Believe Me (Hearts for Ransom Book 3) (13 page)

She shook her head. “You know, Zoey’s father at least tells me he’s sorry for what he did. I guess that’s something. And do you know what he wants?” Claire didn’t wait for Judy to answer. “To spend time with his daughter. That’s all. But I was so selfish and spiteful, I told him he could be like a friend and see her occasionally. I might tell Zoey someday that he was her father. So he hired an attorney and is ready to take me to court to get what he asked for, maybe more. But now he won’t even be able to do that because it will kill Spencer.”

Judy’s brow furrowed in confusion as she glanced at Claire. “How can anything to do with Zoey’s father ever hurt Spencer?” Her eyes suddenly grew wide. “Holy guacamole, Claire. Zoey looks just like him, doesn’t she? Mason Wright is Zoey’s father.” She gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Oh, Claire, what happened?”

Claire shrugged. “Spence was gone. I had a few drinks with some of the people at work—you know who I mean. I never drink, so it hit me pretty hard. When I got home, Mason was waiting to talk to me about Spencer. Somehow, it ended up with us kissing. That’s the last thing I remember until I woke up and saw him leaving in such a hurry he didn’t even put all his clothes back on.”

“I’m so sorry.” Judy’s eyes glistened in the lights of an oncoming car.

“That’s okay.” Claire looked out the window. “Like I said, I have a special talent. Evidently, I don’t even have to be aware of what I’m doing to make it work.”

Judy glanced at her, concern covering her features. “What are you going to do about Mason?”

“I’m going to tell him I understand now and apologize for keeping his daughter from him.” That was all she could do. “And then I hope he doesn’t hurt my son.”

“Two weeks until Christmas, Mason!” Abby Gaines cheerfully announced as she entered his room.

“Don’t remind me.” He saw that she was carrying a box. “What do you have there?”

“Your room needs livening up.” She set the box on the floor and pulled a small artificial tree out of it. It was decorated with tiny, plastic catchers’ mitts, with a larger one placed on top.

Mason laughed in spite of himself.

“And now we’re going Christmas shopping!”

“Just how do you think we’re going to do that?” He shouldn’t have been surprised by her idea. This was Abby, after all. “Even if we could figure out a way for you to haul me around, I’d be knocking over displays right and left with my legs sticking out.”

She pulled the bag she was carrying off her shoulder and removed her coat before she plopped onto the chair closest to him. “It’s called the Internet and expedited shipping.” She pulled a tablet computer out of the bag. “Now, who are we shopping for first?”

Unable to resist Abby’s cheerful mood, Mason found himself getting caught up in the holiday spirit. He grabbed his wallet and managed to pull out his credit card.

“Spencer,” he told her. “Let’s find something for Spence.”

“Just a second.” Abby set the tablet down and stood up. He watched in amazement as she moved her arms and hips in a circular motion. “Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I get to max out somebody else’s credit card!” She dusted off her hands and sat back down, retrieving the computer.

He was afraid to ask. “What was that all about?”

“That’s the happy dance Em and I do when we’re really excited about something.” Her gaze shifted upward for a few moments before returning to him. “I think the last time we did it was the day we found out Bo ditched that evil witch, Liz, and was hooking up with Jan. We knew those two were meant for each other—even before they did.”

Somehow, Mason didn’t doubt that for one minute.

“So, back to Spencer,” she said. “What do you want to get for him? Any ideas?”

He knew exactly what he wanted to give Spencer. “He likes the video game system Seth’s grandma got for him a while back. Is it still available, or will they have already come out with a newer version?”

She wrinkled her button nose. With her head full of blonde curls and blue eyes, she was not only the perfect match for Brody, but she was also just plain cute. “I don’t know which system Seth has, but how about if I pull up a page with different ones on it, and you can just pick out the one you think he’d like?”

“That’ll work.”

Abby tapped some keys on the screen and soon had several choices for Mason to look at. She scrolled down the page as he carefully looked them over, trying to decide which one Spence would enjoy the most.

“Let’s go with that one.” He pointed to his choice. “And order that Sports Pack game set to go with it, please.”

She picked up the credit card and began clicking away. “I’ll just have everything shipped to you here at the hospital. I bet if I buy some paper and bring it in here, you’ll be able to find somebody to help you wrap presents.” She turned and grinned at him. “If you can’t, call me. I like to wrap gifts almost as much as I like to open them. I should warn you, though, everybody always knows which ones are from me because they say I use too much tape.”

He chuckled and shook his head. Brody probably had to lock her presents up until Christmas, or she’d find every one and figure out what it was.

“All finished,” she told him. “Now who?”

Mason had an idea. “It might be nice to get gifts for Spence’s family. Could you find a toy for a seven-month-old girl?”

“I think getting Spencer’s baby sister something is a fantastic idea.” She soon showed him a web page with pictures of items that looked foreign to Mason. He didn’t know anything about toys for babies. In fact, he didn’t know anything about babies at all.

After examining pictures of several different toys and gadgets the website specified were appropriate for children six to twelve months old, something finally caught Mason’s eye.

“Let’s order the contraption that shines the stars on the walls and ceiling while it plays music.” He looked questioningly at her. “I’d think that would calm any baby down, wouldn’t it? Even one who’s getting a new tooth.” Spencer had mentioned his mom having to sit up with Zoey because her gums hurt.

“I don’t know anything about babies,” she admitted, “but it sounds logical to me.” Abby began working her magic again.

“Okay.” She looked at him. “What do you want to get Claire?”

He thought for a moment. The only jewelry he had ever seen her wear was a wristwatch. “A necklace.”

“A good one or a knock-off?” she asked.

He didn’t hesitate. “A good one.”

“I know just the site,” she assured him. Within a few seconds she was scrolling down the screen, showing him a wide variety of fine quality jewelry.

Then he saw what he wanted. “That one.” He pointed to it. “Order that one.”

Abby’s brows disappeared under her curls. “Wow.” She started to type. “I think I’d like to be your little brother’s mom.”

After she had finished ordering the necklace, she looked at him. “Do you have any family you need to buy something for?”

“No,” he said much harsher than he intended. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.”

“That’s okay.” She accepted his apology cheerfully. “Anybody would be grouchy if they were stuck in the hospital over the holidays. Who else do you want to shop for?”

An hour later they had ordered gifts for all the Slammers and their wives. He even found a baseball mitt for Bo and Jan’s son, Seth—he played first base for the Ransom school baseball team—and something called a cuddle blanket for their baby girl, Lucy. After conferring for a few minutes, Abby helped him choose a hand-held video game for Matt and Lisa Newman’s five-year-old son, Henry. The description said it was for ages five to seven, so he hoped it would be okay.

Abby suddenly poked his nose. “So, what are you getting me?”

“Will you set that tablet on my cast?” He waited until she propped it on his broken arm. Then he used his good hand to slowly type in the search engine until he found what he was looking for.

He ordered her a personalized megaphone. He painstakingly used his index finger to type all the necessary information. It was going to have,
Back off, sister—Brody Gaines is mine!
printed on it. He’d tell her she could use it at the games and give those poor announcers a break.

After clearing the screen, he handed the tablet back to her.

“Thank you, Abby.” Mason couldn’t believe how much his mood had improved. “This was one of the nicest things anybody has done for me since I’ve been in the hospital.”

“Anytime I can shop with somebody else’s money is a good time.”

A knock sounded on the open door. Mason looked over and saw Claire standing there.

“Are Spence and Zoey okay?” He couldn’t imagine why else she’d be there.

“Yes.” She was embarrassed. “I don’t want to bother you while you have company. I’ll come back another time.”

Abby stood up and slipped her coat on. “I’m going home anyway. Mason has worn me out, shopping so hard.” She winked at him.

“Thank you again, Abby,” Mason told her sincerely.

Abby kissed his cheek. “Take care,” she murmured. “Nice to see you.” She greeted Claire as they passed.

Mason looked at Claire as she walked in. For the first time since he met her, she looked out of sorts. Her blue eyes that always sparkled, even if only in anger, were clouded, and there were dark circles around them. Her usually silken, impeccably hanging hair looked as if she had just gotten out of bed and not taken the time to brush it. And her usual healthy glow was replaced by paleness. This woman did not look at all like the Claire Hadley he was used to dealing with.

“Have a seat.” He wanted her to sit down, as much to put them on the same physical level, as to get her off her feet.

Claire didn’t know where to begin. “I took off work today.”

“Why?” He frowned. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with either one of the kids?”

“They’re both fine,” she reassured him. “I want to keep it that way. That’s the problem.”

Before she could say anything else, Mason had to tell her what he decided. “I realized how much it would hurt Spencer to find out I’m Zoey’s father. She’s been fine without me as part of her life up to now, so she will still be. I would like to help financially if you let me, but you don’t have to worry about me trying to get any visitation rights with m …your daughter.” He drew a ragged breath. “You can believe me.”

She started to cry. “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching, and it’s just not fair.” She looked at him through her tears. “I never had a chance to give Spencer his father, but I do Zoey. She shouldn’t have to grow up like Spence has had to, not knowing who her father is or thinking he doesn’t want her…that you don’t want her.”

Mason was confused. “I don’t understand. What are you saying?”

“I was wrong. I want Zoey to know her father…you. But I figured out the same thing you have. Spencer will never understand.”

He was filled with hope at her words, and it gave him an idea.

“I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but it’s the only thing I can think of.” He waited until her tears stopped. “One of my friends got married so he could keep his son. What if you married me, and I adopted both kids?”

Claire was flabbergasted. “What kind of pain medication do they have you on?” She shook her head. “How can you ask me to do that?”

Of course, he shouldn’t have. He had forgotten himself for a minute. “I’m sorry.” Mason couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “I understand why you wouldn’t even consider it. After all, I’m Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Wright. I don’t know how to truly love anybody, and I sure don’t deserve to ever be loved.” His eyes met hers. “You should just leave. I’ll still do my best for Spencer. You’ll meet somebody a lot more suitable to take care of you and Zoey.”

“I’ll find a way for you to see Z—”

“If you’re not gonna straddle me and show me some fun, there’s the door. That’s all I’m ever after anyway. Remember?” He used his good arm to awkwardly turn his chair away from her.

He had waited a little too long. Claire saw past the anger to the pain he truly felt. She stood up and silently walked out of the room.

What a fool he was for ever daring to think of Claire marrying him, let alone suggest it! He was exactly what he was born to be—worthless. His life had been one giant joke. For the first time in his adult life, Mason wondered if maybe his parents were right all along.