“Are you sure you don’t mind?”Sally’s eyes studied Skye.
“Of course not.I love Anne Marie,” Skye quickly assured her, doing her best to conceal a smile of pure delight at having the baby for the evening.
“We shouldn’t be late, and she’ll probably sleep the whole time.”Carefully Sally placed the sleeping infant inside the playpen that was serving as a substitute crib.
“It’s fine, Sally, don’t worry.Even if she does wake, I won’t mind.I don’t see enough of Anne Marie as it is.”Her warm blue eyes shifted from the slumbering babe to Sally.
“Jordan’s not coming, is he?”Again Sally voiced her concern.
“No, but he’ll probably phone.He does every night.You and Andy go and have a good time.Be sure and tell Andy I expect him to get this promotion.”
“The phone number of the restaurant is in the diaper bag.Please don’t hesitate to call if you need to.”
“Yes, little mother.”Skye mockingly rolled her eyes and eased Sally toward the front door.
“If she does wake, just warm her bottle and feed her.She’ll go right back to sleep.”
“Yes, Sally!You’ve already gone over everything at least twice.”Opening the door, Skye ushered her into the hall.“I have your phone number, the doctor’s phone number, the fire department’s phone number, and on the off chance I spot a UFO, I have a phone number for them, too.”The corners of her mouth turned upward in a teasing motion.
Sally giggled instantly.“I guess I am making a bit of a fuss.I really appreciate your taking over at the last minute like this.I don’t know what we would have done.”
“Nonsense,” Skye said, dismissing the gratitude.“Didn’t you say Andy was waiting in the car?Now scat.”She grinned and shooed her friend away.
“All right, I’m out of here.We do appreciate it, Skye, more than words can say.”
“Have a good time, and don’t worry about Anne Marie.”
“We won’t,” Sally promised.
Locking the door behind her, Skye tiptoed to the sleeping baby.Brown wisps of naturally curly hair framed angelic features.Sighing contentedly, Skye gently tugged the blankets around Anne Marie.
The two weeks had passed slowly.Jordan had been busy and unable to visit.Their only communication had been the daily phone calls, and these were often short, leaving them both frustrated.
Skye hadn’t even been able to ask Jordan about a ring, and she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.There seemed to be so much to say and so little time to discuss the things that mattered.
She hadn’t mentioned Jordan’s marriage proposal to her family.She’d rather they did it together, not that it was going to be any big surprise.Skye could no more hide her love for Jordan now than Peggy could disguise her pregnancy.
She curled up on the sofa reading.It was quiet, peacefully so, especially since John Dirkson had moved.Yet her mind raced with a thousand anxieties.Dr.Snell had been to the hospital to examine Billy, and the surgery looked promising.But the strain of the unknown, the intense desire to do everything possible to help Billy and his mother, brought a worried frown to her forehead.Betty Fisher had been edgy under the strain of the uncertainty, relying more and more on Skye for support and comfort.These were the things Skye wanted to share with Jordan.She needed to express her own doubts and fears.She prayed continually for Billy and the success of the surgery, but her own burning desire to have Billy free from paralysis blocked her will from submission.She recalled the last painful days of her father’s life and the desperate desire for his healing.He was healed, of course, but not in the way Skye had hoped.It was little comfort to a grieving daughter to realize her father was free from pain and cancer in heaven.
Thoughts of her father brought to mind something he had told her years before.With a burst of energy she crafted a bright, colorful sign that read:
Worry
serves no useful purpose
is of no value
and doesn’t change a thing.
With a revived sense of serenity she taped the sign to her refrigerator door, knowing she would see it often and be reminded of her father’s wisdom.
Feeling as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, Skye placed the kettle on the stove to boil.She’d just finished adding the tea bag to the boiling water when Anne Marie woke.She was startled by the strange surroundings and the unfamiliar face and gave a loud cry of alarm.Gently cooing reassurances, Skye lifted the babe from the playpen and placed her over her shoulder.Patting her back, Skye hoped to urge her to sleep.While pacing the floor, Skye happened to glance out her window and observed a black car pull alongside the curb.Smoothly Jordan swung open the door and glanced toward her window, catching her eye.
A warm tingle of excitement raced through Skye, and she waved, her whole face brightening.Jordan hadn’t figured on another visit until the end of the week, but nothing he did surprised her anymore.His job at the radio station, although he rarely spoke of it, was demanding and time consuming.She had learned their time together must revolve around his schedule.
Noticing the baby in Skye’s arms, Jordan cast her a skeptical glance.Skye watched as his expression changed from puzzlement to one of amusement.The lines at the corners of his eyes broke into smiling crow’s-feet as he moved from her sight and into the building.
Skye was waiting for him with the door open, her smile one of welcome and pleasure.
