Page 6 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“What’s that?” I chuckle.

“Little frog.” She smiles. “It’s something my Polish grandma used to call me.”

“Do they have a word for banshee? Because that would be fitting.”

Ruby deepens her rocking, bending her knees when Clem doesn’t calm. “No, not this little angel. You giving your momma a hard time?”

“Only every time she eats or wakes up or poops or needs to burp or doesn’t sleep or exists.”

A darkened red brow arches when Ruby offers me a glance. “Every time you feed her?”

“I hate to say it, but the fussing is endless.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, holding back tears. “You witnessed the stretch that I normally get.”

“Have you talked to your pediatrician about it?”

“Not yet. Her one-month appointment is on the first.”

“Mention it. Sometimes newborns just cry, and other times there’s something going on. Could be tummy issues? When I got pregnant with Nova I read every baby book and magazine I could get my hands on. I read different ones with the other three. I swear they discover new techniques for parenting every day. Times have obviously changed over the years, but I’m just a phone call away if you have any questions or need help.”

“And text me.” Nova moves to stand next to her mom, close to surpassing her height. “I want to watch Clem, and I have time with school and the dance team on summer break. Even if all you want is a nap.”

“Don’t dangle sleep in front of me. I might take you up on that.”

“Dangling.” She laughs. “Besides, this is my last year before I’m off to college. I’ve gotta soak up my Clementine time.”

Ruby has rocked the sleep thief into a light slumber like a miracle worker. “Pray she stays that way,” I whisper.

“You want me to put her down for you?”

I comb my hair back with my fingers. “If you can ignore the mess, her crib is in my bedroom. ”

“Wait.” Cora snags the ballet swaddle from the kitchen table. “You can’t forget her new blanket.”

“Definitely not the new blanket.” Ruby chuckles and weaves it around Clem in her arms.

When she returns after laying Clem down, the three of them work their way to the door. “I took the ziti out of the oven as we left, so it should be warm, but if not, put it in the oven on 350 for a few minutes, and that should do the trick.”

“I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it again, thanks, you guys. This means so much to me.”

“Any time. We’re a dance family.” Ruby kisses my cheek, and Nova and Cora hug me before they walk out the door.

I stare at my closed front door. To sleep or not to sleep. The rumble of my stomach answers, but look at the size of that casserole dish. I could eat it every day for a week and have leftovers.

Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I change out of my baggy pajama bottoms and slip into a pair of black maternity leggings. Comfortable, but looking less like I’ve given up on life. I was able to switch from adult diapers to pads yesterday, so at least there’s that. Refusing to allow myself time to reconsider, I keep my door cracked and walk over to my neighbor’s apartment.

I let a complete stranger into my home. I showered and left him to watch my newborn.Your mother would murder you if she knew, Willa Rose Hawthorne.It was a crazy thing to do, but here I am at his door. I can’t control myself. Something about him is comforting in a time when I need comfort.

With a couple knocks, Archer answers in a backward baseball hat. “Willa.”

Cursed backward baseball hats. They are my kryptonite and look where that got me. But, man, those electric blue eyes glow from under the black bill.

“Hey, Archer. I, um, I wanted to invite you over for dinner. As a thank you,” I’m quick to add. “I know it’s a bit early, but the dance instructor I work for, who’s actually the closest thing I have to a mom in Vermont, came by with a huge dish of baked ziti, and there’s no way I can eat it all myself.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “While no thanks are needed, I think turning down a home-cooked meal is against my religion. And good timing, I was contemplating dinner while finishing up some work.”

“Your sons are welcome to come, too.”Obviously, Willa.

“That’s nice of you, but they’re with their mom this week. She’s got them enrolled in camps at the Y all summer. I get them back tomorrow.”

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