Find My Baby (27 page)

“You’ll see.”

“Don’t you think I should know where we’re going?” Kayla asked when they were seated in a cab, Sam latched between them in his car seat.

“Sam’s a good baby,” Luke said, ignoring the question. “He doesn’t cry unless he’s hungry or wet.”

“Which proves the Sinclairs paid no attention to him. Now tell me what’s going on?”

He reached over Sam, took her hand. “I’m going to take your advice and talk to my birth mother.”

“Oh, Luke. That’s wonderful. Do you know where she lives?”

“I know where she works.”

“Does she know we’re coming?”

“Nope.”

Kayla shook her head.

They were let out in front of one of the larger office buildings downtown. Luke carried Sam, the diaper bag and one of the duffel bags. Kayla carried the other. Before finding the elevators, they crossed a wide expanse of marble floors with matching columns that reached several stories high.

“Wow!” Kayla whispered.

His hand shook only a little when he punched the button, ignored the nest of butterflies that had taken up residence in the pit of his stomach. He never expected to do this. He’d thought about it. Even went so far as to invent the conversation between the two of them. But never expected to really confront her.

They stepped out on the twentieth floor. The insurance company’s executive offices took up the entire space. They walked across thick carpet straight to the receptionist desk. “We’re here to see Claudia Larkin,” he said, pleased that his voice didn’t shake.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No. But she’ll see us. Tell her Luke Garrett is here.”

The receptionist punched a number, whispered into the receiver. “She said to go on back.”

Luke took Kayla’s arm.

“I’ll wait here. This is your thing.”

The stubborn look on her face was a familiar one. It was the same look she’d worn every day during their search for Sam. Kayla wouldn’t budge. “Okay,” he said. “I won’t be long.” Gently, he put the carrier on the floor, the diaper bag and duffel beside it. Giving her a quick kiss, he took off down the long hall.

He didn’t think he’d make it. His legs felt as if they wouldn’t carry his weight that far. When a door opened at the far end, he headed there.

Instead of being at the door to greet him, she stood at the wide expanse of windows looking out over the city, as if she didn’t want to face him. Too bad. He was here and she was damned well going to talk to him. When she turned toward him, her green eyes flashed recognition. Tall and slender, she was only a little older looking than when he’d seen her at his dad’s funeral. Her dark hair was cut short and curled around her face. “I would know you anywhere,” she said.

His mouth turned to cotton. He felt like a child again, unable to voice the hurt he’d held close all these years.

She went to sit behind her desk, waving for him to take the chair across from her. “Why now?” she asked.

“I’m getting married.”

“I see.” Her eyes narrowed. “So what can I do for you?”

He took a silent breath. “First, you can tell me why you got rid of me. Then you can tell me who my biological father is.”

Her hand went to her neck, fingered the expensive gold necklace lying there. “That’s all?”

“That’ll do for starters.”

She leaned closer. “I guess you deserve an answer. I’ve wished many times it were different. It isn’t, so I’ve had to live with my decision.” She studied him a minute. “I was young; too young to know better. I made the mistake of falling in love with a married man. I was just starting college, and stupidly had no idea he was married. By the time I found out it was too late, I was in love.” She laughed bitterly. “When I told him I was pregnant, he accused me of sleeping around, said I deliberately got pregnant so he’d have to get a divorce and marry me. It was a lie, but there was nothing I could do.

“I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I’d always wanted a career, and I’d just ruined my chances. Then I thought of my cousin, Tom. He and his wife, Rosie had tried to conceive for years and couldn’t. When I asked them if they wanted my baby, they were ecstatic.” She looked at him closely. “They did a good job.”

He thought of Kayla and her long search; how she would never give up, while his mother had eagerly handed him over to someone else. “Convenient for you.”

She stared at him. “You have no idea how hard it was. When you were born, a part of me wanted to keep you. Another part told me how much better off you would be with two parents who loved you.”

Luke looked around the plush office with the word President scrolled on the door. “You did well for yourself.”

“I worked for it,” she said sharply. “And I gave up more than I should have to do it. At the time, I thought it the best decision.”

Luke studied the woman who’d given him birth. She was brittle­—all nerves and tension. He imagined she’d always been like this. Her job had to be difficult. Staying on top in a man’s world couldn’t be easy. Still, she had an easy smile and her eyes glittered with an indefinable emotion.

Suddenly, his animosity vanished. She’d made the right decision. Tom and Rosie Garrett were a wise choice. They’d loved him, and had given him everything he needed to make a good life.

He rose from the chair, stretched out his hand. “Thanks for seeing me.”

“That’s it? You’re leaving? Can’t you stay for dinner? Will you be back?”

He was halfway out the door, Claudia right behind him.

“Another time. Right now we have a plane to catch and a wedding to plan.”

He saw Kayla waiting patiently in the reception area with Sam in her arms. She gave him her perfect smile. As usual that smile made his heart do a little dance.

He took Claudia’s arm just as he reached Kayla. “I want you to meet my fiancé, Kayla Hunter, and our son, Sam,” he said. “Kayla, this is my birth mother, Claudia Larkin.”

“I’m a grandmother?” she gasped.

Luke chuckled. “Seems that way.”

“Your son looks a lot like you,” Kayla said.

“Does he?”

“About my father?”

“Yes?” Claudia said, color rising in her smooth cheeks.

“My dad’s name was Tom Garrett. He was a good man and a great father. Thanks.”

Claudia relaxed. A smile crossed her face. She really was a beautiful woman, he thought.

Kayla tugged his arm. “Ask her to the wedding.”

His brow wrinkled. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

So he did.

Chapter Twenty-Three

They took the afternoon flight out of Dallas and were back in Houston in time for dinner.

“Oh, my poor darling,” Aunt Nester crooned, grabbing for Sam. “What have you been through?” She glanced up at Kayla. “He’s so precious.”

“Let me,” Jackie said, holding out her arms.

Reluctantly, Aunt Nester handed him over.

“It’s so good to be home,” Kayla said as she walked through the house. A Christmas tree piled with gifts hadn’t been here when she left, or the garlands that surrounded the doors and windows. “The house looks wonderful, Aunt Nester.” She sniffed. “And smells even better.” It held the aroma of cinnamon and spices, as if the oven had just been turned off. “What smells so good? I’m starving.”

Her aunt laughed. “About time you got your appetite back. Help yourself while I get my hands on Sam.”

Sam’s tiny face wrinkled. It was close to feeding time and Sam didn’t wait patiently. Sure enough, he let out a howl. Kayla took him and headed for her room. “I’m going to feed him. Luke will fill you in on everything when he gets here.”

“Where is he?” Nester asked.

Kayla left the door open, sat on the bed and fed Sam.

From here she could see and hear everything going on in the living room.

Jackie pointed in the direction of Rosie’s. “He’ll be back.” Then she grinned. “He’s in love.”

Nester’s face lit up. “You think?”

Jackie nodded. “It’s obvious. When they’re together, there’s electricity in the air”

“I wonder what Kayla thinks,” Nester mused.

Jackie chuckled. “She’s crazy about him.”

Kayla gave a soft chuckle. She couldn’t hide anything from Jackie even if she wanted to.

“It’ll take time,” Nester agreed.

“Time for what?” Luke asked as he came in the kitchen door with his mom who put a coconut cake on the counter.

“Time to get a cup of coffee and tell me everything that’s happened since you left.”

Luke laughed.

Sam finished nursing. Kayla laid him down and walked back into the room to stand beside Luke. Reaching down, he took her hand in his.

“Sam’s asleep.”

“I’m going to peek in on him,” Rosie said, and went to do so.

She was back in a minute. “Oh, Kayla. He’s so beautiful.” She hugged her. “I’m so thrilled he’s home.”

“So am I.” Kayla had never felt this good. This was how a real home was supposed to be. Rosie was going to be a wonderful mother-in-law.

“Is the man behind this under arrest?” Jackie asked.

Neither Luke nor Kayla had discussed the case after the first day they’d found Sam. Instead they’d concentrated on Sam, their wedding, and on Luke’s birth mother. Now Kayla realized she wanted to know everything.

“Richards said it’s like uncoiling a ball of twine. The more you unravel, the more there is. Seems that Sinclair’s business was a front for his real activities.”

“Which are?” Jackie asked eagerly.

“A crime syndicate; one with tentacles in almost every state. So far, the FBI has come up with names that link back to dozens of unsolved crimes, some of them years old. The illegal side of his business is where he made the big bucks. The legal side helped him launder it. It was a sweet set-up.”

Kayla gasped. “Did he admit to anything?”

“Of course not. He isn’t stupid. But the FBI has enough evidence to convict him without a confession.”

“What’s the real story about David?” Kayla asked, her voice a mere whisper.

Luke shrugged. “This is a guess. But from everything his parents said, I think he found out about his dad’s real business and freaked. He left home to make it on his own. I don’t think he wanted any part of his dad or the millions he made illegally.”

“That says a lot for him,” Aunt Nester said. She poured coffee, made a pot of tea, and handed out freshly made cinnamon rolls and slices of coconut cake.

“It does.” Luke looked at Kayla fondly. “You wouldn’t have fallen for him otherwise.”

“No. I wouldn’t.”

Luke took her arm, escorted her to the table. “This smells too good to pass up.” He took a bite of the freshly made roll. Moaned his pleasure.

Her heart bursting with gratitude, Kayla followed suit.

“And his parents wanted an heir?” Kayla continued between bites.

“His dad wanted an heir. I’m not sure about the mother.”

“So it’s all over now? Kayla’s safe?” Jackie asked.

“The FBI doesn’t see why not. For once I agree with them.”

“Then the Tanner murder had nothing to do with me?” Kayla asked.

“Nothing other than Sinclair’s crime network handled the killing, and Anatoli was the assassin.”

“Mr. Sinclair is an evil man,” Kayla said. “How else could he order kidnapping and murder so easily?”

“Kidnapping, murder and so much more,” Luke added.

“Was George Graham on his payroll?” Jackie asked.

“I think he was the middleman. Several calls went from Sinclair’s cell to Graham’s private phone. He must have paid Graham in cash, as evidenced by the bills in the killer’s bag, so there’s no trail on this end. You can be sure the FBI will check Sinclair’s end for that connection and much more.”

“Sinclair will go to jail for the rest of his life, won’t he?” Kayla asked.

Luke nodded.

“Is the FBI still on it?” Kayla asked.

“They’re in prosecutorial heaven. They have enough evidence to solve dozens of open crimes. They’ll pass on any pertinent information to the authorities in the affected states and counties.”

Kayla put down her fork, stood and went to her aunt. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

Nester patted her niece on the back. “Now that this is over, you’re not going to take off, are you?” She held Kayla at arms length. “I want you to make your home here with me.” Seeing the look of surprise on Kayla’s face, she added, “Your mother refused this same request. I think you’re different. Now that you have a son to raise, you’re going to need help. Will you think about it?”

Kayla laughed. “Though having a baby in the house would disrupt your life, I’d say yes in a heartbeat except for one thing.”

Aunt Nester’s face fell. “What thing?”

Luke came to stand beside her. “We’re getting married.”

Jackie squealed. Aunt Nester’s face broke into a wide smile. Rosie clapped her hands, looked at Nester. “I have a grandson.”

“Don’t forget he’s my great-nephew.”

All smiles, Kayla turned to Luke.

“But that means you’ll live on the other side of town. Will we ever see Sam?” Aunt Nester cried.

Luke cleared his throat, looked down at Kayla. “Do you think you and Sam can handle a little drive?”

“What are you up to now, Luke?”

“You can’t take them away this soon.” Rosie complained. “I haven’t had time to hold Sam.”

“You’re coming, too. So is Nester,” he explained. “Now get your coats. You’re going to want to see this.”

“I’m off then, but I’ll be back. I want to hold Sam,” Jackie said with a laugh. “And spoil him.”

“You’re going to be his godmother. You’ll have lots of time for that.”

Jackie’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”

Thirty minutes later, they pulled up to a duplex a few blocks from Luke’s house in the Heights. “What do you think?”

“Who’s supposed to answer that question, Luke?” Kayla asked.

“Let’s take a look.” He got out and grabbed Sam’s carrier before anyone could say anything.

Workmen were busy laying new carpet in one side of the duplex, painting walls in the other.

“Do you like the color?” he asked.

“I do,” Kayla said.

“So do I,” Rosie and Aunt Nester said at the same time.

“Good. I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. I found it some time ago. I closed the deal two months before I met Kayla. I’ve been renovating ever since. Or rather, these guys have. They’re almost finished. I want the two of you to move here. You know you need to get out of that neighborhood. Since you’re going to be Sam’s main baby-sitters, you’ll want to live closer.”