in closer to Lily, who was now nice and clean and smelling of new baby, a delightful scent if there ever was one.
“I don’t know if that’s possible tonight, Russ. The mood has sort of been broken.”
Coco swaddled Lily as best she could inside the soft white towel, then picked her up, cradling her tight against her chest, her little rosebud mouth suckling the air.
“Not really. I know how we can get it back again.”
“How?”
He leaned in and kissed her with one of those sinful kisses that might have brought her to her knees...if it wasn’t for the warm trickle of liquid that now ran down between her breasts.
* * *
SHERIFF WILSON WASN’T about to drive over to Dr. Grant’s clinic without all the supplies she’d asked for, and then some. He’d taken care of enough babies in his life to know exactly what she needed. Plus, he knew enough about the system to know that the chances of his being able to drop off a baby with the appropriate authorities at this time of night, with all this snow, were slim to none. After he’d changed out of his uniform into more casual wear, he’d made a few phone calls, and the only words of encouragement he’d gotten were keep her warm.
Driving down Main Street was proving to be a challenge, despite his being the only actual vehicle on the road. Even Travis Granger, who maneuvered his red sleigh and Clydesdales, picking up any stranded pedestrians, was having a time of it. The two men nodded to each other as they passed, silently acknowledging that Briggs was in for it tonight.
By the time Sheriff Wilson tried to pull his SUV curbside on Main Street, then trudge up to the glass front door of Whipple’s One Stop and push on the bell that rang inside the Whipple apartment upstairs, he felt the tension intensify in his neck and shoulders. Jet braced himself for what was sure to be the third degree from Cindy Whipple, proprietor and one of the biggest town gossips. Not only was she a gossip, but she had town radar and could usually figure out what someone was trying desperately to hide. She had the uncanny ability to guess exactly what was going on before anyone could tell her the truth.
A sweet woman with a heart of gold, but she couldn’t keep a secret if God came down and asked her personally.
Within moments, a soft light came on inside the store, illuminating the frozen-food section located in the back. Jet and Cindy locked eyes for a moment before she disappeared behind the produce shelves.
When the glass door finally swung open, bells chiming overhead, Cindy Whipple greeted him wearing a fuzzy red robe and matching slippers. Her short white hair stuck out in strange angles, as if she’d just come out of a windstorm, and her horn-rimmed glasses were askew on her wizened face. But her lips were perfectly smeared with red lipstick. Ms. Whipple never went out in public without her bright red lipstick in place. And, apparently, that went for answering the door late at night.
“Sheriff Wilson! What in blazes are you doing out here so late? Did somebody die? Is there a big accident somewhere and you need medical supplies? Because I can give you a deal you won’t believe.”
“No, nothing like that, but is it possible that you could open your store for me? I know it’s late, ma’am, but I would really appreciate getting a few things.”
“I take it this is some kind of emergency, or you wouldn’t be standing here. Are you going to tell me what happened or is it a secret?”
He decided to play along. “Yes, it’s a secret, and I can’t tell anyone about it. Not even you.”
“Me? I’m Fort Knox,” she said with a chuckle.
If only that were true.
“Good, because I’m depending on you not to ask me any questions. I promised I wouldn’t say a word.”
“Absolutely. Not one question. Not a word. My lips are sealed.” She slipped two fingers across her pursed lips, as if she was zipping them up. “Now, what do you need?”
He was hoping he could get out of there without giving her any details. At this point, that was about all he could hope for.
“Baby formula, newborn diapers, a few of those onesies, some undershirts, a couple baby bottles, nipples, a little knit hat and blankets, lots of those small baby blankets,” he told her all in one breath. “Oh, and baby wipes, several containers of baby wipes.”
Her eyes went wide, and she straightened up her glasses. “Now, why on earth are you in here buying up baby supplies?”
“You promised no questions. I’m depending on you.”
“But...”
He tilted his head and gave her a look.
She took a step back and let out a big sigh. “Okay, okay.” Then she quickly went about gathering up all the supplies, placing them on the counter.
After a moment she yelled from across the store, “A boy or girl?”
“Why would that matter?” He knew she was fishing.
“Just want to know if I should pick up blue or pink blankets and onesies.”
“Yellow or green will work.”
“Fine!” she said, but he could tell this secret thing was killing her.
Soon, the counter was littered with baby things. Fortunately, Jet knew enough about newborns to know they didn’t need rattles, teething toys or the high chair she’d stuck next to the counter.
In the end, he managed to get exactly what he needed, even picking up a thermal onesie suitable for winter weather and some sort of soft travel bassinet Cindy had sung the praises of. He’d have gotten a car seat as well, but it wasn’t sized for an infant. Other than that, Whipple’s One Stop truly had everything he needed for baby Lily.
He was just about to compliment Cindy Whipple when she interrupted. “I’ve thought about the expectant moms in town, and I’ve accounted for all of them. I think it’s someone from out of town. Am I right?”
“I can’t say,” Jet told her, swallowing his praise.
“Is it one of our teens? Some poor girl who has managed to keep her pregnancy a secret, even from her parents? I bet it’s Roseland Cooper, or maybe Jennifer Wells...or maybe it’s not either of them. I bet it’s one of them Century sisters, maybe Bess or Dani. Them girls always were wild...no mother to raise ’em and a dad who didn’t value nothin’ but his next drink. Just because they’re of age now doesn’t mean they’ve got a lick of common sense. Neither one of ’em could settle. Always movin’ ’round the country.”
Jet knew the Century sisters well, especially Dani Century, but he didn’t want to think about her now. That was over a long time ago, and bringing up her name only reminded him of a time in his life he didn’t want to relive, especially not tonight.
“They don’t live here anymore, Mrs. Whipple. They both headed out months ago.”
“Oh, that’s right. Time gets away from me,” she said as she bagged everything. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“I
