Then a knock on the door sounds. I frown, wondering if we left one of Abby’s things at my parents’ place. But when I open the door, it’s not either of my parents standing there.
It’s a girl. She’s young but her face seems familiar. Have I seen her around the ranch before? We’re growing so much that I’m no longer on a first-name basis with every employee.
She tucks a strand of red hair behind her ear and manages to get out a single word before she trails off, “I’m...”
I feel Chloe’s presence before I even hear her footsteps. Then her hand is pressing into my back as she peers around me. “Do we have a guest for breakfast?”
I frown at the girl. Something about her seems to nag at my memory. “Do we know each other?”
She shifts the strap of her green backpack on her shoulder and avoids my gaze. “I’m the one who left the baby on your porch.”
9
CHLOE
I gathermy hair into a loose ponytail, humming a love song under my breath as I peer at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I don’t even look like the same woman who showed up to work here a little over a week ago.
I definitely don’t feel like the same woman. Because I’m in love with my boss. With Micah Kringle who is an amazing single dad and a sexy cowboy and an incredible lover. He’s everything a girl could possibly want in a man and he’s all mine. Together with his daughter, the three of us are going to live happily ever after.
I practically skip into the kitchen, floating on air. But I hear a voice at the front door, so I follow the sound to see Micah standing in front of it. His shoulders are bunched, his entire body filled with tension.
I move behind him, slipping my hand underneath his t-shirt to touch his bare skin. He calms at my touch, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Do we have a guest for breakfast?”
There’s a young woman standing here. She can’t be more than a few years younger than me with red hair. Her sneakers are beat up, and her blue jeans have holes in them. Not the fashionable kind though. The kind that come from being worn out. But it’s the tired, nervous look in her eyes that has my heart going out to her.
“Do we know each other?” Micah asks.
She fiddles with the strap of her green backpack that’s clearly seen better days. Before I can invite her in for breakfast, she says, “I’m the one who left the baby on your porch.”
I hear his sharp intake of breath and feel the way Micah freezes beneath my touch. My heart aches, and I send up a silent prayer she hasn’t come here to take Abby away from him.
Since neither of them are moving, I say, “Why don’t you come in? We can talk about this.”
She shakes her head, not looking at either of us. “Is she...happy here?”
Micah says nothing, too frozen to speak or move. I’m not even sure he’s breathing right now, and I move my hand in a reassuring circle against his back. I want him to know he’s not alone. I’m here with him.
“She’s really happy,” I offer.
She finally raises her gaze from the porch boards. She looks at me, the tiniest bit of hope flaring in her gaze. “She is?”
“Do you want to see her? She’s sleeping but I can get her.” I don’t know this woman. I’m not entirely sure that Micah does either. But I’m not going to keep a mama from seeing her baby.
“Maybe I could take a quick peek.” Her anxious gaze flickers to Micah. “If that’s OK.”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “When did you leave her on the porch?”
She rattles off the date easily, seeming to shrink in on herself.
“What did you leave her with?”
She answers that question with her shoulders hunched against the biting wind.
I know he’s just trying to verify who she is. After all, anyone could appear on his doorstep and claim to be Abby’s mother. It’s just like Micah to slip into protector mode. But I believe this girl. I think she’s exactly who she says she is.
I move my hand from his back and put it on his arm instead.
He looks to me and I give him a little nod, letting him know that I trust her. “Abby will be safe.”