Toys and Baby Wishes Read Free Page A

without
Daddy's money."
    "That was my choice.  But you can accept his
help."
    "I don't want to raise a child--not alone.  And I can't
believe you do."
    Lexa had loved and protected Dani since their mother died. 
"Did you tell Dad yet?"
    "No.  Not yet.  And don't you."
    "I won't.  But you should tell him soon."
    "I will.  Eventually.  He'll think I should get married
to save the family name or something.  What a laugh.  Marriage is the last
thing Rob wants to think about."
    "Have you seen him lately?"
    "Yes.  We argued again.  Lexa, I love him but he
doesn't want to get married.  I told him you're going to adopt the baby.  He
thinks you're crazy."
    Lexa knew exactly what she was doing and crazy didn't enter
into it.  Because of a bout with endometriosis, she might never be able to have
children.  The knowledge had plagued her for the last two years.  No one knew
but her sister.  When she learned Dani was pregnant but wanted to give the baby
up for adoption, Lexa had jumped at the chance.  "I can't tell you how
thankful I am you're willing to let me adopt."
    "You've always been a terrific big sister even though
I've wanted to pull your hair out more than once.  And I know you'll make a
great mother because you care so much about everyone."
    "Hey, you better stop before I get a swelled
head."  The teasing tone disappeared.  "I only want you to do what's
right for you.  I want you to be happy.  Okay?"
    "Yeah.  I know.  And after all we've talked about this,
I'm sure it's what I want to do.  Do you think you can drive up next weekend? 
My roommate's going home.  You can stay in the dorm.  Everybody will be at the
football game on Saturday.  I have tickets if you want to go."
    "Since Penn State's having such a good season, I might
consider it," Lexa kidded.  "We'll see what the weather's like.  You
don't want to catch cold."
    "Yes, mother."
    "I'm sorry."
    Dani's sigh came through loud and clear.  "It's
okay."  After a pause, she asked,  "What time do you think you can be
here Saturday?"
    "About eleven-thirty?  Twelve?"
    "The earlier the better.  You're the only one I can
talk to right now."
    Dani expected Lexa to be around whenever she needed her, and
Lexa always was.  "I'll get there as soon as I can.  Take care. 
Okay?"
    "Will do.  See you Saturday."
    Lexa put down the cordless phone, wishing she could protect
her sister better...more.  Not unlike the way Josh wanted to protect his aunt. 
But Clare was mature.  Sixty-three years old.  Dani was immature, sometimes
irrepressible and rebellious even at twenty-one.
    Lexa's thoughts returned to Josh.  The brilliance of his
blue eyes and the strength of his chin remained vivid in her mind.  If things
were different, she might want to get to know him better.  But getting involved
with a man now was out of the question.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
    Monday afternoon, Lexa pulled open the glass door and
stepped into The Toy Tank--Josh Flannigan's store.  Looking around at the neat,
organized displays, she had a hard time connecting the shaggy, beard-stubbled
back-packer she'd met with the owner of this successful toy store.
    Clare had told her how Josh had majored in business
management in college, worked six years for a retail chain, saving every penny
he could, and at twenty-eight had put a down payment on this building and
opened The Toy Tank.  Now he had two stores--one in Chambersburg, one in Harrisburg.
    Passing down an aisle stacked high with Halloween costumes,
Lexa smiled.  At the service desk she asked for Mr. Flannigan and the employee
pointed to an office at the rear of the store.
    Lexa walked toward it, feeling as if she was confronting the
lion in his den.  She'd thought a lot about Clare and her nephew and didn't
want to come between them.  If she had, she was sorry about it.  But she wanted
him to see his aunt as a capable woman who wanted to do things for herself. 
True, he'd always been an integral part of Clare's