“She gave me temporary custody of Zoe to keep her from going into the foster system,” Clinton said and picked up a ticket. “I’ve kept her for a couple of days at a time before when her mama was having problems, so she knows me. Irene and Ruby loved having her in the shop.”
Taryn sat down on the stool beside Clinton, but she couldn’t keep from staring at the baby. Even though the baby’s eyes were closed, Taryn thought for a moment that they would be brown. She had fallen in love with a friend’s baby when she was in the air force—a little girl with dark hair and brown eyes. She had often babysat her, and Taryn had cried until her eyes were swollen when Alicia’s family was sent to Germany.
“Her father’s name was Larry,” Clinton went on to say. “I knew him very well.”
“Was?” Taryn asked.
“He was killed when an IED went off under the Humvee he was driving. Rebecca had finished her second enlistment and had been sent back to the States a few months earlier. She was six months pregnant when Larry was killed. His time was up in another month, and as soon as he got home and discharged, they were going to get married. His death put her in a tailspin that she can’t seem to crawl up out of.”
Taryn looked down at the sleeping baby and sighed. “Poor little darlin’. How old is she?”
“Four months today,” Clinton answered. “Irene and Ruby have helped me with her when I had to go out for deliveries.”
“Don’t expect me to do that,” Jorja said.
Taryn whipped around and glared at her cousin. “You teach kindergarten. You have to like kids.”
“I like them just fine.” Jorja met her gaze with one just as cold. “After they are potty-trained and won’t throw up on me. I’ll wait on the front, do floral arrangements, or even clean the bathroom, but don’t ask me to change diapers or babysit that child. That’s why I teach the five- to eight-year-old Sunday school class. I love kids, not babies.”
“If she’s asleep, I’ll help with her,” Anna Rose said, “but I’m with Jorja on the diaper duty. No, thank you. I would like to take some pictures of her with Goldie, though. People drool over baby and kitty-cat pictures.”
“I’ll help with whatever she needs, and if you’ve got evening appointments, I’ll babysit her,” Taryn said. “Is Rebecca from here in Shamrock?”
“No, she lives across the Oklahoma border in Erick,” Clinton answered. “I appreciate the help. Irene told me, if I got in a bind, to bring her over to Ruby’s place, but she’s got enough on her plate.”
“No problem.” Taryn couldn’t take her eyes off the baby. “I’m glad to help. That’s a lot for Rebecca to have to live with. I feel so sorry for her.”
“I’ll pray for her,” Jorja said as she gathered flowers for a bouquet.
“When she gets well, I’ll take her dancing if Taryn will babysit,” Anna Rose said.
“Thank all y’all,” Clinton said.
Taryn was staring at Zoe when the baby opened her eyes and smiled at her. “Did you see that, Clinton? She smiled at me. Is it okay if I take her out of the carrier?”
“Of course,” Clinton answered with a nod. Of the three, he would have guessed that Jorja would be the one who loved babies the most.
The baby snuggled right down into Taryn’s chest when she picked her up. “Hello, sweet darlin’,” Taryn whispered. “I wonder what color your eyes will be when you get a little older. You and I are going to be good friends, and I can already tell that I’m going to hate to see you leave in a few weeks.”
The bell above the door let them know a customer had arrived, so Taryn carried Zoe to the front. “What can I help you with?” Clinton heard her ask.
“Whose baby is that?” came Elaine’s muffled demand.
“Good Lord, why don’t they leave me alone?” Clinton whispered.
“All three want to win your love and affection,” Anna Rose answered.
“And your money,” Jorja added.
Anna Rose put her finger on her lips. “Shhh. I want to hear how Taryn handles this.”
All the talk in the back room stopped so they could listen to the conversation.
“If you lose the attitude and apologize for being so hateful to me and my cousins, I might tell you,” Taryn answered.
“I won’t apologize to you for anything,” Elaine practically growled.
Taryn turned, and it looked like Elaine could then see Zoe better. “Then you’ll have to guess who her mama is. Do you think her eyes will be green when she’s a little older?”
