Page 4 of Risky Move

Cassie looked up when Lauren joined them in the nursery. Enamored by the twins, Cassie leaned to kiss Jenna’s forehead as she rocked back and forth. She saw her aunt’s expression soften as she gazed at the babies.

“Ready to put them in their cribs for a nap?” Caryn asked.

Cassie shook her head. “I could rock them forever.” She heard soft chuckles from both Caryn and Lauren.

“I’ll show you how to settle them in bed,” Caryn said as she stood, sleeping Daniel cradled in her arms. Cassie watched, then tried to duplicate Caryn’s actions with Jenna. She covered her with a light blanket, and Caryn stepped beside her. “She loves this little teddy bear,” Caryn whispered as she picked up the stuffed animal and placed it beside Jenna. She flipped the switch on the monitor and motioned for them to follow her from the nursery.

“Warning, they do not always go to sleep so easily,” Caryn said as she led the way to Cassie’s bedroom.

Cassie’s excitement grew when she entered her room. French doors opened to the pool deck. The decor—beach blue and white drew her in. Besides the oversized bedroom, there was an ensuite bath. Caryn also opened the door to a walk-in closet, then showed her the dresser and nightstands.

“Think of this as your oasis—you definitely will need one after spending the day with the twins. The bathroom connects to another bedroom, the same as this one. You can choose the other if you prefer.”

“I love this decor—very summery, my favorite season. It’s more than perfect.”It’s the size of two of the bedrooms combined at home. Lauren didn’t prepare me for this. I may never leave.

“Can I get you something to drink or a snack while you get settled?” Caryn asked.

Cassie waved her hand. “Thanks—we just had a wonderful lunch. I experienced my first hush puppies—yummy!”

“My weakness…always with honey butter.” Caryn sighed, then looked at Lauren. “Did Tom leave for work?”

“He said he’ll see you later.”

Cassie felt a pang of disappointment. “I didn’t get the chance to thank him.”Or get to know him better.

“You’ll have plenty of opportunities, Cass,” Lauren said with a smile. Cassie ignored the mischief in her aunt’s green eyes.

“Tom lives in the apartment at the back of the house.” Caryn nodded toward the far end of the pool. “His schedule is crazy.”

“Where does he work?”

“He’s completing his residency in neurology at the Tampa hospital.”

Doctor? Neurologist? Whoa…out of your league, Johnson.“So, does he work like a gazillion hours straight, then get a day or two off?”

Caryn laughed. “Something like that—unless he’s on call or there’s an emergency, then schedules go out the window.”

“I had no idea…he doesn’t look like any doctor I’ve seen.”

“Because he’s young and hot?” Lauren asked with a knowing smile.

“Maybe. I’ve never seen a young doctor except on TV.” Cassie flipped her hair over her shoulder and pretended to focus on the pool.Lauren’s smiling like she can read my mind…Tom must be older than I thought. But maybe not too old? Enjoyed stopping for lunch, going to the Apple Store…But, you’re not here to chase after sexy doctors, Cass. Remember that…Look, but do not touch. As if I’d have any chance.

* * *

Days flew by in a blur as Cassie learned the routines and schedules Caryn tried to follow in caring for Jenna and Daniel. She told Cassie that she didn’t expect them to eat or sleep on pre-determined schedules. When they were newborn preemies, she and Andrew had to feed them every two hours since they could swallow only two ounces of formula. But now that they’d reached seven months, Jenna and Daniel had exceeded the norm for height and weight on the pediatrician’s growth charts.

Caryn said she waited for them to ask for a bottle, rather than force them into some arbitrary schedule for her convenience. Naps followed soon after meals, and with the recent addition of baby cereal, they slept through the night.

“How did you handle two babies with the every-two-hours schedule?” Cassie marveled at Caryn’s ability to handle every challenge with patience and a sense of humor.

“Lots of help. Before Drew started playing again, he took on a lot of the work at night, so I could get uninterrupted sleep.” Caryn looked at Cassie with a smile. “Once he began to play, he wanted me to hire someone to help full time. I resisted because I ‘knew’ I could handle it. I did, but I became a walking zombie. Total sleep deprivation. Tom and his ‘friend,’” Caryn hooked her fingers in air quotes, “Katie helped as much as their schedules allow, and Lauren and our friends Kelly and Terri made sure I had plenty of breaks.”

“I don’t know how you did—and do—all this. I hope I can make things easier for you.” Cassie lifted Jenna into her arms and kissed her forehead. She tried to hide her disappointment that Tom had a female “friend.”No huge surprise, Johnson. Friend? Sounds more like “girlfriend.” Great-looking doctor, he has his choice of women.

“You already have made things easier, Cassie. I’m so relieved we didn’t have to hire a stranger to live in our home…When Lauren mentioned your gap year, I wondered if you’d be interested. I thought you’d rather travel around Europe or somewhere exotic.”

Cassie laughed. “That’s always a fun dream. But when you called, I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather spend this year. And helping you with these beautiful children is so far beyond any expectations. Maybe the universe wanted our paths to cross?”

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