“Just what you’d do,” she said dully.

“That’s what I’ve been telling myself.” He shook his head. “It’s different when it’s someone else doing it.” His voice was husky. “I love that boy.”

She could see that he did. His eyes were moist, and his last words had been unsteady. “But you don’t know anything for certain. He could be fine.”

Ted nodded. “I’ve dropped from the radar any number of times, and here I am with nothing but a bad back. I’ve been doing a lot of praying lately.” He stood up. “I thought you should know in case you wanted to do a little praying, too.”

She was so stunned that she didn’t know how she felt. It was hard for her to believe that the John Gallo she had known could be in any danger. “I’m sure that he’ll be all right.”

Ted Danner nodded. “I thought you should know. But don’t worry too much. It wouldn’t be good for you.” He started down the walk toward the gate. “If I can do anything for you, let me know. It’s the least I can do. John would want me to stand by you.”

“You have your own problems. Your nephew would want you to take care of yourself.”

“You’re a good girl, Eve,” he said quietly. “I can see why John cared about you.”

She watched him walk stiffly down the street. Poor guy, he was really worried, and John was obviously all he had. But he was jumping the gun. She couldn’t believe that John Gallo was dead just because he was temporarily missing. He was so young and strong and tough. Men like him weren’t easily killed. She refused to think that it could happen to him.

Or was it fear that was keeping her from acknowledging that his uncle might have reason to panic? She had still not come to terms with how she felt about John. Just when she had convinced herself that it was purely sexual emotion, his uncle had shown her a love for him that must somehow have been deserved. He had seen his torment as a child and lived with him, been a companion.

She had never seen that torment. He had not let her get that close.

But he had been close enough to give her this child in her body.

Perhaps, even though she couldn’t believe he was truly in danger, she should pray for the father of her child.

CHAPTER

7

DAMMIT, NOT IN THE MIDDLE of the night!

But why not? Babies didn’t pay any attention to the clock. Just make it as inconvenient as possible for the mother.

Eve turned away from the commode, and called, “Sandra, I’ve got to get to the hospital. My water just broke.”

“Not in the middle of the night!”

“My thought exactly.” She turned to the closet. “I’ll get my suitcase, and you run downstairs and wake Mr. Milari. He promised he’d take me to the hospital in his taxi no matter what time. You may have to persuade him. I’m sure he was hoping it wouldn’t be at four in the morning.”

Sandra yawned as she stumbled out of the bedroom. “I’ll convince him.” She headed for the door. “Call the doctor.”

“I will.” The pains were beginning, and she took a deep breath. “After I deliver, call Mr. Kimble and let him know. Tell him I’ll only be out seven days like I promised.”

“For heaven’s sakes, you worked up to the last minute. He can’t expect you to jump right back, and—”

“Yes, he can. And I will.”

Sandra stopped at the door. “You haven’t told me whether you’re going to put the kid up for adoption. I should let the people at the hospital know.”

“They’ll know when I do.” She had been wrestling with that decision for months. She should probably give the baby up. It would be better for Eve and for the baby. All the odds were against you when you were sixteen and had a kid to raise. Look at what had happened to Sandra. But ever since the first movement, the child had become real to her. It was her baby, her child. “Let’s just get me there.”

*   *   *

“YOU’RE BACK WITH US.” THE plump, freckled young woman was smiling down at Eve. She was wearing a badge … MARGE TORAN, LPN. “You had us worried when you blacked out just as the baby was coming. Though it was a really long, difficult delivery. Heaven really wanted to keep that child.”

The nurse was smiling, Eve realized hazily. That must mean everything was all right. Medical people didn’t go around grinning if they had to give you bad news. “My baby?” she whispered.

“You have a little girl,” the nurse said softly. “A beautiful little girl. Is that what you wanted?”

Eve shook her head. “I didn’t think about it.” She had deliberately kept herself from thinking about the sex of the child. She had been afraid that she would grow even closer to her baby and not be able to make that crucial decision. “Does she have … everything? Toes, eyes…”

“All the right number of everything. She’s perfect.”

“That’s good. I tried to make sure she’d be healthy. It will give her a better … chance.” Was she making sense? She felt as if she was drifting away. “And if she’s a girl, she’ll need every…”

Another girl. Sandra. Eve. And now this little girl Eve had brought into the world. A chain. Would her daughter give birth at sixteen in some run-down slum? Did the chain have to go on and on?

“Would you like me to bring her to you?” Nurse Toran asked. “We’re cleaning her up, but you’ll be able to see her soon.”

She shouldn’t see her. She should tell the nurse her daughter needed a better place, a better life, a better mother.

“You rest.” The nurse was at the door. “I’ll bring her as quick as I can.”

Then she was gone.

Eve closed her eyes. Don’t go to sleep. They’re going to bring her. She was going to get to see her little girl.

“Eve.”

She opened her eyes to see Sandra beside the bed. “Hi.”

“It’s a girl,” Sandra said.

“I know. The nurse told me. Thanks for staying with me, Sandra.”

“I wanted to do it. I remember how lonely I felt when I woke up after I had you.”

The chain again. But this was a different link in the chain. A less cruel link.

“Have you seen her?”

“Not yet.” Sandra smiled. “You get the first glimpse.” She took Eve’s hand. “But they let me in to see you. You look good, kind of glowing.”

“Plain old perspiration. She gave me a hard time.”

“What do you expect? She’s your daughter.”

“And your granddaughter.”

Sandra’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Eve, I’m much too young to be a grandmother. Grandmothers have gray hair and wrinkles.”

“Then you’ll set a new trend.”

Sandra’s smile faded. “You’re going to keep her.”

She shook her head. “I know I shouldn’t do it. She deserves more.”

Sandra nodded. “It wouldn’t be smart.”

“Here she is.” Nurse Toran was coming through the door carrying a pink-wrapped bundle. “She’s magic. She doesn’t look like a newborn at all. And I know newborns aren’t supposed to see well or smile, but I swear she smiled at me. She seems to be glad to be here.” She put the baby in the curve of Eve’s arm. “Though that may change. She’s going to be hungry soon.” She folded the soft pink blanket away from the baby. “Say hello to your mama, cutie.”

So tiny, Eve thought. So delicate.

And then she looked down at the baby’s face.

And her little girl smiled at her.

“Oh, my God,” she whispered.

And it was not a curse.

A cap of wispy red-brown hair framed that tiny face. Dark eyes stared up at Eve, curious, alert, full of joy. Reaching out for everything that life held.

“What did I tell you?” the nurse said softly. “Magic.”

“Yes.” Eve’s arm tightened on the baby. “I never dreamed … May I keep her with me?”

“For a little while. Then you’ll have to sleep.” Nurse Toran headed for the door. “But both of you seem pretty happy right now.”

Happy? That wasn’t the word. Eve felt as if her entire being was opening, beginning to shine, with a kind of luminous radiance. A radiance that was coming from the child she was holding.