The Sheriff and the Baby (4 page)

He glanced out the window. The snow had started falling in big fat flakes, obliterating his view of the mountains surrounding Spruce Lake. He loved his hometown and had no desire to ever live anywhere else. Even after Sally and the baby died, he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving, of making a fresh start somewhere else. The mountains were part of him and of his close-knit family. The ranch he grew up on, plus his family and friends, were all he needed in the world. At least, that was what Matt tried to tell himself whenever the loneliness and the pain of loss seemed about to consume him.

He pushed the memories aside and turned his mind to Beth’s strange behavior. He was glad it had occurred to him to ask Hank for estimates. She’d have enough problems with an infant to care for and no husband or friends nearby to help.

That intrigued him. Why
didn’t
she have anyone close by? If she’d been telling the truth about living in Denver,
it wasn’t a long trip for someone to pay her a visit in the hospital, yet she’d seemed surprised to get even one visitor. Maybe she hadn’t made any friends here yet. That begged yet another question. Why would a widow in the advanced stages of pregnancy move away from her family and friends?

Beth Ford was an enigma.

But Matt was determined she wouldn’t stay one for long.

While Sarah slept, Beth took a lengthy shower, then ate lunch. Soon afterward, Dr. Lucy Cochrane dropped by to see her.

“I don’t usually do night shifts but I was filling in for a friend last night when Matt brought you in,” she explained as she examined Beth and then Sarah.

“You’re both doing well,” she announced a few minutes later. “And you don’t seem to have suffered any ill effects from the car accident, either,” she said, winding up her stethoscope and slipping it in the pocket of her white jacket. “You can probably check out tomorrow. Although I prefer first-time mothers to stay a little longer.”

Beth nodded vaguely. She’d already decided to check out of the hospital before then—today if possible. She didn’t want any more visits from the sheriff and needed to get back to the safety of her cabin in the mountains.

Lucy perched on the side of the bed. “Now, is there anything else you need? Any information or advice?”

Beth was tempted to bring up Matt O’Malley and then immediately wondered why. Okay, so the guy had been kind enough to Sarah, but he asked her questions she didn’t want to answer. Questions that could reveal a lot more than she wanted him or anyone else to know.

Although Lucy spoke fondly of Matt, she hadn’t offered
any personal information about him other than to assure Beth she’d been in safe hands in spite of Matt’s weak stomach.

Lucy glanced at her watch and said, “I’d better hit the road. I’ve got to pick up my youngest from day care.”

After suggesting she take Sarah to the nursery so Beth could catch up on her sleep, Lucy said goodbye and left, pushing the crib ahead of her.

Bone-weary, Beth snuggled beneath the covers and took a nap.

S
HE WAS AWAKENED
by Carol, the nurse, returning with Sarah from the nursery, her baby’s lungs at full throttle.

Still unsure what to do for her newborn, how to figure out every nuance of every sound she made, Beth prayed she’d soon learn and breathed a sigh of relief when Sarah latched on to her food supply.

The trouble was, she hadn’t been around babies much. The only child of only children, she had no cousins, aunts or uncles. Although some of her girlfriends back in L.A. had children, apart from admiring them at a distance, Beth hadn’t contemplated motherhood. Until she’d found herself pregnant.

Stunned was the only way to describe her reaction. Marcus was less than pleased. Starting a family had been put onto the back burner for later on, when they were more financially secure. But that had all come to an end the day Marcus was killed. Killed by a fellow cop.

S
ARAH HAD JUST FINISHED
feeding when there was a knock at the door. Beth froze, fearing it was the sheriff re turning.

A woman with a mass of red curls popped her head
around the door. “Hi,” she said. Then, uninvited, she advanced into the room.

She was impeccably well-groomed in a smart dress suit and smiled a little too brightly, reminding Beth of people who sold religion door-to-door.

“I’m Becky O’Malley.”

Beth didn’t want to meet any more of Sheriff Matt O’Malley’s family. They might press her for information on his behalf. “I wasn’t expecting visitors,” she said, her tone chilly, hoping the other woman would take the hint and depart.

Undaunted, the woman grinned and said, “I’m married to Matt’s brother Will.”

“May I ask why you’re here?”

She smiled, apparently not in the least put off by Beth’s attitude. “Luke thought I should come and visit you. He said you didn’t know anyone in town and as this baby’s practically an O’Malley—” she leaned forward and stroked Sarah’s cheek “—we couldn’t have you not getting any visitors or thinking we’re unfriendly, could we?”

Beth held her daughter closer. “
Who
is Luke?”

“Matt’s oldest brother. He runs the family ranch.” She returned her attention to Sarah.

Beth cleared her throat.

Becky looked up and, as if finally noticing her discomfort, said, “I’m sorry. I’ve barged my way in here, assuming you’d welcome a visitor, and I didn’t realize maybe that isn’t what you want.”

Although Beth fought to keep her guard up, there was something sincere about the woman, a genuine warmth. Now she looked hurt.

“I’ll leave you in peace,” she said and got to her feet.

“No…” Beth laid a restraining hand on her arm. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m just a little…tired
and overwhelmed.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting visitors.”

Becky grinned. “May I?” she asked, indicating Sarah.

Beth didn’t see any harm in allowing the other woman to hold Sarah and, wanting to make amends for her earlier rudeness, passed the baby to her. “Sheriff O’Malley said he has four nieces and a nephew. Um, no kids of his own?”

Becky shook her head. “He…used to be married” She looked up from stroking Sarah’s cheek and smiled. “I have a son, Nicolas, and a six-month-old, Lily. She’s with her daddy today,” she explained. “My brother-in-law, Luke, who’s divorced, has three adorable daughters. The other two brothers, Jack and Adam, aren’t married. Yet.” She raised her eyebrows to indicate that if she had any say in it, they wouldn’t be bachelors for much longer. “Jack’s a contractor and lives in town. Adam’s the youngest of the boys. He’s a firefighter and recently moved to Boulder.” She resumed her cooing to Sarah. “She’s gorgeous. You should be very proud.”

Beth felt a sense of motherly pride at the candid compliment. It didn’t matter that this woman was related to a cop, Beth decided; she liked her. “Thank you.”

Becky used her free hand to dig into her carryall and produce a beautifully wrapped box.

“I thought you might like some chocolate,” she said.

Taken aback by the other woman’s generosity, Beth could barely stutter out her thanks. Why were these strangers being so nice to her? She unwrapped the gift, then offered the box to Becky who selected a chocolate and bit into it. “Mmm, yum,” she said around the sticky confection. “It would almost be worth getting pregnant again so I can eat a whole box by myself!”

The woman was irrepressible. For the first time in
months, Beth laughed. Oh, how she’d missed the companionship of other women.

Becky beamed and stuck out her hand. “Friends?”

Beth shook it. “Friends.”

“I like you,” Becky said in a frank voice and took another chocolate. “Is it true Matt got you here with moments to spare?”

Beth nodded and then flushed at the memory of how she’d demanded he stay with her.

“And he really hung around for Sarah’s birth?”

Beth was starting to feel uncomfortable again. “Matt told you?”

“Heavens, no! Matt’s the poster boy for discretion. I heard it on the town grapevine.”

Beth swallowed. This was the problem with hiding out in a small town. News traveled fast. Maybe her cabin wasn’t so safe anymore.

“Ye-es. Matt stayed with me for Sarah’s birth,” she said, hoping that would appease Becky.

“Just wait till his mother hears about that!” Becky exclaimed.

“I guess she’ll hear sometime, since I named Sarah after her.”

Becky’s eyes opened wide. “Really?”

“I couldn’t very well call her, Matt,” she pointed out.

Becky laughed. “No, indeed!” She addressed Sarah. “We can’t have such a beautiful little pumpkin named after ugly old Matt, can we, sweetie?”

An image of Matt standing tentatively at her door this morning came to Beth. She’d never describe him as ugly. Ruggedly handsome was far more appropriate.

Now, where did that come from?
she wondered as a warm flush suffused her body. “Beth?”

She raised her head to find Becky looking at her quizzically.

“You were a million miles away.”

“I…I guess I’m just tired.”

“And that’s my cue to leave.” After placing a kiss on Sarah’s cheek, she handed her back. “Get as much sleep as you can while you’re here,” she advised. “Believe me, you won’t get any once you get her home. If I can, I’d like to visit you tomorrow, if that’s all right.”

Beth couldn’t very well refuse. “Thanks. I look forward to it.”

Becky grinned that infectious grin of hers. “Great. In the meantime, if you need anything, please feel free to give me a call.” She passed her a business card.

Beth accepted it. “Thank you. You’ve been very kind,” she said, almost regretting she wouldn’t be here tomorrow when Becky came by. She was going to leave the hospital and head back to her cabin in the mountains long before Matt O’Malley or any of his relatives turned up again. As for her grandmother’s car, it was now a liability. She almost wished it had been damaged enough to end up in a wrecker’s yard somewhere.

M
ATT WAS DEALING
with a mountain of paperwork when Becky phoned later that afternoon to say she’d been to visit Beth, that she liked her and thought Sarah was adorable. “How did you find out?” he growled, knowing full well that Lucy wouldn’t have said anything about her patient, even to Becky.

“Luke called to suggest I go and make Beth feel welcome, since your folks are off sailing around the Caribbean. He said she’s from California, so he thought she might not have any friends nearby.”

“And she won’t be staying around much longer if any of you interfere, so butt out.”

“Be fair, Matt. She’s alone in the middle of Colorado with a new baby. How would
you
feel in her situation?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never had a baby,” he noted drily.

“Aren’t you the tiniest bit curious about why she’s here?”

Matt was very curious, but he wasn’t about to admit it. “I’m sure she has her reasons. The point is, she and her baby are safe and well, and I don’t see what business it is of yours to go visiting her.”

“For goodness’ sake, Matt!”

Matt could hear her indignant huff on the other end of the line and smiled.

“Her baby is practically an O’Malley,” Becky said primly. “Beth said she named Sarah after your mom.”

“And I think that’s where the family connection should end, don’t you?” Matt couldn’t keep the impatience from his voice. His family was altogether too nosy.

“I liked her,” Becky said again. Her voice held a trace of hurt. “She’s all alone. I was only trying to help.”

Matt rubbed a weary hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Becky, but I’m not sure I trust her,” he admitted, “and I think you’re better off staying away from her.”

“What’s not to trust?”

“Just about everything.” He leaned back, pushed the papers on his desk aside and lifted his legs onto it. Maybe it was worth discussing this with Becky. She’d given sage advice in the past. “Her name. What she’s doing here alone without any support. Her marital status.”

“You think she’s hiding something?”

“Uh-huh.” Matt scratched his head.

“My take?” Becky said. “She’s either a widow, as she says, or recently separated or divorced.”

“How can you tell?”

“Her wedding band. Or rather, the mark it’s left. Her ring finger is paler where the band should be. When you’ve worn a ring for several years, it takes a long time for the tan mark to disappear. Hers is still faintly visible.”

Matt sat forward in his chair. “Are you positive?”

“Absolutely. She was definitely wearing some kind of ring up until the past few months.”

M
ATT FINISHED HIS WORK
for the day and contemplated another hospital visit. Becky’s remark about Sarah being practically an O’Malley had been playing through his mind all day.

He did feel a connection to Sarah, no doubt because of his role in her birth. She was so vulnerable. He couldn’t help wondering why her mother needed to tell so many lies. That made him wonder, too, about Sarah’s safety if Beth was in trouble. She’d sure looked scared when he’d pressed her for information.

He glanced at his watch and swore. By the time he got to the hospital, it’d be after nine. Visiting hours were over at eight-thirty. He shrugged into his jacket before stepping outside into the softly falling snow.

Plenty of time tomorrow, he decided. Meantime, he was going to drop in on Luke and set him straight on a few things.

“W
HAT’S SHE LOOK
like?” Luke inquired.

Matt had only just arrived at the ranch; he’d immediately told Luke to stop siccing Becky on to Beth.

“Didn’t Becky tell you?” he asked sarcastically.

“She was too busy telling me about Sarah and how cute she is to fit in a description of her mom.”

Matt considered how he’d describe Beth. Seeing her
felt like…coming
home.
Somewhere he never wanted to leave. She had a quiet, inner beauty, an innocence and vulnerability, he found appealing, in spite of her amateur attempts at lying.

He sighed. Who was he kidding? The woman disliked him and everything he represented. Why did he care what his family thought or did about her?

Because she’s scared and alone,
a small voice said.

Matt raked his hand through his hair. “She’s probably in her late twenties. She’s got longish blond hair and gray eyes.”

“Sounds kinda vague.”

“We haven’t spent that much time together,” Matt snapped, in no mood for idle chitchat. “She didn’t have her license, so I couldn’t confirm the details.”

“Is she tall? Short? Cuddly? Skinny?”

“She’s just had a baby!” Matt exploded, fed up with his brother’s prying.

Unmoved by his reaction, Luke crossed his arms and waited.

Matt sighed again, resigned. His brother wasn’t going to give up till he’d gotten what he wanted. Having a conversation with Luke was usually like pulling teeth from a hen, so he guessed he’d better make the most of it. “She’s the stereotypical California girl. Faint freckles across her nose… Nice lips.”

Matt didn’t like Luke’s lazy smile. “What’re you grinning about?”

“You. You’ve got a dreamy look in your eyes.”

“I didn’t pay that much attention to her.” But that was a lie and Matt knew it.

“You noticed her eye color and that she has freckles and nice lips,” Luke pointed out.

“I’m a cop. I’m trained to notice stuff like that,” Matt
grumbled and climbed back into his vehicle. The only way he was going to avoid answering any more of Luke’s questions was to get out of there. “Good night, Luke,” he said and turned the ignition key. “Stay away from Beth Ford. She’s none of your business!” he warned and peeled away from the ranch.