The Littlest Stowaway

by Gina Wilkins

  “She won’t let me put her down,” she said when she saw Steve. “I’ve been walking up and down the hallway for the past hour.”

  His first instinct was to take her in his arms and offer comfort. Maybe another kiss. Or two. Or more.

  Knowing she wouldn’t appreciate that, he offered commiseration, instead. “I did the same thing last night,” he admitted.

  “I tried putting her in the carrier where she could watch me work and she wouldn’t have it. I put her in the bassinet, thinking she would cry herself to sleep, but she screamed for twenty solid minutes without letting up. I couldn’t stand it anymore. The only time she’s quiet is when I’m rocking her or walking with her.”

  “I know. She wants to be held. Maybe she’s feeling insecure because her mother isn’t here.”

  “My arms are starting to cramp.”

  “Here, let me take her. Is it time for her next bottle?”

  “I fed her just before we started pacing the hallway. She shouldn’t need to eat again for a while.”

  He took the baby and settled her into his arms. She fussed a moment, then quieted when he began to rock her gently. “I think she’s getting spoiled.”

  “I think you’re right. I wonder if a pacifier would comfort her? I know they’re controversial and Janice might not appreciate us getting Annie attached to one, but it seems like she needs something to soothe her.”

  “I hadn’t even thought of a pacifier. Maybe we should try one. I’m not morally opposed to them, are you?”

  “After today, I’d try just about anything,” she confessed, rubbing her forehead. “Who would have thought a baby this small could be so vocal in her demands?”

  He chuckled and patted Annie’s back. “She’s a pistol, all right.”

  Casey cocked her head and looked at him as if suddenly recovering enough from her own distress to notice something. “Did something happen at work today?”

  Steve kept his gaze on the baby. “What do you mean?”

  “Something’s bothering you. Have you heard from Janice again?”

  For someone who claimed to dislike him, Casey was certainly able to read him well. “I haven’t heard from Janice. But something did happen that caused me to be concerned about her.”

  “I knew it. What happened? Is she all right? Is she...?”

  “Casey.” He broke in with a slight smile. “Why don’t we move into the kitchen for this? I could use something cold to drink.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Steve had emptied a can of soda and told Casey every detail of his encounter with the weird guy outside his office. He could have described the incident more concisely, but Casey kept interrupting with questions.

  “Who do you think he was? What do you think he wants with Janice? Did he know about the baby?”

  Leaning against the counter, holding his soda can in his right hand and the baby in the crook of his left arm, Steve shook his head. “I don’t know. He didn’t...”

  Casey gasped. “You don’t suppose he’s the baby’s father, do you?”

  “No, I don’t He’s a good twenty-five years older than Janice. And I didn’t get the impression there was a personal relationship between them. My guess would be that he’s trying to find her for someone else.”

  Her eyes widened even more. “You mean he’s, like, a pro? Someone who wants to hurt her?”

  “Now don’t let your imagination run away with you,” he admonished, rather amused.

  “You said Janice sounded frightened. She begged you to protect her baby. Maybe she’s...maybe she’s gotten tangled up with the Mafia or something.”

  He had to chuckle at that. “Now you really are getting carried away. What would the Mafia be doing here? We’re in a dry county, there’s no gambling and we roll up the streets at 10:00 p.m. Hardly a den of iniquity.”

  “We don’t know where Janice came from before she showed up looking for work,” she reminded him, her tone expressing resentment that he wasn’t taking her seriously.

  “I’ll admit she seems to be running from something, and I didn’t trust the guy who was asking about her. But until we know what’s going on, it doesn’t do any good to make up scenarios.”

  Annie made one of her funny little noises and Steve shifted her to a new position. The kid really didn’t like to be still very long, he thought wryly.

  Casey was wearing her worried frown again. She leaned her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her fists. “What are we going to do now?”

  “You said you had some errands to run this afternoon. Feel free to leave whenever you’re ready.”

  She shook her head impatiently. “I didn’t mean that. What are we going to do about Janice? And the baby? Don’t you think we should consider calling the police now?”

  Actually, Steve was even more opposed to calling the police now than he’d been when they’d first found the baby. He didn’t like the thought that someone was trying to intimidate one of his employees. He hadn’t liked the guy who’d interrogated him outside his office. And he would be damned if he would turn little Annie over to a bunch of bureaucrats without first doing all he could to help her and her mother. “No police.”

  “What about your P.I. friend? If someone else has been hired to find Janice, why can’t we do the same?”

  That was certainly a viable option. If anyone could locate a missing person, it would be Blake. “I’ll try to reach him. If he’s available, he might agree to help us out.”

  “You’re sure that Claybrook guy didn’t know you have the baby?”

  “I told you, the baby never came up.”

  “You’ll probably accuse me of letting my imagination run away with me again, but...is it possible he followed you here?”

  “No, it isn’t possible. I kept one eye on my rearview mirror the entire way.”

  “So it did occur to you.”

  He nodded. “As much as I hate to admit it, it did occur to me.”

  “Of course, he could probably find your address in the phone book. Unless your number is unlisted?”

  “Why would I have an unlisted number? I’ve never had a problem with unwanted calls. By the way, why is your number unlisted?”

  “It just seemed like a prudent step for a single woman to take.”

  “Hmm. And if any single guys are interested in calling you?”

  She leveled a look at him. “When I want someone to call me, I give him my number.”

  He grinned. “I know. And I still have it memorized.”

  “I did not—” She stopped, drew a deep breath and glared at him. “Stop baiting me. We have real problems to discuss. You just said you’re in the phone book and easy to locate. What if...?”

  “Casey, there’s no reason to think the guy would be interested in finding me at all. As far as he knows, I’m simply someone Janice used to work for. He has no reason to think I’m connected to her in any other way.”

  She chewed her lip. After a moment, she said, “I really think you should call your friend. I was already worried about Janice, but this—this scares me.”

  He moved across the room, still cradling Annie in his left arm, and ran his right hand down Casey’s long, silky hair. Though he had intended the gesture to be reassuring, he enjoyed it so much he did it again—for himself that time. “Don’t be scared, Casey, darlin’.”

  She immediately straightened her shoulders. “I’m not scared for myself. I’m worried about Janice and the baby.”

  “Don’t be scared for them, either. I’m going to make sure no one hurts either of them.”

  She eyed him doubtfully. He was aware that, for the first time, she wasn’t automatically moving away from his touch. He didn’t flatter himself that she was growing fonder of him. She was probably just too distracted to pay much attention to his actions. But it was nice to stand close to her and feel like they were in this together.

  As reluctant as he was for her to leave, he didn’t like seeing the lines of strain around her pretty mouth. Maybe she
needed to get out for a while after being cooped up here with the baby most of the day. “Go run your errands, Casey. I’ll watch out for Annie.”

  She nodded slowly. “I do have a few things I have to do. But I’ll come back later this evening. You’re getting low on formula. I’ll pick some up while I’m out. And I’ll bring you dinner. I know it’s difficult to prepare something for yourself while you’re trying to keep Annie happy at the same time.”

  He almost told her that wasn’t necessary. He could always call for a pizza or something. But he couldn’t resist the opportunity to spend a bit more time with her. “I really appreciate that. Let me give you some money for supplies. You’ve already bought clothes and diapers.”

  She lifted her chin in a proud gesture. “No, thank you. I haven’t spent that much.”

  Something in her expression warned him not to argue with her. He would figure out a way to pay her back later, he decided.

  He walked her to the front door, noticing that she looked warily up and down the quiet residential street before stepping outside. The fact that a stranger was looking for Janice had obviously spooked her. He wished he could assure her that the incident hadn’t worried him at all—and he wished even more that it were true.

  “I really appreciate you helping me out this morning, Casey.”

  She looked down at her hands. “You’re welcome,” she said, a bit gruffly.

  He leaned closer to her, wondering if there was any chance of stealing another kiss.

  But Casey was onto him now. She sidestepped him quickly, giving him a look of warning. “I have to go. I’ll see you later,” she said.

  He sighed in resignation and nodded, letting her leave without further comment.

  “Well, Annie,” he said when he and the baby were alone again. “How’d you like to try sitting in your seat for a few minutes? I need to make a couple of phone calls.”

  Annie wasn’t happy about being put down. She cried and flailed her arms and legs. Just as Steve was about to give up and hold her again, she fell asleep in midwail. He hovered over her a few minutes, until he was sure she was really asleep. Only then did he tiptoe into the kitchen to make his calls.

  AFTER RUNNING HER ERRANDS and checking in with her office, Casey stopped by her apartment to do a load of laundry and water her houseplants. She thought about making something to take to Steve’s for dinner later, but decided to stop for takeout instead. She had cans of formula, more diapers and a few other baby supplies in her car. She’d bought a bottle of baby soap while she was at it. As far as she knew, Steve hadn’t had the nerve to try bathing Annie yet, and neither had she. One or both of them were going to have to make the attempt tonight.

  It was almost six when she picked up her purse and headed for the door. By the time she stopped for food and arrived at Steve’s house, he would probably be ready to eat. She was only doing these things for him because he was taking care of the baby, she assured herself. Even if it turned out that he’d been misguided in his decision to take care of Annie rather than turn her over to the authorities, it was really rather sweet of him to be doing so much. What other bachelor would be so willing to take full responsibility for the infant daughter of a woman he hardly knew?

  She had just reached for her doorknob when the telephone rang. She almost let the answering machine pick it up. Only the thought that it could be Steve with a last-minute request made her answer. “Hello?”

  “Casey Jansen?” The voice was unfamiliar.

  “Yes?”

  “My name is Walter Park. I’m trying to locate a woman I believe was on your payroll for a time. Her name is Janice Gibson.”

  Casey’s fingers went white around the telephone receiver as she remembered Steve’s account of the man who’d questioned him earlier that day. A man Steve had instinctively mistrusted. “How did you get this number? It’s unlisted.”

  “One of your associates provided it to me. I’m sorry, I hope I’m not imposing too greatly on your time, but it really is very important that I get in touch with Ms. Gibson. It’s in regard to a rather sizable inheritance. I’m sure she’ll be very pleased to hear from me.”

  And if Casey bought that, he’d probably try to sell her some ocean-front property in Arizona. She didn’t believe a word he’d just said. “I’m sorry, Mr. Park, was it?” she said, aware that he’d given Steve a different name. “Ms. Gibson left my employ without giving notice. She did the same thing to my competitor, Lockhart Air,” she added, biting back a scathing, As you already know.

  “Neither of you has heard from her since she quit?”

  “No. And it was quite inconvenient for me—as it was for Mr. Lockhart. We neither know nor care where she is now.”

  “If you hear from her—”

  “I won’t. And please don’t bother me again. Good day, sir.” With that curt dismissal, she hung up the phone.

  Only then did her knees weaken. “Oh, my God,” she whispered.

  Then she bolted for the door. She needed to talk to Steve.

  5

  STEVE OPENED THE DOOR moments after Casey rang his doorbell, just as she was about to press it again. Her thoughts were just clear enough for her to notice that he wasn’t holding Annie. She reached out to clutch his arm, taking her first deep breath since she’d left her apartment after that weird phone call. “Is everything all right here?”

  “Yes, fine. What’s wrong? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

  She didn’t let go of his arm. She found comfort in the rock-solid strength of him—though she was reluctant to admit that, even to herself. “Where’s Annie?” she asked, forcing her thoughts away from the warmth of Steve’s arm beneath her hand.

  “She’s in the bassinet. I just fed her and rocked her to sleep. She probably won’t stay down long, but—”

  “He called me,” Casey cut in. “At my house. My unlisted number.”

  Steve went still, his eyes narrowing. “Who called you?”

  “Claybrook. The guy you told me about. Only he used another name this time.”

  He drew her into the house and shut the door behind her. Casey didn’t pull away when he covered her hand with his. The contact was rather reassuring at the moment. “What did he say to you?” Steve asked.

  “Almost the same words he used with you. He asked if Janice worked for me and if I know how to reach her. Only this time he mentioned an inheritance.”

  Steve frowned. “He didn’t say anything about an inheritance to me.”

  “I didn’t believe him, Steve. I hope I did the right thing—God knows Janice could use some financial help—but knowing what he’d said to you earlier made me certain he was lying.”

  “What did you say to him?”

  “I told him that Janice had quit without notice. I insinuated that I was very annoyed with her for leaving me in the lurch, and that you were, too. I left it that I didn’t know or care where Janice is now.”

  Steve smiled a little. “I’m sure you said it in that snotty, I’m-the-boss-don’t-mess-with-me voice you do so well.”

  For once she didn’t take offense at his teasing. “I tried.”

  He nodded. “I’d bet he bought it. He’d have no reason not to believe you.”

  “His voice was so creepy, it made me nervous. I hope he couldn’t tell. How do you suppose he found my number?”

  “These days, even an unlisted number isn’t that hard to find. Someone who’s a bit too clever with a computer—or a bit too smooth with people who know it—can usually find what they want.”

  “He said he got it from one of my associates. I can’t imagine anyone who works for me giving a stranger my number. But if he’s been snooping around the airport, he probably knows how recently Janice disappeared. And that she was pregnant when she left.”

  Steve nodded. “You’re right. But, Casey, he has no reason at all to think you and I have her baby. No one knows that except us, Madelyn and B.J. And neither of them will tell him. I’ve talked to both of them today
and we’ve agreed to keep this quiet for now.”

  The whole situation was giving Casey an ulcer. She placed a hand on her aching stomach and wished she had an antacid handy. “What if there’s some legitimate reason this guy’s looking for Janice? What if she’s really in line for an inheritance? Or maybe her family is looking for her—a family who could possibly help her now.”

  “Even if Claybrook does represent Janice’s family, we’ve done nothing wrong. We haven’t lied. We really don’t know where she is now or how to reach her. And he hasn’t asked about Annie.”

  His reassurances didn’t loosen the knots in Casey’s stomach. It was obvious to her that she and Steve were in over their heads. She was much more comfortable feuding with him over business issues than collaborating with him in a situation that could affect little Annie’s entire life.

  As if in response to her troublesome thoughts, Annie began to fuss, her cries carrying clearly from the bedroom. “I’ll get her,” Casey said, needing something productive to do. “There are several bags of baby supplies in the backseat of my car. Would you bring them in, please?”

  Steve took her car keys from her hand and stepped outside. She headed for the bedroom. Annie was working herself into a full tantrum when Casey reached her, her tiny face red, her eyes squeezed shut, her fists and feet pumping. Casey slid her hands beneath the active little body and lifted the baby into her arms.

  “I’ve always believed assertiveness was a good thing for a woman,” she murmured, patting Annie’s back, “but I think you’re carrying it a little too far.”

  Annie burped noisily.

  “Whatever works for you,” Casey said with a faint smile.

  She carried the hiccuping infant into the den where Steve was unloading bags. “Looks like you picked up everything we could ever need,” he commented, examining a soft pink hairbrush.

  “I thought we’d better try to give her a bath after dinner,” she said. Then she gasped. “Dinner! I was going to bring takeout, but that creepy phone call knocked it right out of my head.”