Newborn Daddy (The Baby Secret)

by Judy Christenberry

  “Wasn’t there talk in the town?” his father questioned.

  He shook his head no. “Emma dropped out of sight. She didn’t go to church anymore. She kept her coat on at the grocery store. She drove to Buffalo for her prenatal visits.”

  “So how did you find out?” His father’s voice was gruff.

  “I found out when I went to the hospital to see Jackson the day he was born.” He closed his eyes, picturing the moment that had changed his life.

  “Emma called you? From the hospital?” Her mother was frowning, and he knew she was getting upset with Emma.

  “No. I saw my name on the birth card when the nurse brought Andy in.”

  “Oh, Emma should have told you, Ryan. That was wrong of her.”

  He smiled at his mother, having known she would be on his side. But he couldn’t allow her to feel that way. “She was going to tell me. But she had a rough pregnancy and the delivery didn’t go well. She’s improved a lot since then, but she was facing a return to work and no money. She was frightened. And I’d been vicious the last time we’d talked.”

  “Then why tell anyone? ” his father asked. “Was she trying to ruin your reputation?”

  Ryan put his hands behind his back and faced his parents. “Emma told you she was an orphan. She never knew who her parents were. She’d never do that to her child. I don’t think she realized they would put that information on the card. She just wanted her child to know, as she didn’t.”

  “Oh, the poor child,” Leigh said, her heart in Emma’s corner suddenly.

  “So what’s she doing here if you’re not going to marry?”

  “Dad, she had no money, no one to help her. She could barely stand—and then for no more than a minute without collapsing. I had to take care of her…and Andy. I insisted she come here to recover. She fought me all the way, but she didn’t have much choice.

  “I thought once I got her here, we’d work something out, but she was so angry. I decided she wanted me to stay away. So I did. Then yesterday, she got Maria to take her back to town.”

  “But it’s too soon,” his mother exclaimed.

  “Yeah. I went to get her. Had to call Steve because she fainted. She said she wouldn’t stay where neither she nor Andy were wanted.”

  “Oh,” Leigh moaned.

  “Yeah, so I promised I’d be friendlier, that I wanted them on the ranch.”

  “You going to convince her to stay?” Joe demanded, staring at Ryan.

  “I’m going to try. She’s talking about moving away, but I’m hoping to convince her to stay.”

  His mother leaned forward eagerly. “But if you love her, you—”

  Ryan froze. Then he roared, “I didn’t say that!”

  The baby, having rested quietly in Leigh’s arms, whimpered. Ryan reached for his daughter, but Leigh pressed her closer.

  “You’re scaring her!” she protested.

  “I didn’t mean to. Give her to me.” He took his child and cradled her against him, murmuring soothing words. Andy settled down at once, her eyes open, staring at him.

  “Ryan, you can’t—you mustn’t let Emma and the baby leave,” his mother protested. “Andy’s your daughter. What if Emma needs help? Or the baby gets sick? Would she call you?”

  Ryan didn’t have to ask Emma those questions. He knew the answer already. No, she wouldn’t call. She wouldn’t ask for help. If he let her and Andy leave, she’d never come back.

  He stared at his child’s beautiful little face, held her warmth against him. He’d avoided thinking about the future since he’d retrieved Emma and the baby this morning. He’d told himself he would handle things one day at a time.

  But his mother was forcing him to face the future. And he didn’t like it.

  “Emma doesn’t understand the importance of family, Ryan. You’ve got to insist that she stay.”

  He thought his mother was wrong. From things Emma had said in the past, he believed she understood the importance of family more than anyone, because she’d never had one.

  His father followed. “We’ll check with Jack, but if you’re not married, I don’t think you have any rights about the baby. You need to marry her.”

  He stared at his father. His words sounded so cold, so…legal. He wanted Emma to be happy, protected, not alone anymore.

  He could picture Emma with quiet contentment on her face. She’d looked that way after they made love. Merilee had expected to be loved, to be treasured. Emma had always been grateful, as if it was unexpected, he realized.

  His behavior seemed even more heinous, now, as he remembered Emma’s reactions.

  He hadn’t realized his parents had stood until his father spoke again. “We’ll go back to Beth’s and let you take care of your daughter,” he said, gesturing to Andy. “And I’ll let you know what Jack says.”

  Ryan wanted to protest any planned legal action against Emma. That would be impossible. But he couldn’t face losing contact with his child, either. He nodded his head, saying nothing.

  His parents both stepped closer and kissed the baby, then hugged him and said goodbye.

  Ryan remained in place, holding Andy, for quite a while after they’d gone. He couldn’t imagine going back to his lonely existence without Emma and the baby. Even the week before, when he’d hidden from their presence, he’d thought of them all day. He’d checked on the baby each night. He’d asked Billy questions about Emma.

  Now he realized his world had revolved around the two of them, even if he hadn’t spent time with them. Today, having shared meals with Emma, having introduced his daughter to his parents, holding her now, he realized he couldn’t give them up.

  What was he going to do?

  Twice in the night, Emma was awakened by Andy’s demand for food. The first time she struggled to get out of bed, after remembering that Maria wasn’t there to bring her baby to her. Before she could get upright, however, Ryan had appeared in the doorway, Andy in his arms.

  “No need to get up,” he said softly, and placed her baby in her arms.

  Emma stared at him, trying to gather her thoughts. Did he expect her to feed Andy in front of him?

  As if he read her mind, he said, “I’ll be in the den. Just call when she’s ready to go back to bed.” Then he disappeared.

  When she looked at her watch and realized it was almost midnight, she decided he must’ve still been up, reading, though it was late since he’d be up at six.

  Then Andy claimed her attention and she concentrated on feeding her child. Afterwards, she covered herself and softly called for Ryan.

  With a smile, he took Andy back to her bassinet. Emma lay there, hearing the rustling of the blanket as he covered her child. Then silence. She was listening for his footsteps climbing the stairs, but she fell asleep before she heard them.

  At four, they repeated the process, Ryan again appearing before she could leave the bed, Andy in his arms. “She’s really hungry this time,” he announced with a sleepy grin. “Or I was sleeping deeper.”

  Andy was complaining with all her tiny might.

  “She probably needs a change,” Emma said, rubbing her eyes.

  “I should’ve thought of that. We’ll be right back.”

  She blinked as he reversed his direction and disappeared from view. Emma heard him talking to Andy and the baby’s screams lessened to soft whimpers. Then he returned to her bedroom.

  “She’s ready to eat, Mama,” he said and handed the baby to her.

  “Thank you. I could’ve changed her.”

  He shrugged his shoulders and turned to leave.

  “Ryan? How did you hear her from upstairs?”

  “I was in the den,” he told her. Then he was gone.

  Emma thought about what he’d said. Had he fallen asleep reading? He was going to be very tired in the morning. Maybe she should start letting Andy sleep with her. That way the baby wouldn’t wake Ryan up.

  After Andy was satisfied, Emma decided she should put her baby to bed without
disturbing Ryan. He’d probably gone to bed anyway. Shoving the covers back, not bothering with a robe, she stood, then reached for Andy, lying on the bed.

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Ryan demanded from the door.

  Emma spun around so quickly, she almost fell over. Ryan was at her elbow at once, supporting her. “Back into bed before you pass out,” he ordered sternly. He took Andy from her and held the cover for Emma to return to bed.

  “But you’re not getting any sleep.”

  “Neither are you,” he pointed out. Then he leaned down and kissed her cheek again before he and the baby left the room.

  She closed her eyes. Those sweet touches could get to be a habit, she decided. One that she needed to avoid. Sadness filled her even as sleep overcame her thoughts.

  Ryan hurried into the kitchen. “Have you heard Emma or the baby?” he asked Billy.

  “Not a peep.”

  “Okay, well, have breakfast ready in about ten minutes. I’m going to clean up and then I’ll check on them.”

  “You bet, boss,” Billy said with a grin.

  Ryan hadn’t been sure Billy would agree with his new schedule. Not that Billy’s agreement would change his mind, but it meant a little extra work for the man. Ryan had decided to get up at his regular time, have a cup of coffee, then go do chores at the barn until Emma woke up.

  He’d come back to the house for breakfast with her before he went out for the day.

  After washing up, he tiptoed down the hall to Emma’s bedroom. Instead of knocking, he opened the door and peeked in. Emma was still sound asleep, relaxed under the cover.

  The sudden urge to join her, to press sweet kisses to her soft lips to awaken her, filled him. He took a step back in protest. He and Emma weren’t lovers anymore. They weren’t a married couple. They weren’t anything.

  Well, that wasn’t true. He was her caregiver right now. And the father of her baby.

  As if on cue, Andy let out a wail. Ryan hurried out of Emma’s room before she could realize he’d been watching her. This time he changed the baby before he brought her back to Emma.

  “What are you doing here?” Emma asked as soon as he entered her room. “It’s after eight o’clock.”

  He grinned. “I came back after doing some chores to have breakfast with you.”

  She frowned. “Ryan, I didn’t mean you had to change your life to wait on me. And we need to talk about last night, too.”

  Andy began fussing again.

  Ryan handed her to Emma. “Feed this insistent little lady. Then we’ll have breakfast together and discuss whatever you want.” He slipped from the room before she could protest.

  He headed for the kitchen where Billy was taking biscuits from the oven. “Need any help? Emma is feeding the baby.”

  “Pour some milk for Emma, why don’t you? She needs to drink lots of milk while she’s nursing.”

  “Don’t tell me you read a book on nursing, too,” Ryan protested as he did as Billy asked.

  “Nope. But your mother told me last night. And no caffeine, either. But I made some of that coffee you bought for last night.”

  Ryan frowned. “That’s not what I had this morning, is it? Is that why I’m still sleepy? No caffeine?”

  “Nah!” Billy said with a grin. “I’d still be asleep without a jolt of live coffee.”

  “If you’re sleepy,” Emma said from the doorway, frowning at him, “it’s because you got up and down all night with Andy.”

  He ignored those words and hurried to her side. “Come sit down. Did the baby go back to sleep?”

  “Yes. But you mustn’t get up at night with the baby. You can’t do that and work all day, too, Ryan. With or without caffeine.”

  Billy set the plate of biscuits on the table. “Come on and eat while everything’s hot.” He joined Emma at the table and stared at Ryan, still standing beside her.

  Ryan slid into the chair next to Emma and passed the biscuits to her. Then he put scrambled eggs on her plate and added some bacon.

  “Ryan, I can serve myself. I’m not Andy!” she exclaimed.

  “Sorry, honey, but I’m starving. This way was faster.” He wasn’t sure she believed him, but his explanation stopped her complaining.

  In fact, she left him in peace to eat his breakfast, only occasionally speaking to Billy. However, when he leaned back in his chair with a sigh of contentment, she tried again.

  “Did you sleep in the den all night?”

  “Yeah. Billy, how about another cup of coffee. Emma, Billy made some caffeine-free coffee for you, too. Want some?”

  “Yes, please. And quit trying to change the subject,” she said firmly, after nodding to Billy.

  “I’m not. I was trying to think of your comfort.”

  “Did you sleep on the sofa? If I remember correctly, the last time you had to do that, you protested.”

  Billy jumped up from the table. “Uh, I think I’ll start some laundry and clean the dishes later.” He hurried from the kitchen as if he were being chased.

  “I think you embarrassed Billy,” Ryan said with a grin. “Shame on you, Emma.”

  “I was talking about two nights ago when you came to my apartment!” she exclaimed, her cheeks turning red, making her look delightful.

  “I know,” he said, still smiling, “but Billy doesn’t know that.”

  “Ryan, you’re trying to distract me again. Why weren’t you upstairs sleeping?”

  “Because you and Andy needed me,” he replied simply, daring her with his gaze to contradict him.

  Chapter Eight

  Emma narrowed her eyes as she stared at Ryan. “I’m getting better, Ryan. I just need a little help with the housework and cooking. It’s not necessary to rearrange your entire schedule.”

  Her words didn’t seem to faze him as he sipped his coffee. “So the way things were last week is how you want it?”

  Emma realized she’d boxed herself in. No, she couldn’t stay here if things went back to the sterile existence of last week. But it was dangerous to have him too close. For either her or Andy, because in a few weeks, he wouldn’t be around.

  “I needed to know you didn’t mind my being here. But I don’t want to disrupt your life.”

  “You want that last piece of bacon?” he asked, as if she’d said the weather was nice.

  “No,” she snapped. “Are you listening to me?”

  “Every word,” he assured her, considering the bacon before taking a bite.

  You’d think he was having his last meal! She huffed as she watched him. He was a sight to behold, his handsome face, broad shoulders, slim hips. All man.

  And sweet.

  Not many men would change their entire schedule to accommodate a woman who meant nothing to them.

  “Ryan, I want you to know this isn’t necessary.”

  “You’re wrong, honey. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

  Emma was always patient, always kind, slow to anger, but she slapped her hand down on the table hard enough to make the orange-juice glasses jump.

  “Ryan Nix, you’re not being serious!”

  “Whoa. Calm down, Emma,” he said and reached for her hand.

  His touch calmed her at once, which irritated her even more. She yanked her hand away.

  “Look, Emma, I want you to tell me if I do something that upsets you, but I’m only trying to do what the doctor said. And…I’m actually enjoying it.”

  “You needn’t sound so surprised!” she snapped again.

  “Mercy, honey, I can’t get it right this morning.”

  Much to Emma’s mortification, tears pooled in her eyes and she ducked her head. What was wrong with her? “I didn’t mean to complain. But last night—”

  “Ah, I was afraid we’d have to discuss last night.”

  “Were they—do they hate me?” Her voice shook, but the thought that she’d caused problems for Ryan in his family was horrible.

  Ryan pushed back from the table, surprise on his
face. “Hate you? Why would they?”

  “Ryan, I’m sure the entire town is talking about—about me. You didn’t want either one of us, and I made it so you couldn’t ignore us.”

  He took her hand again. “I want to take care of both of you, Emma. Don’t doubt that. My parents were disappointed by the situation. And they wanted to be sure I was being responsible.” He paused before drawing her hand to his lips for a brief caress. “And they want to know what we’re going to do.”

  “About the gossip? It won’t last long after I leave, I’m sure. You can s-say I trapped you and—”

  He burst out laughing. “You don’t know much about men, do you, honey? I’m not about to admit being trapped! But I wasn’t talking about the gossip.”

  “You weren’t? But what else is the problem?”

  Though he smiled, he shook his head. “Emma, Emma, Emma. The problem is what happens now. You and Andy and I are linked together for life.”

  “No,” she said, calm again. “We’re not. Andy and I are moving away. We’re not going to intrude in your life. So there’s nothing to talk about.”

  “What if I don’t want you to move away? What if I want to be a part of Andy’s life?”

  Those pesky tears came back, just when she thought she was under control. “Don’t,” she pleaded, her voice husky. She pulled her hand away from him.

  He cleared his throat. “Yeah, well, I don’t have any answers, but I thought if we played it day by day, maybe we’ll come up with an answer. You need to stay here for a month, at least. And you’re organizing my book collection while you’re here. So we’ve got some time to work things out. Okay?”

  “A month? I thought another week or two.” She was sure that was what she’d agreed to.

  He shook his head. “We’ll see. Let’s make an agreement. We’ll work through each day’s problems at breakfast the next morning.”

  “But that means you have to change your schedule!”

  “Yeah,” he agreed with a grin. “And I’m liking it. The crew has been complaining that I’m not spending enough time with you. So everyone’s happy.”

  “Billy—”

  “We can run him off for a while. He’ll do anything to make sure you stay.”