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And that’s when he knew he was in deep.
He was protective because after knowing her only a week, he hated the thought of her leaving.
IN THE BEDROOM Darcy grabbed the phone from the bedside table where it charged. “Hello?”
“Darcy? Baby, are you all right?”
Relief poured through her. “I’m fine now. Mom, where have you been? I’ve left messages every day.”
“Well—” her mother laughed “—I didn’t check them because we took a little vacation to Vegas.”
We?She knew that tone. “Mom, I told you I was on my way. Please tell me you didn’t—”
“Things happen fast around here. You know that.”
“What things? Mom, what did you do?”
“I got married! Now, I know what you’re thinkin’, but he’s a good man, Darcy. It’s sudden, but I think he’s got sticking power.”
For how long? Before she could ask, she heard the distinct sound of her mother lighting up a cigarette. “I thought you quit.”
“I did, but Arnie smokes, too, and I got started back. You know how it is.”
“Mom, you know how I was with my allergies as a kid. It won’t be good for the baby to be around smoke.” A long pause sounded on the other end and with every second that went by, Darcy’s dread grew. “Mom? You are still planning on helping me with the baby, aren’t you?”
“Darcy, I was, honest. But I’ve been thinking about that a lot and I’ve decided you can’t expect me to pitch in and take care of your problems.”
Take care of herproblems?“Mom, please. Don’t do this. I only asked you to help until I could get back on my feet. Until I can find a job and an apartment. Day care I can trust. I make good money, it won’t take long.”
“You don’t know that. We’re not the big city here and it could take a while before you find something. Which made me think—Darcy, you’re plenty old enough to handle things on your own.”
“But right after the baby is born—”
“You’ll do fine. Why, women used to have babies and go out into the fields to work. Some still do. Having a baby is nothing these days. I’m sorry, honey, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“Mom, you said you would help me. You promised. I packed up andmoved.”
“Don’t take that tone with me. Beggars are beggars and I’ve got enough stacked against me without you being here with a squalling brat and—Look, don’t take this personal and get all upset like you always do, but I never told Arnie I had a daughter, much less that I’m going to be agrand-mother, and I’m certainly not going to tell him now that we’re married.”
Hurt cut deep. She’d always known her mother lacked maternal warmth and depth, but to pretend she didn’t evenexist?
“Arnie’s a bit younger than me, but we get along fine. If you come home and move in, well, I don’t think a new marriage should have that much stress.”
A bit younger?“How old is he?”
“Now, Darcy—”
“How old, Mom?”
“Twenty-eight.”
Her mouth dropped. “He’s only three years older than me?”
“Now do you understand? You’ll do fine on your own, you always have. See if the daddy’ll pay you to keep the baby away from him. Maybe then you could hire a nurse or something if you need one right after.”
Keep the baby away.Like her mother wanted her tostay away.“I don’t want Stephen’s money. I never did.”
Her mother snorted. “If you had his money now, you wouldn’t be in this mess, would you? Darcy, I don’t want to fight. As soon as you get your car fixed, you let me know where you wind up. Send me a picture of the baby at work. Not at home, okay? Don’t forget and mess this up for me. I’ve got a good thing this time. Oh, I hear Arnie pulling in. Don’t be mad, baby. Mama loves you.”
