The Birth Mother

by Pamela Toth

  For a moment Emma merely gaped at him, trying to absorb the meaning of his startling words. She’d heard the bizarre stories that Rafe Rawlings was abandoned in the woods as a baby and raised by wolves, but she’d discounted them and his nickname of “Wolf Boy” as being nothing more than cruel gossip manufactured by his enemies.

  The sheriff’s smile was crooked. “It’s true,” he insisted when she continued to stare without speaking. “You and I are related, so maybe you’d better call me Rafe—at least in private.”

  Finally she shook off the paralysis that had taken hold of her tongue. “How can that be?” she asked.

  He sat back in the chair as the wood creaked in protest. He was a big man, solidly built, with a wide chest and muscular arms. His shoulders would have looked broad even without the epaulets on his uniform shirt. For the first time, Emma was curious about him as a person, but she could see no family resemblance between the dark-haired man seated across from her and the face she saw in the mirror each morning.

  “Lexine had numerous affairs,” he replied, his lip curling with distaste, “most of them with married men. My father was a man named Charles Avery.”

  “Then why is your name Rawlings?” Emma blurted.

  He ducked his head and red tinged his cheekbones. “The Rawlings took me in. They’re the only parents I’ve ever known.”

  Emma thought of the couple who had eventually rescued her from the foster care system. She wanted to touch his hand, but she didn’t quite dare. “Are they still alive?” she asked instead.

  “My mother is. She lives near here.”

  This news was hard for Emma to assimilate, especially when she recalled how she’d agonized over admitting why she’d come to Whitehorn! Someone else besides this staunchly professional man seated across from her might have found her dilemma amusing, confessing her secret parentage to her own half brother. How much better she would have felt if he’d enlightened her right away!

  “Why didn’t you tell me when I was in your office?” she demanded.

  “You know having Lexine Baxter for a birth mother isn’t exactly something you want to brag about.” His tone was dry. “Besides, you caught me by surprise.”

  She suspected that wasn’t an admission he made often. “So why are you telling me now?” she asked. “Did you figure I’d find out anyway?”

  “No, that wasn’t why, even though it’s common knowledge. I told you I went to see her. Even knowing you two didn’t hit it off doesn’t explain why she tried to convince me of your guilt.”

  His words stunned Emma even more than his previous announcement had. Did Lexine hate her, based on one unfortunate meeting? Had she never cared for Emma at all? The idea brought tears to her eyes and she had to look away.

  “Are you okay?” Rafe asked roughly.

  She took a deep, shuddering breath. It was time she realized her relationship with her birth mother was never going to be the stuff of fairy tales. “I’m fine.” Even to her own ears, her voice had a hollow ring.

  “So, do you have any idea why she’d try to make you look suspicious?” Rafe prodded, his tone slightly more gentle.

  “What did she say?” Emma asked, mentally bracing herself.

  Unsnapping the flap on his shirt pocket, he removed a small notebook and flipped it open, but he barely glanced at whatever he’d written. “She told me that you have a nasty temper and it’s her opinion that you might be capable of violence.” He was watching Emma carefully, gauging her reaction to what he was telling her, but she wasn’t sure if he felt sorry for her or was merely studying her in the same manner as he would any other suspect. “She also said you mentioned that you’d explored the woods on several occasions last summer.”

  Emma’s mouth fell open. “That’s a lie,” she gasped. “It never came up. Why would she deliberately try to implicate me?”

  “That’s what I’m wondering,” he replied as he put the notebook back into his pocket. “Whenever anyone’s too helpful, it makes me a little nervous.”

  Emma sent him a pleading look. “She’s making it all up. Everything I told you before was the truth. I was here with Brandon that night. He left while I was asleep.”

  Before she could continue with her litany, the sheriff cut in. “I’m beginning to believe you, and it has nothing to do with our relationship. There are just too many holes. The only reason I can think of that Lexine would want to implicate you would be to divert suspicion from someone else.”

  That idea hadn’t occurred to Emma. “But who?” she asked.

  “Good question.” He slid back his chair and got to his feet. “I’m going to give my contact at the lab another call, and I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, try not to worry.” For the first time, he cracked a smile. “Easy to say, right?”

  She bobbed her head in agreement, but his words helped to reassure her. “Thank you.”

  He picked up his hat and headed for the door. With his hand on the knob, he turned back to Emma. “One more thing,” he said. “My wife, Raeanne, said to welcome you to the family.”

  His words made Emma realize she was actually connected to people here in Whitehorn, something that hadn’t occurred to her when Rafe had mentioned Lexine.

  “Do you have children?” she asked, remembering the photo she’d seen in his office.

  His expression softened. “We have a daughter named Skye. She’s four.” He took a snapshot from his wallet and showed her. It was a smaller version of the other picture.

  “You have an attractive family,” Emma said as she handed back the photo.

  After he’d put it away, he stepped outside and settled his hat back onto his head. “They’d both like to meet you.”

  Emma was about to suggest they get together when she realized what an awkward position it could put him in. Her smile was wry. “Let’s put that off until after we get the DNA results,” she said instead.

  He frowned and then he patted her shoulder awkwardly. “That’s not necessary. Raeanne works in the public defender’s office and they’re pretty busy right now, but I’ll have her call you the first chance she gets. We’ll have you over.” He hesitated again. “Meanwhile, let me know if you need anything or even if you just want to talk.”

  Until she was cleared, she could hardly confide in him, but she thanked him, anyway. Other than Lexine, Rafe was the first blood relative Emma had ever met. Despite their adversarial positions, she was eager to get to know him better. “I’ll look forward to meeting your wife and your daughter,” she added. “Tell them I said hello.”

  He touched his fingers to the brim of his hat in a casual salute. “Will do. I’ll be in touch.”

  Emma watched him head down the steps. Before he got into his black-and-white Jeep Cherokee with the official insignia on the door, he glanced up and waved. Perhaps she’d gained another ally. With Brandon, that made at least two people who believed in her. One question nagged at Emma. Why wasn’t her own mother one of them?

  As soon as Emma reported for work, Janie came hurrying over. “Rand told me the sheriff came by to see you this morning,” she said in a low voice. “Don’t worry, Rand wasn’t spilling any official department secrets. He drove by the house and saw Rafe’s Jeep parked next to the garage.” She squeezed Emma’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Emma replied in an undertone. “The sheriff was just touching base, but he hasn’t gotten back the test results that will prove I wasn’t anywhere near those woods.”

  Janie looked disappointed. She glanced over her shoulder at Melissa North, the owner of the Hip Hop, who was ringing up a customer’s check. “She heard you were being questioned,” Janie told Emma, dropping her voice even lower. “She hasn’t said anything about it.”

  “Do you think I should talk to her?” Emma asked. What would she do if she lost this job?

  “I already did,” Janie replied.

  “Wow, thanks,” Emma said, grateful for her friend’s support.

  Janie gave her arm a
squeeze before letting go. “I also pointed out that the publicity could be good for business. You know how people love a hint of scandal.”

  Emma experienced a sinking feeling. What if someone dug into her background and found out about her connection to Lexine? She could see the headlines: Murder Runs In The Family. “Maybe no one will know,” she said hopefully.

  Janie looked doubtful. “This is a small town and word has a way of getting around.”

  From her spot at the register, Melissa cleared her throat loudly.

  “We’d better both get to work,” Janie said. “I just wanted to tell you not to worry about your job.”

  After thanking Janie for her consideration and support, Emma went in the back to stow away her purse. The lunch rush was heavier than usual, so she didn’t have much time to think about Rafe or Lexine until her break a couple of hours later. Even then all she wanted to do was to call Brandon and tell him about her new brother, but she couldn’t do that without spilling the beans about Lexine.

  Emma had no choice but to keep the news to herself, along with Lexine’s attempt to cast suspicion on her. The list of things Emma couldn’t tell Brandon was growing. She’d have to be careful about what she said around him or she was bound to make a slip.

  When Brandon pulled into the café parking lot two days later, every spot was taken. Surprised, he glanced at his Rolex. The breakfast rush was over; at this time of day the Hip Hop should be half empty. Instead he could see people standing in the entry.

  He’d called Emma a couple of times while he was gone, but he could sense the growing distance between them as though she was guarding every word she said. He’d asked what was wrong, but she kept insisting she was fine. Finally he’d canceled meetings, cleared his calendar and raced back to Whitehorn. As the miles went by, he told himself it was worry and not the burning hunger to hold her in his arms that drove him. Now that he was about to see her again, that argument turned mighty pale.

  After he’d parked in the alley and walked around to the front door, he could see that he’d been right. The place was packed right down to the seats at the counter and there was a line waiting for tables.

  As he searched for a glimpse of Emma, Janie spotted him and came hurrying over. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said fervently.

  “What’s going on? Is Emma okay?” he asked, sudden alarm threatening to choke him.

  Janie glanced over her shoulder. “There was a column in this morning’s newspaper about the investigation.”

  “They didn’t give her name, did they?” Brandon snapped. If they had, he’d bring a lawsuit that would keep them in court for years. Talk about irresponsible reporting!

  “Not since she hasn’t been charged, but they offered enough details for anyone with an IQ over sixty to figure out her identity and turn this place into a circus.” Janie sounded as disgusted as he felt.

  “Why didn’t you send Emma home?” he demanded as his gaze swept the café and he finally saw her coming from the kitchen carrying a large order. Someone seated at the counter said something to her that she ignored, but her face flamed and her eyes flashed.

  “I tried to get her to leave,” Janie said, “but she refused. Charlene and her boyfriend are in Reno and you can see how busy we are. I have to admire Emma’s grit, but it’s got to be hard for her.”

  “Perhaps I’d better see if I can get her to leave,” he suggested as he saw another customer reach for Emma’s arm when she hurried past.

  “Good idea,” Janie told him. “She’s got tomorrow off, so maybe this will all blow over by the next day.” She sucked in a breath. “Oh, damn,” she muttered as the man who’d failed in getting Emma’s attention got to his feet, lurching slightly.

  Brandon stiffened. “What’s wrong?”

  “Those two guys have been troublemakers since high school,” Janie said. “Josh Derosier is probably already half drunk and it isn’t even noon. He’s always picking fights and I know of at least one tavern that’s barred him for life. Roy Brant, the guy with him, is just as bad. I’d better get over there before they cause any problems.”

  Bemused, Brandon watched her confront the two men wearing dirty work clothes. They were both in need of shaves and haircuts. Janie wasn’t very big and they towered over her, but she was fearless. Before Brandon could react, the man she’d referred to as Josh pushed her aside and headed toward Emma, who was serving a party seated in one of the booths.

  “Hey, murderess,” he called, stopping all conversation in the café. “How did it feel to kill that woman?”

  Enraged, Brandon dove through the crowd. Emma set down the plates she’d been carrying and turned to confront Derosier. Her face had gone pale, but her chin went up and she stood tall.

  “I didn’t kill anyone,” she said firmly, her voice carrying through the shocked silence like a shout.

  The new busboy, who was too busy gawking to watch where he was going, plowed into Brandon and dropped the loaded tray he’d been carrying with a loud crash. Swearing under his breath, Brandon ducked around the kid and the mess. This scene was too much like the one with Homer Gilmore.

  “That’s enough!” Janie told the two men taunting Emma. “Both of you get out and don’t come back.”

  “But I wanna know how she did it,” Roy almost whined.

  Brandon watched as Emma’s tortured gaze darted from the two of them to the other customers who were watching the grim tableau, but no one stepped forward to defend her. The avid curiosity on their faces made Brandon sick. These were the same people she’d been serving for months and now all of a sudden she’d been tried and convicted in their eyes.

  Fury roared through Brandon as he joined Emma in the center of attention. He struggled to control his temper, well aware of just how easy it would be to start a melee that could get innocent people hurt and wreck Emma’s place of employment.

  He stared down each of the two men. Josh was as tall as Brandon, but thinner. Roy was shorter, with a gut that hid his buckle. Beyond their sneering expressions, they didn’t look bright enough to scare up two brain cells between them.

  Brandon swallowed his disgust as Roy elbowed Josh and they both laughed. “How’d the two of you like to step outside?” Brandon suggested. “Or is it only women you deal with?”

  Roy started to back away, but Josh took a swing. Luckily it missed Brandon by a foot, although the momentum spun Josh around and nearly knocked him over.

  “I called the sheriff’s office on my cell phone,” someone shouted from the back of the crowd. “They’re on their way.”

  “Be careful,” Emma implored from behind Brandon. “Don’t get hurt.”

  “Is this dude your accomplice?” Josh asked as he straightened. He looked at Roy, who was hanging back, and both of them giggled.

  “This dude is more than that,” Brandon snarled as fresh anger threatened his control. Adrenaline pumping, he grabbed both men by the backs of their shirt collars and hustled them toward the door. Like the Red Sea, the crowd of staring onlookers parted. His intention was to toss them both out the door, but as he reached the front of the café, two sheriff’s vehicles pulled up, lights flashing, and the drivers jumped out.

  In a moment it was over. One deputy took the men in custody while the other stuck around to take witness statements and fill out his report. Most of the people he talked to agreed that the assault had been unprovoked. The lone man who started to say something about Emma was quickly silenced by a look from Brandon. He’d expected her to be in tears, but she insisted on talking to the deputy herself. By the time they were through, most of the customers had finished their meals and departed. Finally the deputy gave Emma his business card and left.

  Brandon circled a protective arm around Emma. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “I’m not through with my shift,” she protested with a nervous glance at Melissa.

  Before she could duck away, the woman she’d referred to came up to them. “Thanks for coming to our aid,” she said
after Emma had introduced Brandon to her. “Getting those boys out of here was quick thinking on your part. Why don’t you come back sometime for a steak dinner on the house?”

  Surprised, Brandon thanked her. He was about to ask if Emma could take the rest of the day off, but before he could say anything, Melissa took her hand and patted it. “I think you should stay home for a few days, until this blows over.”

  For the first time since the ugly incident had started, Brandon saw tears fill Emma’s eyes. He tightened his arm around her protectively. “Why are you punishing her? She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

  “I know that,” Melissa said. “Believe me, if I was thinking of my bottom line, I’d work her double shifts. Did you notice how busy we were? You couldn’t have wedged another party in here with a shoe horn. Some women might enjoy being gawked at and whispered about, but I don’t think our Emma’s one of them.” She glanced around the café and then she gave Emma a considering stare.

  “You look wrung out,” she said bluntly. “Get some rest.” She glanced at Brandon. “Don’t do a lot of heavy fretting about this. In a couple of days there’ll be something new to occupy their tiny minds. Your job will still be here. How’s that sound?”

  Brandon felt Emma tremble. “I’ll come back on Thursday,” she offered.

  Melissa smiled. “I’ll be expecting you,” she said. Before either of them could thank her, she hurried away.

  He suspected that all the fight had drained out of Emma. “Come on,” he urged. “Let’s go by your place and pick up a few clothes.”

  “What for?” she asked with a bewildered expression.

  He gave her a reassuring grin. “I’m taking you back to the city that never sleeps. Reno, here we come!”

  Eight

  Despite the strain of the past hour, Emma felt a surge of excitement at Brandon’s offer to take her to Nevada with him. How wonderful it would be to leave her troubles here in Whitehorn and spend a couple of days with the man who had become so important to her.