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“I can’t believe Tanya cancelled,” Carly said as she buckled Layla’s seat into her car outside the hospital. She was excited and terrified to take her Little Bean home.
“She got a call from one of her profs about an assignment,” Birch replied. “She thought it best not to delay the virtual meeting. She sent me. I hope that’s okay.” His dark eyes filled with worry.
“It’s perfect. I’m glad you brought my car.” She gave him her best smile. “I’m really grateful you came.”
“Your car is a deathtrap, but the seat won’t fit properly in my old truck.” His truck had two bucket seats and no rear seat.
She stood and looked at him. “My car is not a deathtrap! It’s just rusty. You checked it over yourself. And guess what? I’m getting a new one. A new to me one!”
“Thank heaven for that.”
She fiddled with the buckle again wanting to be certain she had it right for Layla’s first trip. “Thanks again,” she said to cover her nervousness.
“Think nothing of it.” She went to close the door, but he stopped her and leaned into the back seat. “Let me check that,” he said. “I stopped by the firehall and had them teach me how to do it properly.”
“You did not,” she said. “You’re pulling my leg.”
“I did too. It’s important to keep our little one safe.” He checked all the belts and connections, and finally declared it safe. “Climb in, Little Mama, and I’ll take you home.”
“Little Mama?” She laughed. ‘Our’ little one? Since when was Layla his and why did him claiming her baby feel so right?
“Yup. You are little, and a mama. It makes perfect sense.” He waited for her to get in and closed her door behind her. “Do you have everything? Diaper bag? Flowers? Souvenirs?”
She laughed. “Souvenirs? From a hospital?”
“I don’t know. I’m just being thorough.” He buckled up and drove to her place. She watched him. His focus was entirely on the road. He obeyed every speed limit and traffic sign, but she suspected something was on his mind.
“What are you thinking about?” She asked when they were halfway home.
“Nothing.”
She reached out and touched his arm. “Birch, there’s something on your mind. I’d like to know what it is. Please.”
He huffed and drove on. Finally, he said, “I’m worried about you being home alone with an infant. What if something happens? What if there’s a problem?”
He was so sweet. “We’ll be fine. If there’s trouble, I’ll call the hospital. Or the police. If it’s minor, I know I can depend on you and your family. We might be physically alone, but there’s a world of friends waiting to help us.”
He grunted. “Call if you need anything.”
“I will, Birch. I promise.” She gave his arm a squeeze. Not because he needed reassurance, but because she loved the way his muscles tensed under her fingers.
“Good.” He dropped the subject and they drove in silence until he parked her car back in her stall. “I’ll bring all the other things up after I get you and Layla safely settled.” He took the baby and car seat from her and gestured for her to go ahead.
She bit back a grin. He was so worried and chivalrous, it was adorable. Upstairs, she unlocked the condo door and stepped aside so he and Layla could go ahead.
“After you. Ladies first.”
She rolled her eyes and went in. She gasped in delight. Balloons and flowers were displayed everywhere. A big welcome home banner was strung across the wall. Nobody jumped up to say surprise, but Birch’s entire family was sitting on chairs waiting for her. Hank, her boss, and his wife were there as well as two of her friends from the diner. “Surprise,” Hank said quietly.
“Welcome home.” Birch’s mother hurried up to her. “Dinner’s nearly ready. Come in. Let us take a look at that beautiful girl.”
Birch handed his mother the car seat and ushered Carly to an empty chair. “I’ll be right back with the rest of your things,” he declared and took off.
Nobody would take credit for the short, sweet party, but she suspected Tanya was the instigator. Everyone brought useful gifts like sleepers and diapers. Helen and Buck gave her a deluxe stroller. Layla got fussy and everyone, except Birch and Tanya, went home. “I’ll just go change her and I’ll be right back.”
She hurried down the hallway and burst into tears when she stepped inside the nursery. Like the living area, the nursery had morphed into something else entirely. Cute little bunnies and kittens frolicked on pale pink walls that had been beige when she checked into the hospital. The crib sported a pink flannel sheet. The curtains were white with pink flowers, and a bookcase held a shelf of board books and stuffed animals. Below were several learning toys for infants.
She stood in the doorway crying. Layla wailed in her arms.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?” Birch asked from behind her.
“How? When?” she stammered, not quite able to form a coherent question.
“While you were in the hospital. Tanya and Mom’s plan. Dad and I executed it. You can accomplish a lot in forty-eight hours if you try hard. Welcome to the family.” He patted her back awkwardly.
Fresh tears flowed.
“Are you mad?” he asked worriedly. “Do you hate it? Is it the hormones?” He sounded bewildered and terrified. He was totally endearing.
She laughed and sniffed. “It’s beautiful and so sweet. Maybe it’s the hormones too, or the high of giving birth, but thank you all. This is so perfect, and too much.”
He blushed and backed away. “I’m ... we’re glad you like it. I’ll let everyone know. Are you going to be all right?” He frowned.
“I’m fine. Never better. Really.” She sniffed again. “Thank you.”
He brushed away a tear and stepped from the room. She turned her attention to the crying baby in her arms. “Oh, Little Bean, they’re all so sweet. We are so blessed to have them in our lives.” The universe had smiled on her the day she met Tanya.
She sat in the rocking chair beside the crib, breastfeeding Layla who latched on like a pro. Voices rose in the other room. She turned her ear toward the partially closed door to hear better.
“What are you doing here?” Birch demanded.
“I came to see my wife.”
“Crap,” Carly said barely resisting the urge to swear. She burped Layla and tucked her in bed and stormed toward the living room.
“Mike, what are you doing here?” He ex swayed on his feet and blubbered, “I came to see you.” He lurched toward her. Birch stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Go home, I am not your wife.” She crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look stern. Inside her heart broke for him. She didn’t love him, but she hurt for him all the same.
“You are too. The divorce isn’t final yet.”
She banked the urge to push him out the door. “Mike, it’s over.”
“I want to see my baby!”
“Go away. Come back sober,” Birch growled and moved closer to her.
“Do as he says. I won’t let you near the baby when you’ve been drinking.”
“Is this jerk why you left me?” Mike demanded, jabbing a fist toward Birch, and staggering forward a step.
“You asked me that months ago, Mike. I left you because you are an unpredictable alcoholic and won’t do anything about it. Birch is my friend’s brother.” Both men frowned at that statement. She cast Birch a pleading look, hoping he’d understand she meant no slight. “I left you for the baby’s sake. You can see Layla when you’re sober.”
“Come on, Mike. I’ll walk you out,” Tanya said. Surprisingly, he let her lead him from the condo.
“I don’t like that man,” Birch growled. “He’s dangerous.”
“He’s hurting. He knows his actions led to this. But I’ll keep the door locked. We’ll be fine.”
“I don’t like it.” He repeated.
“Birch. We’re good. As soon as I’m alone, I’ll lock up and not answer the door until I know who is outside. If there is trouble, I’ll call the ranch. Or the police.”
He looked belligerent, but after squinting at her for several seconds he agreed.
Eventually, everyone was gone. She locked up and rushed to the nursery and picked up Layla. Her sweet, sweet daughter, her Little Bean, slept soundly. Holding her tight, Carly dropped into the rocker and started it in motion. Not for the baby’s sake but for hers.
Today had been one hell of a ride and she was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster. She was overtired, thirsty, and deeply touched by the actions of her friends. She rocked slowly, the rhythmic motion soothing her. Slowly, her shoulders relaxed, her head grew heavy, and she knew it was time to sleep. Reluctantly, she kissed Layla and tucked her back in.
They’d be together soon enough for another feeding. She shut out the light and staggered to her room and dropped into bed with the necklace Birch had given her held in her fist.
