“Isn’t she a dolly?” the nurse said with a joyful smile. “And she’s our best patient. She’s gaining weight consistently. She’s up from four pounds, three ounces, to four-six. She’s doing so well, in fact, that you can hold her for the first time out of the incubator. The doctor said that her lungs are in excellent shape, and if she continues to grow at this rate, he’ll probably release her in a week.”
“That soon?” Christy’s voice was a squeaky whisper.
“Yes,” the nurse replied and began opening the incubator. “Now, who wants to hold her first? You, Dad?”
Christy looked up at Curt, who was staring questioningly down at her. It all seemed so right. When she nodded, Curt eagerly held out his hands for the tiny girl.
“Have a seat, Dad,” the nurse instructed. “Now Sarah can only be out of the incubator for five minutes, so you two share her. I’ll go get a bottle and let you feed her while you’re here. That always helps to bond adoptive parents with the new-borns.” The nurse waited until Curt was seated beside Christy before placing the well-wrapped baby in his arms.
Neither Curt nor Christy paid any attention to the nurse as she left the room. Their eyes were fixed on the dark-headed, ruddy infant who stared back at them with dark blue eyes.
“Oh, my,” Christy whispered and felt her heart skip a beat. “She’s so beautiful.”
“Just like her first mom and her new mom,” Curt replied. “You ready to hold her, Mommy?”
Christy swallowed hard. “I guess so.” Curt moved the tiny baby ever so gently into Christy’s arms, then lingered with his arm around Christy’s shoulder. “I never realized just what I was doing in agreeing to take her on. Oh, Curt,” she whispered in despair, “I don’t know anything about this. I don’t have the slightest idea of how to care for a baby.”
Curt smiled lovingly and ran a finger along Christy’s cheek. “We’ll learn together, just as though we awaited her for nine months. We’ll buy the books and read up. We’ll ask ques- tions, and since we don’t have to worry about money, I’d suggest a good nanny might be in order for at least the early months.” Christy nodded with a rather blank stare on her face.
“Here we are,” the nurse said, handing Christy a red-nip-pled bottle. “Sucking is hard for her still, but she gives it all she’s worth. Sarah is a fighter, for sure.”
Christy smiled. “So was her mother.”
“So are you,” Curt added.
eighteen
Curt awoke on March 31 still encouraged and content from his moments at the hospital with Christy. He remembered the way she trembled when he’d handed Sarah to her. She was so needy in those moments that she hadn’t even argued with him when he made suggestions for their future together.
Whistling to himself, Curt drove over to Christy’s, intent on making her drop whatever else she had planned to spend the day with him.
“Good morning,” he said, when Christy opened the door. She is absolutely perfect, he thought while surveying the black pleated skirt that hit just above her knees. She almost looked like a schoolgirl with the black-and-white plaid vest and white oxford blouse.
“Curt! I wasn’t expecting you,” she said in surprise.
“I know, but whatever else you were expecting to do, I want you to change it. I want you to spend the day with me.”
“But…,” Christy stammered, “I…I was…”
“I don’t want to hear it. This is a very special day, and you must be extra nice to me,” Curt said with a delightful grin.
Christy raised a brow questioningly. “Why?”
“Because it’s my birthday,” he announced.
Christy’s eyes opened wider. “Your birthday?”
“That’s right,” Curt said, feigning indignation. “I can have a birthday, can’t I?”
“I stopped at twenty-five, personally,” Christy grimaced.
“Well, today is my twenty-seventh, and I intend for you to spend it with me. How ‘bout it?”
Christy sighed. “I need to go shopping for Sarah or I would.”
“Shopping for Sarah sounds great!” Curt said with a laugh. “We can even use my credit cards.”
“No, I won’t have you paying for her things,” Christy protested.
Curt crossed his arms and gave Christy a determined stare. “Either I pay or we don’t go.”
“I’ll just go without you then,” Christy said and reached back for her purse on the foyer table.
“Nope. I won’t let you go without me, and with me, you get my credit cards. Come on, Christy. Let me do this for Sarah. I’m rich, remember?”
Christy shook her head. “You’re also very determined, stubborn, and—”
“I get the picture,” Curt replied, looping his arm through Christy’s. “It means I get to pay for everything.” The smile on his face was one of triumph.
“Fine,” Christy said, waving her free hand. “You can pay for everything. I have an entire nursery to stock, plus her wardrobe, formula, diapers, and toys. I hope you have an extensive credit line, Mr. O’Sullivan.”
“Spend to your heart’s delight, Miss Connors, and get used to it.”
“Get used to it?”
“That’s right,” Curt replied, reaching to pull the door closed behind them. “After yesterday, I intend to make myself a part of this family by any means necessary. If I can do it by wooing and charming you, I will. If I have to resort to other methods, well, let’s just say, I’ll do what I have to. I have friends in high places,” he said and looked heavenward.
Christy couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I’m sure I’m already outnumbered.”
Three hours and ten stores later, Christy and Curt sat in complete exhaustion at a small restaurant. Christy was going over an extensive list, while Curt was studying her.
“We still haven’t found a crib,” Christy noted. “We should also pick up a…” She halted when she realized he was watching her. “What? Did I spend too much already?”
Curt smiled. “I’m just happy.” Christy could tell he truly meant it. “This is the first birthday in a very long time that I’ve truly been free to enjoy myself. I’m certain it has something to do with the company.”
Christy flipped her hair over her shoulder and tried not to blush. Curt had a way of making her feel like she was a teenager again.
Curt reached across the table and put his hand over hers. “Thank you, Christy. Thank you for spending the day with me and making my birthday fun.”
Just then the waitress returned, bringing their order, and Christy used the opportunity to escape and check her makeup. Coming back to the table, she got a sudden brainstorm and cornered the waitress.
“Today is my friend’s birthday,” Christy whispered and reached inside her purse to hand the woman some money. “Bring us a cake, and if you can round up any of the staff to sing and make a big fuss over him, I’ll throw in an extra big tip.”
The waitress giggled and nodded. “I’ll get everybody out there; you just say when.”
“Wait until we’re nearly done, then sneak in from behind him,” Christy said and quickly went back to the table.
“I missed you,” Curt said lightly, when Christy sat down.
“You don’t leave me alone long enough to miss you,” Christy joked. The truth of the matter was that she was finding herself quite content with Curt’s attentiveness.
“I just don’t want you to forget me or get lonely.”
“How could I? And now that Sarah will be living with me, I won’t have time to get lonely.”
“That reminds me,” Curt said thoughtfully, “have you given thought to hiring a nanny?”
“I have, and for once, it seems that the demanding Mr. Kyle,” she paused and corrected herself, “O’Sullivan has come up with a good idea.”
“What do you mean, for once?” Curt questioned in mock dismay. “All of my ideas are good ones.”
“That’s debatable, but anyway, I intend to put Aggie to full-time, and then I’ll sta
rt interviewing nannies.”
“It won’t be easy,” Curt said between bites of food. “Sarah’s welfare will have to be considered at all cost. Speaking of costs, let’s not let that be a factor, all right?”
Christy smiled. “I have to be careful of money, even if you don’t.”
“Consider it our money,” Curt said, leaving no room for discussion as he continued. “Raising a child requires a great deal of thought. There are so many things to decide: philosophies, theologies—”
“Colleges,” Christy interrupted with a sarcastic tone to her voice.
“Right,” Curt replied seriously. “You have to plan for the future.”
“Why can’t we just get her home first and then work at it a little at a time? We could decide when things come up how we’ll react.”
Curt grinned. Christy narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“You said ‘we.’ I think you’re finally coming around to my way of thinking.”
Christy’s face grew hot. “You are absolutely impossible.”
She leaned forward and whispered. “Just remember, I haven’t said yes to anything.”
Curt appeared undaunted. “We shouldn’t wait until the horse is out of the barn to decide that closing the door every night is a good idea. After all, we have to consider the other children as well.”
“What other children?” Christy said, halting her forkful of French fries halfway to her mouth.
“Why, the children we’re going to have together. You don’t want Sarah to be an only child, do you? I mean, I always wished I had more than just one sister. You do want us to have more kids, don’t you?”
Christy was so flabbergasted by his casual reference to their future parenting that she couldn’t speak. Curt stared smug and self-assured at her reaction. He eased back in the chair and crossed his arms against his chest in a most satisfied manner.
“You can’t take me by surprise, Christy Connors. I’ll always be one step ahead of you.”
The waitress’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Christy saw them coming and burst out laughing at Curt’s statement.
“You will have to eat those words, Mr. O’Sullivan.”
Curt started to respond, but just then a huge chocolate cake was thrust in his face with a lighted taper candle stuck in the middle, awaiting his wish. The entire restaurant staff had turned out to sing “Happy Birthday.” Christy didn’t know how they managed it, but they had three helium-filled balloons, which they quickly tied to the back of Curt’s chair.
When they began to sing, Curt finally looked up at Christy, his mouth open in shock. The song finished, and everyone broke into cheers and laughter. They slapped Curt on the back, wished him a happy birthday once more, and went back to work.
“You were saying?” Christy questioned.
Curt shook his head. “Never mind. I’ll get you for this, but never mind.”
The rest of the day passed just as pleasantly as the morning. By two o’clock, they had managed to locate a beautiful Jenny Lind canopy crib. Christy fell in love with it, and in spite of the expensive price tag, Curt quickly agreed that it was a bed fit for a princess.
By five o’clock, it was clouding up, the sun was heading for the majestic backdrop of the Rockies, and Curt decided they’d better return to Christy’s house. With promised delivery of all the furniture they’d pur-chased, Curt and Christy hoisted what seemed like hundreds of bags of clothing, diapers, toys, and food into the small sports car.
“I guess I’ll need a bigger car,” Curt said casually.
“Maybe even a semi for all those kids you have planned,” Christy quipped and walked off.
Back at the house, Christy and Curt brought all their purchases inside and deposited them by the front door. Noting Christy’s weariness, Curt led her outside to the porch swing where he had first held her.
As the swing eased into a gentle rhythm, Christy let Curt pull her into his arms and lay her head upon his shoulder. She enjoyed the feeling of being cared for, and Curt was more than happy to meet her obvious need. Rocking back and forth in the fading light, Christy couldn’t imagine a more perfect ending to the perfect day. For the first time in weeks, she’d forgotten about Candy and Grant. She’d even forgotten Curt’s deceptions and why she felt she couldn’t trust him.
“You asleep?” Curt asked softly.
“No, but it’s a close call,” Christy murmured.
“You made my day very special, Christy. I enjoyed sharing it with you more than I’d even imagined.”
“Me, too,” Christy admitted in the security of his arms. “Happy birthday.”
“Christy?”
“Ummm?”
“I love you.” The simple statement filled all the loneliness in Christy’s heart.
“Yes, I know,” she whispered. “And I love you.”
Curt smiled. He’d only dreamed that she’d be willing to admit it again. They rocked in silence for several more minutes before he stopped the swing and maneuvered himself from Christy’s side.
Christy stretched and moaned in complaint of being disturbed. With her eyes still closed, she waited for Curt to say something more. When he didn’t, she opened her eyes and found him kneeling beside her.
“Marry me, Christy,” he said in an almost pleading way.
Christy stared at him for a moment.
Curt smiled. “At least promise me that you’ll think about it before you give me an answer. Unless, of course, the answer is yes. In that case, I’ll take that right now.”
Christy sat up, straightened her skirt, and tried to look very controlled and reserved. Curt laughed and got to his feet, pulling her into his arms at the same time.
“You’ll never look prim and proper, so stop trying. You’re exquisite and unique, and everything about you demands attention. I want to spend my life with you and Sarah. Promise me you’ll think about it, please.”
“I promise,” she managed to whisper.
Curt allowed himself the luxury of a long passionate kiss. Christy melted into his arms, surprising him at her eagerness. He felt his breath quicken when she wrapped her arms around his neck. If ever he doubted her attraction to him, he no longer needed to concern himself with it now.
“I’d better go,” he said hoarsely, knowing that if he didn’t leave, he’d take her in his arms again. “Don’t forget your promise.”
After Curt had gone home, Christy carried the sacks of baby clothes out to her laundry room. Other people might clothe their children right away into things they bought, but the thought of doing so made Christy cringe.
Retrieving a pair of scissors, Christy began to cut tags off the outfits and sort them out according to the washing care required for each garment. While she washed the clothes, her mind went back over the day. Curt had spent thousands of dollars on a child who didn’t even belong to him. Or did she?
Christy sighed. He wanted to marry her and be a father to Sarah. She tried to make a mental list of the pros and cons, and when her mind wouldn’t allow her to concentrate very hard on the negative things, Christy gave up. She had promised Curt that she would consider his proposal. She didn’t say how long it might take.
Turning on the television, Christy paused as the scene revealed ambulance attendants pushing a covered gurney away from a high-rise. She turned up the sound and was stunned at the announcement.
“Ben Fairchild, president of O&F Aviation was found dead this morning by members of his staff. Police are calling it a suicide, and no other further information is available to us at this time.”
Christy felt her knees weaken. Cheryl’s father was dead, and he had somehow been connected to Grant and the drugs. Had it truly been suicide, or was it murder? Swallowing hard, all Christy could think about was Sarah.
A cold chill settled on Christy and she shuddered. What if Grant were responsible? Would he kill his own child in order to get his own way?
“I’ll give him whatever he wants,” Christy said aloud. Instantly though
ts of Curt came to mind. He would need to know when Grant came for the money in order to capture him and put him in jail. Yet to involve Curt any further might threaten Sarah’s safety or Curt’s. In her mind she saw Ben Fairchild’s sheet-covered body.
“No more death,” Christy vowed. “No more.”
nineteen
Even a week later, Christy’s mind kept going back to the scene on the television. She was determined to put it behind her and believe Ben’s death to be a suicide, just as the papers were now stating it had been ruled. Surely if she could put it behind her, everything would work out and Grant wouldn’t cause her any more trouble.
Moving amid the boxes of newly delivered nursery furnishings, Christy grimaced at the idea of trying to put everything together on her own. She smiled when a thought to call Curt came to mind. Curt would just love it if I gave him this responsibility, she thought.
Before she could reconsider and stop herself, Christy picked up the phone and dialed the number she hadn’t even realized she’d memorized. After three rings, Christy was just about to hang up when a breathless-sounding Curt finally answered.
“You running a marathon?” Christy questioned lightly.
“Christy? Is that you?” Curt couldn’t contain his surprise.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” she said, sounding rather grim.
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes,” Christy replied, trying hard not to smile.
“What is it? Is it Sarah? Grant?”
Christy began to giggle. Why did she all of a sudden feel so good inside? “I have a nursery full of boxes that are supposed to be made into cribs and dressers and changing tables and all manner of nifty baby conveniences.”
Curt chuckled. “Sounds bad.”
“It is,” she answered. “I can skillfully design and craft beautiful clothing, but I haven’t the foggiest idea what slot A is or where the double brace bolts go.”
Curt laughed. “Why, Miss Connors, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were asking for help.”
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