Page 84 of Love Bomb

Rona gasped and felt her heart ache for the mother and her baby. She rubbed a hand over her chest. Bain’s eyes softened as he watched her.

“I figured it might be something like that,” he said to Matt. “She had the look people get when they’re traumatized.”

“That’s what her doctor said too,” Matt said. “He thinks that the death of her fiancé tipped Sandra over from postnatal depression into something called postnatal psychosis.” He shook his head sadly. “It’s a rare condition, where the mother loses touch with reality, and if she doesn’t get help straight away, she can end up harming herself or the baby.”

“No,” Rona whispered, sitting down in the seat beside Bain. “That must be why she believed Bain was the father. She’s confused.”

“From talking with her GP,” Matt said. “We think that when she moved to Invertary, she saw you in the street and remembered the karaoke night. Then things became messed up for her and she started to believe that you slept with each other that night, and that you were the baby’s father.”

“I should have raised the alarm earlier,” Bain said. “I knew there was something wrong. No matter how many times I told her we’d never slept together, she still insisted her baby was mine. If I’d spoken up…”

Rona put a hand on his thigh, offering comfort.

“It wasn’t just on you,” Matt said. “Sandra’s doctor was worried about her too, and asked the police up in Fort William to do a wellness check. Her neighbor told them she’d moved in with family in Invertary. And, what with the weather and the holiday season, checking slid down their list of priorities.” His lips pursed. Matt clearly wasn’t impressed with the cops in Fort William. “If they’d looked for her sooner, or called me about it, we might not be in this mess.”

“Have you checked her house here?” Rona asked. “Spoken to her family?”

“That’s where it gets weirder,” Matt said. “She doesn’t have any family here.”

“So, where has she been staying?” Rona was getting more worried by the minute.

“I’m still looking into that,” Matt said solemnly. “In the meantime, we have another problem.”

“Awesome,” Bain said. “Because I was worried I didn’t have enough.”

Matt smiled wryly. “The snow has jammed up the road to Fort William, which means the social work department can’t get here until the council have been out to clear it. The baby won’t be picked up until tomorrow morning.”

As one, the three of them considered the infant, who was happily feeding while waving a stuffed rabbit around.

“I can take care of him until the morning,” Bain said firmly.

“I’ll help,” Rona said, the words popped out of her mouth before she even knew she was going to say them.

Surprised, her gaze shot to Bain.

He smiled warmly. “Thanks, Rona, I appreciate it.”

“Okay then.” Matt drained his coffee mug and got to his feet. “I’ll let you know if I find out anything more about Sandra. I’ve put out the word and everyone’s keeping an eye out for her.”

“Put out the word to who?” Rona asked.

Matt grinned. “I keep forgetting you were young when you left here. I activated Dougal and the council, who’ll pull in the women from Knit or Die and the old guys who make up the Domino Boys. I’ve also informed Benson Security, and their people will knock on doors for me, in the hopes we turn something up that way. Between all of us, we’ll find her.”

“Wow,” Rona said. “I didn’t realize there was such a big network of people willing to help. Has it always been like this?”

“Pretty much,” Matt said. “But with Benson Security in town now, I have access to armed security specialists, if I need them. Lake’s pretty good about lending out his people.” He strode to the kitchen door. “You two sure you’re okay with the baby?”

“Aye,” Bain said, while Rona nodded. “But I’m worried about Sandra, and wish I was out helping to find her.”

“We’ve got plenty of boots on the ground,” Matt said. “And that wee guy needs you more than she does right now.” He tugged on his hat. “I’ll be in touch.” And then he let himself out of the house.

“You don’t have to stay to help,” Bain said, once the door had shut behind Matt.

“I know, but I want to.” Rona got to her feet and shrugged out of her coat. “I put your truck keys back on the hook. What are your plans for dinner?”

“Haven’t gotten that far in my thinking yet,” Bain said.

Rona opened the fridge. “I can make spaghetti,” she said glancing over at him. He had the baby on his shoulder and was patting his back gently. “How many am I cooking for?”