Then Grace opened her big brown eyes and cried. The mirth faded as a slight panic hit Peyton. She didn’t have any experience with babies. None. While pregnant with Samuel, she and Dawson had taken parenting classes at a local church, but lessons about diaper changes and proper ways to hold an infant were a distant memory. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She probably needs a fresh diaper.” Dawson pulled into the parking lot of a big box store. He found a spot close to the entrance and hopped out before opening Peyton’s door. His easy smile put her at ease as he extended a hand to help her out of the vehicle.
Peyton hesitated and then slipped her fingers into his. Muscles, injured during the fight at the train depot, hurt with every move. Although she smothered the wince, Dawson, ever perceptive, placed his other hand on her elbow to steady her asshe stepped to the ground. His touch, along with his nearness, sent her heart skittering. She did her best to ignore the reaction.
Dawson grabbed the backpack from the floorboard and lifted Grace from her car seat. His nose wrinkled. “Woof! Yep, she needs a diaper change, all right.”
They hurried inside and found a family bathroom. Dawson lowered the baby changing station and laid Grace on it. “We’ll need wipes and another diaper.” He deftly slid the soft cotton pants off Grace and winced. “And another change of clothes.”
Peyton opened the backpack and found neatly organized supplies, including a plastic Ziplock bag meant for the soiled clothing. She watched in fascination as Dawson quickly changed Grace’s diaper and dressed her, all the while speaking to the baby in soft tones and sweet words. The baby seemed equally enchanted by him, her dark eyes latched to his face. She gurgled and waved her hands.
Dawson glanced up, catching Peyton staring. “What?”
“I…” She blinked. “You’re so good with her.”
“I’ve got an army of nieces and nephews now.” He lifted Grace from the changing table, wrapping her in a fresh blanket. “Claire and her husband had twins last year. Those minions are running the show. Then Marcus and Jessica welcomed their new baby last month. Izzy and Oliver are thrilled to have a little sister.”
Joy swelled as Peyton followed Dawson out of the restroom. Izzy had been an infant the last time she saw her, and Dawson’s sister Claire hadn’t been married. “Twins? That's wonderful. And Marcus must be over the moon.”
“He is. Though he's also exhausted.” Dawson's entire face lit up as he talked about his family. His eyes twinkled with mischievousness. “You should see my little brother trying to wrangle three kids under the age of five. I think Mom’s secretly thrilled to see our family troublemaker get his due.”
Peyton laughed. She pushed the shopping cart while Dawson carried Grace. He helped her pick the right diaper size and navigate the formula aisle. He suggested they purchase the same brands Lilia had in the backpack. Peyton picked out several sets of clothes for herself, along with other essentials, since she hadn’t brought anything with her to Knoxville. As they exited the store and drove to the hotel, their conversation flowed easily. Dawson amused her with stories about his family. Peyton was genuinely happy for them. The Grahams deserved every blessing.
Despite his cheerful demeanor, Dawson never stopped watching for trouble. It was a reminder of everything they’d been through tonight. Peyton didn’t believe the attackers would risk a second assault, but with evidence suggesting her cousin had been embroiled with a biker gang, it was smart to be cautious.
Relief flooded over her when they reached the Limestone Inn. The modest two-story hotel wouldn’t win any awards for luxury, but it was fairly priced and exceptionally clean. Checking in was a breeze, and after a short ride up the elevator, Peyton opened the door to her corner room. Designed like a small apartment, it had a tiny living room and adjoining kitchenette. The clerk had assured her there was a crib already set up, and sure enough, it sat in the corner of the bedroom.
Dawson laid the bags from the store on the kitchen table. “Would you like me to keep an eye on Grace while you clean up?”
It was a generous offer. Peyton’s hair was still matted with blood, and a hot shower would go a long way to soothing her aching muscles. But the hours in Dawson’s presence had unlocked a longing she’d spent years desperately trying to forget. Even now, she wanted to step forward and hug him, feel his strong arms surrounding her. With him, she’d always felt safe.
These feelings were dangerous. Dawson had been friendly, but there was a guardedness to his interactions with her. IfPeyton wasn’t careful, she’d end up leaving town with a broken heart. Besides, he’d already done so much for her. It wasn’t fair to take advantage of his good nature and generosity.
Peyton hugged her arms around herself. The oversized scrubs were scratchy against her skin. “No, thanks. Grace will sleep for another half hour or so. That’ll give me enough time to shower before she needs to eat.” The baby was nestled in her car seat and hadn’t stirred through the entire trek through the hotel.
Dawson shifted his feet. “Okay.” He hesitated and then cleared his throat. “Sure you’ll be okay here by yourself? I can sleep on the couch?—”
“No.” The word came out forcefully. She softened it with a smile. “You’ve gone above and beyond, Dawson, but I’ll be fine.” Peyton patted the backpack which carried her holster and weapon. “I’ve got my gun, and if there’s a hint of trouble, I promise to call the police.”
His mouth curved up. “I wasn’t talking about attackers. I was thinking more about Grace. With your concussion and other injuries, it might be easier to have a second pair of hands helping care for the baby.”
“Oh.” She glanced at Grace, and a moment of hesitation and worry creased her brow. Could she take care of Grace all by herself? She’d never spent longer than ten minutes alone with a baby before, and after the poopy diaper incident, it was clear she was out of her depth. But nothing would be solved by relying on Dawson’s help. She was responsible for Grace, and sometimes diving in the deep end was the only way to learn.
Peyton focused back on Dawson. “I’ll muddle through. How hard can it be to keep one tiny human alive for a few hours?” She winked. “If Marcus can do it, then I can too.”
He chuckled. It was warm and deep, and attraction flickered through her. She’d always loved his laugh.
Definitely time to get him out of here. Peyton strolled to the door and opened it. “Thanks again, Dawson.”
“Sure thing.” He followed her lead, but then hesitated on the threshold. His hand cupped her bicep. “You’ll call if you need anything.”
“Yes, yes.” She rolled her eyes to hide the way her pulse raced at his touch. The warmth of his skin sank through the thin fabric of her scrubs. She felt it all the way to her toes. “Now get out before I have to literally kick you to the curb.”
He smiled, as she hoped he would, and squeezed her arm. “Night.”
She closed the door behind him and leaned against it. The impact of his touch lingered. Regret and longing and heartache tumbled through her, the storm of emotions too furious to make sense of. Tears pressed against the backs of her eyes. She refused to let them fall. Now wasn’t the time.
Shoring up her runaway emotions, she pushed away from the door. Turning, she engaged both the deadbolt and the chain lock. Grace would sleep for another thirty minutes or so. If Peyton wanted a shower, she needed to take advantage of the moments she had. Placing the car seat near the bathroom, and leaving the door open, she quickly cleaned up. Grace had just started to stir as Peyton began to dress, and by the time she’d slipped on her sweatshirt, the baby was in a full-on tantrum.
