Baby In A Million
To have that kind of advantage helped Ashley hold on to her determination. Cord must have sensed her confidence because en route he kissed the side of her neck several times.
Sheila wasn’t difficult to spot. Even though Cord’s stepmother was sitting with a lot of people in the crowded room, it didn’t surprise Ashley that her presence dominated the scene. No matter how many attractive women there might be in a given setting, Cord’s stepmother drew attention.
The first time Ashley met her, the tall, willowy blonde reminded her of Veronica Lake, a sultry movie star of the 1940 classic films whose trademark was the fall of wavy hair cascading down one side of her face.
Between her long, slender legs and the alluring way she carried herself, she was the personification of femininity. For Cord’s delectation, she’d taken great pains with her appearance. The stunning champagne silk dress looked new, as did the strappy high-heels and strand of matched pearls. She looked polished, sophisticated, rich and mysterious.
For a brief moment, the old feelings of inadequacy swept through Ashley. She could never hope to compete, especially in her pregnant state. But three days of therapy plus the fact that she was carrying Cord’s child had gone a long way to bolstering her self-confidence.
Additional warmth spread through her body when Cord’s arm slid down her back to squeeze her waist.
“Sheila? You wanted to see me? If so, I suggest we step out into the hall where we won’t be overheard.” Cord’s stepmother raised her golden head from the magazine she’d been reading. The second she saw them together, a stillness crept over her and she rose to her feet with pure feminine grace, unlike Ashley whose movements were slower and more clumsy.
When they reached the empty corridor Ashley felt Sheila’s cool gray gaze stray from Cord to her, assessing her with one sweep of her long lashes, not giving any of her thoughts away. Marsha had possessed that same unnerving ability.
Ashley knew the other woman couldn’t believe her eyes. It was a singularly triumphant moment for Ashley, yet she had to give Sheila full marks for covering up her shock so totally. Her sangfroid was amazing, if not daunting. Like Marsha, Sheila was a past master at mind games and manipulation, making her a dangerous adversary.
You’re grown-up now, Ashley. More than equal to the task. You don't need to be afraid of Sheila anymore. “Well, you two. This is a surprise.”
Cord’s arm tightened around Ashley. “That’s what happens when you show up uninvited. However, the only question of significance is what you did to get Dan to reveal my whereabouts.”
His words would have withered Ashley on the spot, but Sheila was a different animal and appeared unfazed by the retort.
“He called a special meeting today to tender his resignation. He gave no explanation, then he walked out.” Ashley felt Cord’s body harden. Dan Locke had been with the company forty-plus years, serving in every capacity until he’d worked his way up to vice president in charge of operations. This had to come as a tremendous blow to Cord.
“He wouldn’t have done that unless he was provoked beyond reason,” her husband’s voice rasped.
“I knew this would be upsetting to you. In an effort to get him to reconsider, I called his wife. She refused to tell me anything. She said you were the only person she would talk to, but that you were participating in the Great Salt Lake Smokeout Clinic and were unavailable.”
Ashley couldn’t help but wonder what unscrupulous tactics Sheila had used to get Dan’s sweet wife to reveal Cord’s whereabouts. It must have been a devastating moment for Emily Locke.
“Since by fair means or foul you found out where I was, it was your duty as an officer in the company to have phoned me immediately and left that message with the clerk at the nursing station,” Cord bit out, visibly upset by the news of Dan. “For several reasons, your coming to the hospital was unconscionable.” He continued to chastise her without scruple. “Let’s go, Ashley.” He raised his arm to her shoulders.
“There’s something else,” Sheila added without a qualm.
Ashley knew it.
Cord hugged her tighter. “Nothing could be more important than the tragic news about the best man in the entire company. As you can see, my wife is expecting our son very soon and it’s
past our bedtime.”
“Your son, Cord?”
For once Sheila couldn’t hide her shock. It shouldn’t have delighted Ashley so much.
“That’s right. A man should be so lucky as to experience one miracle in his lifetime. This week I’ve been afforded two.” As he said the words, he turned his head to gaze down at Ashley. “My wife has come back to me and my cup runneth over,” he murmured before kissing her full on the mouth in front of Sheila.
Ashley’s heart streamed into his, blotting out the ache and the hurt. She gave herself up fully to his kiss, permeated by a joy she didn’t know how she was going to contain.
“I couldn’t be happier with your news. When can I expect you two home?”
With a reluctance Ashley could sense, Cord finally lifted his head. “Sunday night,” he murmured thickly before ushering them both from the lounge.
The fact that Cord didn’t mention Dan’s name until they’d reached their room upstairs testified to the measure of entrancement that held them both.
For Ashley, something magical had happened downstairs just now. The weight of distrust and suspicion seemed to have evaporated the moment Cord proclaimed his happiness in front of Sheila.
“Darling?” He grasped her hands and kissed them. “All I want to do is concentrate on you, on us, but—”