Circumstantial Evidence

by Annette Broadrick

  She smiled. How could she have forgotten? Rafe stood there studying the tiny face that was the only thing showing from the pink bundle he held. His awed expression held her silent and she watched him as he examined the tiny nose, which looked more like a button than a human appendage, the delicate ears tucked neatly against a well-shaped head, and the wispy hair that clung in soft curls around a beautiful face. They were in the birthing room of a San Francisco hospital where, during the early hours of the previous night, their daughter had been born.

  Her mind drifted over the months that had passed, and her eyelids fluttered closed once more as she remembered them.

  She had never told Rafe the real reason for her leaving the law firm in Portland. Her explanation mentioned different philosophies, an inability to communicate, a mutual decision by everyone concerned. She had no idea he would be so upset until he explained his intention to relocate in Oregon. They had spent many long hours discussing their future together, and she was surprised at Rafe's insistence that she continue her career.

  She knew she could never walk away from that part of her life. Too many years had been dedicated to acquiring the skills she had. But her timetable no longer seemed important or necessary.

  Rafe took her with him to San Francisco, and she finally realized the wealth of the man she had married. His condominium sat on one of the famous hills overlooking the bay. Her entire house could easily have nestled in a corner of his apartment. They spent their time like tourists, or perhaps like tourists on a honeymoon.

  However, Ashley knew that Rafe was right. She could no more ignore the lawyer in her than she could the wife and mother.

  Her eyes fluttered open as she thought, And I managed to have the best of both worlds. A casual phone conversation with a friend from law school opened doors Ashley never knew existed.

  "Ashley!" Susan had exclaimed. "It's great to hear from you. How long will you be in town?"

  That question prompted myriad explanations about a new husband and a new residence.

  "You mean you quit your job in Portland?" Susan knew how important the position had been to Ashley. Because she trusted her friend, Ashley explained exactly what had happened and almost enjoyed the explosion of her reaction.

  "My God, Ashley, those people must be throw-backs to some prehistoric time. Have you checked any of their pulses lately? They must be fossilized by now."

  Ashley couldn't answer for a moment because she was laughing. At last she managed to say, "Oh, Susan, you're so good for me. The reason I called was to see if you'll be free for lunch one of these days."

  They had made a date, and when they met Susan had some astounding information to pass on. "I told a couple of the partners in our firm about you, including the fact you were on the Law Review," she added with a wink, "and a little of what happened in Portland." She stopped, her green eyes flashing with excitement. "And guess what?"

  "I give up—what?"

  "They want to meet you. They want to know if you intend to take the California bar exams, how much time you intend to give to work, both now and after the baby—"

  "You mentioned that I was pregnant?"

  "Of course. Why not? It doesn't affect how your mind works, does it? Anyway—"

  "Oh, Susan, I can't believe this. Are you telling me they would consider hiring me?"

  "Yes, dear friend, that's exactly what I'm telling you. They want to set up an interview with you. What do you think?"

  Ashley had sat back in her chair with a sigh. "I think I'm dreaming."

  As she shifted once more in the bed, she recalled that interview and the subsequent offer of employment. After she talked it over with Rafe, they had decided that she would wait until the fall to start working again, on a limited basis. Once again Rafe surprised her by his insistence on taking an active part in raising their offspring. He would plan his schedule around hers, and she would do the same with his, so that the baby would have at least one loving parent with her at all times.

  Rafe had embraced the role of father-to-be with zeal. Raul pointed out that it was only because Rafe had thought he was too old to become a father and the shock had unhinged him. Only a much-loved brother could have cast such a slur against Rafe's manhood and survived.

  Not only had Rafe read both books Ashley's doctor had recommended, he had also checked out other books from the library, in case he might have missed something.

  As soon as they had decided to stay in California, Rafe had insisted on finding the best specialist around, made an appointment, and escorted Ashley to the doctor's office, even sitting in on part of the consultation.

  It was Rafe who had insisted on attending childbirth classes. He had adopted the same attitude toward the classes and her pregnancy as he did everything else. He investigated thoroughly, read everything he could find on the subject, and could probably have conducted the class himself had the teacher suddenly fallen into a fit. Ashley thought it was no wonder he made a success of everything he tackled; he probably wore out everyone else.

  "Good morning," Ashley murmured, her voice still husky from sleep. Rafe glanced up from the baby, then moved over to the chair by her bed and sat down.

  "How are you feeling this morning?" His face still showed traces of the anxiety of the previous night.

  "Oh, I'm just fine, love. Were you able to get some sleep?"

  "A few hours," he admitted. "I managed to wake your folks with the news that after all those grandsons they now have a girl in the family." He took her hand in his and pressed it against his cheek, an endearing gesture that never failed to touch her.

  "Were you sorry we had a girl?"

  He looked surprised at the question. "Of course not. I placed an order for a girl just like you." He smiled. "And she is—she's beautiful."

  He must be looking at her through the eyes of love. When the nurse had helped Ashley to feed the baby, she'd taken a good look at her daughter. If you could call wrinkled skin and wisps of black hair beautiful, then yes, Ashley guessed she was. She knew she'd never felt such a fierce love as she had when she held the tiny scrap in her arms. Motherhood had some definite pleasures that could be found in no other role.

  "Did you call Raul and Jeanine?"

  "Of course. I told them I hoped to have you home in the next day or two. They said they'd fly down over the weekend if you thought you'd be up to company by then." Rafe's eyes were still shadowed with concern. Ashley's labor had lasted several hours. Rafe hadn't realized when he attended the classes how different it would be to see Ashley hurting, and when he saw that first hard pain hit her, he wasn't sure he could handle his reaction. Their training had helped, and now, as he looked at the tiny infant, he knew he wouldn't have missed her arrival for anything.

  As he watched, his tiny daughter wriggled and stretched her fingers wide, then curled them into minuscule fists once more.

  Hesitantly Rafe asked, "Would you mind if we call her Teresa?"

  "That's a lovely name, Rafe. If that's what you want to name her, we will."

  "That was my grandmother's name. She was one of my favorite people in the whole world when I was young."

  "When you were younger. You're still young, love."

  "Not after last night. I'm not sure about having a second one."

  "I am," Ashley responded in a serious tone. "I think it's important to raise children together. You know my feelings about an only child."

  Rafe's smile gleamed white against his dark skin.

  "Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best to oblige you, ma'am. Just let me know when you're ready, ma'am."

  "You can cut out the fake accent, Tex. Nobody's buying it."

  The nurse came in to check on mother and child, and Rafe left Ashley to rest.

  She woke up in the afternoon to find Rafe sitting by her bed, watching her with a tender expression.

  "Why didn't you wake me up?"

  "You're going to need all the rest you can get. I have a hunch Miss Teresa is going to keep you hopping once we get y
ou two home." He leaned over and placed a kiss on her mouth. "By the way, Tasha and I had a nice long discussion this morning."

  "Omigosh, I'd forgotten all about her."

  "So she told me. As a matter of fact, she made it clear she did not approve of my arriving home at dawn this morning without you. So she tried her hand at a little redecorating."

  "Oh, no! What did she do?" Visions of some of his original oil paintings with claw marks on them danced through her head.

  "She found a box of tissues, shredded them, and distributed them through several of the rooms. It was quite colorful."

  "Oh, Rafe. Maybe we'd better give her away, especially now that Teresa is here."

  "No way. Tasha has agreed to accept Teresa, and I intend to see that she does. You know you could never get rid of her."

  If he'd spent the morning picking up tiny scraps of shredded tissues and could still sound so agreeable, Ashley knew she had no need to worry about Rafe's patience.

  By the time Raul and Jeanine arrived, Ashley and Teresa were home and a routine of sorts had been established. Rafe's prediction proved right. Tasha did an admirable job of ignoring the new addition.

  After examining the sleeping infant and returning to the living room, Jeanine exclaimed, "You're certainly spry this soon after giving birth!"

  Raul answered for Ashley. "That's probably because she didn't gain a lot of weight during her pregnancy like some people we know."

  Jeanine's nose rose in the air. "The doctor said I was just right. You were the only one complaining."

  "Just right for having a baby elephant, maybe."

  Ashley watched as an accent pillow sailed through the air and decided it was time to change the subject. "What's new in Oregon? The California news media seem to think the world ceases to exist at the northern state border."

  "Pete Wilson was convicted on several counts." Jeanine paused, her forehead wrinkled. "I can't remember all the charges, but it was enough to keep him out of the way for a few years."

  "That should have hurt Tysinger's case," Ashley responded.

  Raul, stretched out in one of the lounge chairs, spoke up. "It didn't help, but he's got some wily lawyers. I have a feeling they'll keep him from being brought to trial as long as they can find one more technicality to pull out of the books."

  "Have you had any more problems at the plant since the hearing last fall?" Rafe moved over and sat down next to Ashley, sliding his arm around her.

  "Nothing. Jackson turned in his resignation, but I refused to take it. He's a good man and I don't expect anything similar to happen ever again." Ashley was glad to see that the subject could be discussed without creating any tension. All of that seemed to have happened in another lifetime and had little to do with the life she had established in the past few months.

  Later that night Ashley finished breast-feeding Teresa and crawled into bed next to Rafe. The doctor had suggested nursing for the first few weeks, and she enjoyed the closeness with her tiny daughter.

  "Rafe?"

  "Hmmmm?"

  "Are you asleep?"

  "I was. Why?"

  "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking of Tysinger."

  He pulled her over so that her head rested on his chest, enjoying the feel of her curves once again. "What about him?"

  "Do you really think he's guilty?"

  "You bet I do, and so do most of the law-enforcement agencies. The catch is to prove it."

  "I can't help but remember that if it hadn't been for Tysinger I might never have met you." She moved her hand lightly across his waist.

  She could feel his chuckle deep in his chest. "That's true, my love, but somehow I don't feel like sending him a thank-you note."

  She leaned on her elbow and stared down at him. "I can understand that. You would still be a happily single man if it hadn't been for him. It's a wonder you haven't insisted that he be placed behind bars for life!"

  A glow of tenderness lit Rafe's eyes, and he placed his palm against her cheek, then stroked her jaw line and her neck. "Ashley, I never knew what happiness was until I married—"

  Her heart melted at his admission.

  "—but of course by then it was too late!"

  "Rafe!"

  He began to laugh at the expression on her face. Pulling her to him, he gave her a kiss that left no doubt how he felt about her. When he finally let her go, he grinned.

  "Now quit fishing for compliments and get some rest. Otherwise your daughter is going to have a grumpy mama trying to feed her in a few hours." He cupped his hand around her breast. "I'm afraid I can't offer to feed her like I did Josh."

  He was right. There was no need for soul-searching. Despite the odds, their marriage was working in a most satisfying manner. With a sigh of contentment, Ashley curled up beside her warm husband and fell asleep.