Baby In My Arms

by Madeline Harper

  Ben’s six-foot-two-inch frame and broad shoulders seemed to fill the room. It was too early in the morning to be faced with someone so…so overwhelmingly male. Even though she hated to admit it, Kate thought, he was incredibly sexy.

  What was it? Easy, she told herself, it was the great body, the dark hungry eyes, the husky, growling voice. No wonder Tina had wanted to get into the office with him!

  Kate tripped the latch of her briefcase, opened it and looked at him over the raised black leather top. “I hear that some of the other offices have been raided by rival placement services. They hack in and steal client lists—”

  “Applicants looking for jobs?”

  “No, they usually hit the corporate lists, the companies that hire staff through ESS,” she told him.

  He turned back to the computer, his fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. In less than a minute, a list of ESS corporate clients appeared on the screen.

  “How’d you do that?” she asked.

  “If I told you, then you wouldn’t need my services.” He grinned. “The fact is, your system is much too easy to crack even without your password. But in this case, I had the word.”

  “Who told you?”

  “No one. I guessed. On the third try—DOS.”

  “How—”

  “You’d be surprised how many people use computer terms like mac, doc, dir—and DOS.”

  “Well, it was so easy to remember, I thought…” Her voice drifted off.

  “Don’t worry. Just about any three-letter password can be broken. Besides, that’s not the only way for hackers to get in. I’ll block access wherever possible, but first, I’ll set you up with a five-letter password that’ll be more difficult to access.”

  “Don’t make it some crazy combination of consonants that I won’t be able to remember,” she asked.

  “That’s the problem with you people. You take this so lightly.”

  “‘You people’ isn’t really me. I’m not a computer type,” she explained. “That’s Tina’s area. I guess I’m not what you call ‘computer friendly.’”

  “But you do use the computer?”

  “Yes, sometimes, but—”

  “Then you need to become ‘friendly,’” he insisted.

  Kate silently fumed. She’d had an awful night. Night? She’d had a horrible ten days. Now some computer jock was lecturing her. Through gritted teeth, she asked, “What can I do to help you get started?”

  “Have breakfast with me.”

  “I’m sorry?” She wasn’t going to be put on.

  “Let’s have breakfast,” he insisted.

  He’d gotten on her case for missing one appointment, being late for another and not being computer friendly. Now he wanted to have breakfast with her! “I can’t do that. I’ve missed too much work. First there was the accident. Then Amanda arrived….” She was repeating herself. And besides, why did she think she had to explain to the man hired to solve a few computer problems? She added pointedly, “We can send out for coffee.”

  “But I want more than coffee. I want a real breakfast. Eggs. Hash browns. Biscuits. I was out late last night—on a special project.” A sly smile played around his lips.

  Sure, she thought. There was no way his special project had anything to do with computers. “I don’t have time,” she said stubbornly.

  “Look, I’m going to breakfast. If you come with me, we can get all the talk about the system over with. Then we can both go back to work. You do your thing. I do my thing, and I’m outta here by five o’clock, my job over and done.”

  “No, I—”

  “Suit yourself. It’s up to you.” He spoke in a voice that was pleasant but firm.

  Kate sighed. Ben Blackeagle was obviously going to do things his way or no way. She was too tired to argue. What did an hour more or less mean in a life that was totally out of control anyway? Besides, she was hungry, too.

  “I suppose I could bring the baby—”

  “The baby’s here?”

  She nodded. “Maybe Tina will watch her.”

  Ben raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Your secretary doesn’t look like the baby-sitter type.”

  Kate couldn’t help laughing. He was right about that. With her long legs, high boots, short skirts, moussed hair, perfect features augmented by fabulous makeup, Tina had her own agenda. Baby-sitting didn’t figure in it. In fact, ESS was only a stopping-off place on her way to a modeling career.

  But she had all those little sisters, Kate remembered. “I’ll ask,” she decided.

  Abruptly she went through the door into the outer office where Tina appeared to be huddled over her computer; in fact, she was huddled over Amanda. She looked up, her finger with its salon-manicured fingernail touching her lips.

  “Sssh,” she whispered. She’d lowered the back of the stroller, and Amanda was sleeping. “She’s beat.”

  “Who isn’t?” Kate asked. She followed up quickly with another question. “Since she’s down-and-out, would you watch her while I have breakfast with Mr. Blackeagle?”

  Tina raised a perfectly sculptured eyebrow.

  “He’s hungry.” Getting no sympathetic response, she added, “And my best bet is to work with him over breakfast.”

  “Understood,” Tina said.

  “Then you’ll watch the baby?”

  “Of course. I’m not going anywhere,” Tina replied. “But bring me back coffee and a Danish.”

  “You’ve got it,” Kate said. “And it’s my treat.” She reached for her coat on the wall hook, and suddenly Ben was there, holding it for her.

  “Well, Little Red Riding Hood, met any wolves recently?” he asked.

  Kate glanced quickly at Tina and saw her secretary hide a grin.

  “I’m not crazy about red,” she admitted. “But when I was ready to transfer here from Phoenix, I had to put together a new wardrobe. This was the only coat I could find that was heavy enough for Denver.”

  He looked at her speculatively.

  “This color wouldn’t have been my first choice,” she added. Why was she so defensive? Because Ben seemed to know how to push all the right buttons.

  He chuckled. “You should be warm enough,” he said easily. The long red coat covered her from neck to ankles. He knew what was underneath, and it was a totally business look, but he could always imagine something more interesting.

  “We’ll be back soon,” Kate assured, ignoring Ben’s remark—and his wry look.

  At the elevator, Ben pushed the button and commented, “Cute kid.”

  That made Kate relax a little as she agreed, “I think so, too, but she’s really active, like any one-year-old, I guess.” The elevator doors slid open and they stepped in. “She’s learning to walk, and she’s ready to practice anytime—especially in the middle of the night.”

  “Hmm,” he agreed. “Actually, I was talking about your secretary.”

  “Calling her a cute kid?” Kate asked, aghast.

  Ben laughed.

  “You’re not serious?”

  “Of course not,” he replied.

  She walked along beside him, willing to believe that he was joking, but not quite sure. Ben Blackeagle was definitely an enigma. His next remark added to the confusion.

  “Amanda is obviously your first child. Otherwise you’d know they don’t run on schedules like an office.”

  Kate looked sideways at him. Was he speaking from experience? She wasn’t about to ask whether he had a wife—or children—of his own.

  “I saw a restaurant on the corner,” he told her as they left the building. “You want to go there?”

  “Sure,” she said. “That’s as good a choice as any.”

  They walked along the slushy street, Kate hurrying to match his long strides. By the time they reached the corner, she looked around nervously. Since the accident, she’d been anxious, especially at intersections. But with Ben beside her, she felt more secure.

  Besides, there were no pedestrians except her and Ben and on
ly a few cars at the crossing. He offered his arm and she took it. They stepped off the curb into the street.

  That was when she heard the loud, cracking sound, like a car backfiring. But different. Closer. Louder.

  Then Ben yelled, “Get down. Now!”

  She felt the weight of his body falling on her, knocking her back onto the sidewalk as another shot rang out.

  TWO POLICEMEN answered the call—a young man, eager and alert, and an older woman, bored and laconic. By the time they arrived, Ben was settled in the coffee shop, finishing up a plate of fried eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon and toast. Huddled over a cup of coffee, Kate glowered at him. They’d been shot at, and he was feeding his face, acting as if nothing had happened.

  The young officer recapped information he’d gathered, reading from notes. “No one in the coffee shop, the newsstand or the office across the street saw anything —no shooter, not even a suspicious-looking character. There’s not a single witness.”

  His partner lit a cigarette, ignoring the No Smoking signs strategically placed on the tables. “Drive-by shooting,” she said.

  Ben finished his eggs and wiped his mouth without comment.

  Kate couldn’t believe his nonchalance, especially when she was so involved. “In this part of town? I haven’t lived in Denver very long, but this doesn’t seem like gang territory to me.”

  The young officer responded. “It’s not, but the lines are beginning to blur, unfortunately. If they want to leave their turf, nothing’s stopping them.”

  “But why would they shoot at us?” she asked.

  “We don’t even know that’s what happened. But if it is, you two were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  Kate’s hand shook as she picked up her cup. The coffee was bitter—and cold. Grimacing, she put it down. “Seems to be happening to me a lot recently-being in the wrong place.”

  The young officer leaned forward. “What do you mean by that, ma’am?”

  “About ten days ago, I was on First Avenue in Cherry Creek, waiting for a light to change. The sidewalk was crowded with shoppers, and I was jostled, pushed in front of a car.”

  Ben looked up, suddenly curious.

  “You think there’s a connection between that incident and this one?” the officer wondered.

  “I imagine there’s an easy explanation,” the policewoman commented. “Your boots.”

  “My boots?” Kate asked.

  “Yes. High heels with leather soles.”

  Kate felt three pairs of eyes riveted to her boots. She pulled her feet under the table.

  “They’re no good on ice. You should think about getting some real boots with traction. You probably just slipped,” the woman continued.

  “Did you file a police report, Ms. McNair?” the young man asked.

  She shook her head. “No one saw anything so I could only assume that it was an accident.”

  He studied his notes. “And both of you deny having any enemies.”

  Kate frowned. Deny having enemies. That made them seem at fault. “None,” she said firmly.

  “Same for me,” Ben replied, speaking up for the first time—now that breakfast was over. “All my customers are satisfied.”

  “You two known each other long?” the woman asked.

  “We met this morning over business,” Kate replied. “There’s no connection between us at all. No one could possibly know we were going to be together today,” she added firmly.

  The woman stood up. “That covers all the bases. Come on, Riley, we got to get moving.”

  “That’s it?” Kate asked indignantly.

  “We’ll make a report, ma’am,” the young officer explained politely. “But it doesn’t look like the shooter was aiming at you or Mr. Blackeagle. We found one of the bullets….”

  “Ballistics!” Kate exclaimed. “You can trace it.”

  The policewoman shook her head. “All we can get is the make of the gun. I can tell you now it was probably a rifle.”

  “Well, then—” Kate began.

  “This is Colorado, Ms. McNair.”

  Kate looked at her, frowning.

  The young officer clarified his partner’s remark. “Lots of folks own rifles out here.”

  The woman was more impatient. “You and Mr. Blackeagle both deny having enemies. There’ve been no threats. All we can do is wait. If there’s another attempt—”

  Kate moaned.

  “More than likely it’s an isolated event,” Riley added. “Things like this happen frequently, I’m sorry to say.” He settled his cap firmly on his head. “You have our names and the precinct’s phone number. Call if we can help—or if you think of anything else.”

  Kate watched their retreating backs. “I can’t believe it. They’re not going to do anything!”

  Ben pushed his empty plate away and waved the waitress over for a refill of his coffee. “They checked for witnesses. They asked questions. No one saw anything. We don’t know who—or what—the target was. Probably some guy, high on drugs or booze, celebrating Christmas early with a little random shooting. As the officer said, things like that happen, Kate.”

  She sighed. “I guess you’re right, but I can’t take much more excitement.” She shook her head in wonder. Her life seemed totally out of control, but she tried not to think of that as she managed a tremulous smile. “Thanks, Ben. If you hadn’t knocked me down, I’d be dead.”

  “No, I don’t think-”

  “Yes, it’s true. I could have been hit by the second shot. Except for you.”

  “It was just reflex,” he replied. “Hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  “Nope. Just my coat.”

  “I hurt your coat?”

  She laughed. “No, you didn’t hurt it. You just sort of—mangled it.” Her red coat was lying across a chair, a wide grease smear along the hem, the back soaked with melted snow. She lowered her eyes, remembering how he’d treated her coat—and her, recalling the feeling of his body on hers.

  As scared as she’d been when the gunshot sounded, her heart pumping like a runaway engine, she’d still been very aware of him, all hard muscles, shielding her from danger. She raised her eyes to his. They were dark and fathomless.

  “After everything that’s happened—getting caught in gunfire, especially—I realize you got more than you bargained for, and I wouldn’t blame you if you called it quits with ESS and canceled the contract,” Kate told him.

  “No way. My word is my bond. That’s what makes my company successful.”

  “Of course,” she said. “And I’m sure you are successful.”

  “When I finish up with ESS, I’ll take a few days off and then I’m heading for Christmas vacation in Puerto Vallarta and some heavy-duty partying,” he replied, in answer to her comment. “Meanwhile, I’m here in Denver being shot at.” He cocked a dark eyebrow. “This is kinda farfetched, but could some of your rivals in the job placement business be jealous enough to take a shot at you?”

  She shook her head. “What would that accomplish? ESS would just hire someone to replace me. I haven’t been here long enough for them to care. And I certainly haven’t been here long enough to make any friends—or enemies. So that leaves you. Friends? Enemies?”

  “Lots of friends, no enemies.” He finished his coffee and stood up, holding Kate’s coat for her.

  “We never got around to talking about securing the system,” she reminded him.

  “Don’t worry, it’s not going to be a problem.”

  She reached for the bill, but he stopped her. “My treat. And as for your system, I’ll figure it out—before the day is over,” he promised. “Which reminds me, it’s nearly noon now, and Tina must be frantic.”

  They stepped out into the cold hard glare of the December day. She stopped, hesitant, until Ben took her elbow and hustled her across the street. Even though he carried on a normal conversation, talking about the computer program, making suggestions, asking questions, the whole time he was watching, war
y. There was protection in his big frame and tough-looking leather-clad exterior. His dark clothes, his size, his sense of assurance, all of these worked together to make him a formidable presence.

  Once they were inside her office building and on the elevator, she breathed easier, but she couldn’t relax completely. She’d been shot at in broad daylight on her way to breakfast. It didn’t seem possible. It was like a dream. Or, actually a nightmare!

  She shivered despite her warm coat and the heat of the elevator. She didn’t like the way her life was going these days—a seemingly uncontrolled slide into chaos. Somehow she had to put the shooting incident behind her and concentrate on her work. The work was the important thing. If she didn’t start producing, the ESS headquarters might regret making her their newest manager. Then she would be out of a job.

  She was dedicated, hardworking, on the right track for her career. The problem was, improbable situations kept throwing her off track.

  They stepped off the elevator and were met by Tina and Amanda.

  One normal-size woman and one little baby, they seemed to take up the entire hall. It was the energy, Kate realized as she watched the two of them, Amanda stumping along on her short, chubby legs, arms over her head, hands held firmly by Tina, who was making some sort of chirping noises, whether to mollify the baby or herself, Kate couldn’t be sure.

  “The phone woke her,” Tina explained over her shoulder to Kate as they sailed past.

  “I’m sorry, we—” Kate attempted.

  “Then she cried, and then she walked, then she cried and walked. God, it took you long enough. And where’s my Danish?”

  “I forgot, we had a problem—”

  Tina seemed to focus in on her boss. “What happened? Were you hit by another car? Look at your coat!”

  Before Kate could explain, Amanda surged forward, pulling Tina along.

  “Ma-ma,” she said chirpily. Then she caught sight of Ben and broke into a huge smile.

  “Da-da, Da-da!”

  Chapter Two

  Ben wasn’t eavesdropping. He didn’t care anything about Kate’s pitch to potential clients. But what could he do in the confines of her small office, separated from her by no more than a body length? Without really listening, he absorbed the thrust of her conversations.