by Barb Shuler
“I’m up, I’m up. Chill, dude.”
I laughed softly as I sat up, then froze. I was not in my cabin. Right? Was I still drugged? I frowned when I heard a baby cry again. I slid my legs out of bed and looked down. I was in my pj’s. I shifted and let out a grunt. I was still in my damn bra, too. Ugh, why in the hell did I sleep in my bra? I leaned myself forward and with my one good hand shifted the girls to where they should be. I moved out of the bed and made sure my shorts and tank top where in the right place and tiptoed to the door. The hall was quiet except for the baby, who wasn’t as loud now.
I made my way down the hall, following the crying baby. I peeked my head into a nursery covered in pink. And giraffes. I smiled as I met the beautiful set of blue eyes peeking through the bars of a crib. Tango brushed past me to sniff around, but I went straight for the baby.
“Hi sweet pea, what’s with all the big tears, huh?” I chewed on my lip with indecision. She was crying, after all... but where was I and who was she? Did that matter right now? I shifted on my feet, lowered one end of the crib then the other so I could get her out. It was a lot harder with only one hand. I laid a small blanket over my casted arm and scooped her up with my good arm. She smelled like baby powder and baby. I breathed her in and made my way to the rocker that was in the room, stopping when the scent of poop hit my nose.
“Ew, no wonder you are bawling, I would be too. What in the world are they feedin’ ya, kid?” I made a funny face at her. The tears were still running down her little cheeks when I laid her on the changing table. “Okay, let’s see how we can do this with one hand. I don’t want to wear your stinky poo, no matter how cute you are.”
It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would have been to get her stinky diaper off, get her cleaned up and powered. The new diaper was a little tricky, but I got it on her, and in the right place the first time so I felt like I’d done something. Snapping her onsie back closed, now that was a pain in the butt, but I finally got it. Her tears had stopped as soon as I got her cleaned up. I used two wipes to make sure my hand was clean before I scooped her up and settled her back into her crib. She laid there for a minute, so I used that opportunity to move to the bathroom that was across from the nursery. If the door hadn't been open already I wouldn’t have known it was there.
I managed to get myself cleaned up a little and emptied my bladder before I heard her crying again. When I came back out Tango had his muzzle in between the bars of the crib and was licking her. “Tango, back,” I chuckled and moved to scoop the precious angel back up.
“Okay, how about we rock a little. Would you like that?” I kissed her temple as she curled into me and moved to the padded rocker in the corner. I pulled one foot under me and settled back into it, using my foot on the floor to rock us slightly. I should have felt odd, or weird about rocking someone's baby, especially since I had no idea where I was, but I didn’t. Maybe this was all a dream. I was going with it either way.
I couldn’t say how much time passed as I sat there holding this precious baby against me. She was warm, and so cuddly. My eyes had closed as I rocked us, her sweet baby smell lulling me back into a peaceful sleep.
* * *
Tate
* * *
After getting back from town with Georgie, I got her settled into my room. Ma had helped her get into pjs that Phoebe had gotten from her cabin and she was out. I mean, dead to the world kind of out. I had a cot I could pull into Abbie’s nursery, so I wasn’t worried about her sleeping all day and night. She needed to be looked after until she was herself again.
I’d been over to the Robert’s ranch helping Abe and Jon with a few troublesome horses when Ma called to say she would have to run to town to pick up Pa. He’d been out with one of the men that worked the Robert’s ranch but their truck had broken down. It was refreshing to see it wasn’t just us that was having a tough week. Ma was leaving both Phoebe and Danny at the house, so there was someone to look after Abbie if she was to wake before she got back. I didn’t have to worry or rush back, but something was telling me to get back home. I learned a long time ago to trust my gut. As soon as we had the three asshole horses loaded up, I headed home.
When I backed the truck up to the barn I nodded to Cody, who was my best-friend and one of the hands on the ranch. “Sup, fucker?”
“Nada, man. All of the horse stalls are cleaned and ready for the new arrivals in the quarantine section. Everyone is out doing what they are supposed to. All’s been quiet.”
“Great. Quiet is a good thing. No problem with the bison? Abe said they may get spooked and try to escape the trailer before they got them to that back grazing area.”
“No, TJ and Lane got back with the others in one peice about twenty minutes ago.”
“Great. Where are the kids?” I asked, knowing he knew I meant Pheebes, Danny and my princess.
“Ah, Pheebester left with Angie right after your Ma left. She said she wouldn’t be long. Danny is still out back helping Jerry unload the hay bales from the flatbed. Your Ma and Dad aren’t back yet, obviously. Like I said, all has been quiet.”
My heart sank. If Ma wasn’t back, Danny was out back in the barn... Phoebe left... they left Abbie inside, alone? My blood pressure shot up fifty points as I took off across the yard. Cody on my heels.
“What is it, man?”
“Abbie,” was all I could get out before I was up the porch steps and running through the house to the stairs. I didn’t hear any crying, but that didn’t mean something hadn’t happened. I skidded to a stop when I heard a growl coming from Abbie’s room. I pushed the door and blinked.
“Whoa, dude, is that her?” Cody’s words were a little too loud. I elbowed him in the side, and spoke in a low growl.
“Shut it.”
I made my way into the room, watching Tango as he watched me. I couldn’t help the smile that tugged my lips up as I came to a stop and watched this stranger cuddle and comfort my daughter. I let out a small sigh as I turned back to Cody. That shit eatin’ grin was enough to make me scowl. I moved to the door and pushed him out into the hall. “Not a word. If you wake either of them I will pound you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, bub.” His hands came up as he spoke.
“Right.”
There was a scratching at the door. I had closed it out of habit. I pushed it open and met Tango’s gaze. I peeked back inside at the girls and looked back at him. “You need out?” He took off down the hall and I shook my head. I lightly shut the door again and nodded for Cody to follow me. As soon as we hit the front door Tango ran out and Cody started in on me.
“Bro, she’s a fucking ten. You need to tap that.”
“Cody, don’t make me punch you. Show some fucking respect!” I snapped. He blinked and raised a brow at me.
“Whoa, what crawled up your ass? You said earlier she was hot. I was just agreeing, asshole.”
“Look - Fuck, she’s hot but don’t say shit like that. It’s disrespectful,” I said, glaring at him. Best friend or not, I would clean his clock for talking about Georgie or any woman like that. I had thought the same thing, sure, I was a man, but I’d not say it out loud. It was rude, I was right about that. I turned, hearing a vehicle coming back up the road. I turned fully to see Ma and Pa getting out of the truck.
“What’s wrong?” Ma asked me without missing a step. I guess my emotions were still written on my face. I shook my head and let out a long aggravated sigh.
“Nothing,” I said.
“Liar,” she teased as she put her hand on my arm.
“What’s got you frowning like that?”
“Son, answer your mother,” Pa said, chuckling. I chuckled at him.
“Your daughter left Abbie upstairs alone. Not sure how long.”
“Where’s Daniel?” Pa asked, a scowl pulling at his brows.
“Out with the boys unloading hay from the flatbed. Cody said he’s been out there a while.”
“I thought he was in the house. I should have chec
ked. I’m sorry, sweetheart. Is Abby alright?” Ma asked, concern pinching her brows.
“Yea, Ma. Don’t worry. I went in to check on her. She must have woken Georgie up. I found them in the rocking chair in Abbie’s room, asleep. I left them there. They looked so peaceful.”
As we made our way to the porch there was a loud crash from inside. I heard Abbie start to wail. Tango was up the stairs and scratching at the door before I made it up them. I pulled the door open and ran inside.
“Tango, halt. Good boy. Sit,” I heard Georgie call out in a shaky voice.
“Georgie! What happened?” Ma asked as she came in behind me.
Georgie was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase, with Abbie clutched to her. She was soothing her as she looked up at us. I moved closer to them and then saw why she had sat down. There was glass on the floor, along with a vase and a couple of picture frames.
“I’m- I’m sorry. I got dizzy half way down. I thought I was okay. I hit the table and your things fell over. I’m sorry. I’ll replace them. Really I-”
“It’s okay, darlin’. It’s just stuff. Are you and Abbie okay?” I asked as I knelt before her. She nodded and looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“She’s just scared. I am too…” Her last words were muffled but I heard them. I crab walked a step closer and rested my hand on her knee.
“Hey, look at me. It’s okay. Can you stand?” She nodded and I helped her up since both of her arms were wrapped around Abbie. Her cast was rubbing against her own arm. I could see the redness of what was the equivalent to a carpet burn. She must have jerked when she hit the table. She was shaking now. My heart melted a little at that. She was determined to not drop Abbie, which caused her to injure herself.
“Take a seat on the step up from the bottom, let me get the glass up.” Ma said and I nodded, helping Georgie and Abby down onto the higher step.
I sat beside them and leaned into Abbie. She wasn’t crying now but she didn’t reach for me either. I kissed her nose. “Hey, my little boobear.”
“She- she’s yours?” Georgie asked, her brows pinched in confusion. I nodded and reached up to brush the hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear.
“She is. Georgie Larson, meet Abbie Grace Cannon. My ten month old daughter.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. She was crying. I thought I was dreaming. I changed her. She was so warm, we fell asleep… I-I’m sorry. Do you want her back?”
I laughed softly and shook my head. I didn’t mind sharing her with Georgie. I wasn’t sure why that was, but I was content to just watch them both right now. “It’s okay, darlin, really. You did nothing wrong.”
The moment Ma was done with the clean up Tango was up in Georgie’s face, licking away her tears and sniffing Abbie. Her little coos made us smile. Seems she had a new friend too.
6
Getting to Know Each Other
Tate
It took a little bit of time to get Georgie settled and her nerves calmed after her incident on the stairs. Apparently the meds the Doc gave her were hitting her harder than she had thought they would. Ma made her some tea, and I was finally able to get Abbie from her. Not that I minded her holding her. The crash and everyone running inside had caught the attention of the hands out in the yard. So now, I had Abbie settled on the floor with her play gym, a house full of people and a woman who was still a little high on pain meds. A half dressed woman at that.
Cody kept looking between the two of us, smirking. I wanted to punch him but restrained myself - barely. He meant well. He of all people knew how bad my life was when Kathy Jo was around, in the end I mean. He knew exactly how broken I had let myself get. It was he who kept me from doing something very stupid. Maybe two very stupid things. He is also Abbie’s godfather. So he wants us all to be happy. The moment I moved from the couch, the ass moved to take my seat and slid closer to Georgie. She side eyed him, but didn’t give him any other attention. That was until he let his mouth open...
“So, Sunshine. Where ya from? Single? Married? Lookin’ to settle down in the country? Hmm?”
“Cody Anderson, don’t make me cut your ass,” I said as I bent down to pick up Abbie. My eyes never left him and Georgie. She smiled at me, her eyes going from me to Abbie.
“You not answerin’ me, sugar?”
“First, I ain’t your Sugar. Second-” Georgie was cut off by a loud laugh from the other room. I met Phoebe's gaze as she came in, her eyes going right to Cody.
“Seriously, you need to work on your pickup lines.” She flopped down in the chair beside the couch and shook her head.
“Nothin’ wrong with my game, woman child. Mind ya business,” he said, trying to sound hurt. I rolled my eyes and bounced Abbie when she started to cry.
“Shhh. It’s okay, Princess. Uncle Cody will grow up one day,” I said, chuckling softly. He picked up a pillow to toss at me then thought better of it. Georgie surprised us all when she snatched it from him and smacked it across his head.
“Don’t you know how to act? You do not raise a hand to throw something at someone holding a baby. Dumbass,” she muttered the last words, but we all heard her. I smirked and hid my face in Abbie’s neck as I laughed. She was still fussing so I bounced her a little more as I moved from foot to foot.
“Hmm, feisty. I like,” Cody commented and reached to take her hand. She scowled, but Cody soon let her hand go when Tango all of a sudden was between them. He growled and we all froze. Would he bite him? I was all for a good ribbing, but I wasn’t going to let her keep that dog in here if he started biting people. Georgie pushed Tango away and gave him a hand gesture. The big dog sighed but moved to lay down by the couch.
“Keep your hands to yourself, if you please. My dog doesn’t take it too kindly when people touch me.”
The way Georgie said it was full of truth. I moved to the record player on the entertainment center and turned on whatever CD Phoebe or Ma had in it, smiling when it started. I held Abbie close and danced in my spot. It was something that has always proven to lull her into sleep. When Cody stood and held his hand out to Phoebe I smiled. The living room had a habit of becoming a dance floor, with the hardwood floors and the space in it. The music drew everyone else in. When Danny took Abbie from me he moved to sit on the other chair to give her a bottle. I chuckled and moved to the couch, holding out a hand to Georgie.
“May I have this dance, ma’am?”
“Um, s-sure,” she said. I could tell she was unsure of this. I nodded to my hand and as she took it I helped her up. My free hand went to her hip. I moved us back from the couch and slowly started to move.
The song changed to “Close Your Eyes” by Parmalee and I shifted us slightly. She was pretty adapt at the two step. Two steps slow, two quick steps. It wasn’t that hard for most people, but with her she seemed to glide with me. I pulled her closer to me, her arms went around my neck and we continued to move. In perfect, graceful arcs we moved to the music, everyone else around us fading into the background as I met her eyes. Her smile was infectious, to say the least. I naturally started to sing along, my voice low. Her eyes lit up and I spun us slightly, keeping her against me as we started our soft shuffle again.
* * *
Hey baby fore the night gets any older,
Lean your pretty self over here a little closer.
I need to hold ya,
I wanna show ya what you don't wanna miss, no.
It's all getting to what we've been waiting on.
I'm gonna go and turn you and the night on.
Coming on strong, I'm gonna lay it on your lips.
Might wanna close your eyes for this.
* * *
I don’t know how much time passed - as I was lost in the song and Georgie - but I stopped when I heard a throat clearing. Georgie’s cheeks were pink with a blush and I was sure mine were too. Yes, men blush, dammit. I didn’t care. She was in my arms, and she felt damn good there. I hated to pull back from her.
&n
bsp; “Thank you,” she breathed out softly as she stepped back, her hand slid down my arm and I smiled.
“My pleasure, darlin’. I think if you’re up to it this weekend, we should go to Bull Run Tavern. You can see the local dive and maybe we can have another dance, or two.” I had no idea why that came out when it did. I heard Cody whistle about the same time Phoebe giggled. I gave them a look and smiled at Georgie. “Or at least we can go by there before you leave. I think it’s a local sight you would enjoy.”
“I’d like that. Thank you.” Her face lit up slightly. She swallowed hard and looked around before wrapping her arm around her. She was still in her pajamas. I had forgotten all about that. Damn. I moved to help her to the couch and laid the throw blanket over her lap after she pulled her feet up under her.
“Who would like to help with dinner?” Ma asked. I was still watching Georgie. It was as if a magnet was pulling me to her. The attraction aside, there was something about this woman that had me by the short hairs. Too bad I hadn’t caught onto that the first time I saw her… then again, maybe it was a good thing.
I looked around as the living room seemed to clear out. Danny was curled up in the arm chair with Abbie laying against his chest. I grinned and moved to sit beside Georgie for a moment.
“Would you like anything to drink, or a snack before dinner?” I asked her.
“No. No, thank you, I should get back to my cabin,” she said. She looked a bit nervous.
“Tomorrow. Doc said those pain meds may affect you more since they are stronger than anything you told him you’ve taken before. You were pretty high this morning.” Damn, was that only this morning? Lord help me. “Let’s make sure you are steady again before you go off alone. Okay?”
“Okay, thank you. I don’t mean to be a bother,” she said, almost too quiet for me to hear.
