Page 7 of Baby and the Beast

“I need to do a lot of things,” Seth admitted. “Completely change my lifestyle, for starters.”

“What do you mean?” Jesse came and sat on the floor next to Seth.

Seth explained what the doctor had told him, and Jesse wrinkled his nose up as Seth described the shakes. “They sound awful.”

Seth chuckled. “They taste worse. I was hoping to do something else, actually.” He gazed around at the cabin. Maddox started making snuffling noises, and Jesse smiled at him.

“He’s ready for a feed and a diaper change.”

“I can do it,” Seth offered, surprising himself. He placed Maddox in the cocoon of towels while he got up and went to the corner where Jesse’s things were. He noted the two large bags of disposable diapers and then the packs of the washable ones. How the hell was he going to manage? And was he okay? He knew a lot of women didn’t have the choice about getting up and managing after giving birth, but Jesse seemed completely fine,like nothing had happened yesterday at all. “Are you okay? I mean…” Seth gestured awkwardly to Jesse’s body.

“I shifted while you were both asleep. I’m tired, but physically I’m okay.” Jesse watched while Seth deftly changed a soggy diaper and got a bottle ready. Maddox was by this time rather loudly complaining at the injustice of a late dinner, and Seth held out the bottle to Jesse.

Jesse smiled shyly. “Do you want to do it?”

Seth nodded eagerly. He’d loved feeding Carrie. He settled Maddox carefully, tested the milk temperature, and didn’t keep him waiting.

“Do you have kids?” Jesse asked.

“I wish. But no, spoiling my niece is the closest I ever got, and Caroline is nearly two now.”

Jesse gazed at him a moment. “It suits you.”

Seth didn’t have a reply, but at forty-one he knew his parenting chances were shrinking. “I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a foster parent, but like I said, work has been impossible, and my ex needed a daddy himself.” He nearly groaned at the eyebrow raise on Jesse and knew how his words could be taken. “Meaning he could barely look after himself, and I wouldn’t want him responsible for a child.”

“But I thought that was what you said you liked?” Jesse tilted his head as if considering Seth’s words.

“I—” How did he explain things? Should he even try? But there was something freeing about talking to a complete stranger, he guessed. Well, not exactly a stranger after last night. He was hoping they could be friends. “There’s a difference between wanting to care for someone and having to clear up messes caused by selfishness and stupidity.”

Jesse nodded seriously. “So, what are you going to change?”

Seth blew a breath out and watched Maddox as his furious sucking started to slow. “I’ve taken a week off work. Thecompany has been bought out, and my old boss negotiated a good exit deal for me. It meant I had to oversee the transition, but as of the first of next month, I’m a free man if I want to be.” He flushed a little. “I’m actually going to put in an offer on all these properties. There’s six of them. Two that are popular including the one I should have been renting for the week and four that need major work.” Jesse looked around. “I think this is the one that just needs updating.” He’d checked last night, and there was a bedroom and a small bathroom. Because it was a small development, none of the big chains were interested, and while occupancy was high at vacation time, it was low the rest, so it wasn’t going to be of much interest to an investor, just someone like him that wanted a different life. “There’s one that needs a new roof.”

“And you’d be bringing contractors in?”

Seth heard the panic in Jesse’s voice.

“Actually, no. I was planning on doing a lot of things myself.” He shrugged. “Not the electrical, but I’m pretty handy, and if I lived here and rented my house out, I would have enough money to complete the project. I will have to remortgage my house, but it’s perfectly doable.”

“And your boyfriend wasn’t interested in that?” Seth shook his head. “I’m sorry,” Jesse said.

“I’m not,” Seth decided. “I think I was with Matty because I was kind of starstruck at first. He was a wannabe model and erotic entertainer, but he wasn’t reliable enough, and his agent dropped him six months ago and he hasn’t worked since.” It was depressing thinking he’d been a meal ticket. Seth gestured to himself. “I mean, there had to be a reason he was with me.”

Jesse frowned. “I don’t think you do yourself justice.”

Seth rubbed his hands, embarrassed and wanting a change of subject. “We need a plan. I have some food but the cabin we were renting was supposed to be fully stocked, and I need to speakto the agent about formally renting this one. I imagine if it’s accompanied by a firm offer, I could get away with it, then I can see about getting the electricity turned on.”

Jesse flushed. “I will be out of your hair today.”

Seth gaped for longer than he should have. “And go where?” Jesse stiffened, and Seth knew he’d immediately said the wrong thing. “I just worry for Maddox.”

“And you think I don’t?” Jesse scrambled to his feet. “I’ve worried for him every single hour for the last seven months. It was leave and do odd jobs while I worked my way to safety or just give up and let them take him away.” Tears clung to Jesse’s eyelashes, and he brushed a hand over his face angrily.

“I didn’t mean that,” Seth replied, his voice gentling. “I meant why can’t you stay here? We need some supplies, furniture, food definitely, but you’re safe and you’re both warm.”

“And I’m trespassing,” Jesse said flatly and gestured at the fire. “I was afraid to light that during the day in case anyone sees the smoke. I lit it last night because I knew the birth was coming, so I had to risk it.”

Seth eased up Maddox, who had finished his milk and was out like a light. He gently patted his back for a few seconds before passing him back to Jesse. “I need to go get my car. Call someone to come and fix it. Call and sort out this place so you can stay.”

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