depriving him of the right to be involved in his child's life. Is that fair?"
Amanda blew out a sharp sigh. "Life isn't fair."
"No one knows that better than Logan." Mrs. M stabbed the baby blanket like it was a demon she needed to slay.
"What are you trying to say?"
"He deserves some happiness," the woman answered fiercely. "Can't you see that?"
"What makes you think I can give him that happiness? He told me that he was unable to love. Should I offer my child up to a man who says that?"
"Of course he can love! He's just afraid to do so."
"Afraid? Why? What happened to him? What is the big mystery no one can talk about?"
"I can't tell his story." Mrs. M. sighed, her burst of fierceness disappearing. "Can't you see? Nothing scares him more than the thought of loving someone he may lose."
"Loss is always a possibility," Amanda pointed out. "There are no guarantees in life." The words echoed in her head, reminding her of the loss she'd sustained. Had she ever moved beyond the death of her father? Was she still reacting to that pain in her determination never to be dependent again on someone who might, one way or another, leave her?
"You have a strange view of humanity," Mrs. M. said, "thinking you're all alone on this big old planet and can't accept help from anyone." She poked her crochet hook into the blanket and pulled the yarn fast. "None of us are totally independent."
"Who's going to take care of me if I don't?"
Mrs. M. snorted. "Take care of you? I'm taking care of you right now, on behalf of Logan."
"He forced me to accept this help! He threatened me with a custody battle!"
"Good for him. Who would be helping you otherwise? You're in a very dependent state right now. That doesn't make you less of a person, does it?"
Amanda shoved back her chair, wincing at the loud screech. Yes, she was an incomplete person. Ever since her father died, and left a big hole in her heart, and a sense of insecurity that she hadn't been able to banish yet. She had to depend on herself. That had been her mantra since she was ten years old. She couldn't alter it now.
Biting her lip, she carried her teacup over to the sink, accepting the painful reality of her current life. Carrying a teacup was about the extent of what she could do on her own. Yes, she was dependent on the kindness of others.
"That's enough plain speaking for today." Mrs. M. folded up the blanket. "I've got to get lunch on. But you're hurting a person who doesn't deserve it and you need to think about that."
Amanda clenched her hands on the sink and stared out the window. "Logan is the least emotionally needy person I've ever known."
"Then you don't know him well."
The two women maintained an uneasy truce over the weekend. Mrs. M. would never shirk her duty, and Amanda knew a calm atmosphere was best for the baby. She certainly wasn't going to bring up the subject of Logan again.
Unfortunately, the next attack came from an unexpected source.
Rosie.
She called first thing Monday morning. In her usual way, she started off bluntly. "I don't know what you've been up to, girl, but he's giving up on you."
No need to wonder who 'he' was.
"I'm not responsible for whatever Logan chooses to do." She thought that sounded quite dignified.
"He's putting the Cape house on the market."
Amanda gasped as her dignity fled. "Where I'm living?"
Rosie snorted. "Don't worry. There's a clause that says you can remain in the guest house for as long as you like."
A whisper of relief blew through Amanda. She must have made a sound.
"Yeah," Rosie said sarcastically. "Isn't it nice that he's still able to show consideration for you, when you can't even be bothered to take his phone calls?"
"Have you been sending these baby gifts?" Amanda demanded. She wouldn't give Logan a glimmer of credit if Rosie had been doing all the work.
"What gifts?"
Amanda sighed. "Never mind. Why's he selling?"
"Something about a friend who needs money. You know, Logan is nothing if not loyal."
"When did you become president of his fan club?"
"You're a stubborn fool, Amanda."
"I need my independence. Why is that so hard for everyone to accept?"
"The man wants a connection to his child! Why is that so hard for you to accept?"
"He's been whining to you?"
Rosie blew an exasperated sound through the phone. "We've been meeting after work about my clothing line.