Having Adam's Baby (Harlequin Special Edition) (13 page)

“Are you kidding? If I knew someone was going after my man—I mean, if I’d known what my ex-husband was doing during all those long hours at work—” Peggy’s voice changed suddenly, catching on a half-sob. “I just thought… Oh, I’m sorry, Fay.”

“Don’t be. I understand.”

This was less about gossip and more about what her friend had gone through with the demise of her marriage. They spoke for a few more minutes with Fay offering to come into town, but Peggy brushed her off. She assured Fay everything was okay and ended the call when a customer entered the shop.

Setting her phone down, she breathed deeply as the pain in her chest curled into a tight ball that took direct aim at her heart.

She thought about her friend and all she was going through, her thoughts drifting from the failure of Peggy’s marriage to the failure of her own. Divorce and death. Different causes, but both left the survivor confused, angry and hurt.

And just when Fay had been sure she’d worked through her feelings for Adam, moving from anger to an uneasy companionship over being first-time parents, Peggy’s news about him dating that waitress bothered her. In their conversations about the fact they were having a baby together, they’d never talked about their personal lives or whether they’d be involved with other people.

She didn’t have a personal life, at least not one beyond dealing with the financial fallout after Scott’s death and one passionate night with Adam.

Finding out about the baby had made her realize it was time to let go of the past, accept that she’d done the best she could to fix the wrongs thrust upon her and move forward.

To make a life for her and the baby.

A life that might include Adam?

Had she accepted his offer to move in too quickly? Due to her still-tight financial situation, it wasn’t like she had any other choice. Especially with Liz’s warning to take it easy for the next several months.

Shadow whimpered, as if he understood her confusion.

“No, moving in here was the best thing for the baby.” She spoke aloud, to herself as much as to the dog, and then looked around the beautiful home she’d worked so hard on before Adam returned.

No wonder she felt so comfortable here, having had a free hand in decorating this place as she pleased. Playing up the masculine features of the leather furniture and iron-and-wood tables Adam already owned, she’d chosen fabrics, dishes and accessories that added color and style, turning this bachelor pad into a home.

A home for a family?

Then again, when she’d started working on the house, she hadn’t known she was pregnant. Despite the grief and pain she’d tried to hold on to from the moment she’d stepped inside this place again, there’d been a part of her that couldn’t forget those magical hours she’d spent in Adam’s arms.

Had she subconsciously wanted to create a home with the man she’d spent months blaming for all the tragedy in her life? The same man who, many years ago, had caused her to second-guess her decision to marry Scott in the first place?

If a child hadn’t been created almost three months ago, would she have found a way to move on?

With Adam?

“Oh, what am I doing?” she groaned. “I can’t fall in love again. I won’t—”

The sound of a car door slamming shut pulled Fay from her thoughts. She scrubbed her hands over her face, surprised to find wetness on her cheeks.

Shadow headed for the front door, his tail already wagging when three quick knocks sounded from the other side. Rising, she followed. A quick peek past the buffalo-checked curtains revealed Adam’s mother standing on their front porch.

His front porch. Her son’s front porch.

Oh, darn it!
Fay yanked open the door and plastered a smile on her face. “Elise, h-how nice to see you.”

Seconds later the older woman wrapped her in her arms.

Closing her eyes, Fay prayed the ever-present tears would somehow stay away as she gave into the older woman’s warm embrace. She couldn’t cry. Not now.

“Oh, Fay, we heard about the trouble you had last night,” Elise Murphy whispered in her ear. “Thank goodness you’re okay. You are, aren’t you? Both of you?”

The stinging reached the outer edges of her eyes, but Fay squeezed them shut and by the time Elise released her hold, she’d won the fight. For now. “Yes, we’re fine.”

“Thank goodness.” Then she beamed. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and Adam. After all you’ve been through over the last year…this baby is such a blessing.”

Fay was surprised at how relieved she was to hear Elise say those words. Adam had told her last night how his family had reacted to the news, but hearing it directly from Elise was wonderful.

And bittersweet.

She still hadn’t been able to reach her parents to share the news with them. Deep down, Fay had no idea how they were going to respond, and telling them about another grandchild, especially under these circumstances, wasn’t something she wanted to share via an email or a voice mail message.

Fay then noticed the questioning look on Elise’s face and smiled, hoping it appeared genuine. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure— Well, I didn’t know how your family was going to react. I mean, all things considered.”

“Like I told my son yesterday, a baby is always good news,” Elise said. “Is it okay if we come inside for a moment?”

Fay moved back inside the house. “Yes, of course. Come in.”

It was then she realized Adam’s mother hadn’t come alone when Laurie Murphy stepped up onto the porch as well.

“You sure you don’t need my help?” Laurie called to someone over her shoulder before turning back and smiling at Fay. “Of course he doesn’t. He’s a Murphy.”

Fay stepped forward to see which one of the brothers Laurie was talking to, but the pretty brunette tossed a long curl over one shoulder, then held up her hand. “Nope, sorry. It’s a surprise. Bryant will be right in.”

Another surprise? For her?
Fay wasn’t sure how many more she could take today. Then her manners kicked in. “Would anyone like something to drink? I’ve got freshly made iced tea.”

“That sounds wonderful, dear. Thank you.” Elise walked into the dining area. “You know, I can’t get over how wonderful this place looks after all your hard work.”

“It was a beautiful home to start with.” Fay marveled at how she’d just wrestled with those same thoughts a moment ago. She gathered tall glasses on a tray and placed it on the table. “I didn’t do all that much.”

“Yes, you did.” Elise gave Fay’s arm a quick squeeze, then released her to take a glass of tea. “Now, if Adam can just get that barn of his into shape. It looks like a lumberyard out there with all those stacks of wood.”

A hot blush fanned over Fay’s cheeks. Yes, she knew those stacks well after the other night. “I guess he’s been working on it when he can over the last few weeks. He’s hoping to get it finished before the end of the summer.”

“I’m afraid we’re keeping him pretty busy at work,” Laurie said, taking a glass for herself. “He might have to hire the family business to finish the job.”

“Or maybe we should have an old-fashioned barn-raising and help him ourselves,” Elise said, then smiled. “You know, like in that old musical with all those brothers looking for brides.”

“Oh, I just watched that movie last weekend with a friend,” Fay chimed in. “It was wonderful.”

“Well, we certainly have enough Murphy brothers,” Bryant added as he popped his head inside the front door. “Laurie, can you give me a hand by making sure this stays open? That is, if you’re ready, Mom?”

Elise set down her tea. “Yes, please bring it in.”

“Bring what in?” Fay asked.

Before Adam’s mother could answer, Laurie hurried to hold the door and Bryant walked in carrying a gorgeous rocking chair. Dark-reddish-brown in color, the chair was tall with a curved back, flat spindles and rolled arms.

“Any special place I should put this?” Bryant asked. “It’s kind of heavy.”

“Why don’t you take it back to the guest room?” Elisa said. “Is that all right with you, Fay?”

Stunned, Fay could only nod as Bryant headed down the hall with Shadow leading the way. The ladies followed, Fay silently thankful that she’d left the bedroom neat and tidy.

Bryant placed the rocker in the far corner near the window, then stood back next to his wife. “Still looks pretty good for being over a hundred years old.”

“A hundred and twenty-seven to be exact,” Elise said, turning to face Fay. “All hand-carved in Irish oak. Alistair’s great-grandmother brought it over from Ireland in the late 1880s. It’s been sitting in our bedroom all these years, but now it’s yours.”

A powerful yearning to be deserving of such a gift welled deep inside her. Staring at the family heirloom, Fay pressed her fingers to her trembling lips as she searched for her voice.

“Elise, you sh-shouldn’t have done this,” she finally rasped.

“Of course I should have.” Adam’s mother waved off her protest. “It’s a tradition in the Murphy family that this chair goes to the firstborn when a new baby is on the way. That’s how Al and I came to own it when I was pregnant with Adam. And now it belongs to you.”

“But I’m not—” The tears she’d managed to hold off broke free, turning her vision into a watery mess. “I can’t accept this. I’m not family.”

“Of course you are, dear.”

At the woman’s heartfelt words, Fay hung her head, covering her eyes with both hands. Moments later, she sat at the edge of the bed wrapped once again in the warm embrace of Adam’s mother.

“I’m sorry.” She brushed at her cheeks. Flushed hot from her lack of control, Fay kept her gaze centered on her lap. “I don’t know why your generosity affected me that way.”

“Oh, I remember the tears,” Elise said softly, pressing tissues into Fay’s hands. “Happy ones, sad ones or tears for no reason at all.”

Fay looked up, but found Laurie and Bryant had left the room. Her gaze settled again on the beautiful piece of furniture. The image of sitting there, rocking contentedly over the coming months, sprang to life so easily. And after the baby arrived, she pictured walking in and finding Adam holding their child against the width of his chest.

The waterworks started again. “Oh, look at me. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. Tears are one of the many joys of pregnancy.” Adam’s mother gave her one more squeeze before dropping her arm and instead taking Fay’s hands in hers. “And happy tears are always better when shared.”

Fay pulled in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. She turned and looked at the older woman sitting next to her. “You are an amazing woman, Elise Murphy. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“On a good day?” Elise winked at her. “My husband, if he’s smart.”

“No, I really mean it.” Fay smiled as she wiped away the last of her tears. “You’ve raised a terrific family, created a successful business with your husband and headed more charity events in this town than I can name. Now here you are, welcoming me into your family when you could’ve easily—”

“Oh, stop. You’re making me sound like a saint and believe me, I’ve got my faults.” Elise released her and folded her hands primly in her lap. “Ask any of my boys and they’ll tell you my number-one imperfection is that I can’t seem to mind my own business, which I’m about to prove right now.”

“I don’t understand.”

Elise looked into her face, eyes searching hers. “Fay, are you in love with my son?”

Chapter Twelve

“A
nd as if finding out Mom had brought over the rocking chair wasn’t enough of a surprise,” Adam paused to take a swallow of his lukewarm coffee while watching his brother’s expression. “I found the two of them, in the bedroom, and right away I knew Fay had been crying.”

Devlin had been out of town for the last couple of weeks on business, so when he’d invited Adam to meet this morning for breakfast at Sherry’s Diner, Adam had agreed.

Not that he wasn’t anxious to get home. Especially now that he had what he’d come into town for.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and after spending most of his free time working on the barn, he was ready to get back to it. Two of the four walls were framed and ready to be lifted into place. Today he planned to get started on the remaining two before the pre-fabricated roof was delivered the beginning of next month.

It was amazing how banging nails eased his frustration.

Not that Adam believed that, but maybe if he said it often enough, and stayed as far away as he could from Fay, it might come true.

“And this all happened the day after you told everyone about the baby?” Dev asked.

Adam nodded. “And asked Mom not to go crazy.”

“Yeah, you should’ve known that wasn’t going to stop her,” Dev said. “Did you ask why Fay was crying?”

“Of course I asked why. Both of them said they were just ‘happy tears’ and nothing was wrong.” Adam set down his mug. “Which was a relief, actually. My first thought had been Fay was upset about the kiss.”

“You kissed her?”

Adam sighed. Dammit, he hadn’t meant to say that aloud.

“Well, it’s about time,” Dev said, then grinned. “You do realize you’re doing all of this a bit backward? I mean, first comes the baby, then a marriage proposal, then a kiss?”

“Lay off, Dev.”

“No, no, it’s cool. You know me. I’m all for kissing…and other stuff.”

“There was no other stuff.”

“Oh.” The gleam faded from Dev’s eyes. “So what did Fay do when you kissed her?”

“Well, the first time—”

“Hold up! The first time? Okay, seeing how none of this is really any of my business, let’s get to the real question. What was the lady’s reaction?” Dev leaned forward, his voice low. “Did she back away? Smack you across the face? Crush your instep with the pointy end of her high heels?”

Adam stared hard at his younger brother. “Speaking from personal experience?”

“Hey, we’re talking about you, not me.” Dev laid a hand across his chest. “My stories are too numerous and would probably scar you for life.”

Adam snorted and shook his head. “I’m sure you’re right about that, but no, Fay didn’t do any of those things. I’m…I’m the one who ended things. You know, before it went too far.”

Dev slumped back against the booth. “Why?”

“Well, for one thing, I don’t think we could have had sex—even if we both wanted to—for medical reasons.” Adam quickly filled his brother in on the scare they’d had a couple of weeks ago with the baby. “And no, I didn’t ask if sex was off-limits, but when the doc said for Fay to take it easy on stairs and no heavy lifting, I figured it was another one of the rules.”

“But Fay and the baby are okay?”

His brother’s concern touched him. Adam forced a smile and tried to keep the worry from his voice. “Yeah, they’re fine.”

“So, you do know that kissing can lead to…more kissing. And other stuff. Besides sex.”

“Yes, you idiot, but that doesn’t matter.”

“Then you’re not doing it right,” Dev deadpanned.

Adam leaned forward. “It doesn’t matter because being with me isn’t what Fay wants.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because less than three months ago she hated my guts.” Adam shoved the plate in front of him off to one side. Geez, putting that into words really hit home at how stupid his secret meeting early this morning had been.

Not that he couldn’t change his mind, but he didn’t want to. He wanted Fay.

Adam then realized Dev had stayed silent, for once, so he continued. “She blamed me for Scott being killed because he followed in my footsteps, joined the Reserves and finally got himself shipped overseas.”

“When did she tell you that?”

“Back in April. The night she showed up at my place. The night we…”

“Seems she didn’t hate you too much that night.”

Adam sighed and sat upright again. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his denim jacket, he jammed his fingers against the small object tucked in there.

Fay had needed someone to direct her anger toward, he understood that, even more so after she’d confirmed the rumors he’d heard about the financial mess Scott had left her.

“Okay, I get that she needed to be angry with someone. I’ve heard the rumors, same as everyone, about her money issues.” Dev reached for his coffee mug. “But hasn’t she worked through all that? I mean, she’s living with you, there’s some physical stuff going on…is she enjoying all that as much as you?”

Adam had jumped to the same conclusions, trying to convince himself Fay was ready to move on, but he still wasn’t sure. He didn’t want to push her. The memories of what had led to losing his child years ago, and the uncertain physical condition Fay was currently in, made him even more determined to do what was best. Shutting down his needs, his wants, and putting Fay and the baby first would ensure they stayed safe and healthy.

At least for the time being. Who knew, maybe someday…

When his brother offered a tilt of his head and an arched brow, Adam realized he’d been waiting for an answer.

He thought back to what Dev had asked. “Yeah, she seemed to be…enjoying herself.”

“So? Go for it. I mean, once you’ve cleared up the medical question. Hey, you’re both single, living under the same roof, you’ve obviously spent some quality time together in the past.” Dev took a quick swallow. “You know, you don’t have to be in love to— Oh, wait, that’s it!”

Adam remained silent, but he didn’t turn away from his brother’s incredulous stare.

“You’re in love with her?”

Before he could decide if it was the right thing to do or not, Adam pulled his hand from his pocket and deposited a small velvet box on the table.

Dev let loose a low whistle and reached for the box. Flipping it open, he angled it toward the light, the sunshine reflecting off the large square-cut diamond tucked inside. “Wow, that’s a big piece of ice. Looks like it should have a highball wrapped around it.” Dev looked up. “When did you get this?”

“Early this morning. Before I met you.”

“You know, buying a diamond ring from a local jeweler isn’t exactly the best way to stay off the gossip grapevine.”

“Actually, things have been pretty quiet where the town’s busybodies are concerned. A few people have said something about us living together to Mom, of course.”

Adam didn’t mention his phone call with Fay’s father three nights ago. The older man’s not-so-subtle suggestion they wed had nothing to do with Adam’s decision to do things the right way this time.

He took the box back, snapped the lid closed and put it away. “Anyway, Mr. Ryan and I had a private one-on-one meeting before his store opened. He knows how to keep a secret.”

“When do you plan on getting down on one knee? Again?”

“I didn’t get down the first time and I don’t know when. When the moment is right.”

“Which might be sooner than you think.”

Adam didn’t hear what his brother had mumbled behind his coffee mug. Not that it mattered. He probably shouldn’t have showed him the ring anyway.

“Hey, you’re going to keep this to yourself, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

Not entirely convinced, but having no other choice, Adam grabbed some bills from his wallet and tossed them on the table. “I’ve got to get going. It’s going to be a nice day and I want to spend it working outside.”

Dev set down the mug and glanced at his watch. “Ah, yeah…how about giving me a lift? I’ll stick around and help.”

“Where’s your Jeep?”

“I walked to the diner this morning from a friend’s place.”

A lady friend most likely. “Fine, I could always use an extra set of hands.”

They headed outside and got into Adam’s pickup. Ten minutes later they took the turn out to his place. After rounding the last corner, they came across a group of vehicles parked in the open field just before his driveway.

“What’s going on?” Adam asked.

Dev shrugged. “Got me.”

Easing up on the gas, Adam slowed his truck and took a closer look. He easily picked out the cars and trucks belonging to his family, but he couldn’t place the other ones. Then he saw the Jeep with the sheriff’s emblem on the door on the side of the road and hit the gas.

“Adam, wait. Don’t go nuts.”

“The sheriff is at my home, along with most of our family.” He swung his truck into the driveway, hit the brakes and cut the engine. “Something must be… What in the world?”

Staring through the windshield, he saw a crowd of people gathered in the yard. He looked over at Dev, who only grinned and got out the passenger side. He did the same from his side of the truck as Fay stepped down from the covered porch and headed across the yard to him.

“Are you okay?” He hurried toward her. Then, becoming aware of so many eyes on them, he stopped and yanked off his sunglasses. “I saw the sheriff’s Jeep as we drove up. I got worried.”

“Oh, Adam, I’m sorry.” Fay joined him, the front end of his truck now between them and the crowd. “The last thing I wanted was for you to worry.”

A gentle morning breeze lifted her curls and sent a sweet flowery scent in his direction. By now he recognized it as a combination of the shower wash and lotion she used on a daily basis. He couldn’t walk past the hall bathroom in the mornings without the smell taking root inside his head for the rest of the day.

Damn, just the sight of her standing there in a dress that left her arms and legs bare, combined with the topic of discussion between him and Dev this morning, and Adam’s traitorous body ignored his silent command not to respond. He had to take a step back, even angling his lower half toward the truck to keep her from seeing his lack of control.

“Please don’t worry, I’m fine.” Her voice dropped to a low whisper. “I didn’t mean to—I never thought…boy, I really messed this up.”

Now he was totally confused. “Messed up what?”

“You’ve been working so hard lately. I know how much you wanted the barn completed,” she turned, waving at the group of men gathered around his makeshift workbench. “So I pulled together an old-fashioned barn-raising.”

Adam looked again at the people in his yard, easily picking out his father, brothers and most of the guys from his work crew. The sheriff stood nearby talking with a younger man that looked so much like him Adam guessed it must be his brother, Garrett. Walking up to join them was the sheriff’s brother-in-law, Justin, and the little boy next to him, already decked in a miniature hard hat, had to be Justin’s son.

Checking out the work he’d accomplished so far was local rancher Landon Cartwright and a couple of older men who probably worked for Cartwright out at his place. Bobby Winslow and the man whose home Adam’s crew was working on now, Dean Zippenella, rounded out the crowd.

He turned back to her. “How did you get all these people here?”

“Well, your mother helped. We started with your family, of course, then made a few phone calls and it sort of snowballed from there.”

Fay’s smile turned genuine again and Adam suddenly felt too warm inside his jacket. He wanted to take it off, but fear of dropping the precious cargo in his pocket had him standing perfectly still.

“A lot of the ladies wanted to be involved, too,” she continued, her words coming in a rush. “Some might even pitch in with the manual labor. Bobby’s wife, Leeann, came with her own tool belt and she and Gina already have Abby fascinated with a Sawzall, whatever that is.”

She pointed toward a group of tables gathered beneath a cluster of trees. “Laurie’s here, of course, and even Katie wanted to help. Racy and Maggie brought the babies as well as the older kids, so the rest of us plan to stay busy with keeping them out of the way. Later on, we’re having a potluck dinner to feed everyone.”

Stunned, Adam could only stare at the woman who’d finally seemed to have run out of words. “You did all this? For me?”

Fay nodded, inching a step closer to him. “I know you dreamed of making this a working ranch. That’s all changed now, thanks to the baby, but you’ve said how much you want to at least have horses to take care of and enjoy. I wanted to do what I could to make that happen.”

“It looks like you’ve got half the town here.” Following her lead, Adam took two steps and stood right in front of her, loving how her eyes lit up as she smiled at him. “You’re not worried about how this is going to look to everyone?”

“Everyone knows we’re living together, Adam.” She lowered her voice. “After today, I’ll give it to sundown before the news of the baby reaches the town limits.”

Confusion gave way to a glimmer of hope. “And that’s okay with you?”