by Kat Brookes
His mother smiled. “That and egg salad sandwiches which Autumn and Blue made.”
“We put it inside half-moon sandwiches,” Blue informed him.
He looked to Autumn who laughed softly. “Croissants,” she explained with a grin. “Thus the ‘half-moon.’”
He nodded in understanding. “Of course,” he said, looking to Blue. “Those are my favorite.”
“Mine, too,” Hannah said with a smile as she settled onto the sofa between Jessica and Autumn. She turned to give Jessica a quick hug. “Thank you for coming,” she said softly.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” her friend replied, reaching out to give Hannah’s hand a squeeze.
Garrett crossed the room to a gift-laden table, one Hannah had failed to notice when she’d first entered. Then again, her attention had been drawn to all the people gathered there. She watched as he picked up a large, misshapen package from the floor by the table, one that had been wrapped in a bright red, oversize gift bag, and carried it over to where she sat waiting.
“Little something?” she repeated as she eyed the not-so-little package he had just placed on the floor in front of her.
“It could have been a real one,” he said with a grin as she opened the bag.
“Garrett,” she said as she pushed the plastic covering away to reveal an old wooden rocking horse. One with such fine detail and craftsmanship that Hannah had to assume it had been handmade.
“There wasn’t time to order a new rocking horse,” Garrett hurried to explain, “so I thought I would give Austin mine.”
She ran her fingers appreciatively over the horse’s braided rope mane. “This belonged to you?” It was hard to imagine a man Garrett’s size ever being small enough to ride the wooden horse. She was about to tell him he needed to keep something that special for his own child, but then remembered he would never have a child of his own.
“It most certainly did,” his mother said, drawing everyone’s attention her way. “My son nearly rocked a hole right through his bedroom floor when he was little, he loved that thing so much. Born to ride, he was.”
“You don’t have to keep it,” he said, sounding almost anxious about the gift he’d given her. “We can order Austin a new one and have it sent to Steamboat Springs. I just thought he ought to have a horse of some sort, seeing as how he was born on a horse ranch.”
Hannah smiled up at him. “It means so much more to me that this horse belonged to you. If it weren’t for you, I might not be sitting here today. And my son...” She let the words trail off, unable to even speak them.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said.
Hannah nodded, her smile returning. “I do. And thank you for choosing to go with a wooden horse as opposed to a real live flesh-and-blood one. Taking care of a newborn is going to keep me busy enough.”
A warm chuckle passed through his lips. “You’re welcome.”
“My turn!” Blue announced as she skipped over to the present table.
“She’s in charge of bringing you your gifts to unwrap,” Autumn explained.
“I can’t think of a better present-helper to have than Blue,” Hannah said, earning a toothy grin from her little helper.
“Time for me to make my exit,” Garrett said. “You ladies enjoy the party.”
The second he stepped from the room, Hannah’s gaze shifted over to Blue who was lifting, with great effort, a neatly wrapped present topped with curling strands of multicolored ribbon.
Blue turned, wobbling slightly as she carried the elongated box over to Hannah. “I picked this out all by myself,” Blue told her.
“Then I’m sure it’s going to be very special,” Hannah replied, taking the offered gift. The weight of it surprised her. “Whatever could this be?” she said, enjoying the delight on Blue’s face as she worked the ribbons off one end of the wrapped box. “A real horse, perhaps?”
Blue giggled. “A horse can’t fit in a box.”
“No,” Hannah said, “I suppose not. Well, let’s see then...” She peeled the paper away. “A swing,” she announced, holding it up for the other women in the room to see.
“It’s just like mine,” Blue said excitedly.
Autumn nodded. “Just like her uncle Garrett loved his rocking horse, Blue loves her swing.”
“You gotta tie it to a tree,” Blue explained, her gaze fixed on the gift in Hannah’s lap.
“I will have to find the perfect tree to hang it from,” Hannah said as Blue hurried over to get her another gift to unwrap.
Once the gift opening was done and the delightful luncheon Autumn and Emma had prepared for the shower all eaten, Hannah went around personally thanking her guests. When the door closed behind the last of the ladies from the church who had come that afternoon, Hannah hurried over to help Emma and Autumn with the cleanup.
“Thank you both for the surprise shower,” she told them as she gathered up empty paper cups.
Autumn smiled. “We’re glad you enjoyed yourself.”
The sound of the front door opening drew Hannah’s gaze that way. A second later, Garrett appeared in the living room entryway, grinning like she had never seen him grin.
She looked at him questioningly.
“Remember that other gift I mentioned?”
“Yes,” she said with a nod.
“They’ve arrived.”
Her brows drew together. “They?”
He inclined his head in the direction from which he’d just come. “Come see.”
Hannah set the stack of cups she’d collected down onto a nearby end table and then followed him from the room.
Garrett lifted Hannah’s spring jacket from the hall tree by the door and helped her into it. Then, with his grin still intact, turned to open the front door, motioning her outside.
She’d barely taken two steps out onto the porch when a bark sounded, followed immediately by another. Barks she knew. With a gasp, Hannah spun around, her gaze landing on her father who stood smiling at her from the yard, a leash held securely in each hand. At the end of those leashes, her beloved dogs jumped and tugged at the nylon straps, barking excitedly.
“Daddy!” she exclaimed.
“Hello, baby girl,” he called back. “Sorry we missed the party. It took longer than I thought to get here.”
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Hannah started across the porch in quickened steps. Garrett’s steadying hand close around her arm as she reached the edge of the porch.
“They’re not going anywhere,” he assured her as he helped her down the steps, something Hannah was grateful for as her legs suddenly felt as wobbly as Jell-O. “No need to risk taking a tumble down the steps.”
Her father moved toward the house, the energetic, young golden retrievers eagerly towing him.
There was no way she was going to get to hug her father until she’d acknowledged her whimpering pups. “Buddy,” she said as she bent to receive a wet kiss. She gave him a loving scratch behind his long, floppy ears and then turned to acknowledge Bandit, giving him a quick hug. “I’ve missed you boys so much,” she said, her voice catching.
“What about me?” her father teased.
She straightened, her dogs still vying for her attention.
“I’ve got them,” Garrett said, taking the leashes from her father who immediately gathered Hannah in his arms.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she hugged him back. “I’ve missed you so much. I’m so happy to see you.”
“I’ve missed you, too, baby girl,” her father replied, his voice cracking ever so slightly. “I wish I could have been here sooner.”
“You were sick,” she said with an empathetic smile. “I’m just thankful you’re finally over that awful virus.”
“That makes two of us,” he agreed. “When Garrett called to see how I was feeling, as he’
s done several times since you arrived in Bent Creek, he asked me if there was any chance I could make it to the surprise baby shower they were having for you after church today. I knew I couldn’t miss it.”
She looked to Garrett in surprise. “You’ve been talking to my father?” How could he have kept that from her?
“A few times a week, and I called him first,” her father clarified. “You gave me Garrett’s number in case I couldn’t reach you on your phone. I wanted to make sure you weren’t keeping things from me. Especially, since I haven’t been able to get here to see how you and my grandson are doing for myself.”
“I’ve told you everything there is to know,” she said in her own defense, and then realized she hadn’t told him everything. She hadn’t mentioned anything to her father about her feelings for Garrett. Hadn’t even told Garrett how much she cared for him. That she was falling in love with him. But that was for the best, seeing as how they would soon be living miles apart from each other.
“Honey, you and I both know you tend to sugarcoat things nowadays where I’m concerned. But I’m a lot stronger than you think I am.”
“I think we’re both stronger than either of us realize,” Hannah admitted.
Her father nodded.
“I wasn’t trying to go behind your back,” Garrett said, drawing her attention his way. A troubled frown pulled at his mouth. “Just trying to assure your father that you and Austin were both doing well, which is the truth. Then our conversations would go to everyday things, including sharing a little bit about each of our lives.”
How could she hold it against Garrett that he’d kept this from her? When the secret she withheld from him, the fact that she had fallen in love with him, could be far more life altering. “I’m not upset with you. Just surprised.”
“Understandable,” her father said. “But know that I am beyond grateful for the conversations Garrett and I have had. The house has been far too quiet. At least, it is when the dogs are outside playing. More important, our talks gave me the chance to get to know him better, and his family through him. They were caring for my baby girl after all.”
“Oh, Dad,” Hannah said with a sad smile. “I’m sorry you’ve had to be alone.”
“It’s not like you had a choice in the matter,” he told her with an affectionate smile. “I’m just thankful the good Lord has more planned for you and my grandson in this life.”
She nodded, saying softly, “So am I.”
“It’s been tearing me apart,” he went on, his expression pained, “knowing I was finally well enough to come to Bent Creek to be with you and my grandson, but unable to find a kennel to take Buddy and Bandit until the end of next week.”
“If I had known that was what was keeping your father from coming here, I would have said something earlier,” Garrett said, shaking his head. “He never made mention of it until I called to see if he was able to come sooner than you expected him to be here.”
“Garrett insisted I bring Buddy and Bandit with me. That you were missing not only me, but your boys as well.” Her father looked to Garrett with a grateful smile. “And here we are.”
Garrett looked her way. “If you had told me that was why your father hadn’t been able to come after having been cleared by his doctor to travel, I would have told you the same thing.”
“I didn’t want to burden you any more than I already have,” she told him.
“Hannah,” Garrett said, his tone lightly scolding, “you are not, nor have you ever been, a burden to me. And this is a ranch. A dog or two added to the rest of our animal menagerie of horses, chickens and cats is no big deal. Your happiness is.”
Hannah felt her father watching her, but couldn’t look his way, knowing that if she did he’d see the truth of her feelings for Garrett written on her face. “Thank you for that,” she said, kneeling to give more attention to her pups. “Having my boys here, having my father here, makes me beyond happy.” She lifted her gaze, finding Garrett’s warm smile. “Thank you for making this day even more special than it already was. I’ll never forget everything you’ve done for me.” And she would never forget him. Ever.
* * *
“I can’t wait for you to meet your grandson,” Hannah said as she and her father stepped away from the desk where they had signed him in and moved toward the NICU doors. Garrett had driven them there as soon as they’d gotten her dogs settled in at his place. Not that it had taken much effort. Buddy and Bandit had made themselves right at home on the rug in front of Garrett’s fireplace and were napping within minutes.
“I can’t wait to meet him,” her father replied with a grin as he placed the sterile mask over his nose and mouth and drew the elastic string back over his head.
“Your doctor cleared you to see Austin,” Hannah said. “You don’t have to wear that.”
“I’m not taking any chances,” he replied.
Nodding in understanding, she led him to the room that housed the babies needing more specialized care. “Austin is the only baby in here right now.”
“I’d say that’s a blessing,” he replied. “And he gets to come home within the next few days.”
They were greeted by the nurse assigned to watch over Austin that afternoon. After introductions were made, Hannah led her father over to the incubator that held his grandson. “Austin, look who I brought to see you. Your grandpa.”
Her father placed a flattened hand against the glass, and then cleared his throat before speaking. “I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever to be able to meet you,” he said, his voice cracking. He looked to Hannah, concern knitting his graying brows. “He’s so small.”
Her smile softened. “Not as small as he was. He’s filled out quite a bit since he was first born.”
Thick tears looming in his eyes, he looked back to his grandson. “To think what might have happened to the both of you...”
“But it didn’t,” she said. “That’s all that matters.”
“I owe Garrett Wade more than I could ever repay him in this lifetime.”
“Garrett would never accept any type of repayment for what he’s done,” she said, knowing that without a doubt. “He risked his life for us because that’s the kind of man he is. Brave and caring. And it doesn’t end there. He’s kind and dependable, and a man of his word.” She looked over to find her father studying her.
“You’ve grown quite attached to this young man,” he noted. “And something tells me the sentiment goes both ways.”
Garrett had gone from being a stranger to being someone she could confide in. A man she had come to care about. Probably too much if she were being honest with herself. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit her feelings aloud. “I’ve grown attached to the entire Wade family. They’ve all been so good to me.” She looked to her son. “To us.”
“I’d like to take a moment to say a prayer of thanks,” her father announced, bowing his head.
Hannah closed her eyes and lowered her head as well.
“Thank You, Lord,” he began, “for blessing us with this child, a piece of Heather for us to love and to always remember her by. Thank You for bringing Garrett Wade and his family into my daughter’s life to watch over Hannah and my grandson when I wasn’t physically able to do so. And thank You for allowing Austin’s fragile little body to grow and strengthen with each passing day. Amen.”
“Amen,” Hannah repeated, tears stinging her eyes.
Josie, the nurse on shift, one who had been assigned to Austin when Jessica wasn’t there, walked over to join them. “He’s doing well,” she told them. “No more fussing when it comes to his feedings.”
“He’s eating already?” her father said in disbelief.
She smiled. “Not actual food. I was referring to his taking the bottle, something he struggled with at first. But he’s come around, taking his formula like the growing little boy he
is.”
“I wasn’t able to nurse him,” Hannah admitted, feeling as if she had failed her son. The nurses had stressed to her that this can happen when the mother is overly stressed, which she had been, between the loss of her mother and sister, the flood, and then Austin’s early arrival.
“Your mother wasn’t able to nurse you or your sister either, and you both turned out okay,” her father said with a warm smile.
“I never knew that,” Hannah admitted, wondering if it wasn’t stress that had affected her milk flow, but something genetic. She knew that if her mother were still alive, she would have shared those sorts of things with her daughters when the time called for it.
“Would you like me to get him out for you so you can hold him?” her son’s nurse asked.
Hannah nodded. “Yes, please.” She looked to her father. “You can go first. But we have to wash our hands before we can hold him.”
“Understandable,” her father replied as he followed her over to the sink.
After they had both washed their hands, she led her father to the rocker that sat next to her son’s crib.
Once her father was settled comfortably, Josie removed Austin from the incubator, carefully adjusting his remaining tubes and wires as she settled the baby into his grandfather’s outstretched arms. “He just finished eating a little while ago, so he’s a little sleepy right now.” Her gaze shifted to Hannah. “Let me know when you’re ready to change places with your father.”
“I will,” Hannah said. “Thank you.” She turned her attention back to her father who was looking down at his grandson, a mixture of both adoration and grief etched into the lines around his eyes. A feeling Hannah understood all too well. Overwhelming love for her sister’s child, and, yet, a deep pain for the knowledge that her sister would never have the chance to be the mother she had always longed to be.
“He has your sister’s eyes,” her father muttered as the infant stared up at him, his sleepy eyes drifting open and closed.
Hannah looked down with a sad smile. “Yes, he does.”
Her father sniffled, clearly overcome by emotion.
