Page 11 of Baby Me

“Oh, believe me, I want to, and I’m not sure where this voice of reason is coming from. I wish I could shut it down. I just don’t want you to rush this. You may feel strong, but you’re stillrecovering.”

“Fine – just promise me that you won’t cross it off your to dolist.”

“To-do list?” hechuckled.

“Yeah. Keep an open mind, youknow?”

“Kate, if there’s one woman in this world I’d want to do, it’s you. But we’re talking about making a child. A little human being we’ll both be responsible for while a madman is on the loose trying to murderus.”

“I don’t like it when you make sense,” Ipouted.

“Neither do I. Especially about something that should be an easy decision. How about we think aboutit?”

He wrapped me into his loving arms and just held me there against his chest. The drumming of his heartbeats eased the anxiety I’d just realized was there. We stayed connected until the strain on my leg pinched at a nerve and I had to reach back for mycrutches.

“Okay, I can live with that. What’s next on your to-do list?” I looked back over my shoulder, sticking my hip out to the side as much as I could. He eyed me, shaking hishead.

“Is this how you’re going toplay?”

“Hey, you didn’t say anything about anyrules.”

The coquette in me lowered my hand to my hip as I tried to up mysass.

“Next on the list is a surprise I think you’re going to love much more thansex.”

That was impossible, but from the smile on Cameron’s face, I could have beenwrong.

“All right, let’s go!” I started heading for the car, but Cameron stopped me, guiding me in the oppositedirection.

“We’rewalking.”

I liked walking. This way I could prove to him just how strong I was. I could show him that I fully recovered both physically and mentally, and there was nothing that would stop me from living. Not even Aaron Cortez. I grabbed my crutches and followed Cameron across the dirt road to the next houseover.

“That’s the general store I told youabout.”

The two-story cabin-like home didn’t look anything like a store. He opened the door to let me in. The smell of earth and pine filled my nose, and I took in another breath. It was almost as good as the real thing, except stronger. A scented candle was lit on the front counter, its earthy aroma permeating theair.

“Hey, Gary.” Cameron greeted the older gentleman before turning to me. “Gary is Mrs. Lockheart’sbrother.”

Supporting my weight on one crutch, I reached out my right hand toward the man. “Hi, I’mKate.”

“Aha, I was wondering when I’d meet the littlerascal.”

Rascal?

“I’ve got something special for you, Ms.Kate.”

Hedid?

Curious, I strained my gaze, trying to catch a glimpse as Gary fumbled underneath the counter. A quick smile later, he removed a plastic bag that he emptied on the front counter. Tubes, syringes, small cans of what I thought was pepper spray, and a Taser spilled out, and I felt my eyes growwide.

“Holy shit! Is this forme?”

“It is.” Cameron helped Gary line up the items on the counter in a neatrow.

“Which one do I choose?” A Taser could come in handy anywhere. That would definitely be my first choice. Not as good as a gun, but it would suffice. I wondered about the potency of the sedative in the syringe and about another unlabeled black container with a white skull marking. Feeling suddenly overwhelmed, I felt my head spin and I lost my balance. Cameron caught me by my arm and pulled up a woodenchair.

“Why don’t you have a seat,Kate?”

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