Before too much more time went by, she needed to tell him about their own baby. But not tonight.
After a touch-up of lipstick and a good hair brushing, Kellie made another tour of the apartment to be certain everything looked ready for company.
Like most Swiss women, Analise kept an immaculate apartment. She was probably an excellent cook, too. Kellie wanted Yvette’s mother to see that she also took pride in caring for Philippe and their home.
For one final touch, Kellie went to the linen closet in the hallway and pulled out the handmade quilt her grandmother had given her for a wedding present. It was a solid white whip cream crepe that would fit a double bed.
Because it was a precious heirloom, Kellie hadn’t ever used it. But in her mind’s eye she could see a baby cuddled up in it. Holding it against her chest, she walked to the living room and folded it over one of the chairs.
It was five after six when she went back to the kitchen to take everything out of the oven. She thought she heard the front door close. That meant Philippe had decided to wait at the elevator anticipating Analise’s arrival.
Kellie could only imagine his nervous excitement. Heavens, she was nervous herself! Nature gave you nine months to prepare for a baby growing inside you. But it was quite another matter to be instant parents.
Of course she could be reading way too much into Analise’s visit. In fact the more she thought about it, the more she wondered if the mention of the paternity test had made her so angry, she’d decided to come over here without the baby and confront both of them.
A cold chill passed through her body.
It was entirely possible that Kellie’s meddling had made things so bad, she’d jeopardized Philippe’s chances for any kind of amicable resolution. In that case she wouldn’t be surprised if he told her to get out and never come near him again.
It wouldn’t matter if she told him they were expecting their own baby. He’d inform her that any further communication would take place through their respective attorneys.
Suddenly her short-lived happiness turned to gut wrenching fear. That enervating weakness she’d suffered in the E.R. had her clinging to the counter. By the time she heard voices coming from the living room, there was a ringing sound in her ears, and her body had gone clammy.
“Kellie?” he called to her.
She couldn’t tell by his deep-toned voice if he was angry or not, but it was obvious he expected her to join them.
Shaking like an earth tremor, she left the kitchen and walked through the dining room. At the entrance to the living room she stopped in her tracks.
Two people were standing next to the couch. The woman was familiar to her, but the hard-muscled, dark-haired male holding the baby wasn’t the same person who had come to the kitchen a little while ago.
This incredibly handsome man stood tall without his cane. He was clean-shaven and wore a midnight-blue suit toned with a white shirt and striped tie.
The husband she’d married was back.
“Philippe—” she gasped quietly.
CHAPTER FIVE
PHILIPPE must have heard her because he lifted his head.
“Kellie? Come and meet Analise Boiteux,” he said in French. “Analise, this is my wife, Kellie.”
Again Kellie had the sensation she was floating in some kind of dream unable to control her body parts. She moved awkwardly toward them, still afraid to believe this was really happening.
Analise had come.
She’d brought the baby.
The kind expression in the older woman’s eyes made Kellie want to embrace her. Instead she shook hands with her and found herself saying, “I’m enchanted to meet you, madame.”
“How do you do?”
Finally Kellie raised her eyes to Philippe’s. There was a soft light glowing in those dark depths she hadn’t seen since before she’d left Neuchâtel.
“Say hello to Jean-Luc.”
Hardly able to breathe, she lowered her eyes to the baby who couldn’t weigh more than six or seven pounds and was nestled in the crook of his arm. He had a cap of dark curls and was sleeping soundly.
His adorable little olive-complected face peeked out from the receiving blanket, every feature composed and perfect.
Kellie’s heart dissolved. “Oh, Philippe. He’s the most precious baby I’ve ever seen in my life!’
Her tear-filled gaze darted to Analise. “You must be crazy about him.”
The other woman’s eyes were suspiciously bright. “It’s like raising Yvette all over again, only this time I don’t have my husband Louis to help me. He would have loved to see his grandchild before he died.”
“How long ago did he pass away?”
“Three years.”
Without conscious thought Kellie put her hand on Analise’s arm. “You’ve been through so much sadness, but just looking at Jean-Luc must bring you a world of joy. He’s so beautiful!”
“Can you hear all the nice things they’re saying about you, my son?” Philippe whispered as he stared down at the baby.
My son. That was how Philippe thought of him already.
He’d forgotten all about his knee, but Kellie knew he’d pay the price later and urged Analise to sit so he would.
Once she was seated in the chair, Philippe sank down on the couch. “Do you mind if I take a closer look at him?” he asked Analise.
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked before now. Let me get the quilt from the carrya—”
“There’s no need, madame,” Kellie broke in gently. “I have a quilt right here my grandmother made for us.” She reached for it and spread it out on the couch next to Philippe where he placed the baby.
Like unwrapping a fabulous gift, her husband proceeded to undress Jean-Luc with the greatest of care. As he stripped the baby down to his diaper, a smile broke out on his attractive face, the first she’d seen since her arrival in Switzerland.
Kellie got down on her knees in front of the baby to watch. She was fascinated by Yvette’s little cherub. Not too far in the future she would be examining her own baby. She couldn’t imagine loving it more than she did this one.
The baby’s coloring was Philippe’s, but the sturdy body and legs led Kellie to believe he wouldn’t grow to be as tall or as lean as his father.
Maybe the baby’s shape took after Analise’s side of the family, or even the men in the Boiteux line. So many ingredients went into the making of a human life.
It was inevitable that Philippe’s probing would waken his son. At first his little chin wobbled, then his tiny eyes opened to reveal indistinct grayish brown irises. But there was nothing tentative about the cry he let out, or the way his cute little face screwed up in hunger.
Philippe’s low chuckle permeated to Kellie’s bones. He leaned over to kiss the baby’s tummy. “It’s all right. Your papa is here,” he murmured to his boy.
With deft hands he changed the baby’s diaper, then dressed him and wrapped him back up in his receiving blanket.
“Here.” Analise handed him a bottle and a cloth. “You can feed him.”
Kellie jumped to her feet and put it over Philippe’s broad shoulder. The baby did the rest of the work. He drank his bottle so hard and fast he had all of them laughing, especially when Philippe took the bottle away to burp him and the baby cooperated with a resounding noise.
Much as Kellie longed to hold Jean-Luc, she chose not to interfere. There was no telling how long Analise would agree to stay. Right now it was vital her husband delight in his child for as long as he could.
She turned to Yvette’s mother. “Madame Boiteux?”
“Call me Analise.”
“Analise?” Kellie said in a quiet tone. “Dinner’s ready. If you’d like to follow me into the dining room, we’ll eat. Philippe can join us when he’s through feeding the baby.”
“You’re sure it won’t be an imposition?”
“Not at all. As soon as he told me you were coming over, I set a place for you.”
The two women left Philippe to bond with his son. Kellie could tell he was so absorbed with the baby, he didn’t even notice them leave the room.
After urging Analise to sit down at the table, Kellie dashed into the kitchen. Once she’d brought everything in piping hot, she served them.
What she really wanted to do was hug the older woman and pour out her gratitude. But since she didn’t know what Analise intended beyond tonight, let alone how she would respond to Kellie’s emotional outburst, the only thing left to do was eat. To Kellie’s consternation, she was hungry again.
“You have a wonderful cook. I’ve never tasted such food.”
“That’s because my wife is a French chef,” a familiar male voice responded before Kellie could gather her wits.
Her head whipped around in time to discover that Philippe had entered the dining room. He leaned on his cane with one hand while he balanced the baby on his other arm.
“Is that true?” Analise asked incredulously.
“Yes.” Kellie nodded before setting a plate in front of her husband. “My grandparents helped raise me. They own a restaurant and I grew up wanting to run my own one day. A French restaurant, of course, because I think French food is the best.”
When Philippe took his seat at the head of the table he said, “Every time she prepares a meal, it’s better than eating at a five-star restaurant.”
The older woman smiled. “I’ve never known a chef. Not every man is so lucky as to have one who also happens to be his wife, monsieur.”
His enigmatic gaze passed over Kellie who was warmed by Analise’s championing of her.
“I agree, and I hope before this evening is out you’ll call me Philippe.”
To Kellie’s joy, he began eating with what looked like a hearty appetite. When he’d finished, she served them a raspberry tart and coffee.
“Tell me something, Analise.” Philippe had just drained his cup. “Is Jean-Luc always this good? Does he automatically fall asleep after every bottle?”
Her eyes twinkled. “So far the answer is yes to both questions. Would you like to keep him overnight tonight?”
“Oh could we?” Kellie blurted before she realized she had no right to say anything at all.
“Of course,” Analise replied. “I brought enough formula to last him until tomorrow evening. Everything he’ll need is in the diaper bag.”
Philippe put a hand on the older woman’s arm. “You won’t be too lonely for him?”
The huskiness in his tone moved Kellie to tears. She got up from the table and started clearing the plates so neither of them would notice how emotional she’d become.
“Oh, I’ll miss him,” Analise came back. “But you’ll never get to know him if you don’t take care of him. It might be best if I leave now, before he wakes up again.”
“I don’t know to thank you,” his voice grated.
Kellie swallowed hard. “Philippe?”
He turned his head in her direction.
“While you tend the baby, why don’t I drive Analise home to make sure she gets there safely?”
“I’d like that,” Analise spoke up before Philippe could answer. “On the way I’ll make a list of do’s and don’t’s for you. Tomorrow I’ll phone you to see how things are going.”
Philippe nodded, then flashed Kellie a dark, penetrating glance. “Drive carefully.”
Once upon a time she would have taken his plea to mean he didn’t want anything to happen to her. But things were different now. It was Analise he was worried about.
“I promise.”
Yvette’s mother got up from the table. “Good night, Philippe. Good night, my little one.” She kissed her grandson’s forehead, then followed Kellie out of the dining room.
Neuchâtel was a gentle, beautiful town anytime. At night the lights brought out its elegance. As Kellie drove Analise home, her heart filled to overflowing for this woman who’d turned out to be so generous.
“Analise—”
“You don’t have to say anything, my dear. I can see Yvette’s baby is in the best of hands.”
“Thank you for what you’ve done,” Kellie whispered. “My husband’s a different man tonight.”
“He seems very taken with Jean-Luc. It will be interesting to see how he feels about him by tomorrow evening.”
Kellie sucked in her breath. “I know exactly how he’ll feel. He loves him already. That’s never going to change.”
“Perhaps not. However there might be another reason why he decides not to pursue this any further.”
“Why do you say that?” Kellie cried in alarm.
“Because he may discover what I discovered tonight watching the two of them together.”
“What are you saying?”
“Yvette convinced me your husband was the father of her baby. Now I’m not so sure.”
“You mean because he’s not Philippe’s exact replica?”
The other woman turned her head toward Kellie. “You noticed it, too. That means your husband will come to the same conclusion if he hasn’t done so already.”
“But it doesn’t necessarily follow they’re not father and son. Their coloring’s the same. I heard Yvette tell the doctor Philippe was the father. She didn’t know I was standing outside the curtain.”
“Perhaps my daughter wanted it to be true so badly, it became the truth to her.”
Kellie was thankful that Analise’s apartment building appeared on the right. She was so shaken by their conversation, she couldn’t have driven any further. Pulling over to the curb, she stopped the car.
“Was she seeing another man at the time she met Philippe?”
“Yes. Yvette always had a boyfriend in tow, but no relationship ever turned out to be serious. I hoped she’d end up marrying the new young partner of the veterinarian she worked for.
“They dated quite a bit until she went on her skiing holiday. But when she returned, she said she’d lost interest in him and found another job. A few months later she broke down and told me she’d met this wonderful man in Chamonix and she was pregnant with his child.
“She refused to reveal his name. I knew nothing until the hospital called and told me she’d been in an accident with Philippe Didier.
“Your husband is an attractive, prominent man whose picture is often in the newspapers showing him out skiing or climbing mountains in the company of Prince Raoul.
“Yvette’s infatuation with him was entirely understandable. The fact that she’d been riding with him in his car at the time of the accident seemed proof enough of their past relationship. So naturally when she admitted that he was the father of her baby, I believed her.”
“I believed her, too,” Kellie’s voice throbbed.
Analise expelled a heavy sigh. “If there’s any possibility that the baby was fathered by one of her former boyfriends, then we need to find out.
“Why don’t you take the baby to Vaudois Hospital for a DNA test tomorrow? Let me know what time your appointment is and I’ll meet you there. The sooner we get answers, the better it will be for all of us.”
Kellie groaned because everything was much more complicated now. Tonight her husband had fallen in love with a little boy who could be another man’s child. If the test wasn’t a match, it might not be so easy for Philippe to give him up.
“After what you’ve just told me, I don’t know if it’s a good idea for Philippe to spend more time with Jean-Luc until we know.”
While they’d been talking, Yvette’s mother seemed to have aged. “I’m as concerned as you are. After the test is done, I’ll take Jean-Luc home with me.”
“If it’s possible, I’ll get a morning appointment.”
“I’m always home, so the time doesn’t matter to me.”
“I’ll be sure to bring all the baby’s things with us,” Kellie assured her. But she didn’t want to think about tomorrow and how Philippe would feel when Analise went away with him.
“For tonight Jean-Luc will sleep fine i
n the carryall. So far he’s been waking up around one, four and seven for his bottle. He likes it warmed. Other than that, he’s been so good I don’t have any words of advice.”
The older woman got out of the car. She lowered her head for one last look at Kellie. “I’ll see you tomorrow. If there’s a problem at any hour of the night, call me.”
“We will.”
Kellie waited until Analise was safely inside the building, then she headed for the apartment. On the drive back she was plagued by worry.
The older woman’s decision to allow the baby an overnight stay meant Philippe wouldn’t be going into the office tomorrow. After taking care of the baby all night, what would his mood be like when he had to relinquish Jean-Luc at the hospital?
As she entered the apartment, she expected to see her husband in the living room with the baby. But it appeared he’d taken him to their bedroom. Before starting down the hall, Kellie picked up the carryall.
Philippe had left the door ajar. The light from the bedside lamp revealed his powerful body lounging on top of the bed wearing nothing but the bottom half of a pair of gray sweats. The baby lay across his stomach. Both appeared to be asleep.
The sight of her gorgeous husband with little Jean-Luc touched her deepest emotions.
Yvette’s unexpected advent in their lives had represented one nightmare. Now another one was beginning because the baby’s paternity was in question.
Not wanting to disturb them, Kellie left the carryall by the door. Knowing she couldn’t sleep, she went to the kitchen to do the dishes and clean up the dining room.
Before she prepared for bed, she got the formula out of the diaper bag and put it on the counter ready to warm at a moment’s notice. While she worked, she agonized over the fact that she hadn’t told Philippe about their baby yet.
But she simply couldn’t, not when her husband needed all his powers of concentration to deal with this situation first.
On the brink of emotional and physical exhaustion, she finally went to bed. It seemed like she’d barely closed her eyes when the baby started to cry.
She turned on the lamp and glanced at her watch. It wasn’t Jean-Luc’s feeding time yet, maybe he was hungry anyway. Throwing on her robe, she hurried down the hall to the master bedroom.
The Baby Dilemma Page 7
