Page 13 of Question Everything

“Mia, you need to sit down.Now,” he said in a deep, commanding tone.

She had no real choice. She sank down into the seat closest to her.

“I don’t know why…” she began.

“Concussions are crazy, take it from me. One minute you feel like yourself and the next thing you know you can hardly stay on your feet. Plus, you need to eat something. What would you like?”

“I’ve been such a bother already. I hate to impose on you further,” she said, resting her head on her hands, leaning her elbows on the counter. Suddenly, her head felt too heavy to lift.

“No, no bother at all. Just hang on while I get this little one situated. He walked around the counter and into the living room where he’d placed a blanket on the floor near the couch. She watched as he put her daughter on it before walking back over to the kitchen.

“This will have to do. Sarah will be fine there for now.”

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“Now, do you like coffee? Tea? I can make us another omelet, or if you prefer, I can whip up some pancakes.”

“Quite the chef, aren’t you?”

“Comes with the territory. I’m from a large family. Everyone learned how to cook at an early age. Don’t be fooled…I only know the basics. I never progressed past the simple stuff.”

“Survival at all costs, huh?” She covered her mouth once the words left her throat.Why did I say that and why do I feel like that’s my life, not his?

“Something like that,” he replied, clearly not bothered by what she’d just said. “Now, what will it be?”

“Whatever you’re having will be fine. I think I have to feed the baby, though.”

“Right. Let me help you back into the bedroom. It will be more private for you both in there.”

He walked back around to where she sat and put a hand under her elbow, guiding her up. “How’s that? Still dizzy?”

“It’s better now,” she replied. “I think I’ll be okay if you bring the baby with you. I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Of course.”

He trailed behind her as she made her way slowly back to the bedroom, lifting the child up and bringing her along.

She sat back down on the bed and held her arms up to take her daughter from him.

“Hang on,” he said, pulling the pillows together and propping them against the headboard. “You need to get comfortable first.”

She smiled. He was a gentleman, that was for certain. Someone had raised him right. She settled herself against the pillows and said, “I’m good now,” and reached her arms out once more to take the baby from him.

“Here you go,” he said, passing the infant to her. “I’ll go make us some breakfast. Call me when you’re ready to come back inside. I’ll come get you lovely ladies.”

“Thank you,” she replied. Once he left the room, she lowered one strap of her camisole and positioned Sarah to her breast. The child latched on and began drinking immediately, clearly hungry.

“What are we going to do, little lamb?” she whispered to her daughter. “This man is lovely, but we’ve got to be on our way. If I could only remember what I’m supposed to be doing, or where we were headed. I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon, right?”

The child didn’t hesitate or stop eating; she merely gazed at her mother with trust and innocence as if to say, “I know, mom. I know.”

“I’m not entirely sure, but there’s something about this man. I think we’ll be good here until I’m back on my feet. I don’t know why I think that’s true, but I do.”

The baby looked up at her as if to agree.

“Let’s give it a day or so, and then we’ll figure out where we’re supposed to be. Does that sound good to you?” she whispered.

No response was necessary. She knew that for now, they had no other choice, just as she knew that despite not having her memory, one truth remained. Her daughter was the only person on earth with whom she had an unbreakable bond. Of that, she was certain.

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