Diner Girl by Mary Malcolm

Author:Mary Malcolm [Malcolm, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

With no idea what to expect, she walked over and closed her eyes. Never having been one to expect the best, she did her best to tamp the excitement forming in her belly.

The door clicked, then made a soft sighing sound as it moved over carpet. “Can I open them now?”

“Almost.” He took her hand and led her forward. “Yes.”

Earlier Jennifer thought Mark had been teasing about the pink. But now he took her breath away. It was a nursery for Emma. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes; it was the most beautiful room she had ever seen. Long pink-and-white barbershop stripes ran down the walls. Stuffed animals filled every corner. The crib was made from some beautiful carved wood, and had what looked like hand-sewn blankets, a small pillow, and a bumper around the inside. Under a wide bay window, a baby toy box with the lid open. A completely stocked changing table sat along the wall opposite the crib. It looked to be made from the same beautiful wood as the crib. The highlight of the room: a gorgeous rocking chair next to the crib. There was a quilt folded and set over the top.

Everything looked amazing. Everything looked like exactly what Jennifer would have done if she’d had the means.

She imagined Mark sitting in that chair, rocking their daughter to sleep. Had his adoptive mother made that quilt while she was alive? Or possibly Ruth?

Jennifer experienced a pang of sadness. No way could she offer anything close to this beautiful for her child. Perhaps after Baby Solomon paid off things would be better.

Her words caught in the back of her throat. “Mark. Thank you. This is beautiful.”

He stroked the downy head of their baby and kissed Jennifer on the cheek. “I wanted it to be right. Do you like it? Is it right?”

“It is wonderful,” she said simply. She walked around touching everything. Emma still slept in her arms, but Jennifer told her quietly about all the beauty in her room. About her name stenciled on the walls, and the soft dreamy clouds painted over her bed. Mark had even hung the handmade marionette mobile above the bed. It looked like it’d been custom made for this room. Or perhaps the room had been designed around this mobile.

“I want to show you something else.” He took her by the hand.

“I can’t imagine what else you would have to show me,” Jennifer said as they walked to the room next door. “This is already too much.”

“Just close your eyes.”

She obeyed, though after seeing Emma’s room, she absolutely couldn’t imagine what else he might have to offer. Maybe a toy room, or maybe he’d hired a nanny. Panic formed in her belly. She’d wanted to give Emma up, and now she wondered if he planned on seeking full custody of her daughter.

“Okay, you can open them.”

Not a nanny. Her eyes widened as her gaze swung wildly across the room.

Swallowing, she felt frozen in shock. Words wouldn’t come.

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