LITMIR.BIZ

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He turned to leave, then paused. “What did the doctor say? Are you okay?”

      Her eyes sparkled. “I’m great, thanks to you.”

      Cal coughed to clear the tightness in his throat. He and Sara had shared a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One he’d never forget. That’s all this odd feeling was.

      A twinge of guilt seized him. When he had run across Sara, he’d cursed her and his bad timing. He’d even wished he could turn the other way. Thank God he hadn’t. But the time had come to go. He’d check on Jessie, then leave.

      He looked at Sara once more. A man could drown in the happiness he saw reflected in her eyes and die with a smile on his face. Cal silently cursed and forced himself out the door.

      A baby’s cries echoed in the hallway seconds before a nurse rounded the corner. A red-faced Jessie lay on her back in the center of a small, plastic cart on wheels. The infant squalled louder than he’d thought possible. She stiffened inside the blanket tucked tightly around her body, then pumped her tiny legs.

      After growing up an only child, Cal had always planned to have kids, lots of ’em. But his children wouldn’t be raised by a horde of nannies and housekeepers. His babies would know his touch, his love. But there was no need to consider that now.

      He reached out and ran his forefinger across Jessie’s cheek. Warmth flooded his chest. “Has the doctor seen her?”

      “Yes.”

      He decided now was the time to leave and stepped aside so the nurse could push the cart into Sara’s room.

      “The doctor has called in a pediatrician to check her over. Then, we’ll take her back to isolation,” the nurse said.

      Cal’s breath left in a whoosh, and he followed her into the room. “Isolation? Why? What’s wrong?” He hated the helplessness in Sara’s eyes as she looked from him to the nurse.

      “When a child is born outside the hospital, it’s kept away from the other babies in case it picked up something. It’s just hospital policy, hon.” The nurse patted Sara’s arm and recited instructions about nursing and proper infant care.

      Cal glanced at the baby, needing to see for himself that she was fine. “There’s nothing wrong that you know of?”

      “Well, she’s sounding a little raspy. We wanted to get her down to see Mom for a minute before the pediatrician arrives,” the nurse said as she checked Sara’s and Jessie’s hospital bracelets, then headed toward the door. “Now, she can’t nurse until after the pediatrician sees her. And I’m afraid this will be a short visit. I need to check with the nurse’s desk down the hall. Ring the buzzer if you need anything.”

      Cal exhaled. “Thanks.”

      When Sara started to get up, he caught her arm. “Stay put. I’ll hand her to you.”

      Cal moved to the boxy thing containing Jessie and worked his hands beneath the infant’s slight weight. When he cradled her in his palms, Jessie’s head lolled to one side. Cal couldn’t figure out how to hold her so she didn’t hang limp. Unlike foals who stood after birth, Jessie appeared weak as a sparrow.

      The baby squalled, her tongue quivering in her open mouth. Cal stood in amazement as Sara lifted the child with hands that were sure, yet gentle. Sara cooed and a rush of yearning zipped through Cal, catching him by surprise.

      He took a step back. “I’d better be going, unless you think I should stay until after the pediatrician—”

      “No, that’s not necessary. I’m sure everything’s fine.”

      The infant’s cries stopped. She blinked and stared at Sara. Quiet filled the room, except for the comforting sound of Sara’s voice as she murmured words of love to her daughter.

      Cal’s mouth went dry. Why did watching Sara with her baby bother him? He’d seen hundreds of foals with the mares after birth, but this made him feel…something he couldn’t describe. “Is there someone I can call for you before I head out?”

      Sara stroked the blond fuzz on Jessie’s head. “No.”

      “Your husband, folks, sister, brother?”

      She shrugged. “No.”

      Cal muttered an oath. “Boyfriend?”

      Sara met Cal’s direct gaze. “No.”

      “Doesn’t Jessie’s father have a right to know?”

      The sparkle left Sara’s eyes as they narrowed on Cal. “Her father lost his rights when he told me to get an abortion.”

      Outraged, Cal’s hands fisted at his sides. He knew well the pain associated with rejection and hated the thought that Jessie would grow up knowing she hadn’t been wanted by her father. “Maybe if you told him about Jessie now, he’d change his mind.”

      Sara’s eyes darkened in warning. “Gary made his decision when he walked out. He won’t get a chance to hurt her.”

      Cal eyed the woman who had turned into a snarling mama bear, determined to protect her cub. He still believed Sara should tell the baby’s father, regardless of what the man had done. If Jessie was Cal’s child, he’d want to know.

      But then he wouldn’t have told Sara to get an abortion. And he would never have walked out on her.

      Cal chewed on the fact that Sara didn’t have anyone to help her. He didn’t like that at all and assumed the protectiveness he felt was because he’d delivered the baby.

      Sara sent him a thoughtful look. “I hate to ask you for a favor, but there’s no one else.”

      “What do you need?”

      “Put my car key under the front seat, then lock the doors.”

      Cal frowned. “Why?”

      Sara kissed the top of Jessie’s head and looked everywhere, but at him. “The bank gave me until today to bring my payments up to date. I haven’t been able to work, so I need to let them take the car. I’ll call and tell them where it is. If you’ll just lock the keys inside, I’d appreciate it.”

      He tugged his wallet from his back pocket, intending the loan of money to be his last goodwill gesture before hitting the road. “How much do you need?”

      Sara’s narrowed gaze met his. “I don’t want your charity.”

      Confounded stubborn woman. “It’s not charity. Think of it as a loan. You can pay me back when you’re able.”

      “You brought Jessica into this world, Cal, and I’ll always be grateful for that. But I can’t take your money.” She shifted the baby against her shoulder.

      Cal glared out the window. Frustration and anger made him want to shake Sara. How the devil did she expect to get by without a car or anyone to take care of her? The idea of Sara being alone didn’t sit well with him. She was so full of pride he doubted she’d accept his help. Not that he wanted to give it. He’d already done more than enough and needed to leave. “How will you get Jessie home?”

      “I don’t know. I’ll take a taxi, or maybe the bus.”

      For the first time in his life, Cal wished he was as unfeeling as his parents. Then he’d have no qualms about turning his back on Sara and her child. But he hadn’t done it earlier, and he didn’t see how he could do it now. Why that fact irritated him, he wasn’t sure, but it did.

      Though he hated to admit it, Sara had crawled under his skin. The realization made him want to run. He didn’t want to get any more involved than he already had, but damned if he could stand by while she struggled through this alone.

      “I’ll drop it off on my way home. What bank?”

      “Lone Star Bank out on I-20 West.” She ran her hand in circles on the baby’s back and stared at Cal with eyes that shimmered with tears.

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