The Baby Thief Read online

  “Once a month or so. That’s why I chose Eugene.” Jenna shifted uncomfortably. She and her mother had never been close and she didn’t know why. “You’re giving me the third degree.”

  “I know. It’s a habit.” Eric sat back in his chair. “I still plan to write a story about the robbery. I hope you’re okay with that.”

  Jenna shrugged, not sure how she felt.

  He gave her a sly smile. “Why don’t you want to talk about your mother?”

  “Now you sound like a shrink. ‘Why don’t you tell me about your childhood and the terrible things your mother did to you.’”

  The smile went out of Eric’s eyes. “I never had a real father either, and I’ve been mad at my mom for most of my life.” He stared down at his coffee for a few seconds, then looked up. “But I had a whole truckload of little brothers to love and hate and horse around with, so in that sense I’m lucky.”

  “You are lucky. I hated being an only child. It was so lonely and boring. I have to be careful about saying that because so many people only have one child these days. I can understand why, but I feel sorry for the kids. It’s the pits.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it. Being the oldest, I often wished I didn’t have any brothers. I spent most of my tender years as an unpaid babysitter.” Eric drained his coffee. “By the way, where did you learn CPR?”

  “At the restaurant.” Jenna cleared her throat reminded herself not to think about Arthur and the wet, sucking hole in his chest. “Public service employees have to take CPR classes every three years. I used to think it was excessive, but after last night, I don’t think it’s often enough. I swear I forgot everything I learned, and I’ve taken the class at least three times.”

  “You looked like you knew exactly what you were doing: calm, confident, in control.”

  “I fake it well.” Jenna laughed. “I have to. The restaurant is crazy busy every Friday and Saturday night. Someone has to be calm in the midst of the chaos.”

  “I couldn’t handle it. I’m patient with kids, but with adults…” Eric paused and shook his head. “I expect them to have it together or stay away from me.”

  “Doesn’t the newspaper business drive you crazy then?”

  “It did. The layoff was really a blessing. I now have minimum exposure to the public and its criminally ugly side.”

  “I think I’m getting to that point myself.” Surprised by the intensity of her feeling, Jenna wondered how long she’d been resenting her job. In a moment she knew—since she’d decided to have a baby. Subconsciously, she’d known her management hours would take up too much of her time and personal energy for her to be a good mother to a newborn. The robbery had been the final straw. She wanted out. “I think I’m going to quit my job.”

  “Seriously?” Eric frowned. “Maybe you should take some time off first, see how it feels. Go lie on the beach and soak up sun for a while.”

  “I might do that. But in the long run, I have to find a way to make money at home so I can be a good parent.” Oh dear, why had she said that?

  Eric’s forehead furrowed. “What haven’t you told me? Are you married? Do you have kids I don’t know about?”

  Jenna tried not to laugh. “Of course not. But don’t you think you should have asked me that last night?”

  “I should have, but you didn’t give me much of an opportunity.”

  Her cheeks were suddenly warm. “I’m not usually like that.”

  “That’s good. We didn’t use any protection, and I feel kind of uncomfortable about that.”

  It was not typical of her either. Jenna was more concerned about AIDS than getting pregnant, but she suspected Eric was talking about birth control. She respected his willingness to talk about it and decided to be completely honest with him.

  “I wouldn’t mind being pregnant.”

  Eric looked confused, then angry. Jenna realized what he must be thinking and held up her hands. “That’s not what last night was all about. You have to believe me. I just decided to tell you–” Jenna stopped and took a deep breath. This was harder than she thought it would be, but if they were going to have any kind of relationship, he needed to know upfront.

  “I want to have a baby. I’m thirty-two years old and can’t see any reason to wait. In fact, I’m thinking about being artificially inseminated, but I have to wait for another blood test to come back.” She didn’t like to think about the first one that said she carried a marker for cystic fibrosis. It had to be a mistake. She’d gone to an independent lab in Portland to have another test done.

  Eric looked a bit stunned. “You get more amazing by the minute.”

  “You mean crazy.”

  “No. In fact, I admire your determination. I wish I had the same options you do.”

  “You mean you want kids?”

  “Very much.”

  Was Eric just saying what he thought she wanted to hear? “So what kind of dad would you be?” She smiled to let him know he didn’t have to take it too seriously.

  “I’m not sure, but I know I’d be there. No working late at night or stopping at the bar for a few hours on the way home.” Eric’s voice trembled. “Why have a kid if you’re not willing to be a big part of his life?”

  “I know what you mean.” Jenna wanted to jump up and hug him. He was either completely full of shit or one in a million. They were both quiet for a minute. Jenna’s cheeks blazed as she thought of the possibilities. Physically he seemed perfect: six-two, not much body fat, lots of hair, and good looking. He was kind and sensitive, a generous lover, and even had a sexy little mole on his jaw.

  It had been a long time since she’d been really attracted to someone. She’d had lots of dates and a few short-term relationships, but something was always wrong. Lack of common interests or annoying little habits. No matter what seemed wrong, the real problem was always lack of spark.

  Now the sparks were flying. Jenna’s stomach tightened. She’d probably never see him again. He was just toying with her, trying to get as much material as he could for his story. Oh God, he wouldn’t put all that personal stuff about her in the paper, would he?

  They both started to speak at once, then stopped and smiled. Eric motioned for her to go ahead, but a food server stopped at the booth and asked if they wanted a pastry. Jenna waited while he ordered a cinnamon roll.

  After the food server left, Eric grimaced. “I’m sorry. Did you want one too?”

  “No thanks. I lost twenty pounds last year and have no intention of gaining it back.” Damn! What was wrong with her? Was she trying to scare him off? Why not just show him her high school picture and be done with it?

  “I think that’s great. Did you join a diet group?”

  “I joined a gym, but it wasn’t enough. I finally had to give up all the crap in my diet, the stuff I love the most, like chocolate and potato chips and cream cheese.”

  “I don’t think I could.” Eric suddenly looked sheepish. “Here comes my order. Should I send it back? I feel bad about eating it in front of you.”

  Jenna smiled. Eric was pretty decent for a guy. “It’s okay. But thanks for asking.”

  The food server came and went and Eric dug into his roll. “How often do you workout?” he asked, his mouth full.

  “Every day.”

  Eric raised his eyebrows. “That’s impressive.” He put down the pastry and licked frosting off his thumb. Jenna’s heart skipped a beat. It took her a moment to realize he was talking again. “What motivated you? I mean, to do it on your own?”

  Jenna hesitated. Why should it be hard to admit she was looking for a husband? Especially after telling him she wanted a baby.

  His eyes pleaded with her to trust him and she let out her breath. “The truth is, I’ve wanted a family for a long time. I originally planned to do it right, you know, with a husband and all. But I was getting older and the dates were getting fewer, so it was time for drastic measures. Making myself more attractive seemed like a necessity.”

>   Eric leaned across the table, took her chin in his hand, and kissed her full on the mouth. Jenna’s heart stopped. She closed her eyes and everything disappeared but the feel of Eric’s lips on hers. He was so tender, yet so gloriously male. Where had he come from? When Jenna opened her eyes, Eric was looking at her with an expression bordering on reverence.

  “You’re the most attractive woman I’ve ever met.”

  The man was either a first-class bullshitter or certifiably nuts. Either way, she had to be careful, or she’d fall in love with him the next time he kissed her.

  “I have to go now.” Jenna grabbed her purse, ready to bolt. She had to get out of here. Eric was too intense, too good to be true. He had to be hiding a really major flaw, and she didn’t want to discover it after it was too late.

  “Why so soon?”

  “I run every Wednesday with a friend of mine. We’re training for the River Run.”

  “Oh, no.” Eric rolled his eyes in mock horror. “You’re one of those running fanatics this town breeds like rabbits. More than a hundred people showed up for the event last year!”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “You make the rest of us look bad.” Eric shook his head, laughing. “What is it with you people? I know exercise is supposed to be good for you, but thirteen miles? Why?”

  “It’s fun.”

  “Fun is winning seventy-five bucks in a poker game.”

  Jenna shrugged. “I like being in good shape, knowing I could hike thirty miles out of the woods or run fifteen miles if my life depended on it.”

  “Hey, don’t be offended. I’m jealous. I’ve always wanted to be athletic, but I don’t seem to have the motivation. I admire you more all the time.”

  She blushed and got to her feet. “Like I said, I have to go.”

  “When can I see you again?”

  “Good question. I work most weekend nights. Call me.”

  Jenna almost ran from the restaurant. She felt bad about leaving Eric hanging like that, but she wasn’t prepared for the way she felt. Or the way he felt, or claimed to feel. It was too much, happening too soon. She didn’t trust herself right now. The robbery had upset her more than she realized and she wasn’t herself yet. This was not a good week to start a serious relationship.

  Jenna unlocked her bike and peddled furiously toward home. The wind stung her face, making her eyes water. She missed him already.

  Chapter 6

  Saturday, Oct. 28, 7:10 a.m.

  Jenna woke with a sense of dread. She’d been having bad dreams all week, but this one was the worst. A man with a gun had chased her into a dark tunnel, pushing her deeper and deeper into a maze until she was lost, trapped by sheer rock walls. Jenna forced herself to block out the lingering images and concentrate on the day ahead—the River Run, an event she’d been excited about for weeks. The thought failed to brighten her mood. She rolled over and looked out the window. Early dawn, dishwater gray sky. Depressed, she lay in bed until 8:30, getting up at the last minute to dress for the event.

  Jenna’s anxiety escalated as she made coffee. It would probably rain the whole thirteen miles. Or worse yet, one of her knees would go out and she’d be crippled, unable to run for weeks. She could picture hundreds of people hanging around the park: runners, spectators, street people, and who else? Jenna tried to shake it off. There wouldn’t be any armed men in the park, she told herself. Who would want to rob a bunch of skinny fanatics in neon spandex?

  Jenna stepped outside and retrieved the newspaper. Since the robbery, she’d had a tough time leaving the apartment. Martin Stoltz, Geronimo’s owner, had told her to take a few days off, but almost a week had passed and she still hadn’t been back to the restaurant. She hadn’t really been anywhere since meeting Eric at the coffee shop, except once to the gym. For the first time in her life, Jenna now carried a little can of hot pepper spray her apartment manager had pressed on her. As a tall, muscular woman, Jenna had never worried much about being attacked. Now she felt like a victim and she hated it.

  She hadn’t figured out what to do about Eric either. For now, she’d asked him not to call her, claiming she needed time to herself. The truth was, she was scared. Loving and losing someone like Eric would be more than she could take. Jenna felt paralyzed. She was afraid to let their relationship move forward, yet she couldn’t let Eric go.

  Going through the motions, Jenna grabbed a blueberry bagel out of the fridge and sat down at the table with the newspaper. She stared at the front page for five minutes without comprehending a word. Her head was a mess and her brain jumped from one negative thought to another.

  She pushed the paper aside and poured herself a cup of coffee. It was only after she’d taken her first sip she realized she’d already eaten her bagel. Food had lost its importance over the last year, and eating fast was against the rules. Today she didn’t care. She’d probably drop two pounds during the run. Even that didn’t cheer her.

  As she drank her second cup of Italian brew, her phone rang. Jenna jumped to answer it. As soon as she picked it up, she regretted it. This would be bad news.

  “Jenna, it’s Katrice. I know you’ll be disappointed, but I can’t run with you today.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I twisted my ankle playing basketball yesterday.”

  “Why didn’t you call me last night?” Jenna tried not to sound upset. Katrice, a bartender at Geronimo’s, had been her best friend since she moved to Eugene. It wasn’t right to make her feel bad about something she couldn’t help.

  “I was afraid you’d decide not to run if I called last night. I know you’re dressed and ready now and drinking that killer coffee, so you’ll go anyway.”

  “You know me too well.”

  “I’m sorry. You sound so down.”

  “Don’t worry. I was bummed before you called.”

  “What about?” Katrice sounded surprised. “It’s not like you to get depressed.”

  “Nothing. Everything. I woke up feeling weird.” Jenna started to tell her about the dream, then changed her mind. Katrice was superstitious, even mystical about such things. “I haven’t been myself since the robbery, but I’ll bounce back, don’t worry. I’d better go. Since you’re not picking me up, I have to catch the next bus.”

  “You don’t have to ride the bus.”

  “Yes, I do. I can’t rationalize driving such a short distance by myself, and I’m not leaving my bike in the park for three hours even if it is locked. I paid too much for it to let some junkie with bolt cutters have it.”

  “You’re a bit much sometimes, you know?” Katrice was half serious. Like everyone else, she thought Jenna’s commitment to environmental issues was excessive. “This is about that guy, isn’t it?” Katrice was friendly now, teasing her. “The reporter you told me about.”

  “That’s a big part of it.”

  “Go out with him and see what happens. What if he’s your soul mate and you let him get away? You think you’re unhappy now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Just do it. It’ll make you feel better, I guarantee.” Advice from a person who believed in lucky stars.

  “I’ll see you later.” Jenna hung up, not giving her friend a chance to protest.

  She finished her coffee and headed out the door before she could change her mind. She’d promised herself she would do this and she would, but it had seemed like a better idea at the time.

  * * *

  Eric couldn’t find a parking place within three blocks of Skinner Butte Park. Jogging from his car to the registration table had made his heart hammer like a set of cylinders in the Indy 500. He had second and third thoughts about finding Jenna and attempting to run thirteen miles with her. It seemed feasible the night before when the inspiration hit him during the eleven o’clock news. They’d shown clips from last year’s run—little old ladies and heavy middle-aged men crossing the finish line with big smiles. Eric had been deceived into thinkin
g it would be, if not easy, at least possible.

  He parted with the fifteen dollars anyway. It was a lot to pay for a t-shirt, but maybe Jenna would admire him for trying. If he could find her in the crowd. The women all looked the same in their neon running gear and pulled-back hair. Fortunately, the participants were grouping into categories based on how long it would take to run the course. The serious runners were up front to race against the clock, amateur athletes in the middle, and misfits bringing up the rear.

  He found Jenna toward the tail end of the women’s amateur group. Even in a black t-shirt with no make-up, she was gorgeous. Eric wondered how this woman had made it to thirty-two without some guy snatching her up. Did she have some really bizarre quirk that hadn’t surfaced yet?

  “Hey there,” he said casually as if he’d just happened to bump into her. Jenna jumped, looking frightened.

  “Eric.” She shivered. “You startled me.”

  “Sorry.” Eric touched her shoulder. “How have you been?”

  “All right. What are you doing here?”

  “You know, I’ve had all morning to come up with a good cover story. Yet the fact is, I just wanted to see you and maybe impress you with my new dedication to physical fitness.” Eric rolled his eyes in mock disgust. “But five minutes into this run you’ll hear my heart pounding so hard it’ll scare you, so why pretend?” Jenna chuckled politely but Eric could tell something was wrong. “You seem upset. Is it because I’m here? I know you asked me to give you some space, but it’s been three days.”

  “I’m feeling a little apprehensive.” Jenna chewed on her lower lip. “This is only the third time I’ve left the house since the robbery.”

  “Have you been back to the restaurant yet?”

  “No.” She looked away, then bent down to stretch her quads.

  “Maybe you should join one of those victims’ groups, get some support. I don’t know how you feel because I’ve never had a gun to my head, but I can imagine it has some long-term effects. You should talk to a counselor.”

  A loud whistle blew, signaling the runners to get ready. Jenna turned away without answering. A woman with a bullhorn made an announcement Eric didn’t hear. The crowd of bodies moved forward, a thundering herd of feet hitting the asphalt. Eric had no choice but to move with them. He’d planned to back out at the last minute, telling Jenna he’d meet her at the finish line. But she seemed so vulnerable—so unlike the confident woman in the restaurant who’d tried to save a man’s life—Eric decided to stay with her all thirteen miles, even if it killed him. He laughed out loud.