by Kat Brookes
Her bright smile widened even further. “He’s doing very well,” she told him. “Jessica said they expect to be able to remove the bilirubin lights within a day or two. And his lungs are strengthening.”
Garrett grinned at the news. “I told you he was a fighter.”
“He is,” she said proudly. “And I think he’s starting to know the sound of my voice.”
“Of course, he does,” he said. “He’s listened to it for the past seven or so months.”
“You know what I mean,” she said, laughing once again.
The sound of her laughter wrapped around him, did something to him. Maybe you already have. Tucker’s earlier words came rushing back to him and Garrett went into immediate denial. He couldn’t have found the woman meant to make him happy, because he wasn’t looking. He was only watching over Hannah and her son until her father was well enough to come to Bent Creek to take over the duty himself.
Garrett stole another glance at Hannah, whose pretty face radiated her joy at the news she’d received regarding her son’s improving health. Watching over her felt like the farthest thing from a duty to him, but he had to force himself to think of it that way. Hannah and her son would be leaving, and if Austin continued to improve as steadily as he had been, as they had all prayed he would, that day would come very soon. But he was also well-aware that setbacks happened. If Austin ended up having to remain in the hospital longer than expected, it would tear Hannah up inside. Him, too. Even if bringing Austin home meant letting Hannah go.
“Would you like to take a drive?” Garrett asked as they stepped up onto his parents’ front porch. He reached for the door. “I could give you a tour of the place.”
“As much as I would love to, I’m going to have to ask for a rain check on your offer,” Hannah replied. “It’s been such a full day with church, and then the hospital, and then shopping with Autumn. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Of course,” he said, doing his best not to show his disappointment. He really had missed spending time with her that afternoon. But he understood. “Maybe one day this week we’ll take that drive. Weather permitting.” Storms were expected to be moving into the area over the next several days.
“I look forward to it,” she said, smiling up at him.
He looked down into her thickly lashed, pale green eyes and returned her smile. “Me, too.”
She looked up at him. “I missed visiting with you today.”
There went that funny feeling again. Ignoring it, Garrett said, “I wish I could have been there with you.”
“I know you would have been if you could have,” she told him. “Speaking of which, how is Mr. Wilson’s cow?”
“She’ll live,” he said. “Hopefully, she learned a valuable lesson today. That the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Especially, when the ‘other side’ consists of a well-traveled road.”
Once again, her lilting laughter rose up around him. “A very good lesson to remember. I’m glad she’s going to be all right. But then, with you watching over her, how could she be anything but?”
His being there hadn’t helped Grace.
“Hannah,” his mother said in greeting as she stepped from the kitchen.
“Hello, Emma.”
“How’s that darling little one of yours doing?”
“Better than expected,” Hannah answered. “Thus the shopping bags Garrett offered to carry in for me. Autumn and I stopped by the mall after seeing Austin.”
“Ah, good,” his mother said. “Nothing more therapeutic than a girls’ day out shopping.”
“It was nice,” Hannah agreed. “But I didn’t go as much for me as I did for Austin. When I told Autumn that I didn’t have any baby things bought yet, she suggested we stop and pick up a few things. Because, with God’s good grace, my son will be coming home from the hospital very soon.”
“Amen to that,” his mother said.
“You didn’t have any baby items bought?” Garrett said in surprise.
“Not until today,” she admitted. “Now I at least have a few of the essentials I’ll be needing, along with a half dozen or so sleepers. Oh, and I do have a crib. Heather and Brian bought one less than a week after they found out they were finally going to be parents. As for anything else, well, I thought I would have more time to prepare for Austin’s arrival.”
“Our children do like to surprise us on occasion,” Emma said.
“With grandchildren, to give one example,” Garrett muttered.
“One grandchild,” his mother corrected. “And Blue was the best surprise I have ever received.”
Me, too, Garrett thought. His niece was the light of his life. Tucker was beyond blessed to have her. He’d never allowed himself to consider what it might be like to have a child of his own to love and to raise after losing Grace, but from the moment he’d first held Austin in his arms, those thoughts had begun nudging at him. But it had been the talk he’d had with his brother that had forced him to rethink the way he’d been living his life. Maybe someday he could have the family he had once dreamed of.
Hannah turned to face him. “I’ll take my packages now. Thank you for carrying them in for me,” she said as he handed them over to her.
“Anytime,” he said.
“I’m on my way upstairs to fold a basket of laundry I carried up to my room a short while ago,” his mother told Hannah. “Let me take a couple of those bags for you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Hannah tried to protest, but Emma was already relieving her of two of her purchases. Then she started up the stairs with them.
“I’ll leave these on your bed,” she called back over her shoulder. “See you at dinner this evening, Garrett.”
“I’ll be there,” he replied, and then found himself searching for some other small piece of conversation to throw out there to stall their having to part ways. But there wasn’t really anything he could say that wouldn’t sound exactly like what it was meant to be—an attempt to stall his departure. So he steeled himself, tipped his hat to her and then headed back out to the barn to find something to keep his thoughts on anything other than his parents’ beautiful houseguest.
Chapter Seven
That whole week, storms rolled in and out of Bent Creek, postponing their tour of the ranch. Garrett looked to the window, thanking heaven above that the rain had finally passed. Nothing but clear skies stretched over the distant mountains. That meant he would finally be able to give Hannah the tour of the ranch he had promised her. He’d found himself eagerly looking forward to sharing that part of his life with her. Something beyond the limited view of the ranch that she’d seen from the road as they traveled back and forth to the hospital to see her son.
Her son. His namesake. The child Garrett had found himself bonding with more and more with each passing day when he accompanied Hannah to the hospital to see him. He turned from the window and looked to the specialized crib Austin had spent most of his time in since coming into the world. Then his gaze came to rest on Hannah, who sat next to it in one of the neonatal unit’s rocking chairs. She was holding her son, her love-filled gaze fixed on the tiny infant she cradled in her arms.
If one’s heart could melt, Garrett was certain his would have. It was a memory he knew would remain in his thoughts long after they went back to the life that awaited them in Steamboat Springs. He had started off bringing her to the hospital because she had no one else to take her there. Because he felt a certain responsibility to do so. But as the days went on, he found himself looking forward to their time, watching Hannah with her son, whom she was now able to hold for short periods, and of getting to hold Austin himself.
While holding her son made him long for something he would never have, it was also a reminder of how precious life really was. That he needed to appreciate the time the good Lord chose to grant him and live it to its fullest.
Something he hadn’t done after losing Grace. But that had changed with Hannah’s unexpected arrival in his life. It had happened slowly. Emotional baby steps so to speak. But he was ready to admit he no longer wanted to be alone. He wanted what Tucker had, a family to love and to love him.
Hannah looked up and graced him with one of her pretty smiles, which she did on occasion, perhaps wanting him to know she hadn’t forgotten he was there. Or maybe she just wanted to pass on the joy she felt as she held her son. Either way, her smile was always a welcome thing. He’d been there for Hannah those times she had, fearing for her too-small son, given in to the tears. He’d been there when she’d struggled to keep her eyes open, exhausted by everything she’d been through. And he’d been there when she’d needed to talk. Sometimes about her past. Sometimes about simple things.
There were so many things about Grace he no longer remembered, or maybe he’d blocked them from his mind because it had always hurt his heart to think about her. He’d done more thinking and talking about Grace since Hannah had come into his life than he had for the past seventeen years. Doing so had been surprisingly cathartic.
It was Hannah who had been first and foremost on his mind since coming into his life. He knew her favorite color was red. The one place she longed to travel to was anywhere she’d be able to see the Northern Lights, where their brilliant colors reached far up into the heavens. And her favorite movie was P.S. I Love You, because it was about two people who loved each other beyond measure, and the willingness to let love in again after one’s first true love was lost.
At least, that’s what he’d garnered from the online search he’d done afterward to see what the movie was about. When Hannah had absently mentioned it, she’d quickly changed the subject, but he’d found himself wanting to know more about this movie that had resonated so deeply. Then he knew why she’d tried to redirect the conversation. It had been to protect his feelings. That kind gesture meant more than she could ever know, but like the main character in that movie he knew it was time to move on.
“Would you like to hold him?” she asked with a warm smile. “You haven’t held him since that stormy afternoon at Jackson’s.”
That’s because it had felt too right, holding Austin in his arms that day. Like he was meant to be there. “If you don’t mind giving him up for a bit,” he replied with a widening grin as he eyed the infant asleep in her arms. That day he’d run from the rightness of it. Today he was ready to open himself up to new feelings. To possibilities.
“I don’t mind sharing him with you,” Hannah replied, tenderness in her eyes as she handed her son over to him. They’d already washed their hands when they’d first stepped into the neonatal care room. She pushed up from the rocking chair and stepped aside so Garrett could settle himself into it.
“He’s growing more and more every day,” Garrett said as he began to rock in a slow, easy movement. “In fact, I think that’s a whisker I see sprouting from his chin,” he teased, making light when the moment felt anything but. Emotion had knotted thick in his throat.
Hannah laughed softly as she leaned over them, admiring her son. “Won’t be long before he’s asking for a cowboy hat and boots.”
“He’ll have them. I’ll make sure of it.”
Her questioning gaze lifted to meet his.
“I want to be a part of his life,” he said, looking up into her pretty green eyes. Of your life, he couldn’t quite bring himself to say. “Distance isn’t going to change that. He’s my namesake. He should have boots and a cowboy hat.”
“And apparently a razor,” she said, making Garrett chuckle. Then her expression grew serious. “You are going to make a wonderful father someday.”
Reaching up, he caressed her cheek. “And you have given that little boy of yours the most loving mother a child could ever ask for.”
“Garrett,” she said, their gazes locking. Then the baby stirred and let out a soft coo. Hannah straightened. “I... I can’t wait for your entire family to meet him.”
He wasn’t sure what had just happened there, but it was clear Hannah had felt it, too. “They already have,” he said. “The very first day he came into this world.”
“That was different,” she replied, her gaze lifting to meet his. “And not all of your family was there the day Austin was born.”
No, they hadn’t been. His father had been home watching over Blue during all the excitement. “Be forewarned,” he said. “Blue is beyond excited to meet Austin. She’s already planning the tea parties they can have together, and even asked Tucker to hang a baby swing from the tree next to hers so they can swing together.”
A worried frown settled over Hannah’s face. “Doesn’t she know Austin and I will be leaving soon?”
“Blue knows what is supposed to happen,” he said. “But she’s hoping Austin will change his mind about leaving once he sees all the horses at the ranch.”
“Oh, dear.”
“It’s not just Blue wanting you to stay,” he said with a grin. He thought back to the nightly family dinners his mother had prepared instead of the usual once or twice a week gathering. He guessed it had been done for Hannah’s sake, his mother wanted her to feel included, as well as supported, having none of her own family there for her during her stay. His brothers constantly brought up all of Hannah’s wonderful qualities, as if he hadn’t seen them for himself. And Autumn, well, she adored Hannah. He adored Hannah for that matter. Admired her. Wanted to kiss her.
“No?” she said, looking up at him.
It took a moment to be certain he hadn’t stated his last thought aloud and wasn’t rejecting him. “Uh, no. My family isn’t going to want to let you leave when the time comes either. They’ve grown quite fond of you.”
She lowered her gaze, but not before he saw a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “I’ve grown quite fond of your family as well. They’ve been so good to me during my stay.”
While Garrett had enjoyed those dinners with everyone gathered around the family table, laughing and sharing bits and pieces of their day, he looked forward most to the time he was able to spend alone with Hannah during their drives back and forth to the hospital. Hours spent bonding with her son, and then sharing small talk when they’d taken breaks to grab something from the cafeteria or walked the halls.
“I’ll miss having you around,” he admitted.
Hannah looked up, a smile softening her face. “I’ll miss you, too.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Jessica said as she came up to stand next to Hannah, “but it’s time for me to return Austin to his crib. I need to check his vitals and then we need to run a few tests.”
“Tests?” Hannah said worriedly. “Is something wrong?”
Garrett wondered the same thing. No one had said anything to them about new medical concerns where Hannah’s son was concerned, and they’d been there all morning.
“Nothing’s wrong,” the young nurse quickly assured them.
“Thank the Lord,” Hannah breathed in relief.
“The tests show us how much your son has progressed. They will also show us where Austin’s lung function is and give us a better idea of when his oxygen tube can be removed. If your son continues to progress the way he is, he could be ready to go home in another couple of weeks or less.”
A couple of weeks or less. A clock ticked loudly in the back of Garrett’s mind. Time was running out. He needed more, but not when that could only happen if Austin’s health required it.
Hannah’s face lit with the news and her spring-green eyes filled with tears. She looked to Garrett. “We had better leave Jessica to her work, so they can run their tests and we’ll pray for good news.”
“I’ll continue to keep Austin in my prayers as well,” Jessica told her. “I know how hard it is to be without your baby.”
“Thank you,” Hannah said, the words catching in her throat.
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br /> “Yes, thank you,” Garrett said, nodding. “Not only for remembering Austin in your prayers, but for watching over him when you’re here and we’re not.”
“It’s my job to see to his care,” Jessica said humbly.
“It’s more than that,” Garrett told her. “You’ve been a great source of support for Hannah during this time, over and above the nursing duties you’re required to perform as part of your job.”
“I know I’m not supposed to get emotionally involved,” she said with a hint of a frown, “but it’s hard not to. I’ve been where Hannah is. I know the mountain she’s about to climb alone as a single mother. Any words of advice I can offer her, I will gladly do so. She has my number.”
“You are my inspiration,” Hannah told her. “And when times get tough, which I have no doubt they will on occasion, I’ll think of you.”
This time it was Jessica’s eyes tearing up. “Don’t get me crying,” she said as she reached out to take Austin from Hannah, carefully maneuvering the tubes and wires so they wouldn’t catch on anything as she did so. “I can’t have my vision all tear-blurred while I’m working.”
Hannah stood and bent to place a tender kiss on the smattering of strawberry blonde hair covering her son’s head. “Mommy will see you tomorrow.” With a sigh of resignation, she stepped back.
Garrett moved in, running the side of a finger along the baby’s soft cheek. “See you tomorrow, little man. Be good for your nurse.”
Jessica smiled. “He always is.”
Placing a hand at the small of Hannah’s back, they made their way out of the neonatal intensive care unit. “Austin really is filling out,” Garrett commented as they walked down the long, sterile hospital corridor.
“He is,” Hannah replied happily. “It won’t be long before we can finally take him home.”
Before we can finally take him home. While that was not what she had meant, Garrett had images of Hannah and her son coming home to his house. Of what it might be like if the three of them truly were a family. His family. He shook his head, pushing the thought away.
