by C. C. Coburn
A shadow of pain skittered across her features. “I…I can’t do that.” She expelled a sigh full of anguish. “It would mean a lot to me if I could name her after your mom.”
When Matt hesitated, she offered him a tiny smile and said, “She gave birth to someone who helped me when I needed it most.”
What the hell? He was never going to see Beth Ford again. What harm could it do? “Sarah. With an h.”
She smoothed her hand over the infant’s head in a protective gesture. “Hi, Sarah. Welcome to the world,” she said and placed a kiss on her daughter’s forehead.
Matt swallowed. Beth Ford should be sharing this moment with someone she was close to, not a stranger.
Not someone as undeserving as him.
He fought the bile rising in his throat. “Are you sure there isn’t someone I can contact for you?” he asked.
She shook her head and looked away.
She was fighting tears again. Matt’s heart went out to her. If she was a widow, then surely a relative could be with her instead? A friend? She needed someone. Someone more worthy than him.
Eventually she glanced back at him. “There’s…no one. But thank you.” She held the baby closer. “There’s just the two of us now,” she whispered, but he noticed the trembling in her hand.
Matt’s instincts told him something wasn’t right here. Beth was afraid of something, why else would she have given him a false name? Was she on the run from an abusive husband? Was that why she’d claimed she was a widow?
Lucy’s voice broke into his thoughts as she addressed Beth. “The nurse is going to take your baby for a few minutes to weigh her and check that everything’s okay while I deliver the placenta.”
That did it! Matt launched himself off the stool and walked into the corridor with as much dignity and speed as he could manage.
He leaned against the cool wall, sucked in several deep breaths, then slid down and put his head between his knees. He’d never felt so exhausted, bewildered or overwhelmed in his life. Thank God he wasn’t wearing his uniform. Wouldn’t do for members of the public to see the sheriff half passed out in a hospital corridor.
Matt was relieved he’d made it to the hospital. The thought of trying to handle everything he’d just witnessed by himself was too terrifying to contemplate. How the staff stayed so cool, calm and collected while their patient howled with pain… He shook his head.
After a few minutes he’d recovered his equilibrium and stood. He headed to his vehicle and radioed the state patrol to ask them for an accident investigation and have Hank Farquar tow Beth’s car.
Bone-weary with exhaustion, he went home for some much-needed sleep.
Tomorrow, he’d find out exactly why the woman with the anxious gray eyes was lying to him.
Chapter Two
When his alarm woke him at seven. Matt lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, and thought about Beth Ford and her tiny baby.
He smiled. Sarah. His mom would be tickled to know a scared young woman had valued his efforts enough to name a baby in her honor.
His cat, Wendy—one of his nieces had gone through a fascination with The Adventures of Peter Pan—settled on his chest and purred loudly. Soon she’d poke her claws in his comforter, informing him that it was time for breakfast. This usually went on for five minutes while Matt talked himself into getting out of bed.
But this morning, he felt a sense of elation and even anticipation and couldn’t wait to get started on his day. For the first time in three years, he hadn’t woken with a burning in his gut that threatened to tear him apart.
He called the hospital and was assured that Beth and her baby had had a comfortable night. Maybe he should drop in before work to check on them, just to make sure. His abrupt departure the night before must’ve made her think he was an imbecile.
He moved around his tiny apartment in the early-morning darkness. Convenient was about the only thing he could say in its favor. He’d taken over the apartment above the florist shop when his brother, Will, had married Becky McBride, the town judge. Soon he’d start building a home among the spruce and pines on his ten-acre lot in another valley.
Even the prospect of building his home hadn’t completely lifted the melancholy that had been his unwanted companion for too long. But this morning he was looking forward to beginning work on his house, to sharing the building of his home with his brothers. Their father, Mac, would give them all the benefit of his wisdom whether they wanted it or not, while his mom and sister-in-law, Becky, would keep the workers well-fed. He smiled at the thought of them all working together. Family was everything to Matt.
Was that why he hadn’t been eager to build his home until now—because he didn’t have a family of his own? He pictured a woman who looked like Beth leaning against the kitchen counter, smiling up at him, a baby perched on her hip.
This was crazy! He needed coffee to clear his head, and lots of it.
He hurried to the tiny kitchen and cursed when he stubbed his toe on a piece of cedar furniture that was too big for the apartment but would be perfect for his new home. Then he tripped over Wendy as she wound her way around his legs.
His cell rang. Matt snatched it up and tipped kibble into Wendy’s dish. She rewarded him by rubbing against his leg and purring loudly.
“Hey, little brother,” came the booming voice of his oldest brother, Luke, who ran the family ranch. “I hear you had a busy night rescuing damsels in distress.”
Matt cursed and poured himself a coffee; thankfully it was ready, since it had been set to brew when his alarm went off. News traveled too fast in Peaks County. You couldn’t scratch yourself without someone ten miles down the valley hearing about it.
He took a gulp of coffee and asked, “How’d you hear?”
“Hank, of course.”
Matt shook his head. There wasn’t anything Hank, the tow-truck operator, universal busybody and cousin of Mayor Frank Farquar, didn’t know and wouldn’t pass on to anyone who’d listen.
“What did Hank say?”
“Didn’t get it from Hank. Heard it through his cousin, Chuck, who told one of the guys down at the feed store.”
Frustrated, Matt raked a hand through his hair. Hank’s gossiping was out of control. One day he was going to tell the wrong person the wrong thing and someone would end up getting hurt. “What exactly did you hear?” he demanded in as patient a tone as he could manage.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Luke cautioned, although he was as aware of Hank’s inability to get the facts straight as Matt was. “He got a call to tow a little red sports car that had been driven into a snowbank off the highway.”
So far, so good. “Go on.”
“According to Hank, the driver had a baby right there in the front seat and you delivered it!”
Matt squirmed. His weak stomach was legend in the family. As a kid on the ranch, he’d always made himself scarce when calves needed birthing, castration or branding. Teasing Matt over his aversion to blood had been his big brother’s way of getting under his skin ever since they were kids. It worked, too. Only this time, he’d overstepped his bounds.
Luke’s guffaws died away. “Ah, jeez…I’m sorry, Matt. I didn’t think…” he apologized. “Sally—”
“Forget it,” Matt cut in, not wanting to let his personal tragedy intrude. The morning was too promising to dwell on the past.
While it was appealing to play the hero regarding the events of the night before, Matt knew that soon enough the truth would get out and come back to haunt him. “We made it to the hospital.” he said, reaching for a can of cat food. Wendy was in full hurry-up-I’m-starvin’-to-death mode, even though her bowl of kibble had been licked clean.
“And you stayed for the birth?” Luke pressed.
Matt cleared his throat. “Ah, yeah.” He ripped the lid off the can and spooned some cat food into Wendy’s bowl. Predictably, she leaped on it.
“Hot damn! Did you pass out?”
Matt could f
eel his hackles rising. “No, I did not,” he said with as much dignity as he could muster. “Look, I’ve got to go. If you don’t have anything more pressing to talk about, I’ll catch you later.”
“Hang on. You haven’t told me whether the baby was a boy or a girl or anything about the mom. And what about the father? Where was he?”
Matt couldn’t believe this. His normally reserved brother had all of a sudden turned chatty.
“A girl. And she’s a widow,” he answered shortly. His stomach was grumbling and a plate of ham and eggs with four helpings of Texas toast from Rusty’s Grill looked mighty tempting. Hell, even Wendy’s breakfast was starting to look tempting.
It took Luke a moment to register the curtly delivered information. “She’s a widow?” he asked. “Poor thing. And a daughter, you say? That’s nice.”
Matt could hear the softening in his brother’s voice. Luke was partial to daughters, seeing as he had three of them.
“So was she here on holiday?”
“What is this, twenty questions?” Matt was getting grumpy. The coffee had worn off and his stomach was growling. “I have no idea. She doesn’t seem to know anyone.”
“Sounds mysterious. Now, why would a woman who’s about to have a baby be traveling alone?”
Matt had wondered the same thing. The woman was a mystery. Why was she in this part of Colorado without any support? “I have no idea,” he said again. “She was in no condition to answer questions last night, but I’m going to stop by the hospital. I’ve got to get some details for my report,” he explained, not wanting Luke to infer that he had anything other than a professional interest in the woman, “so maybe I’ll find out something then.”
“And you’ll get back to me?” Luke asked.
“In your dreams. She and her daughter deserve some privacy. And I think you’d do well to ignore Hank’s gossiping.”
“Oh?” Luke sounded put out. “Well, gotta go,” he said and rang off.
Relieved that his brother had found something more interesting to do than chew the fat with him, Matt grabbed his coat and headed down to Rusty’s.
BETH STRETCHED HER ARMS above her head. In spite of being woken just after 4:00 a.m. to feed Sarah, she’d had her best night’s sleep in four months. The only decent one since Marcus was killed. She closed her eyes against the painful memories. Time enough to deal with those. Right now, she was starting on a new phase of her life.
A nurse stuck her head around the door and grinned. “You’re awake! I’ve got someone who wants to see you,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
Beth stared after her, bewildered. No one knew she was here—except the guy who’d brought her in last night.
A vague memory surfaced. Tall. Very tall…and good-looking. Even through the pain, she’d noticed his features—neatly trimmed dark brown hair, broad shoulders, a strong jaw and intense dark brown eyes. Eyes that wouldn’t let you hide many secrets.
She shivered, wondering where that notion had come from. Was it because she had so many secrets and was terrified of being caught out? Lying didn’t come easily to her. But she’d needed to lie to the stranger—to protect herself and especially her baby.
I don’t even know his name. Yet I named my daughter after his mother! She wasn’t usually so impulsive, but the past few months had forced her to be more flexible, more spontaneous. If she wasn’t, she could die.
The nurse returned, wheeling a crib ahead of her. “Your little darling’s just woken up and announced that she’d like her breakfast.” She lifted Sarah from her crib, waiting for Beth to unfasten her gown.
“I’m Carol and I’ll be looking after you,” she said with a warm smile. “We’ll run through the bathing routine later and you can ask me any questions about caring for your baby.” She placed Sarah in her arms.
Overwhelming love filled Beth’s heart and tears of joy filled her eyes as she gazed down at her daughter. Sarah started to fuss a little so Beth touched her cheek. When Sarah turned toward her breast and latched on, Beth winced at the sudden force of the baby’s suction.
“Relax,” the nurse urged. “I’ve got a few more moms to look in on. If you need any help in the meantime, use the call button beside your bed. You’re welcome to get up and take a shower. Make yourself comfortable.” She left, closing the door behind her.
Beth held on to the tiny hand that had worked its way out of the baby blanket. “You’re so beautiful,” she cooed and kissed her daughter’s hand as Sarah suckled contentedly.
Beth wondered about the stranger. Would she ever see him again? Had he told his mom about the woman he’d rescued who’d named her daughter after her?
Beth’s solitary existence since the sudden death of her husband had felt awkward at first. Now, after going through the grieving process, the sorrow and anger, the frustration and despair, she’d emerged a new woman. An independent woman who had to live by her wits.
She owed the stranger a debt of gratitude and should at the very least write him a note of thanks. The doctor seemed to know him. Perhaps she’d pass on the note?
On second thought, maybe that wasn’t a good idea. Beth didn’t want to get too friendly—with anyone.
Her heart constricted at the loneliness of her life. Compelled by circumstances to turn her back on friendships and family and rely on her own company, she longed to have someone she could confide in, someone who’d listen and not judge. Someone to be there at night when the demons called.
Don’t think about it! There’s no point in hanging on to the past. You’re not alone anymore. Now you have Sarah, she told herself sternly and glanced down at her baby. So precious, so vulnerable. Nothing bad will happen, she promised her daughter. We’ll be fine. No one knows where we are. No one’s found us in four months. We’re safe!
LUKE PUT THROUGH A CALL to his sister-in-law, Judge Becky O’Malley.
“Hey, Luke, what can I do for you?” she greeted him. “I hear Matt birthed a baby beside the highway last night.”
“You’ve been talking to Hank.”
“No, Jessica down at the courthouse told me.”
Luke winced. Matt had a point. Hank’s gossiping was getting out of hand. “I’m sorry to call you at work, Becky, but I need your help.”
“Sounds intriguing. Tell me more.”
“Matt needs a wife.”
There was spluttering at the other end of the line, then Becky said, “I really wish you’d warn me when you’re going to say something outrageous. I just choked on my coffee and now it’s all over my keyboard. Hang on.”
Luke could hear the rustling and tapping, then she came on the line again. “Just why does Matt need a wife? Of all of you, I think he’s the most closed to romance.”
“Matt’s the rock of our family, but he’s lonely and I detected something in his voice this morning.”
“Like what?” Becky imitated a deep voice. “Luke. I’m lonely. I need a wife.”
Luke laughed. “You’ve been married to Will too long. That’s exactly what he’d say. I thought I’d get more sense out of you.”
“Nope, got yourself the wrong gal. Will’s sense of humor has rubbed off on me and I kinda like it.”
“Yeah, I guess you did need to lighten up.” Luke couldn’t resist teasing his formerly uptight sister-in-law.
“Speak for yourself, Mr. Grumpy.”
“Touché. Now, can we get serious and talk business?”
“About finding Matt a wife? Sure. What can I do?”
BETH WAS FINISHING breakfast when there was a light knock at her door. She dabbed her mouth with her napkin and checked to make sure she’d done up her nightgown properly before inviting her caller in.
The smile froze on her face as her visitor stepped into her room. He held an enormous bunch of flowers, but that wasn’t what had her heart rate speeding.
A police officer! Her heart pounded harder as prickles of fear crept up her spine and a thousand questions demanded answers. How had they found her? Had th
ey traced her grandmother’s car? Damn! Why hadn’t she gotten the plates changed or sold it? “Ma’am?”
The deep voice was familiar and the tone was gentle and unthreatening. But Beth knew better—cops weren’t to be trusted.
The man removed his hat. Dark brown hair was revealed, along with his intense dark brown eyes. “I’m Matt O’Malley,” he said. “I brought you in last night.”
Beth squeezed her eyes shut as she fought for control of her racing heart. The kindhearted stranger was a cop? How ironic! She opened her eyes and glared at him, daring him to approach.
“You’re a cop!”
“The county sheriff to be more precise.”
“But…but you weren’t wearing a uniform last night.”
“I don’t always wear one. Yesterday was one of those days.”
Scattered memories of the previous night surfaced. The distant sound of a siren, driving snow, a car’s headlights blinding her, excruciating pain and her fear of not making it to the hospital in time. Yelling. She’d yelled a lot. She blushed. This man—this police man—had witnessed the birth of her daughter.
“I remember a siren now. Was that you?”
“Yes.”
He paused as if waiting for her to say something. Maybe it was just a coincidence that he was here. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks that she’d used her grandmother’s car to drive to Colorado. Gran had said it would be safer, that way she wouldn’t risk anyone running a check on her own car’s plates. Hennessey would’ve posted an APB on her vehicle the day she fled California. Terror began to choke her at the thought of what Hennessey would do to her—what he’d do to her precious baby—if he ever found them.
“Ma’am? Is there a problem?”
Beth fought the urge to throw back the covers, grab her sleeping daughter and flee. She had to try to remain calm even though her nerves were stretched to the breaking point. If Matt O’Malley detected her nervousness, he’d get suspicious and make inquiries—if he hadn’t done so already. He wouldn’t have to search far to learn the truth.