Be My Baby

Pondering which was the wiser course, she wrapped her scarf around her neck again and again, then stuffed a woolen hat on her head.

Feeling stiff beneath her layers, she picked up her bag and walked toward the front door. She flipped on the security alarm, and then let herself out, checking that everything was locked up tight.

The world was white.

Snow was falling in big, thick flakes. There was at least a couple inches of snow since she’d left the office at lunch. It wasn’t a blizzard yet, but she had no problem imagining it turning into one.

Mia had just started down the steps when a blue Explorer pulled up at the curb.

The passenger window descended. “Amelia, I’m glad you’re still here,” Mac called.

“What did you need, Larry,” she said.

“I need you,” he replied, not even commenting on her use of his first name.

Mia managed to keep from choking at his reply, but barely. “Pardon me?”

“Not you, your help,” he corrected himself. “Get in the car, please?”

“But—”

“Please, Amelia?”

There was something in his voice that told Mia that now was not the time to argue or taunt him. Something was wrong.

She waddled her well-layered self toward the car, and as she got closer she heard noise. Lots of noise. It wasn’t music. Or if it was, it was the most awful music ever.

It sounded like—

She opened the door and peeked in the back seat.

It was.

A baby.

And a crying baby, at that.

Chapter Two

“What did you do now, Larry?” Mia accused loudly as she leaned into the car and stared at the car seat.

“Just get in and buckle up, fast. She cries whenever the car stops. If it’s moving, she’s okay.”

Mac had learned that the hard way. The entire trip from Esther Thomas’s home to the office was fraught with red lights.

As a matter of fact, every single traffic light he came to was red. And it stayed red for an inordinately long period of time.

Or maybe it just seemed like eternity because Katie O’Keefe screamed every time the car stopped.

Speaking of eternity, he watched Mia settle herself in the passenger seat, taking more time than he liked. She was moving rather stiffly.

“Are you in yet?” he asked, practically shouting to be heard over the baby.

She nodded.

Mac threw the car in gear and started down the street. The baby quieted immediately.

“So, what’s going on, Mac?” Mia asked, obviously disconcerted enough not to tease him.

As a matter of fact, she sounded genuinely concerned.

“You know that call you took today? That woman, Kim Lindsay? She was calling to tell me I had a baby.”

“Oh, Larry, how could you be so careless?”

He glared at her. “I wasn’t, but of course you’d assume the worst. Kim Lindsay is the social worker. I’m the baby’s guardian.”

She was silent a moment, then softly said, “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

Amelia Gallagher apologizing? That was certainly out of character.

He nodded his acceptance and concentrated on the driving. He didn’t even glance in her direction as he said, “A woman came into the office last year wanting me to draw up a will. She named me her executor and guardian of her unborn child. I know it’s not normally the way things are handled, asking a lawyer to serve as guardian. It’s not something I’d normally agree to, but…” he paused. “There was something about her, about her story. She had no family, the baby’s father had died, and top it off, she was new in town. She was completely alone in the world. She worked at the courthouse and had heard about some of the cases I’ve done involving kids and…well, I just couldn’t say no.”

Mac had felt the now familiar stab of empathy for Marion O’Keefe.

He remembered her vividly, even after all this time. She’d been pale. More pale than redheads normally were. He should have known something was wrong with her physically. He should have tried to help her.

Kim Lindsay said that she’d died of a brain aneurism. It was fast and painless. There was nothing anyone could have done. But Mac still felt guilty, as if he should have known and been able to do something.

His voice lowered. “I never really expected it to come to anything. She passed away yesterday and this is her daughter.”

“Oh, the poor baby.” Mia peeked into the back seat.

Mac was pretty sure he caught the glitter of a tear in her eye, but she brushed her hand across her face, so he wasn’t sure.

“What can I do?” she asked.

He’d expected he’d have to cajole her, to bribe her…heck, maybe even threaten her into helping. He hadn’t expected such an immediate offer of assistance.

“I don’t know anything about babies,” he admitted.

“I don’t know much myself. I mean, I’ve baby-sat, so, I guess I know more than you, but it’s been years. I’m no expert.”

“Do you know enough to help me buy what she needs? At least, enough to cover her most immediate needs? She’s only got two diapers and one bottle of formula. There wasn’t much in the apartment, not even a crib. I know what they sent with me won’t get me through the night, much less the next couple days. I can pay you.”

Amelia glared at him, as if she was insulted. He knew it wouldn’t take him long to annoy her. Even when he wasn’t trying, annoying Amelia came pretty easily to him.

“I don’t need your money,” she said, frowning at him.