Page 25 of His Best Friend's Baby

So the shopping had included shampoos and body wash, organic teas, nappy change cream and baby talc. Seth had almost bought a bunch of flowers as well, just to make the place look welcoming, but he knew that really would be a step too far.

Funny, though, how having a woman weep in your arms gave a guy the urge to make the world perfect for her.

Not that Seth would even begin to try to explain that complicated rationale to Rory, who was still watching with intense curiosity from the front doorway. Conscious of this scrutiny, Seth also curbed his impulse to make a final check on the bassinet in the bedroom.

Enough. It was time to drop the apprentice back at the garage and then head over to the hospital to collect Polly.

*

Everything was beyondperfect.

The beautiful house, all the luxurious groceries, the magnificent king-size bed and sweet, white-painted, woven-cane bassinet. There was even a folding change table and a supply of cloth nappies, as well as disposables.

‘I figured you might prefer ethical choices,’ Seth told Polly. ‘Saving the environment et cetera.’

Polly certainly was keen to be as environmentally responsible as possible, and washing cloth nappies would be easier at this house with its outdoor clothes line than in Melbourne, where she’d have to resort to an indoor dryer.

But then, everything was better here, wasn’t it? She felt quite awestruck as she snuggled Summer in her arms and took another tour around Seth’s house, breathing in the timbery scents of the walls, and admiring the pink and lavender colours of the twilight that filtered through the trees outside. It was almost as if she’d experienced a transcendental moment. As if she’d already arrived in some kind of paradise.

Seth’s voice brought her back to reality. ‘I have a salmon bake here, from LeeAnne, who runs our store. She didn’t want you to have to worry about cooking tonight.’

‘Gosh,’ exclaimed Polly. ‘That’s so kind of her.’

‘Would you like me to throw it in the oven? It won’t take long to reheat.’

Polly didn’t answer at first. She was too busy coming to grips with this latest surprise. She’d been quite flooded by kindness these past days—not just from Seth, but from strangers too. First, a shopkeeper had sent along a muslin wrap, and then Elsa had brought a cute kangaroo-shaped rattle for Summer, and now this LeeAnne had sent a home-cooked meal. Such uninvited kindness was quite outside Polly’s experience. It was all rather overwhelming for a girl used to battling on her own.

‘Do you like salmon?’ Seth had raised his voice a tad, as if he was trying to snag her attention.

‘Oh.’ Still feeling somewhat dazed, Polly turned and saw him standing at the island bench in his gorgeous kitchen, looking all kinds of masculine in the dark overalls he wore to work.

Such a distracting sight. Her old friend was so much more than merely ‘nice and normal’. If she wasn’t careful she might find herself falling hard for him. Just as well she was newly delivered of a baby and in no condition for romance.

‘Polly?’ Seth frowned at her. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yes, of course,’ she said quickly.

‘I was asking if you’re happy to have this salmon tonight?’

‘Absolutely. Salmon would be lovely. Thank you. And please pass on my thanks to LeeAnne.’

‘Sure.’

‘You’ll stay and have dinner with me, won’t you?’

‘Only if that suits you.’

‘Of course it suits me.’

*

Seth hadn’t boughta proper dining table yet, but he had set up a folding card table and a couple of comfortable chairs. The meal was delicious, Summer slept while they ate, and Seth played easy listening music from his phone.

Polly wasn’t sure what they could talk about, but once again Seth seemed happy to smooth over any awkwardness with an interesting fact or a funny story.

He didn’t stay long after dinner.

‘I’ll get out of your hair,’ he said.

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