Child of Her Heart. Cheryl St.John

the public’s sympathy.

      Veronica’s obvious shame hurt Meredith more than she could say. She’d been surprised when she’d seen her baby, yes, of course. But ashamed? Certainly not. She was tired of fighting her mother on every front and constantly heading off her confrontations and insistence that Meredith sue Children’s Connection. This was her mother! She should accept Meredith’s decisions and love her grandchild.

      Tears stung her eyelids and she determinedly blinked them away. She needed this time away from everything—especially from Veronica. She craved privacy. She was looking forward to peace and quiet, time alone with Anna without pressure or censure.

      For a few blessed weeks, she wouldn’t have to cook or clean; she’d have attendants to help tote and carry. She could see the local sights at her leisure and return here whenever she wanted to put her feet up and do nothing.

      She glanced around the elegantly appointed room. This was just the getaway she needed.

      Two

      The morning news had predicted temperatures in the sixties and Meredith was glad for the unusual warmth. Shortly after her arrival the day before she had discovered a place nearby to rent all types of beach equipment, and she was eager to try out her canvas chair and umbrella.

      The sand was deliciously warm from the sun, and though she knew the water was freezing cold, a few die-hard surfers in wet suits rode the waves onto the beach.

      Anna slept peacefully on a thick blanket under the umbrella, and by late morning Meredith was a third of the way through a mystery novel she’d been wanting to read. She poured herself hot decaf coffee from the thermos, sipped leisurely and her eyes grew heavy.

      “I think her baby’s sleeping.”

      “She’s sleeping, too, Lamond. Don’t bother them.”

      “I’m not bothering them, I’m just lookin’.”

      The soft voices brought her out of her restful state, and she opened her eyes to find two handsome young black boys in jeans and T-shirts peering at Anna.

      “Hi,” she said.

      The oldest boy glanced at her with eyes widened in surprise, but the younger one gave her a friendly smile. “Hi. That your baby?”

      “Yes. Her name’s Anna. I’m Meredith.”

      “I’m Lamond and I’m four.” He held up the appropriate number of fingers. “This is my big brother, Jonah.” He’s seven.

      “Nice to meet you both.”

      “Can your baby swim?”

      With a smile, Meredith shook her head. “Not yet.”

      “I saw babies on TV what could swim,” Lamond said matter-of-factly. “The moms and dads just put ’em in. They had a camera underneath the water so you could see ’em with their little faces all scrunched up.” He demonstrated and giggled. “It was cool.”

      “It sounds cool,” she replied. “I’ve heard of teaching infants to swim.”

      Taking a step back, he pointed toward the ocean. “Maybe you could put her in the water and see if she can do it,” he suggested.

      “I’m pretty sure you’d have to teach a baby in a heated pool,” she replied with a grin. “The ocean’s too cold.”

      “It’s too cold for me,” Jonah said with a shudder.

      “Not for me,” Lamond said, puffing his chest out. “I’m tough. My dad says so.”

      “I’ll bet you are.”

      “Your baby’s real pretty,” he said. “Can I look at her up close?”

      “Sure.” Meredith got out of her chair and knelt beside the baby, peeling back the blanket that protected her cheek from the elements.

      Anna’s rosy lips puckered and she made an instinctive little sucking motion.

      “Aw.” Lamond chuckled. “That’s so cute.”

      Meredith smiled at the child who had captured her heart in record time. She thought everything Anna did was darling, too.

      “D’you live around here?” Jonah asked.

      “No, we’re vacationing.”

      “Us, too,” he replied. “We’re staying at the Lighthouse Inn, but the only lighthouse is on the sign.”

      “There’s a painting in the foyer,” she told him. “We’re staying there, too.”

      “We’re going to see a real lighthouse,” Lamond added.

      “That sounds like fun.”

      “Are you boys bothering the lady?” The rich timbre of a male voice interrupted their discussion.

      Both boys turned toward the tall man who had approached and bent to peer under the umbrella.

      “We’re not bothering her, Dad,” Lamond said. “This is Meredith. We was just lookin’ at her baby, Anna. Isn’t she cute?”

      Khaki trousers and a pale yellow shirt contrasted with the man’s dark skin. The hands he placed on his knees as he bent forward were large, his nails blunt and pink. “She’s a beauty all right,” he replied with a grin. He had an energy and masculine presence that Meredith could almost feel. When he directed his attention to her, his gaze was like a physical touch.

      She waited for censure in his expression…a question….

      “Are these guys driving you crazy?” It wasn’t the question she’d been anticipating.

      His voice melted her senses like hot fudge on ice cream. “Not at all. I was glad for someone to talk to. Anna is a joy, but she doesn’t have much to say.”

      He grinned. “Give her a couple of years and you won’t be able to get a thought in edgewise.”

      “The voice of experience, I take it?”

      He nodded good-naturedly.

      “They’re staying at the Lighthouse Inn, too, Dad,” Lamond said.

      “I guess we’re neighbors, then. Temporarily anyway. Justin Weber,” he introduced himself politely, “father to these two rascals.”

      She raised a hand and he shook it, his fingers warm, his grip firm, but gentle. The simple handshake shouldn’t have given her butterflies in the pit of her stomach, but it did. “Nice to meet you.”

      He released her hand. Immediately, she wondered if there was a Mrs. Justin Weber, but she didn’t ask because she didn’t want to answer questions posed to her.

      “Where’s your dad?” Lamond asked.

      Meredith blinked, but understood momentarily.

      “Her husband you mean,” Jonah corrected.

      “I don’t have a husband,” she replied. It was a relief to be asked an easy question for a change, one she didn’t mind answering. Most people asked probing questions about Anna’s parentage, and Meredith found them offensive and rude.

      “Did he die?” Lamond’s young face took on a sad expression. “Our mom died.”

      The answer to her wondering was a disturbingly sad one and her heart extended even further to the motherless boys. “No, honey,” she said, her voice soft with sympathy. “I never had a husband. I’m sorry about your mom.”

      Her gaze was drawn to the man’s, but his dark one didn’t reveal emotion.

      “We have a nanny,” Jonah said. “She’s sort of like a mom.”

      Not knowing what to say, Meredith simply listened.

      “Her name’s Mauli,”