Baby In Her Arms

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Trying to ignore the relief that was flooding through her, she said, “All right. I’ll stay and help you shop. While you sleep, I’ll make a list.”

To her surprise, he leaned forward and cupped her face in one of his large hands, placing a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, Maggie. You’re a doll.”

Then he stumbled into the bedroom, softly closing the door behind him.

Maggie stood there, staring at the space Josh had occupied, touching her cheek. She was staying for Ginny. She told herself she needed to repeat those words over and over again.

Until she forgot the excitement that had filled her at his touch.

Until she dismissed his words and the yearning to believe them.

Until she remembered she was just Maggie.

“Josh, you’ve already bought a bed, a playpen and a high chair. Do you really think you need to buy a swimming pool?” Maggie asked in disbelief.

“But she enjoyed her bath so much, Maggie,” Josh observed. “Don’t you think she’d like this little swimming pool?”

Maggie stared at the stranger in front of her. Gone was the private investigator. In his place was a doting father. As long as he didn’t have to hold his baby.

Every time she’d suggested he hold the baby, he’d had a reason not to. He’d watched Maggie bathe Ginny, chuckling over Ginny’s enthusiastic splashing. He’d fixed another bottle for her, but he’d insisted Maggie should feed her.

Now he was willing to buy almost anything and everything in the store.

“No swimming pool. You don’t have room for it.” She pushed the buggy down the aisle.

“How about a stroller?”

Maggie turned around and found Josh had only moved a couple of feet and was studying some very elaborate strollers.

“Josh, we have to finish. I still have a long drive home, and we haven’t been grocery shopping yet.”

She’d intentionally mentioned her going home. Josh had sworn he only needed her to help with the shopping. She needed to keep reminding them both of that.

When he’d pleaded with her to stay, she’d been honest enough to admit to herself that she was relieved. Ginny was firmly wrapped around her heart.

And that was the main reason she had to go.

“You’re right, Maggie. We’ve certainly taken advantage of your good nature.” He accompanied his charming words with an even more charming smile.

She returned his smile, careful to hide the disappointment inside her. Disappointment? She should be thrilled to return to her own life.

“I found a big book about babies on the other aisle. I think I’ll add it to our purchases. Then I can study up on what to do.”

“You can always call me if...if you have a question. I’ll leave my number for you.” The only problem would be whether she knew the answer. Her own experience was limited to taking care of her nephew, Nathan, for an hour or two at a time. But somehow she couldn’t face losing touch with Ginny and her sexy daddy.

“That’s very nice of you.”

Maggie knew it wasn’t niceness that had prompted her words.

“Will you watch her while I go find that book?”

“Of course.” Replaced by a book. That didn’t say much for her mothering skills, did it? Maggie turned to the gurgling baby, sitting in the baby seat in the buggy, her heart lifting at the happy sound. “We haven’t done so badly, so far, though, have we Ginny?” she said softly.

When Josh returned with the aforementioned book, he added it to the pile of purchases. “Can you think of anything else we need?”

“No, Josh. I think you’ve bought enough things for ten babies.”

“Gosh, I hope I don’t get any more,” he said, eyes wide. “It’s a frightening thought, that I might have more babies out there that I don’t know about.” He moved ahead of the buggy, hooking his finger in the front of it and pulling it toward a checker. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Maggie didn’t argue. Lifting Ginny out of the seat, she cuddled the baby against her. The approaching departure, leaving Josh and Ginny on their own, already hurt. But she had no place in their lives. Better to leave now, while she could survive, than to hang around until he didn’t need her anymore.

Josh got one of the stock boys to help him load all their purchases in the back of his Jeep Cherokee. Maggie strapped Ginny in her car seat, handing her a rattle Josh had insisted she needed.

“Here, sweetheart. Enjoy.”

After a kiss on Ginny’s chubby little cheek, Maggie got in the front seat and fastened her seat belt. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Josh did the same.

He said nothing until they reached the grocery store. Then, however, he reached over and caught Maggie’s arm as she started to get out.

“Wait. I just want to tell you again how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me...and Ginny. I don’t know how I would’ve managed without you.”

His words were sweet. His touch took her breath away.

“It was nothing.”

“It was a lot, to trust me like you did.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I’d be glad to take care of Ginny a little longer if I didn’t have to work.”

“Like you said, that would solve my problem for one night, but I’ve got to make some long-term changes.” He frowned. “I’m just not sure exactly what they are.”

“You’ll need to find a nanny. Someone who will live in, to cover for you when you have to go out late. There are agencies you can call.”

“How soon do you think they’ll be able to find someone? I mean, I’ll take off work, but emergencies happen.”

Maggie’s pulse sped up. She stopped to consider before she spoke. After all, she’d never been impulsive. But the past twenty-four hours with Josh and Ginny had been more exciting and pleasurable than any in the past year. For that matter, years.

She’d hidden from life most of her existence. But her father’s death had taught her an important lesson. Life offered no guarantees. She’d promised herself she would learn to live it more joyfully. But all she’d done was follow the same routine she’d established long ago.

Her father would’ve hated such cowardice.

“Why don’t I stay with you until Monday? I’m sure they can find someone for you by then.”

Josh stared at her. “Are you serious? You would do that?”

He seemed almost as surprised as Maggie was at her offer. She shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve got a lot of vacation time due to me, and I’ve fallen in love with Ginny. She’s such a sweetheart.”

“If you’re sure, Maggie, I’ll accept your offer. And I owe you big-time.”

With the lightness that filled Maggie’s heart, she wondered if perhaps she might be the one owing him.

Maggie had insisted on driving her car back to his condo after their trip to her apartment. Josh had followed her, not liking the idea of her driving after dark alone. She’d laughed at his concern. But he’d followed her anyway.

Panic filled him every time he thought about the changes he was going to have to make in his life. But he would make them. He didn’t shirk his responsibilities.

Tomorrow morning he was going to start calling agencies and find a nanny. That’s what he needed. A twenty-four-hour nanny.

One just like Maggie.

After they got back from the drive to her apartment, he spent the evening putting together the crib, the high chair and the playpen, leaving Maggie to deal with Ginny.

She was a beautiful baby. But he wasn’t going to fall into the trap of having to give up the job he loved, like his father had. And he feared time spent with Ginny would trap him.

Maggie and Ginny appeared in the door of his second bedroom, now in total disarray with the desk shoved back against the bookcase to leave room for the newest purchases.