“Let me.”
Grace’s expression turned firm. “No way, mister. You have been doing everything around here. You go sit your happy a—, um, tushy, down and—”
“Tushy?”
“Go with it. I’m trying not to cuss as much. Sit your tushy down and let me make breakfast.”
“What are we having?” I asked as I moved to the family room to lay Mia down on the play mat.
“French toast sound good to you? I nursed Mia before coming down, and I’m famished.” She hummed to herself as she started gathering the needed supplies.
I watched the woman I loved more than life move around the kitchen. Some of the glow that she’d been missing for weeks was there even if it was just a sparkle. Maybe she just needed some restful sleep? If so, Mom couldn’t get here fast enough. I’d pin Grace to the bed for forty-eight hours straight if it would make her feel like herself again.
Chapter5
Daycare Dilemmas
Grace
Tim and I were operating like a well-oiled machine. To be fair, the two of us had run more than one story hour completely on our own over the years. Today, however, he was in his element. His T-shirt game was strong, as always. This morning’s ensemble was complete with one that was in rainbow print and saidTry Reading Books Instead of Banning Them.I mean, in our current climate? So much truth.
Tim finished up story time with a picture book from author Travis Jonker calledJust One Flake.The kids had a blast creating snowflakes with paper and scissors like the ones visible beneath the cover of the book. Honestly, it was a giant mess, but so worth it for the laughter and joy that permeated the library. Before we knew it, the hour had passed. Our space quickly emptied as I watched more than one happy child tip their heads back to try to catch a snowflake on their tongue as walked into the snow, just like Liam had in the story.
As I relaxed behind the circulation desk and Tim leaned against it and caught his breath, Emma rushed in with coffees in a tray. She’d clearly made a stop at the Sanctuary Café a few blocks away.
She placed the tray on the desk. “So sorry. I tried to get here earlier, but I promised Allyson I’d do the yoga class this morning with her. I didn’t want to bail because I feel like I’ve flaked out a lot lately.”
I noted Emma’s drawn expression, like she was truly worried about our reaction. “Flaked out or felt like crap for the first trimester and passed on anything that sounded remotely related to exercise?” I asked, shooting her a knowing look. I mean, my first trimester felt as if it was both eons ago and like it was just yesterday.
Tim slid a rolling chair in her direction, and Emma gave him a small smile as she gratefully sank down in it.
“Thanks, Timmy. And I mean, I can’t complain. My first trimester was a breeze compared to some of you, but yeah, it kept me from yoga a lot over the past few months.”
Tim interrupted the conversation with a hand on one hip and a finger wagging with personality. “One, Timmy? No, just no. And two, not to be rude and act uninterested in this conversation, but is that coffee for me?”
Emma sat up, remembering herself, and began doling out the beverages. “Sorry, Timothy,” she said with a smirk.
His expression said no to that too.
Emma soldiered on. “I’m also becoming forgetful. Is pregnancy brain a thing?” She looked at both of us, then waved the words away. “Doesn’t matter. Grace, I got you a peppermint mocha decaf.”
I took the proffered beverage, inhaling the delicious aroma.
“And Tim, I got you a gingerbread latte.”
Tim’s smile was wide as he took his drink. “I do love a good gingerbread man. Or a bad one at that. Thanks, girl.”
I took a long sip, feeling the deliciousness seep into my bones. After enjoying that sip, I set my coffee to the side and regarded my friend. “This is supersweet, Emma, but you know we have coffee here and your grandma’s hot chocolate mix to add in. Why the fancy coffee this morning? I hope you know you didn’t owe us anything. You weren’t scheduled this weekend, and you know Gabby said she’d come in to cover the afternoon with Tim.”
Tim shot me a cross look. “Shush, Grace. I’m happy for coffee from the Sanctuary anytime Emma wants to bring it. Sweetums, I’d be glad to give you a guilt trip if it means more coffee for me. Just say the word.”
“Timotheus, hush your mouth.” Emma said with a wink that was pretty saucy for her as she raised her beverage in his direction.
“God no. Simply Tim will do just fine.”
I choked on my coffee. “Tim, you’re anything but simple.”
“True that,” he said as I got distracted by the ring of my cell phone.
