His eyes narrowed, fine lines fanning out from them. Then what do you mean? The question shot across the desk, and his very stillness spoke of anger raging underneath iron control.
Emilie
As if hearing her name, Emilie chose that moment to burst into wails. She stiffened, thrusting herself backward in the stroller.
Anne bent over her. Hush, sweetheart. She lifted the baby, standing to hold her on one hip. There, its all right. She bounced her gently. Dont cry.
The wail turned to a whimper, and Anne dropped a kiss on Emilies fine, silky hair. Maybe she shouldnt have brought the baby with her, but she couldnt bear the thought of being away from her in this crisis.
The whimpers eased, and Emilie thrust her fingers into her mouth. Anne looked at the man on the other side of the desk, searching vainly for any resemblance to her daughter.
I didnt put that well. She cradled the baby against her. Im not Emilies birth mother. Im her foster mother. Im trying to adopt her.
Donovan shot out of the chair, as if he couldnt be still any longer. He leaned forward, hands planted on the desk.
Why did you come in here with an accusation like that? What proof do you have?
I have the birth mothers statement.
That had to rock him, yet his expression didnt change. Where is she? Let her make her accusations to my face.
She cant. Annes arms tightened protectively around the baby, knowing this was the weakest link in her case, the point at which she was most vulnerable. And Donovan was definitely a man whod zero in on any vulnerability. Shes dead.
Mitch stared at the woman for a long moment, anger simmering behind the impassive mask he kept in place by sheer force of will. What game was this woman playing? Was this some kind of setup?
What do you want?
The abrupt question seemed to throw her. She cradled the baby against her body as if she needed to protect it.
From him. The realization pierced his anger. Protecting was his job, had been since the moment he put on a shield. Assist, protect, defendthe military police code. Nobody needed protecting from him, not unless theyd broken the law.
You admit it, then? That youre Emilies father?
He leaned toward her, resisting the urge to charge around the desk. It was better, much better, to keep the barricade between them.
Im not admitting a thing. I want to know what brought you here. Or who.
Something that might have been hope died in her deep-blue eyes. I told you. The babys mother said you were the father.
You also told me shes dead. That makes it pretty convenient to come here with this trumped-up claim.
Trumped up? Anger crackled around her. I certainly didnt make this up. Why would I?
You tell me. It was astonishing that his voice was so calm, given the way his mind darted this way and that, trying to make sense of this.
One thing he was sure ofthe baby wasnt his. His jaw tightened until it felt about to break. Hed decided a long time ago he wasnt cut out for fatherhood, and he didnt take chances.
Thats ridiculous. Even her hair seemed to spark with anger, as if touching it might shock him. I came here because I know youre Emilies father.
His life practically flashed before his eyes as she repeated those words. Everything hed worked for, the respect hed enjoyed in the two years since his returnall of it would vanish when her accusation exploded. If the story got out, it wouldnt matter that it wasnt true. By the time it had spread up one side of Main Street and down the other, all the denials in the world wouldnt make it go away.
Those Donovans have always been trouble, thats what people would say. The apple doesnt fall far from the tree.
Youre wrong, he said flatly. I dont know who that childs parents are, but youre not going to get anything out of claiming Im her father except to cause me a lot of grief.
The idea startled herhe could see it in her eyes. I didnt come here to create a scandal. She stroked the babys back, her mouth suddenly vulnerable as she looked at the child.
Good. He almost believed she meant it, and the thought cut through his anger to some rational part of his mind. He had to start thinking, not reacting. He went around the desk and leaned against it, trying for an ease he didnt feel. Then why did you come?
She thought he was capitulating, he could tell. A smile lit her face that almost took his breath away. A man would do a lot for a smile like that.
All I want is your signature on a parental rights termination so the adoption can go through. Once I have that, Emilie and I will walk out of your life for good.
Thats all?
She nodded. Youll never see us again.
And if I dont sign?
Her arms tightened around the baby. Ive taken care of Emilie since the day she was born. Her mother wanted me to adopt her. Why would you want to stand in the way?
They were right where theyd started, and she wouldnt like his answer.
I dont. He leaned forward, bridged the gap between them and touched the babys cheek. It earned him a smile. Shes a cute kid. But shes not mine.
She turned away abruptly, bending to slide the baby into the stroller. Emilie fussed for an instant, until Anne put a stuffed toy in front of her.
When she straightened, her eyes were chips of blue ice. Im not trying to trap you into anything.
Id like to believe that, but it doesnt change anything. Im still not her father.
She gave an impatient shrug. Ive told you the mother named you.
You havent even told me who she is. Or how you fit into this story. He was finally starting to think like a cop. It was about time. Look. He tried to find the words that would gain him some cooperation. I believe Im not this childs father. You believe I am. Seems to me, two reasonable adults can sit down and get everything out in the open. How do you expect me to react when an accusation like this comes out of nowhere?
He could see her assess his words from every angle.
All right, she said finally. You know what my interest is. I want to adopt Emilie.
There had to be a lot more to the story than that, but hed settle for the bare bones at the moment. And the mother? Who was she? What happened to her?
He gripped the edge of the desk behind him. He probably shouldnt fire questions at her, but he couldnt help it.
She frowned. Maybe she was editing her words. Her mothers name was Tina Mallory. Now do you remember her?
The name landed unpleasantly between them. Tina Mallory. He wanted to be able to say hed never heard of her, but he couldnt, because the name echoed with some faint familiarity. Hed heard it before, but where? And how much of his sense of recognition did Anne Morden guess?
How am I supposed to have known her?
She lived here in Bedford Creek at one time.
In Bedford Creek. If shed lived here, why didnt he remember her? Im afraid it still doesnt ring any bells.
That was only half-right. It rang a bell; he just didnt know why.
Doesnt the police chief know everyone in a town this small? Her eyebrows arched.
Doesnt the police chief know everyone in a town this small? Her eyebrows arched.
Before he could come up with an answer, the telephone rang, and seconds later Wanda Clay bellowed, Chief! Call for you.
Annes silky black hair brushed her shoulders as she glanced toward the door.
He reached for the phone. Excuse me. I have to do the job the town pays me for.
He picked up the receiver, turned away from her. It was a much-needed respite. He let Mrs. Bennetts complaint about her neighbors drift through his mind. He didnt need to listen, often as hed heard the same story. What he did need to do was think. He had to find some way to put off Anne Morden until he figured out who Tina Mallory was.
Well take care of it, Mrs. Bennett, I promise. A few more soothing phrases, and he hung up.
Anne looked as if she wanted to tap her foot with impatience. Now can we discuss this?
The phone rang again, giving him the perfect excuse. Not without interruption, as you can see. Where are you staying?
She stiffened. I hadnt intended to be here that long. Why cant we finish this now?
Because I have a job to do. His mind twisted around obstacles. Hed also better run a check on Anne Morden before he did another thing. He at least had to make sure she was who she claimed to be. How about getting together this evening?
This evening? She made it sound like an eternity. Its a three-hour drive back to Philadelphia, and Emilies tired already.
He was tempted to say Take it or leave it, but now was not the time for ultimatums. It might come to that, but not if he could make her see she was wrong.
Look, this is too important to rush. Why dont you plan to stay over?
Id like to get home tonight.
Her tone had softened a little. At least she was considering his suggestion.
Isnt this more important? He pushed the advantage.
She looked at the baby, then back at him, and nodded slowly. Its worth staying, if I can get this cleared up once and for all.
Mitch took a piece of notepaper from the desk and scribbled an address on it. The Willows is a bed-and-breakfast. Kate Cavendish will take good care of you.
He considered it a minor triumph when she accepted the paper.
All right. Maybe shed anticipated all along that this wouldnt be settled in a hurry. If thats what it takes, Emilie and I will stay over. When can I expect to see you?
He glanced at his watch, reviewing all hed need to accomplish. Say between six and seven?
She nodded hesitantly, as if wary of agreeing to anything he said. Ill see you then.
He didnt breathe until she and the baby were gone. Then it felt as if he hadnt breathed the whole time shed been there. Well, the news shed brought would rattle anyone.
Just how much stock could he put in what Anne Morden said? He leaned back in his chair, considering.
It didnt take much effort to picture her sitting across from him. Cool composurethat was the first thing hed noticed about her. Shed reminded him of every smart, savvy attorney hed ever locked horns with, except that she was beautiful. Hair as silky and black as a ripple of satin, skin like creamy porcelain, eyes blue as a mountain lake.
Beautiful. Also way out of his class, with her designer clothes and superior air.
Well, beautiful or not, Ms. Anne Morden had to be checked out. He hoped he could find some ammunition with which to defend himself, before she blew his life apart.
He reached for the phone.
Chapter Two
A nne put a light blanket over Emilie, who slept soundly in the crib Mrs. Cavendish had installed in the bedroom of the suite. Nothing, it seemed, was too much trouble for a friend of Chief Donovans. No one else was staying at the bed-and-breakfast now, and Mrs. CavendishKate, shed insisted Anne call herhad given them a bedroom with an adjoining sitting room on the second floor of the rambling Victorian house.
The rooms were country quaint, furnished with mismatched antiques that looked as if theyd always sat just where they did now. The quilt on the brass bed appeared to be handmade, and dried flowers filled the pottery basin on the oak washstand. A ghost of last summers fragrance wafted from them.
She would have enjoyed the place in any other circumstances; it might have been a welcome retreat. But not when her babys future was at stake.
She had to get herself under control before her next unsettling meeting with Mitch Donovan. This afternoonwell, this afternoon she could have done better, couldnt she?
Her stomach still clenched with tension when she pictured Donovans frowning face. She still felt the power with which hed rejected her words.
She shouldnt have been surprised. A man in his position had a lot to lose. The chief of police in a small town couldnt afford a scandal.
The sitting room window overlooked the street, which wound its way uphill from the river in a series of jogs. Bedford Creek was dwarfed by the mountain ridges that hemmed it in. What did people in this village think of their police chief? And what would they think of him if they knew hed had an affair with a young girl, leaving her pregnant?
They might close ranks against the stranger who brought such an accusation. A chill shivered down her spine.
If Mitch Donovan persisted in his denials, what option did she have? Making the whole business public would only hurt all three of them. But if she didnt get his signature on the document, shed live in constant fear.
What was she going to do? Panic shot through her. She pressed her hands against the wide windowsill, trying to force the fear down.
Turn to the Lord, child. She could practically hear Helens warm, rich voice say the words, and her fear ebbed a little at the thought of her friend.
Helen Wells had introduced her to the Lord, just as simply as if she were introducing one friend to another. Until Anne walked into the Faith House shelter Helen ran, looking for a client whod missed a hearing, religion had been nothing but form. It had been a ritual her parents had insisted on twice a yearthe times when everyone went to the appropriate church, wearing the appropriate clothing.
Theyd have found nothing appropriate about Faith House or its director, Helen Wellsthe tall, elegant womans embracing warmth for everyone who crossed her threshold was outside their experience. But Anne had found a friend there, and a faith shed never expected to encounter. Helens wisdom had sustained her faith through the difficult season of her husbands death.
Not that she was under any illusion her faith was mature. Gods not finished with you yet, Helen would say, wrapping Anne in the same warm embrace she extended to every lost soul and runaway kid who wandered into her shelter. The good Lord has plenty for you to learn, girl. But you have to listen.
God could help in this situation with Donovan. She had to believe that, somehow.
But maybe believing it would be easier if she had the kind of faith Helen did.
Im trying, Lord. You know Im trying.
A police car came slowly down the street and pulled to the curb in front of the bed-and-breakfast. She let the curtain fall behind her, her heart giving an awkward thump. Mitch Donovan was here.
In a moment she heard footsteps in the hall beneath, heard Kate greeting himfondly, it seemed. Well, of course. Bedford Creek was his home. Anne was the stranger here, and she had to remember that.