LITMIR.BIZ

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you should sit down.”

      Numbly Mary Jo nodded. This was all so…unseemly. She hated making a fuss, but she suspected the librarian was right and she did need to sit. Thankfully, Ms. Harding came around the counter and led her to a chair. She left for a moment and returned with a glass of water.

      “Here, drink this.”

      “Thank you.” Mary Jo felt embarrassed, since almost everyone in the library was staring at her. No doubt she made quite a spectacle and people probably thought she’d give birth any second. Actually, her due date wasn’t for another two weeks; she didn’t think there was any danger the baby would arrive early, but this was her first pregnancy and she couldn’t really tell. She could only hope…

      Grace took the chair beside hers. “How can I help you?” she asked again.

      Mary Jo gulped down all the water, then put the glass down beside her.

      Taking a deep breath, she clasped her hands together. “I’m looking for a man by the name of David Rhodes.”

      Right away Mary Jo saw that the other woman stiffened.

      “You know him?” she asked excitedly, ignoring any misgivings over Grace’s reaction. “Is he here? He said he’d be visiting his father and stepmother in Cedar Cove. It’s important that I talk to him as soon as possible.”

      Grace sagged in her chair. “Oh, dear.”

      “Oh, dear,”Mary Jo repeated. “What does that mean?”

      “Well…”

      “Is David in town?”

      Grace shook her head, but her expression was sympathetic. “I’m afraid not.”

      Mary Jo’s heart sank. She should’ve known not to trust David. This was obviously another lie.

      “What about his father and stepmother? Are they available?” If she didn’t tell David’s family about the baby, then her brothers surely would. The information would be better coming from her. The image of her brothers barging into these people’s home lent a sense of urgency to her question.

      “Unfortunately,” Grace went on, “Ben and Charlotte have taken a Christmas cruise.”

      “They’re gone, then,” Mary Jo said in a flat voice. She recalled the message on their phone; ironically, Ben had been the first Rhodes she’d called. Maybe she should be relieved they were out of town, but she wasn’t. Instead, a deep sadness settled over her. The uncertainty would continue. Whatever happened, she accepted the likelihood of being a single mother, but her brothers would do their best to prevent it.

      “According to a friend of mine, they’re coming back sometime tomorrow,” Grace told her.

      “On Christmas Day?”

      “Yes, that’s what I understand, at any rate. I can find out for sure if you’d like.”

      “Yes, please.”

      Grace looked tentative. “Before I phone Olivia—she’s the friend I mentioned—I should tell you that her mother is married to Ben Rhodes.”

      “I see.”

      “Would you mind if I asked you a question?”

      “Of course not.” Although she already knew what that question would be…

      “Is your baby…is David Rhodes—”

      Rather than respond, Mary Jo closed her eyes and hung her head.

      Grace touched her arm gently. “Don’t be upset, dear,” she murmured. “None of that matters now.”

      The answer to Grace’s question was obvious. Why else would someone in an advanced state of pregnancy come looking for David and his family—especially on Christmas Eve?

      As she opened her eyes, Grace squeezed her hand reassuringly.

      “I haven’t seen or heard from David in weeks,” Mary Jo admitted. “He occasionally calls and the last time he did, he said he was coming here to spend Christmas with his family. My brothers want to make him marry me, but…but that isn’t what I want.”

      “Of course you don’t.”

      At least Grace shared her point of view. “I’ve got to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes as soon as I can and explain that even if David offered to marry me, I don’t think it’s the right thing for me or my baby.”

      “I don’t either,” Grace said. “David isn’t to be trusted.”

      Mary Jo grinned weakly. “I’m afraid I have to agree with you. But this is their grandchild. Or…or Ben’s, anyway. Maybe they’ll be interested in knowing the baby. Maybe David’ll want some kind of relationship.” She turned to Grace and said earnestly, “Shouldn’t I give them that choice?”

      “Yes, that’s exactly what you should do.” Grace squeezed her hand again. “I’ll go call Olivia and get right back to you. She’ll know Charlotte and Ben’s travel schedule. However, it does seem to me that they’re due home on the twenty-fifth.”

      “Thank you,” Mary Jo murmured. She was feeling light-headed and a bit queasy, so she intended to stay where she was until Grace came back. It didn’t take long.

      Grace sat down next to her again. “I spoke with Olivia and she confirmed that Charlotte and Ben will indeed be home tomorrow afternoon.”

      “Oh…good.” Still, Mary Jo wasn’t sure what she should do next. If she went home, her brothers would be impossible. They’d be furious that she’d left with no warning other than a brief note. In any case, they were probably on their way to Cedar Cove now. And with some effort, they’d uncover the same information Mary Jo had.

      “What would you like to do?” Grace asked.

      “I think I’d better spend the night here,” Mary Jo said. She hadn’t packed a bag, but her requirements were simple. All she needed was a decent hotel. “Can you recommend a place to stay?”

      “Oh, yes, there are several, including a lovely B-and-B. I’m just wondering if there’ll be a problem getting a room for tonight.”

      “A problem?” This wasn’t something Mary Jo had considered.

      “Let’s see if there’s anything at the Comfort Inn. It’s close by and clean.”

      “That would be great. Thank you so much,” Mary Jo said.

      Here it was, Christmas Eve, and she felt as if she’d found an angel to help her. An angel fittingly named Grace…

      Chapter Three

      Grace Harding studied the young pregnant woman beside her. So David Rhodes was the father of her baby. Not a surprise, she supposed, but it made her think even less of him. Certainly Olivia had told her plenty—about his deceit, his loans that were more like theft, since he never seemed to have any intention of repaying his father, the rumors of women he’d cheated on…That Ben Rhodes, who was one of the most decent and honorable men she’d ever met, could have a son like David defied explanation. Not only had David fathered this child, which she didn’t doubt for a minute, he’d also lied to Mary Jo.

      Well, Grace decided, she’d do what she could to give the poor girl a hand. And she knew Charlotte and Ben would, too.

      “I’ll get that list of places for you,” Grace told Mary Jo, rising to her feet. The library had a sheet with phone numbers of the local bed-and-breakfasts, plus all the motels in the area. The best place in town was Thyme and Tide Bed & Breakfast, run by Bob and Peggy Beldon. However, she recalled, the couple was away for the holidays. So staying there wasn’t an option. But there were several chain hotels out by the freeway.

      “I’ll need to be within walking distance of the Rhodes

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