“Lizzie, I—”
She turned her head aside. “I’ll see this rodeo of yours through because I promised my children.” She tried to steady her tone. “And hope the whole town doesn’t find out about us before it’s over.” She was trembling now, a leaf blown by the wind. “By the way, you have an interview with a reporter from the Barren Journal, and our TV station wants you on air.” She rose from the sofa, marched over to the door and flung it open. “I won’t be there, so you’re on your own. And so am I.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
BECCA LEFT DOC BAXTER’S OFFICE, ignoring the receptionist, his wife, on her way out. Her father was waiting for her in his truck around the corner from Cottonwood Street on Main where he’d parked, but Becca’s footsteps slowed. She’d rather have done this on her own.
They hadn’t exchanged many words since he’d learned she was pregnant, yet he’d insisted on coming with her today. Becca hadn’t known how to say no.
Halfway to the pickup, she heard someone call her name. Jenna Smith had seen her and hurried along the street from the café. She crossed over in front of Olivia’s shop.
“Becca, I’ve been meaning to call you.” Her gaze lingered on Becca’s stomach before sliding away to focus on the sidewalk. “Since we talked a couple of days ago, I’ve been thinking of you a lot.” She gestured toward the medical office. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect,” she said. “I’ve been thinking too about the right thing for my baby, but I know your husband isn’t wild about another child.”
“Hadley and I have been...negotiating. I mean, discussing. He knows what this would mean to me, for our family. He’s said yes.” Jenna forced a smile. “Do you know what you’re having?”
“A boy,” Becca announced, unable to keep the smile from her face. “You’re the first person I’ve told. He’s due in December.” Two months before Elizabeth’s baby. It amazed her that her new friend had confided in her. Becca might even call her a mentor, and she relied now on Elizabeth’s experience, her common sense as a guide. Still, Elizabeth had said Becca should make her own decision to keep her baby or—
Jenna’s gaze lifted. “Tell me everything, please. How big is he, what does he weigh? Has Doc done an ultrasound yet?”
“Today,” Becca said and pulled the sonogram from her backpack. For a long moment she studied it, wondering if she should draw Jenna into her private world, before handing it over. Instead of sharing this special moment with Calvin, she watched Jenna’s eyes widen in wonder. “See, that’s his hand and, over here, this is a leg.” The baby lay folded in a typical fetal position, making it hard to see certain parts.
Jenna’s gaze fixed on the image. “Oh, you can see his face clearly, that little snub nose...” As if reluctant, she gave back the sonogram, one finger trailing over the image of Becca’s little baby inside her. “I don’t mean to push, but it would be the most wonderful thing if Hadley and I could give your child a home.” Her features seemed to blur for Becca. “I promise, you could see him whenever you like. You’d be invited to his birthday parties, for Christmas, all the special times.” She stopped. “I’m trying to sway you, aren’t I?”
Becca had lain awake every night, but now she didn’t have to think any longer. Jenna and Hadley had a good marriage, and Jenna’s infertility must be an agonizing thing to live with. Becca thought she understood. In providing what was best for her own child, Becca would also be making Jenna’s fondest wish come true.
Becca reached for Jenna’s hand. “I’ve made up my mind,” she said, looking toward her father’s truck. He sent her a curious glance as if to ask what was keeping her. “I’d like very much for you and Hadley to have him.”
“Becca.” Jenna pulled her close for a hug. “I don’t know what to say.”
She choked on her words. “I think you’ll be the best parents he could ever have.”
Now the tears were flowing down Becca’s cheeks. She and Jenna stood in their tight embrace, both weeping, until Becca knew she couldn’t stand here any longer or she’d fall completely apart. Of course, this was the right, the totally right, thing to do. Still, it hurt.
“I can’t wait to tell Hadley,” Jenna said. “He’s such a great father. He will be for this baby too. Thank you, Becca, from the bottom of our hearts.”
When they finally parted, Becca started for her dad’s aging Ford pickup. She swiped at her tears. Her steps faltered before she squared her shoulders and opened the passenger door. Her father’s hound dog eyes seemed to bore into her thoughts, the regrets that wanted to form. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect,” she said, slipping onto the seat beside him.
“What were you talking to Jenna Smith about?”
“Just small talk.” Her voice sounded strident to her ears. “Let’s go home.”
“But you looked sad.” He hadn’t twisted the ignition key. He cupped her chin in his rough hand, forcing Becca to look at his woeful expression, the one she’d come to know all too well from the moment her mother’s diagnosis had been made. “Something’s wrong. And I know I haven’t been a very good father since I first knew about the...baby—”
Through a blur of fresh tears, she patted his hand. “You’re always a good dad.”
“If there’s a problem, we’ll deal with it, Becca.”
Her stomach tightened. He’d managed her mother’s illness with steadfast devotion.
“Nothing’s wrong,” she said, and, to Becca’s relief, he didn’t probe any further. “The baby should come at Christmastime.”
He started the engine, the truck pulled away from the curb, and she took a shaky breath. Calvin didn’t matter now. He could stay wherever he’d gone. It wasn’t as if she’d
