“If you’re worried about anything, give me a call,” Zach said as he opened the car door. He hesitated fractionally, then lifted his head and gazed directly into her eyes. “Goodbye, Janine.”

She raised her hand in farewell as a sadness settled over her. “Goodbye, Zach,” she said forcing a lightness into her voice. “Thanks again.”

For the longest moment, he said nothing, although his eyes still held hers. Finally he repeated, “Call me if you need anything, all right?”

“I will.”

But they both knew she wouldn’t. It was best to end this now. Make a clean break.

Janine stood in the driveway until Zach’s car was well out of sight. Only then did she return to the house.

* * *

“This is really good of you,” Patty St. John whispered, handing the sleeping infant to Janine. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I’d had to drag Michael to the interview. I need this job so badly.”

“I’m happy to help.” Janine peered down at the sweet face of the sleeping six-month-old baby. “I apologize if it was inconvenient for you to bring Michael here, but I’ve been sticking close to the house for the past few days. My grandfather hasn’t been feeling well.”

“It wasn’t any problem,” Patty whispered, setting the diaper bag on the floor. She glanced around the house. “This place is really something. I didn’t have any idea that you…well, you know, that you were so well off.”

“This house belongs to my grandfather,” Janine explained, gently rocking Michael in her arms. The warmth and tenderness she felt toward the baby was a revelation. She supposed it was understandable, though. Gramps had spent last week constantly telling her what remarkable babies she and Zach would have, and here she was with one in her arms. All the maternal instincts she didn’t know she had came bubbling to the surface.

“I’ll be back in about an hour,” Patty said. She leaned over and kissed Michael’s soft forehead. He didn’t so much as stir.

Still carrying the baby, Janine walked to the door with her friend. “Good luck.”

Patty gave a strained smile and crossed her fingers. “Thanks. Here’s hoping.”

No sooner had the door closed than Anton walked into the living room. He paused when he saw Janine rocking in the old chair that had once belonged to his wife. His face relaxed into a broad grin.

“Is that a baby you’ve got there?”

Janine smiled. “Nothing gets past you, does it, Gramps?”

He chuckled. “Who’s he belong to?”

“Patty St. John. She’s another volunteer at the Friendship Club. She quit her job when Michael was born, but now she’d like to find some part-time work.”

“Are you volunteering to babysit for her?”

“Just for today,” Janine explained. “Her regular sitter has the flu.”

“I thought you were going out?” Gramps muttered with a slight frown. “You haven’t left the house all week. Fact is, you’re becoming a recluse.”

“I’ve had other things to do,” she returned, not raising her voice for fear of disturbing the baby.