The Baby Arrangement. Moyra Tarling

in turn had won a scholarship to attend an artists’ college in Seattle. Living on opposite sides of the country, they’d drifted apart. Paula hadn’t been able to attend Faith’s small wedding. The last time Faith had seen her twin had been almost two years ago, at Erica’s funeral. After a brief stay Paula had returned to the East Coast, still chasing her dream of stardom.

      But while Paula’s arrival yesterday had surprised her, it was nothing compared to the shock of having her twin thrust a baby into her arms and beg for her help. At the time, Faith had wondered if by some quirk of fate she’d stepped into a nightmare.

      Suddenly Nicky’s cries grew more urgent, effectively bringing her thoughts back to the present. With quick, accomplished movements she changed his diaper all the while speaking softly to him till his cries subsided. As she gazed down at his cherublike face she noticed for the first time the faint cleft in his chin—a tiny replica of his father’s.

      Snapping the sleeper back into place, Faith lifted Nicky from the dresser, carefully supporting his neck and head. The powdery scent of baby wrapped around her, filling her senses and storming her defenses. Suddenly a barrage of memories, memories of another baby—her daughter, Erica—washed over her. Erica had been born prematurely with a multitude of medical problems, problems that after only five days had resulted in her death.

      Faith bit down on the inner softness of her mouth to stop the moan of pain and sadness threatening to escape. Blinking back tears, she firmly closed the door on the past, a past too painful to revisit.

      Turning, she came to an abrupt halt when she found Jared McAndrew’s tall frame blocking the doorway.

      “Excuse me,” she said, careful to avoid his gaze, unwilling to let him see her distress.

      “I’m impressed, Paula,” he said moving aside. “You looked like you knew what you were doing. Did you take a crash course in child care?” he asked, cynicism in his voice.

      Faith made no reply as she headed for the kitchen.

      “So tell me, who owns the house?” Jared asked as he followed her down the hall. “Is it one of your actor friends...or an old lover, perhaps?”

      Faith ignored him. Grabbing a tea towel off the counter, she retrieved the bottle of formula from the sink. Continuing into the tiny living room, she sat down in front of the bay window in the rocking chair she’d bought during her own pregnancy.

      With practiced ease she tested the temperature of the milk on the inside of her wrist Nicky was growing increasingly fretful, squirming in earnest now, undoubtedly aware nourishment was close at hand. Faith nestled the baby firmly against her breast, and in a matter of seconds his eager mouth found the bottle’s nipple.

      Closing her eyes, Faith drew a steadying breath. As she gently rocked back and forth she listened to the soft sucking sound Nicky made, a noise she’d never thought to hear again, and one that made her heart ache anew.

      After a few moments Faith ventured to open her eyes. The baby’s father had followed her into the living room and was slumped in the big old armchair opposite, eyes closed and a look of exhaustion on his face.

      She let her gaze travel over his arresting features; the wide intelligent forehead, the straight nose, the mouth that was full and sensual, hair as black as ebony and the attractive cleft in his chin that Paula had mentioned.

      Dropping her gaze to the sleeping child once more, Faith let her thoughts drift back to the events of the previous night. Why hadn’t Paula warned her to expect the baby’s father?

      

      “I’ve made such a mess of things,” Paula had said, carrying the stroller and diaper bag inside. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

      Faith had swallowed the hard lump of emotion clogging her throat. “The baby’s yours?” She’d felt foolish posing the question, but she hadn’t even known her twin was pregnant.

      “Yes, he’s mine,” Paula had confirmed with a heavy sigh, and Faith had heard neither pride nor joy in her sister’s voice. “It wasn’t supposed to happen,” her twin had continued, annoyance echoing in every word. “I forgot to take a few pills...that’s all.”

      “That’s all,” Faith repeated, and lifted her gaze to meet Paula’s, wondering if her sister ever thought about the consequences of her actions.

      “You’re not going to start lecturing me or anything, are you?”

      “No, I’m not going to lecture you,” Faith assured her, suddenly blinking away the moisture clinging to her lashes. “Mom and Dad must be thrilled...” she went on, and immediately caught the look of guilt that flashed in her sister’s eyes.

      “Haven’t you told them?” Faith asked as she followed Paula into the living room.

      “No, I haven’t told them,” Paula confessed. Dropping into the armchair, she glanced up at Faith. “I haven’t told anybody. I couldn’t—” She stopped abruptly. “Not after what you went through with Erica,” she added, her voice trailing off.

      “I see,” Faith responded softly, surprised and touched by her sister’s thoughtfulness.

      Glancing at her twin, Faith noted the paleness of her sister’s features, as well as the anxiety tugging at her mouth.

      “So, tell me. What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?” Faith asked as she lowered herself with the baby into the love seat facing the granite fireplace.

      “It’s complicated...” Paula replied, not quite meeting Faith’s eyes.

      “When hasn’t your life been complicated? You thrive on complicated,” she added in an attempt to coax a smile from her twin.

      Paula flashed her a fleeting grin. “I know. But this time, well...this time I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew,” she concluded with a sigh.

      Faith remained silent, knowing from experience it was futile to ask questions. Paula, if she felt so inclined, would explain in her own sweet time.

      “How old is the baby?” Faith asked as the subject of her question began to wriggle in her arms. “And if I’m not out of line...who’s the father? Anyone I know?”

      “The baby was born September fifteenth.”

      “That’s just two weeks ago. And the father?” she prompted.

      Paula leaned back in the armchair. “His name’s Jared McAndrew. He’s not an actor, if that’s what you’re thinking,” she added. “Well, his mother was an actress, but that doesn’t count.”

      “Not an actor... Now, there’s a twist,” Faith commented dryly.

      Paula’s grin appeared again. “He’s a lawyer, if you must know.”

      “A lawyer!” Faith pretended to be shocked. “How on earth did you get involved with a law-year?”

      “I met him through a mutual friend. At first I thought he was an actor. He’s certainly handsome enough, with gorgeous blue eyes, dark brooding looks and a cleft in his chin that’s very sexy.” She lapsed into silence, a small smile tugging at her mouth.

      Faith waited for her twin to say more, but she appeared to be deep in thought. “Has the baby got a name?” Faith finally asked.

      “Yes. His name is Nicholas Preston McAndrew. I named him after Grandpa Preston,” Paula answered, her tone softening a little with sentimentality as she spoke of their own beloved grandfather. “He’s much too little to be called Nicholas, so I just call him Nicky.”

      “Grandpa would have been proud and pleased,” Faith replied, still finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the baby in her arms actually belonged to her sister. Marriage and children had always been high on Faith’s list of goals, but nowhere on Paula’s.

      “Does the nonactor, not-in-show-business lawyer know he’s a father?”