Judy Christenberry - The Texan's Tiny Dilemma

He would do well to remember that, he told himself.

Evelyn, undeterred, was continuing to grill Teresa. “But how can you manage without a father for the baby?”

“Mom managed to raise the three of us without having a father in the house,” Tommie pointed out.

“Oh, I forgot that,” Evelyn said. “Probably because I always think of Joel as a part of the family.”

Ann cleared her throat. “Well, actually, Joel and I have an announcement of our own, if you all don’t mind.”

Joel stepped closer to the slim blond woman, still beautiful in her fifties. His gaze sought out the triplets as he said, “Ann has agreed to m-marry me—if you have no objections.”

All three of Ann’s daughters jumped to their feet and hugged the newly engaged couple. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” Teresa said, a sentiment echoed by the others.

“I told him you’d be happy for us,” Ann said, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Of course we are,” Teresa managed through her smile. “And now my baby will have a granddad…if you don’t mind, Joel.”

The soft-spoken, gentle man stammered, “I—I’d be delighted!”

Jim stood quietly by while congratulations were offered, but his mind was not on Ann Tyler’s upcoming nuptials. He was still back on the announcement of Teresa’s pregnancy.

His eyes bored into her as he bluntly asked, “When is the baby due?” He couldn’t get his brain to stop working, thinking, calculating.

Without looking at Jim, Teresa answered, “In about four months, give or take.”

Four months…That put the conception somewhere around Pete and Tommie’s wedding. He remembered the man who had escorted Teresa to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, If he remembered correctly, he didn’t like the guy much. He was awfully…handy. His hands were all over Teresa.

Before Jim could pursue the line of questioning, Tommie told everyone to take their seats for dinner. It was probably just as well. He needed the time to remind himself that this was none of his concern.

“And we have seats assigned, so be sure you’re in the right place!” she added with a chuckle. “We found these cute place cards a couple of weeks ago. I couldn’t wait to use them.”

Jim found his name between Tabitha and Tommie at one end of the table. At the other end was Teresa, next to Pete. He couldn’t have been any farther away from her. When his mother asked if she knew the sex of the baby yet, he had to lean forward to catch her answer.

“I’m going to the doctor on Wednesday for my sonogram. I can find out then,” she said. “I haven’t decided if I want to know yet.”

Both her sisters protested. “Oh, no, we have to know so we can decorate the nursery in the right colors!” Tommie exclaimed.

“Yeah, and if it’s a girl, we can buy some of those cute little outfits!” Tabitha added.

“Girls,” Ann said quietly, “Teresa is in charge of her pregnancy. She gets to make the decisions.”

Teresa laughed. “It’s all right, Mom. They’re probably right. I just haven’t decided.”

“How long are you going to teach?” Jim asked.

“Oh, um, I’m not teaching. I took a sabbatical.”

“Then who’s taking care of you?” Jim asked, forgetting to stay uninvolved at her shocking statement.

“I’m taking care of myself and my baby, Jim. And as much as I appreciate all your concerns,” she said, addressing everyone at the table, “I’m managing just fine.”

“Do you have any contact with the father?” Jim asked, his voice husky.

Teresa gritted her teeth and stared at Evelyn, who was seated across from her. “No, no contact!”

Pete reached over and patted her hand. “I think we’ve all got the message now, honey. No one will ask that question again.” Since he accompanied his words with a determined stare at his brother, Jim backed down.

They lingered around the dinner table even after the dessert had been eaten, talking, exchanging news and discussing plans.

“Oh, by the way,” Tommie asked in a lull in the conversation, “have you started decorating the nursery yet, Teresa?”

“Not yet. I’ve been using the other bedroom as a study. I’ll have to move everything.”

“Just remember that you mustn’t do the painting.”

“I think that’s an old wives’ tale. They have safe paint now,” Teresa said.

“Maybe we should have a workday one Saturday and—”

“No!” Teresa’s empathetic response interrupted Tommie. “Thank you, but I’ll get it done in plenty of time, I promise.”

Silence followed her response.

“I really do appreciate all the support, and I may make mistakes, but I want to learn the hard way, I guess.” Teresa looked around the table, an anxious look on her face.

“I’m sure you’ll manage,” Jim said and received a warm smile in return. The first nice smile she’d awarded him since he’d told her he wouldn’t be dating her anymore.

Good thing she wasn’t a mind reader. Because as much as Teresa said she didn’t need anyone, Jim knew she did. And he knew just where to look for help. He’d remembered the guy she’d been with at the wedding. His name had been Roger something, and he was a teacher at the same school where Teresa had taught kindergarten.

Jim intended to find the man. If nothing else, the creep would pay for having abandoned Teresa and his baby. Jim would see to that.

When the final dismissal bell rang on Monday at the elementary school where Teresa had taught kindergarten, the school erupted as students headed for happier pursuits.

Jim entered the office.

“May I help you, sir?” an elderly lady said from behind the counter.

“Yes, I hope so. This is embarrassing, but yesterday I ran out of gas and I was broke. This guy loaned me ten dollars and told me he was a teacher here. His first name was Roger, but I forgot his last name. I want to pay him back. Do you have anybody here by that name?” He used his most charming smile.

“Oh, that would have to be Roger Arnsby. He’s the sweetest thing!” the grandmotherly woman said.

“Yes, of course. How could I have forgotten—Arnsby. What room is he in?”

“His room is one-oh-seven, just down the hall, but you’ll have to sign in if you want to see him.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Jim signed the visitor log and left the office. He quickly found the correct room. He rapped briefly on the door and stepped forward to face the man behind the desk.

He hurriedly stood and looked at Jim. “Can I help you?”

“Perhaps. We met at my brother’s wedding in July.”

“Oh, right, Teresa’s sister’s wedding,” the teacher said with a relieved smile. “I knew you looked familiar.”

“Oh, you remember Teresa?” Jim asked grimly.

The man frowned. “Of course I remember her. She’s a friend.”

“Seen her lately?”

“No, I called her in September to go get a cup of coffee. You know, touch base with her, but she was busy.”

“Guess what she was busy with.” Before Roger could answer, Jim continued, “She was throwing up because she’s pregnant.”

“Did you come here to tell me that?”

“I came here to tell you because she doesn’t have a brother to inform you.”

“Why would she need a—Wait just a minute! Are you implying she’s pregnant with my baby?” Roger demanded, his voice rising close to hysteria.

“Glad to see you got my meaning. Now, I’m not sure Teresa wants you in her life, and that’s her choice. But you owe her some financial support for your child.”

“But I’m not the father of her child.”

“Oh, really? How do you know?”

“I know because Teresa and I are friends. I never had sex with her.”

“You seemed pretty hot and heavy at the rehearsal dinner and wedding,” Jim reminded him.