Her Secret, His Child

HER SECRET, HIS CHILD

needed crackers. Was waiting for her mother to bring them. Jamie reached into the cupboard.

Yes. Just as she'd thought. There was an unopened box. Enough to keep both girls happy for the rest of the meal. Crackers were good. She was glad she had them.

Hugging the box, Jamie walked slowly back across the yard. The icy air didn't penetrate. She didn't notice the blue sky or the blinding glare reflecting off snow-covered yards. Ashley was waiting for crackers. Jamie had crackers. That was good.

"Mommy got crackers! Hooray!"

Jamie smiled automatically, holding up the box of crackers for the prize it was, as her daughter's greeting met her at Karen's kitchen door.

"Thank goodness." Karen rolled her eyes dramatically, grinning. She took the box even before Jamie slid into her chair.

"Thank Mommy," Ashley insisted, her brows creased with the seriousness of her correction.

Jamie's heart started to shatter.

Divvying up the goods, Karen reminded the girls that as soon as they finished their chili, they could watch The Little Mermaid again. Jamie heard her. Heard the girls' chorus of hoorays. She looked at her half-eaten bowl of chili. The spoon she knew she should be picking up.

"Something wrong?" Karen's voice was soft, barely audible beneath the girls' animated conversation.

"No!" Jamie glanced across at her friend. The

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

only true friend she'd ever had. The woman who didn't really know her at all. "Why?"

"You don't look so good."

"I, uh, just remembered I didn't return a phone call this morning and I can't afford to lose any clients."

"Then go do it. I'll watch the girls."

"You sure?"

"Of course! They'll be wrapped up in Ariel for the next hour anyway. Get out of here!"

She had to go. But she couldn't leave Ashley. Could barely wait for Ashley to finish eating so she could lift her out of her booster seat and hold the little girl's chili-smeared face against her. She'd be all right just as soon as she felt Ashley's arms around her neck.

"Okay, I'll hurry," Jamie heard herself say. And stared again into her bowl of chili. It had been good chili.

She was going to have to leave Ashley with Karen. She absolutely could not allow whatever was to come to touch Ashley's life. Couldn't bear for Ashley to know…

"Take your time," Karen said, clearing their bowls from the table.

Jamie stood.

"Where you going, Mommy?"

Ashley was staring at her mother, big gray eyes wide-open. Always observing. Always aware.

"Just to make a phone call," Jamie told herself as well as the child. "I'll be right back."

"Don't you want to see Ariel?" Ashley's sweet

HER SECRET, HIS CHILD

voice was filled with concern. Her thumb stole to her mouth.