Having Adam's Baby (Harlequin Special Edition)

by Butler, Christyne

  “You’ve been home less than a month.” Liam pointed out the obvious. “How far along is Fay?”

  “Almost three months.”

  “How is that possible, Uncle Adam?” Logan asked.

  “Yeah, the math doesn’t work,” Luke added.

  Silence filled the room. Adam felt the eyes of ten people on him, waiting to hear how he was going to explain this. He’d wondered about having the kids here, but they were teenagers now, or would be soon, and gossip didn’t have an age limit.

  “Fay and I spent some time together when I was home for a quick visit back in April. You three were in Boston visiting your mother at the time.”

  His nephews seemed to mull over his explanation before matching shrugs told of their easy acceptance.

  “So the baby is due in January?” Abby asked. “That’ll make him either a Capricorn or an Aquarius like me. The goat is usually very ambitious and practical, but us water bearers are intelligent, mysterious and march to the beat of our own drum.”

  “And here I thought you were all that because you were a teenager,” Nolan said, then smiled at his daughter.

  She rolled her eyes. “Very funny, Dad. Anyway, if you ever need a babysitter, Uncle Adam, let me know. I’m signed up for a first-aid course in school come fall.”

  “Thanks, Abby, but we really haven’t thought that far ahead.”

  “So, how long has Fay been staying with you?” Laurie asked.

  Adam saw the long glance exchanged between his sister-in-law and his mother, but he had no idea what it meant. “She moved in last night.”

  “So where do things go from here, son?”

  Both of Adam’s parents had cornered him on two separate occasions to ask about Fay and his plans. He didn’t have any answers for either of them at the time. He could tell by the looks on their faces right now, they weren’t exactly pleased with what he’d just shared.

  Old-school and family-oriented, his parents had expected an engagement announcement, but Adam wasn’t about to share how Fay had refused him. Not that surprising her with a marriage proposal first thing in the morning had been the best time for it.

  “We don’t know yet, Dad. Right now we’re taking things one step at a time.”

  His father nodded, a half frown settling between his brows. “Well, I think you did the right thing. Living in her apartment, with those outside stairs, would’ve been dangerous for her to deal with come winter.”

  Adam was sure his father had more to say, but his practical response was so like Alistair Murphy. The fact that he’d thought the same thing made him realize he was more like his father than he thought.

  He liked that.

  “You know, the smallest of your three bedrooms would make a charming nursery.” His mother came to stand beside Adam, placing a hand on his arm. “A crib, dresser and changing table would fit easily in there. Not to mention how nice the rocking chair would look sitting by the window.”

  “Oh, I saw the cutest fabric in a store last week. Baby zoo animals all done in soft rainbow colors,” Laurie added. “Perfect for a boy or a girl.”

  “What were you doing looking at baby fabric?” Bryant asked his wife, his eyes wide.

  “Just browsing, sweetie.” Laurie leaned down and gave him a kiss. “Nothing for you to get excited about.”

  Adam suddenly knew exactly where his mother was heading. She’d been a long-distance grandmother when Nolan’s kids were born as he and his ex were living in New England at the time. Even then, she’d been heavily involved via the phone and the internet. Who knew what she’d be like in person?

  “Slow down, Mom. Like I said, Fay and I still have a lot to talk about when it comes to the baby.”

  Hell, he’d barely remembered what they talked about over breakfast.

  Considering how little sleep he’d gotten last night, waking to the smell of freshly brewed coffee had been a nice surprise. He figured Fay must’ve set the automatic timer last night, a trick he hadn’t figured out yet.

  By the time he’d gotten out of the shower, dressed and entered the kitchen, she was serving up bacon and eggs.

  Not a morning person—he barely spoke to anyone until his second cup of coffee—Adam tried to listen as Fay bustled around the room chatting about things like food shopping and laundry duties.

  “Your child is going to need a room of his or her own. Besides, Fay doesn’t have any family in town except us.”

  His mother words yanked Adam from his thoughts. He opened his mouth, but she wasn’t done.

  “And don’t even think of telling me she’s not family. She’s the mother of my grandchild. That makes her as much a part of this family as anyone else.”

  His father walked across the room and placed his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Well said, dear.” He then stuck out his hand. “Congratulations, son. Welcome to fatherhood.”

  Adam shook his father’s hand, and then accepted best wishes from everyone as they crowded around him. Relieved that they seemed to take the news so well, he really wished Fay was here. She needed to know how excited his family was about the baby.

  They then moved into the dining room and took seats around the large table. Adam hung back, popping Devlin lightly with a fist to the shoulder. “Thanks a lot.”

  Dev grinned and dodged when Adam cocked his arm to deliver another blow. “Hey, how was I supposed to know you only got halfway to the goal line?”

  Deciding his brother had already done enough damage, Adam let the comment slide as he took a seat. He couldn’t hear what his mom and Laurie were talking about at the opposite end of the table, but he’d bet money it was about the newest member of the Murphy family. Something told him he needed to warn Fay about the whirlwind that was his mother.

  “Well, not to steal my big brother’s thunder, but since we’re all here, I’d like to make an announcement myself.” Ric waited until he had everyone’s attention. “I’ve decided against going to graduate school in the fall and instead joined the Air Force. Full time. I report to Officer’s Training School in Alabama next month.”

  Stunned silence met Ric’s announcement for a moment and then the Murphys did what they did best. Talk over one another with questions and comments flying through the air while sharing a family meal.

  Adam smiled at his youngest brother, not really surprised by Ric’s plans as the kid had corresponded with him about joining the military for the last six months or so.

  “Gee, it’s a good thing you’re retired, Sarge.” Dev looked at Adam and winked. “Otherwise, you’d have to salute our baby brother.”

  “With pride,” Adam shot back.

  The discussion switched to Ric’s career decision and the job specialty of military intelligence while they ate. After dinner was over, Adam begged off dessert and said his goodbyes. He headed for the back entrance with Shadow at his heels, a plastic dish filled with leftover lasagna and garlic bread for Fay.

  “Hey, where you going?” Dev jogged up behind Adam as they headed outside.

  “Home.”

  “Not yet. Come on, it’s time to get you up in the air. We’ve still got plenty of daylight left. That is, if you think the wife won’t object.”

  Adam pocketed his phone. He’d thought about calling, but had sent Fay a text message instead telling her he was heading home. “Very funny. I thought you were having issues with the helo.”

  “Naw, it’s fine. I know you’ve been visiting the job sites recently, but there’s nothing like seeing it from the air.” Dev matched Adam’s quick stride. “Don’t tell me you’ve never flown in a chopper before?”

  Adam hummed the opening strains of “Into the Wild Blue Yonder,” the Air Force theme song.

  “Okay, okay. I get it,” Dev said, then grinned. “I�
�m not talking about those oversize birds like the Pave Hawk, even thought I’ll admit the MH-60Gs do give a sweet ride.”

  “Hold up a minute.” Adam stopped. “When have you ever flown in a Pave Hawk?”

  “A while back I dated a captain in the Reserves who flew helos. Geez, I can’t even remember her name. It was back during my ‘party like a rock star’ days. Anyway, she took me for a ride one time.” Dev paused and his eyes got a faraway look in them. “Yeah, I remember…great wingspan.”

  Adam didn’t know exactly what his brother was talking about, but he was sure of one thing. He didn’t want any details. He also wasn’t sure if he wanted to get inside that bird.

  Thanks to the services available at the Veterans’ Center, he’d been able to get a meeting with a counselor a few days ago. They’d talked about the episodes Adam had experienced and the added stress of finding out about the baby. While a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress hadn’t been made definitively—that would take more time—the counselor had been pleased with the positive things in Adam’s life, like his new job, family and friends, finances and physical health.

  And at how happy Adam seemed about becoming a father.

  Adam had left the appointment with a feeling of hope and some strategies for coping. He’d even gotten a book on exposure therapy, a method in which confronting trauma-related emotion and painful memories would, over time, diminish their effect.

  No time like the present.

  He checked his phone again. No response from Fay. He wondered if she’d taken time tonight to talk to Peggy about the baby. Letting her employee know about the pregnancy was necessary for Fay and the baby’s health. Adam had made a comment about doing just that when they’d talked about his plans for tonight with his family, but Fay had bristled at his suggestion so he’d backed off.

  “So, what do you say?” Dev asked.

  Adam’s gaze was drawn to the four-seater helicopter, a necessary part of running their business. “Yeah, let’s do this,” he said. “Take me for a ride.”

  “All right!”

  Adam stored the leftovers in his truck and instructed the dog to stay in the backyard while Dev headed to the helicopter, his phone to his ear. Soon they were strapped inside with microphoned headsets that allowed them to communicate.

  “I told Liam we were heading out,” Dev said.

  Adam nodded. Dev then went through a pre-flight checklist, pointing out various items on the instrument panel.

  Most were too complicated to understand fully, but at least Adam could read the fuel and speed gauges and the altimeter, which told them how high off the ground they were.

  First thing Adam heard was the rapid click-click-click of the igniter. Then a whooshing noise that Dev said was the jet fuel lighting. Next came a whine as the engine spun and the blades picked up speed overhead.

  Minutes later, they were airborne. Adam tensed for a moment, and immediately put a newly learned breathing technique into play as he waited for the old memories to resurface.

  Nothing came except for the relaxing of his muscles and the wonder of seeing the earth in a totally new way.

  Adam felt a tap on his arm and looked at Dev, who gestured toward the ground. He glanced down and saw the entire family out on the back deck waving at them.

  “The old homestead looks pretty cool from up here, doesn’t it?” Dev’s voice echoed in Adam’s headset. “I’m going to head over to Camp Diamond, the summer camp Bobby and Leeann Winslow put together.”

  “I’ve been there. Thanks to an early spring, we completed all the buildings,” Adam replied. “They’re working the interiors now.”

  “Yeah, but our land borders Winslow’s. I want you to see how we’re cutting the trees out that way. Then if you want, we can buzz over the Zippenella job site and a few others.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “How about we finish with a quick fly over your place?”

  Adam grinned at his brother. “Sounds perfect.”

  Before he knew it, ninety minutes had passed as they covered a huge area including two job sites outside of Laramie. Nolan was working on home plans for a well-known Hollywood director, a huge place in the resort town of Jackson Hole, their first on the other side of the state. The helo would make traveling to the location a breeze.

  “Okay, we’re losing daylight fast so let’s head back by way of… Hey, you ever think up a name for your place?” Dev asked.

  “I’m thinking about Never-Never Land. That’s how close I am to making it a working ranch.” His brother’s deep chuckle filled Adam’s ears. “Maybe I’ll let you come up with something.”

  “Oh, don’t tempt me, bro. Hey, looks like someone might be in some trouble down there,” Dev said, dipping the bird down to just above tree level. “Do you see the white van?”

  Adam’s heart lurched as he picked out the vehicle on the side of the old country road that ran past his land. As they got closer he could see the right side of van was actually halfway into a ditch. The headlights shone on the trees at a weird angle and the moment he saw the painted logo of Fay’s shop he felt as if his heart stopped completely.

  The driver’s-side door opened and seconds later, Fay got out. Adam released the breath he hadn’t even known he was holding.

  “What the hell is she doing way out here?” He reached for his cell phone, but Dev was already radioing the sheriff’s office with Fay’s location. Adam’s call didn’t go through and neither did his text message. “Damn! I can’t reach her.”

  “Hey, she’s seen us, she’s waving,” Dev said. “We’ll stay overhead until the sheriff shows up.”

  Adam remained silent, one hand pressed hard against the glass, his gaze locked on Fay standing below them on the road. She looked so close, but still a million miles away. He couldn’t tell if she was hurt in any way, but she seemed to be fine as she looked over the van, even kicking at one of the rear tires.

  “If there was a place to land, you know I would, right?” Dev looked at him. “The trees are too close and with that road only being two lanes…”

  Adam nodded, waving off his brother’s explanation. They soon spotted flashing lights heading toward her. The Jeep pulled to a stop next to where Fay stood and Sheriff Gage Steele got out. He and Fay spoke for a moment before he looked up and waved, then leaned back inside the Jeep.

  “He’s calling for a tow truck and then he’s going to take Fay home.” Adam listened as Dev relayed the message. “We’ve got about a quarter tank of fuel left, but I was taught to keep an eye on my watch and not the gauge. We need to head back so I’ve got enough fuel to take her over to the airstrip in the morning.”

  “Okay, let’s go, so I can get back to Fay.”

  Dev landed a hand on his arm. “She’s okay, Adam.”

  He could see that, but no one knew about the scare they’d just had with the baby. He couldn’t believe she was out driving on these back roads by herself in that dilapidated van. All he wanted now was to get back on the ground and get home.

  Get to her.

  * * *

  Like most mornings, Fay had risen early, showered and dressed. Waking up hungry was the norm now and she sliced fresh fruit into a bowl as country music classics played low in the background from the kitchen radio.

  Shadow sat in rapt attention at her feet, ready to scoop up any pieces before they hit the floor. He’d been a constant companion for her the last two days, moving back and forth between her bedroom and Adam’s, often sleeping in the hallway between the two rooms.

  Fay didn’t know if Adam normally worked on Saturdays, but it was almost nine o’clock and the smell of freshly brewed coffee hadn’t caused him to stir yet.

  He must be so tired.

  She’d arrived at his place last night moments before he did,
thanks to a lift from the sheriff. Gage had told her how Dev and Adam had called in her accident. She figured as much after spotting the helicopter overhead.

  Thanks to a dead cell phone she hadn’t been able to call or text Adam to let him know she was okay. The relief on his face when he’d climbed down from his truck, Shadow at his side, had brought tears to her eyes.

  The sound of the front door opening startled her back to the present. Fay spun around as Shadow barked and raced across the room.

  Adam stepped inside, removing his battered felt cowboy hat. He spotted her as he closed the door behind him. “Good, you’re up.”

  “Adam Murphy, you scared me to death!” She tossed the knife into the sink. “What are you— I thought you were still asleep.”

  “No, I was up half the night.” He gave the dog a quick scratch behind his ears and then shoved his hands into his pockets. “How about you?”

  “I slept fine.” Fay pulled a fork from the drawer and grabbed the bowl. “I told you last night I was fine. No pains or discomfort. Then or now.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  She took a bite of sliced strawberries, Adam watching as she chewed. “So, where have you been?” she asked, after swallowing. “Working on the barn?”

  Adam shook his head. “Nope. Come here, I want to show you something.”

  Was that a smile on his lips?

  Curious, she set down her bowl as Adam walked backward to the door, opened it and paused to set his hat back on his head.

  He then stepped out onto the covered porch and motioned to her with a crook of his finger. “Give me your hand. Close your eyes.”

  “What?” Surprised, she stopped at the threshold. “Why?”

  “Just do it. Please?”

  She did as he asked, curling her fingers around his. Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer that he hadn’t felt the same sizzle she did when her flesh came in contact with his warm, calloused palm. “Now what?”