“And he is. Michelle, can you tell me where and when you had your baby? Were you in a hospital?”
She nodded. “Yes, in Dover, on November nineteenth.”
Across the state line in New Hampshire. Which was why nothing had turned up when they checked Maine hospitals.
“And everything went all right?”
She nodded again. “I was discharged the next morning. A friend came to pick me up and take me … home.”
“No complications since?”
The pale pallor of her skin made way for a slight blush. “Um, I bled a lot.”
“Are you still bleeding?”
She shook her head. “Not for the past couple of days.”
That was a relief, then. She really did need a thorough exam, but Charlie wanted to keep her talking as much as she could. “Michelle? Do you want to tell me why you left your baby here in Jewell Cove?”
Charlie could see Michelle swallow. The girl wouldn’t meet her eyes again and Charlie could understand why. Michelle was fighting a battle within herself … wanting to know about the welfare of her child while at the same time probably feeling ashamed and embarrassed and scared.
“It’s okay. I’m not here to judge you.”
Another pause, and then Michelle spoke. “I couldn’t look after him. When I got pregnant, my parents kicked me out. I was working at the mall and living on my own, but I could barely make the rent. I didn’t qualify for any maternity leave and I couldn’t go back to work because I couldn’t afford day care. All he did was cry. All I did was cry. I couldn’t think of what else to do. A friend of mine lent me her car and I just … drove. When I was in Portland, I heard some people in the store talking about driving up to Jewell Cove for the weekend, that there was some big tree lighting event every year. I thought it would be pretty. I didn’t even think about what I was going to do until I drove by the church and saw the manger there, all lit up.”
Her tears had stopped and she finally met Charlie’s gaze again. “I was stupid. I know that now. I’m not equipped to be a mom, Dr. Yang. And Jewell Cove … it’s nice here. It seemed like a place where a kid could be happy, you know?” Her voice caught. “I thought it was just better if I … disappeared.”
“But it wasn’t better, was it?”
She shook her head. “I wanted him to have a better life than I could give him. I let him down. So I parked behind the church. And then you guys came along and I knew he’d be okay.”
Michelle broke down again, and Charlie let her cry it out. She snagged the stool again and sat down, staying close to the overwrought girl. “Are you feeling a little better now? What do you say we give you that exam?”
Michelle screwed up her face and Charlie laughed a little, trying to lighten the mood. “I know. Not your favorite thing in the world. But making sure you’re healthy is number one right now, okay?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Charlie went to the cupboard and took a gown out of the drawer, a real cotton one rather than the paper they normally used. She would treat this girl with kid gloves. It was a sensitive situation that was going to get worse before it got better. “I’ll leave you for a minute to change.”
“Dr. Yang?”
Charlie had her hand on the doorknob, and turned back.
“What’s going to happen to me now?”
Charlie smiled reassuringly. “Let’s get this exam over with first. Then we’ll worry about the rest, okay?”
She slid out of the room and shut the door behind her, then rested her head against the wall for a moment.
“Charlie?”
Josh’s worried voice came from his office across the hall. She opened her eyes and let out a sigh.
“Make sure she doesn’t leave, okay?” Charlie poked her head into his office. “Daniel’s mom is in there.”
“Holy shit.”
“I know. She’s scared to death. I’m going to give her an exam.”
“Do you want me to call Bryce?”
She thought for a moment. If Michelle had left the baby at a hospital, or a police station, it would have been better for her. But she hadn’t. She’d abandoned the baby in a churchyard.
“I’ve got her talking. Give me some time. I may be able to get her to come around to turning herself in. It would be the right thing to do. She needs help. She’s just a kid, Josh.”
Josh nodded. “You’ve got a good heart, Charlie. I’ll hang around a bit, though, in case you need me to make that call.”
“Thanks.”
She took a moment to go to the reception desk and quietly asked Robin to cancel the rest of her afternoon appointments. The whole time she fought against the sinking feeling that she might lose Daniel. What had initially been a situation lasting a few days had been weeks and she couldn’t imagine the cottage without him. But he wasn’t hers, and she had to remember that. Steeling her spine, she gathered what she needed and re-entered the exam room, pasting on a new smile.
While the exam was uncomfortable, Charlie was reassured that Michelle was doing fine. Rather than give her a requisition for blood work that would never get done, Charlie did it right then and there. She expected they’d find some slight anemia, and figured what Michelle really needed was a few good meals, some rest, and counseling sessions. Michelle had gotten dressed again and Charlie pulled a chair over next to the girl’s.
“So. What do you want to do now?”
“I don’t know. I could go back to Dover…”
Charlie was relieved that going home didn’t seem too appealing. “What do you really want?” she prodded gently.
“I want to see him.” Michelle looked up at her and she seemed so young, too young, to be dealing with something this huge.
“In order to see him, you’re going to have to tell people who you are. And even then, I can’t promise it’ll happen.”
“Can’t you just … I don’t know, help me see him somehow? I promise I won’t even say who I am. I just want to see him.”
Charlie closed her eyes and prayed for the right words. “I can’t do that, Michelle. I can’t lie for you. I can help you, absolutely, but not by lying.” She thanked God that today Meggie had offered to look after Daniel at the cottage. How awkward it would be if he were here, like he normally was, and started crying.
She saw Michelle’s hands start to shake. “You mean I have to turn myself into the police?”
“Yes.” Charlie nodded. “But I’ll help you with that. And the officers here are very nice. You don’t have to be afraid of them.”
“But what if they put me in jail?” Michelle’s eyes were wild now. “I made a mistake. I don’t want to go to jail. I just want to see my baby. Be sure he’s okay. I never meant for any of this to happen!”
Charlie reached out and rubbed Michelle’s knee, hoping it was calming and reassuring. “I know.” She’d seen people with no remorse before, with no conscience. This wasn’t like that. Michelle was as much in need of a social worker as her baby. Her records said she was only nineteen. Barely out of high school and alone and pregnant with no support. Desperation could drive people to do strange things. “I promise I’ll help you. And I know for sure that coming forward will make things easier on you. You need to do this, Michelle. For yourself and for your son.”
Michelle nodded a little, and a few tears trembled on her lashes. “I’m just scared.”
“I know. But you don’t have to do this alone now. We can help you get some support, okay?”
“Dr. Yang?”
“Yes?”
“You’re a very kind person.”
Charlie’s heart softened even further. She was nearly tempted to explain that she knew he was doing well because she was looking after the baby, but that might cause more trouble than solutions, so she held her tongue. The situation was complicated enough as it was.
Michelle took a deep breath and let it out, almost as if fortifying herself for what was to come. “Do you think I could talk to them here instead of having
to walk into the police station? I’d feel like such a … a criminal.” Her cheeks flushed.
“You’re welcome to use the room here, no problem,” Charlie replied, hugely relieved.
Michelle nodded.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a bit, once I make a few calls. You’ll wait here?”
She nodded again. “I promise.”
Charlie left and went straight to her office to make the necessary calls, and then grabbed a juice box and a couple of granola bars from the kitchen. Michelle looked like she could use something to eat, and while it wasn’t much, it might put some color back in her cheeks. She delivered the snack and gave Josh an update, then met with Todd Smith and a female officer who had come along on the call and filled them in on what she knew. By that time the social worker had arrived and it was time to get the ball rolling.
Charlie entered the exam room once more. “Michelle, this is Marissa Longfellow. She’s the case worker.”
“Hi, Michelle. It’s very good to meet you.”
“I don’t want to go to jail,” Michelle stated quickly. “I just wanted to know he was okay, you know?”
“He’s perfectly fine, so you don’t have to worry about that. Right now I’m here to help you. Together we’re going to sort everything out, okay?”
Charlie put her hand on Michelle’s shoulder. “The two of you can use the room for as long as you want. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
She left, took a precious few minutes to pour herself a cup of coffee, and then retreated to her office to make sense of the afternoon’s events.
* * *
In some ways, Dave wished he could have stayed in Kennebunkport longer. He’d taken three days off work and stayed in a room at Janice and Brian’s small inn. It had been awkward at times, but the truly odd thing was that Dave liked Brian. He was good for Janice, and he was also a great dad to Dave’s daughter. Dave wanted Nora to be raised in a happy home. That was the most important thing, and thankfully everyone was willing to work together. Nora’s next visit would be to Jewell Cove, for New Year’s, and Dave couldn’t wait. He wiped his hands on a rag, trying to rub off the grease on his knuckles. He didn’t have much time coming to him, but he’d ask George for a few extra days, particularly as they’d talked about him staying on indefinitely. It was time to stop running and make a home.
And so while that part of his life was great, his romantic life had ground to a complete halt. He’d ruined things between him and Charlie, probably for good. She’d walked out and never called, not once. Not a text message, not a peep. He’d known from the beginning she was a strong woman. Stubborn. It was part of what he loved about her.
He was just punching out for the day when Josh pulled into the parking lot next to the boatyard. Which perhaps wasn’t that noteworthy except Josh hopped out of his truck and made straight for George’s small office. Dave’s stomach twisted. He hoped nothing had happened to Charlie …
He pulled on his gloves and greeted Josh cordially, if not cautiously. “Hey, Josh. What’re you doing here?”
“Probably pissing my partner off. She didn’t call you, did she?”
“No.” The nagging feeling of dread persisted. “Is she okay?”
“If you mean is she physically okay, I’d have to say yes, although I think she’s still beat from her go-round with the flu.”
She’d had the flu?
“It’s not that,” Josh continued. “It’s Daniel. His mother showed up at the clinic today. First of all, since you found him, I thought you might want to know before it gets all around town. And secondly, Charlie’s had a hell of an afternoon. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but she’s been moping around for the last week and a half. She’s tired and it’s been a rough few hours. She could use a friend today.”
“I doubt she wants to see me.” If she’d wanted moral support, she would have called. Wouldn’t she?
“Well, do what you will with the information. I just wanted to let you know.”
Clearly Josh didn’t have a very high opinion of him, because he made an about-face and headed right back to his truck again.
Dave frowned. In addition to finding his way in his new, active role as parent, he’d spent a lot of time thinking about Charlie. Mostly about how he’d hurt her. Mostly about what she’d said to him after they’d made love.
She’d been right. Being with her had scared him and he’d resorted to his fallback position: getting out of the way.
Maybe it was too late for them, but Josh had come to him for a reason. Charlie needed him—or perhaps just needed someone. He knew she felt very alone in Jewell Cove. He realized she spent most of her life looking after other people, but who looked after Charlie? No one. Not a damned soul. From what he gathered, she’d been looking out for herself for a long time now. Maybe it was time that changed.
Maybe it was time for him to be honest with himself about his feelings. And honest with her.
Chapter Thirteen
Dave gripped the paper bag in one hand and wiped the other on his jeans.
Two police cars were still outside the clinic, along with an older-model sedan and another newer, flashier car. Maybe this was a bad idea. He kept thinking that but then he also kept thinking about what Josh said.
So he opened the clinic door and stepped inside.
Robin was still working at the desk and looked up. “Hi, Dave. Sorry, our walk-in’s closed for today.”
“Josh found me,” he said in a low voice. “I came to see Charlie.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks colored a bit. “Let me just check with her.”
He waited, his toe tapping nervously, until Robin came back. “Come on in,” she invited. When she started to lead him down the hall, he stopped her. “It’s okay. I know which one is her office.”
“Right. Okay.” Robin looked a little flustered and Dave figured she wasn’t used to this much excitement at the office. At the end of the hall he gave Charlie’s door a tap and poked his head inside.
“Hey,” he said softly.
She looked up and his heart slammed against his ribs. She looked terrible and wonderful all at the same time. A few strands of hair were coming out of her bun, her eyes looked tired, her shoulders were slumped. In short, she looked done in. But she was still his beautiful Charlie.
His. From the moment he’d first held her in his arms, he’d thought of her as his. He wasn’t sure why he’d fought it so hard. Now wasn’t the time for that conversation, though. They could get into that later.
“You heard,” she said wearily, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her temples.
“I heard. Are you okay?”
“Me?” Her brows lifted in surprise. “Of course I’m okay. But the girl in the next room is having a hell of a day.” She tried a weak smile. “You might as well come in.”
He stepped inside and lifted the bag of food. “I guessed you hadn’t eaten yet, so I brought you dinner.”
“Dave…”
“Don’t.” He lifted a hand. “Charlie, you’ve had a crazy day and you’re exhausted. It’s as simple as that.”
She nodded, smiled wearily, then waggled her fingers. “Get it out then. I’m starving and that smells like Gus’s handiwork.”
It was. This close to Christmas Gus specialized in two things: oyster stew and roast turkey. Dave had opted for the turkey, thinking it would be better warmed up if she couldn’t eat it now.
He presented two takeout containers, plastic forks and knives, napkins, salt and pepper packets, and a separate container with gravy. “Merry early Christmas,” he murmured, handing her the gravy.
“To you too,” she said quietly. She met his gaze. “Thank you for this, Dave. Really. It was very considerate.”
“Can you tell me what happened? I mean, are you allowed?”
Charlie sprinkled pepper on her vegetables. “She wanted to make sure the baby was okay. I convinced her to turn herself in. She’s just a young girl, Dave. Mixed up and a
fraid, who made a bad choice. She’s not a bad kid.” She paused, with her fork hovering over her potatoes. “I guess I still want to believe there’s a happy ending in it for her.”
Dave looked at her, felt a wave of love wash over him. God, she had such a generous and forgiving heart. He loved that about her. Hoped that her forgiveness extended to him too, because he really wanted to start over with her. Make things right.
Charlie looked up, met his gaze. “I want to help her, Dave. Whatever shape she wants her life to take, I’d like to help her get pointed in the right direction. We were right. She chose the manger because she wanted him to be found, and she stayed nearby until she saw us take him. She didn’t just dump him without a thought. That’s got to count for something.”
“Phew.” Dave shook his head. “It’s still crazy to think about that night, isn’t it? I wonder why she didn’t just leave him at a hospital, or police station.”
“I don’t know. I suppose she might have been worried about being seen. I got the impression it wasn’t really thought out.” She cut into her turkey and took a bite. “Anyway,” she finished, waving her fork in the air, “one good thing about it. The mystery of baby Daniel’s mom is solved.”
They ate in silence for a few moments until Dave couldn’t take it anymore.
“What does this mean for Daniel?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m reminding myself to be realistic. He was never mine to begin with. I always knew I’d have to give him up eventually. With the break in the investigation, I suppose things will move forward a little faster.” Her lips quivered for a second. “At least we’ll have Christmas. I doubt anything will happen before then.”
She was hurting, and trying to cover. “You’ve been sick, Josh said.”
“I didn’t realize you and Josh were buddy buddy.”
“We’re not. He’s worried about you. Seeing you today, so am I.”
“I’m just tired. I had that nasty bug going around and so did everyone else in Jewell Cove, I think. We were putting in some long days. I’ll be fine.”
“I think, Charlene Yang, you tell everyone you’re fine whether you are or not.”
It Must Be Christmas Page 21