as we trivia experts know, the longest one-syllable word in the English language. Right?”
Brenda laughed and shook her head. “You’re so crazy. It’s impossible to stay upset at you. I’m sorry I was witchy.”
Richard pulled into a parking spot and turned off the ignition.
“I’ll speak to Aunt Margaret, Bren, and ask her not to tell anyone about the baby yet. Would that make you feel better?”
“No, it’s all right. I’m getting fat fast, remember? Everyone is going to know soon, so—” Brenda shrugged “—just be prepared to answer the zillion questions from your family about why we aren’t getting married. Oh, ugh, I dread that part so much.”
“I’ll think of something to say,” he said, opening the car door. Like… Brenda and I are getting married next week, or Brenda and I were married last week, or…Yeah, right. All he had to do was figure out how to convince Brenda to marry him. Whew. “I’ll come around and get your door, Bren. Stay put.”
Baby: MacAllister-Made Page 9
