Beyond the Consequences (Book 5 of the Consequences Series)(43)

Though her head moved back and forth, Emily remained silent.

“We’re not jumping into anything,” Claire continued. “We’ve been working with my doctors. I’m off all my medicines.” She noticed Emily’s eyes widen. “I have been for over a month. We’re supposed to wait a little longer, but the doctors are all on board and so is Tony.”

“Does that include Dr. Brown?”

“Yes, she was the first one I discussed it with. I still meet with her twice weekly and Tony’s been to a few of my sessions with her. We’re being careful. I’m doing fine. I feel good, and I mean that in the best of ways. I get happy and sad. It’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

Emily reached out and covered Claire’s hand. “I’m not your mother, but I’m your older sister. I can worry.”

“No, Em, you can’t. You have enough to concern yourself with John, Michael, and Beth. Worrying about me is not a priority. I have a fantastic family and life with Tony and Nichol. We’re ready to try to expand it. Tony even said that if the doctors decide I shouldn’t get pregnant, we could adopt.”

“Really?” Emily’s tired eyes opened wide. “Anthony Rawlings is willing to raise someone else’s child?”

It was Claire’s turn to narrow her gaze. “What does that mean?”

“Hmm, nothing. I’m just surprised; that’s all.”

“Don’t you think it’s possible to love a child even if you weren’t the one to give birth to it?”

“You know I know it’s possible,” Emily replied.

“Then what’s the issue?”

Emily momentarily closed her eyes. “Claire, there’s no issue. If you’re truly doing this with the support of your medical team, I’m happy. I see how excited Nichol is with Beth. She’ll be thrilled to be a big sister.”

Absorbed in their conversation, neither Claire nor Emily saw the children approaching. “I’m gonna be a sister?” Nichol asked, her cheeks pink from sun and exercise and her eyes wide with questioning.

Claire reached out and rubbed Nichol’s back. “You’re all hot. Do you want some water?”

“Shannon’s getting some. Can we have a baby too?”

“Maybe someday, sweetie,” Claire answered. “Maybe someday. Right now you’re a big cousin. How do you like that?”

“I like it, a lot!”

Michael ran towards the table as the light on the small monitor flashed and the springtime air filled with the sounds of baby whimpers. “Mommy, baby Bef’s cry’n again!” Turning toward Claire he said, “Baby Bef cries a lot.”

“Oh, she does?”

Covering his ears, he said, “It’s bad. It hurts my ears.”

Nichol turned toward her cousin. “No, Michael, Baby Beff’s not bad. She wants Aunt Em’s tension.” She looked back at Claire. “Right, Momma? Just like my puppy. He wasn’t bad. He just wanted new batteries.”

Claire hugged Nichol and winked at Emily. “That’s right, sweetie, and listen, Michael. Beth’s sleeping again. Sometimes we all make cranky noises and say things we don’t mean when we’re sleepy.”

Emily shook her head. “Okay, Claire. I get it. Let’s talk about this later, after I’ve had a good night’s sleep. I know my opinion doesn’t matter. I’m sorry.”

“Your opinion matters. I just want your support.”

“You have it. I’ll be more excited after that good night’s sleep.”

Picking up her coffee, Claire commented, “So in about a year or so?”

“Yes,” Emily replied wearily. “Think about that before you do anything rash.”

Claire raised her brow.

“Are you willing to give up sleep?”

Nodding, Claire replied, “In a heartbeat to hold a little one again—my little one.”

The warm breeze continued to blow as the children ran back to their waiting soccer ball.





PHIL LOOKED OVER the FBI report. In a nutshell, it corroborated what he knew: the bureau confirmed that Patricia Miles had been living in a small rented house under an alias, Melissa Garrison, in Olivia, Minnesota. According to the report, she’d been working as a paralegal for Jefferson Diamond, a small-town attorney, doing research for the firm. Mr. Diamond claimed that one day she was at work and the next day she wasn’t. Few of her coworkers claimed a private relationship with her. Most people interviewed in town knew her from her job. They all claimed that she was quiet and kept mostly to herself. Ami Beech, Jefferson Diamond’s office manager, claimed that Ms. Garrison’s skills were impressive in the field of research and admitted to not completing the necessary background check prior to her hiring.

The small home Ms. Garrison rented contained physical evidence to link her to the Rawls-Nichols mailings. There were even pre-addressed cards. From her personal items, they were able to test her DNA. It too confirmed that Ms. Garrison, aka Patricia Miles, was the female who sealed the envelopes. For unknown reasons, Ms. Garrison had moved on. The FBI will continue their pursuit. At the end of the report, the bureau asked for continued assistance from all members of the Rawlings security team. They asked to be notified if anything unusual came up or another similar mailing arrived.