“Thanks, you guys. This… means a lot.” Cass wipes the corner of her eyes, pulling the tissue from another gift bag on her lap.
Kate rubs her hand over the blanket covering Cass’s legs. “It’s the least we can do for family.”
35
Cassidy
5 weeks later
The cabin air’s warm and carries a faint smell of cedar. An entire hour in my leatherworking space felt like a vacation, even though I didn’t get much work done with my mind constantly wandering to thoughts of how Chase was coping. He insisted they’d be fine—that Hazel would likely sleep the whole time I was gone—and it would appear he was right. He’s reclined on the couch watching TV, feet resting on the coffee table, holding her tiny body against his bare chest. Her legs curled up under her diaper-clad bum, tiny fist tucked in next to a chubby cheek, wispy red hair stood on end.
Something about the sight of them together always plucks at my heartstrings. I seriously doubt I’lleverget tired of watching Chase hold our baby. While I thought seeing him as an uncle was hot, watching him fall madly in love with our baby girl has made me even more attracted to him than I thought possible. But there are certain moments when the six-week postpartum date cannot come soon enough. Like now, when they’re having skin-to-skin bonding time, or when he bounces her to sleep while shushing softly, or when he wears her in a baby wrap while he cooks dinner.
I’m ruined.
I sink down into the worn couch next to him with a contented exhale.
“So, how did it go?”
“I spent most of the time worrying about you two, but that’ll probably get better, right? I have to say, it wasreallynice to see something other than these four walls for a change.” I tuck my feet under me and peer over at her fluttering eyelashes. “I came back because I’m guessing she’ll wake up any second, based on how sore my boobs are.”
On cue, she whimpers, lolling her head across his skin. Just before she starts to really wind up, I pluck her from his chest, bringing her to mine. All the worries about not bonding with her seem silly in hindsight. I loved her before she was even born, but reaching down to grab her as she entered this world filled me with an entirely indescribable feeling. Like we share a soul, she and I. I’m not concerned about whether I’ll follow in my mom’s footsteps—not anymore. And I can’t speak for Chase, but I don’t think he’s scared of becoming his dad.
Looking at our perfect baby girl, it’s impossible to imagine how anybody could hurt their child. Hazel has two parents who would do anything for her. Two parents who are so in love time stops when we kiss and shooting stars whizz past when I look into her daddy’s eyes.
“You’re incredible.” Chase leans in so the side of his head is touching mine. These days we spend the majority of our time exactly like this, watching in awe as our perfect daughter simply exists. It doesn’t matter if she’s eating, sleeping, pooping, or doing all three at once. We’re obsessed.
My phone vibrates, and Chase reaches to grab it from the coffee table. “It’s Blair. Um, apparently she was volunteering at the rodeo today and Denny got knocked out. So they’re heading to the hospital.”
“Shit.Is he okay? Do you need to go?”
“Um, hold on. I’ll ask.” His fingers are already tapping out a reply as he speaks.
“Also…” I give him a mischievous look. “Denny and Blair are together right now? For the first time in over a decade? Can we talk about that?”
“You’re such a shit disturber.” He nudges me with his shoulder. “Denny’s awake and they’re going to run some tests at the hospital. So I’m good to stay here with my girls.”
“You know you make my heart melt every time you call us your girls.”
He kisses me, then leans down and softly plants a kiss on her head, taking a second to savour her sweet baby smell. “You’re my two girls, my world, my entire reason.”
4 months later
Lounging by the riverbank, I dip my toes into the cold stream while nursing Hazel under a beach umbrella. Aside from my leatherworking space, where I’ve been spending hours each week in preparation for my online store launch next month, this is my favourite place to be. Everyone on the ranch takes advantage of this small slice of heaven every chance we get. Which hasn’t been terribly often, thanks to the unbearably hot summer so far, with raging forest fires and plenty of days when the skies are too smoky to safely sit outside with an infant.
Cecily’s lounged back between Austin’s legs, nose buried in a book. Kate and the kids are stacking rocks downstream. A little further down, some of the ranch hands are splashing and acting like teenage boys while chugging back beer. And Blair’s lying on her stomach on a towel next to me—her sunglasses so dark I can’t tell if she’s simply zoned out or asleep—either way, she’s been perfectly still for at least twenty minutes.
Looking down, Hazel’s fast asleep in my arms. Taking my chances that Blair’s awake, I say, “Can you watch her while I go see what’s taking Chase so long?”
“Mmmm. What?” She tilts her head, shielding the sun with a flat palm, then realizes what I was asking. “Oh, yeah. Yes. Give me my niece.”She sits up in a hurry and drags the umbrella toward her, then scoops up my daughter and eases her into her arms with a calming shush.
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” I stand and brush the sand from my legs before slipping on my sandals and heading up the hilly path toward the ranch.
I’m taken aback by Chase carrying a loaded cooler down the dirt path. Bulging veins weave an intricate pathway up both arms, from his large, work-hardened hands to his massive biceps. His chest is taut, gleaming with a light sheen of sweat. And the smile he shoots me nearly brings me to my knees.
God. It’s cruel how attractive he is.
“Hey, you,” he says.
