Emily's Daughter (12 page)

She nodded in agreement.

When they entered their room, they did the same as they had the night before. Jackson emptied his pockets, and she curled up on the sofa, rubbing her feet. Jackson sat down, too, and took over the task. He massaged her feet with slow stroking movements.

She rested her head against the sofa and sighed in pure pleasure. “Oh, that feels wonderful.”

As he touched her, his blood ran hotly through his veins, making him aware of how much he wanted her. His hand slid up her calf to her thigh, and she sighed more deeply.

“That’s not my foot,” she said with a laugh.

“I know,” he replied huskily, his eyelids at half-mast. He disposed easily of her panty hose, slip and panties, then turned his head to capture her open mouth.

They were hungry for each other, and she trembled with a need that surpassed anything she’d ever felt. Their tongues searched and tasted until their remaining clothes became an unwanted barrier. Frantically they stripped away the garments. He suckled and tasted her breast and her hands urgently explored the taut muscles of his chest, and lower. He groaned as her hand closed around him. Unable to withstand the exquisite torture, he swung her up in his arms and carried her to the bed and covered her body with his in slow, languorous movements. She let out a deep moan at the erotic sensation and gripped his shoulders as he entered her in need and sustenance. She rocked her hips to meet each driving thrust. She felt wanton and shameless, but so right, so perfect, that she cried out his name as pleasure coiled and jerked through her.

Jackson lost control the moment she met his kiss with a fervor that ignited everything he felt for her—now and then. Last night had been magical, and tonight was thrilling in a way he’d never experienced before. Her femininity, her beauty, her eagerness incited, aroused and satisfied him so completely that he lost himself in her and the intense pleasure that racked his body.

Later, he couldn’t move, speak or do anything but hold her in the aftermath of shattering, true emotions. The words
I love you
hovered on his lips, but he wasn’t sure she was ready to hear them. He would wait, but he didn’t think any moment could get more perfect than this.

Languid and complete, Emily lay not wanting to think, only to feel and savor their glorious union.
I love you, I love you,
ran lazily through her mind.
I’ll always love you.
But the words never left her mouth. They only comforted her as she drifted off to sleep in his arms.

T
HE RINGING OF THE PHONE
jarred them awake. Sleepily, Jackson reached for it.

“Hello,” he muttered, then pushed up on his elbow. “Yes, she’s right here.”

With a frown, Emily took the receiver and glanced at the clock. Five thirty. Who’d be calling at this hour? Apprehension shivered across her skin.

“Hello,” she said.

“Em, you have to come home.” Becca’s frantic voice shrilled in her ears. “Mom had a bad spell and the ambulance just took her to the hospital. I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.”

“Calm down,” she said. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“I’m sorry. I know—”

“It’s all right. Don’t worry. I’ll call the hospital in a little while to see how she’s doing and then I’ll call you back.”

“Okay.”

Hanging up, she let out a long sigh.

“Evidently your mother’s ill,” Jackson said, watching the troubled emotions on her face.

She looked at him and touched his face lovingly. “Yes, they’ve taken her to the hospital and Becca’s afraid.” She stroked his cheek, his chin. “I’ve got to go home.”

He kissed her forehead. “I understand.”

“It’s just…” She hesitated, and he knew what she was worried about.

“I’ll go with you,” he offered. “We’ve waited this long to find our daughter, we can wait a few more days.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I want you to stay here and keep looking. With any luck, I can be back in a couple of days.”

Now that they’d started their search, he didn’t want to stop, but he wanted to be there for her. He didn’t want her to face anything alone, ever again. Realistically, though, Rose wouldn’t be pleased to see him, so his being there might actually make matters worse.

“Okay,” he agreed. “I have a few more things I want to check.”

“I wanted to be with you to help do those things. Now I can’t.” Her voice sounded like a hurt little girl’s and she didn’t really know why. She didn’t want to leave, but she had no choice.

“Look at it this way,” he said encouragingly. “When you go home, your mother might be willing to tell you the name of the adoption agency. We desperately need that information.”

“Yes, she might.” She sat up, and the sheet fell away, exposing her breasts. Something kicked inside him and he had to avert his eyes.

She crawled out of bed and picked up their clothes that were strewn on the floor. He couldn’t keep his eyes from straying to the perfection of her body. Her hips were slim, her buttocks slightly rounded. She didn’t look as if she’d ever had a child, except for her breasts. They were fuller and his hands ached to stroke, caress and…

She straightened from reaching for clothes and caught him staring at her. “Like the view?” she asked provocatively.

That kick inside him dissolved hotly in his loins. “Enormously,” he managed to say.

She smiled. “I’d better shower and get moving.” The look in his eyes had her scurrying for the bathroom; otherwise she’d never be able to leave.

Jackson jumped out of bed and began his exercises, a routine he usually did every morning, but right now he had other things on his mind. He couldn’t believe how much he still wanted her. If they’d married years ago, would the passion have remained as strong? Somehow he felt it would. He’d never grow bored with Emily Ann Cooper.

While Emily showered, she couldn’t stop thinking about her mother. She felt sure the attack was the result of continual agitation over Emily’s searching for her daughter. Rose had brought this on herself. Why couldn’t she understand how badly Emily needed to know the truth about this child?

Her mother’s condition usually did not bring on a heart attack. It was painful and exhausting, and these episodes drained her body of strength. It always took her days to recover. As much as she tried to tell herself that she wasn’t worried, she was. Her mother’s health was deteriorating and she would never forgive herself if something happened to Rose for which she was directly responsible. They had to reach some kind of compromise…for both their sakes.

After she’d dressed in a dark-blue suit and cream blouse, she called the hospital to check on Rose’s condition. Luckily her doctor was there, and Emily was able to speak with him. He said she’d stabilized and was responding to medication. He felt she’d be fine in a few days. Emily breathed a sigh of relief and called Becca with the news, saying she was on her way.

She and Jackson talked little as they walked to Emily’s car. Since she couldn’t get a direct flight to Corpus Christi, she decided to drive, and Jackson said he’d rent another vehicle.

She stood by her car, staring into the green of his eyes. “You’ll call if you find out anything?”

“Yes,” he promised her, then asked, “You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

“I’m sure,” she murmured in quiet tones. “I have to do this alone. I’ll talk to my mom in a rational way and maybe she’ll tell me what I want to hear.”

He smoothed her hair back. “I hope so.”

Meeting the look in her eyes, so vulnerable, so loving, he started to ask her not to go, but of course he didn’t. He couldn’t be that selfish. He would miss her…terribly. Letting her go wasn’t easy. It was hell.

She opened the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“I know,” he replied, and kissed her deeply.

They clung together for an extra second, then she quickly got in the car.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry,
she repeated, and forced herself not to look back. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to drive away.

Jackson watched the car until it was out of sight. Only then could he walk back to the hotel. Within thirty minutes he had another vehicle. He had to resume the search for their daughter and he knew exactly where to start: the woman in the records department. She knew something and he was determined to find out what it was.

O
N HIS WAY TO THE HOSPITAL
records building, Jackson stopped at an ATM machine to get cash. He decided that if he ran into any opposition, a little money might help overcome it. Money had a way of doing that.

He was glad when he saw the same woman on duty at the desk. He smiled at her. “Hi, I’m sorry to bother you again today, but could I have another look at Emily Ann Cooper’s file?”

She raised an eyebrow. “You made copies of everything, so why would you need to look at the file again?”

Jackson had a response prepared. “Dr. Cooper took the copies and, well, for my own peace of mind I’d like to read through it again.” They’d actually made two copies; his set was at the hotel, but this woman didn’t need to know that.

“Suit yourself,” the woman replied, and Jackson felt a moment of relief. She got up and unlocked the door to the records room, and Jackson went inside. He didn’t have a problem locating the file because he remembered exactly where it was. He carried it out to the front desk.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” he asked courteously.

The clerk observed him with a puzzled look and Jackson thought she was going to refuse, but then she said, “Go ahead.”

Jackson settled himself across from her desk. He wanted to talk to her and he was waiting for the appropriate mo
ment. When he began to read through the papers again, something caught his eye.

“Could you please explain this for me?” he murmured politely.

“What?” she asked in an impatient voice.

He pointed to some numbers and letters on the bottom of one page. “What does that mean?”

Her eyes followed his finger. “Those are hospital codes. We don’t use them anymore, but we did back then.”

He’d figured that much, and he tried not to let the frustration show on his face. “But what do they
mean?
”

She walked around the desk and began to put files in a box. “I can’t give you that information. It’s private.”

A sense of elation came over him. She knew something, all right, and he’d get it out of her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” he said charmingly.

She glanced at him through narrowed eyes. “It’s Agnes Snell.”

“Ms. Snell, I’m trying to find my daughter. Please help me.”

“I can’t help you,” she replied sternly, then picked up the box and carried it inside the warehouse. In a minute she was back and sank down in her chair.

Jackson reached into his wallet and pulled out some money. He laid a hundred dollar bill on the desk in front of her. “Will that change your mind?”

Her eyes brightened and he knew he had her. He just had to give her a little more incentive. He laid another hundred on the desk. “I want to know what the codes mean. That’s all.”

She kept staring at the money. “I’m close to retirement. I can’t jeopardize that.”

“No one will hear about it from me.”

Still she hesitated and Jackson had to do some fast thinking. “A lot of people know about these codes, don’t they?”

“Sure.”

“There’s no reason for anyone to think I got the information from you. Besides, I told you—I’m not talking.” He paused. “Come on, Ms. Snell, help me.”

In an instant he could see she’d made up her mind. One hand stretched out and snatched the money off the desk. “You won’t like it,” she snapped, stuffing the money into the pocket of her skirt.

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

She got up and circled the desk and studied the paper in his hand. “These codes represent the condition of mother and child when they left the hospital.”

“It basically says that in the file,” he reminded her.

“That’s the condition of mother and child when the baby was delivered and afterward. The codes are the condition at the time they
left
the hospital. It’s for hospital use only.”

“And,” he prompted, for he sensed a big
and
after her words.

She pointed to the first set of numbers. “That says the mother went home in good condition. The numbers at the end are the date and time she was released.” Her finger moved to the next set. “That gives the same information about the baby.”

Jackson stared at the dates. They were identical. They both went home the same day. He glanced up at Ms. Snell waiting for her to explain.

She raised an eyebrow. “I see you caught it.”

“The mother and baby were released the same day, so what?”

“I think you’re in denial. The mother and baby went home together.”

Jackson shook his head. “No, that’s not true. Emily was here yesterday and she doesn’t have our child.”

Ms. Snell reached over and turned the page and pointed to a signature. “She signed it stating that the information is true.”

Jackson sat stunned and in shock as he stared at Emily’s signature. He couldn’t believe it. No, he
wouldn’t
believe it. There had to be a mistake.

“If an adoption agency had picked up the baby, the code would be on the bottom, as would the date and time,” she told him.

Something clicked in his chaotic mind. “Time—what time was the mother released?”

She looked down at the paper. “Ten forty-three.”

“And the baby?”

“Ten fifty-two.”

Around the same time. Mother and baby left around the same time. He shook his head to rid himself of the feeling that threatened to overtake him.

Ms. Snell walked back to her chair and sat down. “If you ask me, Dr. Cooper told you a pack of lies.” She put a heavy emphasis on the word
doctor
and Jackson didn’t miss it.

“She wouldn’t lie,” he shouted, and didn’t even realize he was shouting until he heard his voice echo around the cavernous room.

Ms. Snell’s eyebrows shot up in alarm, but she didn’t stop. “She’s a doctor and probably knows all about the codes, but she didn’t say a word, did she?”

Jackson stood. “There has to be another reason,” he muttered under his breath. “There has to be.” His gaze
swung to Ms. Snell. “Is there a Miller or Seals adoption agency?”

Ms. Snell lowered her eyes and avoided answering.

Jackson wasn’t letting her off that easily. He hit the desk with his fist; papers and pencils bounced. “Answer me.”

She pulled back, fear in her eyes. “I think you’d better—”

He cut her off. “And I think you’d better answer me.”

“Just calm down,” she warned.

“Then answer the question.”

“No, there’s not a Miller or Seals adoption agency that I know of.”

He straightened, and knew she was still hiding something. He had to force her hand. Leaning in close, he said, “I can go to the head of the hospital and tell him that for money you gave me confidential information. That should blow your retirement all to hell—or you can tell me what you know about the adoption agency. It’s your choice.”

Ms. Snell drew a sharp breath. “You said you wouldn’t.”

“That was before I knew you were concealing a critical fact.”

She twisted her hands. “It won’t help you.”

“Just tell me.”

“It’s not Miller or Seals. It was the Miller Steels Agency.”

“Was?”

“They sold out years ago. It’s now called The Haven.”

Jackson scratched his head in confusion. “I don’t understand why you wanted to keep that a secret. I’m sure it’s a matter of public record.”

“Because I’m too close to retirement to get involved in whatever scam Dr. Cooper is pulling. Very clever the way
she couldn’t remember the agency but managed to twist the names. She’s not fooling me. She’s only fooling you.”

“Dr. Cooper is not lying,” he said tightly, “and she’s not pulling a scam.”

“Whatever,” she snapped irritably. “Now, will you please leave my office?”

“Not until you give me the address of The Haven.”

“My God!” She glared at him. “You’re not planning on bothering those people, too.”

“The address,” he persisted.

She quickly scribbled something on a piece of paper.

“They’re not going to tell you a thing,” she mumbled, “because there’s nothing to tell.” She handed him the paper. “Dr. Cooper knows where her daughter is, but for some reason of her own she’s keeping the information from you.”

He crumpled the paper in his clenched fist and stalked out, letting the door slam behind him.

Outside he paced back and forth by his car, too wound up to drive. Emily wasn’t lying to him. He knew that beyond the shadow of a doubt. He couldn’t explain the codes, but there was an explanation and he intended to find it.

He jumped in the car and headed for the address on the paper. It didn’t take him long to find the four-story gray stone building. He parked in the nearby lot and made his way to the front door. As he stepped into the foyer, he came to a complete standstill. There were several girls in the lobby and several more in the adjoining TV room. They were all young, in their teens, and very pregnant. For a moment he was paralyzed by one of life’s dark realities—these girls were waiting to give their babies away—like Emily had. But Emily hadn’t lived here. She’d lived with an aunt.

He was staring, but he couldn’t help himself. He
couldn’t stop thinking that these babies had fathers, fathers who probably knew nothing of their child’s existence and—he had to admit—probably didn’t want to. He wondered how he would’ve reacted if Emily had been able to get in touch with him. Would he have been happy or upset? He couldn’t honestly answer that question because he didn’t know. So much had been going on in his life. Things had been so different then, but now…now he wanted his daughter more than anything in the world…His daughter and Emily.

A woman approached him. “Can I help you?”

Jackson glanced at her. She was a tall, older woman with gray hair, obviously someone in charge. “Yes, I’d like to get some information.”

“Come this way,” she said, and led him into an inner office. She walked to a credenza and picked up several brochures. “These pamphlets will answer all your questions.” She held them out to him. “Is it a daughter or a friend?”

Jackson blinked in confusion; then he understood. She had assumed he was interested in the home for a family member. He shook his head. “No, no, you misunderstood me.”

Her eyes widened. “I have?”

“Yes, I need information on an adoption that took place almost eighteen years ago.”

The woman bristled. “I’m sorry. We don’t divulge that kind of information.”

“It’s important. I have to find my daughter.”

“I’m sorry, but the girls and the babies are our top priority. We do everything we can to ensure their privacy.”

Jackson inhaled deeply, trying to think of a way to reach this woman. “Can you just tell me if the adoption took
place? That’s all I need to know. Surely that wouldn’t compromise anyone’s privacy.”

“No, all information is private and confidential.” The answer came quick and sharp.

“I could get a court order.”

“Go ahead,” she replied, unconcerned. “Our lawyers have blocked those before. Now, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave.” With that, she turned and took a seat at a desk, her back to him.

Jackson was trying not to let his anger or frustration get the better of him when he noticed a young girl standing by a filing cabinet. She wasn’t pregnant; that was the first thing he noticed. The second was that her clothes were tight and revealing, her hair bleached blond. She was chewing gum. All of a sudden she winked and smiled.

Disconcerted, he left the office. All the way to his car he thought about the odd incident. He didn’t immediately know why he was so taken aback, but then he did. The girl was obviously flirting, and he’d been there, done that before, but never with a girl young enough to be his daughter. That was what threw him and he wondered if his daughter might be promiscuous. God, he hoped not.

He sat in his car for a long time, thinking, and finally decided he could use this flirtation to his advantage. The older woman wasn’t letting him anywhere near the records, but the young girl might. Yes, she just might.

He waited the rest of the afternoon. The girl came out at five o’clock. She hopped into a pickup truck with a young man at the wheel. As they drove away, Jackson continued to watch for the older woman. By seven, he realized she probably lived on the premises. With a deep sigh, he started his car. He’d be back tomorrow. The woman had to leave sometime and when she did, he’d have a talk with the girl.

As he entered his hotel room, the phone was ringing, and he lunged for it. “Hello,” he said, out of breath.

“Jackson?” Emily’s voice came through soft and vibrant just as if she was in the room. He felt a soothing, warm sensation and lay back on the bed, letting that feeling ease away the frustrations of the day. This was what he needed. Emily.

“Jackson, are you there?” A worried tone entered her voice.

“Yes, I’m here,” he answered. “How are you? How’s your mom?”

“I’m fine, just feeling frustrated because I can’t be with you.”

He knew what
that
felt like.

“Mom is stable. They have her on oxygen and an IV and they’ve increased her heart medication.” Emily was talking and he forced himself to listen to what she was saying instead of the tone of her voice. “Becca says she didn’t eat or drink much of anything since I left and she’s dehydrated. She brings all this on herself and I just…”

He heard the pain in her voice and he wanted to hold her, be with her, but could only try to reassure her. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll get better, and I’m doing some checking on my own.”

“Have you found anything?” she asked eagerly.

He paused, not wanting to tell her about the accusations of that awful woman at the records department. He’d tell her later when they were together and could sort through the inconsistencies. But he did tell her the other news. “I found the adoption agency.”

There was silence for a second, then she asked in a shaky voice, “Oh Jackson, are you sure?” In that instant, if there’d been any doubts in his head, they vanished. Em
ily wasn’t lying to him. She was as anxious to find their daughter as he was.

“Yes, but it’s not Miller or Seals. It’s the Miller Steels Agency.”

“How did you figure it out?”