The Secret Heir

Laurel pushed a wisp of hair out of her face as she contemplated Donna’s words. She was trying to understand her mother-in-law’s viewpoint, just as she wanted Donna to be able to see her side, whether she agreed with it or not.

“I know the difficulties inherent with being a working mother. Every woman’s magazine is full of articles about dealing with the guilt and stress and time-management issues. But I know many professional women who have raised happy, successful children. Tyler will always be my first priority, but I feel like my job is important, too. I help other couples find children to love and raise, and not once have I recommended a couple be turned down for an adoption merely because the woman intended to keep working.”

Donna shrugged. “You should do what’s right for you, of course.”

Which could be interpreted to mean that she still didn’t approve, but she knew it would serve no purpose to argue. And then she added, “I’ll be happy to watch Tyler whenever you need me to. He’s always welcome at my house.”

“Thank you.” Laurel knew she sounded stiff and chilly, but she couldn’t seem to help that. “He’ll start preschool in August, so that will give him plenty to do while I work.”

Donna had heard about the preschool plan before, but that was another touchy subject. “He’s so little,” she fretted quietly, her gaze still focused on the sleeping child. “It seems so early to— But that decision is yours and Jackson’s.”

“Yes, it is.”

The door opened. In relief, Laurel looked around to see who had interrupted the conversation that had not quite been a quarrel. She had rather hoped it would be Jackson, but Carl walked in, still wearing his rumpled mechanic’s uniform. “How’s the boy?”

The deep voice roused Tyler from his nap. He squirmed in the bed, then opened his eyes with a momentary frown of confusion that changed to a sleepy smile when he saw his grandparents. “Hi, Gammy. Hi, Gampy.”

“Hey, buddy.” Carl reached out a callused hand to pat the boy’s leg. “How you feeling?”

“Okay.” Rubbing his eyes with his free hand, he spoke more alertly. “I got a hamster. It sings. Wanna hear?”

Without waiting for an answer, he squeezed the toy to activate the shrill voice. Carl’s expression was comically pained when he looked at Laurel. “Who bought this thing?”

“Beverly. She knew he would be amused by it.”

“Or deafened,” Carl muttered. He glanced at Donna. “You okay, honey?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Did you talk to, um, the person you were planning to talk to today?”

Even Laurel could tell that Donna wasn’t pleased by the awkwardly worded question. It seemed particularly to annoy her that he had asked in front of Laurel, since she cast a quick glance her way before replying shortly, “No. I couldn’t get through. I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Subtlety was definitely not one of Carl’s strong points. He cleared his throat, looked quickly at Laurel, then clumsily changed the subject. “Jay’s not here yet?”

“He’s still at work,” Laurel said, taking pity on her father-in-law. It was rare that Donna showed annoyance toward her husband, and he obviously regretted that he had displeased her now. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

“Wonder if that shipment he was waiting on ever came in.”

“Yes, I believe it did. I heard him mention it on the phone this morning.”

“Good. I know the delay was causing some real problems at the job site.”

“So I understand.” Suddenly restless and a bit claustrophobic in the room with her in-laws, especially her mother-in-law, Laurel glanced at her watch. “I think I’ll leave you two to visit with Tyler for a few minutes while I go have a cup of coffee. I’m having caffeine withdrawal, I’m afraid.”

“You go right ahead,” Carl urged her, sounding sympathetic. “I know you need to get out of this room sometimes. I’d pretty much go crazy sitting around all day myself.”

She knew that. Restless energy was as much a part of Carl as his dry wit and blunt manner of speaking. “Can I get either of you anything while I’m out?”

“Nothing for me, thanks. You need anything, honey?”

Donna shook her head, looking at Carl rather than Laurel. “No. I’m fine.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes, Tyler,” Laurel said cheerily. And because he had started to frown, she added, “Why don’t you play your hamster song for Gampy again?”

“Thanks a lot,” Carl grumbled.

Laurel’s answering smile lasted only until she was out in the hallway.