Innocence (15 page)

He looked at Kacey staring out the car window with her palm placed neatly on her bump. She looked radiant and stole his breathe. He still wished to comprehend how any man could walk away while she carried his flesh and blood, but then he had a heart and would never dream of leaving a woman in such a state, but that was him.

The drive was a little manic with traffic building in certain parts. However, as soon as they got to the Dales traffic fragmented and they could enjoy the stunning sights driving through the rolling hills and being able to see some breath-taking sights, stone built houses and walls. They went to Hawes for some brunch and wandered around the small acquaint shops and in the wool shop, where he brought a cap that Kacey found amusing but, he enjoyed seeing her smiling. She really was pretty.

They visited the cheese factory and attended a tasting before they took a short drive to Askrigg sitting on an idyllic seating area with a stunning view of the Dales. The bar contained a large wood burning fireplace painted in red and old beer mates dominated the ceiling and walls, beams, and ledges.

He got their drinks and noticed Kacey yawning. She looked tired. He wondered if he should consider taking her home and allowing her to rest, but truth be known, he didn’t wish the day to end. He relished her company and found her sense of humor on par with his own. Calvin would be the first to admit he was falling for her in a massive way. He needed her as much as she needed him.

A thought crossed his mind, should he take her down to London with him? See how their relationship expanded or whether he’d be wasting his time. He had nothing to lose. However, Kacey was expecting another man’s baby, which made things complicated. Nevertheless, she had already told him the father wanted nothing to do with either one of them, and he guessed that left the door wide open.

His phone sounded. Kacey gazed across, smiling at him.

He pulled the phone out of his jeans pocket to find Ross calling. He slid his finger across the screen and placed it to his ear. “Hey there! How are you?”

“Not too bad. I have some forms for Kacey to fill in, wondered if she would be around this evening?” Ross asked.

“Would it not be able to wait until tomorrow? We’re in the Dales enjoying the day before I head back to London tomorrow?” Calvin asked, not being in the mood to rush when he was already considering his options.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll call tomorrow. In the Dales?” Ross added.

“Yes, we needed a day out, so here we are in Askrigg waiting for a bar meal.”

“Nice one! Well, I will not keep you any longer and enjoy. Oh, Calvin?”

“Yeah,” he said, glancing across the table to Kacey as she grinned and turned to look out the small wooden framed window.

“You aren’t getting attached are you?” Ross said, in a serious tone.

“Excuse me…don’t talk rubbish. We’re fine and exploring our stunning country, is there anything the matter with that?” Calvin said, trying not to have Kacey thinking they were talking about her.

“It depends what the stunning sights are. Look, just be careful I don’t need you getting mixed up with your emotions. I have been there before with you, remember?” Ross said.

“How could I ever forget? Look, stop fretting and do your own work,” Calvin said when Kacey turned to stare back at him when their meal arrived with his steak and chips and Kacey’s chip butty.

“I’ll speak to you tomorrow,” Calvin said, keen to get him off the line.

They called off and Calvin stared at Kacey, finding his view the most breath-taking. Suddenly her carrying another man’s baby wasn’t fazing him. If the father didn’t wish to know, then fine, but Calvin…he shook his head aware he had only known her a few days and here he was already making big plans.

He glanced down at his food thinking about the conversation he had with his good friend. Calvin knew what he said and understood his concerns. How could he walk away from a woman whom his heart cried out for?

He ate his way through his meal and watched Kacey dunk her chips in the tomato sauce.

“When is your next maternity appointment?” he asked, aware they had regular checks. He watched Kacey shrug her shoulders.

“I don’t know.”

“But you must?”

“No, all my stuff got pinched in my rucksack and not only that I haven’t seen a doctor in ages.”

He widened his eyes shocked. “Are you kidding me?”

“No…. I saw the doctor in the early months and had a scan at twelve and twenty weeks and then stopped going,” she explained.

“Oh, and you have no idea if she is healthy or anything?” he asked concerned.

“She’s fine.”

“Wouldn’t the drugs have affected her?” Again she shrugged her shoulders. “Bloody hell, Kacey, we need to get you checked out. Are you even registered for like the birth and stuff?”

“I can just turn up for the birth, there is nothing to worry about,” she exclaimed.

“You’re kidding me, right? Kacey, you need to seek medical advice and stuff. I will go with you.”

“They will think you’re the father.” She giggled.

“So, I will correct them. You need someone with you. But you need to get yourself checked over. You have ten weeks until she arrives and gives you sleepless nights,” he said serious while Kacey frowned and shook her head.

“She already does give me sleepless nights.”

“Yes…but.”

“Yada, yada. I am fine stop fretting.”

“But you said you hadn’t felt her move?” He had to mention she seemed to be forgetting a few minor details.

“I haven’t felt her, but she is fine.”

“We shall call in via the hospital to double check she is okay,” he said disturbed.

“Tomorrow, I promise I will see someone,” she told him.

“Promise? I mean we don’t need any unexpected complications do we?” Calvin said, needing her to see the reality of her situation.

“I am aware of that. Stop worrying. I wouldn’t mind, but her daddy doesn’t even care,” she announced, and he had a point.

“But Mummy does and that is who is important.”

“Hang on a minute…”

He watched her glaring into his eyes. “Yeah!”

“You said
we
.”

Chapter Seven

Kacey had been overwhelmed with yesterday and how sweet and sincere Calvin was, it had been a while since she’d been looked after and shown some appreciation. Nothing was too much trouble for him, he just went with the flow and she liked that, she liked that a lot. She liked the fact she could be here and not have to put on an act.

She’d never felt so comfortable with someone. There was no demand, telling her what to do every five minutes, no one taking the piss out of her Calvin certainly wasn’t abandoning her while he shagged another. Her heart melted whenever he came close to her and in all honesty, she wished she could have more time with him before he headed back down to London.

There was something outstanding about him, charming, and more importantly he cared, and that meant the world to her. Then again, Kacey was unsure if it was her emotional state that allowed her to see the wonderful things in him. She was hormonal, it didn’t take much for her to break down into an emotional wreck.

She wished she could put her finger on what it was that was so unique about Calvin, gorgeous having the kindest, sweetest eyes she’d ever seen, and his heart appeared true and with no pretences, at least she hoped he was genuine. There was no threat or anger, a massive difference to the crowd she’d once hung out with, and he did not pass her off like she was some dumb, cheap slut.

The only part she had begrudged had been him dropping her off and leaving her at the cottage. If she’d had one wish last night it would have been to have him stay with her, not saying a word only cuddled up on the sofa listening to his heartbeat. She ached, knowing these feelings were wrong and she needed to overcome them. After all, today Calvin was leaving for London. She had no chance of getting down there and seeing him, and the chances or her speaking to him again were pretty slim.

Her stomach curdled at the thought he would soon be nothing but a memory. How could she allow him to walk away, leave her here without feeling safe again? The first time in her life she had company she relished, enjoyed, laughed and blushed. Her chest tightened at the thought, he’d soon be gone, and she debated whether Ross would continue helping her.

She sat sipping her tea. There was so much she craved to learn about him, so much for her to discover, her heart bled.

Her mind drifted to Calvin and how special he treated her. There was nothing she wanted from him other than his friendship, someone to talk to, guide her, show her the right roads to take, but that was all about to end. Today, he would be heading back to London regardless, of her emotions, or how much she longed for him to stay. He had a life in the capital and for all she knew he was a man in great demand.

She chewed her lower lip, tense to the possibility he might have a companion, and he hadn’t mentioned her due to making her feel uneasy. After all, Calvin had only told her about a girl he once liked in his past, but never said anything about a woman who might be waiting for him and eager to throw herself at him and make love. She bet if there was a female, she anxiously awaited his arrival.

A knock sounded at the main door waking her from her thoughts. Kacey raised herself up from the sofa and waddled to the door, rubbing her tummy, still no movement from her daughter. She would admit she was pleased Calvin would be accompanying her to the doctors and checking that the unborn was okay.

She opened the door and much to her surprise saw Ross, then she remembered Calvin had mentioned some papers yesterday when on the phone to one another.

“Good morning,” he said and beamed a brilliant white, toothy smile at her. Ross was dressed in dark jeans, shirt, and a suit jacket, and his cologne strong and full of spice.

“Morning.”

“I have some forms for you to fill in and then we can start the process of getting you housed, I have spoken to the relevant departments about benefits you’ll also be entitled too, so…” he said, holding up the form. “The sooner the better, would you not agree?”

“Of course. Come in.”

She widened the door allowing Ross to walk into the cottage. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Yes, a cup of tea would be grand.” Ross smiled at her and made his way to the table and pulled out a chair to start using the table to fill-in the forms.

Kacey set about making the cup of tea, while poking her tummy urgently needing to feel her baby girl move. “Hey, come on, we are getting things sorted.”

“Sorry,” she heard Ross say.

She turned to look at him, placing her hair behind her ear. “Talking to my daughter,” she explained.

“Oh, I see. Well, soon we will have you both a warm home to live in,” he explained, pulling out his pen from his inside jacket pocket.

“Brilliant. Cannot wait!” she indicated smiling, delighted something good would finally be happening in her life. Kacey was so fed-up of not knowing what one day would bring to the next, and to have some stability in her life would do her the world of good.

She made the tea, she smiled delighted about the changes that were about to occur in his misfortunate life. She carried the cup of tea to him, placing the mug on the table. She watched him place his black framed spectacles on and cracked a small corner smile to her.

“Right, I think I am ready. It’s pretty simple, all you have to do is be honest about your living arrangements and where you have any income coming in.”

“I don’t have either.”

Ross peered over his glasses at her. She stared back, being honest.

“Well let’s begin and see what we can do. The first questions are easy. First name Kacey.”

She watched him about to write it down.

“No…Kacey is my middle name,” she said when he shot a glare.

“Oh, right. And your name is then?” he said waiting with the pen on the paper to write it down.

“Sophie…My name is Sophie Richards,” she informed him. “Sophie Kacey Richards.”

Ross scowled at her. “Sorry?”

“Sophie Kacey Richards.”

“You’re the Richards’ daughter. Alan and Rosalind Richards’ daughter?”

“Yes. I am their daughter, only child.”

He shot her an incredulous stare, making her feel uncomfortable.

“And you left the village when you were sixteen?”

“Yes, yes I did.” His eyes enlarged and Kacey felt her stomach flip, aching, horror of seeing his face looking surprised, and the way he eyeballed her left her body stiff.

With that Ross stood up. He quickly grabbed the document and without saying a word shot out of the cottage, not giving her a chance to say anything.

She stood stunned, not having a clue of what she’d missed. Either way, his behaviour was weird. Kacey was unsure whether it was something to concern her. Clearly, it regarded her name as she did not get further with the document and he knew her parents, but then everyone in the village knew her parents, which had been the main reason she hadn’t mentioned them the other day. She had guessed with them being local boys they would know her and wished to avoid any further hassle. What worried her more was if they go to her parents and tried talking them around. It wasn’t their business to interfere.

She looked at the table seeing the hot cup of tea. He hadn’t even pressed his lips to the mug and had a taste. Sophie shrugged her shoulders and decided she would drink it.

She made her way out of the cottage into the garden to sit at the bench. The sun shone down on her creating great warmth, she moved to the shade under a tree and looked around the surrounding area, wishing Ross had given an explanation to why he had rushed off so quickly, unless he forgot something, but even so surely informing her would have been polite.

* * * *

He had pottered about mainly, packing his clothes not really looking forward to leaving Kacey behind. He was still indecisive as to take her with him. But first thing first, and that would be to take Kacey to the doctor to check on the baby. He would leave later in the day to make the long dreaded journey back down south, hoping to miss the rush traffic. However, his heart ached. His stomach plummeted unsure if he should go find Kacey and tell her she was coming with him.

His apartment was big enough for the pair of them, having a spare room. They would manage and he would give them the best security possible. Yet, Calvin was no fool, smitten maybe, but not silly for the fact he was…or had fallen in love with her. He really liked her, she made his heart sing, not many women in his life had achieved that since…well, since he was a young man. He had always put his work first and women, they had come and gone, he hadn’t been looking for anything full-time or even a family and here he was suddenly, contemplating both and the child wasn’t even his.

He sat on his window seat, looking out the window wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist, thinking about what he should do. He knew his mind would be side tracked with Kacey and hoped someone would look out for her. Hell, the woman had been through enough without needing extra complications and he prayed her considering giving the baby up for adoption would pass. He wanted her to think about the long-term consequences and how it would affect the child in years to come.

Calvin urgently needed Ross to help her and get her in a home, so they would be safe, but his heart ached and wondered if he really would be happy living in London while Kacey was up north. He scrunched up his nose, wishing all these thoughts would leave his mind. The truth was he cared about Kacey it had nothing to do with her emotional state a few days ago, all that had retreated. He truly cherished her.

He noticed Ross pulled up in the drive in his Range Rover. Calvin scrambled to get dressed, wondering if he’d been to see Kacey already and had started the proceedings on getting her a home, and some financial help. He hated benefits, but on this occasion he would allow his attitude to change.

He made his way downstairs and could hear voices coming from the kitchen. He headed through the dining room and into the kitchen to see Ross talking to his parents. He entered the room smiling, but by the look on all their faces, something wasn’t all that amusing. His parents shot him a glare not expecting to see such expressions.

“What is wrong?” Unsure, if he was safe or not to enter the room. He sensed something had kicked off.

“Ross was just telling us about the young lady you have been helping,” his mum said.

“Oh, right,” he answered. The room fell sombre. He lifted his brow unsure how much information he had told them.

His mum continued, “He told us how you stopped her from jumping into the river and not just taking her own life but an unborn baby. I knew you were up to something.” 

His eyes widened, sickened to the fact Ross shared such information. He had no right to tell them anything about Kacey and what went on in his private life. He made the decisions and no one else. Calvin had nothing to say, he glanced around the room, all eyes on him, aware his parents would argue with him interfering with a woman in a weak state.

“You should have told us, Calvin,” she added.

“There was nothing to tell,” he replied swiftly, very annoyed.

“Nothing to tell,” his father spoke. “My goodness, Calvin, you stopped a young woman from stealing her life. She clearly needs help.”

“Yes,” he interrupted. “Help! She needs help and people not judging her. All I am doing is trying to help her get her life back and be safe, that is why I asked Ross for his help. Clearly, that information wasn’t to be broadcasted,” he snapped, glaring at Ross.

“I am helping. I have been to see her to fill in the application form to get her housed,” Ross said.

“Thank you,” he said, lowering his voice and stepped further into the room. He directed his gaze at Ross. “You still had no right to tell them about Kacey.”

“Calvin, I had too, you are getting in far too deep.”

“For God sake I leave for London in a few hours and you’re lecturing me…please, Ross. I confided in you, no need to be running around and telling everyone what a bad state she’d been in,” he snarled.

“Is in.”

“No, Ross, she is settling down. She needs people she can trust and I am putting my faith in you while I’m away, if I dare,” he said bitter, wafting his finger in his direction.

“Ross is only looking out for you, Calvin,” his mum voiced.

He spun to glare at her. “Everything is fine. She is stable.”

“At your cost, son,” his dad added.

Calvin rolled his eyes angry to the fact they were all interfering in his life. Yes, he understood their concerns, but heck, he was for once doing a good deed and not being a selfish idiot.

Calvin spun back to Ross noticing him squinting, looking uneasy. Ross glanced at his parents and back in his direction. He could sense something troubled his dear friend. Ross licked his lips and frowned.

“Is everything okay? Was Kacey okay, the baby,” he shouted and stepped forward with deep concern his heart thumped inside his chest.

“She is fine. Baby is fine,” Ross said narrowing his eyes.

He breathed relief, “Well, I need to get her to the doctor, she hasn’t felt the baby move in over a day.”

“For goodness sake, you should take her for some medical attention,” his mum expressed.