Read A Mother's Love for Free Online

I’ll have trouble eating all of this, delicious as it is.”
    â€œDon’t get too full. You’ve got pudding, haven’t you, Mother?”
    â€œLemon cookies.”
    Kyra took a breath and scooped a big bite onto her fork and popped it into her mouth. Her tongue detected fish parts and peas, and the gag reflex that had kept her such a picky eater as a child suddenly kicked in. Resolutely she focused her gaze on a spot just above the window.
    She got it down. With a sigh, she patted her tummy. “If I’m going to leave room for lemon cookies, I’m afraid that’s all I can eat.”
    Emma made a sound through her lips, but she bustled around, picking up the plates.
    â€œMay I help you?” Kyra asked.
    â€œAye. Take the casserole.”
    Kyra followed her. The kitchen was tiny, with barely enough room for two people. She put the dish on the stove.
    â€œPut the tea on the tray there and bring it into the other room.”
    Kyra saw the tray, already laid with spoons and napkins and a dish of sugar cubes and a ceramic pitcher of what she presumed must be milk. She didn’t see a teapot. “Where is it?”
    â€œRight there,” Emma said, pointing in exasperation.
    It was nestled beneath a knitted red sweater, only the nozzle or spout sticking out. How was she supposed to know? But without a word she carried it into the other room and put it on the table.
    Dylan smiled up at her, those dazzling eyes alight. Gently he touched her hand. “Well done,” he whispered. “Remember, it’ll be worth your while.”
    Just then, the baby let loose a little mewling cry. Kyra turned, feeling both terrified and excited—she was awake! Without a second thought, she headed for the crying infant, tea and Emma and even Dylan simply forgotten.
    She reached the cradle before Emma, who had hurried out of the kitchen. “I’ve got her,” Kyra said.
    Emma’s jaw went up. “Go on, then, pick her up. If you run to her every time she cries, you’ll be spoiling her.”
    â€œBut you—” She clamped her lips around the contradiction. Heat stole up her cheeks, but she turned toward the baby and put a hand on her tummy gently. “Shh, honey. It’s okay.” The baby cawed, shoving a tiny fist half in her mouth. “Does that mean she’s hungry?”
    â€œSometimes, but she ate not an hour ago. Maybe she’s filled her nappy.”
    Kyra looked at the older woman. “Will you show me how you change her diaper?”
    â€œLord, haven’t you ever done it?”
    Kyra thought of her isolated childhood. An only child born to an eccentric and extremely religious mother, Kyra had not even been allowed to work in the capacity of baby-sitter. “I never really had a chance,” she said simply. “Luckily there’s you to teach me.”
    Emma softened. “All right, then. Here’s what we do.”
    The baby had indeed filled her diaper, and Emma frowned. “That’s not looking right,” she said. “Too dark.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œYou get to where you know all sorts of things. No new mother would know this.” Pursing her lips, she pressed two fingers into the baby’s skin. “A mite jaundiced still, I think. If we had a bright day and she could get into the sunshine, it would help, but—” Briskly Emma refastened the snaps along Amanda’s little jumper and picked her up. “I think she’s all right.”
    The baby cooed, peering over Emma’s shoulder at Kyra, who held out a finger for the baby to grasp. “You’re a beautiful girl,” she said. “You are.”
    Emma bounced gently, all her softness like a pillow for the tiny body.
    â€œMay I hold her?” Kyra asked.
    â€œSure, sure.” With confident movements, Emma handedthe baby over. “There you go. Just be firm in how you hold her. She’s not going to