Baby, Come Back by Erica Spindler Page B

I’ll be here if you need anything.”
    Sheri didn’t respond and Alice thought her already asleep. She tiptoed to the door, stopping when Sheri murmured her name. Alice turned toward the girl, her heart doing a funny little flip at the sight of the teenager under the mountain of blankets. She looked so small and frail. She looked so young. “Yes, Sheri?”
    â€œJeff’s dad...he’s the one, isn’t he?”
    â€œThe one who what?”
    â€œThe one who broke you heart.”
    Alice’s chest tightened, and she struggled for a deep breath. “Yes,” she whispered, “he’s the one.”
    Sheri yawned and snuggled deeper under the covers. “I thought so. There’s something about...the way...you...look at...”
    Sheri words trailed off in sleep, and for long moments Alice stood at the bedroom door, gazing at the sleeping girl. Sheri’s words ran crazily through her head, mocking her.
    He’s the one, isn’t he? The one who broke your heart.
    Why couldn’t she remember that? Alice wondered, flexing her fingers. Was she some sort of a masochist? A glutton for punishment? He didn’t love her. He never had. He’d hurt her so badly she’d thought she would never be whole again.
    Alice shut Sheri’s bedroom door. It had been difficult, but she had pieced her life back together. She had gone on. She would not allow Hayes back into her life or heart now; she would not give him the opportunity to hurt her again.
    She turned and started toward the living room, stopping in surprise when she saw Hayes standing in the foyer. She started to shake. Tonight had brought back the fear and pain of her own miscarriage, the devastation of Hayes’s rejection. And looking at him now was almost more than she could bear.
    â€œYou’re still here,” she said, working to mask her feelings.
    â€œI wanted...to make sure she was okay.”
    â€œShe is.” Alice dragged a trembling hand through her hair, emotion and exhaustion pulling at her. “She’s asleep already.”
    â€œShe’s lucky to have you.”
    â€œActually, I think she’s lucky to have Jeff.”
    Hayes searched her expression. “Maybe I’d better go.”
    â€œYes.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I think that’s a good idea. Just go.”
    He took a step toward her instead. “Alice?”
    She cocked her chin, cursing its wobble. “You’re not leaving?”
    â€œIs there...something wrong?”
    â€œShould there be?”
    He held his hands up. “If you want to play twenty questions and get nowhere, that’s fine with me. I’m out of here.” He started for the door.
    â€œYou wish Sheri had lost the baby. It would have solved your problem, wouldn’t it?”
    He stopped and turned slowly to face her. “That’s nonsense.”
    â€œJust like my losing our baby solved your problem.”
    He stiffened. “You’re tired and overwrought. Get some rest and in the morn”
    â€œOverwrought? I guess so.” She heard the note of hysteria in her voice, felt the tug of exhaustion, and knew he was right. But no matter what she knew to be best, she couldn’t leave well enough alone. “That’s me, isn’t it? Always overwrought.”
    He grasped the doorknob and twisted. “Now’s not the time to discuss this, Alice. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    â€œIt’s never the time, is it?” She followed him to the door and, reaching around him, pushed it closed. “Did you mourn the loss of our baby? The other night you said you were sorry, but did you mourn her loss? Did you grieve even for a minute?”
    â€œAlice— ”
    She balled her hands into fists on his chest. “Why didn’t you comfort me? Would it have cost you so much to be kind?”
    He covered her hands, holding them to his heart. Through his still-damp sweater