Chapter Three #2
But that wasn’t in the cards for her. Luke didn’t want anything to do with this child and Heather no longer wanted him in her life. And if she was even half as good as her own mother was to her, her baby would grow up in a house filled with love.
As she watched Jim with her daughter, she tried to ignore the erratic thoughts racing through her head.
She couldn’t help noticing how appealing he was—the big, strong man holding the tiny baby.
This was the stuff of greeting cards and television commercials.
Oddly touching and romantic, which was crazy.
More of those hormones, she told herself.
“I’ve named her,” Heather said.
Jim looked up and grinned. “Really? What?”
“Diane Michelle. My mom’s name is Diane and the Michelle part is for Michael.”
He stared at her, his expression stunned. She could read his thoughts as easily as if he spoke them aloud. “You didn’t have to do that,” Jim said quickly. “I was teasing you about naming her after me.”
“I know, but I wanted to do something meaningful to thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to get through giving birth to her if you hadn’t helped me.
You did more than I could ever have hoped for.
You made something that could have been scary and awful into the most wonderful experience of my life.
” She paused. “I picked Michelle because I couldn’t come up with a female version of James that I liked as well. ”
He stared at her a long time. She looked into his impossibly handsome face and told herself that while he might look very silly with wings, this man was definitely an angel.
“Thank you,” he said. “I’m speechless, which, my friends will tell you, is a rarity.
” He glanced down at the baby. “Hello, Diane Michelle. Welcome to this world. Don’t you ever forget how special you are.
” He handed the baby back to Heather and sat back down.
“She’s so small. I can’t believe they’re letting you take her home tomorrow. ”
“She’s nearly seven pounds,” Heather informed him. “That’s plenty big.”
Jim didn’t look convinced. “How are you getting home?”
Heather knew exactly what he was asking, but she decided to pretend ignorance. “By car.”
“You have a friend to take you?”
She didn’t have to see his face to know he was worrying about her.
If she told him the truth—that she planned to call a cab—he would be offended.
While it would be nice to be fussed over for a while, it was better for her to begin as she meant to continue, and that meant being responsible for herself.
“I have made arrangements, but it’s very sweet of you to worry.” She flashed him her best smile, hoping it would be enough to distract him.
It wasn’t.
His gaze narrowed. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothing. I have a ride. I’m fine.” She nodded at Diane. “We’re fine.”
“Right. I’ll be here at eleven in the morning.”
“Jim, no. That’s silly.”
“Then give me the name of your friend.” When she hesitated, he muttered something under his breath, something she was reasonably confident was unfit for a child’s ears. “You were going to take a cab, weren’t you?”
She’d never been very good at lying. Even now, she could feel color creeping into her face. “I didn’t want to impose. I’m not your responsibility. In fact, we don’t know each other at all.”
He stiffened in the chair, then straightened. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I can see why you would be concerned. Under the circumstances—”
“Stop,” she interrupted. “Please.” She could read the truth in his withdrawn expression.
“I did not mean to imply that I’m worried you’re an ax murderer or that you have some evil designs.
When I said we were strangers, I meant I didn’t have the right to inconvenience you.
If you were an old friend or family, then I would impose at will.
I swear, that’s all I was trying to say.
Just that I don’t want you to feel obligated. ”
“I don’t feel that way. I only want to help.”
He had an honest face. Based on what she’d learned about him during their short acquaintance, she knew he was a good man.
She’d met enough of the other kind to be able to recognize the difference.
Part of her was wary, though, not believing he could really be all that he seemed, but as she had no intention of getting involved with Jim Dyer, what could it possibly hurt to accept his offer?
She drew in a deep breath. “To be honest, I hated the idea of taking a cab home. So if it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition, I would appreciate a ride. Eleven is perfect. We’ll be ready.”
Jim smiled then, a dazzling smile that set up a chain reaction all the way down to the pit of her stomach. He rose to his feet.
“I should let you two get your rest. It’s been a challenging day. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Okay. Thanks for coming by.”
“My pleasure.”
She had the oddest feeling that he was about to bend over and kiss her cheek, but all he did was wave and walk out of the room. As she settled back on the bed, Heather couldn’t figure out why she suddenly felt disappointed and very much alone.
* * *
Jim pulled up in front of the hospital at ten minutes before eleven the next morning.
He was pleased that Heather had decided to let him take them home.
He didn’t want to think about her having to carry anything heavier than the balloons.
This way, he could take care of any lifting or moving of Diane and her car seat.
Over the next few days he planned to make sure Heather didn’t have anything to worry about.
He’d made that decision the previous evening.
When he got home, he hadn’t been able to sleep.
All through the night he’d found himself thinking about Heather and what they’d shared.
He’d never imagined what it would be like to help a woman give birth.
Even though he’d always had the vague idea that one day he would have children, it wasn’t something he’d allowed himself to dwell on.
Too many unhappy memories, he thought. But if the situation ever came up, he now had some experience.
He headed to the maternity wing and found Heather up and dressed, sitting in the chair beside her bed, holding Diane. The tiny infant was asleep, and the sight of her cradled in her mother’s arms hit him like a sucker punch to the belly. All his air rushed out and he was left gasping for breath.
It should have been like this for him. The unwelcome thought came unbidden.
He’d pushed the past so far back in his mind that he hadn’t thought it could possibly find its way to the light.
But it had. It should have been like this for him, he thought again.
But Carrie had never given him the chance.
At that moment, Heather glanced up and saw him. “Hi,” she said with a smile. “Right on time, but then I guess she’s the only one around here who’s chronically early,” she added, nodding toward her daughter.
Heather wore a loose-fitting dress and sandals.
There was a lot less tummy than before, although her midsection was still a little out of proportion compared with her thin arms and legs.
Her hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and her face was bare of makeup.
She looked young and excited, as if she was beginning the most wonderful adventure.
“Morning,” he said. “I see you’re all packed.”
Several shopping bags stood by the door, as did an infant car seat. “My apartment manager stopped by my place on her way to work and got me a few things,” she told him. “Including the car seat. Although I have to warn you, I’m not exactly sure how to strap it in. The directions are in the box.”
“I’m sure I can figure it out.” He grabbed the infant seat in one hand and scooped up the shopping bags in the other. “I’ll head out to the car, then come back and get you.”
“The nurse said they had to wheel me out, so we’ll meet you out front.”
He nodded and left. After stowing the bags in the trunk, he removed the car seat from its box and glanced at the directions.
They seemed simple enough to him, and fifteen minutes later, the seat was firmly secured in the back.
He straightened and turned to see Heather and Diane being wheeled out of the main entrance to the hospital.
As they approached, she caught sight of the car seat in place. “You’ve got the thing installed already,” she said, her voice accusing.
“Of course.”
“It must be a guy thing. I really hate that. It would’ve taken me an hour to figure it out.”
He stepped back to let her put Diane into the carrier and strap her in. “The point is, you would have figured it out eventually. It doesn’t matter how long it takes.”
“Easy for you to say, Mr. I-Can-Fix-It-In-Seconds.”
He grinned. “Some of us have it, and some of us don’t.”
“Very funny.” Heather closed the rear door and turned to thank the nurse’s aid. Then she slowly lowered herself into the passenger seat.
“Still sore?” he asked.
“Yeah. In places I didn’t know could hurt this much. But the nurses all tell me it will get better quickly.”
He made sure she was settled before he circled around to the driver’s side.
There was something intimate about picking up a woman and her newborn from the hospital and taking them home.
Something that screamed “family.” The sensation didn’t bother him.
If anything, he was enjoying his chance to pretend that this was all his.
He would take care of Heather for a while, then return to his solitary life. It was what he’d always done.
“Nice car,” Heather said as he started the engine. “It’s a BMW, right?”
“Yes, a 540, their midsize sedan. I also have a truck, which I drive most of the time, but I figured you and Diane would be more comfortable in this car, not to mention its having a trunk.”
Her big green eyes widened slightly. “A truck and a BMW. The helicopter business must pay well. I didn’t realize my baby was being delivered by a tycoon.”