by C. C. Coburn
Matt swallowed. Her gown was gaping open, revealing the swell of her breast, but he did as she asked, wiping the cloth down both sides of her throat. He closed his eyes as his hand ventured near the open flap of her nightgown.
The sound of a car door slamming had him abandoning the facecloth, lifting Sarah into his arms and striding to the front door.
As Matt stood back to let Lucy through the door, she reached into an insulated bag.
“Where’s the patient?” she asked, handing over a small bottle of baby formula already prepared. “It’s at the right temperature,” she told him and Matt stuck the bottle in Sarah’s mouth as he led the way to Beth’s room. The baby’s wailing halted as she suckled greedily.
“You sure are burning up, honey,” Lucy said, feeling Beth’s forehead. She turned her attention to Matt. “What have you given her to eat or drink?” she asked as she set up her blood-pressure machine and fastened the cuff around Beth’s upper arm.
“Two glasses of water.”
Lucy nodded and pumped up the cuff, reached into the insulated bag again and pulled out a cabbage. “This needs to go in the fridge.”
Matt stared at the cabbage.
“Just put it in the fridge, Matt,” she said. She fitted the stethoscope earpieces into her ears, then turned back to Beth.
“Come on, Sarah,” he muttered, curious as hell about the cabbage. “We’d better go do what Lucy says. Otherwise, there’s no telling what she’ll pull out of that bag next.”
He put the cabbage into the fridge, then headed into the living room to inspect the fire. Sarah finished her bottle.
“You’re a greedy little piggy,” he cooed.
Sarah fixed him with her wide blue gaze, released the nipple and beamed at him. Matt’s heart melted, even though he knew it was probably wind that had made her smile. He lifted her for a kiss and to brush his nose against her soft cheek. “You’re gonna be a beauty, just like your mama,” he said. He held her over his shoulder and began to rub her back. “No spitting up,” he warned and went looking for her nursery.
LUCY FOUND HIM in the kitchen, warming a can of soup.
“How is she?”
“She’ll be fine, Matt, thanks to you.” Lucy reached up and rubbed his shoulder. “But she has mastitis.”
Matt resisted the urge to clear his ears. “I thought only cows got that.”
“Typical male!” Lucy said with a grin. “Nursing mothers can suffer from it, too.”
The tension in his shoulders eased a little. “What can I do for her?”
“You are one sweet man, Matt O’Malley. How long can you stay here?”
He shrugged. “As long as necessary.”
Lucy nodded. “Good, because she’s in no condition to look after herself or the baby.”
“She’s that sick?”
Lucy nodded and opened the fridge. “For the moment. But I’ve given her a shot of antibiotic. She’ll be pretty sick for the next twenty-four hours, then you should notice a significant improvement.” She withdrew the cabbage and peeled off two leaves. “However, she’ll still be weak and need lots of bed rest. I’ll come back tomorrow. If there isn’t any sign of improvement by then, she’ll have to go to the hospital.”
“Can she eat?”
“Sure. A normal diet with plenty of fluids.” She pointed to the soup and said, “That’s a good start.”
She dug around in her bag, unpacking items. “Now, this is a breast pump. I’ve told Beth how to use it, but you’ll need to sterilize it before the first use and then every time after that.” She withdrew more things. “These are the instructions on how to sterilize it. I’ve encouraged Beth to use it instead of relying on formula.”
Matt tried not to think of Beth using this strange contraption in the privacy of her bedroom.
Lucy handed him several empty bottles. “You’ll need to sterilize these, as well. Beth can store her milk in them and they get reheated like the ones I’ve put in the fridge with formula. Don’t use the milk in your coffee if you run out of cow’s milk,” she ended with a smile.
“Hardly!” And then he had to know. “Ah, why?”
Lucy laughed. “It’s extremely sweet and I happen to know you don’t like sugar.”
“Always the comedian, aren’t you?” Matt said, dead-pan.
She took the cabbage leaves and headed toward Beth’s room, Matt on her heels.
“And what about Sarah?” he asked, feeling unsettled at the thought of being her sole caregiver. He’d babysat his nieces plenty of times, but never been expected to look after them for more than a couple of hours.
Lucy turned and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Relax, Matt. You’ll do fine. Would you excuse me?” she said and headed into the bedroom.
“NOW, WHERE’S THE LITTLE darling?” Lucy asked when she returned to the kitchen a few minutes later, minus the cabbage leaves. “I’d like to check on her, make sure she hasn’t suffered any ill effects.”
He led her to Sarah’s nursery. It had warmed up and the baby was sleeping peacefully.
Lucy unzipped Sarah’s sleeper and looked her over, then turned to Matt. “She seems to be fine. I’ve brought a few days’ supply of formula, just in case Beth isn’t up to feeding her. I’ve explained that she should try. Feeding and using the cabbage leaves are the best way to relieve the pain.”
“I’m sorely tempted to ask about those leaves, but I don’t think I will.”
Lucy grinned. “Just keep the cabbage in the fridge. Beth knows what to do with it.”
“I didn’t know you were into folk remedies.”
She smiled again and said, “The coolness of the leaves relieves the heat and pain. They’re also a perfect fit for the breast.”
“I told you I wasn’t going to ask,” Matt said, while his mind filled with images of Beth’s breasts cupped by his big hands instead of…cabbage leaves.
“Matt, this isn’t the time to let your weak stomach get the better of you. Beth needs your help.”
Matt bristled. “I’ll do everything necessary to keep them safe and well.”
Lucy nodded her approval and walked back out to the living room. “I knew I could rely on you.” She glanced out the window at the gathering darkness. “I should be going.”
Matt opened the front door and followed her outside. Snow was falling in fat gentle flakes. “Call me if you get stuck and I’ll come and get you,” he said, noticing how much snow had accumulated since he arrived at the cabin. “Otherwise, let me know you’ve gotten down the mountain safely.”
Lucy climbed into her Jeep Cherokee. “I’ll be fine. I didn’t have any trouble getting up here. The plows had just been through.”
“You sure she’s going to be okay?”
Lucy started the Jeep. “Trust me. I’m a doctor,” she said and grinned. “Take care, Matt.” He closed her door. She backed up to turn her vehicle around and headed out through the gate.
Matt noted that the streetlights should’ve come on long ago and wondered when the power would be restored to the area. Relieved that the cabin had an alternative source of heat, he collected some wood from the pile and went inside. He called the office and told Jolene he was taking a few days off. Then he spoke to his undersheriff, Ben Hansen, and asked him to take over until he returned.
Matt stressed that he didn’t want any calls forwarded to him unless they were absolute emergencies.
“JUST ONE MORE mouthful.” He spooned the last drop of soup into Beth’s mouth and watched as her tongue came out to lick her lips.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “You didn’t have to do this for me.”
“Yes, I did. You were shaking too much to hold the spoon.”
“I meant stay and look after me.”
“It’s no problem. Lucy says you’re in no condition to look after yourself or Sarah.” He raised one shoulder in a shrug. “It was either me or the hospital.”
Matt observed her nervousness when his cell rang, then d
etected a relaxing of Beth’s posture when she realized it was Lucy.
“She got home safely,” he told her, closing the phone. “She said the power should be back soon. The workers were almost finished repairing the lines. Can I get you anything else?”
Beth shook her head. “I just want to sleep.”
Matt took that as his cue, picked up the tray and stood. “I’ll go check on Sarah and then I think I’ll turn in myself. It’s been quite a day.”
Beth’s lip quivered.
“Hey!” He sat down again on the side of the bed. “There’s no need for tears. Everything’s okay. Sarah’s fine.” He put down the tray and rubbed her arms. “Don’t cry. Please?”
In spite of his plea, Beth’s eyes welled with tears that coursed down her cheeks. Drawing her against him, Matt gently stroked her back.
“S-S…” She gulped. “Sarah could’ve died because I was s-so stupid!”
“Shh,” he soothed. “She’s fine now. That’s all that matters.” He drew back to look at her and immediately missed the warmth of holding her close.
She reached for a tissue from the bedside table. “You must think I’m a fool to have allowed this to happen.”
“You were doing what you thought was right. A mother can’t be blamed for that.”
She stared up at him. “You don’t blame me for running out on you at the hospital? For lying to you?”
“Hey.” Matt cupped her chin. Maybe now was the time to ask, since she wanted to talk. He exhaled and said, “Why couldn’t you trust me?”
The fear darted across her face. “Please don’t ask me that right now. I’m not strong enough to deal with it. I…I haven’t done anything illegal, if that’s what’s bothering you.”
Apart from naming me as Sarah’s father, Matt thought, watching her fidget with the sheet in her lap. Skipping out on paying your hospital bill. And being wanted by the LAPD.
It just didn’t fit. Beth was either protecting someone—or running from someone. The person she was protecting wasn’t in doubt. Sarah. But who was she running from?
Her lower lip trembled again.
Matt’s heart twisted at the fear he saw there. She was terrified, and so alone. That police report was a crock. Beth and drugs didn’t fit.
There’d be time enough to question her later, but for the moment, she needed reassurance. He squeezed her hands and said, “Know this—you’re both safe here, with me.”
Beth’s features relaxed. He looked into her eyes and stroked her cheek. “I promise that as long as you’re with me, nothing bad will happen to either of you.”
He felt the easing of her jaw, which had been tightly clenched beneath his fingers, saw the tension leave her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Matt willed himself not to lean forward and touch his lips to hers, aware that such intimacy would have her on her guard again.
“Get some sleep,” he said gruffly, picking up the tray. “And don’t get up if you hear Sarah during the night. I’ll take care of her.”
“Thank you seems so inadequate for everything you’ve done for us,” she murmured as she lay back down and closed her eyes. “Good night, Matt O’Malley. You’re a nice man.”
Matt stood watching her for several minutes, then leaned over and blew out the candle.
THE LIVING ROOM SOFA would have to do for the night. Apart from Beth’s bed, there wasn’t anywhere to sleep in the cabin.
It wasn’t smart to have thought about sharing her bed. He needed to burn off some of his excess energy…and rampant hormones. After making sure Sarah was still asleep, Matt got into his jacket and tried the porch light. The power was back on, flooding the entry with light. He stepped outside.
The snow had let up so he strode to the carport where the wood was stored, lifted the ax above his head and split the first log.
Chapter Eight
A half hour later, he’d built up a sizable pile of firewood and was feeling bone-weary. After stacking several loads beside the fireplace, he stripped off and walked into the bathroom.
It was a two-way bath, accessed from Beth’s bedroom and the living room.
Stepping under the shower, he gasped as the icy needles pricked at his skin. Once the cold water had refreshed him, he turned it to warm and rinsed his clothes. Until he got a clean change of clothing, this would have to suffice. He toweled off, then wrapped the towel around his waist and walked back out to the living room.
After setting his wet clothes near the fire to dry, he called his brother Will, asking him to stop by his place and pack some clothes and toiletries, then bring them to the cabin in the morning. He could trust Will to keep Beth’s location a secret.
He fixed himself an omelet for dinner, then cleaned up and went in search of extra blankets and pillows and made up a bed on the sofa. Clasping his hands beneath his head, he stared at the firelight flickering across the ceiling and considered his situation.
He’d gotten himself into a predicament, sheltering a woman wanted by the LAPD. On the one hand was his duty as a lawman to uphold the law and report Beth’s whereabouts to the relevant authorities. On the other was his need to protect her and care for Sarah. Despite all the information the APB supplied—the incriminating allegations—Matt found them hard, if not impossible, to believe. Beth wasn’t a criminal.
She was scared witless and lying to protect herself and Sarah—to the point that it could’ve cost them their lives. If not for Beth’s having named him as Sarah’s father and the lucky chance that Hank had rented her this place, he shuddered to think what might have become of them. They couldn’t have survived the night in a frozen cabin, Beth sick with fever and Sarah famished.
He suspected someone was framing Beth and he aimed to find out who.
A CRY FROM SARAH had him up and pulling on his still-damp shorts as he raced toward her room before she could wake Beth. “Hey, sweetie, what’s the matter?” he asked as he picked her up. Her sleeper felt damp all over and her diaper— Matt held his breath and dealt with cleaning Sarah, then remade her bed, relieved that he hadn’t passed out in the process.
“I think you could do with a bath, too, huh?” Matt said as he stepped back to where she lay on her change mat on the floor. He carried Sarah to the living room and placed her on the sofa and barricaded her with pillows. “Now wait there, sweetie,” he said and went off to collect towels, a clean diaper and a change of clothes.
“Here I am, back again,” he said as he returned to the living room. “Can you wait while I get your bath, darlin’?” He filled her plastic baby bath at the kitchen sink, checked the temperature and brought it to the living room.
Sarah started to fuss. “Hey, now. That’s no way to begin a big adventure,” he chided softly. Taking her in his arms, he sat on the floor with his legs stretched out on either side of the tub.
Laying her facedown along his left arm with her head nestled in the crook of his elbow, he lowered her into the tub, making sure her face stayed above the water. It was a bathing position favored by his nieces as infants. The sensation of being in warm water had the expected calming effect and Sarah quieted immediately.
“There, isn’t that nice?” he asked and rubbed her back with a facecloth in long, soothing strokes. Sarah made funny little movements with her legs.
“So, you want to be a swimmer? Okay, let’s see how you are at the backstroke.” He rolled her onto her back, supporting her head above the water and let her kick for a while. Then he rinsed another facecloth and wiped her face. “You’ve got a head start,” he observed, chuckling at his pun. “Bald heads are all the fashion in the pool. Only on the guys, but you could begin a new trend.”
“She’s not bald.”
Matt looked up. Beth was leaning against the bedroom doorway.
“Are you okay? Can I get you anything?” he asked, torn between rushing to help Beth and keeping a firm grip on Sarah, who was kicking vigorously.
“I’m fine. I heard you talking to
someone out here.” She sat on the sofa and reached out to tickle Sarah’s foot. “I didn’t realize the conversation was so one-sided.”
Matt squeezed out the cloth and wiped under Sarah’s chin. “It’s not one-sided at all. She’s been telling me what a great swimmer she’s going to be.”
“I heard you telling her she was bald.” Beth’s voice held amusement.
Matt beamed at the baby, who was smiling up at him, and his heart did a flip-flop. “Okay, you’ve got long, sun-kissed locks like your mom,” he corrected, then looked closely at the fair down covering Sarah’s head. “At least, one day you might.”
“I’m almost afraid to bathe her,” Beth admitted. “I hadn’t mastered it at all before I left the hospital.”
“It’s not hard once you get the hang of it.” He rolled the baby onto her stomach again, resting her head along his arm the way he had before, and Sarah stopped kicking and closed her eyes. “See? She trusts me.” Which is more than her mother does, he thought ruefully.
“I told you I’ll keep you safe,” he said quietly. “Both of you.”
WARMTH SUFFUSED BETH. Safe. How good would it be to feel safe again? Could she trust Matt to keep that promise? She wanted to, so very much.
He emanated strength and virility. His cheeks and chin were covered with a dark stubble; his bare chest, wide and well-muscled, was covered in dark hair. And his arms were the kind of arms a woman would want around her, protecting her, loving her, closing out the world until there were just the two of them.
Physically, Matt was the opposite of Marcus. Marcus had been fair and always impeccably turned out. She’d rarely seen him with a five-o’clock shadow, and his chest, although well-muscled, was smooth and hairless.
Matt was everything Marcus hadn’t been, in both looks and temperament. Marcus had an edge, a restless energy, that had sometimes bothered her. Matt was calm, reliable. He hadn’t panicked when her world was falling apart, when she was so afraid she’d give birth beside the highway, no one around to help. No one to take care of her baby.