Beginnings (33 page)

Beth marveled at how the babies, even separated, still seemed to be in sync with one another. The few times she’d seen them awake, they were both awake. And when one became agitated, immediately the second showed signs of distress, although Teddy had proven easier to calm than his stormy sister.

Already hints of personality could be read in their reactions and precious facial expressions. Despite the fact her relationship with them was just a few days old, Beth loved them so much there were times her eyes welled with tears just thinking about them. It would be hard for her to leave tomorrow, but now that Mom was up and moving around, it was time for her to go.

Only two family members could enter the nursery at the same time. With her going in, either Mom or Henry had to stay out. As much as she loved visiting the babies, Beth knew it was better for their parents to be with them. So tomorrow morning, she would return to Sommerfeld.

“But I’ll be back every weekend,” she promised little Teddy, caressing his downy head, “and we’ll have lots to catch up on.”

A nurse stepped near, clipboard in hand, and recorded the numbers flashing on the monitors. Her recording done, she smiled at each baby in turn. “They seem to be enjoying their massages.”

“Oh yes. Attention,” Mom singsonged. “They like attention.”

“Just remember not to overdo,” the nurse cautioned. “Over-stimulation can be detrimental.”

Mom offered a smile and nod. She spoke to the nurse but kept the same sweet, singsong tone she used with the babies. “I’ve learned their signs of ‘too much,’ and I won’t overdo. Thank you for the reminder.”

Beth enjoyed another few minutes of singing softly to Teddy before she and Mom traded places. Beth continued the whisper-soft strokes and low-toned crooning, this time with Dori. Looking down at the tiny replica of her own baby pictures, Beth couldn’t help but envision the future two years, ten years, sixteen years down the road and wonder how Dori’s childhood and teen years would differ from her own.

Dori would be raised Old Order Mennonite. Her friendships and relationships would be limited by the restraints of the community. Would this little girl, whose personality already seemed to indicate feistiness, blossom or wither within those restraints? Beth couldn’t know for sure what lay ahead for Dori, but she silently vowed to pray every day for Dori’s contentment. She also vowed never to be a stumbling block in her little sister’s life. Somehow, even though she knew she wouldn’t adopt the Old Order lifestyle, she would be supportive of it.

Beth shifted her position slightly to relieve a mild cramp in her wrist, and as she did, she glimpsed her own reflection in the Isolette’s Plexiglas top. No makeup, hair slicked away from her face in a tight tail, simple silver studs in her ears—as plain as she’d ever seen herself. Yet in her eyes lay a peace and maturity that took her by surprise.

In the past days in this hospital, filling the role of big sister, attentive daughter, and full-fledged member of the Braun and Koeppler families, Beth had found her niche. She closed her eyes for a moment, sending a silent thank-you heavenward to God for opening her heart to the place He had planned for her to call home.

Mom cleared her throat, capturing Beth’s attention. Beth raised her gaze, and Mom gestured with her chin toward the large, plate-glass windows that faced the nursery. Turning her head, Beth located Henry standing outside the glass.

Certain he wanted to trade places with her, she offered him a quick smile and nod and slipped her hand from the Isolette. When she looked again toward the window, Henry was gone. In his place stood a tall man with red-gold hair and a neatly trimmed mustache. She clutched her hand to her chest, her jaw dropping.

Sean?

THIRTY

Beth rounded the corner from the nursery. Henry stood right outside, and he briefly touched her hand as she passed him. She paused long enough to give him a smile and nod, then crossed on quivery legs to stop several feet from Sean. Only then did she see that he held a huge cluster of flowers, daisies in every color of the rainbow tied with an abundance of lavender ribbon.

Her gaze bounced from the bouquet to his eyes.

The blue-green eyes crinkled into a self-conscious smile, and he lifted the bouquet. “These are for your mother when she comes out.”

“Oh.” To her surprise, she was more touched than disappointed. “That’s sweet.” Although she’d left the nursery, she still whispered. She took two steps forward, closing half the distance between them. “But how did you know where to find us?”

Sean’s boyish shrug made Beth’s lips twitch with a grin. “I called the studio. Andrew was there, and he told me which hospital. Then I just went online and did some hunting for directions. And here I am.”

Here you are.
Beth’s heart pounded as if she’d just run a race. She pressed her hand to her chest once more, willing things to settle down.

“I—I brought some things for the babies, too. But your dad told me you weren’t allowed to have stuff in the nursery, so they’re in the waiting room.”

“
Your dad”...“dad”...“dad”...
The word echoed in Beth’s head. She liked the way it sounded.

“Teddy bears.”

It took a moment to process the meaning of Sean’s simple sentence. “You brought teddy bears?” She tried to picture him in a store, picking up stuffed toys. It was easier to envision him behind a desk or a computer.

“Yes. I figured ... babies ... toys ... something soft.” He swallowed, the gulp audible in the quiet hallway. “I brought one for you, too.”

Beth’s eyes flew wide. “For me?”

“It only seemed fair. Everybody else got something, so...” His voice trailed off.

They stood in silence, staring at each other, with Sean clutching the bouquet of flowers against his thigh and Beth clasping her hands against her rib cage. The flowers seemed to tremble, capturing Beth’s attention.

“Should we go find some water to put those in?”

“What?” Sean appeared startled; then he jerked the bouquet up as if he’d just noticed it. “Yes. That would be great.”

“There’s a gift shop on the main floor.” Beth pointed toward the elevators. “Shall we?”

Sean followed her, and once inside the elevator, he said, “Beth, after we get the vase, can you take some time and ... visit ... with my father and me ... in the lobby?”

“Your father is here, too?” Beth couldn’t believe the two men would travel all the way from Kansas City to deliver flowers and teddy bears to a woman they’d never met and her newborn children.

The doors slid open, and they stepped into a bustling hallway. “Yes. I’ll explain later, okay? Right now, let’s take care of these.”

It didn’t take long to choose a clear, fat vase that would hold the bouquet. After paying for it, Sean said, “Why don’t you take it up to the waiting room? I’ll stay down here and wait for you. My father”—he pointed—“is over there.”

Beth spotted a man sitting with his elbows on his knees and his fingers interlocked, who appeared to be five or six years older than Henry. She could see a resemblance to Sean in the square jaw and unusual eyes, but the older man’s hair had faded to a dusty peach. Beth wondered briefly if Sean’s hair would do the same given time. Embarrassed by her thoughts, she gave a brusque nod and backed toward the elevator.

“I’ll be right back.”

To her relief, her parents hadn’t returned, so she could slip in and out quickly. She left the flowers on the table in the corner and hurried back to the elevator. Her heart hammered, but she couldn’t decide if it was excitement at seeing Sean, nervousness about what his father might say to her since she hadn’t finished the project, or uncertainty about what lay ahead.

When she approached the two men, they both stood up.

Sean said, “Beth, I’d like you to meet my father, Evan McCauley. Dad, this is Beth Quinn.”

Sean’s father held his hand out to her. “Miss Quinn, it’s nice to meet you.” His grip was firm and warm, his expression serious but not intimidating.

“Likewise, but please call me Beth.”

The older man gestured to a chair that he had apparently pulled near to create a triangle of seats in the corner. Beth sat, and the two men followed suit. Mr. McCauley assumed the same position she’d seen earlier—hunched forward, resting his weight on his elbows. It made him seem tired and somehow sad, and Beth felt her heart lurch in a sympathy she didn’t quite understand.

“Miss Quinn, as you know, we had planned to meet with you today at your studio and complete our arrangements to utilize your skills for future projects.”

Beth’s chin jerked into a brief nod. “Yes, sir, I know.” She didn’t apologize. She had done that on the telephone with him, and she didn’t see the need. Another apology would sound like an excuse, and she wouldn’t excuse her choice. She knew—as difficult as it had been—her choice had been the right one.

The man fitted his fingers together and stared at his thumbs as he continued. “Before driving to Wichita, we stopped by Sommerfeld. Your employee—tall man, dark hair...”

“Andrew,” Sean and Beth supplied at the same time. They exchanged a quick glance.

“Andrew,” Mr. McCauley repeated, “let us look at the incomplete project. It was...”

Beth held her breath.

“Amazingly done.”

Her breath whooshed out.

Mr. McCauley sat upright. “Even unfinished, the elements of depth were in place. When the piece is complete, it will be magnificent.”

“Thank you, sir.” Beth glanced quickly at Sean before facing his father again. “Even though you won’t be using it, I plan to finish it. It will go into storage for a while, and then I’d like to use it as the front window for my gallery when I’m finally able to open it.”

“No.”

The blunt response took Beth by surprise. “Sir?”

He shook his head, his brow low. “No, it won’t be available for that purpose. Because we will be purchasing it from you.”

Beth hadn’t thought her heart could race any faster, but it proved her wrong. It was now a steady hum. “B–but I didn’t meet the contingency. So the contract with you is void. You aren’t obligated to purchase it.”

“Obligated, no. But interested? Yes.” His heavy brows hooded his eyes, but Beth could see a slight twinkle in their depths. “And it won’t be the last window we purchase from you.”

Beth looked back and forth between the men, her mouth open in a silent plea for an explanation. Both men held grins that told of a secret yet to be divulged. She turned toward Sean—the one with whom she felt comfortable—and said, “What are you trying to say?”

Although Sean offered no verbal reply, she was certain she read an answer in his steady gaze. The hum in her chest changed to a booming Sousa march.

“Miss Quinn—Beth.” Mr. McCauley’s deep voice pulled her attention from the son. “Sean and I had a lengthy conversation about ... dedication ... and commitment. It has always been my policy to meet—every—deadline.” He slapped the backs of his fingers into his palm to emphasize each word. “I saw it as good business sense, and I haven’t changed my stance on that one iota. But...”

His eyes shifted to Sean, and his expression softened. In his warm look, Beth read a silent thank-you that raised her curiosity.

“I’ve also come to realize there is something more important than honoring business commitments, and that is honoring one’s commitment to faith and family.” He leaned forward, bringing his face closer to hers. “We’ve seen the evidence of your skill. We know you have the ability to do the job. And your choosing to put the needs of your family above all else tells me you have the dedication we’re seeking when adding to the McCauley team.”

“So, Beth, if you are still interested in signing a long-term contract and designing windows for churches, starting with the ones in Carlton and Denver, then we are very interested and eager to finalize those plans.”

Beth’s hand shot out. “I’m interested, sir. And thank you.”

He sandwiched her hand between his. “Thank
you.
” He rose, his hands slipping away. “I have the paperwork drawn up. We took a room at the hotel across from the hospital. Sean can bring you over later and we’ll make it official, hmm? But for now...” He looked at his son, and Beth was certain she saw him wink. “I believe I’ll go over and lie down for a bit. The long drive has worn me out. Sean, I assume you’ll want to stay here and visit with Beth?”

“Yes.” But Sean looked at Beth when he answered.

“In about an hour then.” The man strode away.

Beth watched until Mr. McCauley’s broad back disappeared through the wide double doors leading outside, then she turned to face Sean. “Do you want to—”

“Should we—” he said at the same time.

They both laughed, and he held out his hand, giving her the floor.

“Do you want to go outside? There’s a small bench where we could sit and talk.”

“Clouds were gathering in the west as we drove over. We could get wet.”

“I’m willing to take the chance,” Beth said. “I could really use the fresh air.”

Sean nodded his agreement. He followed as she led him toward the outside doors. “I would imagine you’re tired of being cooped up here.”