CHAPTER7
After the Reaves walked away,Nick took Gillian’s hand in his. He hated that she heard what Mike Reaves thought about him. Hated that it probably confirms what she already knew—she’d made the right decision when she left him. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
“Don’t be. I believe in you, and you’re going to need all the help you can get if you’re going to fight those two. And luckily for you, I’m going to be here for a little while.”
Nick shook his head. Gillian must be magical because he was starting to believe with her help his dream of fatherhood might come true. He fought the urge to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. He let go of her hand. “Thank you so much, but are you sure you want to do this? You’ve just been in an accident. You need time to adjust, to heal—”
“I know. But healing is not the only thing I need to do. I have to rebuild my life, but I can’t right now. My life is in limbo. My husband is in jail, and until he is convicted, there isn’t anything I can do. I need a distraction, helping you might be exactly what I need to keep my mind off my own problems.”
“Did you say jail?”
“It’s a long story and not one I’m ready to tell.”
What kind of trouble had she gotten herself into?“If you’re sure.”
“Absolutely. I need this.”
He looked into her warm brown eyes and knew he couldn’t refuse her anything. “All right,” he relented and hoped her trouble wouldn’t blowback on him. “I need all the help I can get.”
She gave him an impish smile he remembered all too well, and he was a lost cause. She would either be the best thing that ever happened to him—again—or his complete downfall.
“Do you want to go in and hold her?” he asked.
She turned to the nursery and watched Bailey for a long moment. He saw the reluctance in her eyes and wondered about that.
“I would love to,” she said, her voice filled with awe.
He grinned, not knowing why that made him happy, but it did. He led her into the small room off the nursery and gave her a fresh gown to slip on over her clothes. After donning his own, they entered the visiting room. He waved to the nurse, Tanya, through the window. She smiled and pushed Bailey’s bassinet into the room.
“How is she doing today?” he asked.
Tanya grinned as she picked Bailey up and handed her to him. “This little peanut is doing so well, she might even get to go home tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” he said, suddenly panicked. “That soon?”
“She’s a fighter. She’s breathing on her own and has put on the necessary weight gain we were looking for. There is no reason not to let her go home now.”
He smiled so wide, it hurt. “Do you hear that, Bailey? You get to come home tomorrow.”
“Might,” the nurse repeated. “The doctor will want to check her one more time.” She walked over to the small fridge, took out a bottle, and placed it in the warmer. “If she does, it will be late afternoon.”
“There are still so many things I need to buy.” He sounded a little panicky.
“Car seat, formula, bottles, diapers, and blankets. Get those and the rest can wait.” Tanya handed him a list along with the warm bottle.
“Thank you,” Nick called as she walked out the door.
“Do you want to feed her?” he asked Gillian who hadn’t taken her eyes off Bailey.
She nodded, her eyes misting as he handed the baby to her. She cradled her in her arms and took the bottle from him. “She is so beautiful.”
He beamed with pride. “Thank you. I think so, too.”
“Hi there, sweet girl. Are you hungry?” Gillian gently brought the bottle to Bailey’s lips.
His baby latched on and drank voraciously. Gillian laughed. “A girl after my own heart.”
Nick liked hearing her laugh and liked seeing her holding Bailey even more. “I was hoping to spend this afternoon taking measurements at Mandy’s place, but now I have time to go shopping.”