The Best Bride

by Susan Mallery

  “That’s me. I’ve just been voted in for another term.”

  Her brown eyes met and held his. The dark pain was gone and the lines around her mouth had relaxed. “Did I pass?” she asked.

  “Pass what?”

  She smiled. “Did I have a story you hadn’t heard before? I mean how many people speed because they have appendicitis?”

  “It’s a first,” he said, stretching his legs out in front of him. “I’m a man of my word. You won’t be getting a ticket from me.”

  Mandy shifted against his chest and yawned. It had been a long afternoon and evening for her. They’d gone to the cafeteria about six o’clock, but the kid hadn’t been able to eat much. She’d fretted about her mother and beat him at checkers while they waited. Her slight weight reminded him of his oldest nephew. Drew would play video games in Travis’s arms until he fell asleep and then have to be carried to bed.

  “Thank you for looking after her,” Elizabeth said. “You didn’t have to stay and baby-sit.”

  “It was easy.” He glanced down and watched Mandy’s eyes close. “I filled out most of the forms for the hospital, but they’re going to have a few questions. Do you want me to call your ex?”

  She paled visibly. “What? Why?”

  “To take care of Mandy until you’re better.”

  “No!” She sounded upset. She raised her arm and stared at the IV taped in place on the back of her hand. “No.” Her voice was calmer now, as if she had herself under control. “I’m not, that is, I wasn’t ever married. There’s no ex-husband.”

  “All right,” he said, even though her claim made no sense. Mandy had talked about her father. Travis reminded himself this was the nineties and women didn’t have to get married to have babies. He looked closely at Elizabeth. Somehow she didn’t strike him as the type to have a child on her own. Still, she must have; Mandy was proof. Why would anyone lie about something like that? “Any next of kin nearby?”

  She shook her head. “My parents live in Florida. Right now, however, they’re cruising somewhere in the Orient. I can’t…” She trailed off. “I can’t call them. What am I going to do?” She shifted and winced. “I have to—”

  “Shh.” He pointed at the sleeping child. “You don’t have to do anything tonight,” he said softly. “You’ve just had emergency surgery and I’m not even supposed to be visiting. I thought this might be a problem, so I’ve already called and spoken with a friend of mine. Her name is Rebecca Chambers and she runs the local child services office. It’s a county facility, but a great place.”

  “Rebecca?”

  “Rebecca Chambers. She’s the director. There are only about twenty kids there. It’s on the other side of town, near the school. I’ve spent some time there volunteering. Mandy will be fine.”

  Elizabeth stared up at him. Her good humor had faded, and she looked tired and drawn. “You want to put my daughter in a home?” She blinked frantically, but tears spilled over onto her cheeks.

  “Hey,” he said, standing up and depositing a sleeping Mandy in the chair. He hovered awkwardly by the bed. “Don’t cry. It’s just for a couple of days. If you want me to call someone, I will. Just give me a name.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Everything is falling apart. It was going so well and now I don’t know what to do or where to turn. I— There’s no one to call.” She looked up at him. “Can’t she stay here, with me?”

  “In the hospital? No. They didn’t even want her to visit you, let alone spend the night. You’re in no position to take care of her, Elizabeth. I know the home sounds bad, but it’s not.”

  “You’re right. I don’t have another choice.” She covered her face with her hands. “It just makes me feel like I’m an awful mother. It’s not the place I’m worried about, I’ve been there. I’m going to work there.” She wiped her cheeks with her fingers. “I’m Rebecca’s new assistant. I moved us here to take the job. I’m supposed to start Tuesday. What’s she going to think about me? I’m dumping my kid on her doorstep, and I’m going to miss my first day of work.”

  The sobs began in earnest. He hesitated about five seconds, then perched on the edge of the bed. Careful not to tangle the IV lines, he patted her shoulder. She clutched at his arm, all the while muttering how stupid she must look to him. The sheet slipped to her waist. He tried not to stare, but couldn’t help noticing the shape of her breasts under her hospital gown.

  Travis told himself he was at best behaving unethically, and at the worst acting like a pervert. He had no business noticing Elizabeth’s body. She’d just had surgery for God’s sake. But he did notice, and admire, all the while calling himself names.

  “I’m sure Rebecca will understand,” he said. “It’s not as if you planned this.”

  “I know, but Mandy will be there all alone. I wish—”

  “Do all the women in your family leak this much?”

  “What?” She blinked and looked up at him. Her dark lashes stood up in spikes, her nose was red and her cheeks blotchy. She was a mess. It brought out his knight-in-shining-armor side and he resisted getting involved. He knew what would happen then. Better for both of them if he just backed off.

  “Between you and Mandy, I think we could have floated a ship today.”

  She smiled wanly. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”

  “Okay, then I won’t tell you the one about the parrot with no legs.”

  “How did he stay on his perch?”

  Travis stood up and winked. “You’ll just have to wait until you get better to find out.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going to take Mandy over to stay with Rebecca. I’ll call you in the morning and make sure you’re doing all right, then I’ll bring Mandy back here in the afternoon.”

  “Why are you being so nice to me?”

  “Just doing my duty, ma’am.” He gave a mock salute and picked up the sleeping child. “I’ll leave my number with the nurse.”

  “Thank you for everything,” she said, pulling the sheet up and smiling at him. “If Mandy wakes up, tell her I love her.”

  “You can tell her yourself when you see her tomorrow.”

  Chapter Two

  “What do you mean chicken pox?” Travis asked. He stared down at Rebecca, seated behind her desk in her office at the local child services facility.

  “I mean I have eight children in various stages of chicken pox, and the other twelve have been exposed. Sorry, Travis. If you’d explained why you were coming by, I would have told you what was going on and saved you the trip. I thought you were just going to mooch dinner. I know that when you’re between women you hang out with me. I thought this was one of those rare weekends.” Her brown eyes looked more amused than apologetic.

  “But Mandy—”

  “But Mandy doesn’t know if she’s had chicken pox, do you, honey?” Rebecca smiled at the little girl.

  Mandy shook her head and tugged on Travis’s pants. “Travis?”

  “Hmm?” He didn’t look down at her. Now what was he supposed to do? He couldn’t just leave her in the street. “Rebecca, you’re not helping.”

  “Travis?” Mandy tugged again.

  “What?”

  “Do I have to stay here?”

  She looked up, her head bent way back, her wide blue eyes gazing at him with absolute trust. He felt as if he were torturing Bambi.

  “Why don’t I make a few calls,” Rebecca said, coming to his rescue. She flicked her dark hair over her shoulder and reached for the phone. “There’s a shelter about twenty miles from here. I’ll see if they have room.” She picked up the receiver.

  “Travis?” Mandy tugged again.

  “Yes?”

  “I want my mommy.”

  Travis crouched down in front of her. “She’s in the hospital. She needs to sleep tonight and get better.”

  Mandy held her teddy so tightly, he worried she might squish the stuffing out the side. She leaned close and whispered. “I don’t know that lady. I don’t want to sta
y here. I want my mommy.”

  He’d spent enough time with kids her age to recognize the quiver in her voice. Tears would come next and after that, he would feel like a heel and— He stood up and jammed his hands in his pockets.

  “You think I should take her home with me?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

  “It would be best for her. Elizabeth isn’t going to need a sick kid on her hands, just as she’s getting out of the hospital herself.” Rebecca rose and walked around the desk. She wore a floral print jumper over a white T-shirt. With her long curly hair and conservative style of dressing, she looked like a Sunday school teacher. Travis suspected it was a facade and that deep inside, she had the wild streak of the best kind of a sinner.

  When she’d moved to Glenwood six months ago to take over as director of the county facility, he’d asked her out. His big seduction scene had ended up failing badly. They were, he’d realized within the first ten minutes, destined to be good friends. Rebecca had promised to leave his reputation as a heartbreaker intact and not tell the world his kisses had left her cold. Travis stared at her big brown eyes and sighed. He felt mild affection for Rebecca and nothing else. He must be getting old and slowing down.

  “You’re the only friend Mandy has,” Rebecca said. “If I could take her home with me, I would. But my staff is exhausted, and I’m staying here tonight. Anyway, you have Louise.”

  He thought of his housekeeper. Today was her day off but he knew if he called she would come over to help and show off her latest craft project. At least she wasn’t knitting anymore. He already had two drawers filled with ugly, ill-fitting sweaters and socks she’d made for him.

  “I suppose that might work. But I don’t know anything about children,” Travis muttered, trying to ignore Mandy tugging on him again.

  “Your nephews stay with you.”

  “Travis,” Mandy said.

  “That’s different.”

  “How?” Rebecca asked.

  “Travis?”

  “They’re family. And boys.” He looked down. Those blue eyes were killing him. “What?”

  “I want to stay with you.”

  “You’re the only person she knows in town. Come on, be a hero. It’s what you’re best at.”

  He glared at Rebecca. “Thanks.”

  Undaunted, she smiled. “Let me get you some supplies.” She disappeared down the hall.

  “Why me?” he asked no one in particular.

  “Travis? Are you mad at me?”

  “Mandy, no.” He swept Mandy up in his arms and gave her a hug. She wrapped her spindly legs around his waist. “I’m not mad. We’ll have fun. I’ll read you a story tonight, okay?”

  She nodded. “And Mr. Bear,” she said, holding out the tattered animal.

  “And Mr. Bear.”

  Rebecca returned with a small cloth bag. “I’ve packed a nightgown, some underwear and a shorts set for tomorrow.” She handed Travis the bag, then smiled at Mandy. “Do you want a pink toothbrush or a purple one?” She had both in her hand.

  The little girl stared for a second, then pointed shyly. “Pink.”

  “You got it.” Rebecca dropped that one in the bag and walked over to the door. “I’ll be here, so call me if there’s any trouble. It’s only one night.”

  “Like you care,” he grumbled.

  “Stop it. You’ll have a great time. Think of it as father training. For when you have your own kids.”

  “Not my style. Haynes men don’t make good parents.” It was a familiar argument between the two of them. The problem was Rebecca hadn’t figured out he wasn’t kidding. She shook her head. “Let me know what happens. And tell Elizabeth not to worry about coming into work until she’s completely healed. I won’t be giving her job to anyone else.”

  “Yeah, I will.” He shifted Mandy so that she was supported by one arm, then handed her the bag and dug in his pocket for his keys. “Say goodbye, Mandy.”

  “By.” Now that she was getting her way, she smiled broadly. “Can we have the siren on?” she asked as they stepped out of the building and walked toward the sheriff’s car in the parking lot.

  “No.”

  She pouted and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “Don’t give me that look,” he said. “I can’t use the siren when it’s not an emergency.”

  She thought for a minute. “I gotta go.”

  His heart sank. “Now?”

  She nodded. “It’s a ’mergency.”

  * * *

  Elizabeth raised the hospital bed and stared out the window. From where she was lying, she could see the corner of the small parking lot and a plot of grass with a Chinese maple in the center. It was early Saturday morning and she’d seen only a handful of cars enter the hospital grounds.

  Everything was going to be fine. She’d recited the phrase over and over, hoping by saying it enough she would start to believe it was true. But panic threatened, just below the surface of her carefully constructed facade.

  She was scared. There was no getting around the lump in her throat and the cold hard knot in her stomach, just next to the tender incision the doctors had made yesterday. She wasn’t frightened for herself. The surgery had gone well, and she was healing nicely, according to the doctor who had visited early that morning. She had medical insurance, so the unexpected stay in the hospital wasn’t going to deplete her savings.

  The lump in her throat got bigger and her eyes burned from unshed tears. She blinked them away and prayed that her daughter hadn’t been too scared last night, alone in a strange place. Had they let her sleep with her bear? Had she had any bad dreams? There were, on average, twenty children at the county facility. Had Mandy gotten lost among all the other kids? Who would have been there to hold her if she cried?

  Logically, Elizabeth knew she hadn’t had another choice as far as her daughter was concerned. Having her spend the night in the county home had made sense. She would be fed and warm and have a bed to sleep in. But knowing her only child had been put there, like a stray puppy rounded up by the pound, made her feel like the worst kind of parent. Mothers were supposed to do better for their children. Of course, mothers were also supposed to know what they were doing when they picked out fathers—and look at how that had turned out.

  She reached over to the black phone on the small metal nightstand and dialed the number she’d gotten from directory assistance. For the second time in fifteen minutes, she heard a busy signal. From what she remembered from her tour during her interview a month ago, the county facility only had one line. She hung up the receiver. She would keep trying until she got through. She wanted to check on Mandy and reassure her daughter that everything was going to be fine—even though she didn’t know how.

  Elizabeth forced herself to hold on to her control. She couldn’t afford to give into the fear. Not now. If she started questioning herself, she might never stop. Six months ago her world had come crashing in on her. She’d managed to collect the pieces and assemble them into a life, but the structure was fragile, and this emergency was enough to send the whole thing crumbling again. The logistics of her condition whirled around in her head. How was she going to take care of Mandy when she was supposed to stay off her feet for a week and not drive for three weeks? What about feeding her, and registering her for school, buying her new shoes, and a hundred other things she’d planned to do over the long holiday weekend? What about taking her out to watch the ducks and playing tag and—

  The sound of footsteps in the hallway caught her attention. She glanced over at her partially closed door and watched as it was pushed open. Sheriff Travis Haynes entered the room and smiled at her. She stared at him, surprise and a tiny spurt of pleasure temporarily hiding her worries. He’d told her he would come by today and visit, but she hadn’t expected him to. He’d done too much already. Still, except for Rebecca and Mandy, he was the only other person she knew in Glenwood, and she couldn’t help being pleased to see him.

  Gratitude, she told her
self firmly, trying to find the reason for the sudden surge of good spirits. Gratitude and nothing else.

  “Hi,” she said, managing a shaky smile. She pulled the sheet up to her shoulders and self-consciously touched the straggly ends of her hair. They hadn’t let her have a shower yet, and she felt grungy. She’d planned to insist on getting cleaned up later that morning. She hadn’t expected visitors so early.

  “Hi, yourself.” Travis crossed the room in three long strides and pulled a plastic chair close to the bed. “May I?”

  “Please.”

  His khaki, short-sleeved uniform looked freshly pressed. A badge and a name tag had been pinned above the left breast pocket. He stood about six feet tall, with dark curly hair and a trimmed mustache that outlined his upper lip. He was the kind of man who, as her aunt Amanda used to say, made a woman get a crick in her neck just watching him stroll by.

  As he settled himself in the chair, he tossed his beige Stetson across the bed. It sailed through the air and landed dead center on the table in front of the window.

  “Neat trick,” she said, trying to ignore the way his brown eyes twinkled when he looked at her. “You have to practice much?”

  “Every day. I sit in my office, tossing my hat across the room. It impresses the ladies.” He had a smooth, low voice, like liquid chocolate.

  “Really?”

  “Aren’t you impressed, darlin’?”

  Some, but she wasn’t about to admit it. Once she’d let a man charm her and impress her and seduce her. Never again, she reminded herself. She’d learned a hard lesson from Sam Proctor. “I didn’t expect you to visit,” she said. “I’m sure you have other things you should be doing.”

  “You’re the most important item on my agenda,” he said, leaning back in the chair and resting one ankle on the opposite knee. The movement emphasized the muscles in his thighs.

  She looked away. “Oh?”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “A little sore, but better than I was. The doctor says I’m healing nicely.” She shifted in the hospital bed. “They gave me something to make me sleep, and that helped. I never got to thank you yesterday.”