Olivia’s legs still weren’t steady as she climbed the stairs beside Darius. After that breath-stealing moment when she thought he might reach out and touch her, when her heart had practically bounced from her chest, she wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing.
As they neared Mary’s room, Dr. Henshaw emerged, concern shadowing his features.
“How’s she doing?” Olivia asked.
“Not well, I’m afraid. She’s not picking up like I hoped. I’ve decided to bring her to the hospital and get another opinion on her condition.”
“What about the baby?” Olivia glanced toward the door. Who would care for the infant if her mother was so ill?
The doctor scratched the beginning of stubble on his chin. “I’d prefer to keep her here since Mary isn’t capable of looking after her right now. Plus, the child will be less likely to pick up any illnesses.”
Ruth came out of the room, the baby in her arms.
Tension snapped along Olivia’s shoulders. If Darius wasn’t here, she’d have run to her room. Anything to avoid the reminder of her loss.
Dr. Henshaw turned to Ruth. “Did you have any luck?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Luck with what?” Darius asked.
The doctor sighed. “I’m trying to get information for the birth certificate. Mary won’t name the father, or even give her own surname.”
“She did say she wants to call the baby Abigail.” Ruth smiled down at the sleeping infant.
“That’s something at least. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll arrange for Mary’s transportation to the hospital.” The doctor headed toward the staircase.
“I guess that means she’s not up for a visitor?” Darius asked.
“Not now. She’s drifted off again.” Ruth held out the baby. “But you could hold little Abigail if you’d like.”
Olivia stepped back, almost tripping in her haste. Her stomach churned as she tried not to look at the child.
Surprisingly, Darius didn’t hesitate to gather the baby against his chest. A soft smile hovered on his lips as he stared down at her. “She’s beautiful. With all that dark hair, she reminds me of my Sofia when she was born.”
Ruth looked over at Olivia. “You haven’t held the baby yet, Olivia. Would you like a turn?”
She shook her head. How could she comfort a baby when she’d been denied that luxury with her own son? It wouldn’t be fair to Matteo.
But before she realized it, Darius had placed the bundle on her shoulder. “Here you go. There’s nothing to it.”
The air stalled in her lungs as the baby snuggled into her neck and the smell of talcum powder surrounded her. Instinctively, her arm came up to clasp the child. The baby sighed, her tiny chest rising and falling at a slightly faster rate than Olivia’s. As warmth seeped through her body, Olivia’s heart expanded with a fierce protectiveness she’d only felt once before. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears forming despite her best intentions, and rubbed a soothing hand over the baby’s back. Maybe it wouldn’t be wrong to care for another child. Maybe she’d be making up for not being able to do the same for Matteo.
“Olivia, are you all right?” Ruth’s voice seemed to come from a distance.
She opened her eyes. “I’m fine.”
Darius and Ruth both stared at her with concerned expressions.
“You’re crying.” Darius stated the fact in an incredulous tone.
The wetness of her cheeks proved his words, but she smiled. “I am. Because she’s so precious.”
“Yes, she is.” Ruth patted Olivia’s arm. “If you wouldn’t mind taking her for a while, I have a few things to take care of.”
“I’d be happy to.” Where moments ago she’d been terrified to hold the baby, Olivia now didn’t want to release her. “I’ll take her downstairs. Will she be hungry soon?”
“Another hour or two. But she may need changing. There are diapers in Mary’s room on the dresser.” Ruth smiled. “Thank you for stopping by with the flowers, Mr. Reed. Mary did manage to see them before she fell asleep again.”
“I’m glad. And I’ll be praying for her recovery.”
“That’s the best thing we can do for her right now.”
Olivia headed toward the stairs. “There’s a rocking chair in the parlor. Would you like to join me there?” she asked Darius.
He pulled out his pocket watch and frowned. “I’d love to, but I’m afraid I have to get back to the office for a meeting. Could I come by again in a day or two and see how they’re both doing?”
Olivia nodded. “I’d like that.”
And this time she truly meant it.
18
What am I doing?
Darius pressed his fingers against his temples, attempting to ease the headache brewing. He tried to concentrate on the staff meeting going on, but Mr. Walcott’s words were failing to sink in.
The more time Darius spent around Olivia, the more his heart became engaged. And with his wedding to Meredith in a few weeks, that wasn’t fair to anyone.
Meredith and her family had settled on August ninth as the date for the nuptials, though it still seemed rather rushed to Darius. He tried to ignore the gut feeling that something was wrong about the situation. A society girl like Meredith should be holding out for a more lavish wedding, especially since she would be the first daughter to marry. Yet if Meredith was content, shouldn’t he be too?
In addition to obsessing about his wedding, Darius’s thoughts were consumed with baby Abigail and her very ill mother. The ambulance had been pulling up to the house as he’d left the other day, and a renewed anger had burned through him at the thought of the monster who had hurt that poor woman.
For the first time, he truly understood what Olivia meant by women needing a place where they felt safe. And he knew now that he couldn’t be responsible for taking that haven away from them.
When the meeting ended, the employees started filing out of the conference room. Darius rose and gathered his files.
Mr. Walcott stopped in the doorway. “By the way, Reed, since you didn’t bother to follow up on it,
