Before Elena retorted, David asked, “Has Xaviera been fed?”
Elena nodded.
“Changed?”
She nodded again.
That ruled out what he knew about babies. “Why don’t I take her downstairs for a walk?” he suggested, thinking only to get the crying baby away from Zita. “You can go back to sleep.”
“Do you know anything about babies?” Alejandra asked, at the same time that Elena said, “All right.”
Alejandra flounced back into her own room as Elena handed him the crying bundle.Shit.The baby was tiny, her neck kind of floppy, and he used one hand to brace it. He forced a smile to his face. “I’ve got this.” He wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince, Elena or himself. She went back into her bedroom and he moved toward the stairs, walking slowly.
Hell, when had stairs become a trap for the unwary? They were so steep. One false step and he’d tumble down them, baby in his arms. He couldn’t use the banister because both hands were occupied by Xaviera. He inched his way to the bottom, sweating profusely.
Praying Carmen was in the kitchen, he headed there, but the kitchen was empty. He gently shushed Xaviera, swaying the way Zita had at dinner the previous night. It didn’t have any effect. He glanced around and spotted a folded stroller in the laundry, but one look showed him it was going to be much too complicated to work out while holding a baby. A baby that was surprisingly getting heavier the longer he held her.
Walking over to the window, he peered outside. It was overcast, but not raining. Perhaps some fresh air would be good. He managed to hold the baby and support her head with one hand, while he quickly opened the back door and stepped outside. There was a bit of a chill in the air, but Xaviera was bundled up. To be on the safe side, he wrapped one side of his leather jacket around her as well.
He was a few steps along the path before his mind registered what he was seeing.
The garden was amazing. In every direction there were lush green plants falling over each other in a competition as to which was the most beautiful. It was a jungle begging to be explored.
With a grin, he wandered down the path to see what he could find.
***
Zita woke from a lovely dream starring David. She rolled over and stretched, reaching for him so she could reenact it. The other side of her bed was empty.
David had stayed the night. She was sure of it.
But where was he?
Quickly, she got up and dressed. The house was surprisingly silent. Maybe the others had gone to the early session of church. She hurried downstairs and found her mother in the kitchen making coffee. “Have you seen David this morning?”
“Yes, he’s out in the garden with Xaviera.”
Zita frowned as she headed outside. What was he doing with the baby? He wouldn’t even hold her last night. “David,” she called.
“Over here.”
His response was hardly more than a whisper. Following the sound, she found him seated on one of the garden benches, Xaviera cradled in his arms and his jacket half covering her to keep her warm. Her heart stuttered at the sweet picture. “What are you doing?”
“Shh. She’s just gone to sleep.”
Zita pressed her lips together to stop from smiling at his slightly panicked tone. She lowered her voice. “How long have you been out here?”
“I don’t know. It was about seven when I got up.”
It was now eight o’clock. “How come you have Xaviera?”
“She was crying and Elena and Alejandra were arguing. I didn’t want them to wake you, so I offered to take her downstairs. Then I wasn’t sure whether you’d still be able to hear her in the kitchen, so I brought her outside.”
Zita’s heart melted. He’d taken care of the baby so she could sleep a little longer. She bent over and kissed him. “Thank you.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Why don’t you come inside and I’ll cook you a big breakfast? You deserve it.”
