I've Got You, Babe (Must Love Babies)

by Lynnette Austin

  “Brinna.”

  Daisy nodded.

  While she chattered away, Elisa drove into town. When she thought about her time here, tears pooled in her eyes. Misty Bottoms had proved to be a miracle. Tucker? A gift from heaven. He’d done so much for her and her daughter. More, though, he’d reminded her of what life was supposed to be and that she was a woman. A young woman.

  She’d all but lost herself and had forgotten what it was to be desirable. To desire. To dream.

  Now that part of her was awake, and she hadn’t a clue what to do about it. Especially after last night. Since sleep had remained elusive, she’d crawled into bed with her laptop. A little research proved that Hard-Ass Harry, the man who’d led Tucker’s friends to the slaughter, was the same man who’d fathered her.

  She couldn’t keep it from him. That kind of secret festered and grew if it wasn’t lanced. Every day that passed would make the telling harder and Tucker angrier when he found out.

  For the life of her, though, she couldn’t think of a way to do it. What could she say? “Hey, Tuck. The funniest thing. You know that jerk behind your friends’ deaths? He’s my dad.” Or maybe something a bit less in-your-face. “I don’t think I ever told you my maiden name, did I? It’s Eklund. Same as my father’s. Harold Eklund. Lt. Col. Harold Eklund.”

  She parked, and together she and her daughter headed inside.

  She’d worry about Tucker and her dad later.

  Brinna smiled when they walked through the door. “Boy, you look a lot better than the last time I saw you!”

  “I feel better, too. Daisy and I have appointments.”

  “Yes, you do. Doc has a patient with him, but he shouldn’t be long.” Brinna turned to Daisy. “Do you want some crayons and a coloring book, sweetie?”

  “Uh-huh.” She looked up at her mother and quickly added, “Please.”

  Elisa took a seat and Daisy knelt by the coffee table, ready to color.

  When Brinna returned, she dropped to the floor beside the little girl, tucking her crimson skirt beneath her. “I think you were coloring a princess last time.”

  Daisy nodded. “I—”

  “Well, if it isn’t Daisy Danvers.” Doc Hawkins stood in the hallway, a blue-haired older woman beside him.

  Daisy jumped up and scooted into her mother’s lap.

  “Brinna, would you make an appointment for Ethel in six months?” He turned to his patient. “Remember what I said about that ice cream. It’s fine to have some once in a while, but not every night.”

  “Spoilsport,” the woman complained. “Does he watch your diet like a hawk, Brinna?”

  “I don’t let him see my lunch.” The receptionist grinned.

  “You’re a smart one, but then, so’s your mama.”

  When she left, Doc Hawkins turned to Elisa. “Ethel Lawton taught everybody in town. Fourth grade. The woman forgets nothing. When I chewed her out today about the ice cream, she reminded me I used to eat paste.” He rolled his eyes. “So how are you feelin’?”

  He led her and Daisy back to one of the exam rooms.

  “I’m good.”

  “Keepin’ an eye on your diet?”

  “I am. So’s Tucker.”

  He chuckled. “He’s a good man.”

  “He is.” She licked dry lips. “It, ah, is possible we might be staying in town, so there’s something else I’d like to talk to you about.”

  “You’re movin’ in with Desdemona, from what I hear.”

  She stared at him. “How do you know that?”

  He laughed. “Small town and wagging tongues. Couple of the town gossips saw you and Desdemona together at Molly’s boutique. Somebody else said the two of you went into Desi’s building, and Andy Gibson caught you at Beck’s discussin’ paint colors.” He spread his hands, palms up. “And there you have it. Putting two and two together, I’m guessing she’s considering a new business and that you’re involved in it, since another of my patients heard Desi mention you moving in with her.”

  “Seriously?”

  “My informants have no qualms about eavesdropping.” When she opened her mouth to speak, he said, “Don’t hold it against them. They mean well.”

  “Hmm. No secrets,” she said.

  “Not many.”

  She thought of the one she hid from Tucker and the one she’d share with the doctor today. “I’d prefer what I tell you now remain private.”

  “Anything you tell me stays right here.”

  “Of course it does. Sorry.” She picked at a thread on her dress.

  “No need to be sorry. Something’s worrying you.”

  “No. Yes.” Her gaze shifted to her child who was playing with a model of an ear. “Do you think Brinna would keep an eye on Daisy for a few minutes? I know that’s asking a lot, but—”

  “Not at all. She loves kids.” He moved to the door. “Brinna, Daisy’s coming out to visit with you for a few minutes.”

  “All right!” Brinna rushed to the door and held out a hand. Daisy left with her, smiling and waving goodbye to her mother.

  Doc Hawkins closed the door. “Now. What’s bothering you? You still not feeling well?”

  “I’m good. Honest. It’s Daisy.” She explained her daughter’s heart problem and handed him a thumb drive. “Her medical records are on that. Right now, everything seems fine, but I’d feel better if someone monitored her.”

  “I agree. I’ll do a quick check today.” He went into the waiting room and chatted with Daisy. He made playtime out of his checkup, and Elisa loved him for it.

  Afterward, they moved back into the exam room. “The hole hasn’t closed.”

  “No.”

  “My guess is that it won’t at this point. But it might not ever give her any trouble, either. I’m kind of surprised they didn’t fix it as long as they were already in there. But that’s second-guessing, and I’m just a small-town general practitioner, not a heart specialist.” He rubbed his chin. “You know what to watch for, Ms. Danvers?”

  “Elisa, please, and yes, I do.”

  “Everybody calls me Doc. You headed over to Desdemona Rosebud’s?”

  “That’s our next stop.”

  “It’s Hamilton now, but it was Collins when I took her to the prom. Prettiest girl there.”

  “You took Desdemona to the prom?”

  “My lucky night. Phillip Durst, the team’s quarterback and the senior-class heartthrob, broke her heart earlier that week. I picked up a few of the pieces and let her save face.”

  A smile spread across his kind face. “Figure I’ll learn a little more about what you’re up to when I see her tonight. I called her just before Ethel came in. Seems Desdemona Rosebud and I are having dinner.”

  Elisa managed to restrain herself. No whoops, no air pumps, no I-knew-its. But oh yeah—the doc and the widow definitely had some spark between them.

  Speaking of the widow, it was time Elisa firmed up Desdemona’s offer. She’d be crazy not to. The job was perfect, and they could make the house work until she found something else for her and Daisy. Before she pulled away from the doctor’s, she took Desdemona’s card from her wallet and punched in the number.

  After the second ring, the phone was answered. “Desdemona Rosebud Hamilton. What can I do for you today?”

  “Well, I thought maybe you could give us the nickel tour of your home. Unless you’ve changed your mind about taking us on.”

  A hearty laugh rolled over the airwaves. “Honey, I’ve been thinkin’ about you and that child and hopin’ you’d give me a call. Where are you, and how soon can you be here?”

  * * *

  “Desdemona, it’s gorgeous.” Elisa’s head swiveled back and forth. “And that’s such an understatement, I’m ashamed of myself. But, honestly.” She turned a full circle, taking in the two-story brick wall
, the curved staircase, the crystal lamps and artwork. Some of the knickknacks had to be worth more than her annual library salary. Despite all that, the place felt like home. It was cozy—albeit a very upscale cozy. “You can’t possibly want a child here.”

  “Oh, darlin’, you have no idea how badly I want a little one’s laughter in this house. Not having one of my own is the biggest sorrow of my life. Share Daisy with me—for a little while, at least.” Desdemona, dressed in winter-white silk pants and a candy-apple-red tunic, raised a hand. “Let me show you around.”

  The dining table could seat at least a dozen without bumping elbows. And oh, the chandelier!

  “How did you ever leave this house, Desdemona?”

  “It was hard, but when you love someone, you want to be with him. I enjoyed my time away, but no matter where I went, home waited for me right here. It never judged me, simply accepted me back.”

  Elisa saw beneath the flamboyance to a very vulnerable woman…and liked her so much more for it. Here was a woman who had known great joy and, if she wasn’t mistaken, great sadness. But she hadn’t let the bad make her afraid to reach for the good.

  “I think we could be very, very good friends, Desdemona.”

  “I think we already are.”

  They hugged. Daisy, wanting in on the action, wrapped one arm around her mom’s neck and one around Desdemona’s. Elisa swore she saw tears in the other woman’s eyes.

  Desdemona cleared her throat and walked into the kitchen.

  “Oh, now this is seriously mind-blowing.”

  “It’s pretty, Mommy.”

  “Yeah.” Pretty didn’t begin to describe it. Straight out of Better Homes and Gardens or HGTV magazine, the room was functional, cozy, and phenomenal. “Do you use it?”

  Desdemona laughed. “Look at me. I’m a very happy plus-size, which I maintain through my love of food. Heck yeah, I use the kitchen. I love to cook.” She took inventory of Elisa. “And you need somebody to cook for you. Let me.”

  Elisa’s heart fluttered at the simple, honest request.

  “Let’s head upstairs. I’ll show you your suite.”

  Like a steamroller, Desdemona kept moving.

  When they passed a very masculine bedroom, Elisa’s brows rose.

  “Not everybody shares my love of glitter and glam,” Desdemona explained.

  Elisa smiled.

  “You’ll have two bedrooms, a small sitting area, and a bath. Hope you don’t mind, but I did a little fussing to kind of sweeten the pot in case you came by.”

  Elisa stepped into a room that smelled of sunshine and lemon oil. Fresh flowers in fall colors shared a vase with vibrant autumn leaves on a short white dresser. The mirror behind them doubled their impact.

  Daisy threw herself at the massive bed covered in a soft-pink duvet. A snowfall of toss pillows mounded near the headboard.

  “Up, Mommy.” She raised her arms and held them out to Elisa.

  “I’ll sit you on the edge, but you can’t climb on the bed. You have your shoes on.”

  “’Kay.” She sent a big smile toward Desdemona. “I like your house. Tut has a nice house, too, doesn’t he, Mommy?”

  “Yes, he does, baby.”

  Desdemona gave Elisa a look only another woman would understand, a look that said yep, as young as she was, even this little girl appreciated Tucker.

  This house, Elisa thought, with its crystal, brocade, and fripperies, was the polar opposite of Tucker’s clean lines and no-clutter house.

  Both fit their owners to a T.

  The small sitting area with its comfy white sofa and chairs would make the perfect curling-up spot at the end of a long day. But the best feature? A set of French doors that led to a small balcony and looked out over that to-die-for backyard. She imagined morning coffee there or an evening cup of tea as the sun set.

  Gratitude and happiness had her heart nearly bursting from her chest. Elisa wanted so badly to say yes.

  Still, she held back.

  “Mommy, you look funny. Does your tummy hurt?”

  Her tummy didn’t hurt, but oh, it was turning somersaults. “No, honey. My tummy’s okay. I’m just thinking.”

  Desdemona came up beside her as she stared out the window. “I’m asking a lot, aren’t I?”

  “No. You’re offering a lot.” Her voice broke. “Do you have any idea what this would mean to Daisy and me?”

  “I think I do, yes. I’ve been on my own, and I didn’t like it.” She nodded her head toward Daisy. “And that was without a child who depended on me.” Desdemona cleared her throat. “If you decide to move in, I expect you to treat it like your home. No walking on eggshells or worrying about making a mess. I expect that. I want that.”

  “Oh, Desdemona Rosebud Hamilton, be careful what you wish for.”

  Desdemona winked at her. “The bathroom’s in there. I’m afraid you’ll have to share.”

  “We always have.”

  Daisy ran on ahead of her. “A swimming pool, Mommy!” She jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

  “Not quite.” Desdemona ruffled her hair. “Almost as big, though, I guess, to someone your size.”

  Elisa had to agree. Desdemona didn’t do anything by half measures. The whirlpool tub could have fit an entire Brownie troop with room left over.

  They wandered into the smaller bedroom. Soft cotton curtains hung at the window and colorful throw rugs were strewn across gleaming hardwood floors. An upholstered chair and hassock sat in a corner. A single bed hugged the far wall.

  “Look, Mommy, look!”

  A dollhouse, a replica of the one they stood in, sat on a small table, the windows in its Victorian gables gleaming.

  “My father commissioned it for me one year at Christmas. It’s been hidden away in the attic, so I brought it down yesterday and gave it a good dusting.”

  When Daisy peeked inside it, Desdemona said, “You can touch, sweetheart. It’s meant to be enjoyed and played with.”

  Daisy picked up the crib from the bedroom. “Just like mine. When I was a baby,” she added quickly.

  “Right. You sleep in a big-girl bed now, don’t you?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “While she plays with that, come help me pick out a dress. I have a date tonight.”

  “So I heard.”

  “You saw Doc today?”

  Elisa nodded.

  Desdemona disappeared inside her closet. “Let me show you what I’m thinking.”

  * * *

  Doctor Hawkins wouldn’t know what hit him, Elisa thought. Desdemona had finally decided on black slacks and a black top that showed off her assets to perfection, an understated outfit for her until she added the killer heels and a purple-and-green sequined sweater.

  With a last wave, Elisa started down the sidewalk, Daisy in tow.

  “I’m hungry, Mommy.”

  “Me, too, sweetie. Let’s eat.”

  “Can we get some ice cream?”

  “No ice cream.”

  “I want ice cream.” The little girl’s lower lip slid out in a pout.

  “Well, then, we’ll go home and eat there.”

  “I’m sorry, Mommy. Picnic, please.”

  “That’s better.” She nodded, feeling totally overwhelmed. She’d driven into Misty Bottoms about as low as a person could get. Now she had options and opportunities, and it was pretty darned wonderful.

  Not everything was perfect, though. She thought about Tucker.

  The sins of the father…

  Chapter 16

  Cruising down Duffy Mill Road in the swankier section of town, Tucker downshifted and slowed to a crawl. Dressed in a pair of black leggings and a long-sleeved pink sweater, Elisa stood in front of a house that could easily serve as a boutique hotel. Daisy twirled her way along the path, the skirt of
her dress swirling as she circled again and again and again. Tucker felt dizzy watching her.

  He pulled up to the curb.

  Daisy spotted him first and let out a happy squeal. “Tut!”

  He got out of the car and sauntered up the walk.

  When she ran to him, he leaned in and tickled her belly. “Hey, baby girl, what are you and Mommy up to?”

  “A picnic!”

  “And you didn’t invite me?” He slid a sidelong glance at Elisa.

  “You can come,” Daisy said. “Huh, Mommy?”

  “Can I, Mommy?” Tucker grinned at Elisa. “You willing to put up with me as well as the rug rat here?”

  “I’m not a rug rat. I’m a girl.”

  “And a pretty one. So’s your mother.”

  He leveled a look at Elisa, and his grin slid away. “I owe you an apology. Several of them, actually.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “I do. I screwed up night before last, then dropped a lot of heavy sh—stuff on you last night. Stuff you didn’t need to hear. My guess is you didn’t get much sleep.”

  She didn’t blink, didn’t back off. “No, I didn’t. Still I’m glad you shared with me.” Elisa touched his arm. “It might not seem like it now, but I honestly think verbalizing something like what you went through is the first step to healing…or at least learning to live with a bad situation you can’t change.”

  He said nothing.

  “And Daisy and I would love to have you join us for lunch.”

  With a nod toward the blue cooler on the backseat of her car, he asked, “What are we having?”

  “Peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, Granny Smith apple slices, and milk,” Elisa rattled off.

  “Yum! All my favorite foods.”

  “Mine, too,” Daisy chirped. She wrapped her arms around his legs. “Mommy peeled my apples, though, ’cause I don’t like the stuff on the outside. I frowed up when I ate it, didn’t I, Mommy?”

  Elisa grimaced. “Yes, you certainly did.”

  “I don’t like to frow up. It hurts.”

  Tucker wrinkled his nose. “It does.”

  “Lug Nut made me frow up, too.”

  “Yeah, I remember that well.” Tucker’s attention moved from his abused rug back to Elisa. “Where are we having our picnic?”