Twelve Across (25 page)

Let's look forward to the future for a change: ' They did just that.

After long discussions with Leah, Garrick decided that he rather liked the idea of working toward the college degree he d never earned. Baby and all, he managed to study Eor and do well in his finals, paving the way for his acceptance at Dartmouth, which had an excellent Latin department.

"Youl1 love Hanover, " he told Leah. "It's got charm. '

"

" I know I'll love it, but what about you7 don't you miss cabin? " qq"

Totell you the truth, no: He seemed as surprised as she t the answer came so quickly. "I love it up there, but my now is so full that I rarely think of it. I'd like to get a _ in Hanover and use the cabin as a vacation retreat: ' " w That was exaqtly what they did. With Amanda strapped a carrier against Garrick's chest, they looked at every ble home in Hanover, finally falling in love with and ying a small Victorian within walking distance of Garf 'qick's classes. During school vacations, weather permitqqpg , they returned to the cabin. Come June, shortly before ;,qy were to retreat there for the summer, Garrick ap pqoached Lqah with a proposal. *

"How about a trip to New York? "

Her eyps lit up. "New York? "

"Yeah. I knovy you hated it last time you went " I was pregnant and tired and worried, and you weren't with me: Her voice lowered. "Will you go this time? "

"I woh't let you and Amanda go alone, and Victoria has been begging us for months to visit: '

She wrapped an arm around his waist. "I'd love to go, Garrick, but only if you re sure: '

"I'm sure: He winked down at her. " We may even be able to get some time to ourselves: ' Their visit to New York was enlightening in several respects Garrick found that he was relaxed and at ease. Lqah found that though they had a wonderful time, she was ready to leave again when the time came.

Equally as gratifying was Victoria s news. She d heard through the grapevine that Richard and his wife had had a second baby-this one stillborn. And while Leah's heart went out to them, she couldn't help but close her eyes in relief It seemed that Richard's wife, not about to take the tragedy sitting down, had done some research. Richard had been adopted at birth, but she d managed to work through the courts to determine his biological parents-and had discovered that infant mortality had been documented over two generations on his father s side.

"All our worrying was for nothing, " Leah breathed, but Garrick was quick to disagree.

"No, love. The worry may have been unnecessary but it served a purpose.

If you hadn't been worried, you d never have left me and moved to Concord. And if you hadn't done that, I would have stayed at the cabin, where I would be to this day. Think of all we'd have missed : ' She knew that he was right. His self-confidence had beqen fully restored, and his self-respect had taken on new dimensions He d survived the auto accident and found a fresh basis for life, but only since Leah had come had he begun to really grow.

Which was what she wanted to do.. again. "This means we can have another baby " Without worry. "

"But not just yet: '

"Maybe when Amanda s two: ' " we'll go for a boy this time: '

"Horv re we gonna arrange that? "

"There are ways. I was reading an article recently that said-"

"Since when do you read articles about planning a baby s sex? "

"Since the world has opened up to me and I've begun to dream again: '

THROUGH THE YEARS TO COME, Leah and Garrick both did their share of dreaming, each time setting out to make those dreams come true. But during that first summer at the cabin with Amanda, they were too content to do much dreaming The sun was warm, the air fresh, the forest as magniftwelve t and lush as they'd ever seen it. Garrick worked in his , often with Amanda babbling in sweet baby talk e him. Leah was always nearby, often constructing, to send off to her eqrlitor. The crossword from which took the most pleasure, though, was the one that cled the life and times of Leah and Garrick. Now there Amanda to fit into the grid, but doing so was simple. "Aha Garrick teased.

"So thats why you wanted to __ her Amanda. Three a's. You need them: '

"I named her Amanda because I love the name and you the name and because, obviously, she loves the name: '

"She'd love any name, as long. as there s banana ice cream r we call her. "

"I love banana ice cream: '

"So do I. But I love you and Amanda more. Hey-" he r' ".: q:qtudied her puzzle " -have you got it here? " qat? "

"I.ove: '

"Sure. It's all over the place-in every noun, every adjective , every '

"Four letters. Ir0-V E: '

"It's there: '

"I can't find it : ' look doser. "

"I can't find it: '

"Look higher. "

"I cadt find it: ' " To the right : '

"I can't-I can. Ahhhh. There it is.

Very simple and straight to the point. Now that's my qkind of word: ' A SINGLE ROSE

BY

LONDON q SYDNEY q TORONTO