by Beth Wiseman
“You may be right,” she said. “And it’s really nice to hear you talking about God.”
Owen smiled. “I’d say He and I are on pretty good terms these days.” He thought for a few moments about the ways his life had changed recently. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I’ve been meaning to stop by, but between my dad and the shop—”
“I completely understand. Anything I can do?” Owen pushed the Speaker button on his phone, found some mayonnaise, and swiped some onto two pieces of bread.
“No, not really, except to talk to me and cheer me up. Meghan and Spencer have been spending time with Judy’s kids, which is good. I want them to enjoy the last of their summer. I just wish I had more time to be with them.”
“You’re a good mother, Brooke. They’ll be okay. And right now your parents need you. But just remember I’m here if you need anything.”
He told her about his office, which he’d painted a light tan with white trim. He’d opted to keep the bookshelves the way they were. “I just sanded them a little, but left them kinda raw looking. They give the whole room character, even if they don’t swing open into a secret room.”
Owen took a bite of his sandwich.
“You’re eating, aren’t you? I can tell you have me on speakerphone.”
“Sorry. I was missing you and hungry at the same time.” Owen tried to talk as if he didn’t have a mouthful.
“Peanut butter and jelly?”
“Ham, actually.” He swallowed and took another bite.
“I’ll make you guys another batch of chicken salad soon.”
“Sweetie, you don’t have to do that. You’ve got a full plate.” But chicken salad sure sounded good.
“Well, the kids and I still have to eat, and I can take my parents some at the hospital. I’m sure they are getting sick of hospital food.” She paused, and Owen finished off his sandwich. “Maybe we can get together on Saturday.”
“Definitely.” He smiled. “I love you.”
There was a knock at the door, so Owen took Brooke off Speaker and walked to the front entrance.
“I love you too,” she responded just as Owen pulled the door open. He was sure his heart stopped.
“Uh, listen, I have to go. But I’ll call you later.” He hung up without waiting for a response.
Brooke held the phone away from her ear and stared at it for a moment, caught off guard by the abrupt way Owen had ended the conversation so quickly. Then a movement across the street caught her eye. She moved to the front of the store, squinting to see better. Someone was trying to look through the windows of Travis’s store—not easy, since the windows were still boarded up. It took just a few seconds for her to recognize that gray ponytail. She watched Denny for another minute, then saw him turn and head her way.
“So tell me about the boarded-up business across the street,” he said when he walked in the door. “I hear it belonged to your late husband.”
Brooke waited until he got all the way to the counter. “Yes, it did. He sold old books, antique toys, things like that. A mishmash of vintage stuff. Why do you ask?”
Denny scratched the stubble on his chin for a couple of seconds. “Just curious. What are you going to do with the contents?”
Brooke shrugged. “Sell them, I guess. I’ve been putting it off for two years, but I noticed when I was in there recently that everything is a mess—really dusty.”
“Hmm.” He took a deep breath. “Can I see inside?”
“Sure.” Brooke reached into her purse for the key. “Why?” She grinned. “You want to buy the business?”
“I might.” His answer was quick, and Brooke’s jaw dropped.
“Seriously? What about your travels?”
Denny shrugged. “I have a weakness for old things, particularly books.” He took the key when Brooke handed it to him. Blushing a little, he added, “And I have a family now. Not in such a big hurry to run off to Peru.”
Brooke nodded. “The lock’s a little tricky,” she said as he turned to leave. “Lift up on the door a little after you turn the key.”
She watched him cross the street and wondered what it would be like to see Travis’s business reopened. Travis would love that.
Denny returned an hour later.
“Well, what did you think?” Brooke folded her arms across her chest. “You going into the antique books and toy business?” She smiled, doubting it.
“Yes. I believe I am. Let’s talk price.”
Owen stared at his ex-wife, then glanced down at the baby carrier she was toting. You gotta lot of nerve, lady.
“What are you doing here, Virginia?” Owen fought the bile building in his throat.
She shifted the carrier to her other hand. “Well, I’ve been calling you and leaving messages. You never would call me back.”
“Perhaps that should have told you that I don’t want to talk to you . . . or see you.” He started to close the door.
“Can we please come in? It’s too hot out here for the baby.” Virginia nodded toward the child, and Owen reluctantly stepped aside so they could enter. He motioned her toward the living room. Virginia put the baby carrier on the coffee table and slung her purse and a diaper bag on the couch.
Silence for a while. Then Virginia asked, “Are you seeing anyone?”
She wants to get back together. Owen stopped breathing for a few moments. “Uh, yes. I am.”
Longer silence this time. “Is it serious?”
“Virginia, why do you care? I mean, really. Did Gary dump you or something?” Owen cringed, wishing he hadn’t said that. There was no need for him to engage her in what would surely blow up into a fight.
“No,” she said. “We’re still together.”
“Than what do you want?”
Did she really sniffle? Owen squinted as he tried to determine if what he was seeing was real emotion or the kind that Virginia was able to concoct at will. Either way, his chest was getting tight. Just seeing and talking to Virginia gave him a headache. He couldn’t bring himself to congratulate her, but he was trying really hard to keep his cool.
“I see you had the baby.” He glanced down at the child nestled beneath a pink cotton blanket.
“I named her Lauren.”
Owen didn’t say anything, even though he’d always liked that name.
“So does your lady friend have children?”
Owen didn’t want to talk about Brooke to Virginia. He was going to wrap this entire visit up momentarily. “Yes. She has a boy and a girl.”
“That’s wonderful. I know how much you always wanted children.”
“And I know how much you didn’t.” Owen nodded toward Lauren.
More silence, then Virginia responded, “You’re right. I never did want children.” She reached over and touched the child on her cheek. “Lauren is beautiful, though, isn’t she?”
Owen reminded himself that Gary and Virginia’s love child wasn’t the one to blame. He took a closer look. The baby was sleeping, but she puckered her mouth and moved her tiny fingers atop the pink blanket. “Yes, she is.” He pulled his eyes away from the newborn and looked at his ex-wife. She wore white jeans and a blue blouse that showed off a more abundant cleavage than he remembered. Her blond hair was a shade or two darker, and she was packing what Owen assumed was leftover baby weight.
“What brings you here, Virginia?”
Tears filled her eyes and she looked away. She leaned down and kissed her daughter on the cheek, caressing her tiny forehead before she stood and faced Owen. “She’s yours. Lauren is your daughter. I’ve known this was a possibility from the beginning, and now a DNA test has ruled out Gary as the father.”
Owen’s head swam as his eyes shot to the baby. “What? Are you sure?”
“Yes. And look at her. She looks just like you.” A tear rolled down Virginia’s cheek, but she quickly swiped it away. “Do you want to hold her?”
Owen nodded, although the realization that he had a daughter
was still sinking in.
Virginia unbuckled the protective strap holding Lauren in, then she gently scooped up the baby. “You have to support her head.” She placed the baby in his arms.
“She’s so tiny. How old is she?” Owen trembled as he gazed down at this little miracle.
“Three weeks today.” Virginia dabbed at another tear, and Owen began to speculate. Does she want to get back together and be a family? That was impossible, of course. He was in love with Brooke. But there was still a lot to think about. Thoughts of visitations, child support, and other decisions that would have to be made flashed through his head, along with the realization that he’d never seen such a beautiful child. He wished she would wake up.
“What color are her eyes?”
“Blue. But sometimes that changes when they get a little older.”
Virginia sat down on the couch, but Owen couldn’t move. He felt he could stare at his daughter forever.
“So what does Gary think about this?” Owen finally allowed his eyes to drift back and forth between Lauren and Virginia.
Frowning, she twisted the strap of her purse, which she’d pulled into her lap. “He isn’t thrilled.”
“Did he know there was a possibility she might be mine?” Owen recalled only a handful of times that he and Virginia hadn’t used birth control.
Virginia sighed. “Yes. But this obviously was not the outcome we were hoping for.”
I’m sure it wasn’t. And this doesn’t change anything between you and me.
Virginia sat taller and folded her hands in her lap. “Tell me about your girlfriend.”
“Why?” He finally made his way to the couch and sat down carefully, preparing himself in case Virginia suggested they reunite.
She twisted to face him and shrugged. “Just wondering. You told me she has two children. What does she do for a living?”
“Her family owns the hardware store here in town.” Owen smiled when Lauren opened her round blue eyes. “She’s awake. Wow.” Owen stared down at Lauren, fixated on this tiny person who was a part of him.
“She won’t break, Owen.” Virginia reached over and moved Lauren’s head more into the nook of Owen’s arm. “Just support her head.”
Owen watched his daughter for a few more moments, then looked up at Virginia. “So what’s the plan? I’m assuming you’ve come here to discuss visitation and child support.”
She hung her head for a moment, then looked back at him as tears trailed down her cheeks. “No, that’s not exactly what I want to talk about.”
Owen couldn’t remember seeing Virginia ever cry this hard. “What then?”
“Gary doesn’t want to raise another man’s child.” She pulled a tissue from her purse and dabbed at her eyes, sniffling.
I knew it. “Virginia, I want to be a part of Lauren’s life, but I think I should tell you . . . I’m in love with Brooke. There is no chance of us reuniting.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not what I want either. I love Gary. I want to be with him.” She paused, her eyes glassy as she stared straight off into space. “I want you to raise her.”
Owen’s mouth fell to the floor. “What?”
Virginia leaned forward. “You know I never wanted children. And Gary is going to leave me if I choose to raise Lauren.”
Owen’s blood started to boil. “Let me get this straight, Virginia. You would choose Gary over your own child?” He looked down at Lauren, whose eyes were now wide open and focused on him. “And then you would be the one to get her every other weekend and such? Is that what you’re proposing?” Owen actually loved the idea, but he couldn’t fathom how a mother could choose such a thing.
Virginia shook her head. “No, Owen. I want to sign over all my rights to Lauren.” She looked away. “I love Lauren, but I don’t want to lose Gary. And I really think you’d be a better parent.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a wad of papers. “I’ve already had the papers drawn up if you’re agreeable.”
Owen couldn’t speak.
“Stop looking at me like I’m a monster.” She slammed her palms against her knees.
He paused, shaking his head. “There is no way you’ve thought this through. Surely you want to be in Lauren’s life in some way.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Gary won’t allow that, or what?”
Virginia scowled. “Do you want to raise her or not?”
“I don’t know how I was ever married to you.” He gazed down at the precious bundle in his arms, then looked back up at her. “But, yes, I want to do it.”
Virginia sighed. “I’m not as heartless as you think. That’s why I was asking about your girlfriend and if it was serious. I’d like to know that Lauren will have a good mother.”
“You’re her mother.” Owen shook his head. “Brooke is a great mother, but we haven’t talked about marriage. I’ve only been seeing her for a few months.”
Virginia pushed the papers toward him. “I’m sure you’ll want to have an attorney look at these, then just sign and mail them to me.”
Owen couldn’t breathe. “You can’t leave her with me now. That’s not what you’re doing, is it?” His heart started racing. “I don’t have any baby stuff. I don’t know how to take care of her.”
Virginia reached into her purse again as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Here is a complete list of everything you’ll need. And there are enough diapers, formula, clothes, and necessities in the diaper bag to get you through a couple of days at least.”
“Well, you thought of everything, didn’t you?” He paused. “What if I’d said no?”
“I knew you wouldn’t. I know you, Owen.” She stood and walked over to him, holding out her arms for the baby. Reluctantly, he handed her over. She cradled Lauren on her shoulder and wept.
Owen swallowed the lump in his throat. “Virginia, don’t do this. Don’t give up your daughter for a man.”
She handed Lauren back to Owen, her carefully made-up face streaked with tears. “I have to go.” She hurried toward the front door.
“Virginia! Wait!”
She stopped when she got to the door, looked at Lauren, then at Owen. “Take good care of her.”
“I don’t know how to take care of a baby! I don’t know anything about babies!” He was already worried about dropping Lauren as it was.
Virginia stared at him long and hard, her tears subsiding. “Sign the papers, Owen.”
Owen stood in the doorway and watched her drive away until she was out of sight. His heart was racing, and the realization that he now had a daughter hadn’t even set in when Lauren opened her tiny mouth and began to wail.
He walked carefully back to the couch. Don’t drop her. Just don’t drop her.
He found a bottle in the bag and worked it into her mouth. She latched on hungrily—good! Then he reached for his cell phone and dialed Brooke’s number. She answered on the first ring.
“I was just getting ready to call you. An ambulance is here to take my dad to the medical center in Houston. He lost consciousness earlier, and his fever is 104. Juliet has the kids, and me and Mom will follow behind.”
“Brooke, I’m so sorry. What can I do?” He looked down at Lauren, knowing his news would have to wait.
“Just pray. I’m not ready for him to go yet, and my mother is a wreck.” She paused, and Owen could hear voices in the background. “I have to go, but I’ll call you later. Mom and I packed a bag. We might be there a couple of days, maybe get a hotel room nearby. But everything’s taken care of. Juliet loves to keep the kids, and Big Daddy will make sure everything is okay at the store.”
“I’ll definitely pray.”
After they hung up, Owen watched Lauren drink the rest of the bottle. “Hungry, weren’t you?” He paused, shaking his head. Unbelievable. “You are so beautiful.”
Then she opened her mouth and threw up everywhere.
As Owen cleaned her up as best he could, Denny called and said they were about thirty min
utes from home with both doors in a small U-Haul they’d rented. Hunter was following behind in Owen’s car.
“Thank goodness you’re almost here. We have company.”
Twenty-Eight
Hunter, Denny, and Owen all sat in a circle around the little baby. Owen had put her on a thick blanket on the living room floor.
“She’s just givin’ away her kid?” Hunter couldn’t believe Owen’s ex-wife had gone and done something like this. But then, maybe he would have been better off if his parents had given him away to someone nice like Owen.
Denny’s left eye twitched as he leaned forward, a crooked smile on his face. “Well, well, I’m a great-uncle.” He smiled more broadly. “Fabulous news!”
“Your ex-wife must be an awful person.” Hunter shook his head as he watched Lauren sleeping.
“Well, she’s definitely not the maternal type,” Owen muttered. He reached over and touched his daughter on the arm. “She was really hungry earlier. She drank the entire bottle but then threw up. Kinda worries me.”
“You did burp her, didn’t you?” Denny tucked a strand of gray hair behind his ear. “Babies gotta be burped.”
“You didn’t have any children. How do you know that?”
“Don’t you even watch television? Haven’t you ever seen someone burp a baby on TV?”
“I think you better call Brooke.” Hunter gazed at the cute little baby. “We ain’t got no idea what to do with her.”
Owen explained that Brooke and her mother were in Houston because Brooke’s father had taken a bad turn. Hunter thought about how Brooke had been real good to him when Grandma died. He hoped she’d be okay.
“Anyway, now’s obviously not the time to tell her.” The baby opened her eyes, and Owen picked her up. Hunter was tempted to reach over and help him. He looked like he was holding something that would break real easily as he finally got the baby settled in his arms. “After all, this is big. She’s going to be . . . surprised.”