He laughed. “Well, yeah. That’ll be the best part.”
I shook my head. “Shut up and go do something useful.”
The screen door opened, and Cora beamed as she held Elias. “Sorry. It took a little longer than I thought. Pam was going over his schedule. There’s already been a lot of changes and I want to minimize any more.”
I waved her off. “Cora, it takes as long as it takes.” I lifted the diaper bag from her shoulder. “You ready?”
Pam stopped at the door. “If you need anything at all, you’ve got my number.” She smiled.
“Thank you.”
We were halfway to the car when she came to an abrupt halt. “Car seat. I don’t have a car seat.”
“Sure, you do,” I said as I continued walking.
“What?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “I got the best one in the market that was in stock at that baby boutique we passed yesterday.”
Her jaw slowly lowered. “Really?”
When I reached the car, I pulled the door open and waved my hand. “Ta-da. Car seat.” I quickly stored the diaper bag in the floorboard.
Thomas reached the car and stood at the edge of the open door.
She crossed the rest of the distance and stopped in front of me. “I keep racking up I.O.U.’s.”
“Did you ask for it?”
“Well, no.”
I lowered my gaze to Elias and smiled, taking his tiny hand in mine. “Your momma needs to learn about gifts.”
She gasped, and I looked up to find tears in her eyes. “Momma.”
“It’s only what?” I checked my phone. “Six months until your first Mother’s Day. May as well get used to the name.”
Her cheeks bloomed pink. “It might take a second.”
She was glowing. “Motherhood looks good on you.” And I intended to make sure she remained Elias’s mother.
“Thank you, Jason. For everything.” She lifted on her toes and kissed my cheek. “I’m sorry I’ve been?—”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” The hair on the back of my neck lifted. I released Elias’s hand and scanned the area, but saw nothing. “Let’s get him to the house.”
Thomas tensed. Now he was turning in circles.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I’ve been paranoid lately.” I had, but someonewaswatching us. I could feel it.
So could Thomas.
Once Elias was secured in his car seat which was in the middle of the backseat, we got in and headed to the house.
The drive back was quiet except for Cora’s soft humming to Elias. I kept checking the mirrors, but didn’t see anything suspicious. Still, the feeling of being watched lingered.
“He’s so good,” Cora said softly while gently stroking Elias’s cheek. “Pam said he barely fusses unless he’s hungry or needs changing.”
