by Sydney Logan
Melody had known she was taking a chance, driving over to his house that night. He had no reason to be nice to her. No reason to welcome her inside his home.
But he did.
And then he kissed her.
And she kissed him back.
Melody made a lot of mistakes that night, but kissing him was the biggest mistake of all.
So, she ran. She was good at that.
Her parents hadn’t even questioned it. They were used to their daughter skipping town whenever the memories began to suffocate her. But this time was different.
Melody could handle the past. It was her present that was making it hard to breathe.
* * *
“How do you feel?” the attorney asked.
Melody stared at the guardianship papers on the attorney’s desk. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
It was that easy. Just her name on the dotted line, and voilà, she was a mother.
True to his word, Mr. Tucker had fast tracked all the legalities. He’d even managed to convince a judge to come into court on a Saturday. Of course, the judge’s ruling was just a formality. With the mother’s wishes on record and the father nowhere in sight, the court happily ruled in favor of Melody’s petition for guardianship.
“When?” Melody said softly. “When will I get her?”
“Today,” he said. “You remember Kim? Macy’s social worker?”
Melody nodded.
“She knows you just flew in from Manhattan, so you probably don’t have . . . well, anything you might need. Car seat. Diapers. Formula.”
“She’s right. I don’t have any of those things.”
“Kim thought it would be a good idea to meet at Macy’s house,” he said, checking his phone for the address. “It’s 625 Cambria Lane. Just past the high school.”
“I know where it is.”
“Good. It’s a blue house with cream shutters. Lovely little place. You can pack Macy’s clothes. Her stuffed animals. Maybe some baby furniture to get you started. You’re welcome to any of it.”
Melody’s hands started to shake.
“Are you all right?” Mr. Tucker asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Just a little overwhelmed, I think.”
“That’s perfectly understandable. Would you like me to call your parents? They could meet you there. Or, I will be happy to drive you.”
After promising that she could manage the short drive to Trish’s house, Melody thanked the attorney and headed to the rental car. As she drove, her mind swirled with all the things she needed to do. Then she started to panic when she realized she didn’t know what she needed to do.
Maybe Kim could tell her.
She prayed Kim could tell her.
When Melody reached the blue house, she couldn’t help but smile as she pulled into the driveway. Little and cozy, the house had a big yard with flowerbeds in a kaleidoscope of colors. Two rocking chairs rested on each side of the front door, and beautiful shrubs lined the sidewalk that led to the porch.
Wonder what will happen to the house?
Melody parked beside an SUV. She could only assume it belonged to Kim. Taking a deep breath, she climbed out of the car and made her way to the front door. She gave it a knock. Within moments, Kim was standing there, smiling at her.
“Hi,” she said softly. “I just put Macy down for a nap. Come on in.”
Melody followed the social worker into the living room. As soon as she stepped inside, it was easy to see how much Trish had loved her daughter. Macy’s face was displayed throughout, in pretty frames and in various poses. Some photos were in color; others in black and white. All of them gorgeous.
“This is really beautiful,” Melody said softly, letting her fingers trail across the leather recliner that rested next to the fireplace. She could imagine curling up with a book there. Or writing a song.
The living room was small, but not so small that she felt cramped. The steel gray furniture with splashes of pastel blue gave the house a warm, cozy feel.
“Trish renovated the place last year,” Kim said. “It was quite a project. The house is nearly sixty years old so it needed some work. New roof. New furnace. Vinyl siding. New appliances in the kitchen. She was waiting until Macy was a little older to buy a swing set for the yard.”
Tears filled Melody’s eyes. It really was a beautiful house. The perfect place to raise a little girl.
“She was a little fussy when I picked her up,” Kim said, leading her down a hallway. “But she calmed right down when I put her in the crib. Familiar surroundings, I guess. She fell asleep almost immediately.”
Melody walked over to the crib to find Macy curled up with a tiny blanket. She looked so peaceful, with her long eyelashes resting against her perfect, porcelain skin.
With a heavy sigh, Melody sat down in the nearby rocking chair.
“I don’t know what to do, Kim.”
The social worker smiled. “Most new mothers don’t have a clue. I have three kids and I still learn something new every day.”
“This is different.”
“I know. But for what it’s worth, I want you to know how much I appreciate this.”
Melody’s forehead creased. “I don’t understand.”
Kim kicked off her flats and sat down on the beige carpet.
“Every day, I meet kids who are abandoned or neglected,” she said softly. “I work with young girls who find themselves pregnant and alone. I sit through custody battles where kids are used as bargaining chips in court. I remove kids from the only homes they’ve ever known just to get them away from their drug-addicted parents. My job can be a heartbreaking one. But once in a while, I have the absolute pleasure of placing a child in a loving home, with someone who actually wants the child. Today is that day. You could’ve said no, Melody. No one would’ve blamed you. You didn’t ask for this. But you chose this. You said yes. And that tells me that Trish made the right decision in naming you as her daughter’s guardian. Today, I’m placing this beautiful girl in the arms of someone who will take care of her. Who will protect her and help her grow and succeed. So, yes, I know it’s selfish, but today is a great day for me.”
Melody laughed softly. “Well, you’re welcome.”
“But seriously,” Kim said, “and most importantly—today is a great day for Macy. This little girl is going to be loved. I can already tell.”
“How?”
“Because you’re here. You dropped everything and flew right back to Meadow Creek when you heard that Macy needed a home immediately. I know you’re scared—”
“I’m petrified.”
“Of course you are. All new mothers are terrified. But you have an amazing support system. Your parents will give you as much help as you want. I know they’re so proud of you.”
“Oh, my parents will be ecstatic. All they’ve ever wanted is a grandchild.”
“And now they’ll have one. It’s a great day for a lot of people, and you made that happen. You should be proud of yourself, Melody. Truly.”
Melody glanced over at the little girl lying in her crib. She looked comfortable. Peaceful. Will she sleep this peacefully in Manhattan?
“Kim, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Those kids . . . the ones you took away from the only homes they’d ever known . . . how are they now?”
“Children are resilient creatures, especially when they’re surrounded by love.” Kim smiled knowingly. “Melody, it’s absolutely okay to take Macy to New York, if that’s what you’re asking. I know your life is there.”
“Yeah, but . . . her home is here. Maybe that’s more important.”
They both gazed at the baby in the crib.
“Melody, is this something you’re seriously considering? Staying in Meadow Creek?”
“It wasn’t. But now . . . I don’t know. She’s just been through so much already. Maybe this is where she needs to be . . . for a little while. Until
she gets used to me.”
“Well,” Kim said with a sigh. “If you’re asking my opinion—”
“I am.”
“I think it will be easier on you—and on Macy—if you lived here. Just for a little while. Here in Meadow Creek, you have family. Plus, her pediatrician’s here. These people are valuable resources—resources you won’t have in New York. Sure, you can hire nannies or baby nurses, but there’s just something about family. There’s trust there. There’s comfort. You need support, and your mom and dad are ready and willing to give it to you.”
“My mom will drive me insane.”
Kim laughed. “Probably. So, live here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Live here. In this house. It belongs to Macy, anyway. So does the life insurance policy. Everything’s in her name. You can stay here as long as you want. You’d have your own space. Macy will have her home. Try it for a couple months. Maybe stay through the summer. If you hate it, you can always pack up and head back to New York in the fall.”
Melody couldn’t deny that idea made a lot of sense.
“I’d need a car,” Melody said with a chuckle. “Can you believe I don’t own one?”
“Whose are you driving today?”
“It’s a rental.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine not having a car.” Kim laughed. “But I imagine you don’t need one in Manhattan. We have a few decent dealerships here. I bet your dad could help you find something.”
Melody nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” Kim climbed to her feet and slipped into her shoes. “While she sleeps, do you want to check out the rest of the house? I also want to show you how to install the car seat.”
Melody glanced at the sleeping baby. Noticing her uncertainty, Kim smiled and reached for the baby monitor on the dresser.
“Here,” she said. “This thing will become your best friend.”
Melody switched it on. “I’d feel better if I could see her.”
Kim chuckled softly. “They have baby monitors with cameras, too. You just need to download the app. I’ll show you.”
Melody sighed with relief. “Will you also show me how to change a diaper? Fix her formula? Give her a bath? And the other million things I don’t know how to do?”
Kim smiled. “You got it.”
* * *
It was late when Kim finally went home. Melody’s head was spinning with all the information and gadgets. She’d always considered herself technologically inclined, but the baby stroller that doubled as a car seat had been so complicated that Melody had burst into tears.
At least, she blamed the tear fest on the stroller. Truthfully, she suspected the events of the day had just finally caught up with her.
She was a mom.
Melody never thought she’d call herself that. It was the one label that would always elude her. Daughter. Waitress. Songwriter. Producer. Grammy winner. These were titles she’d embraced. After the miscarriage, she’d accepted that Mom would never be in the cards.
And yet, life had other plans.
After Macy woke from her nap, Kim had shown Melody how to give her a bath. How to feed her. How to change her diaper. Melody was thankful for the help, and when Kim finally left, she gave Melody her number and told her to call anytime.
Now all alone, Melody and the baby were sitting in the living room recliner. Macy was engrossed in some YouTube video on the tablet Melody was holding with her left hand while she checked emails on her phone with the other. Melody had twelve missed calls from her mother, so she decided to finally bite the bullet and call her parents.
“Melody?” Sharon answered on the first ring. “We were getting worried.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just had some things to take care of with the social worker.”
“Are you okay?”
Melody glanced down at the little girl in her arms. “I think I am, yeah.”
“Do you need us to come over? Or are you coming here?”
“I think we’re going to stay here tonight. Why don’t we come over for lunch tomorrow?”
Sharon fell silent.
“You’re going to stay there tonight? Are you sure? What if you need . . . something?”
Melody smiled.
“If I need you, I’ll call. I promise. See you tomorrow.”
She could tell by the sound of her mom’s voice that she was disappointed, but Melody really wanted this first night to be just them. She needed to get used to doing things on her own, and she wanted Macy to get used to having a new person in her life.
A new mom.
Melody shook her head. As crazy as her mother could make her at times, she couldn’t imagine someone new trying to take her place.
Placing the tablet on the end table, Melody pulled Macy into her arms and cradled her close so that she could look into the little girl’s eyes. Macy gurgled and placed her tiny hand on Melody’s cheek.
“Your mom trusted me with you,” Melody said softly. “I don’t know why, but she did. I’m going to make a lot of mistakes. But we are going to figure this out. I promise.”
The little girl yawned, and Melody took that as a sign. She carried the little girl to the nursery and carefully laid her down in the crib before turning on the musical mobile that hung over the bed. Melody couldn’t stand to be too far away, so she pulled the rocking chair close to the bed and sang along with the music.
“Hush little baby, don’t say a word . . .”
Melody watched, mesmerized, as the little girl drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 9
“Good morning, Dr. Brody.”
“Good morning, Cathy.” He placed a coffee on the nurse’s station counter. “For you.”
“Really? What’s the occasion?”
“I know I’ve been a little moody—”
Cathy suspiciously eyed the peace offering.
“Moody. Yes, that would be the word.”
“I apologize,” he said sincerely. “Enjoy your coffee. It’s going to be a great Monday. Who do we have today?”
Brody grabbed the patient chart that was waiting for him and headed toward Exam Room Number One.
“Umm, Dr. Brody?” Cathy said, quickly trailing after him. “If I could have a moment—”
“No time, Cathy,” he said, peering at the chart. “Baby with a fever awaits!”
“Yes. About that baby—”
Ignoring his nurse, Brody opened the door to find Melody sitting there, with Macy in her lap.
Their eyes locked for what seemed like forever.
Brody took two steps back out into the hallway and closed the door.
Cathy cleared her throat.
“As I was saying,” she said softly, “if I could just have a moment to warn you about what’s waiting behind door number one.”
“You mean who.”
“Yes.”
Brody closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Go ahead.”
“Melody Mitchell . . . I think you know Melody—”
“You’re about to lose your coffee, Cathy.”
“Melody is now Macy’s legal guardian.”
“Okay. I knew that was a possibility.”
“Well, now it’s a reality.” Cathy leaned in. “Personally, I think this is nervous mommy syndrome. The baby’s temp is ninety-nine. But she insisted on seeing the doctor. And . . . well, that’s you.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
“And thank you . . . for the coffee.”
“Yeah.”
Taking a deep breath, Brody opened the door and walked back into the exam room. He could do this. He could be professional.
“Good morning, Melody.”
“Rude,” she said with a smirk.
“It was. Sorry about that.” He took a glance at Macy’s chart. All her vitals looked good. “So, you’re really doing this. You’re Macy’s guardian.”
“I am.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I think she
’s sick.”
“Cathy said her temp’s 99?”
“But that’s above normal, right?”
“Slightly.” Brody gazed at the child in her arms. Macy gurgled and smiled. “Has she been fussy?”
“No. She’s been . . . amazing actually. Slept all night.”
“Cough? Runny nose?”
Melody shook her head.
Brody sat down on a small rolling stool and gazed at the baby.
“Hi, pretty girl. I’m just gonna look in your mouth, okay?”
Macy gurgled while Brody examined her.
“Looks like she has a tooth coming in.”
“Yeah. And she’s a drooler. Is that normal?”
“Yes. Especially when teething.”
Melody nodded.
“It’s also normal to have a slight fever when teething. But, if she’s eating, resting, and playing as usual, a low-grade temperature isn’t normally something to be concerned about.”
“I don’t know what’s usual.
“I know. It’s okay,” he said, making a note on her chart. “I’ll get Cathy to print you off some general info—so you’ll know when to worry, when to call, that sort of thing.”
“That’d be great. What about shots? Does she need those?”
“She’s up-to-date on her vaccinations,” Brody said. “She won’t need more until after she’s a year old.”
Melody sighed with relief.
“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?”
“How are you, Mel?”
“Terrified. Can’t you tell?”
Brody grinned. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure what you’d decided to do. About Macy, I mean. You took off so fast.”
“Yeah, I had to get back to Manhattan. Work stuff.”
Brody nodded as if he believed her. Which he didn’t. It was their kiss that sent her packing, and they both knew it.
“But then the temporary guardian had a heart attack. So, I had to decide. Quickly.”
Brody tried to ignore how beautiful she looked with Macy in her arms. Natural. As if she’d been a mom for years, instead of mere hours.
“Well, it looks like you made the right decision,” he said. “She adores you.”
“You think so?”
“I do. Babies don’t snuggle close to your chest like that unless they feel safe. You’re doing great, Mel.”