“Shoe.” He points to the slip-on sandals.
Feeling his presence, I look up to find Baker watching us from the kitchen. “These okay, Daddy?” I ask. His eyes flare, but he quickly masks his before nodding. And now, I’m turned on trying to put his son’s shoes on him. Get it together, Peterson, I think to myself, clearing my throat. “Dad approved, kiddo. Let’s get these babies on, shall we?” I make quick work of slipping on his sandals before he climbs to his feet and runs to the kitchen.
“Daddy, swide.” Baker’s deep rumble of laughter fills the room.
“I’m just grabbing us some drinks. Are you ready?”
“Weady!” Camden wiggles his little body as he can barely contain his excitement.
“Do we drive or walk to the park?” I ask Baker.
“Both. Today, I thought we could drive. Well, I thought you could drive. It will give you a chance to get familiar with the SUV and his car seat.”
I want to tell him it’s not rocket science, but I stop myself. Before me stands a man who’s had to learn all of this on his own with each passing day. He didn’t have a partner by his side to learn it with him. He’s it, and if he wants to insist on showing me the little things, I’ll endure it, because it’s coming from a place of love.
“You got it.” I offer him a smile, grab my purse, and head toward the garage. I don’t make it far before Camden is sliding his little hand in mine and tugging me toward the door that opens to the garage.
“Are you going to help me with this?” I ask Camden, pulling open the car door and lifting him into his seat. He reaches for the straps, and with my help, we get them in place, and he’s all strapped in before Baker slides in on the opposite side to check my work. I don’t take it personally. He has every right to ensure his son is safe and protected.
“I guess you’ve got this, huh?” Baker chuckles, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a slight pink to his cheeks.
“It never hurts to check,” I assure him. “All right, Cam, my man, you ready for the park?”
“Swide!”
I laugh. “Slide, here we come.” After closing his door, I climb behind the wheel and take a few minutes to adjust the seat and mirrors.
“Go ahead and save your adjustment to setting two.” Baker points to the memory seat function.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. I bought this car for Camden and the nanny, and currently, that’s you.”
“You know, these perks are a he—heck of a lot better than the school systems.” I laugh, and he replies with a chuckle of his own.
“Good.”
Starting the SUV, I slowly back out of the garage and head toward the park. I’ve been there several times with the girls and have taken walks or taken Camden and Coral there, so I already know where I’m going.
“It’s so nice that you know us so well already,” Baker says from the passenger seat. “That’s definitely going to make this transition easier.”
“And when you find someone permanent, I’ll help them, too, so it all doesn’t fall to you.”
“That means a lot, thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” It takes no time to reach the park, and I jump into action, getting Camden out of his car seat, leaving Baker to handle the diaper bag. I toss him the keys before I shoot off, running with Camden in my arms, both of us laughing, as we reach the big kid slide. This little man has waited patiently all morning to slide, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
We spend the next hour going down the slide. Baker and I take turns going with Camden down the big kid slide, and his squeals of laughter could brighten even the darkest of days. I don’t know how long it will take Baker to find a permanent replacement, but I’m going to enjoy every minute of this new gig, and thank my lucky stars I’m not slinging drinks to drunks.
Give me a rambunctious two-year-old over rowdy drunks any day of the week.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m willing to do what I have to do. I have to have a job, but this one, the one that fell into my lap, just might be my favorite of any before it, and it’s only my first day.
Chapter Seven
Baker
“Do you know what today is?” I ask Camden. “It’s your birthday party.” I pitch my voice, showing him my excitement, and he claps his hands while I wrangle his diaper on him. I have no idea what the ladies have decided for today, but whatever it is, I know that our most important people will be here to celebrate my little guy.
