Lullabies & Lies

by Ruby Blaylock

  Emmett retrieved the baby’s car seat from his car and handed it to Rory. Then he handed a plastic bag to Annie. Inside was a handful of diapers and a list of stores that sold baby products. He also handed her an

  envelope with some cash in it.

  Once we get all the paperwork done I’ll be able to bring over a full stipend, but on short notice and since it’s the weekend, this was the best I could do.

  Annie took the envelope. We’ll make sure she gets anything she needs, she told him. It’s just a shame I didn’t keep any of Devon’s old baby stuff. I think Rory and I will need to run back into town and get some things.

  Bessie sniffed the baby’s rear. Ooh, like diapers, she said. I hope you have some in that bag. Somebody needs to be changed.

  They said goodbye to Emmett, then headed into the house. Annie retrieved a towel from the laundry room and Bessie turned the sofa in the sitting room into a makeshift changing room. They lamented the lack of baby wipes, but Bessie made do with a handful of facial tissues, the type with lotion added in. Rory watched with a bemused look as the two women struggled with the task.

  I don’t know what you’re grinning at, Rory Jenkins, Bessie chided him. It’s been more than a few years since I had to do this sort of thing and I can still get a diaper on the right way. She folded the tabs of the disposable diaper around the front of the baby’s waist. It was crooked, but snug. Bessie lifted the baby with an expression of pride on her face. See?

  As if responding to her declaration, the baby began to cry, softly at first, but soon she was bawling loudly. Oh, there, there, Bessie said, turning the baby around and resting her small body in the crook of one arm. I’m going to need you to go to the store, Annie. We don’t have the first thing to feed a baby this age and I think we’re going to need some more of these disposable diapers.

  The baby quieted down as Bessie jostled her gently in her arms. Annie grabbed Rory by the hand and dragged him into the kitchen. You can drive while I try and come to terms with the fact that my seventy-something mother just got a new baby.

  She grabbed a notepad and pen from the drawer beside the refrigerator and began jotting down items. I wonder what kind of formula she drinks? Oh, if she even takes formula, Annie fretted. Emmett said she’s around five or six months—do you think she’s had any solids yet? Annie was writing things down, then scribbling through some of them and adding others.

  Rory gently put a hand on her arm. Annie, relax. We’ll get the basics today, then we can make another trip in the morning if we need to. And just get a couple of different formulas. I think they sell those little bitty cans so you can try a few out. He moved his hand to her back and began rubbing in small, firm circles. It’s going to be fine. Your Mama did a great job taking care of you and from what I’ve seen, Devon seems to have survived well enough, he teased. Seriously, between you and Bessie, that baby will be just fine.

  Annie turned and buried her face in Rory’s collarbone. Oh, I hope you’re right, she mumbled into his shirt collar. When she pulled away, she took a deep breath. Okay, let’s go get this stuff and get back. Who knows when that baby ate last.

  The hospital probably fed her, Rory surmised. I’m surprised they didn’t send any formula with her in that bag.

  Annie gasped. Oh, I didn’t even think about that. Let me look again. She hurried back to the sitting room, where Bessie was cradling a now sleeping baby. I’m just looking to see if the hospital sent any formula with the baby, Annie whispered.

  She dug through the diapers and paperwork in the plastic bag and found two small sachets of powdered infant formula. BINGO, she thought, and waved them triumphantly. Then she remembered that they didn’t have any bottles.

  I can use a cup, Bessie said, anticipating Annie’s worry. Just for now. If she wakes up before you get back, I’ll just mix it up and use a little cup. It’ll be messy, but at least she’ll be fed.

  Annie nodded. We’ll be back as soon as we can get back. Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself?

  Bessie nodded her head vigorously. And I’m not by myself, remember? Devon and his friends are upstairs if I need anything. You be careful and don’t find anymore stray babies, okay? One’s all I think I can handle at my age.

  Annie stifled a laugh and returned to the kitchen to get Rory. Her mother was insane, she was certain. But she had to hand it to her—when Bessie Purdy made up her mind that she could do something, there simply was no stopping her. As she climbed back into her truck and started the ignition, Annie thought that if Emmett Barnes was brave enough to ask her mother to marry him, he’d better know how to live with a headstrong woman.

  5

  Calm After Chaos

  Annie and Rory tried to shop as quickly as they could. Annie thought it should be easy enough to grab the basic baby essentials, but her idea of essentials seemed to be much different than what the store had. There were a dozen different types of baby bottles to choose from and almost twice as many formula brands. Fortunately, she’d remembered to snap a photo of the packet of formula from the hospital before she left the house. She found the formula while Rory located the diapers and wipes.

  She was surprised when Rory suggested that they buy a travel cot for the baby to sleep in. It was a folding, portable thing that would be perfect for moving around the house as needed, and it hadn’t even entered Annie’s mind that the baby would need a place to sleep. Rory also grabbed a pack of baby onesies and spare blankets before they rushed to pay for everything and hurry back home.

  Annie spent the rest of the evening in both abject shock and awe. She was still shocked that her mother had signed up to be a foster parent and had never even bothered to tell Annie. And she was in awe of Rory’s calm, level-headed approach to caring for the baby. Once Bessie and the baby settled in for the evening, they found themselves sitting on the front porch in the cool autumn night air. A portable outdoor heater hummed at their feet as they swung on the porch swing and ruminated about the day’s events.

  How do you know so much about babies? Annie asked him suddenly. It had been on her mind all afternoon and now seemed like as good a time as any to ask him about it. You’re not even fazed by all this, she added, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

  I grew up with a lot of cousins, he explained. I was one of the younger ones, too, so some of my cousins were having babies when I was still a kid. And my sister had a baby a few years ago, before you moved back here, he added. Her husband is in the military, so I helped out until she moved away to live on the military base with him.

  Rory didn’t often talk about his family. His father had died many years ago and he wasn’t close to his mother, though he did make a point to see her on holidays and her birthday. Annie never pushed Rory to find out why he wasn’t close to her. She hadn’t exactly been close to her own mother for many years and now the woman was constantly surprising her daughter. Annie wondered if Rory’s mother was anywhere near as pigheaded as Bessie was. Like a fine wine, Bessie Mae Purdy seemed to get more full-bodied and bold with age, Annie mused.

  Did you ever think about having kids of your own? she asked him curiously.

  Are you offering to make me a father? he asked through a grin.

  Annie gave him a playful eyeroll. That’s not what I meant, she clarified. I mean, you’re a nice guy and you look great in jeans. You can’t tell me that there weren’t women throwing themselves at you, trying to grab your other genes to create some sort of wonderbaby.

  Rory looked at her like she’d just lost her mind, so she tried change the subject. You want some ice cream?

  He laughed at her. If you’re trying to ask if I have a kid out there somewhere, the answer is no. At least, not that I’m aware of. Now he blushed. That came out wrong. What I meant to say is that I’m not that kind of guy. I dated after you and I broke up. Heck, you know I was married for about five minutes and we both know how that ended.

  Annie nodded. She knew that Rory’s ex had cheated on him with a man who later picked a fi
ght with him in a bar that landed Rory in prison for assault and grievous bodily harm. It had been a moment of complete idiocy that nearly ruined his life, but somehow fate managed to step in and bring Annie and Rory full circle, back together after decades apart. She understood why he worked so hard to always do the right thing—he’d done the wrong thing once and it nearly cost him everything.

  I’ve always loved kids, Rory admitted. I’d love to have one someday, but if I don’t, well, then I guess that’s just the way it’s meant to be.

  For what it’s worth, she said quietly, I think you’d make a great dad. She’d meant to make him feel better, but as soon as the words left her mouth they seemed to hang awkwardly in the air between them.

  Um, thanks, he said after a moment.

  Well, that didn’t come out awkwardly at all, she continued, covering her face. "I guess I’ve just got babies on

  the brain thanks to our youngest houseguest, she explained. And it kind of burns my biscuits that both you and my mother seem to be handling it better than me."

  Well, you haven’t been around babies in a while, Rory reminded her. And your mother does know everything, he teased.

  She thinks she does, admitted Annie. She let out a long sigh. I wonder what that poor woman was doing up here in Coopersville, she said, changing the subject again.

  Maybe she was visiting family, Rory suggested, knowing exactly who she meant. Hopefully Em will find a next of kin soon. Somebody’s got to be missing that poor girl.

  You’d think, Annie agreed. That baby is so adorable. It breaks my heart to think that her father or grandparents could be out there, worried sick about her.

  Rory nodded in agreement. I can’t imagine not knowing where your child was, even if they were grown. Still, at least the baby is safe.

  For now, Annie said, frowning deeply beneath the weak porch light. What happens to her if she has to go into permanent foster care? What if she gets bounced around from place to place and never gets a permanent home?

  Whoa, slow down. First of all, give Emmett more than a day to find her family. I’m sure they’re out there, and I’m sure they’re worried sick about her. Let’s just give the police time to do their job. Second, even if the baby winds up in the foster system, she’s young and adorable. Somebody will adopt her in a heartbeat. But I don’t think that it’s going to come to that, he added reassuringly.

  If she had family up here, maybe it will be easier for Emmett to find them, Annie suggested. She chewed her lip thoughtfully. Do you think she was murdered? You heard what Emmett said. And you saw the mess on the ground. It looked like there was a struggle to me.

  Rory didn’t answer immediately. When he did, he spoke slowly and quietly. If she was murdered, at least we arrived before anything could happen to that baby.

  Annie shuddered at the thought. She looked at Rory for a long moment. She wasn’t sure if it was the introduction of the baby girl to the house or the looming possibility of having an empty nest, but she was suddenly feeling just the tiniest bit broody. She found herself wondering what kind of father Rory would be, but she stopped herself short of actually imagining what any child that she and he might have would look like.

  You okay? he asked her, breaking her reverie.

  Annie blushed, thankful that he couldn’t read her mind. I think I’m just tired, she lied. Maybe we ought to go to bed so we can get up early to help with the baby, she suggested.

  Rory grinned at her. You know, if that baby keeps you up all night you can always come and sleep on my couch, he offered.

  That’s very sweet of you to offer, Annie replied coyly, but I think I’ll stick to my bed. I’ll stay out of trouble there, she told him before planting a quick kiss on his cheek.

  Annie Purdy, always the good girl, he teased her. Goodnight, Annie. He leaned down to return her peck on the cheek, but at the last moment, Annie turned her head and met his lips with her own, surprising them both.

  Night, Rory, she said breathlessly before heading back into the house and away from the temptation of following Rory to his own little cottage beside Rosewood Place.

  6

  A Grieving Man

  Annie dreamed about babies during her night of fitful sleep. She woke feeling more tired than she’d been when she’d gone to bed and she hoped that coffee would be her salvation. She was surprised to find her mother mixing formula in the kitchen when she came downstairs.

  Here, Mama, let me do that. You had to get up with the baby last night, the least I can do is help this morning.

  Bessie waived her away with a dismissive gesture. Nope, she slept like a little rock, Bessie revealed. I wish you’d have been such an easy baby.

  Annie was too tired to take offense at her mother’s statement. She pulled out her favorite mug and sat it under the dispenser of the coffee machine. Then she stuck a single serve coffee pod in and pressed the button. The scent of French vanilla filled her nose, perking her up just a little.

  Has Emmett called back yet? Annie hoped that they’d soon know more about a next of kin for the baby. She realized with some shock that they still didn’t even know what the baby’s name was.

  Not yet. I thought we could follow up with him after breakfast. I’d like to know if he’s found out anything else about that sweet little girl. She shook the bottle of formula gently. You want to feed her this bottle while I start cooking breakfast? She’s in the sitting room in her car seat. I really need to get her one of those bouncy chair thingies, I suppose. Poor thing can’t stay in that car seat all the time.

  Annie took the bottle and went to the sitting room. The door had been pulled closed, probably to keep the cat out, she thought. Annie pushed it open and saw the car seat sitting empty on the floor beside the settee. Her heart leapt into her mouth and she almost panicked before a familiar voice stopped her.

  She’s here, with me, Rory said, calming Annie’s fears. I came in here to give your mother back a book I borrowed and this little lady was fussing. I guess you went to get her a bottle? he asked, nodding towards the bottle of formula in Annie’s hands.

  Rory looked so natural holding the baby. Annie’s barely caffeinated brain didn’t register many things, but it did notice the way he confidently rocked the content infant in his strong arms. It made her stomach do a funny little flop and she was fairly certain that her ovaries would explode. If she’d ever wondered what kind of dad Rory would be, she needn’t wonder any longer. He’d be a great one. He’d also be a very handsome, very hot one.

  Annie’s cheeks flushed and she covered her embarrassment by taking a long swig from her coffee. After she’d swallowed the French vanilla-flavored liquid, she nodded and cleared her throat.

  I just came in here to feed her. Mama’s cooking breakfast so I said I’d do that. She held the bottle up to further explain herself.

  I can do that. You go ahead and finish your coffee. Unless you want to feed her, he added.

  Annie glanced down at her wrinkled pajamas and slippered feet. I would love to run upstairs and get dressed, she admitted, eyeing Rory’s crisp, unwrinkled shirt and jeans.

  Go on. I’ll watch the baby until you get back. We’re getting to be good friends, aren’t we, Guppy? He tickled the baby on her chin, eliciting a gurgle that further liquified Annie’s already melted heart.

  Guppy? As in ‘little fish’? We can’t call her that, Annie complained. She’s not a fish.

  Well, just as soon as Emmett calls and tells us her name, we can call her that. You can call her whatever you like, for what it’s worth, he reminded her. But I think Guppy fits. He took the bottle and perched on the edge of the settee. Seconds later, the baby was happily drinking her formula to the soundtrack of one of Rory’s fishing tales.

  Annie hurried upstairs and changed quickly into clean clothes. She contemplated having a shower to wake herself up more, but decided against it. She’d showered before bed—no need to have another—and pulled her chestnut hair into a neat ponytail.

  Annie paused
in front of the full-length mirror that hung on the back of her closet door. She wasn’t wearing anything special, just jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, but she felt fairly confident in her choice of clothing. She was curvier than she’d been when she’d first dated Rory and more than a few pounds heavier, but Annie reckoned the curves had settled in the right places. She wasn’t exceedingly young or thin, but she also wasn’t what she

  considered to be old and fat, either. Eyeing herself from every angle, Annie felt—finally—that she was just how she was supposed to be.

  There’d been more than a few years just after Devon had been born that Annie had felt unattractive. That’s not to say that she’d actually been that way, but she’d fallen into the trap of comparing herself to the younger, thinner, childless women that surrounded her in New York. Now that Annie was older, she realized that the old saying was definitely true. Comparison was the thief of happiness, and Annie wasn’t about to let her long awaited happiness be stolen by her own insecurities.

  Annie smiled at herself in the mirror and then headed back downstairs. She felt something that she hadn’t in a long time. She felt content. As large as Rosewood Place was, the inn actually felt somehow cozy and as Annie pondered the reason why, the truth of the matter hit her like a brick. The baby.

  Having a baby in the house, someone to fuss over and something for the entire family to focus on, had somehow transformed the inn into something more. Of course, it had always felt like the place where Annie would spend the rest of her days. She simply couldn’t see herself living anywhere else, but now it felt different. It had always felt like home, but with the baby and Rory sitting downstairs, Annie thought it felt like family, too.