Page 18 of A Groom for Lauren
Lauren’s head tilted to the side. “Oh, she does have charm. It’s hidden under a layer of ice. But, if my sister ever met a man who can melt that part of her, he would find a blazing fire of warmth.”
That seemed hard for him to believe but what did he know about women? This one before him confused him more than any he had ever known. It was better he kept to horses and bovines.
“I’d like to help.”
She ignored his offer. “She’s sleeping,” Lauren said, pointing to the child.
Christopher glanced down to see the child had indeed fallen asleep. Her tiny mouth opened and closed. “Mrs. Hale, please let me reach out and get some help for you.”
She started to shake her head. “No, you can’t.”
“There is no shame in asking for help,” he said softly. “You obviously need it. You can’t continue to do it on your own.”
“But then everyone would know how inept I am.” She shuddered at the thought. “They will look down on me.”
“What is pride but a stumbling block?”
“Should I call you Pastor Collins now?”
A small jolt of anger coursed through his veins at being compared to the local clergyman. “Please, let me get help for you.” He would resort to begging if it meant saving her.
The coffee pot started to spit, the brew hissing as it hit the hot stove. Lauren grabbed an apron that was draped over a chair and used it to lift the pot from the burner. Christopher laid the baby back in the bassinet and moved to the table to watch as she poured two cups of coffee and laced them with cream and heavy sugar. She passed him one of the cups before sitting at the table across from him.
She looked at the coffee for a moment before lifting her head to meet his gaze. She spoke so softly it took a moment for his brain to register the words.
“Yes. You can help me.”
He smiled at her before he took a sip of coffee. “You won’t regret it, Lauren, I swear to you.”
Chapter Seven
Lauren threw herself back on the pillow and raised her arms above her head. She should be asleep, but sleep was fleeting. The afternoon played through her mind.
Dr. Spaulding had said she wouldn't regret it.Too late.She already was. Why had she told him all those intimate details? Things she hadn't told another soul. She didn’t even tell her sister the truth in any of the letters she wrote her all those months ago.
But when she was around Dr. Spaulding… Christopher… she found herself just speaking. Volunteering information, even.
You won’t regret it, Lauren. I swear to you.
How earnest he looked when he said those words. She couldn’t forget either, how he reached out and grabbed her hand, holding it tight in his own large one, as if he wanted to make sure she understood the validity of his promise.
During that brief contact, the heat of his hand flowed along her skin. She started at the sensation, wondering why it should happen? Then, she made a slight movement and he immediately released her, looking as confused as she felt.
Lauren stared up at the ceiling in her bedroom that she once shared with Jonah. Even though she regretted revealing the things in her heart, it was freeing at the same time. She had no idea how much she needed to discuss the things that had been swimming around in her mind. Talking to Christopher had been soothing and calming to her nerves. When he walked into her home, he did not look at it with distaste. As a matter of fact, he barely seemed to notice it.
He comforted her when she needed it the most. She could still feel his arms around her.
If she only could feel them now.
Stop it, Lauren!she admonished herself. He was only comforting her in the bonds of friendship. Nothing more, and she shouldn’t try to read anything into it. She rolled to her side and punched the pillow, tucking it underneath her head. Moonlight streamed into the room, and she could see Esther moving in the cradle near the window.
Jonah had made the beautiful cherry wood cradle with its solid bottom, carved spindles and strong end supports. It was the last piece of furniture he made. He was so proud when he brought it in the house and Lauren couldn’t even thank him for it.
She watched as Esther kicked her tiny feet in the air and tried to grab her toes to put them in her mouth. The baby squealed with delight when she managed to grasp her pudgy fingers around one of her tootsies. Esther could help but smile as she listened to her daughter make tiny noises and blow bubbles as she entertained herself.
Why couldn’t Esther be like this all the time?
It didn’t take Christopher very long to get Esther to calm down. In fact, the babe fell asleep almost immediately when in the doctor’s arms. It felt good to have someone else take care of Esther for even just a few moments. Perhaps he was right.
