“I think Cheyenne should drive.”
Cal was about to argue when Cheyenne grabbed his truck keys from the dresser and headed for the door. “Don’t worry, Daddy. I got this.” She sent him a smug look over her shoulder. “But you might want to turn your shirt right side out.”
He had to admit that his daughter did a fine job of getting them to the hospital. At three-thirty-three that very day, Olivia Grace was born. She didn’t have red hair. Her thick stock of hair was as dark as Cheyenne’s had been when she was born. She had chubby cheeks and deep blue eyes and a loud scream that made Cal smile. It seemed she was going to be as vocal as her big sister.
“It’s pretty awesome, isn’t it?” Cheyenne moved up next to him to watch the nurses finish weighting and measuring Olivia. Cal had thought Cheyenne was too young to be in the birthing room. But when they’d arrived at the hospital, she’d refused to leave. And he was glad she was here to share this moment.
He put his arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her head. “Birth is definitely a miracle.”
“Especially when I never thought you’d get married again. Let alone give me a baby sister.”
Cal hadn’t thought it either. But he was learningthat things didn’t always turn out the way you thought they would. He had never thought he’d get remarried again or have more children. But here he stood in a room with his beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters. God knew what he was doing.
“It might be a miracle,” Cheyenne continued. “But it looks pretty painful. I think I’ll wait a while to have kids.”
Cal patted her arm. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“Here you go, Mr. Daily.” A nurse held out a blanket-wrapped Olivia. Since he had already gotten to hold her right after she was born, he nodded at Cheyenne. “I think big sis should get a turn.”
Cheyenne looked at him with wide eyes before she held out her arms and let the nurse place her little sister in them.
Yes, Cal thought as he looked at his two girls,God knew what he was doing. Cal glanced up at the ceiling and said a prayer of thanks before he moved over to the bed to thank someone else.
Jolene looked tired, but radiant. She smiled as he sat down beside her and took her hand. He placed a kiss on her knuckles, then looked into her eyes. In them, he saw love. The kind of love he’d always hoped for.
“Thank you, Jolie,” he said. “Not just for Olivia, but for choosing me for your secret affair.”
Jolene glanced over at Cheyenne. “Lower your voice. Do you want our daughter to hear?”Our daughter. Ever since they had gotten married, Jolene had always referred to Cheyenne as theirs.
“Cheyenne’s too wrapped up in her new sister to pay us any attention.” He lowered his voice. “But you’re probably right. We shouldn’t let her overhear us talking about you seducing me.”
Jolene released his hand and swatted his arm. “I did not seduce you, Cal Daily. You were the one who propositioned me.”
“Only because you showed up at my garage and started talking about sex—using the pretense of a flat tire.”
“I did have a flat tire!”
He shrugged. “True, but it would’ve been quite easy to hammer a nail into your tire just to get your hands on this hot mechanic.”
“Yuck, Daddy. Old guys aren’t hot.” Cheyenne stood behind Cal with Olivia tucked protectively in her arms. “I think Ollie’s hungry. She keeps sucking on her fist. And I know how she feels, I’m starving.” She moved around the bed and handed the baby to Jolene. “I’m going to go see if Grandpa Applegate and Aunt Lottie want to go to the cafeteria.”
Jolene had called her father and sister on the way to Abilene and they had both arrived at the hospital soon after. Charlotte had stayed with Jolene until Olivia was born, then had slipped out to tell their father the news.
Cal took his wallet out so he could give Cheyenne some money for food, but she shook her head. “Grandpa won’t let me pay. He likes spoiling me. He would’ve bought me a Mercedes for my sixteenth birthday if you hadn’t thrown such a fit over it.”
“You don’t need a Mercedes.” He slipped his wallet back into his pocket.
“You didn’t think I needed a boyfriend either.” Cheyenne’s eyes twinkled. “But you came around.”
“No Mercedes,” he repeated.
Cheyenne sighed. “Fine. But if Grandpa wants to get me a car for graduation, there’s not much I can do about it.” Olivia started fussing and Cheyenne leaned down and kissed her head, whispering just loud enough for Cal to hear. “Don’t worry, little sis. I’ll get Daddy all broken in before you start to date and drive.” Before Cal could do more than lift his eyebrows, she sailed out the door.
When she was gone, Jolene laughed. Cal couldn’t help joining in. Olivia didn’t think it was that funny. Her fussing turned to out-and-out cries. Jolene adjusted her hospital gown. Soon Olivia was quiet and suckling contentedly.
The sight of Jolene nursing their daughter filled Cal with contentment too. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. What felt like only minutes later, he startled awake to the sound of Jolene’s exclamation.
“Oh my goodness! What a surprise.”
