Wedding Rings and Baby Things

by Teresa Southwick

  “Since when has pregnancy been a debilitating disease?” she asked snappishly.

  Mike’s eyebrows lifted at her tone, even though she hadn’t meant to be sharp. Without a word, he walked over to her and gently held her upper arms, squeezing them reassuringly. As he scanned her face, concern replaced irritation.

  “Kelly, something’s happened. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  She fixed her gaze on the tab collar of his shirt, dismayed that she felt very close to tears. That hadn’t happened to her since getting the news. Why now, in front of Mike?

  “I’ve been fired.”

  He frowned. “Fired?”

  “Yes, as in canned, sacked and let go. As of the end of the school year.”

  “But you’re one of the best teachers Cliff has. I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t blame Mr. Bloomhurst. He didn’t want to do it. The school board made the decision. It’s because of the baby,” she said, placing one hand protectively on her abdomen. “Actually, that’s not entirely true. It’s because I’m not married to the baby’s father.”

  “Any woman who marries that jerk should have her head examined.”

  “Don’t start, Mike, or I’ll be forced to bring up Bambi.”

  “Her name was not Bambi. It was Jennifer.”

  “Same thing,” Kelly said. Suddenly she was exhausted. “I’m going to sit down. If you can be supportive and appropriately sympathetic, you’re welcome to join me in the living room. If not, go away.”

  “Come on,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the sofa in front of the red brick fireplace.

  Mike sat down beside her. He had been relieved when he heard Kelly’s car come up the drive and saw the lights go on in the guest house. As far as he knew, she hadn’t missed an appointment for anything since he and her brother, Jim, had kidnapped her for breakfast on her eighteenth birthday and she hadn’t shown up to get her hair cut

  Mike half turned so he could see Kelly’s face, just as she tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear. Over the years, he’d seen her with long and short styles, but he decided he liked this sophisticated, page boy look best. Her thick mahogany hair hit her just about chin length and drew his attention to her face. Purple smudges darkened her skin, just below her green eyes. She looked delicate and fragile. He hated that she was losing her job, because she was a fine teacher, and she had a lot to offer her students. Mostly he hated it because of what it was doing to her.

  He knew Kelly, and he would bet there was more to the story. She still hadn’t explained to him about the boxes.

  “Why are you packing?” he asked.

  “That’s usually what you do before you move.”

  His gut tightened. Move? Why? Especially now. “Just a damn minute. Bloomhurst might be able to can you, which is an issue I’ll get to in a minute, but he can’t run you out of town.”

  “Who said anything about leaving town? I’m taking an apartment on Walnut Street,” she said, looking down. She folded her hands in her lap.

  The movement pulled her oversized navy blue top across her gently curved abdomen. She had no business moving in her condition.

  “I want the whole story, Kelly. This isn’t like you. You’re not exactly a spontaneous person.”

  “There you go with the flattery again—”

  “Don’t change the subject. Spit it out.”

  “You won’t like it,” she said, glancing at him.

  “I already don’t. How much worse can it get?”

  “There’s a rumor that you’re the baby’s father.”

  “What?” He sat forward. “That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard. We’re just friends.”

  She nodded. “I said you wouldn’t like it. I’m pretty sure Liz McCutcheon mentioned it to Mr. Bloomhurst, but I can’t say I wouldn’t jump to the same conclusion myself. After all, I live a stone’s throw from your front door.”

  “But we’re just friends.”

  “You said that already.” She sighed. “I know it and you know it, but think how the arrangement must look to everyone else. That’s why I have to move.”

  “No, you don’t.” Mike was surprised at how angry he was; he didn’t want Kelly to move. Not because she was pregnant and it would be hard on her and the baby, and not because he hated knuckling under to gossipmongers, but because he liked having her across the driveway from him.

  Kelly and her mother had moved in about six weeks before Mrs. Walker had died of cancer. Several years before the woman he thought of as a second mother had refused Mike’s offer of a loan to help her son, Jim, establish his accounting business in Phoenix. She had -mortgaged her home instead. When she had become ill, she hadn’t wanted Kelly and Jim to have to deal with a large payment, and had sold her property. Kelly had moved back from Arizona to take care of her mother, and Mike had insisted the two of them live in his empty guest house. They had agreed, but only if he would let them pay rent. After her mother had passed away, Kelly stayed. She didn’t know the money went into a bank account for her. If he couldn’t talk her out of moving, she might need it sooner than he’d expected.

  “Don’t you see, Mike? I won’t let any of this hurt you. If I move, the rumors will go away.”

  “If people already think I’m the father, your moving won’t change anything.” Mike stood up and started pacing. “I’m going to see Cliff in the morning and set him straight. I’m going to get your job back and raise so much hell an 8.0 earthquake will look like a walk in the park.”

  “Don’t, Mike. First of all, Mr. Bloomhurst was told to fire me, and it was his job to do it. Besides, he didn’t start the rumor. Second, his hands are tied and he doesn’t deserve to have you come down on him. I’d prefer to go quietly.”

  Mike saw the slight tremble of her lip, just before she caught it between her teeth. Then he saw red.

  “I may not be able to do any good, but he’s sure as hell going to know how I feel,” he said.

  “And what good will that do? What if you get fired, too?”

  “I made enough money playing pro ball. I don’t need their job. And I sure as hell don’t need an ulcer. Someone needs to tell that uptight McCutcheon that she can’t mess with people’s lives.”

  “She can and she did. But that’s my problem. If you get fired, what’s going to happen to your football team in the fall? You’ve been teaching and training your senior players since they were freshmen. That was your first year here. They have a chance at the league title for the first time in years. You can’t abandon them.”

  “And you’re not abandoning your students?”

  “I don’t have a choice. You do.”

  “You’re a gifted teacher, Kelly. You can’t let a narrow-minded group of people run you off without a fight. The kids will be the real losers.”

  “I haven’t got tenure. I have no weapons to fight with. And you’re right about the kids being the losers. The football program brings in a lot of revenue. Just think what would happen if you give the community a championship.”

  As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. He had some talented young men who he had taken as skinny fourteen-year-olds and molded into fine players. If he left now and had to be replaced, this year’s football program would be sacked big-time. It could scrap the season for these guys, and more important than that, it would affect their chances to be looked at by colleges for athletic scholarships.

  “Okay, you’ve got a point. I won’t give McCutcheon a piece of my mind.” He stopped pacing and pointed at her. “Don’t you dare tell me I can’t spare any to give her.”

  “Everyone knows jocks have more muscles than brains.”

  For the first time since she’d let him in, Kelly laughed. The worry and frown lines were gone for a moment and it was like the sun had come out after a storm. Mike found that he wanted to chase away her clouds so she would always look sunny.

  He wouldn’t go to the school board, but he would find a way to help her somehow. He hated seeing her lose
her job. He knew how much she wanted the baby. There must be a way she could have both. And he had to convince her that she didn’t have to protect him. He didn’t give a damn what people said.

  She sighed. “If only I had tenure, it wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of me.”

  “What did Cliff say to you?”

  “That the school board could not allow a woman in the classroom who was pregnant and unmarried.”

  Mike continued to pace in front of the fireplace. “So the M word is the key factor here. How did you find out that people think I’m junior’s father?”

  “Mr. Bloomhurst told me, then came right out and asked. After that he said it was a stupid question.”

  “Why?”

  “He said if you were the baby’s father, he and I wouldn’t be having the discussion at all. What do you suppose he meant by that?”

  Mike knew exactly what Cliff had meant He was surprised he hadn’t thought of it himself. He came to a halt and looked at her. It was brilliant. He liked her; she liked him; they both liked kids. Why not?

  “Mike, you have a strange look on your face. What are you thinking about?”

  “I have it, Kelly. The perfect solution to our problem.”

  “It’s not our problem. It’s my problem and I’d appreciate it if you would—”

  “I’d appreciate it if you would be quiet and listen to my ingenious solution.”

  “All right. What is the magic answer?”

  “Marry me.”

  Chapter Two

  Kelly’s eyes widened. “Marry you?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is not a joking matter, Mike. Like I said before, if you can’t be supportive, then go away.”

  “I’m not kidding.”

  “Then you’ve been tackled one too many times without a helmet.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with my head, Kelly. This is the right thing to do.”

  “Right for whom? I don’t need a man to rescue me.

  “You need to be married. And how you’re going to do that without a man is beyond me.” Mike started pacing again.

  “I’ve sworn off men.”

  “Have you sworn off friends, too, Kelly?” He stopped and folded his arms over his chest. “I want to help.”

  “I appreciate that, Mike. But marriage?” She looked at him helplessly. “Friends change your flat tire. They loan you five dollars to tide you over until payday. They tell you when there’s lipstick on your teeth. They don’t marry you because you’re going to have a baby.”

  “Why not?” The way he was looking at her, Kelly could swear he was dead serious.

  She was truly touched by Mike’s gesture, but it was out of the question. “Before I try to beat some sense into you, I have a why of my own.”

  “Shoot,” he said, and braced himself.

  “Why would you want to get married again? Since your divorce you’ve been swearing that no woman would drag you down ball-and-chain lane again. So why would you do this?”

  “Why should I marry thee, let me count the whys.”

  “You’re not a poet, Mike. And you’re not funny.”

  “I’m not trying to be funny.” He put his hands on his hips. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”

  “Is this one going to be more outrageous than the last one?” She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help laughing.

  “I’m going to ignore your sarcasm, Ms. Walker. How about this? If I can come up with ten good reasons why we should get married, you’ll say yes to my proposal.”

  Kelly had him now. There was no way he could come up with one really good reason, let alone ten. “All right. You’re on. Is there a time limit?”

  He looked offended. “This isn’t ‘Jeopardy.’”

  “That all depends on your point of view.” She settled herself comfortably against the cushions of the couch and looked at him, waiting for him to start. “Any time you’re ready. Reason number one.”

  He leaned a shoulder against the oak mantel and thought for a minute. “You don’t hate football. My first wife couldn’t stand it, except for the so-called celebrity perks.”

  “Remember, these have to be good reasons.”

  “What’s better than football? But if you don’t think that’s good enough, I’ve got nine more.” He started walking back and forth in front of her. Then he stopped and said, “Okay, I’ve got it. If I’m married, women will leave me alone, and I won’t have to beat them off with a stick. And we could use two-for-one coupons at restaurants.”

  “Will you stop being ridiculous? Marriage is not a prerequisite for a dinner date. And don’t forget I live across the driveway. I haven’t seen more than a babe or two beating a path to your door. That doesn’t seem like a problem that requires this drastic a solution.” She folded her arms and looked at him sternly. “I need serious, personal reasons.”

  “All right. What about repaying your family for taking me in as a kid when I needed discipline and guidance? What about the fact that the night before she died, I promised your mother I’d look out for you? And the fact that I didn’t keep that promise or you wouldn’t be in this situation now?”

  His commitment to that vow touched her deeply. He was a wonderful guy and it was comforting to know she had someone like him in her corner. But she had to convince him that he wasn’t to blame for everything that happened to her.

  “My.parents wanted you to live with us because they cared about kids and you were in trouble. They knew you’d turn out all right, all you needed was a firm hand. They were absolutely right.” She placed her palm on her stomach. “My mother didn’t expect you to be my keeper. I’m not your responsibility, Mike.”

  “Yeah? Then why do I still feel responsible? You called me the night after the funeral, right after your brother went back to Phoenix. I wasn’t here.”

  “And I called Doug because I needed someone to talk to. What I didn’t know was that he didn’t have talking in mind when he came over.”

  “I’d still like to break his neck for taking advantage of you the way he did.” Mike looked angry, furious in fact She was surprised that he still felt that strongly after all these months.

  What would he do if he knew Doug was trying to get in touch with her? He’d left messages at school and on the answering machine at home, but she hadn’t returned any of his calls. For Mike’s sake she decided it would be best not to tell him.

  “Guilt is not a good reason to marry, Mike. Let’s go at this from a different angle. What would I get from marrying you? Besides the obvious reason,” she said looking at her stomach.

  He thought for a minute. “Joint tax return. You could be the official team tutor.”

  “I’m that, anyway. Why would anything change?”

  “Then what about a name for the baby?” he asked.

  “I’ll pick out names. I don’t need help for that.”

  “No. I mean a last name.”

  Kelly’s gaze met his, and she knew what he was thinking. Mike’s mother had never married his father. In school he had gotten into fights because of what the kids had called him. “Bastard.” A dirty, filthy name. All the more hurtful because it was true. He was politely telling her that if she wasn’t married when her baby was born, the child would be a bastard. She felt a tightness in her chest, a small pain around her heart

  “That was hitting below the belt, Mike.”

  “You don’t have a belt anymore, Kel.”

  She blinked and looked away. “You’ve gone from ridiculous to the Dark Ages. This is the nineties. A lot of women are choosing single parenthood.”

  “I may be old, but I can still remember how it feels to be different from the other kids. That hasn’t changed.”

  “I don’t want to play this game anymore.” Kelly stood up and started toward the kitchen.

  Mike took her arm to stop her, then turned her to him. “I’m not trying to hurt you, but there are some things you should think about. I’ve given you a lot of outstanding reasons why marri
age is a practical solution to your situation.”

  “You haven’t given me one that’s good for you. And don’t tell me about running interference for Bambi and Fawn, or the guilt factor or football. Why in the world would you want to get married?”

  He sighed and dropped his hand from her arm. “As you pointed out, I’m old. Old men get tired of living alone.”

  Mr. Bachelor Mike Cameron tired of living alone? For just an instant she saw a trace of loneliness on his face. She’d never seen him this way and it warmed her heart that he would share that with her.

  “I didn’t say you were old. I said you were living in the Dark Ages.”

  “Means the same thing.”

  “All right, you’re ancient and you want someone to share the rocking chair with. Why me, Mike? I’m going to have a baby. Doesn’t that make you want to kick that rocker into high gear and run the other way?”

  “No. You want to know why?” He looked into her eyes and she nodded. His expression told her he was being completely serious now, and that got her attention in a big way.

  “We’re friends, Kelly. The best. That’s more than most people ever have. You know what else?” She shook her head. “It’s all. I ever expect to have. So that makes it pretty good.”

  “But it’s not all I ever expect to have.”

  “You said you’ve sworn off men.”

  “Not forever. Someday I want to find real love, romantic love.” She walked back into the kitchen to continue dismantling her personal possessions. She climbed onto a chair and reached for her cow picture with the words Feeding Time.

  “What are you doing on that chair?” Mike took her elbow and helped her down. “Don’t ever do that again. I’ll get that stuff for you.”

  He reached the things she couldn’t—the clock her mother had made, the brass plaque that said, “On this spot in 1897, nothing happened,” and the picture of her newest words to live by, “Success is the intelligent use of mistakes.”

  “You’re holding out for something that doesn’t exist, Kelly. There’s no such thing as true love.”

  Her eyes filled and she turned away so that he wouldn’t see. “I think it exists. My parents had it. I don’t want to settle for less. Thank you, Mike. Someday I’ll probably kick myself for being a stupid fool. But I have to say no to your proposal.”