“Father!” Layla called as she entered the kitchen.
“Why, Layla. I didn’t expect to see you,” Emmett said, standing near the kitchen countertop with a cup of coffee poised in his hand. “This is a pleasant surprise.” His gray eyes lit up.
Putting his coffee mug on the countertop, he closed the space between them. He wrapped Layla in a hug, and she sighed with relief. He seemed to be sober. It also felt nice to hug her father again. He felt a little thinner than he had two weeks earlier, but Layla could not be sure. She had worried about him, but she had been so busy with her new life on the ranch that she had neglected to check in with him. Now that she was hugging him once more, she felt better about the situation.
When Emmett pulled away from Layla, he held her at arm’s length. “How are you, my dear girl?” he asked affectionately.
She gave him a bright smile. “I’m doing well, Papa. The baby and I just came into town to pick up some supplies and to see you, of course.”
“Baby?” Father made a face. “Where’s the baby?” He peeked behind her as if she might be hiding the child, and his expression was dumbfounded.
Layla chuckled. “The baby is downstairs with Eliza. I met her on my way into the store.”
“Eliza’s already here?” Emmett asked, raising a hand to clap himself on the forehead. “I got up early and unlocked the front door so she would be able to come right in, but I didn’t think she would arrive so soon. She’s a real go-getter, that one.”
“Well, I’d say she came in right on time. That makes Heath and me your first customers of the day, and she was here to interact with us.”
“Yes, yes, that’s all well and good. I’m glad she’s able to come in as early as she does. What did you think of her?” Emmett questioned, leaning in conspiratorially as if Layla might need to whisper her response.
Layla snickered once more at her father’s exaggerated movements. “I liked her very much. She’s good with the baby, and that means a lot, so—”
“Yes, let’s talk about this baby. Might I be able to meet him sometime today?” Emmett asked eagerly and with hopeful eyes.
“Of course,” she responded. “Just let me grab some lemonade and a little milk. Then I will take you to him.” She gathered the drinks quickly and did her best to keep up with her father; Emmett couldn’t hide his delight as he practically skipped down the stairs.
I wonder about him, Layla thought as she followed her father into the store.He seems happy and well-rested. Hiring some help was good for him.But is he sober?Layla tipped her head as she contemplated this. She couldn’t be sure. He had been coherent during their brief conversation, and he hadn’t tripped or stumbled down the stairs, but sometimes it was hard to tell. He wasn’t always the confused drunk who wound up sleeping on the front porch. Sometimes, he would drink and interact perfectly with others.
Layla watched her father approach Eliza and Heath. From the stacks of goods, Eliza plucked a rattle and handed it over to Heath. As she placed the toy in his hand, she helped him shake it vigorously. Heath startled slightly, but Eliza kept her hand over Heath’s, and together, they shook the rattle once more. This time, Heath giggled. Emmett picked up a second rattle and shook it. Little Heath swiveled his head in the direction of the new set of sounds. The rattle in his hand flew wildly as Heath flapped his arms. He seemed to be enjoying the sounds that were ringing out around him as he giggled once more.
Well,Layla concluded,I would like to think the best, and so I shall. The Lord has blessed us, indeed. Heath is happy. Eliza appears to be a capable assistant here at the store, and my father seems to be in good spirits. Yes, Layla thought,God has been very good to me today. But will the good times last?That sinking thought wormed its way into Layla’s mind, and try as she might, she couldn’t get it to disappear.
Chapter Ten
For the rest of the morning, Layla enjoyed spending time with Heath, Eliza, and her father. When new customers came into the store, they all admired baby Heath’s cherubic face and curly brown hair.
“That may be the most handsome child I’ve ever seen,” Mrs. Miller, the wife of the solicitor who worked next door, declared as she paid for a loaf of bread and two new copper basins.
Compliments of that sort poured in throughout the day, and Layla was pleased to see how the townsfolk treated Heath. The small group of visitors who came into the store had quite a splendid time talking over the town’s news these past two weeks. Layla had more than one person ask her discreetly about her desire to marry so quickly, but she did her best to skirt the issue. She didn’t want the townspeople to know about her father’s debts and what she had done to satisfy them. Things were looking up; she wanted to focus on her present. It included this beautiful baby Heath and her husband, who she found herself eager to see at home.
“Little Heath seems to like the vegetables the best,” Eliza said knowingly when Layla and Heath were standing next to a bin full of turnips.
“Yes, we spend a lot of time in the garden together, don’t we, Heath?” Layla asked the baby.
“He’ll be talking before long,” Eliza remarked, and Layla nodded in agreement.
“I think he may be pretty close. Lately, there are times when it seems like the words are just on the tip of his tongue.”
“You’re very good with him. I’ll bet he’ll be walking and talking in no time,” Eliza said thoughtfully, tipping her head to the side. “I can see that you are doing an excellent job with the baby.”
Layla shrugged. Having lifted him as they looked into the turnip bin, he felt heavy again in her arms. “I wouldn’t mind if he started walking.”
Eliza laughed, and it made her whole face glow. “I’ll take a turn. I love holding babies. Jack says I’ll be wanting to have one of my own before long, but I don’t know about all that. I don’t think we’re quite ready yet.” She gave Layla a guilty look. “But you may not have been ready, and you make it work.”
Layla nodded and held Heath toward Eliza. “While I might be able to manage, it is hard work; I won’t deny that. I couldn’t do it without a little assistance from the Lord.” Layla paused and quoted one of her favorite Bible verses. “‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’”
“Psalms?” Eliza asked, smiling knowingly.
“Indeed,” Layla responded.
