Kate Little - The Baby Plan

Rachel winced. “How embarrassing. How did he take it?”

Julia couldn’t help but recall the faint blush on Sam Baxter’s cheeks. “He just changed the subject.”

“So what does Sam think?”

“He seems to support the entire situation. The marriage and the goat farm. So it’s three against one. Tough odds for me. Especially since one of my main objections is that I suspect his father wants to marry Lucy just so she can buy him his farm.”

“I guess stressing that point would not be the best way to win Lester’s son over to your side,” Rachel agreed. “Does he know how many times your mother has been married?”

“I tried to tell him, but I’m not sure it registered.”

“Maybe if he knew more about Lucy, he’d be more wary of the situation. Concerned for his father.”

“I thought of that,” Julia said. She also thought how hard it would be to speak privately to him. Something about him seemed to totally unravel her.

“If he’s visiting town for a few days, why don’t you try to talk to him about it? Without Lester and Lucy around, of course. Maybe he’d flip to your side.”

“I don’t know. I might end up insulting him, being suspicious of his father’s motives. Then they’d get married anyway and he’ll always hate me.”

“Well…that’s one scenario,” Rachel said, nearly laughing. “Does this guy make you nervous or something?”

Julia wasn’t sure if it was nervous. Or something. Or all of the above.

“There’s just something about him, Rachel. I don’t know what it is. He’s actually sort of quiet. Doesn’t say too much. Laid back, watching everything…”

“Like legs crossing and sweaters slipping open?”

She knew Rachel was just teasing her and made a face. “You know what I mean. It’s not anything he does in particular. But last night, I just couldn’t think straight around him. Which of course, made everything worse. I’m still upset by all this crazy news. I’m not sure if I’m ready to deal with him yet.”

“I’m not sure if I ever heard you say that about a guy, Julia.”

Julia didn’t answer. She was usually ready to take on anyone. But Sam Baxter wasn’t just any guy.

“It’s not just his looks,” she said finally.

Okay, so he looked like a model in an ad for sexy jeans. Or shaving cream. Or maybe just plain old male virility, since that’s what they were all really trying to sell anyway. All rugged angles and lean muscles and thick, shiny hair. That was part of it, for sure. But there was something more. Not so easy to put her finger on. And dismiss.

“There’s something about him,” she said with a shrug. “I’m not sure.”

Some indefinable vibration she felt every time he so much as looked her way that got her rattled to the core. He didn’t need to say a word.

Rachel stepped over to a display table nearby and started folding a pile of baby sweaters.

“Let’s see,” she said with mock seriousness. “Is it that thing they call…sexual chemistry? Could you, Julia Martinelli, battle-weary veteran of the dating wars, possibly be totally attracted to someone?”

Julia crumpled up the muffin wrapper, leaving half her daily requirement of fiber untouched.

“Of course he’s attractive. I never said he wasn’t. He’s just…not my type.”

Rachel put down the sweater she was holding. “Explanation, please? From the way you described him, if I wasn’t already married I’d ask for his number.”

Julia shrugged. “Well, for one thing, he’s a chef. They’re all drama queens. Believe me. Emotional, high-maintenance types. I need someone more…low-key. Like me. And he obviously has no common sense if he approves of his father marrying a woman he hardly knows. I need to be with someone who’s more logical about things, like me.” She shrugged. “Besides, this whole engagement situation between Lester and my mother makes Lester’s son totally off-limits. I mean, it’s too complicated. It would feel very awkward.”

“I suppose,” Rachel agreed reluctantly. “Awful timing if you ask me. It’s just that I haven’t seen you light up this way just talking about a new guy in ages. Too bad.”

Julia didn’t reply. Was she really “lighting up”? Gosh, that was embarrassing. Even if it was only Rachel.

She didn’t feel missing out on her chance to date Sam Baxter was any great loss. She’d meant it when she’d told Rachel he wasn’t her type. Oh, she could see them getting involved all right. There was definitely chemistry and she had a feeling, they’d get very involved very quickly.

But it wouldn’t last. How could it? They were definitely too different. She was businesslike and reserved. He was creative and emotional. He lived in Boston and she was up here. The distance alone was a big obstacle in and of itself. Even if she was interested.

Which she was not.

Yes, it was tempting.

But she couldn’t afford to waste any more time on romances that were exciting for a few weeks, but wouldn’t lead anywhere. At this stage of the game, she didn’t have time to waste. Her ovaries were on a tight schedule.

She stepped over to the clothing table and picked up a knitted cap with soft little white ears on top. She loved coming into this store—and hated it sometimes, too.

The clothes were so sweet and dear, she could almost cry, picturing a chubby-cheeked little baby in the cap, for instance. Tying the strings under its little chin, not too tight, and not too loose. A baby that would be her own.

But didn’t yet exist.

Would he or she ever exist?

She felt Rachel touch her arm lightly and she put the hat down.

“Julia, I feel for you. You’re in a tough spot. I know your mother. She’s lovable and dear. But difficult sometimes, too. I understand how you feel responsible for her.” Rachel paused. “But…she might need to do as she wants and make her own mistakes, you know?”

Julia felt as if they were talking about a teenage daughter instead of her mother. But she could see Rachel’s point.

“Yes, I know. But it’s hard to watch her keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I mean…one description of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different result. You know, like banging your head against a wall?”

Rachel’s expression was thoughtful. “Well, I guess you could say that’s the same description of trying to find someone to love. Sometimes it does feel like you’re banging your head against a wall. At least, that’s the way I remember it.”

Julia didn’t know what to say. There was no way to argue with the dyed-in-the-wool romantic. Backed in a corner, they always answered on totally unrealistic terms. Julia didn’t think like that.

“I’m sorry, Jules,” Rachel added. “Like I said before, I know you’re in a tough spot. And I’m definitely on your side. So it’s two against three, okay?”

Julia nodded and smiled. “Thanks. I know.”

Julia heard a sharp knock. They looked up to see two women peering through the window. Julia glanced at her watch. “Nine on the dot. They’re clamoring to get in here and buy stuff. I wouldn’t keep them waiting.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t plan to.”

Rachel trotted over to the door and pulled it open, wearing a welcoming smile. “Good morning, ladies. I’ll be right with you.”

Julia had followed her. “I’d better get to work myself. Thanks for letting me vent.”

“Don’t be silly, what are friends for?” Rachel leaned over and gave her a hug. “Call me later if there are any new developments.”

“Fasten your seat belt,” she added. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

Rachel’s answering smile made Julia smile, too, though inside she felt her prediction was bound to come true. It was no laughing matter, these hasty marriage plans and the goat farm idea, to boot.