CHAPTER 28
Naomi had toldHadley goodbye and then headed back inside.
Now her mind circled Dale’s visit. The way he’d looked at the property. The way he’d said Sarah’s name.
Grace’s cry cut through her thoughts.
Naomi turned and crossed the living room to the bassinet. Her mom was already there, lifting the baby with practiced ease.
“Someone’s hungry.” Her mom settled Grace against her shoulder and patted her back gently.
Naomi reached out, and her mom transferred the baby into her arms. Grace squirmed, her tiny face scrunched in displeasure, mouth working in that urgent way that meant she was done waiting.
“I’ll get a bottle ready.” Her mom headed toward the kitchen.
Naomi sat on the couch and cradled Grace close. The baby’s cries softened as if she knew help was coming. But she kept fussing, the sound small and insistent. The noise tugged at something deep in Naomi’s chest.
She was so thankful her mom was here.
Her mom had always been the one to help Luke, Naomi’s oldest brother, with his kids. She’d spent countless daysbabysitting, carpooling, showing up for school events. But the timing for Grace’s arrival had worked out well.
Luke had just taken his kids to Florida for a week-long vacation, which meant her mom had been free to come here. To help with Grace. To be the steady, capable presence Naomi desperately needed right now.
Her mom returned a moment later with a warmed bottle, testing it against her wrist before handing it to Naomi. “There we go.”
Naomi adjusted Grace in her arms and offered the bottle. The baby latched on immediately, her cries stopping as if someone had flipped a switch. Her little hands came up to rest against the bottle, and her eyes drifted half-closed, completely focused on eating.
Relief flooded through Naomi. “Thank you, Mom.”
“Of course.” Her mom smiled and headed back toward the kitchen. “I’m going to throw in a load of laundry while things are quiet.”
A few minutes later, Millie stepped into the room. “You want some company?”
“I’d love some,” Naomi told her.
Millie grinned and settled into the armchair across from Naomi, tucking her legs under her. Biscuit jumped in her lap.
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the soft sucking noises Grace made as she ate.
Then Millie tilted her head, her expression shifting into something more curious. “So . . . not to be nosy, but I’ve been dying to get you alone for a moment.”
“Why’s that?”
“So I can ask you what’s going on with you and Micah.”
Naomi blinked, keeping her eyes on Grace. “What do you mean?”
“Come on.” Millie’s tone sounded light, teasing. “Don’t play clueless with me.”
“I’m not playing anything. There’s nothing going on.”
Millie gave her a look—the kind that said she saw right through that answer and wasn’t buying it for a second.
Naomi shifted Grace in her arms, adjusting the bottle even though it didn’t need adjusting. “He’s just—he’s been helping. That’s all.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Millie.” She gave her a pointed look.
