A Randall Hero
“Great.” He slid his hand beneath the baby and lifted her against his chest. “Hey, little girl, you get a bottle so you can grow. Will you be a good girl and eat it all?”
With blue eyes like her mother the baby stared at him as if he were saying something important.
The nurse handed John the bottle and he tried to insert the nipple in Emma’s mouth. After a moment, he succeeded. When she chewed down on the nipple, she realized she would get a reward.
Suddenly, John didn’t have any more trouble. Little Emma greedily sucked the bottle dry.
The nurse, who had waited to see how John would do, told him to burp Emma on his shoulder. He put the baby on his shoulder and patted her back as the nurse instructed.
When he did, Emma let out a most unladylike burp. He stared down at her. “Was that you, Emma? My, you did that well.”
The nurse laughed. “That happens with some babies. She did just fine. Now put her back in her bassinet and she’ll go to sleep.”
“She will?”
The nurse nodded.
He gently laid the baby back in her bed. She squirmed and wiggled several times and then went to sleep.
“You did a good job,” the nurse said.
“Thanks.”
After she left, he eased down in the soft chair beside the bed and leaned his head back, suddenly tired. It was more comfortable than the truck last night. But now he didn’t get to hold Lucy.
LUCY STRUGGLED TO WAKE UP. It seemed there was something she should do, but she couldn’t remember what. She put her hand on her stomach to make sure the baby was okay.
Her eyes popped open. Her womb didn’t feel as though her baby was there. She sat up, breathing hard. What had happened?
Then she remembered she’d had the baby, her little girl, and everything was all right.
She saw the baby sleeping in a little bassinet. She leaned back in her bed. Then she looked to the right and saw John asleep in the chair beside her bed.
He’d stayed.
He’d promised he would. But she didn’t know if he’d keep his word. Now she knew he had. She rested against her pillow, studying him. He was a handsome man. But more important than that, he’d taken care of her, protected her and given her hope that she might be safe. She knew that that wasn’t true, but for a short time he’d given her something she desperately needed.
What should she do now? She knew she shouldn’t stay in one place for long. Cecil could find her. And he knew where Harry lived.
John had said Harry wouldn’t return for six weeks, which meant she was on her own. As much as she had relied on John, she couldn’t any longer.
She decided her first chore was to get up and go to the bathroom. Sitting on the side of her bed, she gathered her courage and put her feet to the floor. When she stood, she almost fell, grabbing the side of the bed.
“This is harder than it looked,” she muttered to herself. It wasn’t that far to her initial goal. Forcing herself to move, she tottered to the bathroom, grabbing anything to give herself balance. The return trip wasn’t much better. She collapsed on the bed, relieved as she settled back on the pillows. Recovery was important, she knew, but she wanted to rest a bit before she tried to get up again.
“Lucy? Are you all right?” John asked, surprising her.
“Yes, I just made the trip to the bathroom. But I didn’t intend to wake you up.”
“I was just napping, waiting for you to wake up. I fed Emma a bottle earlier. She did a good job.”
“I hope I get to feed her the next one. I haven’t done that yet.”
“You will, Lucy. I took her to show to my parents, also. They fell in love with little Emma.”
“That’s very nice of them.”
“Mom has it all arranged. She’s giving you my sister’s old room and there’s a little room next door for Emma.”
“No! No, John, I can’t move in with your family. It would be too dangerous. M-My husband may come after me.”
“I know that, Lucy. My dad and I will protect you, and Mike—the sheriff—came down to the hospital to assure you of his protection, too. You’ll be safe with us.”
“I can’t do that, John. You’ve given me so much support when I needed it, but I can’t continue to rely on you.”
“What do you think you’re going to do? Go back on the road? Your car won’t work without a new radiator, and Emma is too little to be out on the road. You can’t recover that quickly, either.”
“I don’t know what I’ll do, but…I couldn’t live with myself if I brought trouble on your head.”
“You don’t know the trouble you’ll cause if you take Emma away from my mother.” John grinned at her. “She’s been wanting a grandbaby so badly. They thought I’d hidden my girlfriend’s pregnancy until today.”
“Oh, no! John, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble.”
“Lucy,” he said, standing and moving to the bed so he could touch her. “Calm down. Mom and Dad weren’t upset. Well, they might have been upset for keeping such a thing secret, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t welcome my baby or her mother, if that were true.”
“But surely they were disappointed in you.”
“No, they’re not that way. And they’re happy to welcome you and Emma into the family. Like I said, Mom’s rearranging so you’ll be welcome.”
“John, I can’t stay here. I think my husband will come after me. I don’t want you to suffer because you took pity on me.”
“You’re not thinking clearly. You can’t run all your life. That would be terrible for Emma. Stand and fight now, where you’ve got support. It’s the only way.”
“I’m not sure.”
“It’s what Harry would tell you. He’ll be back in six weeks. Don’t run away before he returns, Lucy. Surely you can stay that long.”
The nurse walked in then with two lunch trays and put them on Lucy’s table. “Here’s your tray, too, John.”
“Thanks, Heidi,” John said.
Lucy looked at him after the nurse went back out. “Why do you get a tray? I mean, I think it’s great but I’ve never been in a hospital like this one.”
“Yeah, I told you everyone’s great in Rawhide.” He lifted the cover and took a sniff. “Mmm, we’re eating well today. Fried chicken from the café.”
“You mean a café provides the meals?”
“That’s right. Eat all your food so you can gain some weight. You need to get stronger.”
“I will. It’s so nice to have someone make my meals. If I were home, I wouldn’t get any food unless I prepared it.”
“Don’t worry. Mom will take good care of you.”
“No! I’ll cook and clean for her. If I go there, I can do things to make life easier for her.”
John smiled at Lucy. “Whatever you can get her to let you do is fine, Lucy, but your first job is to take care of Emma. And share her a little with my mom and dad.”
“Of course, if they want to see her,” Lucy said, sounding unsure of that.
John sighed. “Weren’t you listening to me, Lucy? They’re so excited to have a baby in the house. It’s going to be just fine.”
Lucy still worried.
“Eat your dinner before it gets cold,” John said, handing her a chicken leg.
She took his advice, knowing she needed to get her strength back. But, she wondered, when the time came, could she stay and fight?
Chapter Four
“Ready to go home, Lucy?” John asked as he entered her hospital room. He’d left her alone last night while he went back to the house to shower and get a good night’s sleep, but he’d been anxious to be with her again.
“I—I’m ready to leave the hospital, John, but are you sure I should move into your parents’ house? Babies aren’t always quiet.”
John grinned. He could imagine his mother’s reaction if he should ask such a question. “I’m sure, Lucy. Mom would never forgive me if I didn’t bring you there. And don’t worry about Emma’s crying. That’s music to Mom’s ears.”
“But your dad?”
“He’s an even bigger sucker for a baby’s cry. Emma will be truly spoiled.”
Lucy gave him a wistful look. “They sound lovely. I’m not sure that—I mean, I know Emma deserves the best, but—but I might irritate them.” She pleaded with her eyes for him to reassure her.
“No, Lucy, you’re as sweet and gentle as Emma. There won’t be a problem.” John bent to place a kiss on Lucy’s brow. He’d rather kiss her lips, but he was afraid he’d frighten her. She gave him another of those sad smiles that tugged at his heart.
He moved over to Emma’s bassinet. “Are your bags packed, little Emma?” he asked, gently touching the velvety-soft cheeks.
The baby kicked her legs, encased in a knitted one-piece suit.
John chuckled softly. “That’s my girl.”
Lucy remained seated on the edge of her bed. “I could find some place to rent until Harry comes. I really don’t want to impose.”
“I told you it’s no imposition. Now, you grab Emma, I’ll grab your bags and we’ll be on our way.”
“We don’t have a lot of luggage.”
“Not to worry. Mom’s been buying Emma a few things. You’ll need a moving truck the next time you decide to move.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Mom felt you needed more things. Don’t worry about it. She loved doing the shopping.”
“But I don’t think I have enough money right now. I’ll—I’ll pay her back as soon as I get a job, but—”
“Lucy, you’re part of the family. Don’t forget that.”
“That doesn’t mean a lot to me. In our family—”
He stopped her with a finger to her lips, soft and supple beneath his touch. “You’re in a different family now. In the Randall family.”
Before Lucy could reply to that, Caroline stepped into the room. “Are you ready to go, Lucy?”
John noticed her hesitation. She refused to look at him when she said, “I’m not sure I should go with John. His mother has bought a lot of things for Emma. I can’t pay her back.”
“You don’t understand, Lucy,” Caroline said. “Camille doesn’t expect you to pay her back. She just wants to make you as comfortable as she can.”
“But, Dr. Randall, I’m not sure—”
“I’m sure,” John said, no longer willing to listen to her beat herself up over the nonissue. Without awaiting her consent, he gathered up the bags. “I can probably handle Emma, too, if you’d like.”
“No, I’ll carry Emma,” Lucy said, finally standing and moving to her daughter’s bassinet. She lifted Emma out, wrapping her in a blanket. “Do you think she’ll be warm enough, Dr. Randall?”
“I’m sure she will. John will turn on the heater in his truck, too, just to be sure. Right, John?”
“Right, Caro. We’d better go while the truck is still warm, Lucy.” He started out the door.
Lucy stood there, holding her baby, not moving.
Noticing the hesitation, Caroline helped John’s cause. She stepped toward Lucy and put an arm around her shoulders. “Lucy, Camille and John will take good care of the two of you, I promise.”
With her voice shaking, Lucy said, “It’s a little scary thinking about leaving here. I’ve been safe and happy here.”
Caroline smiled. “It’s pretty amazing to hear someone want to stay in the hospital. Most of our patients are anxious to leave.”
“I’m just not sure—”
“I am. I know Camille and John very well. Neither one would harm a hair on your head, and certainly not Emma’s.”
John returned to the room. “What’s taking so long? I’ve got the truck warming up and your bags in it. Now I can carry Emma and you can hold on to my arm, Lucy. Come along.” He took Emma from her arms, gently pulling the blanket more closely across the baby, and waiting for Lucy to take his arm.
Caroline smiled at her. “You’re on your way, Lucy. I’ll check on you in a few days.” She walked the couple to the door of the hospital and watched as John put Emma in the rear car seat, then helped Lucy into the truck.
He circled the truck and got behind the wheel.
“Are you sure her car seat is safe?” Lucy asked the moment he sat down.
“We bought the best kind available.” He looked over his shoulder at Emma. “She looks fine.”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“Lucy, why are you feeling so unsettled?”
Lucy looked down at her tightly clenched hands. “I—I think it’s because I’m leaving the hospital. I got comfortable there. Now I’m leaving it to go some place I haven’t ever seen. It’s difficult.”
John reached over and put his hand over hers. “It will be all right, Lucy, I promise. If it’s not, if you’re unhappy, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
Her eyes grew larger. “Really? You’d do that?”
“I would, as long as you had some place to go. But I think you’ll find Mom a great hostess. She’ll love you and your baby, just like a real grandmother.”
“I don’t understand why. I’m not sure my mother would even acknowledge my baby’s birth if we lived next door. My father has a new family and doesn’t even know I’m having a baby. Why would your mother care?”
“Because you’re lovable, Lucy,” John said slowly. “Your husband may not have noticed, because he was too wrapped up in his own feelings, or your parents, but I see a gentle, kind young woman who is going to make a wonderful mother.”
His compliment elicited a blush that gave a glow to her cheeks. Her eyes looked down to her lap as she said, “Th-thank you, John.”
Before he revealed too much of his sudden feelings for her, he changed approaches. “You know, in reality, you’re going to be doing me and Dad a favor.”
“I am?”
“Yeah, but you’ve got to promise not to tell Mom.”
“Why? What are you talking about, John?”
“Mom had major surgery last year. Dad and I have been wanting her to slow down. We tried to get her to hire a housekeeper, but she refused. But with you there, maybe you can help her with some of her jobs taking care of the house. Not a lot. I know you’ve got Emma, but a little help would be nice. We’d just like to know that Mom is relaxing a little bit. Enjoying life more.”
From the relaxed set of her shoulders John could see Lucy’s tension evaporate. Her eyes nearly sparkled now when she spoke. “Of course! I’ll be glad to help her. I’ve been wondering what I can do to repay her for all her kindness.”
“Just remember, you can’t tell Mom what you’re doing. She’d be furious with us if she knew.”
“Of course not, but I’ll be glad to help out.”
“Thanks, Lucy. That will make a difference in Mom’s life. She can rock Emma some, too. She’s been wanting a baby to cuddle for a long time.”
Lucy turned to look at her sleeping baby. “Emma will be glad to volunteer for some cuddling. I think cuddling is a good thing.”
“I think so, too,” he said with a smile. And he knew just who he’d like to cuddle—the beautiful woman beside him.
After a few minutes John came to a stop outside his parents’ house.
“This is nice, and quite large,” Lucy said as she surveyed the ranch house.
“Yeah. That’s why we think Mom needs some help.” He knew his parents’ house was large. And it was true that his father had tried to hire some help, but his mom had refused.
He came around the truck and opened the door. Then he reached up for Lucy, lifting her up and out of the seat. He held her gently, liking the feel of her in his arms.
“John…You can set me down now.”
He realized then that he still held her. Slowly he set her on her feet, turned away and retrieved Emma. He gave the baby to her mother.
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