Nine-Month Surprise

Now she’d have a tiny baby with fingers that would curl around hers. A little boy or girl toddling on chubby legs. An eager, freshly washed face like the ones she saw in her classroom each morning.

“I have no idea what to do next,” she admitted. “I mean, I’m happy in a way. I’ve always wanted children, but I figured I’d adopt.”

Holding her clipboard, Jenni leaned against the washstand. She’d had a difficult early life, shuffled from one relative to another because of neglectful parents, Leah recalled. The experience had given her a depth of understanding beyond her years, and it showed.

“Let’s talk about the father,” the doctor said gently. Her obvious concern and lack of judgmentalism dispelled the last of Leah’s hesitation.

“He’s someone I met in Austin,” she said. “We got carried away.” That seemed simpler than relating the whole ugly story, and less embarrassing.

“Are you planning to tell him?”

“I don’t know where to find him.” To cut off further inquiries, Leah said, “I really really really doubt he wants to be involved.”

Jenni accepted her statement. “It’s too bad your child won’t know his or her genetic heritage, not to mention having a father to help raise him, but apparently, it can’t be helped.”

“Thank you.” More than ever, Leah was struck by how much she could have used her mother’s support. Despite all her connections, she felt basically alone.

“As your physician, I’m concerned about your emotional as well as your physical health, so let’s talk about how you’ll deal with gossip,” Jenni said. “If you want to, of course.”

“Sure.” Leah shuddered. “In my position, things could get nasty.” She hadn’t forgotten Beau Johnson’s harsh reaction to Yvonne, or the unpleasant comments some of the students’ mothers had made within her hearing.

“You won’t be able to hide your condition for long,” her friend pointed out.

“I could leave town. It’s no secret that I’ve applied to other schools.” No sooner had she uttered the suggestion than Leah rejected it. “That’s all I need. I’d have no job, no friends and no place to live.”

“You’re more familiar with Downhome than I am.” Jenni frowned. “Is there any chance you could lose your job on moral grounds?”

“Not while Olivia’s the principal, but I hate putting her in a tough position.” An idea hit Leah. Much as she disliked lying, it might soften the criticism, and it would deflect questions about the baby’s paternity. “I could say that I had artificial insemination while I was in Seattle. I’ve mentioned plenty of times that I planned to adopt, so it wouldn’t seem totally strange. I’ll tell Karen the truth, but as far as anyone else is concerned, my private life is none of their business.”

She braced for objections. Jenni reflected briefly.

“Under the circumstances, I don’t see what harm it can do, unless the father shows up, demanding his rights,” she said.

“He has no idea where to find me.” For the first time, Leah considered that a good thing.

“Normally, we’d include a report from the Seattle clinic in your medical records. Obviously, we can’t do that. However, I can truthfully put down that the father is unknown and that you state that you were inseminated at an unidentified facility in Seattle. You are stating that, right?” she added teasingly.

“You just heard me.” Despite her anxiety, Leah appreciated the conspiratorial humor.

Jenni made a note on her clipboard. “Folks will be curious. Even though our staff is sworn to protect patient privacy, your condition will become unmistakable within a few months. You ought to develop a more complete story, such as how you planned it and why.”

“I’ll say I did it on the spur of the moment,” Leah replied. “I mean, it could happen that way, right?”

“Clinics usually do a lot of screening,” the doctor replied. “However, this unidentified facility might have lax rules. Perhaps you used a private physician that you heard about from your friend?”

“Sure.” Leah had never realized lying could be so complicated. And she hated involving Jenni in the deception. But how fair was it that she faced all sorts of repercussions, while Will faced none at all?

The doctor went on to explain about proper health care during pregnancy, and provided several brochures, along with a prescription for neonatal vitamins. “Our new obstetrician is arriving day after tomorrow. It isn’t necessary to return for a few weeks unless you’re having problems, but when you do, perhaps you should visit him instead of me.”

Leah didn’t care to share her most delicate feelings with a stranger, especially a man. “I’m staying with you.”

Jenni looked pleased. “I have to admit, I like treating mothers-to-be. Of course, if complications develop, we’d need Dr. Rankin’s help, but there’s no reason to expect any problems. He should probably handle the delivery, though. He’ll have staff privileges at Mill Valley Medical Center.” The clinic had an arrangement with the hospital twelve miles away.

“We’ll deal with that in due time,” Leah said. “Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to settle my stomach. Any suggestions?”

Jenni had several, including eating frequent, small meals. “I seem to recall hearing that you provide snacks for your class, so that should help. Which reminds me—I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Nick.”

Nick Forrest, soon to be Jenni’s stepson, would be in Leah’s class this year. “That’s right. He’s diabetic, isn’t he? Tell me about his special needs.”

Jenni explained that, thanks to the boy’s insulin pump, he didn’t require shots, but had to eat regular meals and avoid excessive sweets, as well as monitor his blood sugar levels by pricking his finger and testing the blood droplet. She and Ethan would drop by to make sure all went well, she promised.

“Good,” Leah said. “I’d love to have you educate the kids about his condition. That should allay any teasing.”

“Great idea!” They set a date. When they were done, Jenni said, “Go ahead and get dressed. By the way, congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Accepting best wishes under the circumstance felt odd. Yet having a baby was cause for joy, Leah thought.

“Don’t forget to stop by the front desk,” Jenni added from the doorway. “You’ll need another appointment. Also, Yvonne will give you vitamin samples to get you started.”

“Thanks.” As soon as the door closed, Leah took several deep breaths. Pregnant. How exhilarating and how terrifying.

She’d often watched students’ mothers as their waistlines expanded. She’d been both curious and envious that a child grew inside. And despite their discomforts, the moms had mostly beamed with contentment.

Still, they had almost always had husbands or at least boyfriends to help out. Helen Rios, the manicurist at Aunt Rosie’s salon, was moving to Knoxville soon with her fiancé, the artist who’d painted Pepe’s murals, to start a new life. It would shortly include their baby.

Leah, on the other hand, faced going through the entire experience alone.

Her aunt and Mark would help, she felt certain. So would Karen and Jenni, of course. But it wasn’t the same.

Lots of women managed, and so would she, Leah decided firmly.

When she pulled on her slacks, they strained over her midsection. Karen hadn’t noticed the problem this morning, so no doubt her heavy lunch had contributed, but already her body was changing.

It reminded her that she would need a new wardrobe. Other things, as well: clothes, baby furniture and a car seat.

So many changes. So much to consider.

After she finished dressing, she went to the reception desk, where Yvonne discreetly slipped her the vitamins. The nurse frowned at Patsy, who was sorting through a cardboard box.

“That girl is out of her mind,” the nurse confided. “The new ob-gyn sent some books and stuff ahead for his office, and she’s mooning over his picture.”

“I heard that!” The receptionist skewered her with a mock glare. “He’s cute, that’s all. And he’s divorced.”

“Terrific! An obstetrician she can flirt with,” Yvonne grumbled. “This is a medical office, not a dating service. I don’t know where they’re to find a nurse for him—they’ve been advertising for weeks—but I hope they do, because I’ve got my hands full as it is. Plus, I prefer a female doctor any day.”

“Me, too,” Leah agreed.

“You should see Dr. Rankin. With him around, work is going to be way more interesting.” Patsy retrieved a framed photo from the box and thrust it toward her. “Look!”

Leah took the picture. Stunned, she stared, barely managing to keep her disbelief from showing.

It was Will, kneeling on a lawn, a breeze ruffling his hair as he favored the camera with a heart-stopping smile. He had his arms looped around two little blond girls, one on each side.

Dr. William Rankin, she thought numbly. In a crazy way, it made sense. Karen must have asked him to recommend a country-music bar in Austin, and he’d cited the Wayward Drummer.

Now he was moving to Downhome. Her situation had just become a whole lot more awkward.

The obstetrician who might be expected to deliver her baby was its father. Yet he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. Presumably, with her child, as well.

Still, unless she fled, they couldn’t avoid meeting again. Besides, seeing the joy he showed for his two daughters gave Leah pause.

“Well?” Patsy said. “What do you think?”

“Cute girls,” Leah responded, and handed the picture back. She went out the door, too flummoxed to make any further attempt at chitchat.

Two shocks in one day. Knowing she couldn’t carry on a coherent conversation with anyone, she hurried to her car and drove home.

One fact stood out in her mind. She wasn’t going to let that man chase her from this town or her friends.

Beyond that, Leah had no idea how she was going to handle this.

IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, Diane squirmed. “Daddy, can I stay with you today?”

“You don’t want to go to school?” The girls had been atwitter all weekend, partly about settling into a new home but mostly about preparing for class. They’d even set up a pretend classroom for their dolls. Now, however, it sounded like Diane had a case of cold feet.

Will had to admit that he shared a touch of her nerves. Their first day of school didn’t seem nearly as casual as escorting his kids to kindergarten had been. He was much more aware of starting them on a path that would eventually lead to—heaven help them all—adolescence.

“I want to be a nurse,” Diane replied. “Let me work with you.”

“Me, too,” India said.

“They don’t let kids work at medical offices,” Will informed them as he drove.

He wished he had a clearer view of the girls than his small mirror provided. Safety required strapping them into the rear seat, something his ex-wife hadn’t always bothered to do, despite his warnings.

He refused to think about Allison or how she ought to be here. In many ways, the three of them were better off without her.

“Tell people we’re midgets,” Diane commanded.

“We could sit very still on your couch,” India countered.

“Won’t work,” Will said, “but thanks for the suggestions.”

Last Thursday, the twins had accompanied him to the clinic, where they’d been thrilled to spot themselves in the photo on his desk. The receptionist had fussed over them, providing sugar-free lollipops and paying them compliments.

The rest of the staff had acted a bit more reserved. Will figured they’d all relax once he settled in.

“Anyway, you have to study,” he told his daughters. “I studied for years and years to become a doctor.”

“I don’t want to be a doctor,” Diane said.

“Why not?”

“I told you! Because I don’t want to go to school!”

“You liked it when you saw the place,” he said over his shoulder. He’d taken the girls to the elementary school on Thursday to register them.

The principal had assured him that the first-grade teacher, Miss Morris, was warm and nurturing, as well as an excellent educator. Too bad she hadn’t been around. He’d have liked to talk to her about the difficult transition the girls were making.

“What if we get lost?” Diane demanded, which surprised him, because usually she was the braver of the pair. “What if Mrs. McNulty can’t find us?”

“Then I’ll come get you in person,” he responded promptly. “Listen, I’ll make sure Miss Morris has my phone number, okay? If Mrs. McNulty isn’t there, ask your teacher to call me.”

“She might not have a phone,” Diane protested.

In the mirror, he saw India reach across and take her sister’s hand. “It’ll be okay,” she said quietly. “I’ll stay with you.”

His heart swelled with love for his two little sweethearts. They made everything else worthwhile.

Will realized he should have left the car at the clinic a couple of blocks away, when he pulled into the lot and found it filled. He’d noticed the high school next door but hadn’t realized until now that the two shared parking facilities.

Trying not to let the girls see his irritation, he backed out and located a free space on the street. By now, the twins had pasted their noses to the windows as they stared at the passing children.

What a lot of kids there were for such a small town, Will noted as he emerged. From kindergarteners to adolescents, they skipped, strolled or slouched toward the campus, some accompanied by parents and others with friends.

Most had a shiny, well-groomed appearance, although here and there he saw a child who might be neglected. When he’d visited the town last month, the police chief had explained that he and Dr. Vine were conducting an outreach program to help some of the needier youngsters.

Diane wriggled out of her booster seat unaided, while India waited patiently for him to release her. Both girls caught his hands, staying close as they crossed the street.

Diane made no further mention of her fears, although perhaps she was putting on a bold face in front of fellow students. Thank goodness Will didn’t have to deal with a screaming temper tantrum like the one a little red-haired girl was throwing on the sidewalk.

“First-grader?” he asked as they came alongside.

“Yes.” Her mother, a harassed-looking woman with a round face and ultrashort hair, sighed in resignation. “She’ll be all right as soon as we get into the classroom. I’ve got two older ones, and they adored Miss Morris.”

That sounded promising.

In front of the building, Will spotted a familiar face. Chief Ethan Forrest accompanied a self-assured little boy, who glad-handed a group of other kids as if preparing for a junior career in politics.

“Gotta watch that kid,” Will joked as he approached. “He’ll be running for mayor before you know it.”

“Good to see you.” Ethan started to shake hands, then noticed that Will didn’t have one free. “This is Nick.”

Will introduced the girls.

“They’ll be in the same class,” the police chief said. “Make them feel at home, will you, Nick?”

The kids made funny faces at one another. India giggled.

“Best chums already,” Will noted.

They joined the swarm going through the double doors, by-passing a father so intent on videotaping his little boy that he didn’t notice what a roadblock he created. Inside, the cheery corridor featured student drawings and paintings.

Will had forgotten to ask the number of the classroom, but with Ethan as his guide, they proceeded down the hall and around a corner. Children’s shrill voices bounced off the walls and feet clattered on the linoleum.

He flashed back to his first day at school. He’d been one of the ranchers’ kids, marked by loose-fitting jeans and a T-shirt, in contrast to the town youngsters, with their brand-name outfits. Although most parents had escorted their youngsters, his father merely idled the pickup while his elder brothers, Burt and Mike, exited with Will.

He’d clutched his lunch bag, scared to death of the unfamiliar commotion. Mike had walked him to the classroom, smacked him on the shoulder and offered, as a parting bit of advice, “Don’t pick your nose.”

That day had marked the start of a long journey that had increasingly isolated Will both from his peers and from his family. He didn’t regret deciding to focus on his education and prove the naysayers wrong, however.

Thank goodness India and Diane wouldn’t have to struggle to prove themselves. He intended to be there for them at every step.

Will followed Ethan into a classroom arrayed with desks and chairs scaled for Lilliputians. The walls blazed with alphabet and number charts, illustrations from books and a couple of travel posters. One featured Seattle’s Space Needle, and another showed the familiar sight of the Texas Capitol. He wondered fleetingly if the teacher had put them up to welcome the new kids in town.

Then he saw her.

Crouched in front of a teary little boy, she was talking earnestly. Her long black hair fell tantalizingly across her shoulders and her blue eyes went wide as she uttered what appeared to be words of sympathy. After a moment, the child stopped crying and hugged her.

Will got a tight feeling.

Leah. Downhome. Miss Morris. Impossible.

He couldn’t be mistaken about that cover-girl face or the gently sculpted lines of her body. A body he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about for the past month. Exquisite. As sweet as his dreams. But good heavens, what kind of mess had he created? Yet here the woman was.

He struggled to sort out how such a coincidence could have occurred. He recalled mentioning the Wayward Drummer to Karen Lowell, a member of the physician-search committee, who’d mentioned a friend planning to visit Austin. This must be the friend.

A knot formed in Will’s gut. That night at the motel, he’d made some huge mistakes. Jumping into bed with a stranger was the most egregious. Leaving without a word hadn’t exactly put him in a defensible position, either.

That left the question of what he was going to do with his children. Could he trust her with them?

When he caught Leah’s eye, a flicker of something he couldn’t read crossed her face, quickly replaced by bland welcome. She’d been expecting him. Sometime since her return, she must have figured out who he was.

“Hi, Leah! I mean, Miss Morris!” Nick bounced across the room. “Want to see me prick my finger?”

Ethan made a choking noise. Leah kept a straight face. “You know what? We’re going to talk about diabetes on Wednesday, so everyone understands. Dr. Vine’s agreed to make a presentation, and I would really appreciate if you’d help.”

“You bet!” Satisfied, the little boy headed over to talk to a friend. After the chief said a good-natured farewell, Leah turned toward Will.

Just as in Austin, her smile lit up the room. Combined with her open, unaffected manner, her striking appearance made it hard for him to think straight.

Fortunately, she directed her comments to his daughters. “I’m excited to have twins in my class, but I’m sure you’re two very different individuals.”

“I’m Diane. I like pink and India likes blue.” The little girl indicated their jumpers, which were identical, except for the colors. Will wondered how much Eileen had influenced their choice of the same style, and made a mental note to take them shopping himself next time.

“Even though I’m the teacher, you’ll need to teach me about yourselves,” Leah went on in her musical voice. “Do you want to sit together or would you like to sit separately?”

The girls exchanged looks. “Together,” Diane said.

India’s head bobbed.

“That’s fine,” their teacher said gravely. “Later in the year, when you feel more comfortable, you can switch if you want to.”

“You need to get our dad’s phone number,” Diane told her. “In case Mrs. McNulty can’t find us.”

“I’ll do that. You’re a very responsible young lady,” Leah told her.

India took Diane’s hand. “Come on,” she said in an urgent half whisper. “Let’s go sit by Nick.” The little girls scampered off.

With only the slightest hesitation, Leah shifted her attention to Will. “I guess I’ll have that phone number now, Doctor.” She didn’t bother to disguise a touch of irony.

He could have sworn his face grew warm, but he hadn’t blushed in years. “Certainly, Miss Morris.” Since he hadn’t had business cards printed yet, Will took out a prescription pad. Unable to find a pen, he borrowed a watercolor marker from her desk.

As he scrawled the number, he grew more and more uncomfortable. He had to let her teach his kids, since she appeared to be the only first-grade teacher in town. Besides, yanking them now would upset the girls and raise far too many questions. All the same, there was no way he and Leah Morris could ignore what had happened.

“We have to talk.” He kept his voice low.

She gave a friendly nod to a new arrival, the woman whose daughter had thrown a tantrum. Sounding politely impersonal, Leah said, “When would you suggest, Dr. Rankin?”

His housekeeper retired to her quarters—in this case, a separate guesthouse, much to Will’s satisfaction—by 7:00 p.m. Adding his address to the note, he said. “How about seven-thirty tonight at my place?”

She quirked an eyebrow but, to his relief, didn’t refuse. However, she added, “Let’s make it eight.”

“Eight will be fine.” He suspected the hour mattered less than her power to control the terms.

She tucked the note into her skirt pocket and, after one last assessing look, moved on to the short-haired woman, who caught her arm eagerly. “Leah, I hope you’ll let me serve as the class mom! Nobody’s beaten me to it, have they?”

“A few people dropped hints, but nobody’s signed up. That would be wonderful, Minnie,” she said. “I can’t believe Sybill’s old enough for school!”

On his way out, Will lengthened his stride. The curious thing was, he realized as he scooted down the front steps, that he felt almost as off center as he had on his own first day of school.

By eight o’clock tonight, he would regain his usual iron self-control. And they would figure out how to put the whole embarrassing incident behind them.

Chapter Four

By the time the last child hurried out that afternoon, Leah’s back and shoulders ached. Even so, she trudged around the room straightening desks and picking up dropped papers. Surely, she didn’t feel this exhausted every year on the first day of school, did she?

At naptime, when she’d expected to have a few minutes for reflection, she’d put her head on the desk and promptly fallen asleep. In nine years of teaching that that had hardly ever happened.

Jenni had warned of requiring more sleep than usual. Leah had figured that meant going to bed half an hour early. Well, live and learn.

On the short drive home, she finally allowed her thoughts to stray to Will. Thank heaven she’d learned of his identity in advance and discovered the two Rankin girls’ names on her class list, because the sight of his intense gaze and expressive mouth had hit her hard.

She was proud of maintaining her poise during their encounter. The fact that it has taken place on her turf had helped. The prospect of meeting him at his place tonight didn’t thrill her, but they must get this over with.

The question remained: how much did she intend to tell him? He clearly wanted to deal with the issue of their affair. She’d rather save the matter of her pregnancy for later, but that might not be wise. Given his occupation, he was sure to find out, and he might be angry if it appeared she’d tried to keep it secret.

At the two-bedroom cottage her parents had bequeathed her, Leah fixed a salad. She carried it to the country-style table at one end of the living room.

Usually the décor lifted her spirits with its mix of conventional furnishings and quirky accents, including a carved red chest and a Japanese-style print silk scarf framed on the wall. Tonight, however, she was too busy wrestling with her decision.