Nobody's Baby (7 page)

“I didn’t think you did.” He pushed to his feet, his face a carefully controlled mask after her mention of loved ones lost. “Do you need anything else?”

“No. Thank you.”

“Okay, then. I’ll get out of your hair for awhile.”

He took the tray and exited the room. Kate could’ve stopped him and broached the subject of those darned boundaries, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not on the same day Rio had put his brother and sister-in-law to rest.

This wasn’t the right time, especially not when everything in her wanted to call him back. She enjoyed his company, liked the sound of his voice and didn’t mind his touch the least little bit.

Staying here was
so
not a good idea.

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K
ate was half afraid that dinner at Hawthorne House would require a snappier dress code than her wardrobe allowed. She was relieved to see Margaret descending the stairs in jeans and a sweater, her face set in strained lines.

Delicious smells had been emanating from the rear of the house for the last fifteen minutes, raising Kate’s curiosity.  She swung her feet to the floor and levered into an upright position, taking care to avoid sudden movement and accompanying dizziness.

“Kate, you shouldn’t. Let me call for —”

“Please don’t. I need to get up.” The last thing she needed was Rio carrying her again, his arms tucked around her, objectivity flying out the windows like disturbed bats. “My doctor didn’t say complete bed rest, did she?”

“Well, no. That’s true.”

“Then I’ll rest with my feet up as much as possible, but there are certain things a girl has to handle on her own or die of embarrassment. I won’t have Rio carting me around every time nature calls.”

Margaret smiled. “Down the hall, second door on your right. Join us in the kitchen when you’re through. It smells like Rio has dinner about ready.”

Kate was a little surprised to hear Rio was cooking and not some servant. The house and neighborhood suggested that kind of lifestyle, though none of the Hawthorne’s seemed inclined to be so extravagant. She found the kitchen again by following her nose and ears. It was as impressive as the rest of the house and had every modern convenience, including two ovens and an additional duo of stainless steel drawers in the lower cabinets. She concluded those must be the latest in automatic dishwashers. What she wouldn’t have given for something like that when her brothers were dirtying every dish in the house on a regular basis.

Through French doors, Rio entered the kitchen from a patio. “I hope you don’t mind your burger cooked medium. Mom said you aren’t allowed raw meat during pregnancy.”

“That’s perfect,” Kate answered with a smile of thanks directed toward Margaret. “Can I help with anything?”

“Absolutely not.”Margaret pointed to a chair opposite hers at the eat-in table. “Sit. Rest.”

Kate thought of objecting that she could at least carry things to the table but discovered her brief walk had tired her, and a low, persistent ache had settled in her back. “I feel so useless. Good thing I’m not planning on having any children of my own. This inactivity tries my patience.”

Busy with putting a condiment and relish tray together, Rio shot her a sharp look but didn’t comment.

“Your journey is almost over, dear. Since you won’t have a baby to care for, I predict you’ll bounce back to your former activities pretty fast.”

“Mom. That wasn’t very tactful.”

Before Margaret could apologize, Kate jumped in. “No, it’s fine and she’s right. I’m looking forward to running again and getting back into shape. I’m planning on taking a Pilates class when I get settled at college.”

“You’re going for your masters?” Margaret asked, making the usual assumption because of Kate’s age.

“Undergrad degree, actually. With my brothers to raise, I didn’t have the time or financial means to go to college.” Kate wasn’t normally so talkative about herself and her plans, but with her activities gradually curbed over the past few weeks, she craved conversation with others.

Sitting alone on the sofa earlier, she’d had plenty of time to think what Rio had said about her cargo someday seeing the stories and pictures relating to his birth. He’d likely have questions about the woman who’d been his surrogate, especially now that his biological parents weren’t alive. Allie and James could have supplied the answers. Margaret and Rio knew next to nothing about her.

“I take it you’re the eldest child.” Margaret fished for answers.

“Yes. My dad passed away when I was a few months shy of eighteen. Mom wasn’t the maternal type. I would’ve been fine, but Dean and Zach were twelve and fourteen. Someone had to hold things together.”

Margaret and Rio exchanged a look of understanding, then Margaret reached across the table and patted Kate’s hand. “They’re lucky to have you. That’s a lot for a young girl to take on.”

She shrugged. “You do what you have to do for family.”

“Yeah. Whether you’re ready or not.” Rio placed a platter of burger fixings in the center of the table, his gaze directed at Kate with more warmth and respect than she’d ever seen in his eyes before. “A.J. still break dancing in there?”

“He’s napping at the moment.” She flushed under Margaret’s sudden scrutiny, though Kate had nothing to be embarrassed about. More and more when around Rio, she felt like a teenager with a first crush. With him close her palms dampened, she blushed more easily around him, and she had an acute awareness of where he was in the room.

How utterly silly.

He only carried her around like a pampered princess because her doctor had decreed it. She was housing his familial obligation inside her and everything he did was directed at keeping that child safe. Just like with Allie and James, once she delivered her cargo, he and his nephew would be out of her life for good. Just the way she wanted it.

“What’s wrong, dear? Aren’t you hungry?”

Margaret’s questions snapped Kate back into the moment. She blinked at the plate in front of her. When had that appeared? The steaming burger, thick, baked home fries and a broccoli slaw smelled like heaven. “Yes, of course I am. This looks delicious.”

“Dig in.” Rio nodded at the fixings tray. He’d kept the preparations simple, placing the squeeze containers on the tray instead of putting them in small bowls with spreaders. Not that Kate minded. She and her brothers certainly hadn’t stood on ceremony at mealtimes.

Rio reached for the mustard as her hand closed around it. His fingers grazed her knuckles while veering toward the ketchup, and they laughed, though there wasn’t anything particularly funny. She finished with the mustard and offered it to Rio, holding out her other hand for the ketchup. More glances were exchanged between the building of their burgers, and despite the repeated cautions in her head, Kate could swear Rio’s held a flirtatious gleam.

Did the last stages of pregnancy make a woman hallucinate? Another question to ask her doctor on Monday.

*
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W
ith the delectable scent of Kate still filling his head, Rio eased her door closed so as not to disturb her reading. He was startled by a tap on his shoulder. “Geez, Mom. You ‘bout gave me a heart attack.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” She pulled him down the hallway away from Kate’s door.

Even at thirty, he still felt like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar when his mom used that tone. “Uh ...what do you mean? I was carrying Kate to —”

“A fool with one eye and half-sense could see you’re flirting with disaster, but do you?” She poked him in the chest with a nicely manicured finger.

“Ouch.”

“That girl has worked hard to insulate herself from hurt. Harder than you know. James and Allie shielded her too, for her own good. Don’t mess with her head.” That same finger shook in his face.

“What do you mean?”

“Allie was like a daughter to me. We talked every week, sometimes more. Months ago, she told me all about the woman they’d selected to carry my grandchild. I’d forgotten until Kate mentioned her background.

“She wasn’t kidding when she said she raised her brothers. Their mother — though she doesn’t deserve the title — stuck around until Kate turned eighteen, then left them to fend for themselves. That girl had to prove to social services that she was committed to supporting and raising those boys and then stick with it though she was hardly old enough to take care of herself.”

“Okay, so she had it rough. I still don’t see how I’m messing with her head.”

“You really don’t, do you? Rio, you’re committed to raising a child she’s desperately trying to keep at an emotional distance. It’s likely she’s never had much of a dating life, so you flirting with her can only lead to her dreaming of a you-and-her-and-baby-makes-three scenario. She deserves to finish her education and have a life of her own.”

“You’re overreacting, Mom. I’ve no intentions of stopping her from doing any of that. We were just having fun.” He shrugged, understanding now why that might not have been the smartest move. “But, you’re right. I wasn’t thinking about anything but indulging in something that felt good. I see your point.”

His mom’s gaze turned sharp. “That’s not like you. Is there more interest on your part than you’re letting on?”

“Of course not.” His denial had come so fast that he felt led to back it up. “Kate’s the kind of woman you take home to meet the family. She’s not my type at all.”

Rio could see his mom wasn’t convinced, but she nodded and heaved a sigh. He crossed his arms over his chest and groaned. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

“Well ...” She pursed her lips. “I hope what you say is true, dear. Please be more careful because I won’t be here to remind you or to act as a buffer.”

“What do you mean? Where are you going?”

“Don’t sound so panicked. I’m due to fly back home on Tuesday. A friend of mine is having surgery, and I promised to help her out until she’s back on her feet.”

“I thought you’d be here until after the baby is born. Mom, I need you here.”

“No, you don’t. Not really. But don’t worry. I’ll be back for the birth if everything goes according to plan. That baby will come when he’s ready, regardless of who is here to welcome him.”

“Hire a nurse for your friend. Stay here.”

“I can’t do that to her. She’s having heart surgery and is understandably nervous about it. She’s all alone and needs a friend.” Her voice was firm and determined. There would be no persuading his mom to change her plans.

He and Kate would soon be on their own.

Chapter Five

N
early a full weekend of life had passed at Hawthorne House, and Kate was about ready to blow a gasket. Never in her life had she been so sedentary or had people waiting on her. Neither had she ever felt so restless and bored.

Since that first evening, Rio had maintained a polite distance without her having to say anything about boundaries. Though her feelings made no sense and she couldn’t find fault with his behavior, it made her irritable.

It was imperative she make Dr. Krieger understand that strict bed rest wasn’t necessary, so she could go home. Other than the occasional lightheadedness and intermittent backache, she felt fine and perfectly able to fend for herself.

She sat on the exam table, prepared for the additional ultrasound that James and Allie had requested some time ago. They’d loved viewing their baby and didn’t care if they had to pay extra for the privilege.

“Will you make sure Mr. Hawthorne gets a picture of the baby today?” she asked the plump nurse taking her blood pressure.

“Sure, but I understand Dr. Krieger is inviting him in to see for himself.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize.” Kate digested the unexpected news as the nurse recorded her vitals, informed her that the doctor would be in shortly and left her alone.

Rio was calling the shots now. His baby, his decision. He had every right to view the child he’d taken responsibility for, though it made her self-conscious to think of him seeing her bare belly looking like she’d swallowed a basketball.

That thought had barely formed when Dr. Krieger swept through the door, her smile as perfect as the up-do she twisted her graying hair into each morning. Rio followed close behind.

“All right. Let’s get this man a look at his bab—, er, his nephew.” Dr. Krieger shot Rio an apologetic smile as she helped Kate into a reclining position. “We don’t get too many uncles in here.”

“No problem.” Rio looked everywhere but at Kate, obviously nervous about what must be his first visit to an obstetrics exam room.

Dr. Krieger bent over Kate’s chart, reading the vital stats recorded by the nurse. Seizing the moment, Kate took pity on him and patted the exam table beside her. “Why don’t you stand over here where you have a clear view of the monitor?”

She hadn’t thought about how tight the space would be for him or how close he’d be.

He leaned in, his cool gray eyes guarded. “You okay with me being in here?”

Kate smiled to reassure him. “It’s all part of being a surrogate. I’m used to it. Once she turns the monitor on, you’ll forget I’m even here.”

He shot her an enigmatic look. “I don’t think so.”

“Okay, you know the drill.” Dr. Krieger bunched Kate’s pale blue maternity tee under her breasts and helped tug her elastic-paneled jeans low on her hips. “This will be cold.”

The warning never did anything to negate that first splat of gel hitting her warm skin. Kate closed her eyes and sucked in a breath, releasing it when Dr. Krieger touched the wand to her belly and the fast whir-whir of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room. She hadn’t looked at an ultrasound since the first one. Back then it had hardly seemed real, this child inside her, not until she’d seen the curve of his head, seen the movement she felt inside echoed on the screen.

“There he is, Mr. Hawthorne. That’s your nephew in vitro.”

Rio didn’t respond.

Kate opened her eyes to check his reaction. His were round with surprise or maybe shock and focused on the screen. He sucked in a shaky breath, his expression changing to something between awe-struck and stunned dismay.

“Whoa, that’s ... Oh, wow.” He’d raised his hand as if to point at the image but never fully made the gesture. As his hand lowered, it touched hers, his fingers curling around hers and squeezing.

It’s not real. He doesn’t realize what he’s doing. It’s not real.
Kate focused on a blood pressure cuff
stuffed into a metal wall basket. Cold hard metal. That’s what her heart had to be today.

Except Rio’s warm hand clutching hers like a lifeline was all too real. The baby’s heartbeat filled her ears as if calling to her, saying, “Look at me. I’m real.”

She didn’t realize she was squeezing back until Rio touched her shoulder. “Kate? You okay?”

“Fine.” Her smile was tight, and she was positive he would notice, but he relinquished her hand and returned his attention to the screen.

“Man, this is something. I didn’t know the pictures would be like this. A friend showed me his wife’s sonogram one time, and it was this little grainy black and white thing. I couldn’t even tell there was a baby. He looks ready to come out.”

“It’s the latest and greatest in technology,” Dr. Krieger said with pride. “And he’ll be here before you know it.”

She removed the wand, mopped the goo off Kate’s stomach and pulled her top back in place. “Kate, have you decided on a new labor coach?”

The question caught her unaware, but she seized upon the idea Rio had voiced of his mom filling in. “I have someone I’m considering.”

“Well, you’d better put the plan in motion. This little guy is in position and ready for his big day,” she remarked while pushing buttons on the machine and turning away to make a notation in Kate’s chart.

“But I’ve got at least three weeks to go.”

“True. Mind you I’m not anticipating anything but a perfectly normal on-time delivery, but babies can be unpredictable. It wouldn’t hurt to be ready.”

Dr. Krieger’s delivery was casual, but the very idea that things might not go strictly according to plan caused panic to rise inside Kate. Except for Allie and James dying, everything had happened as anticipated. Surely that wouldn’t change now.

Kate looked to see how Rio was taking the doctor’s comments, but he didn’t seem to be listening. His expression was sober as he stared at the screen where he’d seen the nearly full-term fetus on display. She touched his arm. “Would you mind helping me sit up and give me a few minutes alone with the doctor?”

“Sure.” He extended both hands and pulled her upright, the muscles in his upper chest and arms bunching in a way Kate couldn’t help but notice.

“I’ll wait for you by the back door.” He shook Dr. Krieger’s hand and slipped out.

“What’s up, Kate?”

“Doc, can’t I go back to my own place? The edema is much better, and I’ll continue to stay off my feet. I promise.”

“I understand you all had to park in the employee lot and come in through the back to avoid reporters.”

Kate sighed. “Yes, but the furor has died down some since the memorial service. It’s not that bad. Besides, Rio hired a bodyguard to watch over me. It’s perfectly safe.”

“Listen to yourself, Kate. Reporters and a bodyguard? These are not the norm. My job is to recommend what’s best for you and the child you’re carrying. I can’t in good conscience send you home when I know you’re better insulated from stress at Hawthorne House and there’s someone around to watch over you.” Her eyes narrowed. “How are things with Mr. Hawthorne and his mother? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No. My desire to be home has nothing to do with them. Rio is kind and generous, a pretty decent cook and —”

“All that and handsome too?” The doctor voiced the question with dry humor while moving toward the door. “Good. Then he’s probably contributing to the improvement in your health. Any other problems I should know about?”

Kate hesitated, not wanting to sound like a hypochondriac, yet worried that it might be important. “Only what I told your nurse. Occasional dizziness and sometimes my back aches.”

“That’s pretty normal at this stage of pregnancy. Don’t make sudden moves and if you have actual pain or feel like a band is tightening around your stomach, call the office. That could be the onset of labor, and we’ll need to check it out.”

“I will, but this way it’s harder to stay objective.”

“Kate, you don’t give yourself enough credit. You’ve done beautifully this whole time. I don’t think you’re going to lose your hold on reality in a couple weeks. You’re understandably disappointed, but it’s better to stay where you are. Try to relax and enjoy the pampering. See you next week.”

Disappointed, yeah. But oddly enough, not as much as she’d expected. Kate stared at the closing door, hating the feeling she’d lost control of her life.

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B
uilding after building passed by Rio’s window as the town car drove through the upscale Cherry Creek section of Denver. Seeing the movie version of James’ son inside Kate had been as scary as it was awesome. A part of Rio marveled at what he’d seen, and at the same time he was nervous and worried about having the responsibility of taking care of such a small being.

He knew next to nothing about diapers and formula or even dressing an infant, but at least he hadn’t been stupid enough to voice the question in his mind as to how that little human could possibly work his way out of Kate.

Struck with sudden inspiration, he broke the silence. “I need to make a stop nearby. It shouldn’t take long, but I can have Toby take you to the house and bring me back if you’d rather not wait.”

She shrugged and lifted her chin, making her short cap of dark hair shift away from her face. “I don’t mind.”

Rio pushed a button. “Toby, could you swing by The Tattered Cover? I won’t be long.”

“Yes, sir.”

Curiosity replaced the dull discouragement he’d seen in Kate’s eyes after leaving the doctor’s office, but she didn’t comment.

“I figure I should at least read up on babies and see what I’ll be faced with,” he offered by way of explanation as the car swung around a corner and stopped at the well-known bookstore.

“Not a bad idea.”

After loading up a bag with enough books to keep him reading until the baby was due to arrive, Rio returned to the car. “This ought to do it.”

Kate’s brows lifted. “I should say so.”

“Overkill?”

She lost the battle on a smile. “Maybe a little.”

He grinned, glad she was talking again. His mom’s cautions echoed in his head, but he was tired of watching everything he said around Kate. This time he brushed them aside. “Would you like to watch a movie tonight and order Chinese or something?”

“Is that something your mom might like too?”

“I think so, and we could all use a distraction.”

“Then let’s do it. I think I’ll check with her about being my labor coach tonight. You were right. She would be a good person to ask, and it might give her something to look forward to. She seems depressed since the memorial service.”

“Uhm ... about that coaching idea.” He grimaced, knowing he wasn’t about to make Kate’s day. “Mom is leaving tomorrow. She has another obligation to take care of back home.”

“Oh. So, do you think I shouldn’t ask?”

“Didn’t say that. Just thought you should know there’s a possibility she wouldn’t be able to make it back here in time.”

Kate played with her bottom lip, a concerned crease forming between her brows. “I’m running out of options.”

“Oh, come on. Women tend to be pretty sociable. There must be someone among your friends who’d step in.”

She lifted one shoulder, looking a little embarrassed. “Believe it or not, raising teenagers in my early twenties limited my social life. I’ve had coworkers join me for casual lunches or the occasional cocktail, but I haven’t been in touch with them for months.”

“A relative?”

“My brothers would be horrified, not that I’d want them there, and there’s really no one else suitable.” Her voice had taken on an edge that hadn’t been there before.

“Your mother?”

“Not an option.” The slight curl of Kate’s upper lip and the eye roll told him to leave that subject alone. Rio knew all about unsavory family members.

“Well, there’s still time. I’m sure you’ll think of someone,” he assured her as Toby drove the car through the gates and onto Hawthorne House grounds.

*
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R
eading about infant care gave Rio a nervous stomach, so he left the second floor sitting room and went to check on Kate. As he raised his hand to knock on the partially opened door, her voice stopped him.

“Hi, Janice. This is Kate Morrissey. We used to work together —” A short pause followed, then Kate gave a self-conscious laugh. “Yes, those were nice lunches, weren’t they? Listen, Janice, the reason … What did you say?”

Not wanting to intrude on her call, Rio turned to go, but something in Kate’s voice as she spoke again held him in place.

“Yes. It was a terrible loss and so sad, but it was a huge relief to know the baby’s uncle is planning to take charge of him. You see, the mother had planned to be my labor coach, but now, well, I thought you might consider filling in since you’re a mother and already know how these things work. This being my first time and all, I could use someone with the voice of experience.” Her tone wavered on the last line, suggesting to Rio that this meant more to Kate than her attempt at casualness suggested.