Those Baby Blues

by Sheridon Smythe

  "Yeah."

  "Will you open the door?"

  "No."

  "Why not?"

  "Is she still out there?"

  "Do you have her car keys?"

  "Yes."

  "Then she's still out there, but Treet and the sheriff are out there, too. We won't let her take you, sweetheart."

  "I made her pretty mad, Mommy."

  Now they were getting somewhere; Sam had called her Mommy. “You did good, baby. You did exactly what Mommy wanted you to do."

  "You wanted me to make her fall in the mud?"

  "If that's what it took to get away from her."

  Sam was silent for a long moment, and Hadleigh suspected she was trying to rationalize everything in her mind.

  "Mommy?"

  "Yes, baby?"

  "If I come out, can I have a dog?"

  This time Hadleigh laughed outright, the tears running unchecked down her face. “Right now I would promise you the moon if you would just come out so I can hug you."

  Wonder of wonders, Hadleigh heard the lock click. The door opened just enough to reveal Sam's big blue eyes peering through. Then she flung the door wide and ran into Hadleigh's open arms.

  Hadleigh gathered her close, nearly squeezing the life out of her. She began to rain kisses over her face, making Sam giggle and squirm. “I love you, sweetheart."

  "I love you, too, Mommy."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  "So, that's it in a nutshell,” Hadleigh concluded, placing her hands on her hips and surveying Sam and Caroline's confused faces. She sighed. “You didn't understand, did you?"

  "Nope."

  "Uh-huh.” Sam shook her head for emphasis.

  Treet pushed away from where he'd been leaning against the fireplace mantel and approached the sofa. He folded his arms over his chest. Hadleigh moved aside, still furious with Treet but determined to hide the fact from the girls; they had enough confusion in their lives.

  "What part do you not understand?” Treet asked.

  Sam frowned. “How can Caroline's mommy be my mommy when she's her mommy? And I've got a mommy already."

  "Yeah, she's got Haddy for a mommy,” Caroline added.

  "Besides, I don't like her, and I don't want her for a mommy.” Sam's bottom lip trembled. Her big blue eyes filled with tears as she looked at Hadleigh. “Mommy, I don't like Caroline's mommy!” She began to sob openly, and it tore at Hadleigh's heart. “I like you!"

  Hadleigh dropped to her knees in front of her, her heart aching. She gathered Sam close. “Sweetheart, I'm still your mommy. I'll always be your mommy. We were just trying to explain to you why Cheyenne tried to take you away with her."

  Caroline reached out and patted Sam on the back, whispering, “That's okay, Sam. I don't like my mommy neither, ‘cos she doesn't like me."

  Helplessly, Hadleigh looked to Treet. He shrugged, apparently at a loss as well.

  "Hey, dry those tears.” Hadleigh wiped Sam's face and kissed her wet cheeks. “Just forget about it, okay, sweetheart?"

  "Okay.” Sam smiled tremulously. “Can we go play now?"

  Hadleigh smiled back. “Yes, you can go play.” She released Sam and reached for Caroline, hugging her. Together, the girls raced from the room.

  She watched them go, her insides churning. What was she going to do? She didn't want to leave Caroline, but she wanted to get away from Treet, take Sam away so that Cheyenne would leave them alone. Hadleigh wasn't that naive; she suspected the only thing that drove Cheyenne was spite.

  "I talked to my lawyer today,” Treet said, his voice low and deep.

  The sound of it speared a hot arrow of desire into her belly. Hadleigh stubbornly ignored it. Desire had nearly cost her Sam. To her, the facts were simple: get away from Treet, and Cheyenne would once again be out of their lives.

  Caroline ... Caroline was the only thing stopping her.

  Okay, so it wasn't the only thing, but the rest she was determined to ignore.

  Slowly, she turned to face Treet, hooking her thumbs in the back pockets of her jeans. She regarded the handsome devil of her dreams impassively, taking a leaf from Brutal's book. “What did he say?"

  "He said that if Cheyenne files a new custody suit, then we might have a fight on our hands. A judge rarely decides to keep a mother from her birth child."

  Hadleigh's mouth flooded with the bitter taste of fear. “I can't let that happen, Treet. You saw Sam—how frightened she was. I can't let that woman get her hands on my daughter again.” Her voice shook as she added, “Even if I have to leave the country with Sam."

  "You won't have to do that.” Treet slowly approached her.

  She tensed, bracing herself for his touch, telling herself she wasn't disappointed when he kept his hands to himself.

  "If we get married and present a united front, we'll have a better chance of fighting Cheyenne."

  She had wondered if he'd remembered saying the shocking words. She hadn't believed he'd meant it then, and she didn't now. She licked her lips. “If we get married, Cheyenne will never leave us alone."

  "I disagree."

  "That's your privilege.” Prudently, Hadleigh widened the distance between them, strolling around the sofa. She was disconcerted to find that Treet had followed her. He turned her around—touching her, reminding her that she wasn't the cold, unemotional woman she was pretending to be.

  "You'd rather run, and give up Caroline, rather than marry me?” He shook her slightly, his gaze drawn to her mouth. His eyes darkened, sending a shock wave rocketing through her body. “That's not the impression I got last night."

  Hadleigh drew in a sharp breath. “You fight dirty, don't you?"

  "I fight any way I can, when I'm fighting for something I want."

  "And you want Sam."

  "I want you and Sam. In my life. In our lives."

  His thumbs began to draw circles on her arms, raising goose bumps and reminding her how she'd squirmed and moaned beneath him.

  "If you'd just be honest with yourself, you'd see that you want the same thing. We've got a lot going for us, Hadleigh. For God's sake, just admit it!” And then he threw the final punch, one that hit below the belt. “If you love Sam, you'll marry me."

  "That's not fair!” she cried, closing her eyes against the intensity of his gaze.

  "And it's fair for me to keep quiet while you take my daughter and run? Is that fair, Hadleigh? Don't you love Caroline?"

  "You know I do!” Hadleigh struggled to get free, but he was relentless and ruthless in his quest to change her mind.

  "I don't think Caroline will believe you. Cheyenne didn't want her, and if you leave she'll believe that you didn't want her."

  Before Hadleigh could think, she jerked one arm free and slapped him. She immediately felt horrified. “I'm sorry—I didn't mean to—Oh, God, I'm so sorry.” She covered her face with her hands. When she tried to turn away, he grabbed her arms once again and forced her to look at him.

  "Just give me one good reason why you don't want to marry me, and I'll let you go."

  Hadleigh stared into his blazing eyes. “Because you don't love me,” she blurted out.

  Treet's lips twisted ruefully. “After everything that's happened, would you believe me if I told you that I did love you? That I fell in love with you the moment I saw you sitting in Mrs. Shoreshire's office?” When she didn't respond, his smile faded. “Just as I thought. You don't believe me. You also wouldn't believe that I had planned on asking you to marry me last night, before Brutal interrupted us."

  "Why?” Not that she believe him, of course, but she was curious to hear what incredible story he'd tell.

  "Because I love you, Hadleigh."

  His hands dropped away. She told herself that his defeated look was an act, a calculated act to trick her into believing him, to gain her sympathy. Well, it wouldn't work.

  Taking a deep breath, she said, “I'm sorry, Treet. Things are just too complicated
for me. I don't want to make a mistake we'll both regret for the rest of our lives."

  "Promise me that you'll at least think about it."

  She was determined, but she wasn't unfeeling. “Okay, I promise that I'll think about it.” For Sam's and Caroline's sake, she'd think about it. But not for Treet's, or her own.

  It was a relief to escape the thick tension that always sprang between them. Emotionally drained, confused, and scared, all Hadleigh wanted to do was crawl into bed and cry herself to sleep.

  Lost in her tormented thoughts, Hadleigh didn't see the big shadow that stepped in front of her until it was too late. She barreled into what felt like a solid wall. Strong hands reached out to steady her, then quickly let go.

  "Sorry. I thought you saw me,” Brutal said, keeping his voice low.

  "No, I didn't."

  "I wanted to talk to you."

  She managed a faint smile. “I think I'm all talked out for tonight, Brutal. Can I take a rain check?"

  "No."

  Startled by his abrupt answer, she glanced at him. “What's this about?"

  "Let's go into the office where we can have some privacy."

  Curious now, Hadleigh let herself be led into the office, watching as Brutal shut the door and turned to her.

  "I was eavesdropping,” he informed her bluntly. “And I heard what the boss said. I just wanted you to know that I can vouch for him. He told me yesterday that he was going to pop the question."

  "That still doesn't change anything, Brutal. Treet should have told me about Cheyenne, what she knew, and that she could be a threat to my child. The fact that he didn't indicates to me that he was hiding something. And while we're confessing here, I overheard you talking to Trudy, so I know what you really think of me."

  Brutal had the grace to look uncomfortable. “Yeah, well, that was then. I've had the chance to get to know you, and I think I might have judged you a little too harshly. The boss loves you, and so does Caroline."

  "What makes you think that Treet loves me?"

  "Because he's been acting like a fool.” In an uncharacteristic action that surprised her, Brutal rolled his eyes. “I've seen him act a lot of ways, but this one takes the cake. He's either in love, or he's lost his mind."

  Hadleigh allowed herself the luxury of considering Brutal's words for the space of two seconds. Finally, she whispered, her voice husky, “What if you're wrong? What if Treet's wrong? What if he's convinced himself that he loves me ... so that he doesn't lose Sam?” She jumped as Brutal whistled between his teeth.

  "The boss was right; you are a scaredy cat. That's a lot of ‘what-if's'. You gonna pass up a chance to be happy for a bunch of ‘what-if's'?” He gave his shiny head a mournful shake. “That's sad. Real sad.” He reached for the doorknob, pausing just before he opened it. “Well, I gave it my best shot. Guess I might as well say goodbye, since I guess you'll be leaving us."

  As Brutal disappeared into the hall, Hadleigh realized her mouth was hanging open. She snapped it shut. Who was next, she wondered, half expecting Trudy to appear with her two cent's worth.

  Thoughtfully, she left the office and went to her room, her mind whirling and her heart in turmoil. She undressed and turned out the light, crawling beneath the covers wearing an oversized tee-shirt that featured a big yellow smiley face on the front.

  She discovered she wasn't alone.

  "Is it all right if I sleep with you, Haddy?” Caroline whispered.

  Hadleigh felt tears prick her eyes. “Of course it's all right.” Silently, the tears coursed down her cheeks and onto her pillow. She cried as quietly as she could, not wanting to upset Caroline. Her daughter. How could she think of leaving her? Treet was right, Caroline would be devastated if she left.

  "Haddy?"

  "Yes, sweetheart?"

  "If you married us, would that make you my real mommy?” A small, searching hand reached out and circled Hadleigh's neck. Caroline scooted closer.

  Apparently Brutal hadn't been alone in his eavesdropping activities tonight. Hadleigh thought about trying once again to explain to Caroline that she was already her real mommy, but ditched the idea as a lost cause. Until the girls were older, she didn't think they would understand something as complicated as babies switched at birth.

  She had to swallow several times to get past the emotional lump in her throat. “Yes, that would make me your mommy."

  "Then ... would you please, please marry us?"

  She could deny Treet. She could deny Brutal.

  But she couldn't deny Caroline.

  With a heavy, defeated sigh, she said, “Yes."

  * * * *

  Treet had a split-second to protect himself before Caroline landed on him. He opened his gritty eyes to find the bedroom shadowed in early dawn light and Caroline's bright, smiling face hovering over his. It couldn't have been more than half past six. What the hell?

  "She said yes, Daddy! Haddy said she would marry us!"

  He blinked and shielded his face, struggling to clear the fog of sleep from his mind and concentrate on his daughter's babbling. Another small figure attacked his legs, effectively pinning him to the mattress.

  "That means me and Caroline will be sisters!” Sam shouted, bouncing on his shins.

  Treet thought he heard something crack. Like his bones. Sam was no lightweight, and he wasn't as young as he once was. He made a mental note to start drinking more milk.

  And to start locking his bedroom door.

  "Did you hear me, Daddy? Haddy said she would marry us.” Caroline giggled. “Well, you, she said she would marry you. But that means she's marrying me, too, don't it, Daddy?"

  "We're all gettin’ married,” Sam inserted, leaping from his legs to the bed and nearly clipping his ear with her hand.

  Treet rubbed his eyes and peered at his daughter, wondering if he'd gone over the edge. “Caroline, sweetheart, what are you talking about?” And how had she known he'd asked Hadleigh to marry him?

  "I said,” Caroline repeated slowly, as if he were dull-witted, “that Haddy said she would marry you!"

  "When did she say that?"

  "Last night, when I slept in her bed. She said I could. I asked her and she said YES!” Caroline shouted the last word, bouncing up and down on his stomach and knocking the breath out of him.

  He grabbed her shoulders and held her still, hearing, but not believing. "You asked her to marry me?"

  Beside him, Sam heaved an aggravated sigh, flopped onto her back and folded her arms. “She's told you twenty times, silly!” Suddenly, she let out an ear-splitting screech and sat up. “Hey, who's the oldest?"

  "I was born on April 15th!” Caroline shouted happily.

  "That's my birthday,” Sam yelled back, unhappily. “You can't have my birthday!"

  "Yes I can!"

  "No you can't!"

  "Well, I do!” And as usual, Caroline immediately saw the bright side. “That means two birthday cakes and twice as many presents!"

  She'd said the magic words: cake and presents. Sam let out another war cry that Treet suspected the Spencers must have heard. “I'm gonna open my presents first because I'm gonna be the oldest!” she announced, daring Caroline to argue.

  Which, of course, Caroline didn't. A peacemaker at heart, she merely grinned and said, “Okay, you can be the oldest. Let's go tell Trudy!"

  "Wait—” Treet grunted as Caroline used his stomach for a trampoline and vaulted to the floor. Before he could catch his breath, Sam hit him square in the ribs with her elbows and shimmed over him, sliding to the floor like a snake. They were up and running for the door before he could gather his breath to remind them that Trudy, bless her heart, was probably still asleep at this ungodly hour.

  Treet propped his hands behind his head, a slow grin spreading across his mouth. So, Hadleigh hadn't been able to say no to Caroline's proposal. And if he knew Hadleigh—which he felt he did—she'd agreed with reservations still intact.

  It was up to Treet to convince her she wasn
't making a mistake. His grin became a wicked, Russell Linuchi leer. Definitely something to look forward to.

  And the early bird catches the worm.

  * * * *

  Hadleigh came awake at the sound of her bedroom door clicking shut. Her eyes popped wide when the distinct click of the lock followed.

  Her body knew before her mind that Treet was in the room.

  By now, Hadleigh thought, he would know that she had agreed to marry him, and that she had been too big a coward to tell him herself.

  The bed dipped; her body went on red alert.

  "Hell of a way to find out I'm going to be married,” Treet drawled in a sexy, teasing way that made her toes curl beneath the concealing quilt.

  Hadleigh knew she couldn't play possum forever, so she rolled onto her back, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She blinked, then looked away from the disturbing heat of his gaze, and focused on the quilt.

  "What changed your mind?"

  "Does it matter?"

  "Yes."

  She took a deep breath. “Caroline, mostly. I can't leave her."

  His chuckled. “What a little hypocrite you are, Hadleigh."

  "What—what do you mean?” She braced herself and looked at him, thrusting out her chin. His dark hair was tousled, as if he'd just rolled out of bed. His eyes, so bright and intense, seemed to burn with an inner flame.

  The man was, without a doubt, simply dynamite. Dressed or undressed. Morning, noon, or night.

  "You just confessed that you're basically agreeing to marry me because of Caroline."

  "That's not—"

  A gorgeous dark brow lifted, daring her to continue.

  Hadleigh moistened her lips, inadvertently drawing his gaze to her mouth. “That's not the only reason,” she finished in a whisper.

  His eyes went from blazing blue to the color of a simmering storm. He cupped her face in his palm, the gesture unmistakably tender and surprisingly erotic. “What are the other reasons?” he whispered.

  "I—I like being with you.” The confession wasn't easy for Hadleigh. “I just can't stop wondering if you're lying to yourself—"

  "Let it go, baby,” he murmured, leaning over her until his mouth was mere inches from hers. “There's no way in hell I can prove it, so just let it go and give me the benefit of the doubt."