Taken

by Debra Lee

  When Ellie did return to the living room she was smiling. A real smile that grew as the idea that struck her in the bathroom started feeling right. She just wondered why she hadn’t thought of it sooner.

  Her daughter and son-in-law will make perfect parents for the child. Now all she had to do was discuss the matter with them. Or better yet, why not wait and surprise them after everything was arranged?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Mary spent the entire evening feeding, rocking and talking to Jena. It was long after Jena had fallen into her deep sleep of the night that Mary continued to hold her in her arms.

  The nursery was dark except for the faint night light plugged into the wall socket. But as Mary sat in the rocker and looked down at Jena there was enough light to see her little face and the curved mouth. Kyle’s mouth.

  Mary felt the tears filling her eyes. She squeezed her eyelids as tightly shut as she could to force them back. All the while she vowed she’d never shed another tear for Kyle Frederick. He didn’t deserve a single one.

  In spite of the fact she didn’t want to think about him it was Kyle’s image that came to her in the darkness. She pictured him holding his other daughter-his legitimate one. Did he cradle her in his arms like she did Jena? Was there ever a time he looked into baby Lisa’s eyes and wondered about Jena? Or had he put thoughts of her completely out of his mind?

  ***

  Kyle sat in the center of the room decorated in pink and white. He had Lisa cradled in his arms as he rocked. Kyle found it difficult to tell if she was asleep since the room was dark except for a night light.

  There was another kind of darkness in the room. This darkness was within Kyle. The spot where the light went out when he’d agreed with Elaine’s demand to shut Jena out of his life.

  His arms tightened around Lisa as he drew her closer to his chest. But even this did not bring any light to that dark spot.

  As a tear trickled from the corner of his right eye, he smiled down at his daughter. The one he could feel in his arms.

  Maybe someday he would be able to put his arms around his other daughter too. Then the darkness would go away and he’d feel whole again.

  Kyle knew there were men who abandoned their children, gave up custody without any visible signs of regret. Now he understood better. They had regrets. They managed to keep it from showing. That’s the way it was supposed to be. Wasn’t it?

  A man wasn’t supposed to cry, a sure sign of weakness. Those were the words drilled into him since childhood. Not by his father. Audrey Palmer Frederick, the woman who had been mother and father to Kyle after her husband’s fatal heart attack had left her alone to rear her only child.

  Would Jena be an only child too? Would Mary be the drill sergeant his mother had been? Would Jena find outlets in order to cope as he had?

  In Kyle’s heart he honestly felt he could answer no to all of the above. Mary was the kindest, most compassionate woman he knew. But that was before. Did becoming a mother change her into his mother?

  The thought terrified Kyle. But not half as much as the plan his subconscious was beginning to share with his conscious mind.

  “Aren’t you coming to bed?” Elaine whispered as she tiptoed into the nursery and reached down for the baby.

  Kyle didn’t wait for Elaine to put Lisa down in her bassinet before uprooting himself from the rocker and heading to the master bedroom. He was placing clothes into the opened suitcase at the foot of the bed when Elaine joined him.

  “Can’t the packing wait until morning?” Her tone was seductive as she moved toward him.

  Kyle stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. It was difficult to ignore her when she was slowly, enticingly shimmering out of her nightgown.

  “The packing can wait,” Kyle groaned as her bare breasts brushed against him.

  “I’d hate to send you off to that conference horny.”

  Their lovemaking was quick and fierce. The dark spot within Kyle was temporarily forgotten as Elaine reminded him of just how much he needed her.

  “That felt really good,” Elaine began as she snuggled against him. “You do know I’m really going to miss you.”

  Kyle was on his back staring at the ceiling. His mouth twisted into a gratifying smile. “I’ll be back home Sunday.”

  Just enough time to put things in motion, Elaine thought. “Even a day apart is too long,” she murmured before kissing along his throat.

  “It’s not too late to change your mind and come along,” Kyle said. “But I will be in meetings all day everyday.”

  “Why do you think I’m not going?”

  On second thought maybe she should go. Had Kyle reminded her about all those day long meetings because he was up to something? The last conference had the same full schedule of meetings but Kyle attended few. He’d spent most days in bed making wild passionate love to her.

  Was it possible her faithful husband wasn’t so faithful? Maybe there wasn’t a conference at all. Was it possible Kyle was planning a long weekend somewhere else? Where and with whom was the question?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mary enjoyed her morning at work much more than the day before. She felt more comfortable leaving Jena. That alone made a world of difference. She even called Carol to invite her to join her for lunch.

  It wasn’t an invitation to meet her at a local restaurant. Mary wasn’t comfortable enough to spend the entire day away from Jena just yet. But she was willing to share her lunch hour with Jena and Carol at the apartment.

  “Sure I can’t talk you into Trevor House? Or how about that new Chinese place?”

  Mary gave Carol one of those familiar no looks as she crawled into the passenger’s seat of Carol’s car.

  “Just a suggestion,” quipped Carol as she ducked behind the wheel.

  “You know it wouldn’t hurt for you to try and like Jena,” Mary said as they pulled away from the curb.

  The light at the intersection up ahead turned red and Carol slammed on the brakes. Mary sensed she would’ve done so whether the light changed or not.

  “I never said I didn’t like the kid.”

  “Then why won’t you hold her? Talk to her.”

  The light turned green and Carol tramped on the accelerator, all the while considering Mary’s question. She didn’t know why she didn’t want to hold Jena. But she knew she didn’t dislike the kid. Maybe once she got a personality or something she’d feel one way or another about her. Right now she considered her a nuisance.

  She knew she couldn’t tell Mary as much. She’d never understand her feelings about the kid. Or that Carol resented the kid most of the time for keeping her best friend from her.

  Carol glanced over at Mary. “If it will make you happy, I’ll hold her.”

  “That would be a start,” Mary said and looked out the window on her right so Carol wouldn’t see her smile.

  The second Mary and Carol stepped inside the apartment building Mary heard Jena crying and dashed for the stairs.

  “Wonderful,” Carol grumbled as she tagged behind.

  When Carol entered the apartment she got a glimpse of Mary whisking a sobbing Jena away from Ellie and took off in the direction of the nursery.

  “Yesterday she was an angel. Today she’s cranky all morning,” Ellie told Carol and threw up her arms and headed into the kitchen.

  Carol followed her. “What’s wrong with her?”

  “She could be coming down with something. Maybe she just misses her mommy. Go ahead and sit down. I made sandwiches.”

  Carol eased into a chair at the table and watched Ellie begin unloading the refrigerator onto the table.

  “Can I ask you a question, Ellie?”

  “What’s on your mind?”

  Carol swallowed hard. She wasn’t quite sure how to phrase her words. Then she decided to just come out with it no matter how blunt it might sound. “Do you think Mary’s a good mother?”

  Ellie wrinkled her brow as she sat in a chair acro
ss from her. “Mary’s a wonderful mother. Can’t you see that, Carol?”

  “I see her devoting her entire life to that kid. And well I—”

  “Mothers do that.”

  “Mine didn’t. She didn’t even want me.”

  Ellie sighed. “Maybe she wanted you, but had no way to care for you?”

  “No, she didn’t want me or my brothers and sisters.”

  “Then maybe she never should’ve had children.” A moment of silence, then Ellie smiled warmly. “On the other hand, if she never had children you wouldn’t be here. And we need people like you, Carol.”

  Carol chuckled. “Yeah right. If I’m so wonderful why do I wish Mary never had a baby? Answer that one, Ellie.”

  “You don’t mean that. You’re just feeling a little cheated cause Mary gives Jena so much attention.”

  “Too much.” Carol took a bite of her tuna sandwich. As she chewed her mind worked over time. “Would you put one of your kids above everything else in life, Ellie?”

  Ellie eased back in her chair. She really didn’t have to think about an answer. Especially after the recent tragedy her daughter suffered and what Ellie planned to do to ease her pain.

  She wasn’t prepared to confide in Carol about any of that. After all, she barely knew the young woman. But one thing had become clearer to her now. Carol’s feelings toward Mary were sincere. She loved her like the true friend Mary had said she was. But Ellie also couldn’t help but feel Carol’s possessiveness could destroy the friendship. If Mary had to choose between her baby and friend Ellie knew what her choice would be. Perhaps Carol did too.

  Was that what this little chat was all about? Or had Carol somehow got wind of what Ellie was making plans to do? But that was impossible. She was being paranoid. There was no way anyone could know what she was up to. She was ninety nine percent certain of it.

  By the time Carol walked into the nursery Jena was sound asleep in Mary’s arms. But Mary made no movement to get up from the rocking chair and put Jena down in the crib.

  “You better go grab a sandwich.”

  “Ssh.”

  Carol instantly saw red. Hadn’t Mary noticed she entered the room quietly or that she tiptoed to the window?

  “I see you still haven’t had the super install locks,” Carol said, making certain her tone was barely audible.

  “They’re ordered,” Mary whispered as she inched out of the chair and to the crib.

  “She’s really not so bad when she’s sleeping,” Carol said as she slithered up next to Mary where she hovered over the crib.

  Mary smiled as she glanced over at Carol and saw her staring down at Jena. When she looked closer she could’ve sworn she saw a change in her expression as well. Mary wondered if Carol was finally ready to give Jena a chance. Or was she misreading Carol’s expression? Mary stopped herself right there. She refused to allow any negative thoughts to spoil the moment she had waited six weeks for.

  Carol was determined as well to chase away her negative feelings when she left the nursery. She wasn’t going to strike up a conversation about Jena and how she felt about her. There were too many other topics to catch up on with more meaning to Carol than Mary’s annoying kid.

  Of course Mary became too busy drilling Ellie about the morning for Carol to get in a word. By the time Mary finished it was time to return to work and Carol was too angry to utter a word on the short drive through town. She didn’t even respond to Mary’s, “Thanks for the ride,” when Mary got out of the car.

  Later that afternoon when Carol was visited by the state official who hired her she was still too angry to respond to the news he brought with him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next several days moved along smoothly. There was plenty of work in the office to fill the days. Mary’s nights were devoted to Jena. But when she slept Mary’s mind went into overdrive leaving her with bouts of depression.

  For reasons she didn’t understand Reilly or Carol hadn’t popped in on her for a visit. By the time thoughts of either one entered her mind it was too late in the evening to call them.

  There were always times when thoughts of Kyle would filter into her head. No matter how many times Mary forbade herself to think about him she did anyway.

  What if he had a change of heart? What if the past year could be relived? Maybe then she might be more aware of what was happening right under her nose. She was so blinded by her love for Kyle she hadn’t been able to see straight. If she had a do over she knew she could prevent losing him to another woman.

  When she wasn’t thinking about Kyle thoughts of Elaine haunted her. The threat she had made. What did it mean? Mary knew right from the first day she saw the woman underneath all that beauty lurked an ugly side. The side she saw days ago when she paid Mary that unexpected visit.

  Had Kyle been introduced to that ugly side too? Is that why he decided to turn his back on his daughter? Did the woman have more of a hold on him than the obvious? Was Kyle afraid of her? Or was there a side of him similar to that dark side of Elaine’s? Was that the real attraction between them?

  When Saturday morning rolled around Mary was determined to fight the depression that had managed to get a hold on her. And what better way to win the battle than a visit with her Nana.

  She bathed and dressed Jena in white tights and a ruffled pink cotton dress, then stuffed the diaper bag with disposable diapers and wet ones.

  By the time she headed for the door her insides tingled with excitement. No sign of depression here, she thought as she unbolted the door and pulled it open.

  Reilly jumped with surprise in unison with Mary.

  “What are you trying to do Reilly, give me a heart attack?”

  “I could say the same.”

  Reilly smiled, then focused his attention on Jena. “Hello there, Princess. Got a kiss for Uncle Reilly?” Reilly went on instinct and leaned over and planted a kiss on Jena’s forehead.

  “What are you doing here, Reilly?”

  “Came to see my two favorite girls.”

  It suddenly dawned on Reilly Mary was on her way out. The realization took the wind out of the temporary high he felt seeing her again. “Guess I should’ve called first, huh?”

  “We’re going to visit my grandmother.”

  Reilly grabbed the diaper bag from Mary’s hand. “Great. I’ve been wantin’ to meet the family.”

  “I don’t know if you should go along.”

  “You don’t think grandma will approve?”

  Mary knew her nana would get along just fine with Reilly Jackson and that’s what bothered her.

  She couldn’t help thinking it had more to do with Kyle. If he returned to her it was Kyle she wanted her nana to like. It wasn’t just that though. Mary was beginning to feel uncomfortable around Reilly. It was almost as if one part of her wanted to accept his love while another part was afraid of something. She had to consider her fear came from not wanting to get hurt again. After all, who was to say Reilly wouldn’t one day break her heart just like Kyle had.

  “So what do you say, Jena, think I should come along to see grandma?”

  Reilly’s words cut into Mary’s thoughts. When she glanced down at Jena, she saw her smiling at the man who had just asked her opinion on the subject. Mary found herself unable to resist smiling too.

  “I promise to be on my best behavior,” Reilly assured as his eyes met Mary’s.

  For a tense moment there was seriousness between them before Jena became impatient and began squirming in Mary’s arms.

  “Okay, you can come.”

  ***

  “A writer in the family sure would give the old people around here something to talk about.”

  “Reilly isn’t in our family, Nana,” Mary was quick to remind. But she did so with a smile, all the while feeling the nerves around her mouth tightening.

  “Well he might be someday. Right, Reilly?”

  Reilly appeared stunned. Precisely why Mary took Jena from his arms before he
totally lost his head or something worse, dropped her.

  “I think it’s time for us to be going, Nana.”

  “What’s your hurry? I certainly don’t have anything more important to do than what I’m doing right now.”

  “Well I have an apartment to clean and laundry to do.”

  “I can give you a hand with that later,” Reilly volunteered without a second thought.

  A conspiracy is the thought that torpedoed through Mary’s head. But she managed to smile when she once again insisted it was time to leave.

  Sadie and Reilly seemed to get the message and did not challenge further.

  The usual, nice to meet you was exchanged between Sadie and Reilly before Sadie said, “You be sure and come visit again, Reilly.”

  When Mary leaned down to kiss Sadie on the cheek, Sadie whispered, “You better hold onto this one.”

  “What makes you think I can? Remember Kyle?”

  “Phooey with Kyle Frederick. Reilly’s the one that has that look in his eyes, sweetie.”

  Mary followed Reilly out of the room in a much improved state of mind.

  “Hey, what were you two whisperin’ about in there?” Reilly asked on the way to the car.

  “You of course,” Mary said, unable to keep from grinning.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I think I’m gettin’ pretty good at this,” Reilly said proudly as he followed Mary into her apartment building. His comment was in reference to the ease of handling Jena in his arms.

  “I think she likes you too.”

  Ellie was locking up her apartment door when she heard their voices. She couldn’t have timed her departure any better. But then she had guessed Mary would be returning at any moment. It was Jena’s nap time.

  “Taking a trip, Ellie?” Mary asked when she stepped onto the second floor landing and saw the woman standing at her door with an overnight bag in her hand.

  “I’m glad you caught me. Hi there little pumpkin,” Ellie interrupted herself with to coo to Jena.