“We’ve got a big day planned,” Layla told Heath as she gathered his clothes to prepare him for the day. “First, we’re going to find your daddy.”
“Da!” Heath responded, and Layla loved how this had almost become automatic for Heath. It showed such growth, and she was delighted knowing that the baby was making progress.
“Yes, Heath,” Layla said with a smile. “We’re going to talk to your daddy. Then, we are going to head into town and seemydaddy.”
“Da,” Heath repeated, and Layla smiled affectionately at him, even though he couldn’t see it.
“That’s right, Heath. We will both get to talk to our daddies today. And we will also get to spend some time with Eliza. You like Eliza, don’t you, Heath?” He gurgled in response, and Layla thought that was his way of saying yes.
Once Heath was dressed, they went downstairs in search of Mark. Layla was dismayed when she saw his empty seat at the dining room table. “It seems he ate breakfast without us, Heath,” Layla told the boy. He blew a raspberry sound. “Well, we’ll just eat our own breakfast and go down to the barn to see if we can find him.”
She and the baby finished their quick breakfast, and Layla strapped on the baby sling before heading down to the barn with Heath. When they couldn’t find Mark there or at the stables, she grew a tad frustrated.
Jack appeared, leading a horse loosely by the reins and startled when he saw Layla with the baby. “Layla. Heath,” Jack said, gathering himself.
“Good morning, Jack,” Layla said, joining him by the horse. “Can you smell the horse, Heath?” she whispered quietly. “He has long, long legs. His coat is brown, and he has large white spots on his hindquarters.”
Jack furrowed his brow as he listened to Layla describe the animal.
“What is this horse’s name?” Layla asked Jack politely.
“This is Comet.”
“That horse is called Comet, Heath. He is very handsome, and if Jack lets us, we might just pet his side.” She glanced at Jack for permission.
Jack gave them space so they could touch the horse. “Of course, Layla. You and the Baby Boss can do whatever you please.”
“Thank you,” Layla nodded in appreciation. She guided Heath’s hands to touch the horse and ran her hand over the soft brown coat.
Jack still observed Layla and Heath with a question in his eyes, and she could tell that he was waiting to ask her something. At last, he said, “So are you just touring the stables today or did you need something special?”
Layla gasped. “Oh,” she exclaimed. “I was so distracted by this beautiful animal and by showing him to Heath that I forgot why we came down here.”
Jack nodded his head; Layla got the impression that he understood how a person could spend hours just looking at the interesting animals around the farm. “So … what can I do for you, Layla?”
She scanned the stables quickly. “We were looking for Mark. We wanted to let him know that we were going into town. We actually plan to see Eliza at the general store.”
“That sounds like a fine way to spend the day, and I’m sure my wife will appreciate the company. I’ll be sure to let Mark know when I see him next.”
“Oh, would you?” Layla asked with relief. “If you could pass on the message, I’d really be grateful.”
“Of course, it’s not a problem,” Jack answered. “I’m just going to put Comet back in his stall and head out into the fields in search of Mr. Flint, anyhow. I can deliver your message while I’m out there.”
“Thank you, Jack,” Layla said. She whispered to Heath, “We’re going to say goodbye to Jack and the horse now, Heath. Then we are going to see Eliza.” Heath waved his hands back and forth in the air. Having worked with him on doing this when saying goodbye, Layla was proud to see him do it now.
***
They spent all morning and afternoon at Fitzpatrick’s General Store. Layla’s father was delighted to see them and insisted that Layla let him hold the baby for a few minutes while she and Eliza had glasses of punch. Emmett walked with Heath around the store, pointing out nuts, bolts, and other pieces of hardware.
“Don’t let him put those in his mouth, Papa,” Layla called out.
“I know what to do with babies, Layla,” he shouted back. “You were one yourself not too long ago.”
Layla laughed and settled herself primly into a chair that Eliza pulled up behind the counter. The two ladies sat, talking of the new bolts of cloth that had just arrived, and Eliza complimented Layla’s dress.
“You seem happy today, Layla, if you don’t mind my saying,” Eliza pointed out as she took a long sip of her fruit punch.
“Iamhappy,” Layla answered without hesitation.
