Stolen Miracles (7 page)

“Will this help?” He pulled her in, kissed her forehead, her cheek, before claiming her lips.

“Oh, Cole.” The arena was spinning, yet she stood perfectly still. Blood rushed through her ears as her pulse hammered. It was difficult to draw a breath. “I just need some time.”

“I understand, Bec. Really I do.” He leaned in to stroke damp hair from her cheek. “Let’s spend some time together to know for sure…to find out.”

“Are you sure, Cole, that this isn’t just because of Kimmy…and what’s happened?”

“I’m not sure of anything, except that when I’m with you I feel…” He dropped her hand and skated ahead. “Come on, skate with me.”

9

Cole slipped from bed and padded to the kitchen. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting shadows across the room. Outside, a starlit sky beckoned. He filled the coffeemaker and grabbed a mug from the cabinet. There would be no sleeping tonight.

Down the hall, Kimmy snuggled like a burrito, wrapped in her blankets and breathing softly. He’d spent an hour reading to her tonight, stretched out in the bed beside her, until she’d finally drifted off. Her movements—the tilt of her jaw, the way she scratched an itch from her nose, reminded him of Becca. They looked so much alike, it was impossible not to see the connection. Kimmy’s burnished hair, still damp from a bath, fanned out along the pillow like flames. Cole stroked the smooth, freckled cheek and kissed her forehead before heading to his own room to catch some sleep. But sleep hadn’t come. Questions invaded, jumbling his thoughts until he finally gave up.

He filled the mug with muddy brew and strode through the patio door and onto the deck. An Adirondack chair beckoned as a cool breeze whispered through the trees. The sky was brilliant with stars, and he wondered if Becca sat watching the symphony of light.

Becca…the kiss they’d shared jumpstarted his heart. There was no turning back now. Where would it lead?

Cole eased into the chair and drew a sip of coffee. The heat scalded going down and made him think of Becca once more, and the coffee she’d shared with him in her office mere days ago.

Prior to their reunion his world had been normal—whatever that meant—filled with legal cases and storybooks and trips to the park to push Kimmy on a swing. There were romps through the yard with the cat following at their heels, dinners of macaroni and cheese, and coloring books before bedtime. The routine was simple, mindless…comfortable.

But that comfort had exploded in the course of a single sentence—
I think you have my daughter.

How easy would it be for Cole to use his connections to sort this out—at least the legal side of it? His emotions were another matter altogether. The very idea losing Becca again shredded his heart.
Because I love her.
What’s the answer, Lord? What should I do?

They’d have to find a way through this mess…a way to each other and the blessings he felt certain God had waiting. Cole drew a sip of coffee and closed his eyes. His question was answered by the stars…unseen when his eyes were closed but still there, still brilliant. Becca, was like those stars. A document might declare her to be gone from Kimmy’s life, but she remained just the same…in the color of Kimmy’s hair, the shape of her eyes, her blood type…

…in his heart.

When Cole opened his eyes again, the stars shone like precious diamonds nestled in a velvet case. He leaned back and sighed.

I’m listening, Lord. I hear you. Help Becca to hear you, as well. My love for her is true, steady, and enduring.

****

Rebecca tossed the paperback onto the coffee table and stood to stretch the kinks from her back. There was no use trying to read…tears blurred her vision and the words were nothing more than a muddy pool that made no sense at all.

Like the mess she was in. She reached for the remote, switched off the background noise of the TV. Outside, the wind whispered restlessly through trees, singing to her aching heart. She took the throw from the couch and padded through the front door to the porch.

Cole had kissed her. She pressed a finger to her lips, still tingling from his gentle touch. What did it mean? Where would it lead?

She relaxed against the rail for a moment, drawing a breath of air that carried the scent of drying leaves and wood smoke. The sky was brilliant with stars, the moon a sliver that winked at her.

What’s Kimmy dreaming about? Does she ever wonder…?

Rebecca slipped into the porch glider and wrapped the blanket tight around her shoulders. Setting the bench into motion, she considered her options. Should she consult an attorney? Plead with Cole? Or, maybe she should just take Kimmy and run.

The very thought brought a wave of guilt. She couldn’t, no matter how much her heart ached, ever do that to her child—or Cole. She’d seen Kimmy with Cole and knew the love they shared was unbreakable. She would never want to destroy that bond, and it was ludicrous to consider breaking it.

The way it was ludicrous to imagine that Kimmy had been taken from her in the first place. A single act…insurmountable heartache.

Rebecca splayed a hand across her belly, remembering the first time she’d felt Kimmy inside her. The fluttering kick was evidence of a miracle, and she carried that miracle inside. The same day Steve had presented her with the double-heart locket, a symbol of two lives intertwined.

“You’ll fill it with the baby’s picture—and yours. It’s impossible to separate the two of you now…lives forever joined.”

Were they forever joined, or was it possible to separate something that God himself had brought together?

Rebecca closed her eyes, but tears spilled anyway.
What should I do, Lord? Is there any hope at all?

A vibration startled her from the prayer, and Rebecca realized her cell phone was tucked in the pocket of her jeans. She wrestled it from the pocket, swiping tears from her face as she checked the caller ID. She pressed the connect button. “Cole?”

“I’m sorry. It’s late.”

“I’m not sleeping.”

“I can’t either.” He paused. “You’re crying.”

She sniffled. “Just a little.”

“Please don’t, Becca.”

“I can’t help it.” She swiped her eyes again. “It hurts so much, Cole. I’m breaking inside. I need…”

“I’ll be by for you in the morning.”

“What?”

“Is nine o’clock too early?”

“No.”

“I’ll need help with Kimmy’s party. She’s expecting you for her birthday. I want you to be there, too, Bec.”

Her heart raced. Was she dreaming? She tucked the phone against her shoulder and pinched her thigh through denim. No, the sharp pain told her she was wide awake. “Are you sure?”

“It’s Kimmy’s birthday. Do you really think we’d celebrate without you?”

Silence. His words swept through her, leaving a wake of emotion.

“Cole, I…”

“Hang up now, Becca.” His voice softened to a gruff whisper. “Get some sleep, OK?”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Promise me, Bec, that you’ll try.”

“OK. I promise.” She paused to touch her kiss-bruised lips once more. The ache in her heart warmed to a flicker of love. She wished he was there beside her, to kiss once more. “Goodnight, Cole. See you in the morning.”

10

Rebecca watched as Cole placed yellow candles on the cake she’d designed. For her, each candle represented a year without Kimmy.

“Remember the one to grow on, too, Daddy.” Kimmy eased in beside him, tugging on his sleeve. “Did you think of a wish?”

It was just the three of them. Cole had explained that Patty was placed on official bed rest. Her husband, Derek, would be by in a bit to drop off Kimmy’s gift. In the meantime, they’d enjoy cake and ice cream as a trio.

Of misfits...

The thought startled Rebecca. Were they three misfits, really? The day, despite the unimaginable circumstances, had been more than lovely thus far. She’d helped Cole decorate the kitchen with helium balloons and a shiny banner emblazoned with crepe streamers. Then the three had moved to the expansive yard where she and Cole took turns pushing Kimmy on a plank swing Cole had strung from an enormous oak tree.

“Higher, Daddy, higher.” Kimmy’s pleas were peppered with squeals of laughter. “I want to catch the sun!”

Rebecca stood back, watching Cole’s muscles strain beneath a T-shirt untucked from a pair of faded jeans. This was the way she remembered him—purely masculine and without the suit and tie. Her pulse stuttered as he laughed along with Kimmy, and she found herself joining in, as well.

He’d kissed her, and she found herself wishing he’d do it again.

“You give her a push, Bec.” Cole stepped aside. “Give it a whirl.”

“Push me, Miss Rebecca.” Kimmy pumped her legs, and pink glittery tennis shoes sparkled in sunlight. White lace ankle socks were already littered with dirt, and her knees were smudged with grass stains. “Higher than Daddy, even.”

Rebecca placed a hand on the small of Kimmy’s back and gave a slight shove. The connection brought tears to her eyes. How she had dreamed of a moment such as this!

“You’re a brave girl to swing so high,” she murmured. “You’re flying, Kimmy.”

“Like a bird.” She let go of the swing for just a moment, holding her hands out straight to her sides. “I’m a big girl, now.”

“Yes, you are.” Becca melted at her giggles. She tucked the moment away in her heart as she offered Kimmy another gentle push.

After a game of Hide and Seek and a round or two of Follow the Leader, the three shared a meal of Kimmy’s favorites—macaroni and cheese, grapes, and fruit snacks. An odd combination, but somehow it all fit together perfectly.

“Where’s the pink candle, Daddy?” Kimmy’s voice drew Rebecca back.

“Right here.” Cole showed Kimmy a candle, larger than the others, of baby-soft pink and garnished with swirls. The wick was dark, evidence that it had been lit before. Wax congealed along the sides. “Do you want to place it on the cake?”

“Uh huh.” Kimmy thought for a moment, and then finally set it into the frosting opposite the others and beside a mound of fruit snacks. “How’s that, Daddy?”

“Perfect.” He smoothed her hair and then turned to light each candle one by one. The aroma of burning wax filled the room, and a soft glow cast shadows along the kitchen table. “Time to sing.”

Rebecca’s gaze drifted over Kimmy’s head to lock with Cole’s. He nodded slightly and then segued into a wobbly rendition of
Happy Birthday
. She joined in as Kimmy took both their hands, one on each side.

Rebecca’s voice cracked as she struggled to keep up with the words. The birthday song…finally. But would this first time also be her last? After today, what came next?

Kimmy clapped as the song ended. “Make a wish, Daddy.”

“But it’s
your
birthday.”

“Don’t you remember? I gave my wish to you.”

“Oh…” He turned away, but not before Rebecca saw the tears that clouded his eyes. “Right. OK.”

He closed his eyes and surprised Rebecca by reaching for her hand. She waited until he finished his silent wish, all the time wondering what he was yearning for.

“The pink candle is still burning.” She motioned to the larger candle, now the lone burner in one corner of the cake. “Don’t you want to blow that one out, too, Kimmy?”

She hesitated and looked to Cole for guidance before answering.

“That’s Mommy’s candle,” she explained. “She always lit it for my other mama, the one who carried me in her tummy. Right, Daddy?”

“That’s right.” Cole nodded.

“I don’t understand…” Rebecca’s knees turned to pudding. The floor pooled beneath her. “What do you mean?”

“Leah started the tradition on Kimmy’s first birthday,” Cole explained softly as he squeezed Rebecca’s hand. “Though she didn’t know Kimmy’s birth mother, she wanted to honor her. It’s almost as if she sensed…”

“My other mama took care of me, didn’t she, Daddy, ‘til I came to you.”

“Yes, she did.”

“But who will blow out the candle now?”

“Rebecca should.” Cole pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to help steady her. “Hold my hand while we say our prayer first.”

“Can I say the prayer, Daddy?”

“You most certainly may.”

Kimmy reached for Rebecca’s hand and bowed her head. “God, thank you for my other mama…the one who loved me enough to give me to Mommy and Daddy.” She squeezed her eyes tight. “Daddy said she’s real special.”

****

The words tugged at Cole’s heart. He felt Rebecca tremble beside him and wished he could take the pain from her and carry it as his own. It was so much for her to bear…too much.

“Daddy, why’s Miss Rebecca crying?”

Cole’s head snapped up as Kimmy’s question registered. Rebecca grasped his hand as if it were a lifeline. Tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped onto the tile floor.

“Hey, there…” He gathered her in, cradling her cheek to his shoulder. “Don’t cry, Bec. It’s going to be OK now.”

“The candle…” Her voice cracked as she burrowed deeper into the safety of his embrace. “All these years, you did that?”

“Leah did that, mother to mother. She must have known how hard it was for you.”

“Daddy…” Kimmy tugged the hem of his T-shirt. Her green eyes were round with concern as she gazed up at him. “Is the pink candle for Miss Rebecca? Is she my other mama?”

“She could be.” Cole pressed a hand to her hair. “We don’t know for sure yet, but maybe she is. Would you like it if she were?”

“Yes.” Kimmy eased in close to Rebecca and raised her arms to be lifted up. “Am I too big to carry?”

The words brought a torrent of tears as Rebecca turned to gather her up. “No, honey. You will never be too big for me to carry.”

“Daddy told me you were special.” Kimmy wrapped her arms around Rebecca’s neck and settled against her chest. She sighed deeply. “Oh, he was right.”