Accidental Family (The Baby Bet: MacAllisters Gifts #14)

by Joan Elliott Pickart

  “I’ll use Marjorie’s office for a nursery today since she’s away on vacation. Sophia can camp out on the owner’s turf.”

  “Okay, I’ll carry her… Oops. Jeffery, the wheels stay on the truck. Do not… Too late. That kid kills a truck a day, I swear.”

  “Go play mechanic,” Patty said, taking the carrier from Susan.

  “Sarah Ann, Sarah Ann, Sarah Ann,” Tucker yelled, racing across the room. “You came. I told my mommy you would.”

  Patty slid the heavy diaper bag and her purse onto one of the small child-size tables, then turned to see the front doors of the center swishing closed behind Sarah Ann and David Montgomery.

  Oh, good grief, Patty thought. David Montgomery was even more ruggedly handsome than she remembered him being. He just oozed blatant masculinity, moved with a fluid male grace that said he was comfortable in his own body—a body that was so perfectly proportioned it was sinful.

  Was that a sensual shiver slithering down her spine? No, it was not. Patty Sharpe Clark, don’t be absurd.

  In the next moment her eyes widened as Tucker and Sarah Ann threw their arms around each other in a hug. Patty hurried forward, aware that while the pair were the same age Tucker was a stocky little boy while Sarah Ann was small-boned and delicate. An exuberant hug from Tucker Clark could result in Sarah Ann being squished to tears.

  “Tucker, honey,” Patty said when she reached the children. “I know how happy you are to see Sarah Ann but you’re going to squeeze the stuffing out of her. Let her go, Tucker.”

  “’Kay,” Tucker said. “Are you still my bestis friend, Sarah Ann?”

  Sarah Ann nodded. “You’re my most bestis friend in the whole wide world, Tucker.”

  “Come play blocks,” Tucker said, taking Sarah Ann’s hand.

  “’Kay.”

  “Goodbye, Sarah Ann,” David said. “I love you.”

  “Love you,” she said, not looking at him.

  The dynamic duo ran toward the far corner of the room.

  “Well,” David said, chuckling, “I’d say that was quite a reunion.” He shifted his gaze to Patty. “You’ve been busy since you were here last.” He looked at Sophia, then back at Patty. “You have a beautiful daughter, Patty.

  “I remember holding Sarah Ann when she was a newborn and thinking she was an honest-to-goodness miracle. I always thought I’d be the father to three or four kids, live in a home overflowing with love and laughter and…” He cleared his throat. “Does Tucker like his role of big brother?”

  “He’s not overly impressed,” Patty said, laughing. “He wants Sophia to do something, not just eat and sleep.”

  “She’ll get busy soon enough. They grow so fast. I’ve already been replaced as Sarah Ann’s bestis friend.”

  “Oh, not really,” Patty said. “Sarah Ann dashes off when she gets here because she’s secure in the knowledge that you’ll be back to get her later. You’re her bestis daddy and she trusts you with such pure and awesome innocence.”

  “I hope I can live up to that trust,” David said, looking directly at Patty.

  “I… I’m sure you will,” she said, meeting his intense gaze.

  Those eyes, she thought, rather hazily. They put a Ventura summer sky to shame. So blue, so… Goodness, it was warm in here. There was a strange heat consuming her, churning and swirling and… David Montgomery was pinning her in place with those incredible blue eyes.

  “Well, I’d better be on my way,” David said, his voice sounding slightly strangled. “I assume you’re reporting back to work here?”

  “Oh, no, not really,” Patty said, then drew a wobbly breath. “I’m just substituting today because they’re short on caregivers.”

  “I see. Yes. Have a nice day. I’ll be back to collect Sarah Ann at the usual time. Goodbye.”

  David spun around and strode toward the doors, soon disappearing from view.

  “Goodbye,” Patty said quietly, watching him go.

  Sophia squeaked, stirred and opened her eyes.

  “Hello, sleepy girl,” Patty said. “Your silly mommy just got thrown off-kilter by a very handsome man, but there will be no more of that malarkey. I’m wearing my mommy hat and it’s staying firmly in place.”

  Outside in the parking lot, David started the engine of his SUV, then hesitated before backing out, his gaze riveted on the door of the building.

  Patty Clark was a very attractive woman, he thought. She appeared to be about thirty, had black, shiny hair that fell to just above her shoulders and dark, expressive eyes.

  Even when she had been pregnant there was something about her that would definitely catch a man’s appreciative eye. And now? Whew. He’d felt the heat coiling low in his body when he’d looked into the dark depths of her eyes.

  Man, Patty had a rough road to go. Divorced, the mother of a busy little boy and a newborn daughter? Her husband must have been a real scumball to make taking on what Patty was facing seem a better choice than to stay married to the jerk.

  The next time he felt overwhelmed by the single-parent role he’d think of Patty Clark and what she was dealing with. Pretty Patty. He hoped she had family to lend her a hand, both physically and emotionally, a support group. Even still, that wouldn’t erase the fact that each night when Patty locked the door of her home against the world, she was alone to cope with the needs of those two children. Damn, that was a lot to handle and…

  “Montgomery,” David said, shaking his head. “Why are you sitting here like a dolt mentally minding someone else’s business? Someone you don’t even know, and will probably never see again after today?”

  David put the vehicle in reverse, checked his mirror, then backed out of the parking place. But before he drove from the lot, he looked at the doors to the Fuzzy Bunny Day Care Center one more time, the image of pretty Patty Clark flickering in his mind’s eye in crystal clarity.

  It was a typical busy day at the Fuzzy Bunny. With twenty energy-filled children there were the usual squabbles, lots of laughter, a skinned knee that needed a special Bugs Bunny Band-Aid and a hug for the wounded warrior.

  After lunch the children collapsed on tiny cots and took much-needed naps, allowing the caregivers to eat their own lunches and get a second breath. Patty ate quickly, then went into Marjorie’s office to give Sophia a bottle. She settled onto the soft leather chair behind the desk and fed her hungry daughter.

  Patty’s mind drifted back to the conversation she’d had with David that morning.

  He’d sounded so wistful when he’d spoken of having wanted a large family, she mused. Wistful and resigned to the fact that it wasn’t going to happen. Where was Sarah Ann’s mother, the woman who would have given David more children? David was probably wondering where in the world Tucker and Sophia’s father was. But, of course, one did not ask such personal questions of a person one hardly knew.

  Patty sighed.

  Her tale of woe would sound like a badly written soap opera, yet it was her reality and she’d been dealing with it inch by emotional inch over the past months, gaining at least a modicum of inner peace.

  But would she ever totally forget the devastating pain she’d gone through when Peter had moved out of their home and into his secretary’s apartment the day after Thanksgiving, just before Patty had discovered she was pregnant with their second child? And as a Christmas gift? Peter Clark had served her with divorce papers one week before the special holiday.

  She’d tried so hard to talk to him, to make him understand how sorry she was that she hadn’t been an adequate wife, that she’d do much better in the future if he’d only give her another chance. But no, his mind was made up. Their marriage was over, he was in love with his secretary and that was that.

  She had failed.

  She’d done her very best to keep the house clean and picked up despite having a busy little boy who left a trail of toys everywhere. She’d prepared nourishing meals with Peter’s favorite desserts made from scratch. She’d never pleaded fatigue or a h
eadache when he reached for her in the night but… It hadn’t been good enough. She hadn’t been good enough.

  She was a devoted mother. She knew that. But she had failed miserably in the role of wife to her husband, and because of that he’d left her for another woman who could and would meet his needs.

  Because of her, Tucker rarely saw his father. More often than not he did not show up when he was scheduled to have Tucker for an outing. Tucker no longer asked about his daddy. When Peter did manage to come for his son, Tucker trudged out the doors with a frown on his little face, then ran into Patty’s embrace upon his return.

  And this new baby? Patty thought, gazing at Sophia. When she’d told Peter she was pregnant he’d rolled his eyes in disgust and told her to have her attorney contact his attorney about adjusting future child-support payments.

  He never acknowledged her changing body when he came for Tucker, nor asked how she was feeling or if she knew if she was having a girl or a boy. He knew when the baby was due but he hadn’t contacted her to see if she’d given birth. He just didn’t care.

  Because she had failed as a wife.

  To Peter she was the mother of his children, nothing more. Because she had that title he was going to have to fork over a chunk of his paycheck every month to help feed and clothe those children. Patty was an ex-wife, and he’d moved on to be with someone who knew how to perform in that role properly.

  “Patty?” Susan said, coming into the office and snapping her back from her tormented thoughts. “This is the first chance I’ve had to really speak to you alone. Has Peter seen Sophia yet?”

  Patty shook her head. “He knew when my due date was, but I haven’t heard from him. He hasn’t shown up on his scheduled visitation days for several months to take Tucker for an outing, either. Tucker rarely mentions his daddy anymore. Well, it’s Peter’s loss. I have two wonderful children and I’m enjoying being a mother to them more than I could ever begin to express in words. Life is good.”

  “I don’t know how you can be so cheerful,” Susan said. “I’d have murder on my mind if a man did to me what Peter did to you, Patty. Every time I think about it my blood boils. But you? You just keep on smiling.”

  Because she’d cried until she’d had no more tears to shed, Patty thought.

  Chapter Two

  The afternoon passed quickly and just after five o’clock parents began to arrive to pick up their offspring before the center closed at six. At five minutes before six o’clock Susan planted her hands on her hips and stared at the front doors.

  “That’s strange,” she said to Patty. “Ever since David Montgomery started bringing Sarah Ann here you could set your watch by him. He picks her up at five-forty-five on the dot, never, ever later than that.”

  “Well, ten minutes doesn’t mean anything other than the traffic is heavier than usual,” Patty said, sinking onto a rocking chair used for story hour. “You go ahead, Susan. I’ll wait for David. Sarah Ann is the only child who hasn’t been picked up and she and Tucker are playing nicely together with the blocks. Sophia just ate so she’s fine, too. I’ll use these few minutes to rest my weary self.”

  “I hate to leave you here alone,” Susan said, frowning, “but Theresa’s caregiver will be furious if I’m late.”

  “Then go, go, go,” Patty said, flapping her hands at her. “I’ve worked here since January and no one has ever been later than a few minutes after six.”

  “Not during my two years here, either,” Susan said. “I don’t even know what Marjorie’s policy is about it because it never came up. I wouldn’t be concerned if it wasn’t David Montgomery. He’s just never late, Patty, and it’s now six minutes after six. This is creepy. Something is wrong.”

  “It is strange that he hasn’t phoned to say he’s running late,” Patty said. “You know, if he had a flat tire or something. He’s devoted to Sarah Ann and… You’re right. Something is wrong, but I don’t have a clue as to what it is.” She paused. “Well, I’ll just sit here, relax and wait. Susan, go.”

  Susan glanced at her watch, cringed, then hurried toward the doors, disappearing from view moments later.

  Patty shifted in the rocker to see that Tucker and Sarah Ann were still engrossed in their building project, then stared at the Mickey Mouse clock on the wall.

  Something was definitely wrong, she thought, frowning. It was evident to everyone who worked there that David Montgomery’s world centered on his daughter. For him to be late picking her up without a telephone call to explain his tardiness was totally out of character for him.

  Dear heaven, it was nearly six-thirty. Where was David? What had happened to him? What should she do?

  David, please walk through that door. Now. Right now.

  But David Montgomery did not appear and the clock kept ticking.

  “Mommy,” Tucker whined at six-forty-five. “I’m hungry.”

  “I know, sweetie,” Patty said, getting to her feet. “Why don’t you and Sarah Ann sit at one of the little tables and I’ll get you some juice and crackers.”

  “My daddy?” Sarah Ann said, her bottom lip trembling. “I want my daddy.”

  “He’ll be here, honey,” Patty said. “Your daddy is just a bit late, that’s all. Don’t cry, Sarah Ann. Your daddy will come in a wink and a blink.”

  Now, David, she thought, staring at the doors again. Forget the wink and blink and walk through that door.

  When Tucker and Sarah Ann were happily consuming their snack, Patty went into Marjorie’s office and sank onto the chair behind the desk. The walls were clear glass and she could see the two children from where she sat. Sophia slept peacefully in her carrier on a loveseat set against the wall.

  Think, Patty told herself. Calm down and think. Okay. David had gotten a sudden case of the flu, was running a temperature and had fallen asleep at home because he was burning up with fever.

  She went to the filing cabinet in the corner and found the application David had filled out when enrolling Sarah Ann at the center. Moments later she punched in the number listed and the telephone rang on the other end. And rang and rang and rang. There was no other information on the form. No place of employment, no one to contact in an emergency. Nothing.

  She replaced the receiver, sat down again and pressed her fingertips to her now-throbbing temples.

  So much for that brilliant deduction, she thought. Now what? Hospitals. Oh, as grim as the idea was, maybe David had been in an accident and… Well, she’d start with the hospital she knew best. Mercy. Where Tucker and Sophia had been born.

  The telephone book produced the number and Patty ignored her shaking hand as she pushed the buttons on the telephone. It was answered halfway through the second ring.

  “Mercy Hospital. How may I direct your call?”

  “I…um… I guess I should speak with someone in the emergency room, please,” Patty said.

  “One moment, please.”

  Two seconds of music played, then a new voice came on the line.

  “Emergency.”

  “Yes,” Patty said, wishing her voice was steadier. “I’m inquiring as to whether a David Montgomery has been brought into the emergency room there at Mercy Hospital.”

  “Are you a member of his immediate family?”

  “Oh, well, I…” Patty said, her mind racing. “Yes. Yes, I am. I’m… I’m his wife. I’m out of town, you see, and phoned the house and David wasn’t there, and I’m so worried and…”

  “Let me check, Mrs. Montgomery.”

  More music echoed in Patty’s ear and she drew a shuddering breath.

  “Mrs. Montgomery?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry to tell you this, ma’am, but your husband has been in an automobile accident and was brought here to Mercy. We tried to contact next of kin and finally found your home number through the operator as a new listing, but no one answered the phone.”

  “I’m not there. I mean, I’m out of town as I said. Please tell me how David is.”

>   “Mr. Montgomery is in surgery at the moment to set a broken leg.”

  “Oh, God,” Patty whispered.

  “He also sustained a blow to the head, has a concussion and we’ll be monitoring him closely through the night for that. I know you want to get here as quickly as possible but please travel safely. We’ll be waking him through the night because of his head injury but we fully expect him to be groggy. He really wouldn’t know you are here.”

  “I understand,” Patty said. “Thank you. Thank you very much for your time. Goodbye.”

  Patty dropped the receiver back into place and pressed her hands to her cheeks, feeling how cold her palms were against her flushed skin.

  Go back to thinking, she ordered herself. What to do, what to do. Think. Okay. She was calming down. Gathering the facts. David was battered but alive. Mercy Hospital was the best in Ventura. But any wife worth the title would drive above the speed limit to sit by his side, whether he knew she was there or not.

  But she wasn’t David’s wife, and when she’d been Peter’s wife she hadn’t been worthy of the title, so…so she was going to operate in the role she did best. Mother. David was receiving the best of care and she would see to it that his daughter did the same.

  Patty left the office and went to the table where the children were sitting.

  “I have a wonderful surprise for you two,” she said, forcing a bright smile onto her face. “Sarah Ann is coming home with us, Tucker, and spending the night. Isn’t that fun, Sarah Ann?”

  “I want my daddy,” the little girl said.

  “Your daddy had a very important place he had to go tonight, honey,” Patty said, “and you’re going to have a wonderful time at our house. Tucker has toys to share with you and we’ll eat dinner together and… Okay? Sure. Now let’s get your snack stuff in the trash and off we go.”