Love Inspired May 2015 #2

by Missy Tippens

  She popped up off the couch. Handed over the laptop. “Here, I put some things in your shopping cart. Figured you could print and take it with you to the store tomorrow. Travel bed, sheets, portable changing station, more bottles, diaper disposal system, baby bath tub and bathing essentials.”

  His face scrunched in disgust. “Diaper disposal system?”

  “Yes. To help with odors.”

  “Oh, man.” He raked a hand through his hair, leaving brown strands standing up. “How am I going to bathe her? I’ve never even seen someone do that.”

  She fought the urge to smooth his disheveled hair back into place. “You’ll figure it out. Watch a YouTube video or something.” She glanced at her watch. “Well, my hour will be up soon, and I haven’t had a chance to show you how to change a diaper.”

  “Deserting me already?” He laughed, but she could see worry in the squint of his eyes and crease in his forehead.

  “That was our agreement.” She picked up the diaper bag and looked inside. “Is this everything Remy left with you?”

  “It is.”

  Violet pulled out a receiving blanket. “I’ll show you how to swaddle her so she feels more secure. Once you purchase a crib, always lay her on her back to sleep. And never put anything else in the crib with her.”

  His cell phone rang as he nodded. “I’ve got to take this call. It’s work.” Striding toward to the kitchen, his deep voice carried to the living room. He was not happy. Something about a load of floor tile not being delivered as promised.

  “No, that’s unacceptable,” Jake said. “I want it there tomorrow morning by nine.”

  Abigail woke and began to fuss. Violet took her out of her seat. “Hey, sweet girl. Jake’s busy right now, so it’s just you and me.” The baby was warm and had that wonderful baby shampoo smell. However, her diaper weighed a ton.

  The phone conversation ended and footsteps sounded on the hardwood floor.

  “Okay, girlfriend,” Violet said to Abigail. “I have to warn you. It’s time for Jake’s first ever diaper change. Cut him some slack, okay?”

  When she looked up, Jake stood in the doorway, a half smile on his face. “No need to warn her of my ineptitude. She’ll know soon enough.”

  Though he was kidding, there was an edge of truth in what he said. He truly was in over his head.

  Unfortunately, he might not fare well, and she worried about Abigail. Maybe she should check in on her tomorrow.

  No, that wasn’t her place. It wasn’t as if Remy or Jake was a personal friend.

  Once Violet set up a makeshift diaper-changing area on the dresser, she showed Jake how to clean Abigail, slip a disposable diaper under her bottom and fasten it. Then she had him give it a try.

  The first attempt left him chuckling. Despite Violet covering her mouth, a laugh slipped out.

  He truly was pathetic at diapering.

  “How’s that?” he asked after his second attempt. The diaper was mostly straight but was extremely loose.

  Looking into his hopeful eyes, she felt a thread of connection that gave the tiniest of tugs on her heart. She could not afford a thread of anything with this man who claimed she was a shady person and felt free to share that opinion around town.

  “I’m afraid that will leak,” she said, refocusing on the task at hand. “Try to fasten it tighter. It won’t hurt her or cut off her circulation. It’s stretchy.”

  Biting his lip while concentrating, he jumped in once again like a good student, determined to succeed. But this time Abigail started to fuss. “Uh-oh. I’ll never manage this with her wiggling.”

  “She’ll always wiggle, so you may as well learn to deal with it.”

  “Man, the doc is harsh,” he mumbled into the baby’s ear.

  Violet caught herself smiling. “Hey, I can show you harsh by walking out right now.”

  “I take it back. Now...I’m trying again.” Once, twice, he made the diaper too loose. The third time, he sighed. “This one’s too tight.”

  “Wait.” Violet ran a finger along the waist and leg holes, checking. “That’s perfect. You did it!” She applauded him before she thought better of it, but then reined in her excitement, her face heating.

  “Now who’s inept?” Jake grinned, eyes gleaming with victory. “I’ll be teaching a parenting class before you know it.”

  At his proud look and touch of humor, her breath gave a little hitch. She should not let his funny side affect her.

  “Nice job,” she said as she checked her watch. “Oh, look. My hour is up. I jotted a suggested feeding schedule and left it on your kitchen counter. Call my assistant tomorrow if you have questions.”

  In other words, don’t call me.

  “Time’s up already?” He carefully tucked Abigail in the crook of his arm, becoming a regular pro at carrying her.

  Violet had always had a weakness for a big strong man holding a baby. How different might her life have been if she’d fallen for someone strong and responsible all those years ago?

  “The receipt for the baby items is also on the kitchen counter,” Violet said. “You can mail a check to my office.”

  “What’s your charge for the hour of training?”

  Lifting her chin, she focused on Abigail. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “No, I insist.”

  “Consider it a favor for a new patient.”

  His brows drew downward, and he looked uncomfortable. “We had an agreement. It’s been worth every penny I owe you.”

  She couldn’t bring herself to ask for money for doing a task she had enjoyed. Besides, it would only add to his image of her being mercenary. “Instead, make a donation to your favorite charity for children.”

  “That’s generous of you.”

  Her heart raced as hope shot through her. Hope that maybe he would believe she hadn’t ripped off his aunt and uncle and that she was a decent person.

  She grabbed her purse and headed toward the front door.

  Close on her heels, he followed. “I’ll mail you a check tomorrow. Thank you for buying the baby stuff and for coming over. I owe you a favor.”

  She could imagine how it pained him to say that. “You don’t owe me anything. I like to think I can make a difference in the community. Like your aunt and uncle did.”

  He nodded but didn’t comment. She couldn’t help but wonder if he considered her a poor substitute. Sure, they hadn’t known how to run a business well. But they’d taken good care of the local children for a long time, had been loved by the Appleton residents.

  Would she ever feel as if she had a place in the town?

  “I guess I’ll see you around, Dr. Crenshaw,” he said.

  “Yes, and if Abigail is still in town in two weeks, be sure to schedule an appointment for her next vaccination.”

  “Oh, I’m sure Remy will take care of that.”

  “Well, good night. I hope you get some sleep.”

  She truly did hope he had a good night. For Abigail’s sake. Yet she couldn’t help but worry about the tiny, dependent girl. How would she fare with this man who had absolutely no experience dealing with infants?

  The insecurity on Jake’s face, as well as the fact Abigail looked so vulnerable in his arms, made Violet’s decision.

  To ease her mind and ensure the baby was thriving, she would check on Abigail over the weekend.

  * * *

  Jake sat in his truck Saturday morning rubbing red, scratchy eyes and trying to read the directions for the soft baby carrier he’d bought first thing that morning as he’d learned his way around the baby section of the local discount store. Abigail had spared him and slept in the cart through the whole shopping trip.

  Probably because she’d cried late into the night.

  After nearly four hour
s of inconsolable crying, he’d looked up colic on the internet and thought that must be what she had because she didn’t seem sick otherwise. Still, if she had another night like the last, he’d take her to the doctor to be on the safe side.

  With the fabric carrier assembled, adjusted to fit and strapped on him, Jake climbed in the backseat and lifted Abigail from her car seat. Then he followed the step-by-step, very complicated directions for slipping her into the fabric that would hold her against his chest, kind of like a reverse backpack.

  As he was hooking one of the head supports, her little body slipped sideways, about stopping his heart. He quickly stabilized her head and snapped the buckle into place. Assured she was peacefully snoozing and wouldn’t fall out of the contraption, he climbed out of the truck, hoping he could work awhile.

  His flooring subcontractor, Zeb, a trim man in his sixties wearing jeans and an old blue work shirt, stood at the front of the brick ranch home they were building with his arms crossed, waiting.

  “Hey, Zeb. Sorry again about the tile delivery. Pete assured me he’d have it here by nine this morning.”

  “We can’t finish as promised if he doesn’t. I’ve already lost a day.” Zeb’s eyes narrowed as he spotted a tiny head peeking out of the carrier contraption. “Uh, congratulations?”

  “She belongs to Remy. I’m babysitting.”

  A big breath of air whooshed out of him. “That’s good. Was afraid I’d missed something big.”

  Jake pressed fingers against his burning eyes. “Had a rough night. She cried for hours.”

  “Lots of prayer going on in the West household, huh?”

  “You know it. More like begging for mercy.” He laughed. “You know anything about colic?”

  “Can’t say that I do.” Zeb squinted into the late-morning sun. “Except I remember one of my girls had luck by changing her baby’s formula.”

  Jake nodded. Zeb had kids and grandkids, so Jake could trust parenting tips from the man. “Have you been inside? Did my cabinets get delivered?”

  “Not yet. The guys are still taping and muddin’ drywall and priming.”

  Jake needed to go inside, make sure everyone was on schedule and the work met his expectations. But a work site wasn’t the place for a baby. “If Pete isn’t here in fifteen minutes, I’ll call him.”

  “Thanks, Jake. We’ll do a good job for you.”

  “You always do.” He only hired top-notch subcontractors, and Zeb and his crew were the best around.

  Jake made a phone call, and as soon as he hung up, Abigail began to stir. She’d be hungry when she woke. She’d also need a fresh diaper...or two or twenty.

  There was no way he’d be able to work while caring for a baby. He needed to find child care, and quickly.

  Turning to go to the truck, he spotted Violet’s shiny, older model luxury convertible pulling in behind his vehicle. She’d either had it for several years or had bought it used. Either way, he had to admit she might have a good head on her shoulders. Well, except for the brand-new, very expensive tires.

  “Oh, hello,” she said as she climbed out.

  “Hey.” Had she been out for a Saturday drive and just happened to spot him? Or had she come to check up on Abigail?

  The latter was the more likely scenario.

  Wearing shorts and a flowery pink top, Violet looked like a breath of fresh air. Her mile-long, shapely legs caught the attention of a few of his men watching from the garage area.

  Jake put himself between them and Violet, blocking their view. “I was just headed to change Abigail and get a bottle.”

  “Don’t let me stop you.”

  Would Violet hang around? Jake had parked in the shade and planned to change Abigail’s diaper right there in the truck. Violet better not breathe down his neck and complain about his decision. He had to do a decent job with the diaper, though, or else Abigail would be strapped to his chest, a loaded weapon ready to wreak havoc.

  By the time he’d laid the baby on a changing pad placed on the vehicle seat, she was fully awake.

  Violet peeked around his shoulder. “Looks like that diaper’s on pretty good.”

  “Yep.”

  “So I guess you don’t need any help with the clean one.”

  “Nope.” He successfully changed her despite the tense woman watching. When Abigail fussed, he popped a bottle in her mouth and tucked her in the crook of his arm.

  “How did she sleep last night?”

  “Not well. I’ll bring her by the office if we continue to have problems.”

  “Problems? What type of problems?” Violet asked, going from the diaper police back to pediatrician.

  “She cried from eight until nearly midnight. I think she has colic.”

  “Well, there are several things you can try, like—”

  “Thanks, but I read about it on the internet. Got some ideas.” He nodded toward town. “And I bought your whole list of baby stuff, so we’re good to go.”

  The Pete’s Flooring truck arrived with the tile as Abigail slurped down the formula.

  “Excuse me a minute.” Jake strode across the lot.

  Happy and bright-eyed, Abigail let the nipple slip out of her mouth. He tucked the bottle in his front pants pocket. Abigail watched him as he directed Pete where to drop off the tile. While Pete’s men unloaded the pallets, the truck with the kitchen cabinets arrived.

  “Jake, do you want me to hold her?” Violet called as she picked her way across the muddy expanse of the future front lawn.

  “Hang on just a minute.”

  Needing to direct the second delivery, and hoping to prove to the doc that he could take care of his baby cousin, Jake safely tucked Abigail in the carrier against his chest, talking sweetly to her in a voice that no longer felt strange. A couple of his men snickered.

  Ignoring them, he pointed the second group of deliverymen toward the garage. Once they finished unloading, they started backing out, nearing Pete’s truck.

  “Whoa!” Jake rushed over, waving his arms to stop the collision.

  Startled by his voice and sudden movement, Abigail shrieked, her arms and legs flailing. He quickly soothed her, patting and cooing.

  Jake finally sent the cabinet truck on its way, then turned and found Violet standing at the front of the house watching him. Frowning.

  She glared at the mess of scraps and tools around them. “This isn’t an appropriate place for a two-week-old baby. You’re going to have to make other arrangements or—” She huffed.

  Or what? he wanted to say but didn’t dare challenge her in the situation. He’d already come to the same conclusion himself.

  “This isn’t a normal day,” he said instead. “I’m still juggling, trying to figure out my new schedule with Abigail. I just dropped by to check on the tile delivery.” Mainly, he needed to get through his first full day with a baby.

  Today, on four and a half hours of sleep, he’d bought baby equipment and supplies, changed several diapers, fed her two bottles and coaxed three burps. He’d even managed to keep Abigail alive. That victory must count for something.

  He probably deserved a medal.

  Violet stood looking at him as if he was a nail in one of her four-hundred-dollar tires.

  He walked away before he said something rude.

  Close on his heels, she followed, her spotless white flip-flops getting mired in mud. He stopped and turned.

  Looking at her feet, she didn’t notice his sudden change in direction and barreled into him. Slowly, she looked up, frustration flashing in her pretty eyes. “This place is too hazardous for a baby.”

  “You’re more at risk in your open-toed shoes than a baby is tucked against my chest.” The chest Violet stood literally six inches from. “So did you come just to see if I had Abigail with m
e?”

  “I happened to be out. Saw your truck. Thought I’d stop by and see if she needs anything.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “More likely, you wanted to make sure she survived the night.”

  She jammed her hands on her khaki-clad hips, a perfect warrior pose, cheeks bright red, sparks of fury in her brownish-green eyes. “Okay, you want the brutal truth? I doubt you’re prepared to take care of a baby this young.”

  “Ah, so you’re capable of honesty after all. Who would’ve guessed?”

  “At least I’m not being nasty, judging you on something I know nothing about.”

  Zeb stepped around the corner of the house to see what the commotion was about. Jake waved him off. He didn’t need the man asking questions about him and the new pediatrician.

  Violet didn’t flinch at the interruption. Didn’t seem to care they had an audience. She glared at him, ready to battle it out.

  He wouldn’t back down, either. “Abigail is fine. Check her out if you want.”

  The offer knocked her back a step. With an irritated huff, she peeked at the baby. “I see you bought a carrier. And you appear to have it attached correctly.”

  “I can read directions, you know.”

  She worked her hands around the edges of the fabric, feeling for all Abigail’s body parts. “You seem to have her in a good position. She looks comfortable.”

  Dr. Crenshaw was so close her hair brushed his chin again. Though he’d expect her to smell like a doctor’s office—of sick people and disinfectant—she actually smelled good, like flowers mixed with something fresh and clean.

  When she looked up, her eyes met his and widened. The tiny flecks of light gold around her pupils made her look young, vulnerable.

  But Violet Crenshaw was not some delicate creature. Hadn’t she just proven it by charging into his job site with both barrels loaded?

  She cleared her throat and stepped away.

  What had made her change from last night, when she’d been helpful? Was it all because he’d yelled to stop a collision and made Abigail cry? He stepped around Violet to head to the truck. “See you around, Doc.”