Home to Laura

by Mary Sullivan

  Next, he went into the second storefront Laura had bought to see what needed to be done before the opening.

  The interior took his breath away, just as the bakery had on his first day in town with Emily in the spring.

  Except for that one brick wall on the far side, the colors Laura had chosen for the walls were deep and rich and stunning.

  Paintings lined the wall, resting on the floor and still wrapped in brown paper to protect them.

  He introduced himself to the contractor, who showed him around the kitchen. Once that dividing wall came down, it would be a baker’s dream kitchen.

  In a little more than a dozen years or so, Laura had taken a small normal bakery and had baked her way to success, living with odd, long hours and hard work, and this was what it had all led to. The woman was brilliant. He didn’t know of many small businesses that were such a success.

  “When is the wall coming down?”

  “Laura’s giving us three days in December—Sunday through Tuesday—to bring it down and then scour the place. She’s hiring someone else to come in with the tables and chairs.”

  “Why do you need three days to knock out one wall?”

  “It’s a supporting wall, so we’ll need to use supporting beams and then camouflage them so they go with the rest of the decor.”

  He brought the man up-to-date on Laura’s medical issues. “If you need any questions answered, bring them to me. I’ll either be upstairs at Laura’s or across the street at the B and B.”

  “You got it. I won’t bother Laura.”

  Nick returned upstairs to see how Laura was doing. Her feet must be prunes by now.

  She was asleep, her feet still in the bucket.

  He got a towel from the bathroom, knelt in front of her, lifted her feet out of the water and dried them.

  She roused. “Oh, that was amazing.”

  “You need to get into bed.”

  “I can’t. I have so much to do.”

  “Doctor’s orders. Remember?”

  She nodded. “This is going to be hard, Nick. I’m used to giving orders, not taking them. Doing, not sitting back and watching others work.”

  “I saw the renovations on the extension.”

  She perked up. “What do you think?”

  “They’re brilliant. It’s warm and inviting. It’s going to be the busiest place in town.” A thought struck him. “Who did last night’s baking?”

  “Norma and Gayle came in early and followed some of my recipes.”

  Nick whistled. “Wow, two women doing what you usually do on your own.”

  “If they’re any good, I’ll keep them on as bakers. I’ve been working too hard for too many years. Maybe that’s why I’m so tired with this pregnancy. I don’t know.”

  Another thought struck. “They’re going to be tired. I asked them to come up here and cook a bunch of meals for you when they finish downstairs. I didn’t know they’d been up since the middle of the night.”

  He took her hand, helping her out of the armchair and leading her to the bedroom.

  “You don’t have to do so much, you know. I’m not an invalid.”

  “Change into something comfortable to sleep in while I rinse out the bucket.”

  He washed the bath oil out with soapy water then returned to the bedroom. Laura was already in bed.

  Nick glanced up. He missed the colorful, beautiful, inspired gauze. “Why did you take it all down?”

  “I was angry with my impulsive nature.”

  “With your passion?”

  She nodded.

  “That represented your passion?”

  “Yes.”

  “Might as well try to deny that you need to breathe to live. You’re a passionate woman, Laura.”

  “I know and look at the trouble it got me into.” She raised her head to look at him at the end of the bed. “What are you doing?”

  “Massaging your feet.”

  She moaned.

  He moved up to her calves and then the backs of her knees.

  She yelped.

  “Sensitive spot?” He grinned.

  “Yes. That felt good on my calves. They ache sometimes with the extra weight I’m carrying.”

  He skimmed his hands back down and massaged them some more.

  “I have to get back to the B and B. I have work to do. If you don’t mind, I’ll join you for dinner. The ladies will come in at some point to cook, but they won’t disturb you.”

  Her eyes drifted shut.

  The baby took a lot out of her, or was it the medication she was on that made her so sleepy? He didn’t have a clue, but it looked as though sleep was exactly what she needed.

  His fingers grew itchy and he couldn’t help himself. He touched her belly. A tiny appendage grazed his palm.

  Daddy, play!

  Dear Lord, what a miracle. He left before he started to blubber all over Laura like a great big baby.

  * * *

  HE CAME BACK at five with rice pudding and a briefcase full of work in case Laura was still asleep.

  As he walked down the hall to the living room, he noticed what he hadn’t before. Laura had turned a small bedroom into a baby’s room, with a crib and pale yellow walls and ducks that waddled along a white border. A white rocking chair sat in the corner, presumably for breast-feeding, Nick thought, but what did he know?

  She was up and sitting in the armchair reading a book.

  “Did you get enough sleep?” If his tone sounded censorious, too bad. She needed to take care of herself and the baby.

  “If I nap any more, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

  “What did the ladies cook for you?”

  “I don’t know. I was still in bed. The place smelled amazing, though.”

  He checked out the casserole dishes in the freezer. They were all clearly labeled. They’d made and individually portioned lasagna. There were also containers of macaroni and cheese.

  “I take it pasta is good for babies?”

  “The calcium in the cheese is.”

  He checked out the fridge.

  “We have fried chicken and potato salad for dinner.”

  “Sounds great. Can we eat now? I could eat a horse.”

  Nick laughed. “Sure.”

  He laid out dinner on the small dining table and set out glasses of decaf iced tea.

  “I brought over dessert from Kristi.”

  Laura stilled. “What?”

  “Rice pudding.”

  “Oh my God, I love you. I’m making you two chocolate cakes after I deliver the baby.” She sobered. “How am I going to spend the next month in bed? I’ll go stir-crazy.”

  After they ate, Nick washed the dishes and worked on contracts while Laura read, then went home to his own bed in the B and B.

  He called Emily to tell her good-night, but she was blue, grumpy.

  “Honey, don’t waste this time we have together now. Let’s talk. Tell me about your day.”

  She mumbled a bit about classes then perked up when she shared the latest tidbits of school gossip. “I talked with Ruby today on Skype. She’s going to see her dad in Accord for Christmas.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Can we have Christmas there, too?”

  “I’ll see whether Ty is okay with that. Tammy lives in the house now with the baby so I don’t know whether he has room. I’ll find out.”

  “How is the baby?”

  “She moved against my hand again today.” He didn’t bother to hold back his excitement since she’d asked about the baby.

  She was quiet for so long he knew he’d said something wrong.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I meant Tammy’s baby, Rebecca.”

  “Oh.” He’d screwed up. “She’s great. Pretty. You know, for a baby.”

  The call ended awkwardly. He’d spent so much time spring and summer and thus far into the fall building a relationship with his daughter, but tonight, it felt as though he was back to square on
e.

  * * *

  THE NEXT COUPLE of days settled quickly into a routine.

  Early mornings, he worked on contracts then had breakfast downstairs.

  Then he visited Laura and cooked her breakfast, made sure she had everything she needed then stopped in at the bakery to get the latest updates from Tilly and the Gems. He dropped in to the adjacent storefront to check on renovations then brought all of the news up to Laura.

  He picked up lunch for her from one of the local restaurants, went back to the B and B while she napped and got as much work done as he could. He made necessary phone calls. He conferred with Mort. He had Rachel send more work.

  Late afternoon, he returned to Laura’s to warm dinner for both of them. He spent a couple of hours with her because he knew she was going stir-crazy. At about nine, he went back to his hotel room and called Emily.

  Tonight he had good news for her. “Grandpa Mort’s flying here with you tomorrow morning. I’ll pick you up at the airport in Denver. We’re having Thanksgiving at Ty’s.”

  Emily squealed. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Go pack. Grandpa’s driving the two of you to the airport at noon. Don’t keep him waiting. Okay?”

  The call ended on a happy note and some of Nick’s tension eased.

  He worked until well after midnight then fell into bed.

  The following afternoon, he left Laura sleeping soundly and drove to Denver to pick up his daughter and Mort.

  When she saw him waiting at the gate, she flew into his arms. “Daddy!”

  So now he was Daddy again. He twirled her around. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  Nick shook Mort’s hand. “Let’s go.”

  They drove to Ty’s house because Emily wanted to see Rebecca.

  Tammy greeted them and Emily was all over the baby. “Can I hold her? Show me how.”

  Tammy had her sit on the sofa and then settled the baby onto Emily’s lap, showing her how to support Rebecca’s neck and head.

  She looked so happy that he asked Tammy, “Is it okay if I leave Emily here for a couple of hours?”

  Emily’s gaze shot to his. “Why, Dad?”

  Dad again.

  “I need to check up on Laura and warm some dinner for her, then I’ll come back.”

  “No! I don’t want you to go.”

  “Come with me, then.”

  “I don’t want to see that woman. She tricked you into having a baby.”

  “Actually, Emily, she didn’t. To be honest, we both screwed up.”

  Sensing how deep the tension was between them, Tammy said, “I know Laura well. She isn’t devious. Why don’t you go with your dad and get to know her a little better.”

  Emily looked panicked. “I don’t want to get to know her better. I don’t want my dad to, either.”

  “Then just go so you can spend more time with him. He’s made this commitment to help a friend. Keep him company while he runs this errand and then both of you come back here for supper.”

  “Okay.” Tammy took the baby back from Emily.

  Over his daughter’s head, just before he stepped out of the house, Nick mouthed, “Thank you.”

  Tammy nodded and closed the door behind them.

  In Accord, they dropped Emily’s bag at the B and B and then Nick ordered three portions of the rice pudding.

  He led Emily up the back stairs to Laura’s apartment and entered without knocking.

  Laura was reading by the window.

  “Hey,” she said, smiling. Then she saw Emily. Her “hi” sounded less certain.

  Emily stared at her without speaking.

  “How’s your back?” Nick asked Laura.

  “Good.”

  “Your feet?”

  “A bit swollen. My calves are aching.”

  “I’ll heat supper for you. Emily and I are eating at Ty’s.”

  “How’s Rebecca?”

  Nick shrugged. “A baby. They don’t do much at that stage.”

  “She’s beautiful,” Emily said, her tone strident. “The most beautiful baby ever.” She stared at Laura. “Tammy didn’t get fat when she was pregnant.”

  “Cool it,” Nick snapped.

  “It’s true.”

  “If you can’t behave then wait outside.”

  Emily flounced to the door and slammed it behind her.

  When Nick finished preparing Laura’s dinner he left to find Emily sitting on the top step waiting for him.

  “Why can’t you be polite? Laura is Tammy’s friend. She told you Laura didn’t get pregnant on purpose.”

  “I don’t care. I hate her.”

  Nick’s patience was strained. He was tired and overworked and trying his best to juggle too many balls. He scooted past her and rushed down the stairs.

  “Grow up, Emily.”

  He waited for her in the car. She got in quietly and remained that way throughout dinner, with him at any rate. She loved her uncle Ty, she loved Tammy and she loved Rebecca, and she loved her grandpa Mort, but she was angry with her father and Nick didn’t have a clue how to change that.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  TY HAD INVITED Laura for Thanksgiving dinner so Nick drove her out with Mort and Emily.

  She insisted on sitting in the backseat so Emily could sit up front with him.

  At the ranch, Tammy and Callie embraced her into their fold so Nick didn’t have to worry about her.

  He kept Emily close with his arm around her shoulders, trying to make up for being so harsh with her the day before. She kibitzed with his brothers and seemed to be in a good mood as long as she didn’t have to spend time with Laura.

  Dinner went well until dessert was served when Laura jumped up and ran to the bathroom. She returned moments later, wide-eyed and nervous.

  “Callie,” she said, “may I borrow Gabe for a few minutes?”

  “What’s happening, Laura?”

  The tension among the women had Nick jumping out of his seat. “What’s going on?”

  Laura picked up the purse she’d left in the living room. “Gabe, would you drive me to the hospital, please?”

  “What is it?” Nick stepped in front of Laura. “I’ll drive you.”

  “I’m spotting. Stay here with your daughter.” She walked to the front door, her back ramrod-straight, her neck stiff, trying to shrug into her jacket. “Gabe, can we go? Now, please.”

  “You don’t have to bother Gabe. I’ll take you.”

  “No, Nick.”

  “I’m the baby’s father,” he shouted.

  “Nick, calm down.” Ty took his arm, but Nick shrugged him off.

  “Why is Gabe taking her? If anything goes wrong, I should be there.”

  Ty leaned close and whispered, “She’s right. Emily is here right now. Stay with her.”

  Nick turned to find Emily staring at him, her eyes huge saucers in her pale face.

  He walked to her, pulled her out of the chair and held her while Laura left the house with his brother.

  “What’s happening, Dad? What’s spotting?”

  “It means the baby might be coming. Laura’s going to the hospital to make sure that isn’t what’s happening.”

  “So what if the baby came?”

  “It would be so small, it might not live. Or it could have medical complications.”

  Emily shook in his arms.

  “Emily,” Tammy said. “Do you want me to make some hot chocolate? You look cold.”

  “Yes, Auntie Tammy.”

  Ten minutes later, Tammy returned with a steaming mug. Everyone sat down again to dessert, but the mood had shifted, worry evident on everyone’s faces.

  Callie began to talk about Gabe’s preparations for the dogsledding season and Nick sat with his arm across the back of Emily’s chair, his fingers resting on her shoulder, and everyone knew it was all for Emily’s benefit.

  She sipped her cocoa, but then said, “I don’t like this, Dad. I don’t like that she’s having a
baby and now might lose it. She’s making everyone feel sorry for her.”

  Nick straightened away from her. “This isn’t something Laura’s manufactured to make us feel sorry for her. This is real life. It’s a real life-and-death situation. I don’t want this baby, but I don’t want Laura to lose it, either. She’s in love with it already. She’ll make a great mother and deserves to have a shot at having a healthy child. Understand?”

  Emily nodded. Why was adolescence so hard? Had Nick screwed up Emily so badly that she would never accept another child into her father’s life? He was only thirty-two. He had no plans to marry and no plans for more family. But what if he did? Would Emily never be okay with that? Was the problem immaturity or had she been screwed up by him beyond the point of repair?

  By the following morning, when he left Emily asleep at the B and B to pick up Laura from the hospital, he still didn’t have an answer.

  Gabe had returned to Ty’s late last evening to tell them that Laura and the baby were fine, but that they were keeping her overnight for observation.

  When Nick said he would pick her up in the morning, Emily had started to object, but he’d stopped her with one look.

  He knew enough about this fatherhood business, even if he was coming to it late in Emily’s life, that sometimes you just had to be tough.

  At the hospital, Laura was sitting up in bed waiting, dressed and with her socks and shoes in her hands.

  “I thought Gabe was coming to get me.”

  “You’re stuck with me instead,” he said, not too happy about the game of war he felt part of between Laura and Emily.

  Without a word, he put on her socks and shoes and took her home.

  “Don’t come over today, Nick. Stay with Emily.”

  “I’ll come later, the same as I did earlier in the week.”

  “That wouldn’t be wise. Stay with Emily.”

  Despite what Laura said, he came over later, but the back door was locked and he didn’t have a key.

  He knocked, and knocked, and then knocked some more, but Laura didn’t answer.

  He went downstairs and took a look at the renovations. Everything was running smoothly, so he picked up Emily and Mort and drove out to Ty’s, where they helped him do chores with the bison.

  The following day, he dropped Mort off at the home and took Emily out to Gabe’s, where they admired Gabe’s progress on the house and where Emily could talk and laugh with the dogs to her heart’s content.