Three Days Later
“She’s such a pretty baby.” Louise runs her index finger along Grace’s cheekbone. “Look at those cheeks and mouth.” The hum of appreciation in her voice is unmistakable. I can’t go anywhere and not have someone fawn over Grace. “And you look like you were always destined to be a momma. Are you doing, okay?”
When Louise saw me approaching with the baby carrier in tow, she’d rushed to the door, twisted the library sign to Closed, and snapped the door shut behind her with a clang.
“Yes, I’m good. And you aren’t lying; she’s a gorgeous girl.” I step closer to the door so a newer couple to town can avoid the water that’s pooling on the sidewalk from the recently watered flowerpots.
It feels weird when people compliment her looks. I can’t say, ‘Thank You,’ because my genes had nothing to do with it. But it’s also a good thing because I can agree with how pretty she is and not appear boastful about my own looks.
“Is she doing well?” She studies the infant snuggled under the pink blanket.
“Yes, she’s doing great. We had a doctor’s appointment this morning, and there are no concerns.”
Across the street, Rosemarie’s red water jug sits beside the park bench in front of flower shop where she must’ve beendoing her own watering before being interrupted by a customer. Through the front window, I watch as she opens the cooler case behind the register and hands her patron a vase full of cut flowers. Both ladies are known to be the biggest chatterboxes in town.
“That’s wonderful.” Louise braces her hands on her hips as a light breeze blows the scent of petunias toward us. A bee flits from one bloom to the next with a laziness that’s seen by insects as the season turns to fall.
“It is.” I shift the carrier higher onto my arm.
“Just so you know, we’re all rooting for you and Jake. He’s such a handsome young man, and so smart. Did you know when he moved back to town, he was chatting with Rosemarie about our business phone tree?” Her cheeks tinge with pink as she smiles broadly.
“No, I didn’t realize that.”
“He even called back to his old boss to tell him about it. It was my idea when we started the message app. Well, Rosemarie and I came up with it. It’s been a fantastic way to keep in contact with each other.”
“That was a great idea, and I’m not surprised he appreciated it since so many people talk now in chat message apps.” Like Louise, Jake is an innovator. I keep that piece of information to myself. She doesn’t need to know the lengths that Jake will go to find new ways to keep me happy.
Not that he has to try. I’m content with falling asleep next to him and waking up in his arms. Fine, it doesn’t hurt that moments after I wake up, he’s crawling down my body androusing me with his head between my thighs. I bite back a sigh. Suddenly, all I want to do is go back to bed.
“You’re right,” she chuckles as if she’s embarrassed by my compliment. “We came up with the idea talking to my grandson about his friend group.”
Grace pops an eye open as if she’s realizing that I’m no longer moving. Her eyes slowly focus, even though she’s probably only seeing shapes versus a clear image of me. “Hello, Baby Girl.”
“So sweet.” She clutches her chest. “I wish I would’ve thought to foster when my kids were in middle school. I wanted another baby, but we ran out of luck after two kids.”
“You have your grandchildren to spoil.” I shift my weight from one foot to the other as the muscles in my bicep strain. If I’d have known Louise was going to talk for so long, I’d have put the carrier on the sidewalk.
I straighten my spine and inhale steadily, blocking out the load of her weight combined with the carrier. I don’t want anyone to question whether I can take care of her and report something negative back to Children’s Division.
“Yes, I do.” She waves to someone behind me. “I’m sorry, dear, I need to get the library open. It’s almost story time. Be sure to bring the baby when she gets older.”
“If she’s still with me, I will.”
Her face sobers. “Don’t you worry. I have no doubt that this little lady is exactly where she belongs. With you and Jake.”
As I walk back to my car, I send up a quick prayer that she knows what she’s talking about. I place Grace’s car seat on thebase and cup her chubby cheek as my phone rings. I thought I was in love with her before but each day makes my heart burst open that much more.
Once I’m settled into my seat, I snap on the seatbelt and lift my phone as it rings for a second time. I frown at the unknown number but tap and swipe on the screen. There’s no mention of it being spam, so I risk answering.
“Emily Grey?” The person’s voice is rushed with a slight shrill tone to it. The kid sounds younger, like he’s still in high school.
“Yes, this is Emily Grey.”
“You don’t know me, but a friend of mine gave me your number.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, she said if I never needed help that I should call you.”
