Jessie

Jessie

Sandra McGregor

Copyright 2014 by Sandra McGregor

Smashwords Edition

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Chapter One

The baby's wail pierced her dream and jerked her up and out of the bed before her eyes could open or her mind could clear.

Jess Templeton-Harris had spent the past two years working for Henry County, caring for babies who needed a temporary home and little Missy Alexander was the latest and in some ways the saddest case she'd ever loved.

Within moments, Jess was across the hall, her eyes only beginning to open as her right hand reached forward in the dark to guide her into the child's room. She didn't see, nor did she expect to ram her left shoulder against the doorframe. The blow thrust her back a step and knocked her off balance to bang into the bedroom door.

Ouch. She gasped as her eyes popped open and the momentum propelled her one lurching step into the room. Her fingers grasped the doorknob, holding herself steady while her eyes adjusted to the dim light cast by the night-light in the adjoining bathroom.

The screams intensified, focusing Jess's attention forward to the tiny girl who demanded attention as she kicked and flailed her arms in the crib. Even before Jess reached the side of the bed, her soft voice was already beginning to soothe the fretful infant.

Shh, I'm right here, my poor darling. You must be hungry. She reached down to lift the baby and propped her against a shoulder while her lips brushed against a soft cheek. Come on, Sweetie, she cooed. Her words were followed by a hummed lullaby that slowed the tears as Jess turned and carefully made her way into the hall and toward the curved staircase.

Halfway down, she passed through a wide beam of moonlight shining through the beveled-glass that stretched horizontally above the massive oak front door. The fretting baby squirmed in her arms, but finally began to calm as Jess continued to pat her back and hum. Jess reached up to caress the dark fuzz covering the head that nestled against her neck, while tiny lips rooted near her ear in search of food.

Jess had the routine down, no longer having to think as she cut through the dining room, into the kitchen and over to the refrigerator.

Her grip tightened as she leaned over slightly to take a bottle of formula from the refrigerator and plunked it in the pan of water that always sat on the back burner of the stove when there was a baby in the house.

It'll be ready soon, she told the baby, continuing to sway back and forth. Little Missy, for being just a week old, you have a great appetite--and really great lungs, she whispered, hugging the child closer and kissing the top of the tiny head. Shh, it won't be long now, she comforted, turning just enough to allow the moon's dim light to highlight the soft plains of the baby's face. Jess glanced down at the squirming infant as Missy bobbed her head, her face scrunching in preparation to repeat her demand for food.

Jess rocked, jostled and patted, barely able to keep the child quiet until the chill was off the formula. Come on, precious, she cooed, switching off the burner after testing the milk's temperature on her arm. The instant the nipple of the bottle brushed up against little Missy's lips, she instantly quieted, began sucking and settled contentedly.

With the bottle in one hand and the baby in the other, Jessie turned back toward the stairs.

Without need for overhead lighting, she passed through the shadowy house with the baby cradled in her arm. Halfway up the staircase she hesitated in the moonlight to gaze down at the perfect child cradled in her arms. Two tiny rows of dark lashes rested gently against the baby's cheeks. If only...

Jess tried to push thoughts of her loss to the dark recesses of her mind, but nighttime was the hardest. Everyone told her four years ago that time would heal everything. All she had to do was get on with her life. They were wrong.

How did she move on when she couldn't forget the God-I'm-just-happy-to-be-alive feeling she'd had every time her husband kissed her? Oh, he'd sometimes drank too much, but knowing he was going to be a father had given him that final shove to get the help he needed.

She could still remember the overwhelming joy of being pregnant with his child... but fate had frowned on her happiness. Now, they were both gone. The lives of her husband and unborn child...and therefore a part of herself...ended on a rain-soaked road outside Atlanta.

She blinked several times, sucked in a breath, and then released it slowly while she shoved painful memories from her mind. She looked down at the infant in her arms.

And now I take care of beautiful babies like you, she whispered, nuzzling Missy's neck. She nudged the bedroom door open and eased into the rocking chair that had belonged to her grandmother. She rested her head back and closed her eyes. The mental picture of Grandma Te never failed to comfort her in the sleepless early-morning hours.

Grandma Te had always been a rock...an anchor to her and her older brother and sister. And her home, known in the small Georgia community of Sweetwater simply as Templeton House, had been a safe haven when they were young. Grandma Te was gone, but Jess admired the woman who overnight went from being a grandmother, always ready to spoil her grandchildren, to the role of mother at the sudden death of her daughter-in-law. Who expected a healthy woman in her thirties to die of complications from a simple, routine surgery? What would her father have done without his mother's help?

Troy, Amanda and I were definitely lucky to have had Grandma Te, she whispered to the baby. They would never have survived without their grandmother's hot chocolate, homemade cookies and hugs.

Thank goodness for Grandma Te, she whispered, trailing the tip of her finger across the child's plump cheek.

Jess' face relaxed into a smile as she thought back to the day she, her sister Amanda, and her brother, Troy, sat in the attorney's luxurious office for the reading of Grandma Te's will. It was the first time she'd seen her brother speechless. They jointly inherited Templeton House, several rental properties and more than enough money to take care of the home for years to come. It changed each of their lives forever.

Missy's sucking slowed to an occasional movement of her lips, her body twitching slightly as she dozed. You are so precious, Jess whispered to the child. She eased from the chair and stepped closer to the crib. Her body flinched when the phone's ring reverberated through the house, startling the baby and wrenching a frightened wail from tiny lungs as her small arms flung out in surprise.

It's all right, she soothed, tucking the child against her chest and cuddling her close as she quickly moved into her bedroom to grab the phone. Shh, it's okay, it's okay, she whispered. The phone shrilled a second time, but she reached out quickly and grabbed it mid-ring. Who in the world would be calling her at ...she turned just enough to glance at the alarm clock...almost four in the morning?

Her license with the county permitted her to have only one emergency-care child at a time, so the caller wouldn't be anyone from Henry County. With luck, it was a wrong number...and not her brother or sister. Calls in the middle of the night never brought good news.

Hello?

Is this Jessica Templeton?

The voice on the other end of the line was deep, reaching out to her with a force that insisted she tell the truth and tell it quickly. There was nothing friendly about his voice or his question. Blunt and demanding. A shudder tap-danced down her spine.

Jessica Harris, but yes, originally Jess Templeton.

I'm Daniel Alexander. My boss gave me your number.

Your boss? Her mind didn't immediately register the name. Her heart thudded. Is this about Troy or Amanda?

No. Sorry to call so early, but I'm on assignment-out of the country-and this is the only time available.

Again she glanced at the clock. It was too early. Just as she opened her mouth to ask the man what he wanted, she remembered the agency mentioning that Missy's mother had been Dana Alexander. Daniel Alexander, the infant's uncle, was listed as her only living relative. The man on the phone was the baby's Uncle Dan.

Jess sat down on the foot of her bed, wedged the phone between one shoulder and cheek and rested the baby against her other shoulder. She gently swayed, patting the child's back while she rocked. She never dealt directly with the families. Why are you calling me and not the agency?

I was told that you only keep kids for a few days and I know you've had this kid for over a week.

'Kid?' What a rude way to refer to his orphaned niece. She forced herself to keep her opinion to herself, but her words were forced through pursed lips. Yes, that's right. Are you coming back home in the next day or so? Even she could hear the change in her tone. There was a brief pause before he answered.

No, it'll probably be closer to a week...or so. I need for you...um...I'd appreciate it if you'd keep her with you until I get back.

Another week? Why me?

I don't want her passed around. Kids need stability.

Jess pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the instrument for a couple seconds before grinning and pressing the phone back to her ear. Was this guy for real?

Are you still there?

There was no irritation in his voice. Other than his voice being a lot deeper, he sounded a lot like her grandmother when she had thought one of her grandchildren wasn't paying attention. His voice conjured up a vivid picture of the Hulk-a man larger than life with muscles like boulders. She shivered. Good thing I only have to deal with him over the phone. Yes, I'm here. Um, it's not necessarily up to me. The agency has rules and I don't know...

My boss will clear it as long as you say it's okay with you.

Well, um, in that case, she hesitated, taking a moment to rear her head back far enough to stare at Missy, I guess it's fine with me.

Good. Thanks. Click.

Hey! He was no longer listening. She held the instrument for a couple of more seconds and then clicked off the phone before allowing it to drop on the bed.

Jess eased the baby down into the crook of her arm. I don't want to judge the man, she told the sleeping child, but I'm not sure what to think of your uncle, Little One. One thing's for sure...I feel sorry for you having to be raised by him. He's got quite a nerve...but I'm not the one who'll have to deal with him.

Jess noticed that her normally calm nature changed when she thought about this helpless child's situation. She couldn't help but fume at the thought of that irritating man becoming Missy's legal guardian. So much for her decision to not judge him.

She stood and turned toward the child's room while she ran what little information she'd been told about Daniel Alexander through her mind. All she could remember was that his parents were both dead and he had raised his brother and sister for several years.

Your mama was so young, she whispered, glancing down at the baby. At nineteen I was in college and being a mother was a dream for the distant future.

She'd never understand why mothers died when their children needed them so much, but at least in her case, her father had moved them in with Grandpa and Grandma Templeton. At five she hadn't understood much of what was going on, but she remembered wondering why her mother didn't come home. Unlike poor little Missy, at least she had a few years with her mother...and some memories, although they'd grown hazy over the years.

She leaned over to lay the sleeping child in the crib. It took only a minute to change the wet diaper and remove the protective pad from under the padded rump before she pulled up the light blanket and then stood watching the tiny chest rise and fall.

If I were a betting person...and I'm not, she whispered, I'd say he's never been married and doesn't have a clue how to treat a woman...let alone how to change a diaper. She smirked at the thought of him earning that merit badge soon. She just wished she could be a fly on the wall to watch.

Chapter Two

Two weeks had passed since Daniel's call-two weeks spent writing her latest romance novel, caring for the infant in her care that she now referred to as Missy. She had also spent time vacillating between sympathy for a man thrust into the role of single father to an infant and being irritated that the county would consider, even for one minute, giving a helpless baby to a man who put his job ahead of family.

Jess, are you still there?

She gripped the phone tighter. Oh, sorry, Mel. You asked if I'd heard from Daniel and my mind wandered.

Well?

No, not a word. You know, I just don't understand that man, she confided.

What's to understand? He just needs more time to get his life turned around so he can take on a baby. After all, we're talking about a guy here...a single guy, right?

Mel, you're not listening. She pushed the button to put the conversation on speaker before she replaced the phone on its base and relaxed back into her high-backed office chair. The man's job takes him out of the country for weeks at a time. How in the world can he ever care for a tiny child?

Melody had called her fifteen minutes earlier, stopping her fiction story in mid-sentence, but she didn't mind. Now she sat, staring at the half-finished sentence while waiting for her best friend to answer the question she had asked herself a thousand times. She was anxious to hear what her ever-practical friend had to say.

Jess, it's his job. It's not like he planned on being named responsible for raising a baby. After all, it's his niece, for goodness sake, not his daughter. He didn't exactly have prior knowledge that little Missy's mother would die. Why would anyone expect him to be able to rearrange his life at the snap of a finger for a child who was nowhere on his radar three weeks ago? Cut the guy some slack.

Jess knew Mel was right, but it felt as if her friend was taking the man's side. Okay, she was big enough to admit that maybe...and only maybe...she was being too judgmental and too harsh on the guy. He was probably doing the best he could under the circumstances...but that didn't change the fact that his best wasn't good enough for a newborn baby. But do I have the right to judge?

You know what? You're right. she said on a deep sigh. I'm just tired. Missy had me awake off and on all night. I need to keep focused and stop allowing thoughts of him disrupt my work, she muttered aloud, tapping her fingernail against the side of the keyboard.

Good girl. And now that you mention work, I need to hang up and call Hank's Café to order a sandwich. I got up late and didn't make my lunch and my break will be over in twenty minutes. Oh, remember that bluegrass band they had in the park last year?

Um hum.

They're going to be there again a week from Friday. If you don't have Missy then, why don't we plan to go?

Okay, she said, without much interest.

Don't sound so enthusiastic, her friend joked, laughing. Look, I know you've had Missy longer than usual and that you're a little concerned about her future, but there's nothing you can do about the situation...well, unless you want to return the child to the agency, of course.

No, I don't want to do that. She picked up a pencil and tapped it on the edge of her desk.

Then fine. You have a problem that you can't solve and fretting won't change anything, so just take one day at a time. It'll all work out.

You sound like my Grandma Te.

Where do you think I learned it?

They both chuckled. Yeah, that's true, I guess. But you're right about the guy. He's probably doing the best he can, which is what any of us do, right? Thanks for listening. I guess I just needed someone to tell me what I already knew.

It's good to hear you laugh, Kiddo. Like I said, I know you're concerned...and your concerns are valid, but it's a situation you have no control over. Just go with the flow.

True. Gotta go. I'll talk to you this weekend at church.

Okay. Tell that sister of yours to bring her two little ones in to the toy store one of these mornings. I'd love to see them.

I'll let Amanda know. Maybe I'll even come with her. It'll be a good excuse to take Missy out in the stroller for an hour or so.

Melody started laughing. Maybe you should take up marathon running like Amanda. They make those really snazzy running strollers that glide along.

Yeah right. I don't think so. I'm not into physical abuse.

Don't blame you. Well, take care of that beautiful little angel, you hear?

Yeah. Bye.

She leaned forward to click off the phone and then sat with her elbows propped on the desk. She stared at the computer screen and the unfinished conversation between her hero and heroine, but the words blurred as her mind wandered.

Each of the many baby she had cared for took a tiny sliver of her heart with them when they left after a day or two, but Missy was nearing three weeks old and had been with her since her release from the hospital at two days old. This child was going to take a huge chunk of her heart when her uncle took her away.

Jess shook her head as she again relaxed back in her chair. The county considered a child fortunate when it was placed permanently with a family member. This was the first time she had ever doubted that philosophy. How much attention...or love, would little Missy get from her absentee uncle? The thought of such a sweet child growing up in an environment where she wasn't loved or was continually left by the parent figure when his job took him out of town, or out of the country...well, it just didn't bear thinking about.

It wasn't the first time she'd wished there were something she could do for the baby. If only she could adopt the poor little thing. Of course, that was often a possibility, but she'd always believed it was best for a child to grow up in a home with two parents...and besides, with a living relative who was willing to take her...

She flinched, grabbing the phone in the middle of the first ring. Hello?

Hey, how are things going?

In the past weeks, her older sister's concern and unasked-for advice was beginning to wear on her nerves. Of course, Amanda made valid points about how Daniel was taking advantage of her and how he was using her to take care of his responsibility, but she was tired of hearing it.

Things are fine, Sis. How are the twins?

Growing like weeds. And Missy?

She's good. She held her breath. Here it comes.

I don't understand why the county hasn't found a long-term foster home for the child. You'd think...

I think it's best for Missy to just stay here with me. Besides, I promised her uncle.

Okay, okay. I can understand honoring a promise, but where is he?

I'm not sure. All I know is that he's out of the country. But listen, you don't have to call every day to check on me, you know. I'll be sure to let you know when the situation changes.

There was a long pause before Amanda spoke. I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you. I'm just concerned.

Jess held the phone to her ear while staring at