Leigh followed Molly meekly to the special chair and took her seat.
“Look what I got you,” Molly said sassily, handing down a box of tissues with a bow stuck on top. “The extra-soft kind, with lotion. Remember, now that you have a baby, think lotion. That’s all the advice I can give you, pal.”
Still crying a little, Leigh had to laugh as well. She pulled some tissues from the box, wiped her eyes and determinedly got a grip on her emotions. There were so many gifts piled around her, she would be opening them from now until Christmas.
With some help from Molly and Carolyn, Leigh worked her way through the presents. There was a car seat and a portable crib, a bouncing infant seat, a feeding set, blankets, a baby backpack, a sling for carrying the infant, and mounds of clothes. There were gadgets and equipment that Leigh wasn’t sure how to use or even what they did.
Finally, she came to a small carefully wrapped box. She read the card and saw that it was from Vera. She looked up to see Vera beaming at her, waiting for her reaction.
Leigh unwrapped the box then folded back sheets of ivory tissue paper. The box was filled with the most exquisite knit and crocheted baby clothes—hats, mittens, booties, a matching blanket, and two tiny sweaters with hoods.
Leigh could tell in an instant all the items were handmade. “Vera! These are gorgeous. . . .” Leigh held up a sweater in one hand and a tiny hat in the other as the other women oohed and ahhed. “When did you ever get the time to make all of this?”
Vera laughed, clearly pleased with her own stealth. “Oh, here and there. As soon as you left the room, I’d slip it out and get to work again. I hate to make such a corny joke, but I really pulled the wool over your eyes.”
All the other women laughed. Leigh felt an odd twinge, realizing that Vera naïvely believed she’d pulled off a great deception. While all the time, she was the one being deceived.
Feeling a mixture of gratitude and sadness, Leigh rose and gave Vera a hug.
“Me next.” Sophie stood up next to Vera and her stout arms surrounded Leigh, her hands patting her back. “You’re a great gal, Leigh. Your baby is getting a wonderful mom.”
Before Leigh knew what was happening, the rest of the women were taking turns giving her hugs, their good wishes, and words of encouragement.
For the second time that evening, Leigh felt stunned. She never realized she had made so many friends here, that she had won so much goodwill and trust. She felt another pang of guilt at how she had deceived them all but quickly pushed the thought aside, not wanting to mar the happy moment and the flutter of hope that suddenly sprang up inside her heart.
Maybe she had truly found a place where she could make a home for her baby. Maybe she could really stay here.
James and Ben arrived at the end of the party. James touched her shoulder and smiled into her eyes. “I heard you needed some help bringing home presents. I didn’t realize I should have rented a moving van.”
“You knew all about this, didn’t you?” Leigh did her best to sound stern.
“I knew a little.” He shrugged. “Do you like your gifts?”
“Everything’s so beautiful.” Leigh’s voice caught in her throat as she again felt overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity. “They gave me too much. Honestly.”
“Babies need a houseful of things. That’s what I’ve heard, anyway.” He touched her cheek briefly with his hand, framing her face. “See, I told you you had friends here. Now do you believe me?”
She nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “Yes. I do believe you.”
With the help of Molly Willoughby and the van from her store, they transported Leigh’s haul. Vera didn’t want her house overwhelmed with the boxes, so she directed the helpers to carry everything upstairs to the empty room next to Leigh’s bedroom.
“This room could be a nice nursery, Leigh.” Vera pushed aside an armchair, revealing a door that opened directly into Leigh’s room. “You can keep this door open and you won’t even need to go out in the hallway when the baby needs you at night.”
“That’s a lovely idea, Vera. I never noticed it before.” Leigh opened the connecting door then shut it again.
Would she really settle in here with her baby? Though Leigh knew her time was quickly closing in on her, the idea of actually making a home with her baby still seemed far off, something she couldn’t quite visualize.
Vera frowned at a corner of the floor. “I’m just going to get my DustBuster out for a minute. I know it’s late and hope you don’t mind, but carrying up all the boxes tracked in some dirt. I’d better catch it while I can.”
“Catching” dirt was Vera’s passion, Leigh had long ago learned. She was never too tired to chase after a promising specimen.
Leigh walked back into the room with the presents and started sorting out the boxes. James was still there, browsing with interest, especially in the toy section.
“What do you suppose this is for—baby bungee jumping?” James held up a small cloth sack-shaped seat with a long springy cord on one end.
“It’s a bouncy seat. You hook it in a doorway. It’s supposed to keep them quiet.” Leigh took it from him and looked at the picture on the box.
“Of course it keeps them quiet. The child is totally terrified. What happened to rocking in a cradle?”
“That’s gone the way of the wagon train, James. Infants need stimulation for their brain cells to grow.”
“Sounds like you’ve been reading up on this.” He sat in the nursing rocker she had been given and tested it out. “They can still get rocked though. I mean, for bedtime and such?”
“That’s still okay, I think.” Leigh nodded, fighting back a grin. He looked so cute sitting in the chair, a stuffed rabbit with floppy ears in his lap, as if he were practicing for a turn at feeding time.
“And babies need CDs of classical music now?” He picked up a CD off a stack of boxes to read the label.
“Makes them smarter, they say. Especially Mozart.”
He nodded, approving. “I like Bach better but Mozart’s all right. I can go with that. Do you put tiny headphones on them, too?”
“No,” she said, laughing. But I can get you some, she nearly added. Then she caught herself.
She was letting her imagination go too far, seeing James as the father of her baby. It wasn’t hard to picture, especially lately. He would be a wonderful father, too—gentle and patient, responsible and loving. She couldn’t imagine a better man for the job.
But that could never be. Not when he learned how she had lied to him. Leigh gazed around, feeling suddenly deflated—and guilty for accepting so many beautiful gifts. She hadn’t meant to deceive all these good people. She hadn’t meant to exploit their trust.
She sighed and pushed back her hair with her hand. James noticed and rose from the chair. “Maybe you ought to be sitting here. Want to try it? It’s amazingly comfortable.”
Leigh managed a tired smile and shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m ready for bed. It’s been quite a night.”
“Yes, a big night.” He looked at all the gifts again. “Christmas came early for the baby but perhaps just in time. What does your doctor say? Will it be soon?”
“I’m really not due for at least two weeks, though she said it could be any time now.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Any time? Any time at all?”
Leigh nearly laughed at his nervous reply. “They always say that, James. They just want you to be ready. Most of the women tonight said the first baby is usually late.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that. Well, either way, it won’t be long now, will it?”
“No, not very long at all.” She didn’t know why she suddenly felt so blue. The thought that her baby would soon be born should have made her feel excited and full of joy, not depressed and nervous. But she couldn’t help the way she felt. She was scared, for one thing. And suddenly it seemed that the sooner the baby arrived, the sooner they would have to leave here.
James seemed to
sense her disquiet but didn’t ask any more questions. He took her hands in his and stepped closer, then gently kissed her, a brief touch of his lips on her forehead.
“Good night, Leigh,” he whispered as he stepped back. “And don’t start moving these boxes around. I can help you sort it all out tomorrow night, after the fair. Maybe we can put that crib together.”
“Oh . . . that would be great. Thank you.” She heard herself thanking him yet again and felt silly and self-conscious.
He gazed at her, his blue eyes soft and tender. “That’s what I’m here for. You ought to know that by now.”
She nodded as he smiled and headed out the door and up to his room.
Leigh closed her door and got ready for bed. She waited until she heard Vera retire to her room down the hall, then she took out her phone to call Alice. She knew it was late, but Alice had left her a message during the day, saying she could call back anytime. Leigh had been so distracted by the baby shower, she nearly forgot all about it.
The phone rang several times but no one answered. Leigh finally heard Alice’s answering machine pick up. Leigh hesitated, debating. Alice’s husband, Pete, was a good man, but he didn’t approve of his wife getting so involved in Leigh’s problems, especially when it entailed snooping on her employer. Understandably, Leigh thought. She didn’t want to cause problems between Alice and her husband, and she certainly didn’t want to endanger Alice’s job. She decided not to leave a message.
I’ll call her tomorrow first thing, she resolved. She knew it might be hard for Alice to talk if Pete was around, but maybe she could just give her some idea of whatever was going on.
Leigh slipped under the covers and shut off the light. Maybe Alice had some good news for her. Maybe Martin had given up his search.
That would be a miracle. But it was funny; living in this town, miracles didn’t seem as impossible as they once did.
CHAPTER TWELVE
DR. HARDING’S OFFICE WAS MOBBED ON SATURDAY MORNING, busier than Leigh had ever seen it. Christmas preparations had caused an epidemic of stuffy noses, coughs, and sore backs. Half the town seemed to be waiting to see the doctor, looking over their holiday to-do lists and quietly grumbling that they wished their turn would come.
The phone light blinked and Leigh quickly caught it. “Doctor’s office. Can I help you?”
“Leigh? It’s me, Vera.” Vera’s voice sounded shaky and far away. “I’m sorry to bother you at work, dear. But the oddest thing just happened.”
“What is it, Vera? Are you okay?” Leigh sat up straight in her chair, worried about her landlady. She didn’t sound right.
“Well, I suppose so. . . . This man came to the door just now. He had a picture of you. He asked me all kinds of questions.”
Leigh felt her heart jump into her throat. “A man asked questions about me? Did he give his name?”
“He gave me a business card, said he was a friend of your family.” Vera took a long breath. “He said some awful things about you, Leigh. I don’t even care to repeat them.”
Leigh’s mind snapped to attention. She felt her body break out in a cold sweat. This was it, her worst fear. Martin had found her. She had to think fast.
“Vera, what did you say?” she asked sharply. “Did you tell him where I am?”
“What? Oh. No, I didn’t. He asked a few times, tried to trick me. But I didn’t like the man. Something about him scared me. I wouldn’t even let him in the house. I told him I just washed the floor and it was still wet and—”
“Vera!” Leigh had no patience for the older woman’s rambling. She felt as if her head were about to burst. “Listen, I’m sorry he bothered you. You were right not to let him in. If he comes back, I don’t think you should even answer the door.”
“Do you think I should call the police?”
“No, I don’t think so,” she said firmly. “Let’s talk about this later when I get home. I’ve really got to run now. There’s a room full of people waiting for me.”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry to bother you. But I just thought you would want to know.”
“Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing. Thank you,” Leigh said again, eager to hang up. “We’ll figure it out in a little while. Don’t worry.”
Vera said good-bye and Leigh hung up the phone. Two other lights flashed on the phone, but she didn’t bother to answer the calls.
She sat frozen in her seat, her mind racing. One of Martin’s detectives had found her. She had to leave, there was no question about it. But how could she go? How could she leave this town and all the people who had opened their hearts to her? James, most of all. She pictured him smiling at her, his gentle blue eyes full of warmth and affection. It made her feel so good inside just to have him smile at her that way. How could she just leave him? He would never understand.
For an instant Leigh shut her eyes against the pain that was sweeping through her. She felt as if she were being cut in two. She had finally found someone she could love and trust. After Martin, she hadn’t thought such a thing would ever be possible again. But it was possible. Everything wonderful was possible with James.
And now she had to choose between the new love she’d found by some miracle and protecting her baby. If Martin caught up with her, he would find a way to get custody; she was sure of it. So it was having James in her life or losing her baby. That was the choice laid before her at this moment. It couldn’t be any clearer.
Leigh fought back the tears that were welling up inside. She had to go. Right now. She couldn’t wait. The detective could be on his way here at this very moment.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and took a deep breath. Lights flashed on the phone, but she didn’t pick it up. Should she call James, just to say good-bye? Just to let him know how much she cared, even though she wouldn’t have time to explain anything?
No, I can’t. I would break down the minute I heard his voice. I’ll write him a note and explain. I’ll leave it at the church or mail it to him. No, I could never put all that in a note. All I could really do is thank him and say, “I love you.” And he might not even believe that, once Martin’s detective gets through with him.
Leigh rousing herself into motion grabbed her handbag from the desk drawer. Time was wasting. Her heart was breaking. But there was nothing she could do. She had to go.
Nancy Malloy walked toward her, her gaze fixed on one of the patient files.
“I need to run out for a minute, Nancy.” Leigh forced a steady tone into her voice. “Can you watch the desk for me?”
“Sure, no problem. Are you all right?” Nancy put the file on the desk, studying Leigh with concern.
Leigh nodded quickly, trying her best to feign a normal expression. She stood up and grabbed her coat from a rack near the door. “I just remembered I had to drop something at the post office and they close at twelve today. I’ll be right back.”
“Why don’t you take your lunch hour? I’ll cover for you. And take your time, Leigh. It’s going to be one of those days.”
“Thanks.” Leigh gave her a brief nervous glance and rushed outside.
She walked quickly to her car, feeling tears begin to fall. Brushing them away, she opened the car door and got inside. As she pulled away from the curb, she wondered if she was being watched. Even though Vera said she hadn’t told the man where Leigh worked, he could have shown her photo around and tracked her through someone else.
She took another deep breath and started driving down the street, watching to see if anyone followed. She headed down Main Street at an agonizing speed, careful to stay under the speed limit so she wouldn’t get stopped. She glanced at her rearview mirror. There were a few cars behind her, but it was impossible to tell if anyone was actually tailing her.
At the village green, Leigh took a turn and the church came into view. She suddenly thought of James again, and her heartbeat quickened. He would be there right now, working at the Christmas Fair. She had planned to stop in du
ring her lunch hour. The cars glutted the side street, overflowing from the parking lot. She could almost feel her hands pull on the wheel, steering her car into the lot. She could run inside for a moment. Maybe she could just catch a glimpse of him one more time?
A car honked, demanding her attention. Leigh turned quickly out of the way, driving past the church entrance and weaving a path through the traffic. She took several quavering breaths, feeling the opportunity pass, then turned at the first corner she came to, Providence Street, a long wide avenue with stately houses.
Again she felt the urge to turn around and go back to the church, but she pushed her foot down on the gas pedal, driving a bit faster than she should have in such a quiet neighborhood.
She had to get away. If she stopped to see James, she might be tempted to stay. The baby was what mattered most. She had to protect her, even if she broke her own heart in the bargain.
Leigh dared another glance in her rearview mirror, checking to see if a car was following. The street was empty. She made a few more turns and found herself again on the Beach Road, headed for the highway.
She passed the turn for Meadowlark Lane, feeling her panic overshadowed by a deep wave of sadness. She couldn’t even stop at Vera’s house for clothes or any of the beautiful baby gifts. Well, she didn’t deserve them, anyway, she reasoned, trying not to think of how hurt and betrayed everyone who had treated her so kindly would now feel.
They would never learn her true story, either, Leigh realized. They would all believe whatever Martin’s detective told them. Vera might be at the fair right now, telling everyone about the detective and what he had said about her.
They might not believe it at first, but they will when they find out I’ve gone.
She drove on quickly, her mind on automatic. She couldn’t let herself weaken. She couldn’t give up. She had to think of the baby. That was her only concern now.
JAMES COULD NOT RECALL EVER SEEING A CHRISTMAS FAIR LIKE THIS one, not even when he was a boy. Every inch of the building—the classrooms, the all-purpose room, and even the sanctuary—was dedicated to the purpose. Bows of greenery and satin ribbons arched over doors. Bright lights twinkled. Holiday music sounded, and the scents of pine and savory treats perfumed the air.
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