“Let’s go with that one.” He pointed to his choice. “And order that Sports Pack game set to go with it, please.”
She picked up the credit card and began clicking away. “I’ll just have everything shipped to you here at the hospital. I bet if I buy some paper and bring it in here, you’ll be able to find somebody to help you wrap presents.” She turned and grinned at him. “If you can’t, call me. I like to wrap gifts almost as much as I like to open them. I should warn you, though, everybody always knows which ones are from me because they say I use too much tape.”
He chuckled and shook his head. Brody probably had to lock her presents up until Christmas, or she’d find every one and figure out what it was.
“All finished,” she told him. “Now who?”
Mason had an idea. “It might be nice to get gifts for Spence’s family. Could you find a toy for a seven-month-old girl?”
“I think getting Spencer’s baby sister something is a fantastic idea.” She soon showed him a web page with pictures of items that looked foreign to Mason. He didn’t know anything about toys for babies. In fact, he didn’t know anything about babies at all.
After examining pictures of several different toys and gadgets the website specified were appropriate for children six to twelve months old, something finally caught Mason’s eye.
“Let’s order the contraption that shines the stars on the walls and ceiling while it plays music.” He looked questioningly at her. “I’d think that would calm any baby down, wouldn’t it? Even one who’s getting a new tooth.” Spencer had mentioned his mom having to sit up with Zoey because her gums hurt.
“I don’t know anything about babies,” she admitted, “but it sounds logical to me.” Abby began working her magic again.
“Okay.” She looked at him. “What do you want to get Claire?”
He thought for a moment. The only jewelry he had ever seen her wear was a wristwatch. “A necklace.”
“A good one or a knock-off?” she asked.
He didn’t hesitate. “A good one.”
“I know just the site,” she assured him. Within a few seconds she was scrolling down the screen, showing him a wide variety of fine quality jewelry.
Then he saw what he wanted. “That one.” He pointed to it. “Order that one.”
Abby’s brows disappeared under her curls. “Wow.” She started to type. “I think I’d like to be your little brother’s mom.”
After she had finished ordering the necklace, she looked at him. “Do you have any family you need to buy something for?”
“No,” he said much harsher than he intended. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.”
“That’s okay.” She accepted his apology cheerfully. “Anybody would be grouchy if they were stuck in the hospital over the holidays. Who else do you want to shop for?”
An hour later they had ordered gifts for all the Slammers and their wives. He even found a baseball mitt for Bo and Jan’s son, Seth—he played first base for the Ransom school baseball team—and something called a cuddle blanket for their baby girl, Lucy. After conferring for a few minutes, Abby helped him choose a hand-held video game for Matt and Lisa Newman’s five-year-old son, Henry. The description said it was for ages five to seven, so he hoped it would be okay.
Abby suddenly poked his nose. “So, what are you getting me?”
“Will you set that tablet on my cast?” He waited until she propped it on his broken arm. Then he used his good hand to slowly type in the search engine until he found what he was looking for.
He ordered her a personalized megaphone. He painstakingly used his index finger to type all the necessary information. It was going to have, Back off, sister—Brody Gaines is mine! printed on it. He’d tell her she could use it at the games and give those poor announcers a break.
After clearing the screen, he handed the tablet back to her.
“Thank you, Abby.” Mason couldn’t believe how much his mood had improved. “This was one of the nicest things anybody has done for me since I’ve been in the hospital.”
“Anytime I can shop with somebody else’s money is a good time.”
A knock sounded on the open door. Mason looked over and saw Claire standing there.
“Are Spence and Zoey okay?” He couldn’t imagine why else she’d be there.
“Yes.” She was embarrassed. “I don’t want to bother you while you have company. I’ll come back another time.”
Abby stood up and slipped her coat on. “I’m going home anyway. Mason has worn me out, shopping so hard.” She winked at him.
“Thank you again, Abby,” Mason told her sincerely.
Abby kissed his cheek. “Take care,” she murmured. “Nice to see you.” She greeted Claire as they passed.
Mason looked at Claire as she walked in. For the first time since he met her, she looked out of sorts. Her blue eyes that always sparkled, even if only in anger, were clouded, and there were dark circles around them. Her usually silken, impeccably hanging hair looked as if she had just gotten out of bed and not taken the time to brush it. And her usual healthy glow was replaced by paleness. This woman did not look at all like the Claire Hadley he was used to dealing with.
“Have a seat.” He wanted her to sit down, as much to put them on the same physical level, as to get her off her feet.
Claire didn’t know where to begin. “I took off work today.”
“Why?” He frowned. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with either one of the kids?”
“They’re both fine,” she reassured him. “I want to keep it that way. That’s the problem.”
Before she could say anything else, Mason had to tell her what he decided. “I realized how much it would hurt Spencer to find out I’m Zoey’s father. She’s been fine without me as part of her life up to now, so she will still be. I would like to help financially if you let me, but you don’t have to worry about me trying to get any visitation rights with m …your daughter.” He drew a ragged breath. “You can believe me.”
She started to cry. “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching, and it’s just not fair.” She looked at him through her tears. “I never had a chance to give Spencer his father, but I do Zoey. She shouldn’t have to grow up like Spence has had to, not knowing who her father is or thinking he doesn’t want her…that you don’t want her.”
Mason was confused. “I don’t understand. What are you saying?”
“I was wrong. I want Zoey to know her father…you. But I figured out the same thing you have. Spencer will never understand.”
He was filled with hope at her words, and it gave him an idea.
“I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but it’s the only thing I can think of.” He waited until her tears stopped. “One of my friends got married so he could keep his son. What if you married me, and I adopted both kids?”
Claire was flabbergasted. “What kind of pain medication do they have you on?” She shook her head. “How can you ask me to do that?”
Of course, he shouldn’t have. He had forgotten himself for a minute. “I’m sorry.” Mason couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “I understand why you wouldn’t even consider it. After all, I’m Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Wright. I don’t know how to truly love anybody, and I sure don’t deserve to ever be loved.” His eyes met hers. “You should just leave. I’ll still do my best for Spencer. You’ll meet somebody a lot more suitable to take care of you and Zoey.”
“I’ll find a way for you to see Z—”
“If you’re not gonna straddle me and show me some fun, there’s the door. That’s all I’m ever after anyway. Remember?” He used his good arm to awkwardly turn his chair away from her.
He had waited a little too long. Claire saw past the anger to the pain he truly felt. She stood up and silently walked out of the room.
What a fool he was for ever daring to think of Claire marrying him, let alone suggest it! He was exactly what he was born to be—worthless. His life
had been one giant joke. For the first time in his adult life, Mason wondered if maybe his parents were right all along.
“Tacos are on the table,” Claire called to Spencer, who was in his bedroom.
She knew, as soon as she saw the look on his face, something was bothering him.
Where’s Zoey?” he asked as he sat at the table.
“I already fed her and put her to bed.” She searched his eyes. “Is something wrong?”
He wouldn’t meet her gaze for a moment, but suddenly she found herself looking at a young man’s determined face.
“I want to know who my dad is. I’m fifteen years old. I know about sex and babies, Mom. I don’t care what happened, or that my dad was a jerk who didn’t care about you or me. I just want to know who he is.”
Claire looked at her son for a minute. He was growing up so fast. He wasn’t a child anymore, but he wasn’t a man yet, either. And here he was, practically begging to know about the man who fathered him. She made her decision.
“His name was Tim Sheffield. What do you want to know about him?” Spence was right; he deserved to know about his father.
Her son looked at her with disbelief in his eyes, like he hadn’t expected her to tell him anything. “Tim Sheffield?” She nodded. “Do I look like him at all?”
“You’re built like him. He was big and strong for his age like you are.” She searched her memory, trying to find images she buried years ago, and then she found one. “The way you walk and stand reminds me of him.”
“Why?” Spencer asked. “Why didn’t he want to be my dad?”
Claire searched for the right words. “Tim didn’t love me. He didn’t even really know me. I was young and naïve, and I thought if we…were together…he would care about me. But he didn’t. Because he didn’t care about me, he didn’t care about my baby. He didn’t want anything to do with any part of me, and you were a part of me. Do you understand?” She prayed he did.
Spencer had tears in his eyes. “I was almost a boy like that. If Mason hadn’t taught me it was wrong, I would have had sex with any girl who would let me and,” he looked embarrassed, “there are lots of girls who would let me.”
“The important thing is you’re not the same kind of boy your father was. You learned better before you hurt a girl the way he did me.”
“Only ‘cause Mason taught me.”
Even though she knew Mason had been teaching Spence to be one way while Mason was living just the opposite lifestyle, at least the man managed to teach her son to do the right thing.
“You really love Mason, don’t you?” she softly asked.
“I can’t help it, Mom. I wish Mason was my dad.” He looked at her, unshed tears still in his eyes. “Seth is so lucky. He loved Bo, and Bo loved him, and now Bo’s his dad. I’m not a kid, and I know I can’t just make Mason my dad by wishing he was, but I still do anyway.”
“I understand.” And she finally did. “I love you more than you’ll ever know, and I’m prouder of you than I can say.”
“I love you, too,” he told her. “Thank you for telling me about my father. I’m sorry the guy was a jerk and hurt you so bad.”
“Hey.” She waited until he was looking at her face. “I got you out of the deal, didn’t I? I don’t call that bad.”
She stood up and gave him a quick hug and a kiss. Before she could start crying, she spoke. “We’d better eat our tacos before the hamburger gets colder than the vegetables.”
She had some thinking to do.
“He’s coming around. Mason, can you hear me?”
Mason didn’t know where he was, or who was talking to him. He just wanted to sleep.
Somebody gently slapped his face. “Mason, you need to wake up now. Open your eyes.” The voice was firmer.
Mason tried, and finally managed to open them.
Two nurses and a doctor he didn’t recognize stood there. The doctor must have been the one talking to him.
He could barely speak. “What’s going on?”
The doctor shone a penlight in his eyes and probed Mason’s scalp. “Ouch!” He had found a sore place on Mason’s head.
“You’re a lucky man, Mr. Wright,” the doctor informed him. “Your legs somehow stayed supported, and you landed on your back, so I’m fairly certain you didn’t reinjure your breaks. You hit your head pretty hard, but it looks like you’ll just have a goose egg to show for it.”
Mason looked at Emily. What was the doctor talking about? Was he having some weird sort of dream? And shouldn’t he be in his wheelchair? How had he gotten into his bed?
The doctor conferred with Emily, and then he and the two nurses left.
“What happened?” he was finally able to ask her.
Emily was visibly shaken. “I stopped in to see you on my way home and found you mostly on the floor out cold. From what we could tell, you tried to stand up from your chair and somehow twisted around so you fell to the side. You’re just so lucky you fell onto your right arm, and not your left. And your legs stayed pretty much where they were.”
“My head?” He winced as he gently touched the swollen area on his scalp.
“You hit it on the table on your way down.” She still looked upset. “At least you didn’t end up with a concussion on top of everything else.”
Mason tried to remember. He had been sitting in his chair watching television. He was tired from sitting for so long and not sleeping well the past couple of nights, so he must have fallen asleep.
“I don’t remember trying to stand up. I fell asleep.”
She frowned at him.
Then he had an idea. “I used to sleepwalk when I was a kid. Could that have been what happened?”
She looked a little better. “That’s about the only thing that would make sense unless you were trying to hurt yourself and just denying it now.”
“I promise you I wasn’t.” There was no way he’d ever do that. “I want to get better and get out of this place. I’ve been doing everything the doctor tells me to, really, Emily.”
She looked at him for a few moments before sinking into a chair. “You’re going to give me a head full of gray hair. I’m going to look like a grandma before this baby gets here.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, and her cheeks reddened. As her fingers trailed down her chin, she produced a lopsided grin. “I’m not supposed to say anything. Logan wants to announce it on Christmas.”
“So you and Logan are having a baby?” He smiled in spite of his new headache.
She nodded. “In June. But you have to promise not to tell anybody. Logan will kill both of us.”
“I promise,” he assured her. “You’re going to be a great mom, Emily.”
“I hope so.” She glowed with happiness. “I know Logan will be the best dad in the world.” She froze. “I’m sorry, Mason. I wasn’t thinking.” She gently touched his hand. “Have you seen Zoey again?”
“No.” He still couldn’t believe how that had played out. “Claire decided I could be Zoey’s father, but then we both realized how it would affect Spencer if he found out the truth.”
“Oh.” Emily’s brow furrowed. “I hadn’t thought about that. What about his father?”
“I don’t know,” Mason admitted. “I don’t think Claire is much older than I am, so she could have only been fifteen or sixteen when Spence was born.”
“That’s too young to be a parent at all,” Emily stated. “Let alone a single one.”
“I know it.”
“Since you’re okay, I’d better go.” A beautiful smile graced her face. “Logan will be getting home, and I don’t have the slightest idea what to fix him for dinner. Maybe I’ll stop for some fattening take-home. I’m going to have a big belly soon, anyway.”
Mason laughed with her.
Before she left, she made sure he was secure in his bed, the rails up and locked. “In case you try to sleepwalk again.”
As she was walking out the door, Spencer walked in.
“My goodness, Spe
ncer Hadley,” she declared, “if you grow much more, you’ll be able to borrow clothes from Bo.”
Spencer grinned and blushed a little at the compliment. After exchanging a few words with each other, Emily left and Spencer walked on into the room.
He sat down beside the bed and rummaged through his backpack until he pulled out his math book. “I’ve got a pretty big assignment today, Mason. My teacher doesn’t care that Christmas is only a couple of weeks away.”
Mason thought Spencer seemed different—more self-confident somehow. “Besides the big math assignment, anything else going on?”
Spencer grinned. “My mom finally told me about my dad. He was a loser like I always figured, but now I know his name and the kind of person he was.”
A funny feeling came over Mason. “What kind of a person was he?”
“The kind I would be if you hadn’t been my big brother. The kind that uses girls and doesn’t care about their feelings—only about what he wants.” His grin widened. “I told Mom I wished you were my dad.”
Mason felt even guiltier, which he hadn’t thought possible. He was worse than the boy Spencer described. He was a grown man who treated women that way. And he had been such a hypocrite, telling Spencer how he should live while Mason was doing the exact opposite. No wonder Claire couldn’t stand him. He did the same thing to her Spencer’s father did, but it was much worse because he was an adult who knew better.
Spencer held up his paper. “Will you look at number four? I’m not sure I did it right.”
As Mason took the paper, one thought was on his mind. He wasn’t certain he had ever done anything right.
Claire looked at the selection of laptops. She was finally going to buy one for Spencer’s Christmas present. She’d left a happily cooing Zoey with Louise, and Judy was a few aisles over looking at software, trying to find some kind of program for Spencer’s new computer.
Judy walked around the corner, holding out a package. “Do you think he’d like this one?”
Believe Me (Hearts for Ransom Book 3) Page 11