Heart of Texas Vol. 3 (22 page)

“You must be Amy,” Dovie said, crossing the room to greet them. “Welcome to my shop.”

“It's…beautiful.” Amy couldn't stop looking around.

“I've made us tea,” Dovie said, and they followed her to a table at the far side of the room.

Frank watched Amy carefully and Wade saw her meet his gaze without flinching or visible discomfort. He sensed she had nothing to hide, and for that Wade was grateful. Situations such as this held the risk of problems; one of his fears was that Amy was running away, possibly from the father of her unborn child. But despite the potential for trouble, he wanted to help her.

Frank waited until everyone had a cup of tea before he mentioned his idea.

“You mean to say you'd let me live in your home?” Amy sounded incredulous. “But you don't even know me.”

“Are you hiding something? Is there anything in your background we should know?” Frank asked.

“No,” she was quick to inform them, here yes wide and honest.

“I didn't think so.” Frank's features relaxed into an easy smile. “Actually, having you stay there helps us, too. I won't need to worry about the house sitting empty, and you'll have a place to live until you've sorted out your life and made some decisions.”

“I…I don't know what to say other than thank you.”

Wade could see that Amy was overwhelmed by the Hennesseys' generosity and trust.

“I won't disappoint you,” she said as if making a pledge.

“Just so you'll know exactly what's expected of you, I thought we should sit down and put everything in writing. I don't want there to be room for any misunderstanding.”

“I'd like that,” Amy concurred.

“Do you want to see the house?”

“Please.”

Wade stood and checked his watch. “Give us thirty minutes.

Amy needs to talk to Ellie first.”

“Fine, I'll see you then.”

Wade escorted Amy out of the shop and down the street to Frasier Feed. Ellie's father had died the year before, and Ellie had taken over the business. He knew that Glen had been helping her with the paperwork, but it had become an increasingly onerous task. Ellie was finding that it required more time than she could spare.

Ellie met them on the sidewalk outside the store.

“This is Amy Thornton,” Wade said, introducing the two women. “Amy, Ellie Patterson.”

“Hi,” Ellie said, her greeting friendly. She gestured to the chairs by the soda machine. They all sat down, although Wade wasn't sure he was really needed for this interview.

“If you don't mind, I have a few questions,” Ellie said.

“All right.” Amy stiffened a little, obviously unsure what to expect.

Ellie asked about job experience and Wade was glad of the opportunity to listen in. He was pleased to learn Amy had worked for the same employer for almost seven years. She'd started with the company as part of a high-school training program and had stayed on after graduation.

Wade remembered Frank telling him that her former employer had given her a glowing recommendation.

“Seven years.” Ellie seemed impressed. She asked a series of other questions and took down references and phone numbers. Wade watched in amazement as almost instant rapport developed between the two women.

“Could you start on Monday?” Ellie asked.

“You're offering me the job?” Amy's voice quavered. “Now? Already?”

“Does that surprise you?”

“I'm…shocked. And thrilled. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Tears gathered in her eyes and she stopped for a moment to compose herself before she continued. “Your store,” she said, having a hard time getting the words out. “It's one of the reasons I got off the bus.”

“I don't understand,” Ellie said.

“It looked so friendly, like your customers were also your friends.”

“My customers
are
my friends,” Ellie said. “I'm hoping we can become friends, too.”

A smile lit up Amy's face. “I'd like that very much.”

Wade grinned in delight. This was working out perfectly. Within hours of arriving in Promise, Amy Thornton had a job and a place to live. Frank, Dovie and Ellie reaffirmed his belief in the basic goodness of most people.

Once they were back in the car, Wade drove to Frank's house and pulled into the driveway.

Amy glanced at him. “This is the house?”

Actually it was more of a cottage, Wade thought. Cozy and comfortable-looking.

“You really are a miracle worker, aren't you?” she said in apparent awe.

“A place to live and a job. Hey, no problem,” he said, snapping his fingers like a magician producing a rabbit out of a hat. “No problem at all.”

“I don't think finding a father for my baby is going to be as easy,” she said, climbing out of the vehicle.

A father for her child. Wade had forgotten about that.

D
R
. J
ANE
P
ATTERSON HAD A
gentle way about her, Amy thought as she dressed. The examination had been her most comfortable to date. From the moment she learned she was pregnant, Amy had faithfully taken her vitamins, made regular doctor's appointments and scrupulously watched her diet. Her one fear was that her baby would feel the tension and stress that had been her constant companion these past six months.

There was a light tap on the door, and Dr. Patterson entered the examination room.

“Is everything all right with the pregnancy?” Amy asked immediately.

“Everything looks good. From what I could tell, the baby is developing right on schedule,” Dr. Patterson said. “I don't want you to worry. Continue with the vitamins and try to get the rest your body needs.” She sat down across from Amy, leaned forward and gave her a reassuring pat on the hand. “I'm going to be starting a birthing class in the next couple of weeks and was wondering if you'd care to join.”

Amy bit her lip. She'd like nothing better than to attend this class, but it probably required a partner, someone who'd be willing to coach her through labor and birth. Unfortunately, being new in town, she didn't know anyone she could ask.

“There are several women in the community who are entering their third trimester,” the doctor went on.

“Will I need a partner?”

“It's not necessary,” she said, and Amy saw compassion and understanding on the doctor's face. “You don't need to decide just yet,” she added. “As I mentioned, the class won't start for a couple of weeks, but if you're looking for a partner, I suggest you ask Dovie Hennessey. She took me under her wing when I first arrived in Promise. I didn't know anyone and had trouble making friends.”

“You?” Amy could hardly believe it.

Dr. Patterson laughed lightly. “Oh, Amy, you wouldn't believe all the mistakes I made. I felt so lost and lonely. Dovie made me feel welcome and steered me toward the right people. She's wonderful.”

Amy lowered her gaze, embarrassed that she was reduced to accepting charity and relying on the kindness of strangers. “Did you know I'm staying in Sheriff Hennessey's house?” she asked.

“I heard you're house-sitting, if that's what you mean.”

It puzzled Amy that she could have stepped off the bus in a town she didn't know existed and be welcomed as though she were long-lost family. Half the time she was left wondering when she'd wake up to reality. Wade McMillen had jokingly said he was a miracle worker, and so far, he'd proved himself to be exactly that. A week later, her head still spun at the way he'd gone about finding solutions to her problems.

“Would you like me to put your name down for the birthing class?” Dr. Patterson pressed.

“Yes, please,” Amy said. It seemed that the people of Promise, Texas, had made room for her in their community and in their hearts. “I'll think about asking Dovie…” She hated to request yet another favor. Besides, she couldn't see what would prompt a busy woman like Dovie to agree, especially when she and her husband were already doing so much for her. Dr. Patterson seemed to think it was a good idea, though, and Amy wouldn't mind becoming friends with the older woman. Everyone she knew was back in Dallas. Her friends, her colleagues and, of course, her mother. Alex hadn't liked her seeing anyone else, even girlfriends, and over time she'd lost contact with quite a few people.

“Dovie will be thrilled if you ask her,” the doctor was saying.

Amy stared at her. “Dr. Patterson, I don't know—”

“We don't stand on formality here,” the other woman interrupted. “You can call me Jane—Dr. Jane if you prefer.” The accompanying smile was warm.

“You'll let me know when the classes start?”

“Jenny has the sign-up sheet out front. Give her your name and she'll make sure you're notified before the first class. And while you're speaking to Jenny, go ahead and schedule your next appointment for two weeks.”

“Two weeks?” The doctor in Dallas had seen her only once a month. “There's something wrong you're not telling me about, isn't there?”

“Relax, Amy, everything looks perfectly fine. You're healthy and there's nothing to indicate anything's wrong with the baby.”

“Then why?”

“You're entering the third trimester, and it's normal procedure to see a patient every two weeks until the last month, when your visits will be weekly.”

Amy relaxed. Generally she didn't panic this easily, but so much had already happened that she couldn't help worrying.

“I'll talk to Jenny on my way out,” she promised.

“If you have any questions, I want you to call me day or night, understand?” Jane wrote the office phone number on a prescription pad and handed it to Amy. “This is my pager number if the office is closed and it's not an emergency.”

“Thank you.” Amy's voice shook. She felt overwhelmed by the fact that strangers cared about her and her unborn child when her own mother's reaction had been just the opposite. She'd called Amy ugly horrible names. Alex, the man she was convinced she loved beyond life itself, had shown exactly the kind of person he was when she told him about the baby. He didn't want his own child! People she loved, trusted, had turned their backs on her, and instead a community of strangers had welcomed her with open arms, taken her in, given her the help she needed.

“You'll talk to Dovie then?” Jane said as Amy prepared to leave.

Amy inhaled a stabilizing breath and nodded. “I'll do it right away.” Before she lost her nerve or changed her mind.

Since she wasn't expected at the feed store until noon, Amy walked over to Dovie's after she'd left the doctor's office. She tried to convince herself that what Jane had said was true—that Dovie would be delighted to attend the classes with her.

Birthing classes. In three months Sarah would be born. Three months! This shouldn't have come as any shock. But it did. She had so much to do to get ready for the baby. She hadn't even begun to buy the things she'd need. Baby clothes, a crib, a stroller. Her heart started to pound at the thought of everything that had to be done and the short time left in which to accomplish it all.

Amy pushed open the door to Dovie's store and the bells above the entrance jingled lightly.

“Well, hello, Amy,” Dovie greeted her from across the room. She was arranging freshly cut red roses in a crystal vase. “Aren't these lovely?” she murmured, pausing to examine one bud more closely. “Savannah Smith came by with Laura earlier this morning and brought me these.”

“They're beautiful.” Amy swore that if Dovie hadn't been alone just then, she would have abandoned her mission.

“How are you feeling?” Dovie asked.

“Great. I'm enjoying working with Ellie.”

“From what Ellie said, you're doing a fabulous job.”

Amy was unable to stifle a smile. She'd started her job that Monday afternoon and had spent the first two days organizing Ellie's desk. It was abundantly clear that Ellie had been putting off too much of her paperwork. This job wasn't a fabricated one; Amy was convinced of that. Frasier Feed genuinely needed a bookkeeper and more. Her organizational skills had given her the opportunity to show Ellie how much she appreciated the job.

“Ellie's a wonderful employer.”

“After your first day she told me she wondered why she'd delayed hiring someone.”

Amy had wondered that herself, but didn't think it was her place to ask. If anything, she was grateful Ellie had waited; otherwise there wouldn't have been an opening for her.

“I just finished seeing Dr. Patterson for the first time,” Amy said.

“Isn't Jane terrific?” Dovie's question was asked in an absent sort of way, more comment than inquiry. She added another perfectly formed long-stemmed rose to the arrangement.

“Yes…She mentioned she's starting a birthing class in a couple of weeks.”

“Caroline Weston's due around the same time as you.”

Amy wasn't entirely sure who Caroline was. A friend of Dovie's apparently.

“I'm going to need a birthing partner,” Amy blurted out, thinking if she didn't ask soon, she never would. “Dr. Patterson…Dr. Jane assured me I could attend the class alone, but then she suggested I ask you to be my partner.” She dragged a deep breath into her lungs and hurriedly continued, “I realize it' s an imposition and I want you to know that I…” She let her sentence drift off.

Dovie's hand stilled and she glanced up, her eyes wide. With astonishment? Or perhaps it was shock; Amy didn't know which. Her initial reaction had been accurate. Asking something this personal of someone she barely knew, someone who'd already helped her so much, was stepping over the line.

“An imposition,” Dovie repeated. “Oh, no, not to me. Not at all. I'd consider it an honor.”

“You would? I mean, Dovie, you and Frank have done so much for me and the baby. Letting me stay in his house…I can't tell you how grateful I am. Thank you. Thank you.” If she didn't leave soon, Amy feared she'd embarrass herself further by bursting into tears.

“Just let me know when the first class is scheduled, all right?”

Amy nodded. “Jenny said she'd have all the information for me at my next appointment.”

“We'll make a great team.” Dovie's eyes gleamed with confidence; she gave every indication of being delighted that Amy had asked her. Just like Dr. Jane had said.

Amy had almost stopped believing there were good people left in this world, and then she'd stumbled on a whole town of them.

D
ENISE
P
ARSONS HAD NEVER
been friendly with Louise Powell. The woman enjoyed gossip and meddling far too much. The minute Louise entered the café, Denise could tell she wanted something—and she sincerely doubted it was the French-dip luncheon special.

Sighing with resignation, Denise filled a glass of water and reached for a menu, then approached the booth.

“Hello, Denise,” the other woman purred.

Yup, she was after some juicy gossip all right, but Denise hadn't a clue what it might be. Well, whatever Louise hoped to learn had brought her into the bowling alley on a Thursday afternoon, which was highly unusual.

“Hello.” She returned the greeting with a certain hesitation. She didn't enjoy being a party to Louise's type of friendship. “What can I get you?”

“Coffee would be great.”

“Would you like anything with that?” Tex had been after her to push desserts. With one of the ranchers she might have suggested a slice of rhubarb pie, but personally she preferred to have Louise in and out of the café in record time.

“I understand you were the first one to speak with that new gal in town,” Louise said, instead of answering Denise's question.

Denise wasn't sure who she meant.

“The pregnant one.”

So Amy Thornton was the reason for this visit. Denise hadn't noticed Amy was pregnant until she'd stood up to leave. Louise stared at her, anticipating an answer. “Yes, I talked to her.” She couldn't see any point in denying it. “Did you say you wanted anything with the coffee?” she asked again.

“Nothing.” Louise righted her mug and gazed up expectantly.

Denise wasn't about to let the town busybody trap her into a lengthy and unpleasant conversation; she promptly disappeared. She was back a minute later with the coffeepot and a look that suggested she didn't have anything more to add.

Oblivious to anything but her own curiosity, Louise was ready and waiting. “What did she say?”

“Who?” Denise asked, playing dumb.

“That unwed mother,” Louise snapped.

“She asked about the breakfast special.”

Louise's eyes narrowed. “Did she mention the baby's father?”

Setting the coffeepot down on the table, Denise leaned closer as though to share a secret. “She did say something interesting.”

The rhinestones in the older woman's hat sparkled as she scooted closer to the end of the booth. “What?”

“She asked…” Denise paused and looked both ways.

“What?”

“If we served sourdough bread.”

The keen interest in Louise's eyes changed to annoyance. Her back went stiff and she straightened, moving away from Denise, implying that it didn't do her image any good to be seen associating with a waitress. “I can see we have nothing more to discuss,” Louise said primly. “And furthermore, this coffee tastes burned.”

“I made a fresh pot less than thirty minutes ago.” Denise had a son in junior high, a kid with attitude. If she wanted someone to insult her and question her abilities, she could get it at home; she didn't need to go to work for it.