Baby Shoes

by Lynne Gentry

  The dog leapt to his feet and started after her.

  “Stay, Romeo.” Momma’s frustrated order stopped the dog, the song of the cicadas, and Saul’s flipping of the steaks.

  But it did nothing to slow Maddie down. “Robin.”

  A please smiled lit his face. “Your mother told me you’d be here.”

  “Funny. She didn’t mention you were coming until now.”

  His gaze cut to the porch where Momma stood with her hand firmly wrapped around poor Romeo’s collar and tears gathering in her eyes. “Oh,” he said quietly.

  “Enjoy your dinner, Robin. Momma’s always the hostess with the mostest.” Maddie jumped into her car and sped away.

  Once she reached the turn onto the highway, she pulled to a stop and took out her phone to call her brother to tell him what Momma had pulled. That’s when she saw his message:

  Hey, Sis. Kids sick. I suggested Momma invite Robin. Try to be nice.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  A light rapping at the door jerked Parker from his disappointment. Since Maddie had learned of his commitment to Isabella, the distance between them had grown even more than when they were living on two different continents. Her retreat shouldn’t have surprised him. Maddie had always believed she wasn’t very good with kids. The summer they’d served together as camp counselors, a little girl refused to let Maddie bandage her knee. Ten minutes later, he’d found Maddie sobbing behind a tree, the first aid kit clutched to her chest.

  He wanted to believe Maddie had overcome her fear of children. That her cold and clinical treatment of him had nothing to do with his decision to raise Isabella and everything to do with her all-important professionalism as his doctor. After all, she was his doctor now.

  A doctor/patient relationship was the only legitimate claim he would ever have on the blonde who’d captured his heart when she bounced into his Sunday school class years ago.

  Lying in this bed day after day, watching as Maddie ran her stethoscope over his chest or pressed her slender fingers against his abdomen, had given him plenty of opportunity to ponder every encounter they’d ever had. Including the two times they’d actually kissed. When he regained consciousness in that Central American hospital and saw her standing by his side, he’d secretly hoped she’d come running because he’d meant as much to her as she did to him.

  But he wasn’t delusional anymore.

  Maddie’s decision to come to his rescue didn’t have a thing to do with him. Her decisions had always revolved around her goals and the best way to achieve them. Saving a dying guy from an infectious disease would look pretty impressive on the resume of a greenhorn epidemiologist.

  It was time to put out the flame in his belly. Once and for all. He had a child to raise. Pining over a woman who didn’t want children was a waste of his time and energy. He was going to need a bucketful of both if he was going to be a good father.

  A tap at the door jolted Parker from his worries. “Come in.”

  The door opened slowly and Leona stuck her head in. “Feeling up to a little company?”

  “Hey, Mrs. H...I mean Mrs. L.”

  She waved off his little slip. “It’s all right, Parker. Part of me will always be Mrs. Harper.”

  “Has the warden lifted my quarantine?”

  Leona nodded. “I’ve been texting Maddie for a few days. She finally answered when I asked if you were able to have brief visits.”

  “You two have a falling out?”

  She shrugged, but the sadness didn’t leave her eyes. “I pushed way too hard...again.” She put on a smile. “Anyway, Maddie says you can have limited visitors so—”

  “Tell me you’ve smuggled in Isabella.”

  Leona smiled. “Surprise.” She pushed the door open wider. His mother stood in the doorway with a big smile on her face, but it was the animated little girl riding on her hip that lassoed his heart.

  “We promised Maddie we wouldn’t stay long and we’d wash our hands real good,” his mother said as she eased into his room. “This little sweetie’s been asking for you non-stop.”

  “Paki.”

  Parker held out his arms. “Come to daddy, Isabella.”

  A snaggle-toothed grin lit his little girl’s face and she leapt from his mother’s arms into his. “Paki.”

  Isabella was an infusion of joy and strength, a shot in the arm stronger than anything Maddie had been dripping through his IV. “Someone’s been taking very good care of you, Sugar Bean.” He smiled at his mother who was beaming at the sight of her son holding a child. “Thanks, Mom.”

  His mother waved off his praise. “This girl loves my biscuits and gravy.”

  “Everybody loves Kathy’s biscuits and gravy.” Leona pulled a chair over by Parker’s bed and insisted that his worn-out mother sit for a moment. “I think I’ll run down and check on the Story sisters. That’ll give you three some time to catch up.”

  Once Leona was out the door, Parker’s stored-up emotions spilled out. “I’m sorry Mom. I should have called, but it all happened so fast with Isabella. I intended to tell you in person. Then I got sick. I shouldn’t have let Maddie bring me home.”

  His mother put her index finger to her lips. “Shhh. Parker, Maddie’s kept you alive. You’ve given us a beautiful granddaughter. We’re blessed. No need for apologies or second guessing.” She patted his arm. “Your dad wanted me to tell you that he would have come today but there wasn’t room for a wheelchair and a car seat in your truck.”

  “How’s his hip?” He stayed Isabella’s fingers from poking the buttons on his bed control. She snatched up the TV remote and pointed it at the screen on the wall.

  “He should be kicking up dust and getting in my hair again in a couple of weeks.” True to form, his mother saw the good in every situation, including an unexpected grandchild. “He’s able to wheel out to the fence and check on the livestock.” She inclined her head toward Isabella who was whacking the remote on his bed rail and whispered, “This one is as busy as a raccoon in a campground. The garden would have suffered had it not been for Nellie.”

  “Nellie?”

  His mom reached for Isabella’s little fingers and smiled when the little girl dropped the remote and grabbed hold. “She said, Kathy I’ll make sure the tomatoes don’t rot. You make sure Isabella is happy. Grandbabies don’t stay small forever.” His mom paused, chewing on the corner of her lip as she mulled something over in her mind. “Nellie’s turned down right...thoughtful.”

  Parker’s face scrunched in disbelief. “You don’t say?”

  “You would hardly recognize her.”

  “Does Isabella like Nellie?”

  “Not really,” Parker’s mother said with her kindest and most hopeful smile. “But Isabella hasn’t really taken up with anyone other than me and Maddie.”

  “Maddie?”

  “I could hardly pry her loose from Maddie when they got off that fancy jet Leona rented.”

  “Are we talking about the same girl? Because the Maddie Harper I know hates kids and anyone who doesn’t.”

  His mother sighed. “I was hopin’ you’d gotten shed of her in the jungle.”

  He let out a resigned sigh. “Me too.”

  “Maddie doesn’t hate kids and she certainly doesn’t hate you.”

  “Maybe not, but most kids don’t like her.”

  “Well, Isabella’s taken with her and I’m sure if we give Nellie time, she’ll win her over, too. Nellie’s crazy about Isabella. Always bringing her some little treat or a cute little outfit.” His mom sat back and took in the scene of Isabella climbing all over him. “We’re not the only ones who’ve grown very attached.”

  Parker pulled his daughter away from his IV line and drew her close, inhaling the scent of baby shampoo and sausage gravy. “She’s pretty much got me whipped.”

  “You always did like headstrong women.” His mother loved Maddie, too, and he could see she’d dreamed of them being together for as long as he had, but wisely she changed the subject
. “I know you’ve probably not had the strength to make a new life plan, but please tell me you’re not in a hurry to take Isabella back to Guatemala.”

  “Mom.” Parker rubbed his thumb over Isabella’s soft hand, stalling for a way to let his mother down easy. “I didn’t have the chance to finish installing the water system my village desperately needs. That’s why typhoid hit us so hard. Without access to fresh water, we’re fighting a losing battle.”

  “Your village?”

  “They’re like family.”

  “But this child needs a real family. A home. An education. Grandparents. A mother.”

  “I’ll figure it out.”

  “You know your father and I want to spoil her rotten, right?”

  “From the look on your face, I’d have a hard time trying to stop you.”

  “Then don’t.”

  Someone knocked on the door. Before Parker could answer, Nellie waltzed in. Two big shopping bags hung from her arms. She’d turned thoughtful all right...every detail of her appearance had been well-calculated. Green eyes sparkling with concern. Auburn hair piled just high enough to expose her tan shoulders and toned arms. A black tank top clung to her perfect form. Tight, white shorts set off those long legs bronzed from the hours she’d spent helping his parents take care of his ranch.

  Nellie was stunning. Gratitude for her thoughtful assistance during his recovery was not the response stirring under his hospital gown.

  “A Hallmark moment if I ever saw one.” Nellie beamed a beautiful white smile at Parker. “Don’t let me interrupt.”

  “Of course you’re not interrupting, is she, Parker?” His mom waved Nellie closer.

  He shifted Isabella away from her second attempt to remove his IV from his hand. “We were just reconnecting.”

  Nellie’s attention skipped over Isabella and glided the length of Parker’s body. “You’re looking far better than Maddie let on.” Her attention lingered at his mid-section longer than he was comfortable with. “I came by earlier, but Maddie wouldn’t even let me poke my head in.”

  “She’s following contagious-disease protocol.” Parker tugged the sheet over an exposed leg, all the while giving himself a mental kick for jumping to Maddie’s defense. His doctor had made it abundantly clear she could take care of herself. Time he did the same.

  Nellie let her gaze slowly travel back to Parker’s face. “If I was Dr. Harper, I’d want to keep all the handsome patients to myself, too.” How did she do that purr-thing between her clenched-teeth smile? “We’re all so glad you’re home.”

  Isabella’s little hands patted his face, snapping Parker from the trance of Nellie’s swaying hips and persimmon-colored lips. “Thanks for lending my folks a hand, Nellie.”

  “Oh. My. Goodness.” She set the sacks on the foot of his bed and leaned in and tickled Isabella under the chin. “Who could stay away from this angel?”

  Isabella let out a big wail and buried her face in Parker’s chest, her back turned to Nellie.

  Undaunted by the rejection, Nellie reached into one of the shopping bags. “I promised you a little surprise, Bella.” She pulled out an open-faced box holding a cloth doll with dark yarn hair. “I ordered her because she looks like you.”

  Parker stroked his daughter’s head, not sure he liked Nellie feeling free to spoil his daughter or hang a nickname around her neck without his permission. But this child had lost so much. A little extra female attention would probably do her good. “Look, Isabella.” He emphasized his child’s name and gently pried her grip from his gown. “Nellie brought you a doll.”

  “She has a baby bottle.” Nellie kept pulling things out of the sack. “And a little diaper bag. And look at this.” She dragged out a small pink cradle. “A little bed for your baby.”

  Isabella was not easily bought. She clung to him and gave Nellie the fisheye. But when she pulled out a soft pink blanket to wrap the baby in, Isabella began to ease from his lap. Parker couldn’t help but make a note at how useful the promise of comfort was when it came to instilling courage. He had to admit, this kinder, gentler Nellie was far different than the hellcat that once cornered David Harper in the baptistry changing room and left braces’ marks on his neck. “Thanks, Nellie.”

  She waved off his gratitude with a quick flick of her long finger to her lip. “Shhh.”

  He watched as Isabella inched toward the booty and snatched the doll. “Baby?” She handed the box to Parker, indicating he should free her prize from the twist ties holding it to the cardboard backing.

  “Yay!” Nellie clapped her hands and glowed at Parker. “Every girl needs a baby to love.” All those years in braces had been worth it because Nellie’s smile was a dazzler. Before he knew it, Parker felt himself smiling right back at her.

  A small knock and then Leona poked her head in again. “Look who I found wandering the halls and saving the world.” She pushed the door open and dragged Maddie into the room by the arm of her white coat. From Maddie’s expression she and her mother had not made up and coming to his room at Leona’s bidding was not Maddie’s idea. But she was holding a small plate wrapped in cellophane in one hand and a piece of paper in the other

  “Maa-d!” Isabella threw her new doll to the floor and scrambled out of Parker’s grasp. She flung her chubby little arms around Maddie’s neck and wrapped her legs around Maddie’s waist.

  Maddie’s eyes were two huge dinner plates, but her arms whipped around and secured the little girl in a flash, all without dropping the pie or paper still in her hands.

  “Well, I declare,” Parker’s mom elbowed Leona.

  “Well, isn’t that...something?” Leona stuttered.

  “Well, I never.” Nellie huffed.

  “Momma!” Isabella buried her face in Maddie’s white coat.

  His mother jumped up from her chair. “Maddie!” She hugged Maddie, sandwiching Isabella between them. “Thank you for saving my boy.” She put a hand on Isabella’s head. “And for bringing me the greatest gift of all...my grandbaby.”

  Color flushed Maddie’s cheeks. “Happy to help.”

  “We all want to know when Parker can go home,” Nellie purred.

  Maddie’s eyes darted toward him and he felt that familiar urge to help her out of this awkward corner. He didn’t. She wanted to go it alone. The time had come to let her.

  “These are your latest labs.” Maddie offered him the paper in her usual show of the strength then backed away from his bed with Isabella still clinging to her neck. “Your blood cultures are clear. I can sign your release as soon as the nurses get it ready.”

  Delighted squeals, followed by hugging between Leona, his mother and Nellie, sent Isabella scrambling to get even closer to Maddie.

  Over the hub-bub, Parker noticed Maddie didn’t seem to mind Isabella’s vice-like grip. His two favorite girls where locked in their own world. Isabella staring at Maddie. Maddie smiling at his daughter and stroking her hair. Maddie could be hard-headed, distant, and super self-reliant. But she was still Maddie. The girl who’d always been in his corner. The girl who’d risked hurting him again to save him.

  He was the one pouting like an ungrateful and wounded school boy. Withholding his friendship. Withholding the truth about how he felt. Generally acting the fool. Had he really stooped so low?

  He heard Isabella giggle and looked at Maddie again. She was staring at him with a mixture of pleasure and angst on her face. If he didn’t know better, he could have sworn she was blinking back tears.

  He stomped the dormant possibilities springing up within him like watered seeds. “Thanks for getting me out of here alive.”

  She swallowed hard and continued from a safe distance, “You’ll have to have your stool cultured several times over the next three months to make sure haven’t relapsed or that you’re not a typhoid carrier. Dr. Boyer has agreed to monitor your progress.”

  “Dr. Boyer?” The disappointment he thought he’d disguised so well landed with a thud in his raw belly. “I thought yo
u were my doctor.”

  Everyone quieted. All eyes turned to Maddie. Sweat beads popped out on her forehead.

  “I’m only here for a couple more weeks.”

  Isabella took Maddie’s face between her hands. “Momma?”

  Parker tried to hide the blow Maddie’s leaving would be to his daughter’s heart, and his own, by switching gears. “Is that pie for me?”

  Maddie flushed again. “It is,” she said with a forced-looking smile. “To celebrate.”

  “I hope its pecan.”

  If she’d caught his reference to the night they’d spent in a blizzard and the kiss he could still taste, she didn’t let it show on her face. “No nuts for you yet, mister. Still need to go easy on your digestive track.” She stepped forward, holding the pie out to him. “It’s buttermilk chess. Bette Bob brought some by for Etta May and when I told her how much you like pie, she insisted on sharing.”

  He set the pie on his tray. “Thanks again, Maddie. I owe you one.”

  “I owed you...for the wrecked pickup, remember?”

  She had caught his reference. Did she think about that kiss? Pleasure rippled through him. He motioned for Isabella. “Come to Paki.”

  His daughter shook her head and said, “I want Maa-d.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill, Momma.” Maddie strode through the hospital corridors, her mother hot on her trail. “She recognized me. That’s all.”

  “But Isabella has flat-out refused to have a thing to do with me, Nellie, or even Parker’s father. The only people she’ll go to is Parker, Kathy, and...you. Had he told you about her?”

  Maddie ground to a stop outside Etta May’s slightly ajar door. “I didn’t know Parker had a kid until his landlord thrust her into my arms exactly two minutes before our plane took off. The poor thing had obviously never flown. She was a frightened little bunny willing to crawl into a wolf’s lap if it would keep her from falling from the sky.”

  “You and animals have always gotten along fine. But you and kids...well...”