dazzling smile. He turned and winked at the woman.
“Don’t mind Sharon Lynn. You know how protective new mamas are.” He figured it was a stretch of the truth that was called for under the circumstances.
“Yes, I’m sorry,” Sharon Lynn apologized at once, apparently somewhat reassured by Cord’s friendly intervention that this woman wasn’t Hazel Murdock.
“Of course,” the woman said. “I shouldn’t have pushed. It’s just that I miss my own grandchildren so much. I’m on the way home after visiting with my sons and their families and all of a sudden I’m aching to hold a baby again. After your own kids are grown, you forget what it’s like. Then when you’re reminded of it, you miss it.”
Cord shot a quick look at Sharon Lynn, judged her expression to be one of understanding and compassion, then turned and offered the baby to the woman. “Here you go. I’ll take her back as soon as your meal’s ready.”
Cord watched with amusement as Sharon Lynn prepared the woman’s dinner with lightning quick speed. She served it with a warm smile, but there was no mistaking the relief on her face when Cord took the baby back and settled her on his lap. He had a feeling if more customers hadn’t come in just then, Sharon Lynn would have insisted on taking the baby herself.
After everyone had left, he regarded her worriedly. “This can’t go on,” he said quietly. “You can’t be in such a state that you’re a wreck every time a stranger walks through the door. If you keep on snapping at the customers, it won’t be long before you don’t have any.”
“Can you blame me? I never know when this Murdock woman will show up.”
“Or if she will,” he reminded her gently. “Maybe she’s waiting for an official confirmation from Justin. When are the blood test results due?”
“I called Lizzy earlier. She checked with the lab. They should be back any day now.” She gave Cord a haunted look. “I don’t know if I want to know the results or not.”
“Of course you do,” he said at once. “We have to know, darlin’, one way or another. The sooner the better, if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask you,” she snapped, slapping her dishrag onto the counter and walking away.
Cord waited right where he was, knowing that pretty soon she would collect herself and come back filled with regret. He also knew that she was as close as anyone could be to the breaking point.
Maybe he should consider taking Sharon Lynn to Garden City so she could see Hazel Murdock for herself. At least that would stop these panicky moments around the customers. She would have a face to go with the name of the woman she obviously considered to be her mortal enemy.
Or maybe it was time he put in a call to Lizzy himself and pleaded with her to put a rush on getting those results. That, at least, was something he could do right now.
He was about to reach for the phone when Sharon Lynn came back, picked up the dishcloth and began methodically wiping the counter again. For several minutes she avoided his gaze and he let her.
“Your quarrel’s not with me,” he reminded her finally.
She lifted her chin and regarded him with tear-filled eyes. “I know,” she whispered. “I’m just so scared.”
He beckoned to her. “Come here.”
She came to stand directly in front of him, with the counter still squarely between them. He held back the urge to grin at the obvious distancing. Instead he shook his head and beckoned again.
“Around here.”
She hesitated, then finally circled the end of the counter and came closer. He tucked the baby securely on one side and opened his other arm. “Come on, darlin’.”
A smile quivered on her lips. “Another hug?”
He nodded. “That’s right. Grin and bear it.”
She stepped into his embrace eagerly enough then and rested her head on his shoulder. He felt a sigh shudder through her, felt tears dampen his shirt. He had to force himself not to think beyond that. He couldn’t allow the awareness of her scent, of her warmth, of her curves to sweep him beyond giving comfort and on to wanting.
Even though holding her was sheer torture, he knew that not holding her, seeing her suffering all alone would be worse torment. Whether she knew it or not, she needed him, and for now that had to be enough.
When she was calmer, when her tears had dried and her shoulders were resolutely squared