Accidental Family

by Kristin Gabriel

  Alan watched the little girls, wondering what it would be like if he had a daughter. Would she be a blonde like Rowena or have his dark hair? He hoped she inherited Rowena’s unusual amethyst eyes. Then again, Rowena might be carrying his son. A boy he could teach to camp and fish, just as Mr. Haley had taught him.

  Maureen sat next to Ed. “I can’t believe you passed up Clint’s cinnamon rolls, Ed Taylor. What happened to your sweet tooth?”

  “Oh, now don’t you worry, Maureen. I’ve still got it,” Ed replied with a chuckle. “I’ll be having a couple of those cinnamon rolls for dessert.”

  Randi Cooper giggled behind her hand. “You can’t have dessert at breakfast!”

  “You certainly can, young lady,” Ed countered, a twinkle in his warm brown eyes. “Why, I used to make dessert for my little girl, Jennifer, every morning when she was growing up.” He shook a bony finger in the air. “But only if she ate all her eggs.”

  “Why?” Robin asked.

  “Because eggs are the very best way to start the day,” Ed replied.

  Randi pointed one tiny finger toward Alan’s plate. “But he’s not eating eggs.”

  Maureen gently pulled her daughter’s hand back. “You just pay attention to your own plate, young lady.”

  “Okay, Mom,” Randi said with a shy smile as she picked up her fork.

  “Mr. Rand knows Rowena.” Keegan piped up as if trying to distract attention from his cousin. It worked. Everyone at the table turned to stare at Alan.

  “You do?” Clint asked.

  “Well, not really.” He hedged, wondering how he could possibly explain the situation. “We only actually met in person yesterday.”

  “Oh,” Maureen replied. “Then how do you know her? Are you an old fan of Another Dawn?”

  He blinked, thoroughly confused by her question. Another Dawn was the long-running soap opera his mother had watched religiously every day while he was growing up. “I’ve seen it a few times.”

  “What’s Another Dawn?” Ed asked as he picked up a knife to cut his sausages.

  “It’s one of those soap operas that’s on in the afternoon,” Clint replied, scooping up a forkful of scrambled eggs. “Rowena Dahl used to play one of the lead characters. She was a big star on the show until about six years ago when they killed off her character.”

  Alan’s mouth fell open. He quickly closed it again, then he looked at his plate. Rowena was a soap opera star? His Rowena? But why was he surprised? She had the face and body to be a star. He wondered if his mother had seen Rowena on the show. And if she had liked her. Part of him really hoped she had.

  “They killed her?” Randi echoed, a worried frown creasing her forehead.

  “It’s just pretend,” Keegan reassured her. “Rowena’s okay.”

  “That’s right, honey,” Maureen said, leaning over to give her daughter a reassuring hug.

  Alan didn’t say anything, still trying to absorb the full impact of what he’d just heard. The mother of his baby was a former television star. Every time he thought he had Rowena figured out, something about her surprised him. Now he had more questions than ever. Why was a former actress working as a barber? How long had Rowena been in show business? And why had she left?

  “I can’t believe I never heard this before,” Ed said, shaking his head in wonder. “Has she been trying to keep it a secret?”

  “I don’t think so,” Clint replied. “I first heard about it when I moved to town. Anyone who watched the show would know about it.”

  “Her character’s name was Savannah Corrington,” Maureen added, helping one of the twins butter a piece of toast. “I heard they revived the role recently with a new actress. One of those miracle resurrections that are so popular on soap operas.”

  It was Keegan’s turn to look puzzled. “Why didn’t they use Rowena for the part? She starred in the Christmas Festival play this year and she was really good.”

  Maureen shrugged. “I don’t know the particulars, but I’m not really surprised she’s staying in Cooper’s Corner. She likes it here so much that I don’t think she’ll ever want to leave.”

  “Lucky for us,” Clint added, ruffling one of the twins’ hair, “since she gives the best haircut around.”

  “I sure wish I could have seen her on that show,” Ed said, leaning back in his chair. “Afraid the chicken ranch keeps me too busy to watch much television.”

  “Well, it’s not too late, Ed.” Maureen reached over to cut one of the twins’ griddle cakes into small pieces. “The library’s got the full archives of videotapes from the years Rowena was on Another Dawn, as well as several old copies of Soap Opera Digest with articles about her.”

  Ed nodded. “I may have to check those out. Clint’s right. She sure gives a darn good haircut.”

  Alan intended to do the same. Even though he knew those soap opera magazines were usually full of gossip, maybe he could learn something valuable about Rowena. He was more curious about her than ever.

  Then again, he had people at this table who knew Rowena personally. Maybe they could give him some insight into the mother of his baby. Something he could use to his advantage so she wouldn’t view him as the enemy.

  When Maureen and Clint began discussing Twin Oaks business, Alan turned to the man beside him. “So is Rowena your regular barber, Ed?”

  The older man nodded. “The heck of it is that I’m paying more money for a haircut now than I did ten years ago and I have less hair!”

  “That hardly seems fair.”

  He sighed. “Well, that seems to be the way with everything these days. I went grocery shopping last week, and a pound of bananas cost me over two dollars. And don’t even get me started on the price of automobiles.”

  “The price of cars has skyrocketed since I was a kid,” Alan agreed.

  “It’s outrageous what some folks charge,” Ed said indignantly. “Pure and simple greed. The price of eggs hasn’t gone up in years. That’s why I’m still driving a twenty-five-year-old pickup truck.”

  “I wonder why she gave up acting,” Alan said, steering the conversation to Rowena. “It must be hard to leave the limelight.”

  “Maybe so.” Ed shrugged his thin shoulders. “I can’t say I blame her for wanting to leave New York, though. Big cities have never appealed to me.”

  “Does she have any family around here?”

  Ed paused to think a moment, his fork poised in midair. “I don’t think so. Never heard her mention anybody. How about you, Alan? Cooper’s Corner is a long way from Toronto. Are you visiting family or friends around here?”

  “No.” He didn’t bother to mention that his father lived in Albany, only a couple of hours away. But given their almost nonexistent relationship, George Rand might as well live half a world away. “I’m here on vacation.”

  “Well, you’re more than welcome to stop by the chicken ranch. ‘Course, it’s nothing fancy, but we’ve got plenty of good sight-seeing around here. Smith’s Maple Sugar Bush is close by and has a one-hundred-year-old working sugarhouse. I’d be glad to show you if you’d like to take a tour.”

  The only sight he wanted to see was Rowena. But what could it hurt to tour the area? Especially if his child might grow up here. “Thanks, Ed. I think I’ll take you up on it.”

  “Good enough,” Ed said, visibly pleased. “Lots of antique shops around here, too, if you’re interested.”

  Alan shook his head. “I’m not a collector.”

  “Me, neither.” Ed chuckled. “I suppose I’ve got plenty of antiques out at my place, too, but I’ve just always called ’em junk.”

  “Rowena seems to like them,” Alan said, finding himself unable to stop thinking about her. “Her shop had a lot of vintage fixtures. It looks great.”

  “I’ve seen her at a couple of estate auctions,
” Ed concurred as he salted his eggs. “Those are really the best places to get a good buy if you’re into antiques. Some people even make a hobby of it.”

  “Does she go alone?” Alan asked, still perplexed that a woman like her wasn’t involved with anyone.

  Ed shrugged. “I guess so.”

  Alan didn’t understand how a woman like Rowena could be unattached. Of course, he could ask the same of himself. Ever since he’d beaten cancer, his life had been full of activities. Almost too full to have any kind of a social life. But none of those activities could seem to assuage the aching emptiness he sometimes felt inside.

  In the last three years, he’d dated only a handful of women. And no one more than once or twice. The playboy life had never appealed to him, but now more than ever he wanted something other than a temporary relationship. Something that had meaning. Purpose. Something he couldn’t seem to find, no matter how hard he tried.

  “I wonder if Rowena ever gets lonely,” he mused.

  “Rowena?” Ed said, loudly enough to draw the attention of Clint and Maureen. “Heck, no. She doesn’t seem lonely to me. Always so sweet and cheerful.”

  Maureen spoke up. “Ed’s right. Rowena has plenty of good friends to watch out for her.”

  The woman’s tone was friendly enough, but Alan heard the note of warning behind it. No doubt she wondered why he was so interested in Rowena Dahl.

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Alan said, realizing it was time to change the subject. He’d already made an enemy of Rowena. He didn’t want to alienate anybody else in Cooper’s Corner. “By the way, I may need to send some work to my office in Toronto while I’m here. Do you happen to have a fax machine available?”

  Clint nodded. “I have one in the office you’re welcome to use anytime.”

  “Thanks,” Alan said, rising from his chair and dropping his linen napkin on his plate. “And thanks for breakfast, too. It was great.”

  “You’re welcome,” Maureen said, her gaze friendly once more. “Please let us know if you need anything else. And don’t forget to come down for afternoon tea. We serve around four o’clock.”

  “Thanks,” he replied, pushing his chair in. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

  Alan walked out of the dining room and up the stairs to his bedroom. At least his head wasn’t pounding anymore. A low ache in his temple made him grab a couple of aspirins out of his suitcase and wash them down with a glass of water. Now if he could just get this fascination with Rowena Dahl out of his system.

  Somehow he knew the cure wouldn’t be so easy.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ROWENA WALKED INTO Cooper’s Corner General Store two days after her consultation with her attorney and stomped her snowy boots on the large rubber mat. The heat emanating from the radiator melted the icy snowflakes clinging to her hair and eyelashes.

  Phyllis Cooper, a short, portly woman with gray-blond hair, stood behind the cash register. She and her husband, Philo, owned the store and took an active interest in all of their customers. Sometimes too active. The couple were known for sharing the latest news and juicy tidbits with everyone who walked into their store. But they were good people at heart.

  “Think this dang snow will stop anytime soon?” Phyllis asked her.

  “I sure hope so,” Rowena replied, pulling off her black leather gloves. “I’m going to have to restock my woodpile soon. Winter is usually my favorite season, but spring can’t start soon enough for me this year.”

  “Same here.” Phyllis shook her head and emitted a long sigh. “This weather is keeping all our customers away, although Philo has been making several delivery runs. Hardly a soul’s been in the store all day.”

  Rowena bit back a smile, certain Phyllis and Philo missed the local gossip their customers supplied as much as their business.

  “Well, my cupboards are almost empty,” Rowena told her, “so I may be here for a while. I want to stock up before the next storm hits.”

  “Go ahead and take your time,” Phyllis said as the telephone rang beside her. “And check out those chocolate chip granola bars you like so much over in aisle six. They’re on sale today.”

  “Thanks.” Rowena grabbed a grocery cart and started down the produce aisle. She’d been serious about her empty cupboards. When she’d stepped onto the bathroom scale this morning after her shower, she’d been horrified to find she’d lost a pound since last week.

  Thanks to Alan Rand.

  It had been three days since she’d seen him, but just thinking about him still upset her. Maybe because he reminded her a little of Max Heller, a director on Another Dawn whom she’d dated for almost a year. At first, Max had been fun and charming. So concerned about her career and happiness.

  But after a few months, that concern had started to turn obsessive. He’d wanted to make all her decisions for her. To direct every move she made, not only on camera but off. His advice had evolved from suggestions to commands to outright threats. When she finally broke up with him, he started sending her letters, pretending to be a deranged fan. Although she’d never had any definite proof he was the one behind them, she’d known it was him.

  Max had been the main reason she’d finally left the show. She’d been growing weary of the frantic pace of the city anyway and knew she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life in New York. She didn’t tell anyone where she was going and, thankfully, Max didn’t attempt to track her down. No doubt he was trying to dominate another ingenue actress. Rowena swore she’d never let herself get trapped in such a controlling relationship again.

  She mentally shook herself. That was all a long time ago. She didn’t want to think about Max Heller anymore. Or about Alan Rand. But as she began bagging some oranges, she couldn’t help but wonder if Alan was still in town. Either he’d already gone back to Toronto or he was holed up in his room at Twin Oaks.

  She placed a head of lettuce into her cart, then pushed it into the next aisle. Slowing her step, she let her gaze wander over the colorful jars of baby food lined up on the shelves. Strained green beans. Strained chicken and rice. Strained peaches. She smiled, wondering which her baby would like best. There was such a wide variety to choose from. And not only in the baby food section. Her gaze moved to the rows of disposable diapers, then to the different brands of formula.

  So many decisions to make. Decisions she should be enjoying during this special time, instead of worrying about what kind of bribe Alan would try next.

  She pushed the cart over to a small display of stuffed animals near the end of the aisle, intrigued by a cute little purple giraffe that rattled when you shook it. Rubbing the soft fur against her cheek, she sighed, then placed it back in the display bin. She had plenty of time to buy it before the baby was born.

  Besides, the last thing she wanted to do was pique Phyllis Cooper’s curiosity about why she would buy such a thing now, before she’d even announced her pregnancy. Although she knew she couldn’t keep her baby a secret much longer, Rowena wasn’t about to make the announcement until Alan was out of the picture.

  Rounding the corner, she almost bumped into another grocery cart. “Excuse me...” The words trailed off as she looked into the face of her nemesis.

  “Hello, Rowena,” Alan said. He looked as handsome as ever in a pine green pullover sweater and faded blue denim jeans that hugged his narrow hips and muscular legs.

  So much for her hope that he’d gone back to Canada. She sucked in a deep breath. No matter what he said today, she wouldn’t let him upset her. “This is a surprise. What are you doing here?”

  “Just picking up a few necessities.”

  She looked in his cart, dismayed to find it almost half full. She saw toothpaste, bananas, oranges, tomato juice, bottled water and three boxes of chocolate chip granola bars. Enough items to bring a big smile to Phyllis Cooper’s face. “Just how long
are you planning to stay in Cooper’s Corner?”

  “Awhile,” he replied vaguely, his gaze falling to her mouth for a moment, then meeting her eyes once more.

  To her irritation, a blush warmed her cheeks. She hated the effect Alan seemed to have on her. “Are you stalking me now?”

  “Hey, I was in the store first.”

  “Why are you interfering in my life?” she asked, searching the shelf for the granola bars. When she saw it was empty, she glared at his cart. “And why are you hogging all the granola bars? Has it become your goal in life to try and take away everything I want?”

  “I like granola bars,” he explained calmly. “And I don’t want to take your baby away from you. I just want to be a father.”

  “Keep your voice down,” she admonished, then cast a look around. But the aisle was empty except for the two of them. She turned to him. “Why are you still here, Alan? Your home is Toronto. I won’t interfere in your life in any way. All I ask is that you show me the same consideration.”

  A muscle flexed in his jaw. “This isn’t about us,” he said in a husky whisper. “It’s about the baby. I can’t just walk away.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” she asked. “You don’t even want this baby, remember?” Just the memory of his arrogance infuriated her. “You wanted me to get rid of it!”

  “That’s not true.” He took a step closer to her. “You made the wrong assumption the other day, Rowena. I would never ask you to terminate this pregnancy. I did some research before I came to Cooper’s Corner and found one of the best obstetricians in the state. I wanted you to go to him and I intended to pay for everything. That’s why I wrote out that check. To prove to you that I plan to support this baby. To help you out every step of the way.”

  “We don’t need your money, Alan.”

  “I know the baby needs a father,” he said, his voice rising. “And you know it, too, Rowena. I can see it in your eyes.”

  So now he was telepathic. Her hands tightened on the cart handle. “Lots of children grow up without fathers and do just fine.”