“You’re welcome, and you can come over and hold her anytime. I think it would be good for her.”
She smiled, her eyes misting a little. “I know it would be good for me. Come on, let’s go get Bailey something adorable to wear for her trip home from the hospital. My treat.”
“Sounds like a great idea.” Especially since he didn’t think about buying her something special to wear home from the hospital. He supposed there were a lot of things when it came to his baby that he hadn’t thought about.
They walked up and down the baby aisles filling the cart to the brim with items he didn’t know existed and had no idea how to use. “Are you sure we need all this?”
“You will.” She laughed. “Don’t look so scared. I’m here and your dad will be a big help. He raised you on his own, didn’t he? I’m sure he knows a thing or two.”
“He does, and he’s just as scared as I am.”
“Then you’ll both be terrific.”
His phone rang as they stood in front of the huge selection of baby strollers. He held up a finger as he answered it. “Hello?” He listened for a long minute, his stomach sinking. “But I have excellent credit. I don’t understand.”
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Williams said through the phone. “There’s nothing I can do.”
Nick disconnected the line and took a deep breath.
“What is it?” she asked.
“That was the bank. They’ve canceled my line of credit. I won’t be able to pay for the granite and cabinets I’ve ordered for your mother’s kitchen or do anything else for that matter. I’m dead in the water.”
“But why?”
He huffed and shook his head. “One guess. The Reaves are trying to destroy my business. With no income and no home of my own, they will be sure to win custody.”
“They won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”
He wished he could believe her. “How do you plan to do that?”
“All you need is a little makeover so you can get a new loan.”
He wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. “Okay, so how do you plan to make that happen?”
She smiled. “Don’t worry. By the time I’m through, you’ll never know what hit you.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, and to be honest, it’s not making me feel any better.”
“I learned a thing or two being married to Paul all these years. A strong impression goes a long way.” She swept her hand in front of him. “New business haircut. A casual sports jacket and slacks, strong and solid business plan and the banks in Atlanta will be lining up to give you credit.”
“Banks in Atlanta?”
“Absolutely. The Reaves’ influence won’t extend into the bigger cities. Paul always said he liked to do business with the small local branches in small towns because they were easier to work with. They have that personal touch, and that has worked very well for the Reaves.”
“But not for me.”
“Exactly. Not when you have the Reaves working against you.”
Nick closed his eyes and shook his head, feeling like the world was against him.
“Don’t worry. We can fight them,” she said.
“I hope you’re right.”
“You have to know how to show the banks what they want to see, and lucky for you, writing business plans is something I excel at.”
He stared at her for a long moment, thinking about how much she’d changed, and yet there were still glimpses of the old Gillian hiding within.
“I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry, I’m sure I can think of something. Now, what do you think of that stroller?” She pointed to the stroller in front of her that looked much more complicated than it should be. He nodded and hefted the box into the cart.
He didn’t know why, but her words chased away the worry in his mind and filled him with hope. She might be the only chance he had to keep his daughter, but like her presence in his life, he hoped the feeling would stay.