Baby In My Arms

by Madeline Harper

  “Yep, but you know us stoical red men. We don’t complain.”

  Kate thought he was teasing her but couldn’t be sure. He wasn’t just stoical; he was quixotic, unreadable. She knew practically nothing about Ben Blackeagle—and that was the way it would have to stay. Once she and Amanda drove away, that would be the end of her brief, but interesting—even frighteningday with him. At least she could be glad that he’d been there during the shooting, as her protector. Unless of course the attacker had been after him. She supposed they would never know the answer to that.

  They trudged along, in the opposite direction from the shooting site, and Kate realized that while she should feel safe, she didn’t, even with Ben beside her. She glanced up at him. He seemed wary, too. There was something stealthy about the way he moved, silent, careful.

  Maybe she was thinking of a scene from a movie-the handsome Native American, his eyes steely as he surveyed the horizon, the sudden movement in the bush. He lifted his bow, pulled back, the muscles in his arms straining, and let the arrow fly. She could almost smell the excitement of the hunt.

  “Where’s your car?” he asked.

  “Car?” She was having trouble getting back to reality. “Oh, there, across the street.”

  “Good. I’m parked there, too.” Only half a dozen cars remained in the parking lot.

  “That’s mine, under the light.” Kate pointed out a beige compact.

  As they neared the car, Ben stopped. “You won’t be going anywhere in this tonight.”

  “What-”

  “Look at the tires.”

  “Oh, my God.” Kate let out a cry. Both back tires were flat.

  Ben handed the baby to her and walked around to the front of the car. She watched, her mind spinning as she tried to figure out what could have happened. The car had been serviced recently. The tires weren’t new, but they were in good shape.

  “The front tires are flat, too,” Ben said.

  She sagged against the car. “How could this have happened? I drove straight here from home. There was nothing unusual, no construction, no nails…”

  Ben straightened and came toward her. “This wasn’t an accident. Someone punctured all the tires.” He stared at her intently. “What the hell is going on, Kate?”

  She was shivering uncontrollably from a mixture of cold, anger—and fear. “I don’t know.”

  Ben’s face was serious, and there was a hint of suspicion in his voice. “You don’t know? First you’re hit by a car, then you’re shot at—”

  “We can’t be sure the shots were for me. The police said it was probably a random shooting, a drive-by or whatever they call it. Or someone could have been shooting at you—”

  “But they slashed your tires,” he reminded her. “Looks like someone wanted you stranded here. Vulnerable.” He looked around quickly. “Whoever did this could be watching now. My Bronco’s over there. Get in it.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Away from here,” he said.

  “But I need to call road service, get the tires—”

  “That can wait until tomorrow. Right now, we’re getting out of here.”

  He was right. They didn’t need to stand in the middle of a deserted parking lot, arguing. She took a step toward his car. Then she remembered. “Amanda’s car seat—”

  “Give me your keys.”

  She did as she was told. He pulled out his key ring, found his car key and pressed it in her hand. “Go,” he urged and she took off at a sprint, Amanda bobbling in her arms, chortling with delight at the unexpected motion.

  With shaky hands, Kate unlocked the car and crawled in. Moments later, Ben was on the other side. “Unlock the door,” he called out.

  “Amanda’s seat goes in the back—”

  “I know.” He settled the car seat and then reached for Amanda and strapped her in. Deftly, he folded the stroller and tossed it in the back of the Bronco. Then he jumped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and they roared out of the lot. After they’d driven a few blocks, he handed her something fuzzy and grayish.

  “Found this on the floor of the car.”

  “Oh, it’s Amanda’s lamb. It’s so dirty, I try to hide it from her—”

  From the back seat, Amanda got a glimpse of the lamb and let out a scream.

  “Give it to her,” Ben suggested.

  “But-”

  “It’s her security, Kate, just what she needs at this point.”

  Without enthusiasm, Kate handed the stuffed animal to Amanda, who grabbed it with eager hands and immediately put its ear in her mouth.

  “Ugh,” Kate said. But she admitted relief when the baby made satisfied gooing sounds and then, hugging her lamb, fell asleep, lulled by the rhythm of the car.

  They rode in silence, toward what destination Kate didn’t know. “Shouldn’t we call the police?” she asked finally.

  “We will, but I didn’t want to hang around. Yours was the only damaged car. Did you notice that?”

  She hadn’t. She spoke the next words unbelievingly. “Why is someone after me?”

  “I can’t answer that, Kate,” he replied. After a moment he added, “You say you have no enemies. But this isn’t the kind of thing a friend would do, is it?” He shot her a dark look.

  “No, it isn’t. But I don’t have any idea what’s happening,” she insisted, adding adamantly, “This isn’t my fault.”

  “I didn’t say it was, Kate.”

  “I know. I’m just so confused. I appreciate your help. Don’t know what I would have done without it. But I have just one more favor,” she added, “if you don’t mind taking me and Amanda home so I can call the police….”

  Ben stopped for a red light. “I’ll be glad to, but are you sure you want to go home? Whoever is responsible for all this knows where you work, what car you drive. It’s safe to say he probably knows where you live, too.”

  Kate put her head in her hands. How could this be happening to her?

  “Let me take you to a safe place. A friend’s house,” he suggested.

  “I don’t know anyone in Denver except Tina and she lives in a one-room efficiency apartment. I doubt if she’d welcome guests, not us, anyway. Maybe a hotel.” The idea of being alone in a hotel room wasn’t appealing, but it was better than her apartment, especially if what Ben suggested was true.

  “Do you think this person wants to kill me?” She couldn’t keep the shakiness from her voice.

  “Maybe only to frighten you.”

  “Well, he—or she—is doing one heck of a job. I’m scared to death. Things like this don’t happen to people like me,” she added defiantly. “And what about Amanda? I’m so worried about her.”

  Ben reacted to that before he had a chance to think of the consequences. “You’re bringing her home with me. Just for the night,” he added quickly. “My house is absolutely secure. No one will harm you there. We’ll call the police, and tomorrow you can make more permanent plans. How does that sound?”

  Ben heard a sigh escape her lips. He couldn’t believe he’d made the offer, but it had been necessary. Kate was exhausted and confused, in his estimation in no shape to look after herself or the kid. What kind of man would dump a woman and baby at a hotel when it was obvious that something weird was going on in their lives? That might be the expedient thing to do, but Ben couldn’t bring himself to be that heartless.

  “Someone’s after you, Kate. You can’t keep denying that forever.”

  Kate leaned her head against the soft leather seat. Ben was right. She was in trouble, and his offer sounded wonderful to her, making her feel warm and protected. She wouldn’t normally go home with a stranger—well, almost a stranger—but Ben was different. He’d become her protector.

  “I don’t want to impose,” she said miserably. “We should probably go to a hotel—I’ve caused you enough problems today. Even put you in danger.”

  “I can take care of myself, Kate. It’s you and Amanda I’m worried about
. I don’t want you to be alone.”

  She didn’t want that either. A long night in a hotel room, wondering if she’d been followed, obsessing about her pursuer, worrying about Amanda. Emotionally, she wanted someone with her; intellectually, she needed a witness to verify what happened to the police. Staying together was the most sensible call in a day that otherwise made no sense.

  “Thanks, Ben,” she said. “Amanda and I will take you up on your offer. I just hope we won’t be a problem.”

  Ben nodded. One night out of his life. “No problem at all,” he said easily.

  BEN WOUND ON AND OFF the interstate highways and headed west toward Golden. He checked the rearview mirror to be sure no one was following and then glanced at Kate, who sat silently, staring into the darkness. Amanda was sound asleep. He thought about turning on the radio but decided against it. The peacefulness felt good right now.

  “It won’t be much longer,” he assured her.

  Kate nodded. She felt numb. Headlights flashed past in the darkness; the tires of the Bronco hummed on the interstate. They’d passed Golden, and she had no idea where they were going. When he exited onto a side road, she wondered if she’d made the right decision; when he turned onto a snow-packed dirt road, her doubts intensified.

  She clutched the armrest as the road curved upward. There was nothing outside but pitch-black night. Even the sky was blocked by the trees that lined their route.

  Kate swallowed hard. What the hell had she gotten into? Ben said his house was secure, but this was ridiculous. They’d left civilization for isolation.

  Ben shifted gears, and the car lurched forward. “The road gets pretty rough in winter,” he said.

  “I noticed.” She heard her voice, high and nervous.

  A dark shape darted across the road. Ben braked, Kate screamed and Amanda woke up with a start. “What—”

  “A deer. Guess I didn’t tell you I lived in the foothills.”

  “Foothills?” She felt as if they were at the top of the world—or the end of the world.

  “Some people would call them mountains, but technically they’re not.” He sped up again and rounded a curve. A clearing appeared and a dark shape loomed above them. Kate had only a glimpse of the log house in the headlights before Ben pulled into the garage.

  “This is it.” He touched a button and the door closed behind them, sealing them off from the night.

  Kate opened the car door and got out. She’d really done it now—left Denver’s tenuous security to venture into the unknown with a stranger.

  What had she been thinking of?

  Chapter Three

  “Here we are,” he announced as he opened the door and flipped on the light, a modern chandelier that illuminated the huge room. Two stories high, it was built at angles with windows looking out across the moonlit, snow-covered mountains.

  “It’s—great,” she said, looking around. The brightly lit room banished her fears, and curiosity pushed aside her nervousness. Counting the sides of the house, she realized the room was hexagonal. “Fascinating,” she added. She stood in the middle of the big room, holding on to Amanda, gaping at the architecture of his home, while Ben took the stairs two at a time.

  “I’ll be right back,” he called out. “Make yourselves at home—you and Mandy.”

  She watched him disappear onto a balcony at one end of the room.

  “There’s a closet under the stairs,” he called from out of sight.

  “Okay,” she said, wondering what was happening and where he’d gone. “I’ll just hang up our things.” She crossed the room on colorful, woven rugs that were scattered over the hardwood floors, and found the closet, cleverly hidden in the redwood structure beneath the staircase. She deposited Amanda on the floor and managed to get out of her soiled coat and hang it up. But the baby wasn’t interested in staying put; she was off across the room on all fours, arms and legs pumping furiously.

  Kate let her go. She seemed to be heading toward a tall fireplace at the opposite end of the room, but there was a screen in front of it, and the logs were unfit so it didn’t pose an immediate threat. Kate followed, glancing occasionally toward the upstairs balcony.

  The woven rugs that covered the floors also decorated the walls. They were unique, so much like art objects that Kate felt as if she were in a museum of Native American folklore. Somehow, she was pleased that his heritage was so evident here in this modern hexagonal home.

  But where in the world was he?

  At that moment, he came down the stairs, carrying blankets and a pillow, which he dropped on a futon near her. “I’ll sleep down here. I’ve put out bedding and nightclothes for you upstairs,” he said.

  “No,” she protested, “it’s bad enough to intrude, but we’re not going to drive you out of your bed.”

  Ben stripped off his jacket and tossed it on the futon. “It’ll be easier for me to bunk here. I expect to be up late working—”

  Kate noticed the banks of computer terminals, monitors and other high-tech equipment that she didn’t recognize—all snuggled against one of the walls.

  “My office,” he said.

  “Your house makes quite a statement,” she said.

  “And it’s functional. Every one of the six walls has its use,” he said, ticking off the angles of the house. “Fireplace, office, kitchen, bath, foyer, and staircase which leads to my bedroom and bath upstairs—yours for the night.”

  “If you’re sure—” she began hesitantly.

  His gaze was steady and level. “I wouldn’t have suggested the sleeping arrangements if they didn’t suit me, Kate.”

  She nodded mutely. It didn’t take more than a few hours with Ben to reinforce the fact that he did what he wanted.

  He picked up Amanda and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll check out the food supply—”

  “I should have thought to ask you to stop at a store,” she said. “I have nothing for Amanda.”

  “That’s all right. We’ll improvise. Meanwhile, there’s a phone in the foyer.”

  “Phone?”

  “To call the police.”

  “Of course. I’d almost forgotten.” The admission was a little embarrassing for her, especially since it could have meant she’d been thinking of other things—the house, even its owner. She hurried toward the foyer.

  The call was brief, as she’d expected, and when she returned to the kitchen, he had apparently completed his perusal of the supplies and was tossing Amanda into the air. He turned to her. “A short call, which I imagine means the usual disinterest on the part of the authorities.”

  “They suggested it was probably a random act of violence and told me to call the automobile club, which I did. They’ll meet me there tomorrow. That’s how I fared. How about you?”

  “Found a package of spaghetti,” he said. “I don’t suppose Mandy could—”

  “If we cut it up, maybe—”

  “Great. Let’s give it a try.” He leaned against the doorjamb, the baby tucked under his arm, looking at Kate with a wry smile. “There’s really only room for one person in the kitchen.” He stepped aside. “So I won’t ask if I can help.”

  She laughed. “It’s a fair trade if you get Amanda out of that snowsuit.”

  “Done,” he said. “The spaghetti’s on the counter and there’s Parmesan cheese and butter in the refrigerator, salt and pepper and—”

  “I’ll find everything,” she told him.

  “And I’ll strip the kid down to her overalls and shirt and light a fire to warm this place up.”

  Kate found herself humming as she worked in the kitchen, a sure sign that she had finally relaxed. And the result of her efforts was actually edible.

  “I call it delicious,” Ben said, finishing off his spaghetti and dipping a hunk of bread into the residue on his plate. “I’d expected a sprinkling of cheese, but what we have here is—”

  “A sort of mock marinara sauce.”

  “Whatever you call it, here’s to the chef,�
�� he said, raising his glass.

  She clinked her glass against his. “And here’s to the wine supplier.”

  “That was easy. I just opened a bottle, but you created a feast.”

  Kate laughed. “Thanks for the compliment. Amanda looks pretty satisfied, too.”

  The baby, propped up in a chair with pillows all around, had devoured her chopped-up spaghetti and a bottle of milk, and was nodding happily, her shirt covered with dinner’s residue.

  Kate leaned back in her chair in the big living room, warmed by a roaring fire, and looked out on the moonlit panorama. “It’s beautiful,” she said.

  “I wanted a place where I could work and yet feel as if I were outdoors. This room brings the outside in. Wait until you see it in the daylight. The view is spec tacular.”

  Before she got too comfortable, Kate roused herself. “It’s time to get the baby bathed and put to bed. I need a shower myself,” she added. “It’s been quite a day.”

  “I put out towels.”

  “Thanks,” she said, picking up the drowsing baby.

  “I’m assuming that Mandy can sleep in a shirt and diaper.”

  “Absolutely, And diapers I have plenty of.”

  “As for your nightclothes—”

  “Whoops,” she said, “I’d forgotten about myself. Only the clothes on my back.”

  “I put something out for you that should be—” he looked her up and down before adding “—comfortable.”

  “Thanks again,” she murmured as she scooped up the baby.

  Once upstairs, Amanda woke up just long enough for Kate to bathe her, change her diaper and try to get a clean shirt over her head.

  “Now, if I could get your arms in those two little holes, you’d be ready for bed,” Kate said, struggling, with no help from Amanda, to poke the baby’s chubby arms into the arm openings. “I’ll never get the hang of this if I live to be a hundred.”

  “Ma-ma,” was the baby’s helpful comment. But she finally relaxed enough for Kate to finish the job. In fact, by the time she put the baby in the middle of the bed with pillows all around, Amanda was sound asleep.

  “That’s what happens after a hard day at the office,” Kate said as she headed for the shower.