He unfolded himself from the floor and walked toward her. Her mouth went suddenly dry. They were alone together. They were married.
He stopped, looking down at the baby. Speaking of cooking utensils, have you given any thought to supper?
She stared at him blankly. So much for the efficient, businesslike way she was going to handle things. No, I guess I havent. She hated admitting to any error. It never entered my mind.
Well, we have to eat. Why dont you grab a jacket, and Ill take the two of you out.
That just seemed to multiply her inefficiency. Marcys going to be tired out soon. I doubt shed last through a restaurant dinner without a meltdown.
He looked at the baby with caution, as if anticipating an explosion. I could pick up some take-out.
The freezers still full of the food people brought over for the funeral. Ill microwave something for tonight.
By tomorrow, she wouldnt need to feel responsible for Links dinner.
Okay. He sat down on the floor next to Marcy. Ill keep an eye on her while youre doing that.
Having Link, in jeans and a dark blue sweater, taking up half the kitchen floor didnt seem conducive to getting a meal together quickly. Still, it would be worse if she were trying to do it with Marcy underfoot.
She pulled foil-covered dishes from the freezer, setting things onto the pale birch table. For an instant her vision blurred.
Everyone in town must have loved Becca and Davis. Their grief had found expression in their bringing more food than she and Link could possibly eat. It was just as well that she hadnt thought of cooking anything else.
When the table was set with the floral pottery dishes and blue-and-white napkins, she scooped Marcy up. Supper time, sweetpea. Lets see what you like.
Marcy liked just about everything until halfway through the meal, when she suddenly decided she didnt like anything. She wailed, then began rubbing her eyes, depositing a generous helping of macaroni and cheese in her hair in the process.
Annie glanced at Link, placidly eating a second helping of ham and scalloped potato casserole. Id better get her ready for bed.
He nodded, then came around the table to plant a kiss on Marcys cheek, adroitly avoiding the waving, sticky hands. Do you want me to carry her upstairs?
I can handle her. She mopped the babys face and hands quickly. Shed better be able to handle Marcy. From now on, that would be her primary responsibility. For just an instant the thought frightened her, but she shook it off. She could do this. She had to. Nobody loved Marcy more than she did.
A wet half hour later she held a rosy-cheeked cherub, dressed for bed in pajamas dotted with yellow giraffes that matched the wallpaper. The elephant lamp cast a soft glow over the nursery.
Marcy looked adorable. She suspected that she hadnt fared so well. Her hair fell damply in her face and her sweater sported several wet patches. She looked up at a sound to find Link standing in the doorway, watching them.
Come to help?
He ambled toward them, looking entirely too dry and perfect. Came to say good-night.
He held out his hands to Marcy. She leaned coyly against Annies shoulder for an instant, then lunged into his arms, chortling.
Link lifted her over his head, laughing up at her. The laughter transformed his face from its earlier bleakness. Annies heart lurched.
Lets see if we can get her into bed without a struggle, she said.
This was the moment that had been difficult each night. Marcy, who normally went to bed without a peep, had been clingy and reluctant.
Link hugged the child, then swung her into the white crib, snuggling her down next to the soft, white, stuffed dog. Marcy lay still for an instant, then popped up again. She looked from one to the other of them, her blue eyes very round.
Mama? she asked tentatively. Mama?
Annie blinked back tears. Its all right, sweetheart. Nan is here.
Link leaned over the crib railing, patting her. You go to sleep now, darling. Link and Nan are here. Were not going to leave.
Marcys eyes clouded up, as if tears werent far off. He patted her again, humming in a soft bass. While Annie held her breath, Marcy lay down, pulling the dog close and slipping her thumb into her mouth. In a moment her eyes had closed.
Link straightened slowly. The movement brought him brushing against her as they stood side by side, looking down at the baby. The room was so silent she could hear Links slow, steady breathing. She could almost imagine she heard the beating of his heart. Her own seemed to be fluttering erratically.
She took a breath, trying to steady herself. It was certainly a good thing this marriage was going to be a long-distance one. Because she didnt think she could cope with too much time spent in close quarters with her new husband.
Chapter Three
Gratitude mingled with her apprehension as Annie walked toward the courthouse the next day. Shed expected to be accompanied by only Link and the attorney. Shed thought shed feel very much the outsider in the redbrick courthouse that was one of a row of similar buildingstown hall, public library, courthousethat lined one side of the square.
Instead, Pastor Laing had turned up at the house early, saying he thought they might need moral support at such a difficult time. And Nora Evers, hat firmly in place on her white hair, had marched out of her house to join them.
The support helped, especially after the mostly sleepless night shed endured. Shed been so aware of her responsibility for Marcy that even putting the baby monitor next to her pillow wouldnt relieve her concerns.
She shouldnt try to fool herself. Some of her sleeplessness had to be chalked up to Links presence in the house as her husband. Husband. The word reverberated in her thoughts. That had to have been one of the strangest wedding nights in history.
She hadnt expected anything else. Of course not, she assured herself quickly. This was a business arrangement, not a marriage. That fact hadnt lessened her awareness of Links presence. Even after his bedroom door had closed, her awareness had remained. Maybe soon, shed get used to it. Maybe.
Are you okay? Link, carrying the baby, glanced at her as their little procession crossed the street.
Was she? My stomach feels like Im walking into an IRS audit without my notes.
His smile flickered. As bad as that?
She nodded. What if
Link took her hand in a reassuring grip. Lets not venture into what-ifs, not until we have to. Thats what we have an attorney for.
Thats right. Chet mounted the three steps to the courthouses double doors and held one side open for them. He smiled, but Annie thought she detected tension in him, as well. Maybe Chet wasnt as confident of the outcome as hed like them to believe.
She entered the tiled, echoing hallway. Ahead of her a cluster of people stepped into the elevator Frank, Julia and a woman who was probably their attorney. Her heart jolted.
Please, Lord, be with us this morning. We are doing the right thing, arent we? Dont let them take Marcy away.
Links tension vibrated through the hand that clasped hers.
Looks as if theyre not giving up easily. His grip tightened.
We didnt expect them to, did we. Now it was her turn to try and sound reassuring. She didnt feel assured. She felt panic-stricken.
I guess not. Link waited until the door had closed and the elevator was carrying the Lesters upward before pushing the button.
Do you think the judge knows the Lesters? That was probable, given how small the town was. Maybe this would be over before it began, a victim of the Lakeview old boys network.
Judge Carstairs knows everyone in town, Chet said, answering the question before Link could say anything. But that doesnt mean she wont be fair. After all, shes always dealing with people she knows.
Somehow she hadnt been thinking of the judge as a woman. She didnt know whether to be reassured by that or not. Would it make any difference in the way Judge Carstairs viewed a custody case?
She worried at it all the way up in the elevator, into the courtroom with its lofty ceiling and murals of Revolutionary War scenes, right into her seat behind a polished table. The judges bench rose intimidatingly, towering above them.
Shed pictured someone elderly and severe, but Judge Carstairs couldnt have been more than fifty. Her glossy dark hair swung around a face that was discreetly made up, and the hand that wielded the gavel sported polished nails.
The judge looked down at the papers in front of her, then questioningly from one attorney to the other. I thought this was a routine custody hearing for a minor child.
The Lesters attorney stood. Frank Lester and his wife contest awarding custody to the aunt, Your Honor. As you may be aware, Mr. Lester is the cousin of the childs father.
Judge Carstairs frowned. What I may be aware of isnt pertinent, Counselor. She nodded toward the door at the side of the courtroom. Lets move this into my chambers.
Annie sent a startled glance at Chet, who shrugged.
She does things her way, he murmured. All we can do is go along.
They trooped out of the courtroom and into a book-lined room that looked like an elegant library in a private home. The judge took a seat behind the desk and waved them all to chairs. She glanced at Pastor Laing. Garth, are you here to testify in this case?
Im here as little Marcys pastor, he said, sitting down next to Link. Im concerned that we do whats best for her, thats all.
The judges dark gaze rested on him for a moment, then she nodded.
Annie tried to find something hopeful in that. The pastors body language put him in their camp. She didnt know what theyd done to deserve that, but she was grateful.
All of us want whats best for the child. Judge Carstairss face softened in a smile as she glanced at Marcy, sitting contentedly on Links lap.
Annie moved the diaper bag a little closer to her side. Shed come prepared with crackers, a pacifier, a cup of milk, a book, toys. The last thing they needed was for Marcy to have a cranky spell in the middle of this hearing.
So, the judge continued, were going to have a nice, informal little conversation about the situation and try to figure out what that best is.
Your Honor the Lesters attorney began.
Judge Carstairs frowned. You have some objection to that, Ms. Marshall?
No, Your Honor. But Id like to point out that my clients havent had an opportunity to prepare their case. This has come up very suddenly. Naturally, as the deceaseds closest living relatives, they expected the child would come to them. Theyre a married couple, theyre lifelong members of the community and Mr. Lester has an interest in the deceaseds company.
Indignation flooded through Annie. The woman was talking as if only Daviss death had any significance.
Then she realized the judge was looking right at her.
You have something to say, Ms. She glanced down at the file in front of her. Ms. Gideon, is it?
Annie felt the pressure of Links hand clasping hers. Im Ann Gideon Morgan, she said firmly. My sister, Becca Conrad, was the babys mother. Ive been taking care of Marcy since the accident, and I believe my husband and I are the logical people to continue to do so.
My husband and I. It was the first time shed used the phrase, and it sounded odd to her ears. She could only hope that feeling wasnt obvious to the others in the room.
The judges gaze moved from her face to Links with what seemed to be a sharpening of interest. Annies nerves clenched. What was the woman going to ask her? If she asked about the circumstances of their wedding, what could she say?
Your Honor, this marriage
The judge cut Franks words short with a sharp gesture. This proceeding is informal, as I said. But I still ask the questions. She turned back to Annie. Your marriage was rather sudden, wasnt it? Will you tell me how it came about?
Please, let me say the right thing.
At some level she was ashamed to be clinging so tightly to Links hand, but she couldnt seem to let go.
Ive known Link for over eight years. She could only be surprised that she sounded so calm. We were both very close to my sister and her husband. After the Her voice caught suddenly and she had to pause before she could continue. After the accident, we felt the best thing for the baby we both love was to be married. Pastor Laing conducted the ceremony yesterday.
I see. Her gaze rested thoughtfully on them. Mr. Morgan, do you have anything to add?
Links hand twitched, but she was the only one to know that.
Only that no one could be a better mother to this little girl than Annie, Your Honor.
He looked down at Marcy as he spoke, and she smiled up at him as if she understood. Then she turned to Annie, holding out her hands commandingly. Nan, she said.
Annie lifted Marcy onto her lap, feeling a wave of love. Surely the judge would see how much she cared, wouldnt she?
Judge Carstairs folded her hands on the desk in front of her. I think Ive heard as much as I need to hear at this time.
At this time? The words sounded an alarm in Annies mind.
Your Honor, we havent had an opportunity to present our case, Franks attorney said.
Youve already pointed out that you havent had time to prepare your case, Judge Carstairs said. Im not inclined to take the child out of an established relationship.
A wave of relief swept Annie.
However, Im also not going to make a decision that affects the future of a child in a hurry.
Annie looked at Chet, but if he knew what the judge had in mind, his face didnt show it.
Therefore, in the matter of the infant child Marcy Amanda Conrad, Im ordering that she remain in the custody of her aunt and uncle, Ann and Lincoln Morgan, until such time as a full custody hearing can be held. She frowned at a calendar on her desk. Well set a hearing date in a months time. That will allow both sides to prepare their arguments and also allow Childrens Services to conduct an evaluation of the home Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are providing. The Lesters will have visitation, also observed by Childrens Services. Thats all.
Annie sank back in her chair. She could vaguely hear Frank protesting, being hushed by his attorney. Link seemed to be saying something to Chet. All she could do was try and take it in.