Special Delivery. Laura Browning

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СКАЧАТЬ put her chin up. Well, she couldn’t boast any proud papa, nor did she want to if the choice was Spencer Dilby. He had been little more than a sperm donor, and she shuddered to think of that experience.

      The nurse showed her into the doctor’s office. “Dr. Owens will be right with you.”

      Holly nodded and sat. Knowing she would be leaving Lynchburg, she’d obtained copies of her medical history and dropped them off a couple of days ago. Medical books lined the shelves along one peach-painted wall, but there were no pictures of a husband or children. Her examination halted when the door opened and a petite blonde entered the room. Her hair was cut chin-length, as sleek and businesslike as the doctor seemed to be.

      She held out her hand. “I’m Dr. Owens. Most patients call me Doc or Doc Jenny.”

      Instead of going behind the desk, she sat next to Holly, softening the businesslike exterior. “I read through your file and wanted to ask you a couple of questions before we do an exam. There was a notice you are a no-information patient. I’ll make sure that stays in place.”

      “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

      “Has the baby’s father been attending any birthing classes with you?”

      Holly shifted. Just the thought of Spence having anything to do with her baby’s birth was enough to make her queasy. “The father is the reason I’m a no information patient. H-he denied paternity to begin with, then after our split changed his mind. He’s been pressuring me to give him the baby.”

      “Pressuring?”

      Holly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her hand just a bit shaky. “He’s the heir to the Dilby Department store fortune,” she explained watching the doctor’s eyebrows lift. “It seems his new fiancée can’t have kids, so he’s decided he ‘needs’ mine. His words.”

      “And this pressure was enough you left?”

      “I have a protective order in place against him, which did nothing. He didn’t leave me a lot of choice. See, in addition to myself and the baby, I’m also guardian to my little brother. I had to think about what was best for all of us.”

      Doc Owens nodded. “I’ve seen your ultrasound, so I see you’re having a little girl. Are you aware your doctor had written in his notes he had some concern about your cervix?”

      “No.” A ripple of unease trickled down Holly’s spine.

      “I’d like to take a look. You’re just six weeks from your due date, so chances are there’s not a problem, but let’s be sure, particularly since it’s your first. At twenty-two, your age works in your favor.”

      A half hour later, they were back in Doc Owens’s office once more. This time, the doctor’s expression was more serious. “Holly, have you been experiencing any cramps or feelings of heaviness?”

      “Some. I figured it was just stress from moving and everything.”

      Doc tapped her finger against the ultrasound image she’d been studying. “Well, you’re already effaced and starting to dilate, like someone a whole lot closer to term. How accurate is this due date?”

      Holly sucked in a shaky breath. “Very. There was just one night…”

      Jenny nodded, her finger still tapping. “I’d like you on bed rest. You could go into labor any time. If we can get your little girl to hold off, I’d prefer it not be for at least three more weeks. The nearest obstetrician’s more than an hour’s drive away. It might be simpler to have you in the hospital…”

      “No. I can’t do that. I have my little brother to take care of. I have a job…and I don’t have health insurance.” A vision of what might happen if there were complications began to form, but Holly pushed it away. Panic was the last thing she could afford right now.

      When she left the clinic, Holly was still trying to take everything in. She’d always tried to take things in stride, but this overwhelmed her. Bed rest. What on earth was she going to do?

      * * * *

      “I’m sure we can find her, Mr. Dilby.”

      Spence sat across from the private detective who was looking at the information Spence had given him about Holly. The paunchy guy tapped Tyler’s picture. “This might be our best place to start. She’ll have to enroll him in school. I’ve also got a contact who can help me out with tax info. If she’s working someplace, she’ll show up on his records.”

      Spence allowed himself a slight smile. “Excellent. Needless to say, this needs to be kept quiet. I’m now engaged to another woman, but I’m concerned about the welfare of my unborn child. Holly has shown signs during the pregnancy of depression, and I just can’t help thinking about all those cases involving new mothers…” He let his voice trail off and, as he hoped, the detective’s expression grew even more concerned.

      “We’ll find her. Don’t you worry.”

      Spence stood, shook his hand and exited the office building with a small smile of self-satisfaction.

      * * * *

      Jake noticed the dark-haired boy sitting on the bench outside of Mountain Meadow General Store when he drove around the square to pull up in front of the small, brick building that housed the police department and his cramped office. An hour later, as he walked over to Tarpley’s, what most folks called the store, to grab some chips and a drink, the kid was still there.

      “Hey, buddy,” he greeted him. “How’s it going?”

      “Okay.” The kid gave him a sidelong glance from eyes that held more suspicion than he was used to from a boy so young.

      “Kind of cold to be sitting out here so long. You waiting on your mom?”

      “My sister. She’s at the doctor.” He scuffed his sneakers on the pavement.

      “Well come on in. I’ll get you a candy bar and you can warm up. Mr. and Mrs. Tarpley won’t mind if you sit inside.”

      The kid glanced at Jake’s badge, then at the store. “If you think it’d be okay. My butt is getting kinda cold.”

      “What’s your name?”

      “Tyler Morgan.”

      “I’m Lieutenant Allred.” Jake grinned at him and they walked inside together. After introducing him to the older couple who’d run the store ever since Jake could remember, he let Tyler pick out a candy bar. While the kid sat near the window, munching on the chocolate and caramel, Jake spoke to the Tarpleys. “Haven’t seen him around here. He new?”

      Susie Tarpley nodded. “He and his sister Holly rent the old Crawley place.”

      Jake raised his brows in surprise. The house had been run-down when he was a teenager, and knowing old man Crawley, he doubted anything had changed. The bell above the door jingled and a burst of cold air entered. Jake glanced over and caught his breath, feeling as if someone had sucker punched him right in the gut. The woman who walked in was gorgeous, with hair the color of aged whisky, pale skin, and cheeks just touched with pink from the cold air.

      “Holly!” СКАЧАТЬ