Ladd Haven (9 page)

Unlocking the car doors, she went on,
“Between her mother’s history, Ernie’s and Albert’s, we should be
able to get something definitive.”

Casey paused at the passenger door.
Staring over the car at her mother, she saw blue eyes that held
none of the confidence her lips were describing. It was like her
mother had detached from reality. She was saying things as if it
would make them so.

What about Troy’s history? Did any of
that matter when it came to the baby she was carrying?

She didn’t dare ask. The
doctor would probably tell her to get all the information she could
and discussing the well-being of her baby would mean revealing the
truth. Opening the car door, Casey lowered onto the seat with a
thud.
What a mess
.

Her mother gunned the engine to life
and Casey pressed back into her seat. She pulled her seatbelt into
place, adjusting the straps around her belly and buckled it secure.
Troy was going to find out. Between Delaney hiring him and giving
the rundown on Jeremiah’s health history, Troy was going to find
out. What was she going to say?

I lied. It’s not
Jimmy’s—it’s yours
.

Troy would have a fit. Nerves swarmed
her stomach. Would he leave town the second she told him? Would he
try to marry her?

I made you a promise when I
left here and I aim to keep it.

Troy told her he loved her
and they were going to have a future together. He was going to
prove he was worth the faith she’d put into him. Her pulse
scattered, hammered against her ribcage. But that was before she
got pregnant. It was before the added responsibility of a baby.
Pregnancy changed everything. It ruined everything. Changed
everything. Made everything different and new and exciting. Gazing
out the window as her mom backed up, she wondered,
How could she feel all these things at
once
?

Chapter Seven

Delaney swung into the diner, stepping
aside as a couple entered behind her. The dinner hour was upon
them, the air saturated with the rich scent of fried chicken and
steak coupled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked biscuits. Most
tables were occupied, the senior crowd reliable as clockwork.
‘Course, when Fran offered half-priced meals from four to six, who
wouldn’t take the deal? She sighed. Those who had a job. Searching
for sight of Fran, Delaney wondered what she wanted. She’d called
an hour ago and said to come quick. She had stables to run and
dropping everything to come see Fran took some doing. Extending her
search to the kitchen, Delaney was surprised to see Fran hustling
out so fast she nearly knocked over a waitress in her haste. What
could possibly be so interesting that warranted such a
hurry?

Fran grasped her arm and corralled her
to an empty space near the pie case. Decked out in her customary
starched white uniform, red apron tied at her waist, Fran checked
for the nearest set of ears, then ducked her head close and
whispered, “Sugar, we need to talk.”

“
So you said when you
called. What’s got you so wound up?”

“
Jack was here. Jack was
here and he was talking to Felicity.”

Alarm bells sounded in her skull.
“What? What was he doing with Felicity?”

“
I don’t know. It was after
the lunch rush, but you know that man is meaner than a flea-bitten
hound dog. I don’t know what he was saying ‘cause I didn’t want to
venture too close, you know what I mean? But I know it couldn’t
have been good.”

“
Did Felicity look
upset?”

“
No, no, she didn’t look
upset, but he looked mighty happy when he left so you can see why
I’m concerned.”

“
I hear you.” A happy Jack
Foster meant a miserable someone else—usually her. Delaney dumped
her gaze to the racks laden with perfectly baked pies, mostly
peach. Peach pies were Fran’s specialty and Felicity’s
favorite.

Fran cupped a hand over her hair net,
brown eyes sharper than a hawk on the hunt. She was all too
familiar with the Ladd-Foster history and liked Jack Foster least
of all. If she could, she would have banned the lot of them but
there were rules against such things. not to mention it wasn’t good
for business. Looking at Delaney intently, Fran said, “Now you know
I don’t want to be upsetting you with your new marriage and all
but, Lord a’mercy, I don’t like him poking around
Felicity.”

Delaney placed a hand to Fran’s
shoulder. “I know you don’t. I know you’re looking out for her and
I appreciate it.”

Somewhat mollified by the comment, Fran
gave a small smile. “You know I love that girl like she’s my own
flesh and blood.”

“
I know you do. I’ll talk to
her.”

“
You do that but keep it
close to your heart, will you?”

“
Because she fussed about it
the last time?” Delaney asked.

Felicity had made a point of objecting
to the last time Fran “told” on her, stating she was old enough to
make her own decisions and didn’t need her mother or Fran spying on
her every move. But Jack talking to Felicity could only spell
trouble—the kind of trouble Felicity couldn’t
understand.

“
Well, yes but...” Fran
hedged, acting a bit too dodgy for Delaney’s comfort. It wasn’t
like Fran to dance around a point. She was like an archer with a
bow.

“
When I asked Felicity about
the meeting with Jack after he left, she said it was nothing,
really, something about the Fosters wantin’ to see her.”

“
Jack’s parents?”

Fran nodded. “You see what I mean? He
ain’t playin’ fair if he’s willing to use his folks to get to
Felicity.”

Delaney stroked a hand over top of her
head, wrapped her hand around her ponytail and wanted to pull her
hair out. “You can say that again!”

“
I don’t blame Felicity.
It’s only natural for her to be curious, you know what I
mean?”

“
I hear you. Felicity
shouldn’t be a pawn in this game.”

Fran’s eyes leapt to the front door. At
the clang of bells, Delaney turned. Her heart lurched. Casey walked
in, alone, looking like she’d lost her best friend.

“
Oh, that poor child!” Fran
cried under her breath. “She’s nothin’ but a bag of bones, I tell
you. Wait until I get a hold of that mother of hers—she isn’t
eating a morsel of that food I’m sending home with her.”

Delaney had to admit Casey looked thin.
The cotton dress hung stick-straight from her body, her stomach no
more than a bump beneath the floral material. Could be those skinny
white legs of hers, disappearing into a pair of black boots. The
combination made her legs look all the thinner. Casey’s lack of
weight gain rivaled that of Lacy’s, but at least Lacy looked
healthy during her pregnancy. Casey looked drawn, stressed, and
Delaney had a feeling she knew why. “I need to talk to her,” she
murmured to Fran.

“
You do that, sugar. And get
her to eat while you’re at it, will you? I’ll bring you anything
you want.”

Delaney smiled. “I’ll try.” But she had
a feeling food was the last thing on Casey’s mind. Undoubtedly Troy
would be front and center and probably sole occupant.

Approaching Casey slowly, Delaney
winced at the purplish tint beneath her eyes. Her skin was so fair,
tiny blood vessels were literally visible through the translucent
flesh. It couldn’t be good for the baby. “Hey, Casey.”

“
Hi, Miss
Delaney.”

“
Are you meeting your mother
for dinner?”

“
No.”

“
I could use some company.
Are you hungry?”

She wavered, shooting a quick eye to
locate Fran and mumbled, “I’m here to pick up some food for
home.”

“
Mind if I wait with
you?”

Casey shrugged. “Sure.” With a
protective hand over her stomach, she walked over to the food
counter and Fran appeared within seconds.

Wiping her hands with a white
dishcloth, she called out brightly, “Hey, sugar!”

“
Did my mom call you?” Casey
asked.

Elderly brown eyes muddied in
confusion. “No, why. Something wrong?”

“
She was going to call to
order dinner. I’m here to pick it up.”

Fran’s expression burst with pleasure.
“I’ll get right on it! Little fried chicken and biscuits? Some
boiled peanuts for Cal?”

“
I don’t know. You might
want to call her.”

“
I’ll get right on
it.”

“
Thanks.”

“
Can I get you a coke while
you wait?”

“
No, thanks.”

“
Water?”

Casey didn’t appear to want anything at
the moment, but reluctantly agreed. “Sure.” If only to end her
great aunt’s ceaseless questions, Delaney mused, watching in
amusement as Fran hurried back to the kitchen on a mission of love.
Casey lowered to a stool and Delaney mirrored her movements. “So
how’re you holding up?”

“
You mean the
pregnancy?”

Delaney cocked her head.
“Sure.”

“
Fine,” she replied, a
hesitance sliding into her blue-eyed gaze. “The baby has been
moving more these days.”

The mention pulled warm memories of
Delaney’s pregnancy with Felicity. She had enjoyed being pregnant.
It had been such an exciting time in her life—from the joy of
anticipation, the nervous excitement, the fuss from everyone to
sharing the entire experience with her mother. Susannah Ladd
Wilkins had been with her every step of the way. She had gone with
her to the doctor, helped her pick out clothes, bottles. She’d even
been in tow for the delivery. Jack couldn’t stand hospitals,
content to allow his wife to bear his child alone. Delaney’s
insides cringed. She should have known then and there what she was
in for, but he was the father of her baby, the man of her world,
and she’d been too young to pick up on the signs.

Peering at Casey, Delaney was struck by
the faraway look in her eyes. She’d be willing to bet the girl was
thinking of Troy. He was in town and Casey was probably consumed
with him—as she should be. For better or worse, he would forever be
a part of her life, marriage or no marriage. Lying to him about the
pregnancy had been a mistake. It was only going to agitate the
situation when the truth came out. “Troy came by to see me,”
Delaney said, watching closely for Casey’s reaction.

“
He did?”

Struck by the naked desire staring back
at her, Delaney felt the hit. Despite her actions, Casey was
clearly interested in the boy. Delaney nodded. “He was looking for
a job.”

“
Oh.” Crestfallen, a shade
of embarrassment colored her pale cheeks. “That’s because he quit
his last one.”

“
So he said.” Did Casey know
why? Had Troy told Casey what he told her? “Says he’s back in town
for good.”

“
Do you believe him?” Casey
asked.

The sheer vulnerability in her voice
cut Delaney’s heart in two. “Not sure.” Casey glanced away. It was
clear she wanted to believe him. “Do I take it you
don’t?”

“
Troy gets fired or quits
everything he starts,” she mumbled, drawing circles on the counter
with a finger. “I don’t see any reason to think that’s going to
change.”

A pretty harsh condemnation coming from
the woman who loved him. Had she written him off completely? Had
she lost her capacity to encourage and support him through the
tough times? “You don’t think people can change?”

“
Do you?”

Visions of Jack came to mind. No, not
Jack. But Troy? Maybe. It was possible. When Casey didn’t respond,
Delaney said, “I called his employer in Kentucky. They seemed real
pleased with him.” Casey turned to her. “Mr. Foster had good things
to say about him as well.”

“
But they fired
him.”

“
He made a
mistake.”

“
A pretty big one, don’t you
think?”

“
I think we’re all fallible.
I don’t think any man or woman is immune to a fall from grace. I
think it’s more important to know whether or not they’re interested
in picking themselves up and moving on.”

Casey pivoted on her stool. “What are
you saying? You’re going to give him a job?”

“
I sure could use a stable
hand who knows his way around a horse. The hotel is booked clear
through Christmas and I’m going to need hands to accommodate all
the guests who will want to ride.” Thoughts of the next six months
warmed her heart. Delaney couldn’t wait to share her horses with
people from all over the world. The first batch of guests had been
thrilled with their trail rides. Word would spread like wildfire,
and she predicted her stables were going to be the hottest spot on
the property!

“
He’s the best rancher there
ever was,” Casey said. “Nobody knows horses better than
Troy.”

Delaney slipped into a smile. “Are you
endorsing the hire?”

Casey retreated just as quickly as she
had advanced. “No, not really, but—”

“
But you think he’d be a
good fit.”