"Are you all right, fella?" Joseph's hands made frantic forays across the tiny child's body, as if to a.s.sure himself that he was truly there.

"Gots sick," Joey said, pointing to the messy condition of his clothes.

"Yes, you did, didn't you," Molly said. "Let's go get cleaned up while Daddy talks to his friends, okay?" She wouldn't-couldn't-look at Joseph. If he wore a guilty expression, she'd die right here in front of G.o.d and everybody and she wasn't ready to do that-not just yet.

Joey nodded, unstuck his thumb, and willingly clasped Molly's hand as she led him away.

Joseph frowned at the stiffness of Molly's retreating figure. But there was time later to sort all of this out. Right now, he had another problem on his hands, and he knew he wasn't dealing with it, or her, alone. He stood and turned, fixing Carly with a hard, pointed glare.

"Lila, call the police!"

Carly blanched. This wasn't going according to plan. First the child had all but gutted her with his heels. He'd stuffed his face with all the food she'd used as persuasion, and then he'd thrown up all over her and her rental car, refusing to even talk to her again. And then, to make matters worse, he'd run into that b.i.t.c.h's arms the moment she walked into the room.

"Joseph!" Carly gasped, hoping that she sounded properly shocked. "You can't mean it! You wouldn't have your own child's mother arrested?"

"You're not his mother," he said shortly. "You were just the delivery bag. I'm Joey's mother...and father. By your own choice, you are nothing. Not now, not ever. Now sit down and shut up, and let me think."

She collapsed into a chair, sobbing prettily, and hoped the police who arrived were young and good-looking. At least then she'd have something to work with.

Molly turned the water on full blast, letting it drown out the sounds of anger beyond the door as she cleaned Joey up as best she could.

His eyes were huge, and the tears were br.i.m.m.i.n.g. His lower lip quivered and he kept pulling his hand away from Molly's ministrations with the wet paper towels in an endeavor to stuff his much-needed thumb back into his mouth.

"Just a minute," she said softly, "and we'll be through. Then you can chew on that thing all you want."

She winked to lighten her words and when she was finished, popped it into his mouth for him, smiling in response to his delighted giggle. She swooped him into her arms and hugged him tightly, ignoring the smell still on his clothes. They stank. There was only so much that liquid soap and water could do; after that, a change of clothes was in order.

"Let's go find Daddy," she told him. "You need to go home."

In her absence, the police had arrived upon the scene. She walked into the lobby and into the middle of angry voices. Instantly, Joey buried his face against her neck, hiding his face from the noise, and started whimpering. Like her, he'd had enough, and she knew it was only a matter of time before he started a major set of tears.

"I don't know what anyone else thinks," she said, "but Joey and I have had all of this we can stand, so if no one minds, I'll take him home and get him changed." She couldn't look at Joseph. It would hurt too much if she saw regret in his eyes. She wasn't ready to contemplate losing this man-or his child-not just yet.

"Not so fast," an officer said, restraining Molly with a look.

The police officer was already in over his head with explanations, and now another set of people he knew nothing about had appeared, announcing an exit. He wasn't about to let them go.

"It's okay, Officer," Joseph said. "That's the real Molly Eden. She's my neighbor, and she's always had my permission to take my son home."

"My momma," Joey said, hugged Molly, and sniffed again.

The officer looked startled.

"Don't ask," Joseph said with a weary grin.

The officer nodded and made a note of Molly's name and address for future reference, as well as her place of business.

Molly called Cora to tell her Joey had been found, then left with the child in her arms, unable to look back to see if anyone was watching. She didn't want to think about her future with Joseph. Today, it could very well have gone to h.e.l.l.

"Come on, darling," she said softly, making sure that Joey was safely buckled up. "Let's get you home and changed. You stink."

He nodded. "I stink," he repeated.

She laughed-it was impossible not to-and then winced as his dimples came and went. Everything about him was so like his father-the skunk.

Joseph rubbed a shaky hand across his forehead, ignoring the threatening headache as he pulled out of the police parking lot and into traffic. Willingly, he'd gone down to headquarters, made a statement, and then waited what seemed to be forever before he could sign the complaint. All he wanted was to get to Molly and explain.

Too fed up to even think about what Carly had done, he was more than ready to leave her fate up to the authorities. Later, as he pulled into his driveway, his stomach turned, certain that he was in for yet another argument, and wearily pocketed his keys before entering the house.

Molly tiptoed out of Joey's room, shut the door all but a crack, and started toward the kitchen to fix herself something to drink. Joey was clean and changed, and he'd pa.s.sed out for a nap without an argument. As long as Thumper was beneath his belly and his thumb was in his mouth, all was right with Joey's world.

Her steps dragged with exhaustion as she came through the kitchen door. The last thing she expected to see was Joseph leaning against the kitchen cabinet, nor did she expect to see the look of utter despair upon his face. She didn't know what to think and was afraid of what she might hear.

"So...you're home," she said.

Three small words. And the tone with which they were delivered made him shake. She sounded...she looked...

"You're mad at me," he said quietly. "I can tell. I always knew one day you would get mad at me for something. It's only reasonable to a.s.sume you would. I just never knew it would hurt so much when you did."

Tears sprang to her eyes. The quiet devastation in his voice was her undoing. She flew across the room and into his arms.

"Dear G.o.d, Joseph, I'm not mad. I'm scared. I've been imagining all sorts of things, like kiss-off speeches and Dear John letters and-"

"Just shut up and kiss me," Joseph begged. "I've been through h.e.l.l. The only thing that kept me sane was the thought of you and Joey here, safe and waiting."

She tilted her head, slid her hands around his neck, and pulled him down to her waiting lips.

The touch was a mixture of hope and desperation. Of the need to hold and be held.

"Where's Joey?" he muttered when he came up for air.

"In bed asleep."

"Is he all right? She didn't do anything to him, did she? I was almost afraid to ask."

"He's fine, but you don't look so good. I think you need a little of the same medicine I gave him."

"What-was he sick again?" A note of panic slipped into his question.

"No, just in great need of rea.s.surance," she whispered. "But the dose I gave him will be too small for you. I think I'd better get you to your room. You don't look so good."

He began to smile. It was a heartwarming, soul-satisfying smile. "Does it hurt?" he asked.

"Not enough to notice," she whispered, and walked away, certain that he would follow.

"I wouldn't bet on that," he muttered, thinking how close he'd come to losing her today.

By the time the door had closed behind him, he had his shirt off, his belt undone, and was walking out of his shoes. A swift rasp of a zipper told Molly that there was no time left to waste. She stepped out of her shoes and unbuckled her belt, but it was the last thing she did as Joseph caught her from behind, scooped her into his arms, and deposited her onto his bed.

"I'm still dressed," she whispered, unable to take her eyes away from his body and the evidence of his desire for her.

"Not for long." He bent down.

As each garment was removed, he replaced it with a kiss. It took forever to get the job done, and by the time it was, Molly was in a fever of need and Joseph was blind with an ache that wouldn't stop.

The last bit of nylon and lace hit the floor as Joseph slid between her legs and into her body in one long, slow motion. But when he buried his face in the valley between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, he groaned.

"I love you, Molly. Don't ever doubt that. Don't ever look at me again like you did today. I can't take it."

She barely heard his last four words, but they were enough to make tears come to her eyes.

"Don't doubt me," he begged. "I couldn't take that...not from you."

And then he began to move, and Molly lost all thoughts of answering. There was nothing but Joseph and his body, and his hands, and her heart keeping time with the motion.

Joseph felt the change in her body as it heated and then tightened around him. The blood rushed to his head, and then the heat inside him exploded, spiraling into one long gush. He lowered his head, captured the cry from her lips, and spilled himself into her.

"Well, Miss Jordan," the lawyer said. "I believe I understand your feelings, but whether the judge does or not remains to be seen. I've asked for a private hearing regarding the case soon. Until then, you're out on bond, and I'd advise you to make yourself available at a moment's notice."

Carly nodded and smiled, resisting the urge to slam the office door shut in his face. She stalked to her car while visions of diabolic retribution kept her from screaming.

She still couldn't believe what Joseph had done. He had actually stood aside and let the day-care center press charges against her. If she couldn't change his mind, she could be charged with kidnapping.

This wasn't what she'd planned. If she'd wanted out on the streets, she could have stayed in Natchez. At least there the police wouldn't have been after her. And then she remembered the hot checks and the angry wife-and those pictures she'd sent-and reconsidered her options. The police may very well be looking for her. It was possible that playing this episode low-key would be her best bet after all. Playing the injured mother wasn't quite her style.

She crawled into her car and for a few moments sat quietly to regroup. It was obvious that Joseph wasn't the easy nut to crack that she'd expected. And whoever this Molly Eden was, it was also obvious that the kid liked her a h.e.l.l of a lot more than she'd expected. Carly shrugged. She couldn't help it and didn't really care. During her a.s.sembly, someone had left out the nurturing instinct, and she would be the first to admit that it was true.

"Okay," she muttered, "think, Carly. You can do better than this. What will you do-or better yet, where will you stay until this mess can be sorted out?"

And then a smile spread across her face. She started the car and pulled out into the traffic. If bluff didn't work, pity was next on the list.

The office door opened. Marjorie Weeks looked up and then blanched. Carly Jordan was back. And from the expression on her face, yesterday's meeting with her boss must not have gone as expected.

"May I help you?" she asked.

Carly teared, bit her lower lip, and wrung her hands before digging through her handbag for a tissue. She smiled at Marjorie through watery eyes and accepted the one that had been handed her.

"Thank you," Carly said, and then swallowed a dainty sob. "I don't suppose Joseph is in?" She knew d.a.m.n good and well he wasn't. She'd been waiting outside in her car for over an hour, just watching for him to leave.

Marjorie shook her head.

"Oh, no." She sank into a chair, buried her face in her hands, and began to sob. "Then I don't know what I'm going to do."

Marjorie jumped to her feet. "Why, whatever is the matter?"

"Joseph and I used to be lovers." Carly managed a blush, playing her role of the injured party to the hilt. "We had a child, and foolishly I thought that Joseph could care for him better than I. I only wanted to see him," she cried, and allowed a fresh set of tears to flow.

"I don't understand," Marjorie said. Indignation for this woman's plight was growing. It was just as she'd expected. This poor woman was pining for her child.

"Yesterday I wasn't entirely truthful with you." Carly ducked her head, pretending to be embarra.s.sed. "I tricked you into giving me the address to my child's day care. I just wanted to see him...to hold him...." She moaned loudly and then blurted out the rest of her practiced recital. "Joseph had me arrested!"

"He didn't!" Marjorie couldn't believe her ears.

Carly nodded. "He claimed I was trying to steal Jody."

"Joey," Marjorie corrected.

s.h.i.t! Carly thought. If this is going to work, I'll have to be more careful. "Joey," she repeated. "I just don't know what I'm going to do now. It took all my cash to get out of jail and now I have no place to stay."

Marjorie gawked. This was worse than she'd ever imagined. She couldn't believe that someone as kind and concerned a parent as Joseph Rossi could have the mother of his own son arrested. She fumed. It had to be that other woman's fault. She must have been jealous that the true love of Joseph's life had come back to reclaim her rightful place.

"Why...I can't believe my ears," Marjorie muttered. "What will you do...about the arrest and everything?"

Carly slumped. "I don't know." Once again, she managed a dainty sniff. "The hearing will be any day now. After I get this mess all cleared up, I'm just going to leave. I can't bear to go through this again." She cut her eyes up at Marjorie and then down at her lap. "If I only had a place to stay...at least until the hearing...then I'd be out of his life forever."

Marjorie heard herself say, "I suppose you could stay with me."

Somehow, the moment it came out, she had the distinct feeling that she should have kept her mouth shut. But, she reminded herself, it was her fault that Carly Jordan was in Oklahoma City. The least she could do was offer her a place to stay for a day or so.

"Why, that would be wonderful! You're just the sweetest thing!" And then Carly leaned forward and whispered. "But won't that get you in trouble with Joseph?"

Marjorie firmed her lips and stuck out her chin. "Not if he doesn't find out," she said shortly. "After all, I did nothing but offer you a room. I'm not actually getting involved in your business, you know."

Carly shook her head and then jumped up and threw her arms around Marjorie's neck. "You'll never know what this means to me," she cried.

And then the tears dried up too quickly to be believed. In the s.p.a.ce of a heartbeat, she went from bawling to brisk and businesslike. "Now, if you don't mind, I could go on over to your place and unpack my things. Get out of sight before Joseph gets back, you know."

Although Marjorie nodded, she felt a little unsure. Things were getting out of her control. She dug in her purse, handed Carly her extra house key and the address, and as she did, realized that she'd just given a total stranger a key to her home.

"I'm sure things will work out," Marjorie said. "I'll be home just after five. Please feel free to make yourself a sandwich if you get hungry."

Carly grinned. "You're a doll," she said. "I'll see you later," and with that, she left the office with her mission accomplished.

Marjorie sank back into her chair and watched the door slam shut. "Well!" she said to herself. "Well, now!" But there was little else to say. What was done was done.

Joseph, man that he was, wasn't aware of Marjorie's change in att.i.tude toward him. She did her job competently and for him it was enough. It was Molly who felt the glares, the indignant expressions, and noticed the bitter twist to Marjorie's mouth. Granted, the woman had never seemed to approve of her, but this was so much more, it was almost palpable. She had no idea what had prompted this latest bit of disapproval, but she was certain that whatever had happened, Marjorie Weeks was ready to lay blame at her feet.

And it wasn't until the day of the hearing that Marjorie realized there was more to Carly Jordan's story than she'd been told.

Joseph slid the handful of papers into his briefcase, rolled up the drawings he'd been working on and slid them into a cardboard tube for safe-keeping, then looked around his office to make sure he wasn't forgetting anything. Taking time off from work to attend this hearing was going to put him behind unless he finished the work at home tonight. He turned the light off in his office and then stopped at his secretary's desk on the way out.

"I'll be out the rest of the day."

Marjorie looked down her nose at him and sniffed. "Very well."

"If you need me, I'll be at the courthouse most of the afternoon. I have my pager."

The courthouse? Now he had her attention. Then that would explain her houseguest's nervousness this morning. Poor thing. She was probably scared to death. Although Carly Jordan had been at Marjorie's house only two days, she'd firmly insinuated herself into Marjorie's pity.