Page 70 of You're the Reason

That wouldn’t be a problem. Seth picked up the tiny cup with his thumb and first two fingers. There was no way he was getting his ring finger on the tiny handle, let alone his pinky. He lifted the cup to his mouth and offered his best pretend sip. “Mmm. Yum.”

Vangie stuck her little fists on her waist. “I haven’t poured it yet.”

Then why did she tell him to drink it? Seriously, the logic of a three-year-old was way beyond him. He looked over at little Becca for help, but she was now trying to balance the cup on her head.

“Vangie, Becca.” Leah appeared in the room. “Your mom is on the way. Why don’t you get your bags ready to go.”

The girls ran from the room squealing.

Leah bit back a laugh. “That cape is definitely your color.”

He’d forgotten about the purple cape that Vangie had draped around his shoulders before handing him that hat. He pulled off both as he stood.

“You’re a life saver.” Leah took the hat and cape, then dropped them in a box of clothes, then started gathering the tiny dishes and adding them to another box. “I was able to finally get Isabella sleeping for a moment. Jon texted. He’ll be a bit longer. Now tell me what is going on with you and Grace.”

What? Where had that come from?

“I’ve heard you two were spending a lot of time together.” She sent him a smile that had a lot of hidden meaning in it. He just wasn’t a hundred percent sure what the hidden meaning was.

“We’re just friends.”

“Of course you are.”

He wasn’t going to stand here and try to convince Leah he didn’t feel anything for Grace. Because that was a lie. But they were just friends. Wishing that could be different wouldn’t change anything.

Before Leah could answer, Isabella’s tiny cry sounded from the speaker at her hip. Leah closed her eyes a moment, drawing a deep breath. “I swear she must be going through a growth spurt because this week that kid has not stopped eating. I can’t keep up with her. I blame Jon and all six-four of him. Luckily, I have some milk in the freezer. Can you grab her while I get that ready?”

Leah walked out of the room. He wasn’t exactly sure what all that meant, but he was pretty certain she wanted him to pick up Isabella. He made his way down the hall to the wailing infant.

He walked over to the crib and peeked in. Leah kept talking about how big Isabella was getting, but this baby still seemed tiny to him. He reached out and lifted the infant under her armpits. The crying continued.

“That’s not how you do it.” Vangie appeared next to him. “You make your arms like you’re holding a watermelon, then the baby sits in the hole. It’s easier sitting down.”

For a three-year-old that might work, but for him, she’d fall right through his arms, but he got the gist. He turned Isabella’s back to him, and she settled into the crook of his arm. Her fussing halted as her wide eyes watched him.

He’d never held a baby before. And the complete trust in her eyes as she stared at him hit him solid in the chest.

One idea he’d given up long ago was that of a family. Of love. It wasn’t for him. But this ... He’d never experienced anything like it.

“I believe God has a bigger plan for you than hiding from your past.” He’d never quite believed that, but looking into Isabella’s face right now, he wanted to believe it like never before.

“Don’t you have the magic touch,” Leah spoke from next to him. “Seriously, I tell Jon you can do this, and he might shift your hours to nursery duty for the next couple of months.”

“I teached him how to hold her.” Vangie patted his leg with her hand. “He was holding her like a stinky cat.”

“You did a good job.” Leah lifted Vangie up and dropped her on her hip. “Your mom’s here.”

Vangie held up her hand to her mouth like she was telling a secret but put it on the wrong side. “Did she have the baby?”

Leah’s gaze darted to Seth then back. “That won’t be for a long time, sweetie. Not until almost the end of February. Remember, it’s a secret.”

She shrugged and looked at Seth. “Dats why I whispered.”

Leah lowered Vangie to the floor and the little girl ran from the room with a squeal. Seth started to hand the baby to Leah, but she backed up.

“No way. She’s happy. You don’t wake a sleeping baby, and you don’t mess with a happy baby who has been fussy all week. Oh, and Jon’s here. He’s in his office.” Leah disappeared out the door.

He eyed the bundle in his arms who still looked up at him with wide eyes. “I guess it’s you and me, kid.”

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