Practice Makes Perfect (6 page)

Meli’s eyes danced, and she nodded vigorously.

Paige took a moment to slip into her Birkenstocks and throw a white lacy cover-up over her tangerine “tankini,” then she grabbed Meli’s hand. As they headed across Paige’s yard, Paige was treated to a delightful report on the merits of the Yankees over the Dodgers this year. They’d just reached the curb when Meli said, “Car’s comin’. Gotta wait.”

Paige smiled and squeezed the girl’s hand in approval.

A yellow Corvette was climbing Spencer Hill at a respectable speed. Paige admired the sleek lines of the convertible as it tooled up the slope. She was shocked when it came to a halt in front of them. She was thrown even more off balance when she recognized the driver’s wind-whipped hair and big shoulders. He pulled off his sunglasses and gave her and Meli his toothpaste-commercial smile. “Well, well, well, who do we have here?” Ian took in Meli’s red hair and clothing. “Little Red Riding Hood?” He darted a glance at Paige’s outfit. “This certainly isn’t Grandma.”

No, but you’d qualify as the wolf
.

“I’m Meli O’Malley, and this is Dr. Kendrick.”

Ian’s grin widened. His white shirt highlighted his dark hair, and his eyes twinkled as he said, “Hi, Meli. I’m Ian Chandler.” His gaze moved over Paige’s neck and chest, partially exposed beneath the cover-up, to her bare legs. Briefly, discreetly, male interest flared in his eyes. “Hi, Dr. Kendrick. You’re looking mighty fine tonight.”

“We’re going swimming at Dr. Kendrick’s,” Meli said happily.

Ian stared past her shoulder at the attractive glass, stone and wood house she’d bought two years ago. The fenced-in backyard was barely visible from the road. “Sounds great.” He glanced down at his clothes. Paige followed the direction of his eyes, noting the white shorts he wore. “It’s too hot for tennis,” he said.

“Tennis?” Paige asked. She tried to think of who on the hill had courts. A couple of eligible beauty queens. Just Ian’s type. “Well, we’ll think of you when we’re playing Marco Polo.”

“Hmm. Think of me. I like that.” His gaze focused on Meli. “Nice to meet you, Meli.”

“See ya,” she said, tugging at Paige’s hand.

“Go around the front of my car.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “There’s no traffic now.”

Meli pulled Paige around the hood. She felt as if she was on display, but quickly followed the child to the other side. A horn beeped as Ian roared off to his tennis date.

They had just reached the edge of the lawn when Darcy met them. “Melanie Anne O’Malley! What did I tell you about bothering people?” Darcy’s petite frame, freckles and red hair down to her waist didn’t detract from the sternness of her voice.

“I didn’t bother Dr. Kendrick, Mama, honest.”

Raising green eyes full of apology to Paige, Darcy shook her head. “I’m sorry. Just what you need is more kids after putting in a whole day with them.”

“Don’t apologize. I came over to ask you and Claire to join Mel and me in the pool. It’s hotter than blazes.”
Too hot for tennis
.

“Paige, really—”

“Darce, I’d love the company.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “When have you known me to say something I don’t mean?”

Darcy grinned, and Paige was reminded of the imp who’d lived at Serenity House with her. Very different from the respectable director of TenderTime Day Care and a member of the Hyde Point Small Business Association who stood in front of Paige now. Even Darcy’s clothes—knee-length khaki shorts and a tailored white blouse—were a far cry from the old Darcy’s penchant for bright colors and funky jewelry.

Memories of Serenity House made Paige nostalgic. Darcy was the closest thing to a friend Paige had. “Please come. I want you to.”

Darcy studied her a moment. “All right.” She glanced back at the house. “Thank you. Claire would like it, too. I’ll be right over.” She looked to Meli. “Come on, honey, let’s get your suit.”

The little girl pulled up her T-shirt, revealing a zebra-print suit. “Got it on already.”

Again, Darcy shook her head, Paige laughed, and suddenly the night seemed a lot brighter.

A half hour later—the sun was dipping well into the horizon now—she and Darcy were sharing lemonade at one of her outdoor tables, watching Meli try to convince Claire to dunk her head underwater. Though Claire was four years older than Meli, she was much more timid. “I worry about Claire’s cautiousness,” Darcy said.

“We talked about this, Darce. She’s just not as willing to jump into things the way you and Mel are. Nothing wrong with that.”

“I know. But she misses her daddy something fierce. I think because she was older, his leaving hit her harder. That’s part of why she’s so withdrawn.”

“I agree.” The girl lacked trust because of a man who’d simply abandoned his wife and daughters three years ago and hadn’t been heard from since. Paige and Darcy both knew all about parental abandonment. “She’s getting better. Look.”

The women watched as Claire held her nose and put her head underwater. Her long red hair—just like her mom’s and sister’s—fanned out on the surface of the water. When she came up for air, both girls giggled.

“So,” Darcy said, “what do you think of Nora and Dan’s news?”

“I think it’s great.” Paige chuckled. “Remember how their unfulfilled love seemed so romantic, just like Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester?”

Darcy nodded. “Little did we know that unfulfilled love was anything but romantic.”

Paige agreed.

“Speaking of Serenity House, Paige, I was surprised to hear you’re going to work at the new care facility for young mothers.”

Maybe because Darcy had shared the tidbit about her ex or maybe because Paige was feeling unaccountably lonely tonight and couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to spend the evening with a man like Ian Chandler, she said, “They needed help. I’m available. They’re opening in two days.”

“Yes, I know. I’m hosting the reception.”

“Really, why?”

“I’ve just been appointed president of Hyde Point’s Small Business Association. It’s good PR for us.”

“Congratulations.”

Darcy sipped her lemonade. “As I said, I was surprised you agreed to work at the Center.”

“Because of my background?”

Darcy reached out and squeezed Paige’s hand. “It can’t be easy. You’ll deal with girls who’ll remind you of us when we were at Serenity House.” Then she added meaningfully, “Girls with babies.”

Paige swallowed hard. “I deal with babies every day.”

“You know what I mean.”

Her throat suddenly felt parched. “With girls who made a different choice than I did?”

“Yes.”

Paige watched Meli coax Claire underwater again.

Darcy asked, “Do you ever think about her?”

“Her?”

“Your baby.”

“Her?” Paige’s head began to swim. Her eyes burned.
“Her?”

“Paige,” Darcy said, staring at her, “are you all right? I know you don’t like talking about this, but—”

Paige threw the chair back and stood. “No, Darce, I don’t. I don’t—” She had to move. Quickly she shed her cover-up, crossed blindly to the edge of the pool and dived in; the water was bracing.

It didn’t help.

It didn’t help take her mind off the startling revelation that, fifteen years ago, she had given birth to a daughter.

A fact she had never known.

o0o

WHEN SHE ENTERED the Elsa Moore Center for the reception following the outdoor opening ceremonies, Paige was still on edge from Darcy’s revelation of two days ago. She hadn’t been sleeping well and felt the effects of her fatigue. Though she knew this wasn’t a big deal, she’d been ambushed by information she’d specifically asked never to be told. She tried not to think about the past, not to dwell on it, but she couldn’t control her thoughts.

She’d had a baby girl.

Ian approached her as soon as she stepped inside. He was dressed today in a suit of charcoal gray with a pristine white shirt and a red paisley tie. He looked like John Q. Businessman, even with the long hair. “Paige, I—” He stopped short. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing” She fidgeted with a button on the short yellow jacket of the suit she wore. She’d dressed brightly today to cheer herself up.

Studying her a moment longer, he took her arm and ushered her into a small room off to the side.

“Ian, what are you doing?”

“Something’s wrong.”

“I just said there wasn’t anything wrong.”

“Your bloodshot eyes say otherwise. Were you on call last night?”

“No.”

He frowned. “Is it something personal? Look, if it’s about a guy, I’m a good listener. I might be able to help.”

She had to smile. The man thought he could take on the world, solve everybody’s problems. “I wouldn’t lose sleep over a guy, Ian.”

He rolled his eyes. “Then you’ve been dating the wrong men, lady.” He sobered. “What
are
you losing sleep over?”

“Someone surprised me with something. I don’t like surprises.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Carol Camp poked her head in. “Ian, there’s a reporter looking for you for a picture.” Her gaze landed on Paige. “You, too, Paige. They want all the staff in the front of the reception area.”

Paige kept herself from sighing. She wanted to be part of a photo shoot about as much as she wanted to deal with an outbreak of chicken pox. But at least it would stop Ian’s badgering. “We’ll come right now.” Without looking at Ian, she followed Carol into the reception area.

The place was packed. About fifty people had gathered to celebrate the opening of the new facility. Darcy was behind the reception table, looking cool and efficient in a slim suit, her hair drawn back in a soft chignon. Last night her hair had dangled down her back in wet strands, and her eyes had been troubled...

Paige had stayed in the water a while, but Darcy was waiting when she climbed out. “Paige, I’m sorry. I know you don’t like to talk about the baby. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

Dripping wet, drying her face in a towel, she’d said, “No, it’s okay. I just…”

“What?”

Unnerved, Paige had blurted, “I never knew it was a girl.”

Darcy’s eyes had filled immediately. “I’m so sorry, Paige. I didn’t know. Or if I did, I forgot.”

“That’s all right. Really. It’s no big deal…”

Paige felt someone take her arm. “Come on, you need a baby-sitter today.” Ian pulled her with him. “You stopped right in the middle of the room.”

“Ian, really, I’m fine.”

“Yeah, and the sky is bright green.” They drew up close to the others. “Here we are.” He stepped into the group and brought Paige with him. She pasted on a smile for the camera.

Later she talked to the reporter from the
Hyde Point Herald
about how glad she was to be part of the Center. Again it felt like a lie. After the interview she studied the literature for patients stacked on a table to the side, all the while wondering what the hell she was doing here. Birth-control pamphlets. Caring for a newborn. New mother’s health. On the bulletin board was an entire section of job opportunities available in and around Hyde Point.

Her gaze landed on a discreet notice tucked in the corner. It advertised an organization called Right to Know or RTK. She read it. RTK was an adoption clearinghouse on the Internet, whose purpose was to unite birth parents with the children they’d given up. Paige sighed as she turned away from it. Damn, this place was full of reminders of her past. Glancing at her watch, she decided to leave. She’d been here for an adequate amount of time.

Scanning the room, she saw Ian in the corner talking to a woman. About five-eight and dark haired, she wore a lovely Jones of New York dress—Paige recognized it—and a navy hat. She was gazing up at Ian, occasionally touching his arm, smiling as if he’d hung the moon. He gestured wildly as he told a story and laughed periodically.

Paige crossed to them. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m leaving now, Ian. Thanks. This was a great kickoff.”

“Just a sec. I want to introduce you to someone.”

The woman turned. Classic features were paired with beautiful gray eyes.

Familiar gray eyes.

“Paige Kendrick, this is Lynne Chandler. Lynne, this is my baby doctor.”

Chandler? Was Ian married? No, of course not. He openly dated. “Oh, you must be Ian’s sister.” That would account for the resemblance.

Lynne smiled. “No, but thanks for the compliment.” The woman’s gaze darted to Ian, as if to check out his reaction.

Paige was puzzled

Casually Ian slid his arm around Lynne’s shoulders and tugged her close. “This is my mother, Paige.”

“Your mother? I thought...” She glanced over at the picture of Elsa Moore hung prominently on the wall. “You said Elsa was your mother.”

“She is,” Ian told her. “Lynne is my birth mother. I was adopted by my parents just after I was born.”

“You...” Paige cleared her throat. “You’ve kept in touch?”

“Yes. It was an open adoption. Lynne’s been a part of my life right from the day I was born.”

Paige remembered some of his cryptic remarks.

You don’t have their name.

No, it’s a long story why.

There are other personal reasons I’m opening the Center
.

Once again Paige was surprised.

Once again she didn’t like it.

SCALPEL NOSED Ian’s hand as he reached for the piece of cloud; Ian stared down at the puzzle. “Yeah, boy, I think that’s the right one, too.” Studying the jigsaw, he remembered how Paige Kendrick’s face had turned the color of those clouds when he’d introduced her to Lynne. A moment later she’d regained her legendary cool, but Ian had caught the surprise, then the uneasiness, in her eyes. What was going on with the good Dr. Kendrick?

Fitting the puzzle piece into its position, Ian sighed and looked out over the river; the sun had turned the surface of the water a honey-gold, a view he always enjoyed from his condo’s screened-in porch. Earthy scents of water and grass filtered in. But tonight he was unaccountably restless. And melancholy. He reached out and stroked the dog, who inched closer. “What’s going on in my head, do you think? Is it the opening of the clinic? Did it remind me too much of Mom and Dad?” It had been a whole year since they’d died. He shouldn’t still be so affected.