Silver Linings. Mary Brady

What had happened to her since then?

      What had happened to him?

      If he had always been such a cynic, Delainey would have let him know in her teasing “Are you sure about that?” kind of way.

      “She’s a good woman, Hunter.” This was Connie, who was now sitting on the edge of the couch leaning toward him to emphasize her words.

      “I’m sure she is.”

      “Her daughter is a lovely child.”

      “Too bad the father isn’t in the picture,” Shamus spoke up.

      Hunter wondered who the father of the child was if not him, and knew he could easily find out if he wanted to. He did not. If he knew, he’d be looking around every corner for the man, wanting to punch the guy’s lights out.

      They drank and talked, Hunter steering the conversation to Shamus and Connie’s children and grandchildren. Anything painless until enough time had passed that he could finish his drink and bow out.

      When he finally drained the last swallow from his glass, he stood. “I’m going to leave the two of you alone. I’ve got some financial journals to catch up on.”

      “Truly, it is time I retired.” Shamus laughed. “Because I’m weary of always trying to keep up with the world, as big as it is today. I don’t have any idea how you young people do it.”

      “Specialization and lots of help,” Hunter said as he nabbed the empty glasses. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

      In the kitchen alone, Hunter put the glasses in the dishwasher, then leaned both hands on the counter and dropped his head. There was no doubt about it. Unreasonably, he was disappointed he and Delainey had not made the child together.

      * * *

      ON SATURDAY MORNING, dark clouds hung low and threatening, but Delainey was happy for the two-day hiatus from the office.

      She had a few more minutes before Brianna got up and so she sat in her breakfast nook drinking a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Dark days like today made her glad she had chosen to paint everything in her kitchen a cheery white with red-and-yellow accents.

      After yesterday morning, she could use a little cheer. She had tried her hardest not to dread seeing Hunter at the office. She had, after all, done nothing wrong. She’d used poor judgment and had been stupid, but not wrong.

      At work she’d kept expecting to see Hunter enter his office. When by ten o’clock it had not happened, she’d had enough waiting for the hammer to fall and contacted Shamus.

      As she’d dropped the phone back into the cradle on her desk, she’d sat back and sighed with relief. Shamus had set up a series of out-of-the-office schmooze meetings for him and Hunter all day. With the pair out of the office, she’d been able to relax and do her work.

      The boy in the file Carol had brought to her attention, Stevie Anning, was safe as far as she knew. She’d said a prayer he would stay that way.

      She had finally told the office staff she had been accepted into law school to many congratulations and hugs, and Shirley had even rushed out and bought flowers.

      She took a sip of her cooling coffee. We’ll have to finish this. Hunter’s parting words had kept her awake at night and haunted her during the day.

      They would have to finish. She did not know what this “finishing” would entail, but there was always one person who came first. Her daughter.

      If Hunter could see Brianna, he would find out for himself this dark-haired, dark-eyed and beautiful little girl could not possibly be his child. She thought carefully about arranging for him to see her without actually meeting her but decided there would be no harm in the two of them sharing a few words.

      If Delainey and Hunter were to work at Morrison and Morrison, there would be occasion for him to meet Brianna.

      Once he met her, talked to her, he’d forego the DNA testing. Brianna was very smart. Even at six, she would be able to figure out something was going on that the adults were not telling her.

      Delainey leaned her elbows on the windowsill to watch the gray clouds lumber across the sky until they seemed to come to rest on the ocean.

      If Hunter and Brianna met, all could be finished between Hunter and her, except for their relationship as colleagues.

      Thinking Hunter and all could be finished in the same thought gave her a sinking feeling, as if something good and essential would disappear from inside her. They had been such great friends. Apparently, it was true—you could ruin a great friendship by trying to push a relationship beyond where it should go.

      “Mommy, Mommy.” Brianna came running into the kitchen, her dark hair sticking up in a tangled knot on one side of her head, but she was dressed in a matching outfit and it was even appropriate winter attire, not a sundress or shorts. “I’m ready to go shopping for my material for my dress.”

      “Oh, I think I’ll go back to bed, take a nap, maybe plant my garden first.”

      “No, you won’t. No, you won’t. And you’re kidding me. It’s too cold for a garden.” Her daughter pulled on her arm until she got up from the table.

      “Breakfast first, my darling one, and someone has to get that rat’s nest out of your hair.”

      Brianna giggled, and put her hand to the usual spot where her hair tangled during sleep. “I’m making a fashion statement, Mommy.”

      Now Delainey giggled. She had to admit she hadn’t giggled much as an adult until Brianna had started as a baby and the effect had been totally contagious. These days, her mother accused the two of them of being the same age, which made them giggle more until eventually even Grandmother started.

      “Did you decide which pattern you want Grandma to use?”

      “Can’t I get a new one?”

      “Not this time. You’ve already got four to choose from. Maybe you can use one of the different collars or have Grandma choose the belted option for the pattern of that green dress she made last Christmas.”