“Chicago’s been overdue,” Jimmy Saclarides said. “It was bound to happen.”
Georgia Davis bristled. “How can you say that?” She rose from the couch where they were lying feet to feet watching the news. “What about the Chicago murder rate? It’s up to three a day. You don’t consider that domestic terrorism?”
“You have a point,” Jimmy said. “But this isn’t the same thing. You know that. I mean, the guy blew himself up afterwards. That’s not your typical gangbanger.”
Georgia headed into the kitchen of her small apartment. Jimmy was so damn evenhanded and fair. It was hard to summon up much self-righteous indignation. Probably one of the reasons she was attracted to him. She took a baby bottle out of the fridge, set it in a pan of water, and turned the heat on low.
“What are you doing?” Jimmy called.
“Heating up Charlie’s bottle.”
“But he’s sleeping.”
“He won’t be for long.”
As if on cue, they heard a muffled wail from the other room.
“Which came first, the bottle or the baby?” Jimmy cracked.
“Does it matter? I’ll be back.” She returned a moment later, cradling an infant in her arms. “Ready for your nighttime snack, Chuckie Cheese?” She raised her voice to that high pitch people used around infants. She’d sworn not to do it. It was pandering. Naturally, within a couple of hours of his birth she caught herself doing exactly that. Charlie seemed to like it, and Georgia could see him trying to make sense of sounds, tones, language. Smart kid. Now he stared at her. Georgia smiled. He smiled back.
Jimmy gazed at her. “I like the look.”
“Don’t get used to it. I’m just pinch-hitting for Vanna’s boob.”
Still, Georgia had to admit that at three months, with his hazel eyes and downy straw-colored hair, he could have been hers. She had the same blond hair, and while she had brown eyes to his hazel, there was something about his mouth and chin that reminded Georgia of herself. Then again, she and her half sister, Savannah, looked like full sisters.
“Vanna’s at class, I assume?”
Georgia nodded. “I should have never introduced her to Sam.” She shifted her weight so she could hand the baby to Jimmy. “You hold him while I get the bottle.”
“Graphic design, isn’t it?”
“Good memory.” Samantha Mosele was her friend; maybe her only friend. They’d met at community college when Sam was studying design, Georgia sociology. Now Sam had her own company. Vanna, after learning what Sam did, decided she wanted to be a graphic designer too. It was a good idea. She did have a talent for drawing.
Now she felt Charlie’s bottom and gave it a sniff. “Someone needs a clean diaper.” She peered at Jimmy. “I don’t suppose you want to change him?”
“Umm . . . I’ll feed him . . . ,” Jimmy offered, as if they were negotiating where to go for dinner.
“Burp included?”
He nodded. “Sure.”
Georgia sighed. “Spoken like a man without kids.” She hoisted Charlie up. He started to fuss. “Hold on, little man. We gotta change you so you can poop into a clean diaper after you eat.”
Jimmy’s forehead furrowed. “I don’t get it. Why change him now if you’re just going to do it again in fifteen minutes?”
“Wouldn’t you like a nice clean diaper to poop into?”
Jimmy waved her off. “Whatever.”
Georgia laughed and took the baby back into Vanna’s room.
Afterward Georgia plopped back on the couch. “This baby-care stuff is not for the faint of heart.”
Jimmy looked her over speculatively. “How are they doing? Really?”
“Charlie’s a peach. Round and happy. Vanna seems happy too. Or should I say focused. Once I introduced her to Sam, they got along like, well, two peas in a pod.”
“Run, Forrest, run.”
“Exactly.” Vanna had studied for and passed her GED online, then signed up for drawing classes. “She’s a smart cookie when she’s motivated.”
“Takes after her sister.”
“Compliments’ll get you brownie points.” She snuggled closer. “It’s almost like the past year was only a bad dream.”
Jimmy kissed her lightly. “You went to hell and back.”
“So did Vanna. But maybe it was worth it.” She gestured. “Look at our lives now.”
“You said it.” He gazed around the room. “Only one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s crowded in here.”
Georgia looked around. Her small two-bedroom apartment in Evanston used to be spare, uncluttered. She liked it that way. It helped her concentrate on important matters. Now, though, cushions, books, and baby clothes crowded into corners. Her carefully arranged furniture, what little there was, had started to look bedraggled. Vanna and the baby shared Georgia’s extra bedroom, which was no bigger than a closet to begin with, and now bulged with a twin bed, crib with the obligatory mobile, baby toys, and a diaper stand. Jimmy had a point.
“I guess. Vanna didn’t inherit the clean-house gene.”
Eight months had passed since she’d rescued Vanna and brought her home. Two months later Charlie made his appearance. It seemed like a logical progression to Georgia. Her life, once empty and uncharted, now had purpose. Georgia wanted a family, and the universe provided. It wasn’t the family she’d imagined, but Vanna was in no condition financially or otherwise to get a place of her own.
Jimmy went on. “We haven’t had much time to ourselves since Prince Charles made his appearance.”
“I know.” The memory buzz of long, intimate nights where they couldn’t keep their hands off each other swept through her.
“Well, I might have a solution,” Jimmy said.
She jerked her head up. “What?”
“Remember when Luke bought that condo in Northfield after Rachel’s—um—ordeal? So Ellie could keep an eye on her?”
Georgia nodded.
“Well, Rachel just moved in with her boyfriend, so the condo is empty.” When Georgia didn’t respond, he went on. “I thought I might rent it from Luke.”
Jimmy lived in Lake Geneva, about an hour away in Wisconsin. Which was great in summer but during winter months not so convenient. They’d been commuting since they’d met.
“But your job . . . your work.” Jimmy was the chief of police of Lake Geneva.
“I can drive it in forty-five minutes.” He made a circular motion with his index finger. “I’ve got a siren, remember?”
“You’d take advantage of law enforcement perks for your own purposes?”
“If it means I can spend more time with you,” he said, “no contest.”
Georgia stroked his arm.
“And you could spend more time with me. Without Charlie. Or Vanna.”
Georgia brightened but then frowned. “But what about money? You can’t support two homes. Can you?”
“I’ve been offered the friends-and-family discount.”
Georgia considered it. “Vanna can get her feet on the ground and experiment with life, without me in the way.”
“Assuming you think she’s ready.”
“It’s an open question. It’s been less than a year.”
Jimmy nodded. “I don’t want to push you. Or Vanna. I just thought—”
“I know, and I love you for thinking that way.” She drew her finger down his cheek. “I’ll consider it.”
“Well, I’m glad—”
Georgia shushed him with an index finger on his lips, then kissed him. He returned it eagerly.
“Oh, Jimmy,” she whispered. He moved closer and folded her in his arms. She hoped they’d have enough time before Vanna got home.