Free Protecting Her Child by Debby Giusti Page B

her body.
    â€œPete’s dad worked as caretaker on Eve’s parents’ estate,” Sheila said. “He was a surly man, and the Townsends eventually asked him to leave.”
    â€œAnd Pete?”
    â€œWas caught between his father and the woman who had cared for him like a mother.”
    â€œWhat about his own mother?” Meredith asked.
    â€œShe hemorrhaged giving birth.” Sheila shook her head. “We sometimes forget that childbirth can be life-threatening, despite modern medical science.”
    Heat seared through Meredith, this time brought on by the premonition of what could happen. What had Pete said? VHL could lead to complications during delivery.
    Sheila continued, oblivious to the impact her words had on Meredith. “Pete’s mother’s death added to his father’s ill will toward his wealthy landlords. Seemingly, in his mind, only goodfollowed Eve and her family, while his life was mired in misery.”
    â€œSounds like a very unhappy man,” Meredith managed to mumble, trying to focus on Pete’s past and not the medical complications that could compound her delivery weeks from now.
    Sheila raised her brow. “And not one easily prone to show love for his only child.”
    Meredith’s heart went out to Pete, whose youth had to have been difficult. Children needed to be surrounded by affection and goodness, not misery and grief. She knew that only too well.
    â€œPete said Eve’s parents forced her to give me up for adoption.”
    Sheila reached out and rubbed her hand over Meredith’s shoulder. “She was young. Of course, Eve would comply with her parents’ wishes. Her only comfort was knowing her child had been adopted by a loving family.”
    A lump of bitterness filled Meredith’s throat. “Undoubtedly, she thought she was doing the right thing.”
    Sheila eyed Meredith as if hearing the ring of disbelief in the statement. “We all make mistakes.”
    â€œOnly some cause more damage than others.” Meredith ran her hand over her face. “For some reason, I’m feeling a bit tired.”
    â€œWhy don’t you find a comfortable chair in thesunroom and curl up with a magazine. I have some work I need to do in the study.”
    Sheila led her through the kitchen to a delightful room filled with windows that overlooked the garden. Bright chintz fabric decorated the overstuffed furniture in a royal blue-and-yellow plaid that invited Meredith to sit and relax. Something she wasn’t accustomed to doing. While the rest of the house was decorated in period furnishings, this room was country chic and inviting.
    â€œCan I bring you a cup of tea?”
    â€œMaybe later. Thank you, Sheila.”
    Meredith settled back into the plush cushions. She raised her legs onto the matching ottoman and closed her eyes as the bright sunshine poured through the expansive windows.
    Totally relaxed, Meredith let her mind drift. The sound of Sheila tinkering in the study seemed like a natural backdrop.
    Despite her restful sleep last night, Meredith dozed.
    Her mind filled with thoughts of Pete and, off in the distance, a woman whose face was blurred in the haze of the dream.
    â€œMeredith…Meredith…”
    Voices pulled her from her slumber.
    Sheila’s was raised in question. “What are you doing?”
    A man’s baritone—insistent and heavily accented—shouted back at her.
    Meredith rose from the chair.
    A movement caught her eye in the garden. The cold, tight grip of fear clamped down on her heart.
    A man stood on the patio.
    Medium height. Dark hair. Eyes that glared at her through the glass.
    She slapped her hand against her pocket, found her cell phone and inadvertently opened the C ALLS S ENT file.
    Pete’s number was highlighted.
    She punched the green button.
    Sheila screamed from the living room.
    Meredith’s hands seemed stiff as claws, and she almost dropped the small