Baby In A Million
“True, Sheila. Even you…”
Ashley couldn’t help turning the insult back on the other woman with the greatest of relish.
Sheila’s pewter eyes darkened a trifle. “Cord never did have a clue tha
t behind your insipid facade you’re as tough as nails. It’s incredible that for such an intelligent man, he wondered needlessly about how you would fend for yourself after you left him. The poor thing was on the verge of worrying himself sick over your disappearance, fearing you had no place to go, no one to take care of you.”
That news was music to Ashley’s ears. “Cord always was a giver. He always will be.”
She thought Sheila’s mouth hardened a fraction. “Nevertheless, when he couldn’t find you, I urged him not to worry and reminded him that Greg was extremely fond of you. Naturally he would see to it that you didn’t end up abandoned the way you once were as a child.”
Ashley could sense exactly where this conversation was headed. “As Cord and I explained earlier, Greg’s not the father, Sheila.”
It felt good to know that for once Ashley could trust the source of her information, which was herself.
No doubt Sheila had planted that particular poison about Greg in Cord’s mind the very first day of Ashley’s disappearance. No wonder Greg’s name was the first one to pass Cord’s lips when he saw her last Monday morning in the advanced stages of pregnancy. It could have destroyed his friendship with the other man.
Thank heaven Greg had refused to allow that to happen. If anything, he’d risked Ashley’s displeasure when he’d broken his promise to her by giving Cord her phone number.
But he’d done it for the purest of reasons. No greater love can a man show, than he lay down his life for his friend. Ashley loved Greg for staying loyal to both of them through such a dark period. One day she’d find a way to thank him properly.
“Whatever you came for, it will have to wait until tonight. I have work to do.” She put a hand on the banister to start up the stairs, aware of Sheila’s unflattering perusal.
“Those swollen feet look sore.”
Another jab which should have hurt, but didn’t. “Swollen feet, stretch marks, weight gain—they’re all a small price to pay for bringing a child into the world. Especially a miracle child.”
It was obvious Sheila didn’t know what to make of this new dimension to Ashley’s psyche which allowed her to stand her ground instead of retreating from the enemy.
“Miracle?” Sheila’s question held the faint tinge of mockery.
Was it wrong to be enjoying this so much? “Hmm… Every child brought into this world is a miracle, don’t you think?”
“Is that what the nuns taught you?”
“Of course. But I discovered the miracle for myself the other day when Cord and I saw our own baby moving inside me during the ultrasound.”
Sheila’s regard was vaguely speculative. “You look ready to deliver. I’m surprised you didn’t stay in the hospital.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Sheila, but before that happens I’m going to be living at home with Cord another few weeks. Of course, after the baby is born, we’ve been discussing other plans.”
For once the other woman didn’t have an immediate comeback. It allowed Ashley to luxuriate in the moment which reminded her a lot of fly-fishing with Cord.
Her husband had taught her how to cast, to throw out the line and land the fly in just the right spot. He showed her how to play with a fish, to fool it and bait it, then pop it right out of the water when the fish least expected it.
The temptation to play with Sheila the same way was overpowering. But necessity prompted her to come to the point.
“I don’t know what you thought you would accomplish by showing up here. You tried your hardest to come between Cord and me, but you didn’t succeed. The clinic brought us back together. As Cord told you, there’s not going to be a divorce.”
Sheila’s eyes filled with silent laughter. “Oh, Ashley. You’re so naive. It’s incredible to me that ruse to get you to the hospital actually worked.”
Don’t let her bait you. “It wasn’t a ruse, Sheila.”
“Oh, come on now. We both know Cord doesn’t have a smoking problem. He never did. In fact he hates it. For years he has begged me to quit. Honestly, have you ever caught him lighting up? Even once? Greg masterminded that idea weeks ago.”
The mention of Greg set off alarm bells. Ashley’s heart started to thud. “What are you talking about?”
“Cord was very upset because you wouldn’t accept any alimony. He has this idea that you couldn’t exist without him because you had no family, no place to go. He felt sorry for you.