Baby In A Basket

by Helen R. Myers

  Less than ten minutes later they were in the thick of traffic, watching warily as their cabbie tried to break the sound barrier with a vehicle that appeared to be held together with electrical tape. “This is about right,” Mitch said out of the side of his mouth to his fellow passenger. “We averted a crash landing so we could die in a car wreck.”

  “I was just thinking along those same lines myself. Maybe we should talk about something to keep our minds off Rocket J. Squirrel up there.”

  “How about the fact that I haven’t updated my will yet to take care of Mary?”

  Neil winced. “That’s not quite the direction I had in mind. What about this evening? Were you and Jenny planning something special?”

  “You could say that. It’s a month today since Mary was left on my steps.”

  The dark-haired man’s handsome face lit with pleasure, only to crinkle with sympathy. “Ah...blast. No wonder you’re upset. What was the plan?”

  “Just a little dinner Jen was planning at her place.” The family, Mitch thought, experiencing a tug of yearning. “Listen, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten bent out of shape the way I did.”

  “You had every right. Look at it this way, this is as much an anniversary for you and Jen as it is for you and Mary.”

  That’s how he felt. He should have known Neil would understand.

  Life was growing so sweet. Almost perfect. He no longer tried to search for excuses to keep some distance with Jenny. Lord, he could barely wait to get home to her and the baby. And despite the fact that she was already beginning to double her production to prepare for holiday order demands, they were able to share many hours together, discovering and cherishing. He resented that he would have to miss even one hour, let alone an entire night.

  “So what’s the status on you two?” Neil said, breaking into his thoughts. “Bonnie keeps asking me when we’re going to get a wedding invitation.”

  It was due—Mitch knew—and no less than what his heart wanted. But his mind kept putting up roadblocks. For one thing, he’d remained unsuccessful in making contact with Savannah, and despite what he’d said to Jenny, he hadn’t sought out an attorney yet. It was getting increasingly tougher to think up an excuse whenever she asked about how things were going there. Lies built on deceit to do things his way—to pacify his doubts. On the other hand, the whole situation had only been going on for a matter of weeks.

  “We want to make sure everything is right. Rushing into things can create problems later,” he told his friend. But he had to wonder if Neil found the words as forced and artificial as he did.

  “Right. Let Uncle Neil give you a piece of advice, pal. Waiting for the right moment doesn’t mean a dang thing after the kind of flight we had today. You do what you know is right in here.” The first officer thumped his chest. “You don’t owe anyone any explanations that way.”

  Mitch was still thinking about the advice when he finally made it up to his room. As a result, the first thing he did after tossing his hat on the bed and stripping off his jacket was to reach for the phone and dial Jenny’s number.

  “Stevens and Stevens,” the familiar, elderly voice intoned. “Senior Stevens here unless you’re selling something. And if this is you, Agnes—”

  “Fiona...” Sometimes, Mitch thought with a wry smile, Jen’s grandmother could be worse than a kid. “What are you doing?”

  “Mitchell. Is that you? I thought you might be some salesperson. They’ve been such an annoyance lately. They seem to know just when Jenny’s stepped out. Then they all call to sell everything from light bulbs to Limburger. I can no more get to my chair when—”

  “Sorry to hear that.” He would suggest a cordless phone when he got back. Right now he had other priorities. “Is Jenny there?”

  “No, I told you. She left and the phone started ringing.”

  Mitch massaged his neck again and tried to remember if Jenny had said anything about a scheduled appointment. “Do you know if she’ll be back soon?”

  “Oh, of course she will. It was just a dash into town to the Baby Boutique to pick up a few things for tonight. Something special for the baby. You know.”

  He felt that all-too-familiar tightening around his heart. “Yes, tonight.” The only way he stopped an expletive for the injustice of it all was to rub his hand over his mouth until he overcame the impulse. “Fiona, tell you what...take down my number, okay? But tell Jenny that I have to step outside for a few minutes myself, and that I’ll call her back shortly.”

  Once he hung up he automatically reached for his jacket. Jenny was out getting something for Mary. He should have thought of that himself. The least he could do was go out to see if he could find a gift downstairs. He and Neil had made arrangements to have dinner together, but he would be back by then. In the meantime—

  Mitch opened the door and his mind went blank as he stared at the blonde in leather and sunglasses.

  “One month, huh?” Faith Harper massaged her back as she rose from her stool behind the counter and came around toward Jenny. “I don’t know that I’ve heard of anyone celebrating a birthday every month, but that’s not to say I don’t appreciate the sentiment.”

  As she approached her, Jenny couldn’t help but focus on the maternity blouse Faith wore over jeans. No, what she couldn’t help staring at was Faith’s swelling belly. Because Jenny had been coming in quite a bit lately—Mitch kept telling her she was going to spoil Mary with all the gifts she was buying, but she couldn’t seem to resist the cute things she kept finding—she had been witness to the changes. But she hadn’t quite figured out how to ask about Faith’s condition without sounding like someone from the FBI. So far, Faith hadn’t been any help, either. Usually friendly and fairly up-front about things, these days the lovely shop owner was more tight-lipped than the Raggedy Ann dolls she sold.

  “Um, Faith... I can’t ignore it anymore.” Jenny gestured toward the other woman’s stomach. “How far along are you?”

  “Almost seven months,” Faith replied, placing a protective hand over the gentle swell. Her expression grew tender, though a bit sad, too. “At first I was a bit rattled over the realization that I was pregnant, but now... I can’t wait.”

  She wasn’t the only one who’d found it a surprise. Faith had been brought up in a strict home by her aunt. Although her aunt was gone now, nothing in her behavior had ever suggested to Jenny that she was wild or indiscriminate.

  “I imagine,” Jenny murmured, searching for the right thing to say. She had a million and one questions, but after those few words, Faith went silent again. If the woman didn’t want to offer further information, what right did she have to meddle? Jenny thought with an inner sigh. Since she grew weary of gossipers like Agnes and her cohorts, she wasn’t about to turn into a younger version herself! “Well! You’re certainly in the right business. Do you know who I heard wanted to get pregnant as soon as she can? Michelle Parker. We met the other day at the card shop. She was ordering her stationery for the thank-you notes for after the wedding.”

  Faith looked away, but her cheeks turned a near peony pink. “I—I don’t know Michelle well.”

  “Oh. I thought I remembered you being at her and Michael Russo’s engagement party?”

  Faith’s smile was forced. “Well, yes, but—” She paused in front of a display of bathtub toys. “Oh! How about something like this? These arrived only yesterday and I’ve already taken a set myself.”

  Already forgetting about Michelle and Michael, Jenny picked up the cellophane package. It consisted of a large foam duck, and between the raised wings was a pocket filled with half a dozen yellow-foam baby ducks with orange bills. “Why, they’re adorable!”

  “The idea of filling the tub with bubble bath and bathing with my baby really appealed to me,” Faith continued, her eyes dreamy as she held up a package of her own. “And look, the mother duck’s back is made so that it’s large enough and sturdy enough to hold the baby if you wanted, or it can be the storage spot for soa
ps and shampoos and things.”

  “I’ll take it,” Jenny replied just as the phone rang. “Oops. Why don’t you go get that and I’ll browse around a bit more.”

  With a murmur of thanks, Faith hurried away, leaving Jenny to watch her with admitted curiosity. She supposed she could be exaggerating the other woman’s nervous reaction, but—The bell above the door sounded as another customer entered the store, one Jenny was very happy to see.

  “Valerie! What a wonderful surprise!”

  When her friend spotted her, she waved and, beaming, hurried to her. “What have you got there? Still spoiling your charge?” Valerie asked, giving Jenny an enthusiastic hug.

  “What can I say?” Jenny made a face, but quickly added a grin. “You’re in an awfully good mood. That’s nice to see. I’ve been worrying about you.”

  “I know,” Val replied with a sigh. “And I do appreciate it. But...well, the only way I can think to tell you is just to blurt it out. Lucas and I have received the most bizarre and incredible news. Joe Danson and his wife Carrie were tragically killed in a recent accident. Joe and Luke had been friends since they were kids and now we’ve just learned that we’re the guardians to their two children! Can you believe it?”

  No wonder her friend looked both stunned and animated. “My goodness...no, I can’t imagine that. In fact I don’t know whether to congratulate you or sympathize.”

  “I know what you mean. When we got the call, Lucas and I could only sit there and stare at each other. But now...” Valerie clasped her hands together. “I can’t help but believe that this is a sign for us that we were meant to work out our problems and stay together.”

  Jenny had only to think of Mitch’s background to know that children didn’t automatically guarantee that. It wasn’t, however, her place to point that out. Instead she focused on trying to understand more of what had happened to her friend. “So there’s two children?”

  “Two beautiful little girls. I’m here to add to their wardrobe while they’re napping with Lucas.”

  “Lucas is napping?”

  “It’s only been two days and he’s exhausted.” Valerie’s gaze wandered to the front of the store where Faith had put a customer on hold and was checking a display for a certain item. Valerie’s eyes went wide and she nudged her elbow into Jenny’s side. “Psst...do I see what I think I see?”

  “You must have been in another world,” Jenny said, shaking her head with concern and sympathy.

  “Jen, you could be pregnant and I probably wouldn’t have noticed it.” Valerie nodded toward Faith. “What’s the story there?”

  “A real mystery...and she’s not talking. Reminds me of someone else I know.”

  Valerie gave her a wry look. “I needed time, Jen. We’ll get together soon and I’ll fill you in. Besides, you have to meet the girls.”

  “And you have to see Mitch’s Mary.”

  Her friend tapped her palm against her forehead. “Where’s my brain—how is that coming along?”

  “Wonderful. Terrific.”

  “You’re in love. Why did I bother to ask?”

  “Please don’t sound as if that’s bad news.”

  “Not bad, more like worrisome. Mitch hasn’t let himself be caught yet. He’s managed to charm you into providing day care for his baby, and I’m afraid you think now that you’re seeing him regularly, it means more than it does.”

  “It’s true.” Jenny failed at fully suppressing the stab of pain her friend’s words caused. “But we’ve become very close.”

  Valerie bit her lower lip, then abruptly hugged Jenny. “I’m sorry. After being an absolute slug of a friend, I have no right to criticize. And I do hope things work out for you two, but...be careful, okay? Protect that tender heart of yours.”

  By the time Jenny paid for Mary’s present and promised to visit Val and her expanded family soon, they were back to chatting with their old enthusiasm. Jenny said goodbye to Faith and Valerie and left the shop with a smile at the bell ringing behind her. But her smile wilted somewhat as she headed for her car. It hurt to think even her dear friend believed Mitch couldn’t fall in love with her.

  Never mind. Once Mitch gets that paperwork done with his attorney, the path will be free and clear for us to focus on each other, and then everyone will see the Mitchell Sean McCord I know and love.

  With a smile for the cellophane package sparkling on the seat beside her, Jenny headed for home.

  “Savannah.”

  She signaled for him to let her enter, and as soon as he stepped back, she rushed inside.

  “Don’t just stand there. Shut and lock the door!” As soon as Mitch did, she whipped off her sunglasses. “Did you see anyone in the hall? Anyone loitering around that looked suspicious?”

  “Besides you? No.”

  She made a face on her way to the wall-to-wall windows. Standing behind the opened drapes, she parted the sheers to look down on traffic three stories below. “Things seem to be all right, but...”

  “Are you rehearsing for a commercial?” Mitch asked drolly. “Something to peddle sunglasses or the latest fragrance?” Heaven knew she reeked of something.

  “You think this is funny? You think this is simple? Didn’t you get the message I sent through your detective?”

  “You sent that thug after him?”

  “I couldn’t very well go myself. How effective would that be? Besides, Bunny is the biggest, roughest-looking character I know. He’s been the bouncer at my favorite club since it opened.”

  Mitch threw his jacket back on the bed and raked his hands through his hair. He had a feeling that this was going to take a while to sort through.

  The mother of his child paced to the dresser mirror to inspect her makeup and check her hair. He stared at her as if this were the first time he was seeing her, and in a way it was.

  She was as sleek and polished as her white leather pantsuit. Mitch wondered if she’d needed a crowbar to get into the thing, and how many steps were in the process of putting those layers and layers of highlights in her naturally blond hair. It probably took her as long as it did to put on her makeup. He couldn’t resent her for wanting to look good—she was in a business where that mattered. But he was beginning to loathe himself for succumbing to the artificialness that was behind her beauty.

  She stopped primping and smiled at him in the mirror. “It’s good to see you again, Mitch. You’re not angry with me, are you?”

  “Angry? I’d like to—” He forced himself to take a deep breath, aware that even thinking about violence would serve no purpose and might jeopardize everything. “Just tell me why?” he asked instead.

  “Well, you were fifty percent of the process, sugar. I did the hard part—and believe me, it was no picnic—so it came to me that the rest should be your responsibility.”

  “Just like that?” Mitch put his hands on his hips. “What kind of person are you? No mother does that to a child she’s given birth to!”

  “This one did.” Savannah wheeled around, her silver-and-gold mane fanning, her blue eyes snapping. “Listen, Mitch, I could have avoided a pregnancy altogether. And believe me, I knew it would be no simple feat to get this body back into a size six. But I felt obligated to do the right thing.”

  “The right thing! You turned my life upside down!”

  “You’re breaking my heart. I lost a bunch of good roles as a result of that pregnancy.”

  “You had to put her on my steps like that? Without the slightest proof that she was my child?”

  Savannah’s expression turned mocking. “If I knocked on the door and then handed her to you, or signed the note, would you have been willing to keep her?”

  “Yes, I would.”

  “Ha! This is not a good time to pretend being something you’re not. Or weren’t at the time,” she amended, wagging a finger at him. “But I had a hunch about you, and I played it out.”

  Now she’d piqued his curiosity. Mitch frowned. “What kind of hunch?”

&nbs
p; “One that told me that way down deep you’re a decent guy.” Savannah set the thin shoulder bag in the same white leather on the dresser, and literally draped herself in the armchair beside it. “Why do you think I chose you to take me back to my hotel the night after that ridiculous school reunion last fall?”

  He’d assumed because she knew he’d always had a crush on her. He’d hoped that she was finally realizing that she’d had the hots for him. It had been a theory overenhanced with a bit too much beer and wine, and by the next morning he’d acknowledged it as a fantasy that should have been left unfulfilled. Of course, he wasn’t about to admit any of that.

  “I don’t know,” he said, not sure he wanted to hear what she had to say.

  “You were the closest thing to a knight on a white horse in that place. You were polite, you weren’t losing your hair already,” she said with a snicker. “You didn’t grab me when you asked me to dance, and...”

  Mitch saw her expression turn vague, a little sad, as she remembered something. “And?” he asked, prompting her.

  “That was a tough time for me. I’d ended a relationship that was headed nowhere and I needed someone to be nice to me. Someone who believed in me the way I believed in me. I picked you.”

  She’d used him. He couldn’t believe it. Worse, he didn’t realize he’d spoken out loud until she burst into laughter.

  “We used each other. So what else is new, particularly in this town.”

  Mitch recovered from his embarrassment quickly enough, once he realized that she had already moved on and was once again drifting into her own thoughts. “Then you found out you were pregnant,” he said, hoping that would get her back on track.

  “No, then I met Hugo.”

  Why hadn’t he realized sooner that Savannah had been ditzy? He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Who’s Hugo?”

  “You’ve never heard of Hugo Hanover?” When Mitch shook his head, she groaned at the ceiling. “He’s only one of the most successful and revered producer directors in the business, and not just in Hollywood, either. I’m talking worldwide. Did you see The Girl and the Flamingo? Rita’s Rooster?”