Page 12 of Bravely Yours

Social worker?

The greaser across the street continued to watch her as we reached the diner’s single door. I stepped into his line of vision, making sure he saw me, and finally, he got into his car and drove off.

I hesitated as she disappeared inside. Should I wait here? Before I could make up my mind, the alarms at the firehouse went off, and the decision was made for me. With a heavy rock in my gut, I huffed and jogged back quickly.

Two hours later, I was still thinking about Sarah and Nora, and after the call I’d just gone on, I was even more concerned.

With the trucks put away and ready for our next call, the guys all sat around the large circular table, talking shit and devouring the pastries I’d brought back from the coffee shop this morning.

I pulled out an empty chair, turning it around and straddling it, lost in thought.

“Great job today, Mitchell.” The chief patted my shoulder as he walked past us.

“Thanks, Chief.”

It had been a team effort. We’d worked quickly and efficiently to extract the mom and baby girl from the car. Luckily, both came out of the accident with nothing more than a few minor scrapes.

Even so, the event had me thinking about another mom and baby that I couldn’t seem to get out of my mind.

Chapter Eight

SARAH

This waswhy the doctor and my mom had been suggesting I encourage Nora to be a bit more independent. I shifted her in my left arm again, keeping myself between her and the stovetop, and added the vegetables to the pan. It had taken me an hour to get to this stage because Nora wouldn’t let me put her down while I made dinner. At this point, I’d be lucky if I ate before nine o’clock.

Letting her sleep in my bed again for the last few nights hadn’t helped the separation anxiety. That was forsure. But it had been just as much for me as it was for her. It was harder for me to let her fuss after Drew’s visit with her earlier this week. But we were starting over tonight because I really needed her to learn to self soothe. I was only one person, and it was unrealistic for me to hold her all the time.

With a renewed determination, I headed back into the living room where her Pack ’n’ Play was set up. She clung to me as I set her down and put a few toys in front of her. And, of course, within a minute, she was screaming at the top of her lungs.

Be strong, I chanted silently as I forced myself back into the kitchen.

Just as I was stirring the veggies, a loud banging from the front door startled me, making me jump.

Though my heart was racing, I couldn’t help but smile. Jay was the only one who ever showed up unannounced.

Shaking my head, I scolded myself. Nope. Not going there.

The warm smile that greeted me when I pulled the door open was harder to ignore than the scowl he’d sported last time he’d appeared like this.

He stepped inside. “Can I help?”

Despite the butterflies erupting in my stomach, my heart sank. I still wasn’t sure what his motivations were. But regardless, having someone else hold her wasn’t the solution either.

I shook my head. “You don’t have to.”

“I know. But she’s been crying on and off for the last two hours.” He sniffed the air. “We both know what happened the last time you were cooking and got distracted by her.”

I rolled my eyes. Jeez. I burned foodonetime, but apparently, I’d never live it down.

But I was hungry, so if he wanted to sit with Nora so I could finish dinner, then I should just accept the help.

“Would you mind just sitting on the floor with herwhile she plays with toys?” I scooped Nora out of her Pack ’n’ Play. “I don’t want her falling asleep this early.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Can I put the game on again?”

“Sure.” Being a football fan myself, I would never mind watching a game. Usually, I had one on in the background while I was cleaning or cooking.

After getting Nora situated on the rug with a few toys, I left her with Jay and went back into the kitchen to finish my stir-fry.

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