“It’s unlocked,” Harper answers.
I turn the handle and step in, bringing the bag with me.
Her back is to me, and she’s got Zeke on the bathroom mat with a changing pad, as she secures the tabs on his new diaper. “All clean,” she says in that sweet voice that she uses when talking to Zeke.
He’s squirming and restless, but she manages to keep him steady while she changes his clothes, since the other ones were wet.
Something we both have in common, well kind of.
Mine is definitely from the rain, though, kid.
Harper lifts him off the changing mat and turns him to face me. I scrunch my nose, making a face at the little fellow, and he laughs and claps his hands together.
Cute.
“Can you hold him while I change?” Harper asks. She puts her arms out with him in her grasp, handing him off like a football.
“I—um, if you need me to,” I stumble with what to say. It’s not that I mind holding Zeke, that’s the furthest thought from my mind. I just don’t want him to cry or be scared of me.
I take the toddler from her arms, and immediately, the tears start, as does the screaming.
Exactly what I was afraid of.
“It’s okay, buddy. Your mom is right here,” I say and turn him around to face her. That seems to settle him for the moment, at least from the tears.
He squirms in my grasp, wanting to be in her arms. “Mama. Mama,” he chants repeatedly, trying to get her attention.
“I know, Zeke. Just a minute.”
Harper unzips my duffel and rummages through the clothes. “What are you going to wear?” she asks, her gaze moving over my soaking wet ensemble.
“It’s fine. I’m only covered in rainwater.”
She yanks out my t-shirt and cargo pants for tomorrow. I doubt the cargo pants will fit her. “Turn around,” she demands, gesturing with her finger for me to spin around.
I turn Zeke and myself around, and the crying ensues.
“Aww, come on, Zeke. I’m not that bad to look at,” I say and spin him around to face me. I attempt to make silly faces at him, scrunching my nose and then sticking out my tongue. Nothing helps.
The soft thud of clothes hits the floor.
“He clearly wants you,” I say, turning back around because I can’t stand the sound of Zeke crying and screaming for Harper. It breaks my heart.
Harper’s eyes widen when she sees me staring at her in her bra and panties.
“Oh my gosh, Luca! Shut your eyes,” she snaps at me.
“It’s not like I haven’t seen it before,” I say with a smirk.
I close my eyes but keep Zeke in my arms, turning him around to see Harper, which at least makes the crying stop.
“Yeah, well, you don’t get a free show,” Harper grumbles at me.
A few seconds later, her hand grazes mine. “You can open them now,” she says.
I hand over Zeke, who gladly climbs into his mother’s arms. I don’t know how she manages to spend so much time away from him. It probably can’t be easy for her.
“I’ll get your clothes washed during dinner,” I say and gather her belongings. I lead her to the dining room, drop her off with the others, while I hurry across the hall to the laundry room.
