The Sheriff and the Baby

by C. C. Coburn

  “May I ask why you’re here?”

  She smiled, apparently not in the least put off by Beth’s attitude. “Luke thought I should come and visit you. He said you didn’t know anyone in town and as this baby’s practically an O’Malley—” she leaned forward and stroked Sarah’s cheek “—we couldn’t have you not getting any visitors or thinking we’re unfriendly, could we?”

  Beth held her daughter closer. “Who is Luke?”

  “Matt’s oldest brother. He runs the family ranch.” She returned her attention to Sarah.

  Beth cleared her throat.

  Becky looked up and, as if finally noticing her discomfort, said, “I’m sorry. I’ve barged my way in here, assuming you’d welcome a visitor, and I didn’t realize maybe that isn’t what you want.”

  Although Beth fought to keep her guard up, there was something sincere about the woman, a genuine warmth. Now she looked hurt.

  “I’ll leave you in peace,” she said and got to her feet.

  “No…” Beth laid a restraining hand on her arm. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m just a little…tired and overwhelmed.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting visitors.”

  Becky grinned. “May I?” she asked, indicating Sarah.

  Beth didn’t see any harm in allowing the other woman to hold Sarah and, wanting to make amends for her earlier rudeness, passed the baby to her. “Sheriff O’Malley said he has four nieces and a nephew. Um, no kids of his own?”

  Becky shook her head. “He…used to be married” She looked up from stroking Sarah’s cheek and smiled. “I have a son, Nicolas, and a six-month-old, Lily. She’s with her daddy today,” she explained. “My brother-in-law, Luke, who’s divorced, has three adorable daughters. The other two brothers, Jack and Adam, aren’t married. Yet.” She raised her eyebrows to indicate that if she had any say in it, they wouldn’t be bachelors for much longer. “Jack’s a contractor and lives in town. Adam’s the youngest of the boys. He’s a firefighter and recently moved to Boulder.” She resumed her cooing to Sarah. “She’s gorgeous. You should be very proud.”

  Beth felt a sense of motherly pride at the candid compliment. It didn’t matter that this woman was related to a cop, Beth decided; she liked her. “Thank you.”

  Becky used her free hand to dig into her carryall and produce a beautifully wrapped box.

  “I thought you might like some chocolate,” she said.

  Taken aback by the other woman’s generosity, Beth could barely stutter out her thanks. Why were these strangers being so nice to her? She unwrapped the gift, then offered the box to Becky who selected a chocolate and bit into it. “Mmm, yum,” she said around the sticky confection. “It would almost be worth getting pregnant again so I can eat a whole box by myself!”

  The woman was irrepressible. For the first time in months, Beth laughed. Oh, how she’d missed the companionship of other women.

  Becky beamed and stuck out her hand. “Friends?”

  Beth shook it. “Friends.”

  “I like you,” Becky said in a frank voice and took another chocolate. “Is it true Matt got you here with moments to spare?”

  Beth nodded and then flushed at the memory of how she’d demanded he stay with her.

  “And he really hung around for Sarah’s birth?”

  Beth was starting to feel uncomfortable again. “Matt told you?”

  “Heavens, no! Matt’s the poster boy for discretion. I heard it on the town grapevine.”

  Beth swallowed. This was the problem with hiding out in a small town. News traveled fast. Maybe her cabin wasn’t so safe anymore.

  “Ye-es. Matt stayed with me for Sarah’s birth,” she said, hoping that would appease Becky.

  “Just wait till his mother hears about that!” Becky exclaimed.

  “I guess she’ll hear sometime, since I named Sarah after her.”

  Becky’s eyes opened wide. “Really?”

  “I couldn’t very well call her, Matt,” she pointed out.

  Becky laughed. “No, indeed!” She addressed Sarah. “We can’t have such a beautiful little pumpkin named after ugly old Matt, can we, sweetie?”

  An image of Matt standing tentatively at her door this morning came to Beth. She’d never describe him as ugly. Ruggedly handsome was far more appropriate.

  Now, where did that come from? she wondered as a warm flush suffused her body. “Beth?”

  She raised her head to find Becky looking at her quizzically.

  “You were a million miles away.”

  “I…I guess I’m just tired.”

  “And that’s my cue to leave.” After placing a kiss on Sarah’s cheek, she handed her back. “Get as much sleep as you can while you’re here,” she advised. “Believe me, you won’t get any once you get her home. If I can, I’d like to visit you tomorrow, if that’s all right.”

  Beth couldn’t very well refuse. “Thanks. I look forward to it.”

  Becky grinned that infectious grin of hers. “Great. In the meantime, if you need anything, please feel free to give me a call.” She passed her a business card.

  Beth accepted it. “Thank you. You’ve been very kind,” she said, almost regretting she wouldn’t be here tomorrow when Becky came by. She was going to leave the hospital and head back to her cabin in the mountains long before Matt O’Malley or any of his relatives turned up again. As for her grandmother’s car, it was now a liability. She almost wished it had been damaged enough to end up in a wrecker’s yard somewhere.

  MATT WAS DEALING with a mountain of paperwork when Becky phoned later that afternoon to say she’d been to visit Beth, that she liked her and thought Sarah was adorable. “How did you find out?” he growled, knowing full well that Lucy wouldn’t have said anything about her patient, even to Becky.

  “Luke called to suggest I go and make Beth feel welcome, since your folks are off sailing around the Caribbean. He said she’s from California, so he thought she might not have any friends nearby.”

  “And she won’t be staying around much longer if any of you interfere, so butt out.”

  “Be fair, Matt. She’s alone in the middle of Colorado with a new baby. How would you feel in her situation?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never had a baby,” he noted drily.

  “Aren’t you the tiniest bit curious about why she’s here?”

  Matt was very curious, but he wasn’t about to admit it. “I’m sure she has her reasons. The point is, she and her baby are safe and well, and I don’t see what business it is of yours to go visiting her.”

  “For goodness’ sake, Matt!”

  Matt could hear her indignant huff on the other end of the line and smiled.

  “Her baby is practically an O’Malley,” Becky said primly. “Beth said she named Sarah after your mom.”

  “And I think that’s where the family connection should end, don’t you?” Matt couldn’t keep the impatience from his voice. His family was altogether too nosy.

  “I liked her,” Becky said again. Her voice held a trace of hurt. “She’s all alone. I was only trying to help.”

  Matt rubbed a weary hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Becky, but I’m not sure I trust her,” he admitted, “and I think you’re better off staying away from her.”

  “What’s not to trust?”

  “Just about everything.” He leaned back, pushed the papers on his desk aside and lifted his legs onto it. Maybe it was worth discussing this with Becky. She’d given sage advice in the past. “Her name. What she’s doing here alone without any support. Her marital status.”

  “You think she’s hiding something?”

  “Uh-huh.” Matt scratched his head.

  “My take?” Becky said. “She’s either a widow, as she says, or recently separated or divorced.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “Her wedding band. Or rather, the mark it’s left. Her ring finger is paler where the band should be. When you’ve worn a ring for several years, it takes a long time for the tan ma
rk to disappear. Hers is still faintly visible.”

  Matt sat forward in his chair. “Are you positive?”

  “Absolutely. She was definitely wearing some kind of ring up until the past few months.”

  MATT FINISHED HIS WORK for the day and contemplated another hospital visit. Becky’s remark about Sarah being practically an O’Malley had been playing through his mind all day.

  He did feel a connection to Sarah, no doubt because of his role in her birth. She was so vulnerable. He couldn’t help wondering why her mother needed to tell so many lies. That made him wonder, too, about Sarah’s safety if Beth was in trouble. She’d sure looked scared when he’d pressed her for information.

  He glanced at his watch and swore. By the time he got to the hospital, it’d be after nine. Visiting hours were over at eight-thirty. He shrugged into his jacket before stepping outside into the softly falling snow.

  Plenty of time tomorrow, he decided. Meantime, he was going to drop in on Luke and set him straight on a few things.

  “WHAT’S SHE LOOK like?” Luke inquired.

  Matt had only just arrived at the ranch; he’d immediately told Luke to stop siccing Becky on to Beth.

  “Didn’t Becky tell you?” he asked sarcastically.

  “She was too busy telling me about Sarah and how cute she is to fit in a description of her mom.”

  Matt considered how he’d describe Beth. Seeing her felt like…coming home. Somewhere he never wanted to leave. She had a quiet, inner beauty, an innocence and vulnerability, he found appealing, in spite of her amateur attempts at lying.

  He sighed. Who was he kidding? The woman disliked him and everything he represented. Why did he care what his family thought or did about her?

  Because she’s scared and alone, a small voice said.

  Matt raked his hand through his hair. “She’s probably in her late twenties. She’s got longish blond hair and gray eyes.”

  “Sounds kinda vague.”

  “We haven’t spent that much time together,” Matt snapped, in no mood for idle chitchat. “She didn’t have her license, so I couldn’t confirm the details.”

  “Is she tall? Short? Cuddly? Skinny?”

  “She’s just had a baby!” Matt exploded, fed up with his brother’s prying.

  Unmoved by his reaction, Luke crossed his arms and waited.

  Matt sighed again, resigned. His brother wasn’t going to give up till he’d gotten what he wanted. Having a conversation with Luke was usually like pulling teeth from a hen, so he guessed he’d better make the most of it. “She’s the stereotypical California girl. Faint freckles across her nose… Nice lips.”

  Matt didn’t like Luke’s lazy smile. “What’re you grinning about?”

  “You. You’ve got a dreamy look in your eyes.”

  “I didn’t pay that much attention to her.” But that was a lie and Matt knew it.

  “You noticed her eye color and that she has freckles and nice lips,” Luke pointed out.

  “I’m a cop. I’m trained to notice stuff like that,” Matt grumbled and climbed back into his vehicle. The only way he was going to avoid answering any more of Luke’s questions was to get out of there. “Good night, Luke,” he said and turned the ignition key. “Stay away from Beth Ford. She’s none of your business!” he warned and peeled away from the ranch.

  Chapter Four

  Jealousy. It was jealousy, pure and simple, Matt decided the next morning. Jealousy had twisted his guts and had him up pacing the floor half the night.

  No sooner had he gotten home than his backstabbing brother had called and practically intimated that Beth would make a perfect wife for him and a mother to his three daughters!

  The lousy rat hadn’t even met her, yet he was already planning a future for Beth and Sarah. What the hell was Luke playing at?

  Matt downed a cup of coffee and headed for the bathroom to get ready. He was going to make damn sure Luke didn’t beat him to the hospital before visiting hours commenced.

  WHEN HE STRODE THROUGH the hospital doors an hour later, Matt was trying to assure himself for the umpteenth time that he wasn’t visiting Beth for any selfish reasons related to his own need for a woman’s company or because she interested him. No, he was only there so early to make sure Luke didn’t have a chance to put crazy notions of happily-ever-after-on-the-ranch into Beth’s head when she was feeling so vulnerable.

  He wasn’t interested in her for himself, merely felt some sort of responsibility for her and Sarah. He wanted to protect her from—

  Matt halted in the corridor outside her room. Protect? Responsibility? He’d sworn off getting involved with anyone, loving anyone, after Sally and the baby died. He never wanted to expose himself to that sort of pain again.

  So why, then, were they continually invading his thoughts?

  He could hear a baby’s loud cry from Beth’s room. He knocked, but when there was no answer, other than the rising pitch of Sarah’s cries, he turned the knob and opened the door.

  Beth was rocking Sarah, her head bent over her daughter as she spoke softly, trying to calm her baby.

  Despite the lies she might have told him, Matt couldn’t deny that her love and concern for the child were genuine.

  He coughed politely and Beth looked up. Her eyes were sunken with fatigue, her hair was unbrushed and her nightgown pulled carelessly together. But to Matt she was beautiful.

  “I didn’t hear you come in.” She sniffed and reached for a tissue. “How long have you been there?”

  Sarah continued to fuss, her plaintive cries of distress filling the room. Matt’s heart went out to both of them.

  “Long enough to know you’ve probably had it. May I?” he asked and, at Beth’s nod, scooped Sarah from her mother’s arms and held her against him.

  The baby sensed the change at once and quieted.

  “Typical!” Beth fumed. “There doesn’t seem to be anything I can do for her. I’ve hardly slept a wink all night.”

  Matt stroked Sarah’s cheek, then looked back at Beth. She was trying so hard to do the right thing by her daughter. “Do you want to take a minute to wash your face? I’m happy to hold her.”

  Beth scrambled out of bed. “Thanks. I must really look a mess.” She went into her bathroom, but didn’t close the door.

  Matt could hear the sound of running water, then it shut off. “Becky came to visit yesterday,” she called out.

  Matt didn’t miss the note of longing in her voice. “She wasn’t too pushy, was she? My family tends to specialize in taking over. Particularly the women.” And Luke.

  “She was very sweet,” Beth told him, returning to her room. “She seems to have great affection for you.”

  Matt grinned. “We’re a very close family.” He used the opening to question her. “Do you have any family?”

  Her expression changed, but Matt pressed her. She was being far too mysterious. Maybe she was a battered woman claiming to be widowed to try and stop him from delving deeper. If so, he was determined to find out and protect her. “Are your parents still alive? Your husband’s folks?”

  Beth shook her head. “I’m an only child. That’s why I know almost nothing about looking after babies,” she said, neatly ducking his question. “My career was my life and I steered clear of getting too involved with children. Until I got pregnant, I didn’t think I could love and raise a child of my own.”

  “And now?”

  She smiled and her shoulders relaxed a little. “Now I know I’m capable of loving a child. Although I’m not sure I would’ve admitted that at around two this morning when she was screaming at the top of her lungs.” She stroked Sarah’s hair and looked up at him, the devotion she felt for her daughter evident in her eyes.

  Matt liked it when she was being frank with him. It made him feel trusted.

  “Can I ask why you’re here again?”

  Matt was caught off guard by her question and said the first thing that came into his head. “I meant to tell you yesterd
ay that your car’s been towed to a garage and I’ve arranged to have some estimates done.”

  He saw her swallow before she said, “Thank you, but I intended to take care of all that when I get out of here.”

  “It’s no problem. In the meantime, it’s safe. I wanted you to know that.”

  Feeling awkward at the silence that filled the room, he addressed Sarah. “Have you inherited your mama’s lungs, sweetie?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Matt glanced up from the baby lying contentedly in his arms. “Ah, the other night, you were making enough noise to wake the dead.”

  Her face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I was scared…and in so much pain.”

  Matt smiled. “No need to apologize. The experience affirmed my everlasting gratitude that men can’t give birth.” He shifted Sarah to his shoulder when she started to fuss again and rubbed her back.

  “You’re so good with her,” she said, her voice full of longing.

  “When my nieces were babies, I could calm them when everyone else was at the breaking point.” The admission had him wondering for the thousandth time what sort of father he would’ve made.

  Beth’s shoulders relaxed some more. “That’s nice. You’ll make a great father someday.”

  He wished she wouldn’t keep talking about fatherhood.

  “I’ll bet you’re the one the kids turn to when they need advice or want to keep a secret from their parents?”

  Matt forced the burning sensation aside and nodded. “You guessed it.”

  Sarah rewarded his back rubbing with an enormous burp. Then she threw up.

  Matt held his breath as he felt the warm liquid seep through his shirt. He handed Sarah back to her mother and left the room without a word.

  TOO AWARE OF HIS absence, Beth wondered if he’d come back. Although she’d planned to be long gone by the time Matt O’Malley showed up this morning, things hadn’t gone to plan. Sarah had kept her up most of the night alternately crying and feeding. Now here she was, feeling like death warmed over and still at the hospital. She was in no state to make her way home and try to manage Sarah while she was so exhausted. It wouldn’t hurt to stay another day, so long as Matt didn’t push her for any more answers to his questions.