Cause For Alarm by Erica Spindler Page B

was what Richard called her. Con men and door-to-door salesmen could see her coming. She smiled. “No hard luck stories, no excuses. That Pillsbury Dough Boy is history.”
    That brought a smile to his lips. “Good. Thank you.”
    Blake started out of the office. Kate stopped him. “How was business this weekend?”
    â€œExcellent. Though it would have been even better if we’d had a full stock of desserts.”
    â€œHow did the new kid do?”
    â€œBeanie?” Beanie, so nicknamed because he wore a different hat every day, was the newest member of her crew. And the youngest. She had hired him because she thought he would do a good job and because she feared she might be his only chance at gainful employment. “He did okay. I had Tess stay right with him. Consequently, he made no major goof-ups that I saw and the customers seemed to like him. Not bad for his first shift.”
    Tess, Kate’s other employee, though a good worker, tended to be a bit of a flake. Kate arched an eyebrow. “Tess? Training?”
    Marilyn popped her head into the office. “Kate, telephone. It’s Ellen. From Citywide.”
    Kate nodded, catching her breath. “Thanks.” She picked up the phone. From the corner of her eye, she saw Marilyn nudge Blake. The two eased out of the office, closing the door behind them.
    Kate smiled. All her employees and most of the regulars knew she and Richard were adopting. They also knew what she had been through and how badly she wanted a child.
    â€œHi, Ellen,” she said. “What’s up?”
    â€œGood news.”
    â€œGood news?” Kate repeated, her heart beginning to pound.
    â€œWe’ve got a new birth mother in the program. She’s beginning to review profiles. Yours is one of the ones I’ve selected for her. But before you get too excited,” she added quickly, “you and Richard are only one of several couples she’s initially considering. Although I see you as a good fit, she might not. Be prepared, before this is all over, I’ll probably be showing your profiles to a dozen birth mothers.”
    â€œOh.” Kate took a deep breath, so disappointed she hurt. “I understand.”
    Ellen laughed, but with sympathy, not amusement. “No, Kate, I understand. You have every right to be excited. But I feel obligated to warn you, adoption can be every bit the emotional roller coaster of infertility treatments. You have to pace yourself.
    â€œI know it’s hard,” Ellen continued before Kate could respond. “The waiting is hell and the ups and downs are worse. Knowing that, the best you can do is strap in for the duration.”
    â€œPace myself.” Kate laughed, a bit self-consciously. “You sound like Richard. Relax, he says. All things in their time.”
    â€œHe’s a wise man.”
    â€œI know, it’s just that…that—” To her embarrassment, tears flooded her eyes and when she spoke, her words came out soft and broken. “We’ve waited so long, Ellen. I’ve…we’ve wanted a child for such a long time.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared it. “I’m sorry. You must think me a complete dope.”
    â€œFar from it,” the other woman murmured. “I think anyone who wants a child as much as you do is going to be a very good mother.”
    Kate regained a modicum of composure, grateful for the woman’s understanding. “Thank you.”
    â€œI’ll tell you this, Kate, from speaking with this birth mother several times now, I believe she’s committed to adoption. I sense no conflict in her over whether to parent or give up her baby. And,” Ellen added, “she is interested in you and Richard. You have many qualities that are important to her. With that in mind, I was wondering when you could get your photo album to me.”
    â€œI finished it last night and planned to run it over in the