Eclipse of the Heart - By Carly Carson Page 0,82

expecting anyone?" Mrs. MacDonald asked.

Amanda laughed. "Have I had any visitors yet? I don't think today is my lucky day."

Mrs. M. carried in the white FedEx box which was addressed to her. "Another surprise," she said comfortably. "The man has style."

"You don't know what it is," Amanda pointed out. She didn't want to acknowledge that her own heart had sped up a little in anticipation.

As soon as the package was open, she recognized the distinctive, almost-turquoise Tiffany blue of the box. A thick white satin ribbon was tied around the box with a perfect bow.

"You go ahead and open it," Mrs. M. said. "I'm sure it's for the baby."

"It was addressed to you," Amanda pointed out.

With a smile and a shake of her head, the housekeeper folded her hands on the table.

Amanda slowly pulled off the white ribbon and took the cover off the box. Nestled inside was a silver picture frame. A Tiffany bow was engraved on the upper left corner. Wavy, engraved streamers ran along the top and left side of the frame. The spot for the picture was blank, just waiting for a photo of her baby.

The ribbons seemed to reach out and curl around her heart. Anticipation rose within her as she thought about the baby picture she'd place in the frame. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would it have her light colored hair, or Logan's raven-dark hair? His gray eyes or her own brown eyes? If it was a boy, she couldn't help hoping he'd look at least a bit like Logan.

Sighing, she placed the frame on the table. It was a reminder of the fact that she'd have to send photos to Logan. Regardless of her wishes, he was not going to disappear from her life. Or, at least not from his child's.

She couldn't be sure why he was sending these presents. Was it pure generosity? Or was he subtly reminding her each time of his claim?

Whether she liked it or not, it would be his baby as well.

The next Friday, both women were waiting with anticipation for the FedEx delivery. They were not disappointed.

He sent a darling baby mobile, with pastel-colored jungle animals hanging from a carousel top.

The wrapping paper rustled as Mrs. M. touched a blue elephant. "Hand-knit," she said.

"So soft." Amanda stroked the tawny lion.

Logan's note said: Our child will need strength, courage, and the ability to reach for the stars. Tell me, what does the zebra represent?

Amanda passed the note over to her companion. "Clever, isn't he?"

"Okay, the elephant is for strength, the lion for courage. The giraffe is the star-reacher." Mrs. M. tapped the brightly contrasting black and white stripes. "What about the zebra?"

Amanda pondered the little animal, trying to ignore the mushy feeling in her heart. "A zebra is nothing if not a herd animal," she said. "Could it represent community?"

Mrs. M. nodded. "Nothing more important when you're bringing a baby into the world than a community of people to love her."

Amanda pressed her lips together. She knew exactly what Logan meant. Family. The communal unit that would provide the ideal environment for her baby.

She dropped the mobile back in the box. Wonderful, happy people were raised in less than ideal environments, as well. She'd have to remember that.

Mrs. MacDonald reached for the tote bag she used for her crochet. She pulled out a partially finished pale blue and green baby blanket. The colors had been cleverly shaded together so the blanket looked like a calmly rolling sea.

"This little zebra reminds me of something I've been meaning to say," Mrs. M. commented.

"Please don't," Amanda begged. "Especially not if you're planning to talk about Logan."

Mrs. M. aimed a crochet hook at her. "Your baby needs a father. So I can't help talking about Logan since, if I don't miss my guess, he's the one who can most likely claim that title."

"My baby doesn't need an absentee father." Amanda's hands moved protectively to cover her stomach.

The crochet hook stabbed the air again. "I have never known Logan Winter to shirk a responsibility. He would not be an absentee father."

Amanda wished she could snuggle up to the baby blanket and hide from the world. "I'm sure he would adhere to his idea of responsibility," she said. "I don't choose to let my life be manipulated by what he thinks is best."

"He has an excellent track record of knowing what's best," Mrs. M. responded sharply.

"I don't doubt it," Amanda said stiffly. "I still prefer to lead my own life."

"You're