He turned to see that she’d stood, leaving the babe on the blanket but wrapped up tight again.
She waited for his answer, hesitation raising her brows. With the fire’s glow like that, he couldn’t miss how pretty her features were. Almost like an angel.
He motioned toward his food bag. “I was just going to fry up some ham to eat with biscuits. If you can stand that fare, I’ve got it covered.”
She gave a single nod. “That sounds nice. Could you keep an eye on Ruby while I go to the wagon? She should lie there and play.”
Now it was his turn to widen his eyes. He had no idea what to do if she started crying. But the babe held a piece of braided leather and seemed calm enough. He nodded, despite the nerves tightening inside him. “Sure.”
Miss Hampton strode out the door.Lord, help me. But surely Miss Hampton wouldn’t have left if there would be trouble.
He pulled the skillet from his bag and set it on the hearth to heat. Then he opened the cloth that held the food. The ham would taste mighty fine fried up crisp.
As he laid the pieces in the pan, a strange squawk came from the floor behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see the babe staring at him, eyes wide and curious.
"You doing all right there, little bit?" Speaking to a newborn felt like talking to himself, especially when she made no sound in return.
“All right then. I’ll just finish getting this food ready to cook.” He turned back to his work but shifted so he could still see her at the corner of his gaze.
Funny how the little thing seemed to be studying him, watching his every move. Didn't seem natural for a babe so tiny to be that alert. He moved the pan into the fire, positioning it where the ham should fry without burning.
A wail split the quiet. He jumped, nearly dropping the knife in his other hand. He spun to see the child crying, her little face scrunched up in a howl.
He placed his knife on the hearth and watched the door, wiping his hands on the edge of the cloth that had held the food. Miss Hampton must have heard the cry. She’d come back to help the babe.
Wouldn’t she?
Another howl echoed through the room, making his heart pound. Surely, the woman would run back inside any moment now.
But she didn’t. The door stayed closed. And the babe loosed another squall, this time longer than the others.
Tension thrummed through his veins. He had to do something. He couldn't leave her crying there without help.
Setting the pan aside, he grabbed the cloth that had held the biscuits and wiped his hands again. Then he pushed up from his crouch and moved the few steps to kneel beside the newborn’s blanket. Was she in pain? Sick? Had an insect crept in and bit her? His imagination took off on a dark path, thinking of of all the perils that could befall a person in an abandoned cabin like this one.
He bent low, trying to keep his voice soft. "What is it, little bit?" As soon as the words left his lips, the ruckus ceased. Her mouth still hung open in the shape of a wail, but her wide, teary eyes stared up at him.
For a long moment, they simply looked at each other. Was there pain in her expression? Not that he could tell.
Then she squeezed her eyes shut and loosed another howl.
"Hey now, no need for all that." He reached out a tentative hand to pat her belly. "Your mama will be back soon."
The babe quieted again and blinked up at him, tears clinging to her lashes. Her chin still trembled, but she seemed to be listening to him.
He’d best keep talking. But what should he say to a baby?
She whimpered, and he started blathering about dinner. "Are you hungry? I’ve got some good ham frying up. In fact, it might just burn if I don’t turn the slices."
Her mouth settled into a normal line, and her curious gaze stayed on him.
He didn’t dare move away yet. Not even to take his hand from her middle. “I’ll put biscuits in the pan to warm with the grease from the ham. They’ll be as dandy as if we had fresh butter. Don’t wanna cook ’em too long though or they’ll be dry.”
The babe reached for his hand with one tiny fist. She gripped his pinky and tugged, so he let her pull him. The contact warmed something inside him. How peculiar. She was so small, so easy to break. Yet she held him in a grip he would have to pry himself away from. If he had any desire to do so.
"I see you two are getting acquainted."
He jerked up at Miss Hampton’s voice. He’d not even heard the door open.
