by Ann Mullen
“Would you like to hold Ethan?”
“Sure,” Cole replied. “Let me sit down first. I’m a little unsteady when it comes to holding babies.”
He was taken by surprise, but gladly took Ethan into his arms after he sat down. “Gosh, he doesn’t weigh a dime. He’s so tiny.” Cole started rocking Ethan as they sat in the recliner.
Ethan looked lost in Cole’s big arms.
Everyone was stunned by my actions, but I felt it was time to get over all the hurtful things that had happened and give Cole another chance. He needed his friends back, and I figured if he screwed up again, that would be his last chance. Besides, I was tired of being mad at him.
“I guess it means that you get diaper duty,” Billy said to Cole as he got up. “Let me just…”
“I don’t think so,” Cole replied. He stood and walked over to Billy in the center of the room. “He’s your son. Diaper duty’s your job.”
They both smiled.
“I’ll do it,” I said. “He needs more than a diaper change. He needs…” I took Ethan and talked to him in whispers as I left the room. “We’ll be back.” As I walked down the hall, I turned and looked back.
Billy and Cole were still standing in the middle of the floor. The chief and Jonathan had joined them. They had their heads together.
Sarah, holding Maisy, came up behind me and said, “I figured it was time to leave the plotting to the men. I’m sure we can find a way to entertain ourselves.”
“We definitely have our hands full.”
I had to feed Ethan, but as soon as I was finished, I was going back to find out what I’d missed. I was not going to be left out of the loop anymore.
We went to the nursery and changed the children’s diapers. Sarah played with Maisy while I fed Ethan, and before long, Mom, Claire, Benny and Carrie had come into the room and sat down. Athena and Thor lay on a rug between the two cribs. Spice Cat was noticeably missing, as usual.
“There’s so much love in this house,” Claire said. “I can feel it in the air.”
Civil conversation filled the hallway as Billy, Cole, Chief Sam and Jonathan walked passed the nursery toward the front door.
“Ah, there’s a plan in the works,” I said, smiling.
“What happened after I left the room?” Mom asked.
I looked at Sarah and she looked at me.
“It’s time to put the past behind us and move on,” Sarah replied. “Life has to be lived.”
Chapter 8
After Cole left, we had a long discussion about Alice Aikens’ funeral, what our next move would be, and our opinion of the so-called eyewitness who had come forth. All the children were down for the night, except Ethan, who would sleep for the next two hours and then be up again for more. The rest of us went back to our powwow in the family room.
“Her name’s June Robinson,” Billy said. “Her husband’s deceased, but he was a Marine and she knows a few things about covert operations. That’s what she told the sheriff. She lives up on a hill across from Daisy, so she has a great view of everything around her, especially since she uses binoculars. She said her eyesight isn’t what it used to be, that’s why she uses binoculars.” Billy smiled.
“She’s the one who saw me snooping around Daisy Clark’s place,” Jonathan said. “She must’ve told Daisy. How else would the woman know to come after me? Daisy obviously did some investigative work herself.”
“I bet June Robinson saw you and immediately called Daisy,” I said. “She probably had to explain herself—binoculars and all—but thought Daisy was in danger. What she didn’t know is how wrong she was. Daisy isn’t in danger, yet.”
“I don’t like what you’re implying, Missy,” Mom snapped. “I don’t want to hear another word about Daisy Clark and your plans for her. Remember who you are.”
“I know who I am,” I replied.
“Sometimes I wonder.”
“I also know I won’t let this woman harm my family. She’s scary and she’s dangerous. I wouldn’t eat a single morsel of food at her house or in her company unless it was food I brought myself.” I looked over at Jonathan and repeated one of his earlier phrases. “I have the taste of blood and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to make this woman pay. She’s an evil demon seed.”
“I’ve eaten her food,” Mom said. “She thinks we’re friends; she’s not going to harm me, not until I get in her way.”
“Oh, that’s a pleasant thought for me to carry around. It’s not bad enough that you’re close to this woman, I have to worry about what’s going to happen when she turns on you… and she will. It’s just a matter of time until she goes after another victim.”
The idea of my mother being harmed was too much. Anger reared its ugly head again.
“I’m making my debut before dinner tomorrow. I’m going to the funeral with you. I refuse to let you be alone with Crazy Daisy. What’s going to happen when she puts two and two together and comes up with Jonathan Blackhawk? Does she know my name is Blackhawk?”
“Don’t be silly, Jesse,” Mom said. “I knew right from the beginning I couldn’t bring the Blackhawk name into this. Billy said not to, so I went with Watson. Quite a few people know Billy Blackhawk Detective Agency.”
“And Daisy’s smart.”
“That’s right. It wouldn’t take much for her to put us all together and then our cover would be blown. So I told her you kept your last name after you got married. I said that you’re a modern woman, and we both had a good laugh at how things have changed. I never did tell her your husband’s last name. Surprisingly, she didn’t ask about it again, and I didn’t volunteer any information.”
“I’m going to the funeral.”
No one argued with me. They probably figured there was no use.
I looked around the room and asked, “What is our goal here?”
“We’re going to continue with our infiltration until we find enough evidence to put her away,” Jonathan said in his military tone.
Jonathan, a private man, served in the armed services before he became a bounty hunter. He doesn’t talk about his past, but we all know that some of the things he did were covert and extremely dangerous. Eventually, I found out that Jonathan is an Army Ranger. I say is, because once you are, you always are.
A loud snore came from the end of the sofa.
“Wake up, Sam,” Sarah said. She looked around the room. “It’s time for us to go.”
The chief mumbled his apologies and then got up to leave.
“Call me if you need a sitter,” she said, giving me a hug. “I’d love to come over and stay with the babies.”
“Thanks,” I replied as we walked to the door. “I really appreciate all you do for us. You’re always around for support.”
“Don’t make me cry,” Sarah said. “Call me if you need me. I can be back in five minutes.”
“I’m leaving, too,” Jonathan said, following us. “I have to get up early in the morning.”
“You’re not going back to work, are you?”
“Who’s going to round up the bad guys off the street if I don’t, Jesse? You’d be surprised how many people jump bail, and then there’s that matter of Crazy Daisy.”
I giggled at his remark about Daisy, but said nothing about her. “You need to rest. You’ve been shot.”
“A minor technicality,” Jonathan replied with a smile.
“You Blackhawk men are so tough!”
“Yes, we are,” he replied. He leaned down, kissed my cheek and then whispered in my ear, “Don’t kill anyone without me.”
“You’re nuts.” I ushered him out the door. “I’m going to start calling you Crazy Jonathan, like our friend, Crazy Daisy.”
“What did I tell you about that, Jesse?” Mom fumed.
“Okay,” I said. “Okay… no more Crazy Daisy.”
I waved to Jonathan as he walked down the steps behind his mother and father.
Thirty minutes later, the house was silent and ever
yone was tucked in their beds.
Our bed felt cozy and warm as I lay in Billy’s arms. I snuggled close to him and slid my arm around his waist. The sweet scent of Old Spice filled the air.
“There was a moment when something passed between you and Cole,” Billy whispered. “I felt it and so did everyone in the room. I took it as a mending of the ways. We’ve both been angry with him for a while, but I was hoping for a resolution to our bad feelings somewhere down the road. And now, thanks to you, the time has come. If you can forgive and be friends with Cole after all he’s put you through, then so can I. I want my friendship with Cole back. I’ve been waiting until he got over whatever it was that was making him crazy.”
“It hit me like a ton of bricks, Billy. I looked him in the eye and saw the Cole we all know and love, and then I realized I wasn’t the only one who got hurt from the fallout of our relationship. I was crazy about Cole, but when he acted like we were strangers in front of Sheriff Hudson that day at Mom’s house, our love affair died… well, it did for me. When he got shot, his whole personality changed. He became reckless, living every day as if it were his last. When you and I hooked up, he started seeing Claire immediately. He was on the rebound and I knew he would hurt her. I just didn’t know he’d actually physically hurt her. He blamed his anger problem on his medication. Drugs or no drugs, he alienated Mom when she saw him slap Claire. Everything went downhill from there. That’s when he started going on and on about Ethan being his child. Now that he knows the truth, he can move on with his life. We all can. Forgiveness is a necessity, don’t you think?”
“You’ve blossomed right before my eyes, `ge ya. You went from a skinny, confused thirty-year old to a mature woman, wonderful lover, and a devoted mother.”
“There you go saying all the right things, again.” I kissed him gently on the lips and then wrapped my arms around his neck.
He pulled me close and began kissing me passionately.
“I love you more than life itself,” he whispered in my ear.
I almost cried.
Billy has filled my life with more happiness than I could have ever imagined. Sometimes I get scared at the thought of how happy I am and what a wonderful man I’ve married. I count my blessings ever day.
I pushed him away and said, “Not just yet, lover boy. We still have to wait a couple weeks. Doctor’s orders.”
“What does he know?”
“We have two kids in diapers,” I said as I scooted away from him. “That’s enough for me for the time being.”
“But my clock is ticking.” He chuckled, sliding closer.
“That’s my line, Tonto.”
He smiled in the darkness, yet I could see his face from the light of the moon shining across the room. Predominant are his Cherokee features: the long, black shiny hair (slightly grayer since he met me) that hangs down in a ponytail, and his dark, olive colored skin. His muscular build is perfect for his 6’3" height and 180 pounds. This is his true physical strength, but it’s what’s in his heart that is his real strong point. He’s strong and could be tough when called for, yet a six-pound infant could bring him to his knees. I love his strength and the fact that he has a soft side. He’s everything a girl could possible ask for and he’s all mine. The fact that he’s sixteen years older than I am just makes life more interesting.
I, on the other hand, am 5’5" and weigh every bit of 125 lbs. (I’ve added a few pounds since giving birth to a watermelon). I have long (dyed) red hair and soon that will probably change. I’m going back to being a blond/brunette and a trim is definitely in order. Long hair just isn’t practical with little ones and their tiny fingers.
I relented, snuggled back up to Billy and said, “It’s really going to be quiet around here when Claire and the kids leave tomorrow, and then after a funeral and a dinner with Crazy Daisy, Mom’s going home to stay for a few days. I think she wants to see Eddie. She claims she’s going home because we need some time to ourselves. Bologna! She wants to be with her new boyfriend. She really likes him. I can tell. I’m glad.”
I heard a light snore.
“Billy,” I whispered. “Are you asleep?”
There was no answer.
I rolled over on my back and closed my eyes. Smiling, I drifted off into dreamland. It seemed as if I had hardly closed my eyes when I heard Ethan cry out. Barely awake, I mechanically jumped out of bed and went to his room. The night-light in the corner gave off a yellow glow that cast my shadow on the walls as I moved from crib to crib. Maisy had been sleeping through the night for some time, but it would be many moons before my little Cherokee son would. I looked down at him as he squirmed and then whimpered. I grabbed a diaper and a container of baby wipes and proceeded to change his diaper. He didn’t even cry out. I picked him up, walked over to the rocking chair in the corner and sat down. I put him to my breast and cried as he fed. It was one of the most amazing feelings I’d ever felt. My mind drifted as I thought about how wonderful my life has been since I’ve been with Billy. I’m so lucky.
Billy tiptoed into the nursery, leaned over and whispered, “Are you okay, `ge ya?”
“I’m great,” I sobbed. “Things couldn’t be better.”
Billy chuckled and turned to walk away. “If you don’t need me, I’ll go back to bed.”
That was another tender moment.
After a burp and a little extra holding, I laid Ethan down. He was so tiny; he looked lost in his crib. I stood over him and just watched. He looked so much like Billy; I just hoped he had his daddy’s disposition, because mine is not the best. I quietly turned, walked out of the nursery, and crawled back into my bed. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I awoke to the sound of a phone ringing. It rang again before I heard Mom’s voice. She spoke softly, but I could hear everything she said.
“Yes, I’m going home after breakfast,” she said. “Why don’t you and Gabe come by around one o’clock? That’ll give us a little time to talk.”
I got out of bed, dressed and walked across the hall to the nursery. Both kids were still asleep. I walked over and put my hand on their chest to make sure each one was still breathing. I looked at both of them and smiled. Here I was doing the same thing I’d heard other women say they’ve done—yet, I swore I’d never do it. Yeah, right. I eased out of the room and headed to the kitchen.
Billy greeted me, kissed my forehead and then handed me a cup of coffee. “Here, I’m sure you need this.”
“Actually, I’m fine. I only got up once in the middle of the night to feed Ethan.”
Billy leaned down and whispered in my ear, “That’s because I fed him a bottle of breast milk you had in the refrigerator.”
“Did you...”
“Yes, dear, I warmed it up first. I have two other sons; I’ve done this many times.”
“How did you know what I was going to say?”
Billy, Mom and Claire got a good laugh. Their laughter got the dogs riled, and then Benny and Carrie joined in. I’m sure the kids didn’t know what everyone was laughing about, but it didn’t matter. They were part of the group—that’s what counts.
I looked around at everyone and smiled. “I’m so happy. I don’t care if y’all laugh at me all day long. Go ahead. Get it all out.”
I never should have said that, because the comment instigated an outpouring of cackles. They were like chickens that had been shut up in a coop too long. That laughed, snorkeled, and made outrageous little noises, until; finally, I had to tell them to stop.
“That’s enough, you bunch of goofballs. Y’all are acting silly.” I walked over and sat down at the kitchen table and ignored them. “What’s the plan for the day?”
“We’ve had breakfast, so we’ll be leaving in about an hour,” Claire said. “As soon as I get the kids packed up, in the car and ready to go, we’ll be heading home.”
“I’m sorry you guys have to leave,” I said, smiling at Benny and Carrie. “I’ll miss you.”
Benny walked ov
er to me and said, “We have to go to school, but we’ll come back soon, Ant Jess.” He stood on his tiptoes and kissed my check. He turned, looked at Claire and asked, “Won’t we, Mama?”
“Probably sooner than you think, Benny,” Claire replied, scanning the room. “I’m sure something will happen, and we’ll have to return; it always does in this family.” She smiled and ushered the kids upstairs. “Let’s go pack our bags, kids.”
“Ah, can’t we stay a little longer?” Benny asked, his voice trailing off as he and his sister followed their mother upstairs.
By the time Claire and the kids left, we had our plan mapped out. Mom would go home, settle in a little bit (and probably spend some time on the phone or in person with Eddie), and then I’d come over around noon. Billy would take care of Maisy and Ethan. Hopefully, by the time I left the house there would be plenty of breast milk in the refrigerator, but just in case, Claire, terrific mother that she is, had anticipated the possible need and purchased several cans of ready-to-feed soy formula. The cans were stored in the cabinet next to Maisy’s baby food.
Billy assured me he could handle everything, but just to make me feel better, Sarah and Chief Sam had volunteered to come over and spend the day just in case we had to call him to come save our lives. He couldn’t be in two places at one time.
Mom and I would go to the funeral and then dinner, all the while trying to get everything we could out of Daisy Clark. To avoid suspicion about my attending the funeral of someone I didn’t even know, we decided to tell Daisy that Mom needed my support and asked me to come along—hope you don’t mind… yadda, yadda, yadda. The rest we’d play by ear.
And, of course, I’d have to carry my breast pump with me. Mom said I’d be sorry if I didn’t. We didn’t know what the outcome of the day would be, and it would be best if I were prepared for anything. So, as an added precaution, I slipped my 9MM in the side compartment of the tote bag. You just never know…
Well, there’re two things for sure other than death and taxes: mothers are always right and things don’t always go exactly as planned.