Cori gave a deep sigh. “I will be as soon as the baby comes.”
Cori was grateful Lucia kept her busy in the kitchen so she didn’t have time to worry about seeing her father for the first time in almost seven months. Not to mention worry what his reaction would be when he discovered she was nine months’ pregnant. She thought of breaking the news to him when he called Halloween night, but she didn’t want to do it over the phone. Instead, she said she’d settled in a lovely town and wanted him to come out for Thanksgiving. She didn’t say anything about Ben because she felt that would also be better for Sean to see for himself what a wonderful man Ben was. Sean had planned to arrive a few days earlier, but an emergency had forced him to fly to New York first and he had to change his reservation to Thanksgiving Day. Ben volunteered to pick him up at the airport. He insisted Cori stay behind due to her advanced condition. Considering the weak state of her bladder and nagging backache, she was glad to stay with Lucia and help her with the dinner preparations.
When she returned to the kitchen, she picked up a celery stalk and started munching on it.
“Have to start losing that weight one way or another,” she explained.
“Everything will be fine,” Lucia assured her in her musical, accented voice.
“Easy for you to say. You’ve never met my father.”
“No, but I know you and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Not once he realizes how much Ben cares for you.”
“Then I wish he’d do something about it,” Cori muttered.
Lucia clucked under her tongue. “I think he’s afraid.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Afraid? Why?”
“He’s afraid you’ll decide to go back to California.”
“Why would I do that when everything I love is here?”
Lucia gave a happy exclamation and hugged Cori as best she could. “And that is what you will tell Bennie.” She straightened up and ran to the window. “There they are now.” She ran back over to Cori and started to pull off her apron, then settled for smoothing a loose strand of hair away from Cori’s face. “We will show your father the new Cori.” She smoothed the front of Cori’s apron over her bulging tummy. “You go to the door, but don’t get chilled.” She shook her finger at her.
“I smell something good!” Ben called out as he swung open the front door.
Cori reached blindly for Lucia’s hand and the older woman squeezed back and gave her a gentle push.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right behind you.”
Cori walked into the living room just in time to see Ben taking Sean’s overcoat. Sean’s back was to her. When the older man noticed Ben’s gaze directed over his shoulder, he turned around.
At first, his face turned red. Then purple. Then white.
“What the hell!” He spun back around with fists clenched. “What have you done to my daughter?” he growled.
“Daddy, no!” Cori ran as best she could to her father and grabbed his arm. “Ben didn’t get me pregnant!”
“Well, you didn’t do it by yourself!”
She winced at his strident sound. “It was Rufus.”
His face turned purple again. “Rufus! That insolent puppy got you pregnant? He’ll pay for this!”
“No, he won’t,” Cori said firmly. “Daddy, it didn’t take me long to realize he was a mistake in my life, but this baby isn’t.” She rubbed her tummy.
Sean turned from Cori to Ben and back to Cori.
“Bennie, introduce me to Cori’s father.” Lucia sought to break the tension.
Sean looked up and didn’t stop staring.
“Sean Peyton, madam.” He stepped forward with his hand outstretched.
“Lucia Cooper, Bennie’s mother.” She smiled warmly. “We are so glad you could make the time to visit.”
“For my only daughter I’ll do anything.” He cast a wary gaze at Cori’s condition. “Should you be walking around?”
“Cori’s in perfect health, sir,” Ben explained.
“Did Ben tell you he’s the town doctor?” Cori added.
Sean looked at the younger man with suspicion etched on his face before turning back to his daughter. “But who takes care of you?”
“Ben does. But he drove me to the hospital to arrange everything there for when the time comes,” she replied.
“Where’s the hospital?”
“About a hundred miles.”
“What?” He turned on Ben. “Are you saying she has no adequate medical care in case of emergency?”
Ben looked more than a little tense. “Cori has excellent medical care here,” he said tersely. “And in case of emergency I can call in a medical helicopter. I don’t intend to let anything happen to her.”
“Come, Mr. Peyton.” Lucia walked over and linked her arm through his. “You must be tired after that long flight. Would you care for some coffee before dinner? Please, let me assure you, Ben has matchless credentials from the hospital he was affiliated with before he moved out here. Cori couldn’t be in better hands.”
Sean shot Ben a suspicious look as if he already figured out just what Ben’s hands had been doing for the past seven months.
“Now you must tell me about your business,” Lucia invited. “Cori explained you deal in high finance.”
“That’s right.” He was rapidly thawing under her warm smile.
“Your mother is a miracle worker,” Cori murmured to Ben as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“I know she just saved my life.” He looked into her face. “Are you all right?”
“I would be if I didn’t spend so much time in the bathroom. I think my bladder shrunk.”
Ben helped Cori onto the love seat and sat next to her. This time, Sean didn’t look as distrustful.
Cori shifted in her seat, trying to find a way to get comfortable. She wanted everything to be perfect today and here she was fidgeting like an erring teenager.
“When do you plan to come home?” Sean asked abruptly.
Cori straightened up. “I am home.”
He looked around the house and saw a warm, lovely, homey room, but little compared to the luxury of his own estate. Except, down deep, he knew his home didn’t exude the family warmth this one did. Nor could he deny he couldn’t remember ever seeing Cori looking so happy and content. “Here?”
“I live in a guest cottage behind the clinic,” she explained.
Sean scowled at Ben. “Sounds handy.”
“I also have a job with the local school as an aide,” Cori went on.
Sean snorted his opinion of that piece of news.
“Cori has become a very important part of our town,” Lucia said with a warm smile.
“Your son drove me through town and there didn’t seem to be all that much to it.”
“There’s more than enough!” Cori staunchly defended her new home.
“Compared to what you had?”
She met his gaze. “Yes.”
He shook his head as he tried to take it all in.
Lucia stood. “Now we must go in and eat. And I only want happy conversation. I do not allow strong words at my table.” She led the way.
Sean watched Ben help Cori to her feet. He couldn’t miss the look that passed between the couple and, for a moment, he felt uneasy, as if he’d spied on something intimate. He made his way to the table and sat where Lucia indicated he should.
Ben carried out the platter bearing a large golden brown turkey while Lucia and Cori brought out serving dishes filled with fluffy white mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls.
During the meal, Lucia managed to keep the conversation going as she asked Sean about his work and questioned him on his opinion of various European cities. She became especially animated when he spoke of Italy.
Cori was glad for the distraction as she tried to eat. She picked at her turkey and only managed to crumble her roll on the plate. Ben noticed and shot her a look filled with concern.
“Are you all right?” he murmured.
She shifted in her chair. “I just can’t get comfortable,” she whispered. “Please, don’t tell Lucia. I don’t want to ruin her dinner.”
His gaze sharpened. “Can’t get comfortable, how?”
She shot a look at the parents and realized they were still conversing. “My back aches and I keep feeling a pulling across my abdomen.”
Ben started to open his mouth to ask how long she had been feeling this way when a look of shocked horror crossed Cori’s face and she jumped up.
Lucia and Sean looked up—Sean with confusion, Lucia, knowing.
“Everything’s all wet!” Cori cried out.
Ben muttered a curse. “How long have you been in labor?” he demanded.
She turned on him. “What labor?”
“What you’ve been going through is damn labor!”
“Don’t you shout at my daughter!” Sean roared.
“What Ella described to me as labor didn’t feel anything like this!” she shouted back, then started to cry.
“All of you stop it,” Lucia ordered, swiftly coming to Cori’s side and putting her arms around her. “Come, dear, let’s get you comfortable. Bennie, get your bag out of the truck and call the helicopter. I don’t think you will be able to drive her to the hospital in time.”
Sean sat there openmouthed as the activity flowed around him. Within seconds, Ben had been outside and came back carrying a black leather bag and a box. He stopped in the kitchen for a moment, used the phone, cursed and hung up.
“We never have snow this time of year,” he muttered, then spoke louder. “The winds are too strong. The copter can’t take off in this storm!”
It hit Sean like a ton of bricks. “Are you saying Cori is having the baby now?“
“Exactly.” Ben brushed past him.
Sean was on his heels as Ben walked swiftly toward Lucia’s bedroom.
He handed Lucia the box, which she opened and quickly took out the necessary items.
Lucia had changed Cori into a nightgown and settled her on the bed. Lucia moved her only enough to make up the bed.
Ben turned to Sean. “Out.”
He tightened his jaw. “She’s my daughter.”
Ben stared him down. “And she’s my patient.”
“But if we can’t get to the hospital and the helicopter can’t pick me up, I can’t have the baby now,” Cori cried.
Ben flicked a look at his mother. She smiled and nodded and, while murmuring words of assurance, escorted Sean back out to the living room where she left him with a brand new bottle of Scotch.
Ben sat on the edge of the bed and took hold of her hands. “Honey, I need to examine you.”
Cori took a deep breath and bent at the waist. “I’m in pain and you want to examine me? I don’t think so!”
“I have to.” He waited until Lucia returned. She sat at the head of the bed, holding on to Cori’s shoulders while Ben donned gloves and quickly examined Cori.
“She’s dilating fast,” he told his mother. “Either she’s been in active labor for longer than even she realized or this baby just wants out now.”
“Ben, it really hurts! I need something for the pain!”
He grimaced. “Cori, you’re too far along. I can’t give you anything. Just relax and breathe the way Ella showed you to.”
“Relax?” With a great show of strength, she reached forward and grabbed hold of his shirtfront. “You try pushing a bowling ball out your eyeball. Then we’ll talk about relaxing!“ She screamed in a voice shrill enough to break eardrums.
After that, it was all a blur for Cori. She was vaguely aware of holding tightly on to Lucia’s hand and listening to Ben’s chatter, but nothing came through.
“Concentrate on something,” he ordered. “Think about our wedding.”
“Wedding?” she almost sobbed. “Cooper, this is a hell of a time to propose.”
“Better late than never. Now, push! Okay, I’ve got the head. Push again, darlin’.”
She could feel the pain ripping her in two and he wanted her to do it again. Then, all too quickly, it seemed over. She lay back panting, barely hearing anything going on around here.
“You’ve got a beautiful little girl,” Ben whispered.
She looked up at him and limply raised a hand to stroke his face.
“You’re crying,” she whispered.
“Yeah, well, this one’s special.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Now one more push for the afterbirth and we’re all through.”
Cori groaned but complied. By then, Lucia had cleaned the baby, all the while murmuring Italian to the little one. With a broad smile she carried the baby to Cori who cried and did what all mothers do—counted the fingers and toes.
“Shall I take her out to meet her grandfather?” Lucia asked.
Cori nodded. “Tell him her name’s Elizabeth.”
By the time Lucia appeared, Sean had consumed half the bottle of Scotch and looked wild-eyed.
“What happened?” he demanded, staggering to his feet.
She smiled as she approached him with her blanket-wrapped bundle. “Sean, meet your granddaughter.” She held back the corner and shielded the tiny face.
Sean almost cried as he looked down. “She looks like her mother,” he said softly, tentatively touching the downy cheek with his fingertip.
“Cori said to tell you her name is Elizabeth.”
His chin wobbled even more. “That was her mother’s name. God rest her soul.” He took a moment to compose himself. “Are those two in there serious?”
“Very.”
“Why would he marry a woman who had another man’s baby? How do I know he’ll treat her right?”
Lucia’s smile disappeared. “Ben loves Cori more than life itself. He would never hurt her. As for Elizabeth, he might not have planted the seed that gave her life, but he has nurtured her these past months and he brought her into this world. As far as he is concerned she is his daughter.”
Sean nodded jerkily. “Well, ma’am.” He wiped his eyes. “I must admit you put on a hell of a Thanksgiving dinner.”
*
BEN SAT ON THE EDGE of the bed, holding the baby in his arms. He was so taken with the sight of the wrinkly, pink newborn, he could barely take his eyes off her. Of all the babies he had delivered in his practice, she was the most special. Because, Ben knew, she would be his.
He looked up at Cori. “I love you,” he said fiercely. “If I’d known this would happen, I would have had you in the hospital days ago.”
She touched his cheek in reassurance. “But everything went all right because I had a wonderful doctor. Although I would have hoped for a more romantic proposal.” She grinned cheekily. “Still, your mother was a witness so I know you can’t back out.”
“I don’t intend to.” He kissed her deeply.
Cori moaned softly, holding on to him with all her might. “So do you think Elizabeth Peyton is pretty?”
“Beautiful. Looks just like you,” he told her. “But I thought we could give her the name Elizabeth Peyton Cooper.”
She started crying. “And here I thought that would stop. Oh, Ben, I love you so much!”
“Enough to stay in Farrington and see if you can bring that diner to life?”
“Enough to stay in Farrington and have lots of babies and whatever else I can manage to do,” she told him.
“I guess I’ll have to come back for a wedding.”
They looked up to find Sean and Lucia in the doorway.
“You may as well stay around, Sean, because I intend to marry your daughter as soon as possible,” Ben informed him.
Sean walked forward and kissed his daughter’s cheek.
“Ben and I stopped by the garage on the way here to talk to that mechanic,” he mumbled. “He’ll have your car ready in a week. At least you’ll have your car. Now what about a wedding present?”
Cori looked at Ben with a question in her eyes. She smiled when he
nodded. She looked up at her father.
“Daddy, I have this business proposition for you…”
Epilogue
The Diner
Ben couldn’t remember ever feeling so tired. Or fulfilled.
Thanks to Sean, Farrington had a hospital. Small but filled with up-to-date equipment for any kind of emergency imaginable. The clinic was now housed in a corner of the hospital and the building renovated into a house for Dr. Cooper and family.
After finishing for the day, he’d driven out to Cori’s pet project. Thank goodness, spring had finally come after a long cold winter and, with summer here, he felt as if his life had come full circle. Ironically, with Cori and Beth in the house, the past cold snowy nights hadn’t mattered. Only the nights he’d had to go out on an emergency. Those times were fewer, though, thanks to another doctor looking for small-town living. There was hope for the town, after all.
He parked in the parking lot, already filled with cars. The front doors were open and the rock-and-roll sounds of Bill Haley and the Comets poured out of the building.
Stepping inside was like going back in time.
Walls were filled with photos from fifties and sixties teen movies, also a large poster of James Dean. Cori, after a lot of calls and cajoling, had managed to find a Wurlitzer jukebox, which presided over one corner. Red vinyl booths were filled with young people.
Luckily, Ralph and Charlotte hadn’t taken offense when the Diner opened. They hadn’t minded losing the younger crowd who now packed the place almost every night. And the older ones enjoyed having Myrna’s all to themselves. Except for Dan and Zeke who always occupied a rear booth. They seemed to enjoy the chaos as much as the kids did.
Waitresses wore poodle skirts and saddle shoes and were known to dance with their customers when the right song played.
But it was the hostess that caught his eye.
A black poodle skirt flared around shapely calves and a turquoise angora short-sleeved sweater hugged even more curves. The black scarf tied around her neck and the matching scarf encircling a blond ponytail were perfect touches along with the black-and-white saddle shoes. The only jarring note was the baby backpack the hostess wore with a towheaded baby peacefully sleeping against her mother’s back. The woman looked up and bounced over to him.
Mommy Heiress (Accidental Dads #2) Page 21