Baby In My Arms

by Madeline Harper

  “Girl,” Ben replied as Amanda looked up innocently at Kate and said, “Ma-ma, ma-ma,” again and again.

  “You have a lovely family, Mr. McNair.”

  “Blackeagle,” Kate corrected quickly. “Ben Blackeagle, this is Martha Brownley.”

  “So pleased to meet you, Mr. Blackeagle. I’ll never catch on to modern marriages, women keeping their names, men…” She stopped short of commenting on Ben’s ponytail and earring.

  “It’s not really a modern—” Kate attempted before Ben broke in.

  “I’m encouraging Kate to be her own person.”

  Kate decided not to bother with attempting further explanation. “We’d better be going. We’ve taken up enough of your time, Mrs. Brownley.”

  “Nonsense. Besides, I have a marvelous idea,” Mrs. Brownley responded. “Why don’t the three of you come by Cherry Creek Mall for our Christmas Fest?”

  “No, we couldn’t possibly—”

  “Oh, do, please. It’s United Charities’ biggest fundraiser. Many of the UC staff will be there. It’s a marvelous opportunity for you to meet them, get to know the kind of people Rob hires in his organization.”

  And get to know Rob himself, Kate thought, deciding then and there to go. “If Ben has the time. My car’s in the shop, and he’s spending his whole day driving me around.”

  Ben’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was edged with irony. “Sure, I’d like to have some more quality time with my family. It’s as if we hardly know each other these days.”

  “Fabulous. You know where the mall is. We’ll be in the fountain area outside Foley’s. Santa will be there with his helpers. There’s a train for the children, and a trip to Santa’s workshop. Your baby will love it.”

  “We look forward to it,” Kate said.

  “The fun begins early!” Martha responded cheerfully.

  Ben started the engine, and Kate waved goodbye as they drove off.

  “Women,” he said, shaking his head. “Bonding instantly. Now what was that all about?”

  Kate waited until they turned onto Third Street before replying. “She’s not his wife!”

  “You mean that nice woman is an impostor? What’s she doing in Brownley’s house?”

  “No, she’s the real Mrs. B., a petite blonde in her late fifties. The woman I saw when I delivered the contracts that night wasn’t his wife. She was a tall brunette about thirty years younger. Robert Brownley is having an affair, and I caught him!”

  “Maybe the woman you saw was his daughter.”

  “Nope. The only daughter lives in Spokane. Mrs. Brownley just returned from a two-week visit to see her grandchildren. She told me all about that trip.”

  “His secretary?”

  “Sure. Taking dictation in a negligee over cocktails? Give me a break.” Kate narrowed her eyes and chewed on her lower lip. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

  “That Brownley has a mistress.”

  “And that I saw them together. He could be the one who tried to shoot us.”

  “Hold on, Kate, let’s get logical here.”

  “Okay,” Kate said. “First, Martha has all the money.”

  “How do you figure that?”

  “Their house—it was her family home.”

  “She told you,” Ben said with a grin.

  “And I didn’t even ask,” she replied.

  “You’re getting to be quite a detective.” Stopping at an intersection, he put the baseball cap back on and tucked the escaping hair under the brim. “For safety, just in case your Brownley theory is wrong.”

  But Kate wouldn’t be distracted. “I figure she had an enormous inheritance that Brownley has shared all these years. Enter the sexy mistress. A dangerous situation. If Martha got wind of it, she’d kick him out, ruin his reputation and leave him with only his United Charities’ salary, which, you’ve already noted, is probably minimal.”

  “It makes sense on a simplistic level. But let’s get more sophisticated. Is Brownley the type to stalk you?”

  “Can’t answer because I’ve hardly met the man, which is why I want to go to the mall. Confront him—”

  “A dangerous idea.”

  “Think about it, Ben. He’s not going to try anything with his wife there.”

  “Maybe not. But he’s also not going to break down and confess the way they do on TV, Kate.”

  “But at least I’ll be acting instead of passively waiting to be attacked again. Maybe I’ll get a clue from him—body language or something.” At Ben’s skeptical look, she snapped, “Any other bright ideas?”

  “Except for Hedrick, not a one. We need to shop for you, pick up a few things for Amanda, and the mall’s as good a place as any, so why not? Our little warm and loving family at the Christmas Fest.”

  “Sorry about that family thing, but Martha assumed we were married. And now that you mention it, weren’t you the one who—”

  “Guilty. And willing to play along for a while. Who knows, it might be fun.”

  BUT HE DIDN’T HAVE to do it. Ben knew that. After they waited for more than an hour for a delayed tow truck, he could have dropped Kate and Amanda at a car rental place and let them go to the mall on their own, find an apartment and get on with their lives. Instead, he was on his way to see Santa Claus—and liking it. His adrenaline was pumping, and he felt a sense of excitement about the past twenty-four hours.

  His enthusiasm lessened when they entered the noisy and crowded mall. Hundreds of children ran madly up and down the escalators, along the promenades and through the stores with harried parents trailing behind, trying to round them up before they zeroed in on the Santa Claus booth.

  “There’s Mrs. B.,” Kate announced when they spotted the UC booth. “I wonder where he is?”

  A smiling Martha Brownley waved them over. “I’m so glad you made it. There’re lots of UC people at the booth.”

  “Your husband?” Kate looked around.

  Martha shook her head. “Couldn’t make it. He’s been so busy recently….” Her voice trailed off. “But I’ll be glad to introduce you to the others, Kate.”

  “No, thanks, I’ll be fine on my own.” Dutifully, Kate headed for the booth, leaving Ben and Amanda in Mrs. B.’s care.

  “I do so admire career women,” Martha told Ben as they watched Kate walk away. “Especially working mothers. Kate’s lucky to have a husband who helps out. You’re wonderful with the baby.”

  As if on cue, Amanda chimed in with a stream of da-das.

  “She’s quite a handful,” Ben replied. “I’m finding myself doing all sorts of things I never imagined.” He smiled ruefully.

  “I just bet you are,” Martha agreed, as Amanda, fascinated by the mall Christmas tree, greedily reached for its decorations, straining in Ben’s arms. “Her first Christmas?”

  He had no idea. Had Amanda turned one yet or was her birthday just ahead? He decided to tell Martha what she wanted to hear. “Her very first.”

  “Then we must get your picture with Santa Claus.” She looked around and spied Kate at the booth. “Come over here, dear, as soon as you’re finished.” To Ben she confided, “I’m going to pull rank and put you at the front of the line. Won’t a Christmas picture be a wonderful memento?”

  Ben decided his only choice was to comply, and by the time Kate joined them, Martha was busy setting up the photo.

  “Sorry,” Kate mouthed as she slipped in line beside Ben. “These situations keep getting out of hand-”

  “No problem. Did you make any good contacts?”

  “Not really. Just low-level staff, handing out brochures. How’s Amanda’s dad?”

  “Fine, if only he knew his kid’s birthday! Had to fake it.”

  “She’ll be a year old January second—two weeks.”

  Ben beamed. “Guessed right.”

  Martha bustled over. “You’re next,” she told them. “First Amanda on Santa’s knee—”

  Kate gave the baby’s hair a quick comb and then
waited for her to shriek with fear as they approached Santa. His heavy and very obviously fake beard was pretty scary stuff, but Amanda seemed to love it. She went eagerly to him, her eyes big and round, and tugged with vigor on the beard.

  “I can’t believe it’s staying on,” Kate said, laughing, as the photographer snapped away.

  “Adorable,” Martha joined in. “Now the whole family.”

  “I don’t think so,” Kate responded quickly. “Ben’s in a hurry, and—”

  “I have plenty of time, sweetheart,” Ben said wickedly. “Especially for a holiday picture of our family.”

  Before she could reply, they were posed alongside Santa. After a couple of shots, the photographer advised, “You folks are supposed to be a happy family enjoying Christmas. Let’s make it a little more lively.”

  Kate forced a smile and turned toward the baby, who giggled on cue. Ben smiled back. Then with a wink, he leaned forward and kissed Kate enthusiastically on the mouth.

  Chapter Five

  Kate’s eyes opened wide and then snapped shut. This was some kiss. No little peck, no fake for the camera; it was simply delicious! Anyone would respond to such a kiss, and Kate certainly did.

  Ben’s mouth was possessive and insistent, and when hers opened instinctively, she felt his tongue graze her lips. Warmth radiated along her skin, and her heart fluttered wildly before she remembered where they were—and why.

  She was on a mission to find Brownley. Martha, Santa, all the rest were incidental. So was the kiss. She pulled away from Ben, trying to pretend that she was unaffected, but she could feel the color flaming in her cheeks.

  “Shall we try that again?” Ben called out to the photographer. He’d meant the kiss to be lighthearted, a joke in keeping with the charade performed for Mrs. B. It had turned into something deeper. Sweet and intriguing, there’d been an underlying hint of passion. And he wasn’t joking when he asked to try it again.

  Before the photographer could answer, Kate responded. “No! I mean, I’m sure it was fine.” Under her breath, she whispered to Ben, “Why did you do that?”

  “Because I wanted to,” he answered. “And because I liked it. I think Mrs. B. did, too.” He smiled disarmingly as she approached.

  “It’s wonderful to see a couple so in love,” she said.

  “Does it show?” Ben asked with such boyish charm that Kate almost choked.

  “It most certainly does,” Martha replied. “I’m sure you’ll cherish the picture for years to come. We’ll mail it to you if you’ll just give me your address—and a check, of course. All the profits go to charity,” she added.

  Kate looked at Ben and batted her eyes coquettishly. “This can be your treat, darling,” she said, “since you came up with such an original pose.”

  He kept a straight face. “My pleasure, honey. Maybe you’d like more than one copy. It’s for a good cause, you know.”

  “No, one will be more than enough,” she said, fluttering her lashes again. “But I’m sure Martha would appreciate it if you’d add a large donation for United Charities.”

  Damn. She was good, he thought. “Of course, sweetheart.”

  This could go back and forth all day, Kate realized, deciding—as Ben busied himself with the unexpected check-writing—to get on to the business at hand. “When do you expect your husband to get here, Martha?”

  “He may not make it at all, but I’m still hoping,” she replied. “Another board meeting. Rob has so many involvements.”

  Kate managed a tight smile. He certainly did! “He’s lucky to have you to pinch-hit,” she said fervently as Amanda squirmed in her arms. “I’ll stop by later in case he shows up, but right now, I think it’s past time for lunch.”

  “I recommend Mile-High Grill,” Martha suggested. “The mall’s a crowded madhouse today, but it’s always quiet there, and the food is good.”

  “Thanks,” said Kate, who had very little experience with Denver restaurants—especially the mall variety. A quiet restaurant with good adult food sounded like heaven to her.

  “What do you think?” she asked Ben.

  “I say go with Mrs. B.’s choice.”

  “Great,” she said, “if you take the baby.”

  Ben held out his arms, and Amanda went to him, but not as enthusiastically as usual. She was in a crying mode.

  “Fits right in with the general mood,” he said, looking around. The mall was crowded with families, parents and kids, none very happy, if their cries were any indication. More candy was thrown on the floor than eaten, more soft drinks spilled than drunk.

  “The joys of parenthood,” he said. “Demonstrated everywhere.”

  “Once we get into our restaurant, it’ll be different. No kids. No noise. No spills.”

  “But will they let us in with Amanda?” he wondered.

  “’Course.”

  “Then what makes you think other people with children won’t be there, too?”

  “Because they think they should take their kids to the fast-food places. We think we should take our kid—I mean, my kid—I mean—” She stumbled.

  “You mean, Amanda.”

  “Yes—to the best restaurant. And here it is.” They pushed through the door and found themselves in a cozy spot, intimate and quiet, very much adults-only. Then Amanda let out a shriek and everyone turned to look at them—as they backed out the door, plans squelched.

  “I saw a fast-food place back there…” Ben offered.

  “Not Jerry’s In and Out, fast-food burgers and dogs?”

  “Has a real Amanda ring to it.”

  He was right, Kate decided when they arrived at Jerry’s and found a table. Next to them a toddler burst into tears after spilling his soft drink. The sticky liquid ran across the table and puddled on the floor. His mother hardly noticed; she was too busy wiping mustard off an older child’s jacket.

  “More joys of parenthood,” Ben commented softly. “Now, what’ll it be?”

  “Whatever’s fastest and most filling,” she replied, taking the squirming baby from him. Amanda wiggled and waved her arms. Her fat little legs churned. And then she burst into tears. Kate let her cry. There were so many children in various stages of distress that the noise of one more didn’t matter, she decided.

  He returned only minutes later with a huge bag of food—and a high chair into which he managed to stuff Amanda before filling her bottle from a carton of milk. “That should keep her busy long enough for us to eat.”

  Ben quickly devoured two hot dogs while Kate worked steadily on her hamburger. “It’s wonderful,” she admitted. “But then anything would taste good at this point.”

  While Ben patiently helped Amanda finish up his double order of fries, Kate perused the material from United Charities. “Brownley seemed like such a nice guy,” she mused. “And UC has a great reputation. Still, he has a motive to want me out of the way.”

  “A little too dramatic, Kate. Just because he plays around doesn’t mean he’s a killer.”

  “I wish I’d had a chance to talk with him.”

  “You still may be able to, but he’s not our only suspect.” Ben grimaced at the word. “I’m beginning to sound like a cheap detective, but while I’m playing the role, let me suggest that there’s still Hedrick.”

  “Which means you think Amanda is the key?”

  “I don’t know but I’d like to find out. Have you explored the possibility that Amanda might be an heiress?”

  “An heiress?” she asked in surprise. “Where’d that come from?”

  “Your cousins must have left some kind of estate. Maybe Hedrick wants to get his hands on it.”

  “There’s a small amount of money in trust, but how would that benefit him?”

  “Maybe there’re other relatives you don’t know about who might put in a claim for her. Hedrick could be working for them, trying to get Amanda away from you.”

  “Then why wouldn’t they come forward or go to court?” she asked.

  “I don�
�t know, but I think we should explore every angle. If Amanda is the key to these attacks, the lawyer is our only lead in Denver. What did you think of him?”

  “We never met. He sent me lots of paperwork, and we talked on the phone. But a social worker delivered Amanda.”

  “Maybe you should meet the man. Could be something’s going on about the adoption—” Ben shook his head. “But, on the other hand, why would the guy want to kill you? Doesn’t make sense.”

  “You’re suspicious, though, aren’t you?”

  Ben nodded.

  “Why don’t we check him out? Since this is all about adoptions and babies, we can pose as an an adoptive couple. Maybe he’s running some kind of scam where he…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Kills the mother and kidnaps her baby? Pretty farfetched.” Ben was intent on the problem. “I know that logically this is out of left field, but if there is a connection, I’d hate for us to turn our backs on it.”

  “Then let’s do it!” Kate said. “We’re so good at playing man and wife—” she shot him a teasing look “—that we can try again as adoptive parents.”

  “Hedrick’s never seen you,” Ben mused.

  “Not unless he was the one who shot at me.”

  “In which case he knows you’re a redhead. You’ll need some kind of disguise. A wig maybe.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Not just for Hedrick, but for any time we’re out in public. That hair of yours still shouts, Kate. It’s impossible to bury it under a cap. The enemy is nameless and faceless so let’s don’t take any chances. You have Amanda to think about, too,” he reminded her.

  “Okay, I’ll get a wig, but first let’s see if Hedrick will give us an appointment. Oh, and I need someone to look after the baby. I wonder if I dare ask Tina again?”

  “Promise her a bonus when all this is over,” Ben suggested. He stood up and hoisted Amanda into his arms. “Now let’s hit the pay phones and start making calls.”

  AN HOUR LATER, Kate passed a store window and a stranger stared back. Ben was right about the wig. If she didn’t recognize herself, who else would? She fluffed out her blond curls and tilted her head to the side, studying her reflection.