I go around and grab the diaper bag and sling it over my shoulder. “I know one thing that might help,” I offer.
Once she’s got Juniper in her arms, I click the fob to lock the car and slip the keys back into my pocket.
She smooths Juniper’s hair with a hand but peeks over her baby’s head to meet my eyes. “Yeah?” she asks, a small smile playing on those perfect lips. “What’s that?”
“When it comes to what you did in the car back there,” I say, grinning, “your gut was right on. Maybe before, you trusted your feelings, but you just couldn’t trust the person you had the feelings for.”
Her lips part, and she looks at me with an expression that’s part sad, part thankful. “I think that first house was the one, but I still want to look at a few more to be sure.”
Something in her voice gives me the feeling she is talking about more than just the house. “When you know, you know,” I assure her, resting my palm lightly against her lower back. “And if it’s really the one for you, it’ll be there when you’re ready. Now, I think I see what looks like some very filthy gutters.” I point to the roof of the house ahead of us. “Not liking this one already, but let’s take a look. Maybe we’ll find some proof that your gut is right and you’ve already found the one.”
* * *
By the timewe finish looking at every house on the list, it’s a lot later than I expected. In the driveway of the last house, Juniper has a full meltdown. She’s eaten snacks from the diaper bag, had water and another diaper change, but even Eden looks a little tired and flustered.
“I’m starving,” she says. “And you’ve got to be too.” She looks at her watch and bounces Juniper against her hip. “I’d wanted to make one more stop before going back to the hotel, but I don’t think Junie’s got it in her. Do you mind if we head back?”
My stomach growls. “Can we stop for some food along the way?”
She nods, thanks Taylor for all the work today, and then bustles off toward the SUV.
I click the fob to unlock the vehicle and turn to shake Taylor’s hand. “Thanks for letting me tag along,” I say. “It was nice meeting you.” I’m turning to head out when Taylor calls my name.
“Vito,” she says, then looks toward Eden, who is coaxing a very cranky baby into her car seat. “I think Eden really liked that first house. What do you think?”
I nod. “It’s her call, but no doubt that house will make a great home. Well maintained, move-in condition. Upstairs bathrooms could use a remodel at some point, but nothing she couldn’t live with for a couple years. If she makes a decision, I’m sure she’ll let you know.”
Taylor nods. “A house like that won’t stay on the market long.” I’m not sure why she’s telling me this, but then, of course, she drops the bomb. “You know, if your credit is an issue, we have programs. I work with a lot of mortgage brokers, and we’ll find a way. There’s no reason why the two of you can’t make this happen.”
I bark out a laugh. “Thanks for that,” I say. “But my credit’s just fine, not that it matters since I won’t be buying the house. But I’ll pass that along to Eden.”
Taylor looks confused, like even though Eden said we were just friends, she doesn’t believe I won’t be moving in to the house with her. But she just says okay and shoves a handful of business cards at me. I didn’t think people used business cards much anymore, but I take them, thank her again, and head over to the truck.
Juniper is in full scream mode, with tears on her red face and her lower lip trembling, coated with drool, she’s so worked up.
I’ve seen epic meltdowns like this before, so I know the best thing to do is let Mom tell me what she wants. I press my hand to Eden’s lower back. “Can I help?” I ask. “Jokes? Take her for a walk? We don’t need to get in the car right now. Whatever she needs, we do.”
Eden looks at me with gratitude all over her face. She looks flustered too. “Thanks,” she says, “but I think she’s tired. I should have paid closer attention to the time. We missed her nap by about an hour. I’m going to ride in the back with her if you don’t mind playing chauffeur.”
“Absolutely. Go around. I’ll hang with her until you’re in.”
While Eden runs around the rear bumper to climb into the seat behind the driver, I look down at sad little Juniper. My heart tightens physically in my chest at the misery on her cute face. She’s obviously worked up and overtired if she missed her nap, but I can’t help wanting to do something.
“Hey, kiddo,” I say, reaching a hand out to her. I don’t do anything, just reach my fingers toward her, and Juniper surprises me by lifting her arms up and screaming a very easy-to-understand word.
“Up. Up.”
I look helplessly at Eden, who is climbing into the back seat. “What do I do?” I ask. “She wants up?”
Eden sighs. “Yeah, I’m sure she does.” She looks at Taylor, who’s staring at us through the window, and waves. “You know what, get her up. She’s had a long day, and she’s wrecked. Maybe she’ll calm down a bit if we just let her settle.”
With Juniper continuing to scream, I reach into the back seat, unbuckle her safety belt, and pick her up from the car seat. She flops against my shoulder, her little mouth biting into my shirt.
“Oh God.” When Eden comes around and sees Juniper’s basically gone vampire on me, she runs back to the car for the diaper bag. “Teething,” she says. “Poor kiddo. I’ll bet she’s in pain.” She comes back to the passenger side of the car with a little plastic bottle in her hands. “These are organic teething tablets. They’ll dissolve against her gums and give her a little relief. Can you hold her while I do this?”
“Yep.” I’ve seen this before, but never up close and personal. It’s actually really heartbreaking. She’s got to be in some kind of pain, but the second her mom puts her fingers in Junie’s mouth, the crying eases. A little white froth bubbles on her lips, but true to Eden’s prediction, just having some fingers to bite on seems to calm Juniper down enough to stop the screaming.
“There we go,” I say, keeping my voice calm and cheerful. “You got this, kiddo.”
