Deadly Sanctuary by Sylvia Nobel

She shrugged. “It used to be something to hide, to be ashamed of. Not anymore. The stigma is gone and so are all the adoptable babies.”
    The wait, she added, through private and state agencies averaged five to seven years if you could pass the rigid restrictions which included income, education and religious affiliation.
    “We’re great on all that stuff except I up an ruined everything by havin’ a nervous breakdown over this a few years ago,” she said in an anguished voice. “I miscarried the baby after five months and it just about sent me over the edge. It put a big black mark on my record.” Her voice trembled and her brown eyes misted again.
    My heart went out to her. This was a woman who’d obviously been to hell and back.
    When Ginger returned, she insisted Bonnie stay the night and not make the return drive to Prescott due to the late hour. She happily agreed and I said good-night after congratulating her again on her forthcoming adoption.
    Ginger clicked on the porch light and followed me outside to my car. We stood for a moment chatting as a warm desert breeze fluffed our hair. Above us, stars blazed from the inky canopy of night sky.
    The more I got to know her, the more my affection grew for this pixie-faced Texas girl. Ginger had welcomed me into the cozy bosom of her family and filled the emotional void I’d been suffering since leaving my own home and relatives so far behind.
    “Thanks for dinner,” I said smiling. “I thoroughly enjoyed it and meeting your family.” I opened the car door. “That was a really nice thing you did, getting your friend Doug to put in a good word for Bonnie. I’m looking forward to meeting him, but then, I guess I’ll get that chance when I cover the big charity affair at the tennis ranch.”
    “I’m going to be there myself.” She told me she and some other members of her church congregation had volunteered to help park cars and assist in the kitchen. Doug Sauers would be bartending.
    A cunning look crept over her face. “Wear something real sleek and sexy if you want to catch his eye.”
    “Whose eye?”
    “Why Eric Heisler’s, of course! This guy is special. Dangerously rich and real…cosmopolitan like.” She raised an eyebrow suggestively. “You know, more your cup of tea.”
    I laughed. “Oh, Ginger, will you stop with the matchmaking. I’m not ready to get involved with anyone.”
    “Oh piffle. It cain’t hurt to have a look see. Tell you what. I’m a fixin’ to go into Phoenix on that Saturday morning to see a foot doctor about these pesky corns, so why don’t you and me go together? I can show you around town, we can shop, have lunch at one of them fancy restaurants and still be back in plenty of time to get ready for the big shindig at seven.”
    She had such a pleading look in her eye I couldn’t refuse. Anyway, it would be a nice change and I did want to see Phoenix.
    Random thoughts tumbled about in my head like clothes in a dryer as I drove home. The sky over Castle Rock glowed faintly, announcing the imminent moonrise.
    Bonnie’s face, filled with eager desperation as she’d discussed her longing for a child, stuck in my mind. Funny, I’d never given it much thought before tonight. I guess I’d always figured if I ever got married again and decided to have children, poof , I’d just have them. Would I feel like Bonnie, if that didn’t happen?
    I mentally laid out my plans for the following week as I swung the car onto Lost Canyon Road. It would be busy. Besides my regular work, I’d have to squeeze in my undercover assignment.
    An extreme sensation of weariness washed over me as I pulled into the driveway. Sorely in need of a good night’s sleep, I hoped there would be no disturbance tonight.
    Settled into bed, my thoughts involuntarily returned again and again to Bradley Talverson. Even though he’d been insufferably rude at our first meeting, since then, he’d been pleasant, attentive almost. Could Ginger be right? Was