Page 15 of Prospect Year

He turned to leave the kitchen and Mia appeared in front of him. She reached for the baby, catching her with ease when Chasity fell toward her. She flashed Lola a smile and led him down a short hallway toward a room between the kitchen and dining room. A toy filled chest, a child sized table and chairs, along with two riding toys filled the area. Mia eased onto the floor and placed Chasity in front of her. In an instant, the child had spied something to entertain herself and crawled away.

Lola slid down the wall, bending his knees until he landed on his ass. His hands dangling over his feet, he blew out a breath and watched Chasity babble as she slammed a toy on the floor. “What do you do with one this small? And she’s in diapers. I’ve never changed a diaper in my life.”

Mia scooted next to him where they watched the little girl play for a while before pulling up on the wooden rocking toy shaped like a motorcycle. Slowly, she turned, and with her arms up by her head, she tottered toward Lola and Mia. Lola stretched out his legs when she came close, and leaned forward to catch her if she fell as she very slowly turned her body and backed up. Bumping into his legs, she plopped down and bounced. And bounced. And giggled. And bounced. Lola laughed and glanced toward Mia. Mia’s face was beaming as she clapped for Chasity making her bounce harder. Lola leaned forward poking her side. “What are you doing?”

She looked at him with the biggest, cutest toothless grin he had ever seen. “Silly girl.” She then fell over his legs laying on the floor laughing with her arms sprawled to her sides. This became their bonding moment. Chasity was glued to his side the rest of the evening. Mia did give encouragement when the time came to change her diaper, and when she became hungry, Mia offered to help again. Chasity sat in one of the highchairs that London kept in the house, where Lola and Mia, both fed her.

Fed, bathed, and dressed for bed, they played again until she began rubbing her eyes. Returning the toys to their place, Lola scooped Chasity up from where she had been stretched out on the floor. Talking to her in a low voice, Lola walked outside, joining Mia on the lounge chairs. Chasity snuggled up to Lola’s shoulder and swiftly drifted to sleep.

“I think you’re enjoying this,” Lola whispered.

Twisted to her side with her feet in the seat with her, Mia faced Lola, her eyes bright with joy, she nodded.

“You’ll be a good momma,” he told her, thinking of all the help she had offered. Without asking, she knew what to do and how to do it.

She lifted her shoulders, and her smile faltered a bit.

“Some reason you think that won’t happen? Or you don’t want any?”

Her eyes came back to life as her head bobbed.

“I can tell. It’ll happen one day, and you’ll be great at it,” he encouraged just as his pocket began vibrating drawing his attention from Mia. Twisting his hip, he pulled it out and quietly answered.

“Where’s my girl?” Cowboy barked.

“Back yard,” Lola told him before he dropped the phone into the seat beside him.

Seconds later, Cowboy appeared in the back door and marched across the lawn. He came to a stop in front of Lola crossing his arms and staring at him and Mia. Shaking his head, he finally grinned. “This is a surprise.”

Lola moved to his feet and eased the sleeping baby into her father’s arms. “She’s fed, dry, and down for the night. Or at least as long as she usually sleeps,” he told Cowboy. “Her things are in the bag. I’ll carry it out for you.”

When Cowboy’s taillights faded down the drive, Lola closed and locked the door. He blew out a deep breath and smiled. If he can survive Cowboy’s scrutiny of babysitting, he should be fine. He turned toward the stairs. Mia. Yeah, he was fine as long as she was there with him. He draped his arm over her shoulder and together they climbed the stairs, stopping at her door. “Thanks for tonight, Sunshine.”

She gave him a “you’re welcome” nod and a smile before disappearing into her room.

Chapter 7

Lola bent over the motor of a small truck that had been brought in with some timing issues. He had never been so happy to have a motor confuse him. After being responsible for babies, he would take a day under the hood any day. And if the situation arose when Mia wasn’t around, he had no doubt he’d fail that task.

“I see you clock out at three today,” King announced as he strolled into the garage.

Lola turned the wrench again on something under the hood of an old Toyota pick-up and glanced up. “Yeah. That’s right.”

“That works perfect,” King said. “How’s things going?”

“They’re going fine.” Lola tightened the last bolt and stood, turning to face King. “What’s perfect?” he asked, jerking a stained utility cloth from the truck grill.

“Leave here and go to my place. Talk to Avery. She has some things lined up for you.”

“Alright,” Lola agreed and slammed the hood closed.

“Talk to me,” King demanded, folding his arms over his chest. “How’s your head?”

“All in,” Lola told him, and King gave a satisfied nod. “My head is clear. My time is yours. No hesitations. No regrets.”

“Well said, Prospect,” King complimented. “Still satisfied with Angel Haven?”

“Yes, sir.”

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