Page 12 of Saved By The Grump

But there was no point in worrying about that now, so I pushed thoughts of Katya out of my mind and tried to relax. I closed my eyes and was lulled into serenity by the sound of my baby laughing, but my tranquility was soon interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.

I groaned and opened one eye to see Chase’s name appear on my screen. I answered, begrudgingly and said in a quiet, hangover friendly voice, “This better be important, man.”

Chase laughed, and I honestly thought about hanging up on him. “Hey there, Cinderella, you left the ball so early last night. I thought I’d see how you’re doing but the sound of your voice tells me the prince did not show up with your glass slipper.”

“Go to hell, Chase,” I said. My tone was soft, so he knew I was kidding, but I also didn’t laugh along with him because I wanted him to know that I truly wasn’t in the mood for his antics. “What did you really call for?”

With a little more restraint, he told me he really did want to check on me. “I didn’t call earlier because I hoped you were sleeping, but I forgot you’d have to pick up Kenlee.”

I was running out of energy and knew Kenlee was going to need me alert soon so I politely said, “It’s okay. I’m fine. Thanks for last night but I think I am going to go lie down.”

Still chuckling, he took one last jab. “Okay, Granny. Take care of that hangover and let me know when you are old enough to play with the big boys again.”

He hung up before I could actually say goodbye so I just sat in misery listening to the innocent sounds of my giggling baby, wishing she would fall asleep, but seeing as she’d just woken up from a nap over at Sloane and Harry’s, I knew that was just a pipe dream.

Someone knocked softly on the door shortly after I hung up with Chase, and I pushed myself up to my feet with an audible sigh. It was likely Katya with the vodka. More alcohol may not be the smartest decision, but I was willing to try anything. I answered the door, and there she was, smiling and holding a bottle of clear liquor and a bag of potato chips.

Lifting them up she said, “Carbs and vodka. Best hangover remedy in the world. If this doesn’t cure you, nothing will.”

I moved to allow her entrance. I was still not sure how to apologize for yesterday, so for the moment, I avoided it.

Kenlee started fussing but when I went to get her, Katya stopped me. “Please, let me help. You go eat and drink. I will take care of the baby.”

I did not want to argue with my Russian savior so I agreed. I watched in amazement as Katya gently picked her up and Kenlee almost immediately stopped fussing.

How the hell did she do that?

In less than ten minutes, Kenlee was asleep in Katya’s arms. It was unbelievable to watch, and I tried my hardest not to be jealous over the fact that this random stranger was better at soothing my child than I was.

Katya set Kenlee in her crib at the far end of the room and turned to leave.

“Wait,” I said, and she stopped on her way towards the door. “You have to tell me how you did that.”

She frowned. “How I did what?”

“Get her to sleep so easily. It takes me forever and it is like wrestling a shark. The more I try to calm her, the angrier she gets.”

Blushing, she shrugged like it was no big deal, “I have a four-year-old son. I was clueless when he was born but learned along the way.”

“I see,” I said. “Well, I’d like to say that gives me hope, but I don’t know. I feel really out of my depth sometimes. I honestly don’t know if I’m cut out for this.”

“If you ever need any help,” she said. “Or if you need someone to watch her for you… I’m around. I mean, I don’t have a lot of free time on my hands, but I’d be happy to help you out whenever I’ve got a minute.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that…” I then raised a brow. “At least, not without paying you.”

She laughed. “I’m not looking for a second job.”

“Oh, no, I know! But… Well… What if we had some sort of arrangement? When Kenlee is crying and I haven’t been able to get her to sleep in days, would it be okay if I called you and asked for help. You’d be like—like a consultant.”

“A consultant?”

“Yeah!” I smiled. “You know how legal experts will oftentimes serve as a ‘legal consultant’ and doctors will serve as ‘medical consultants’. You would be like my parenting consultant. And I would pay you for your time…”

She cocked her head to the side, seemingly thinking this over. I knew it was a wild idea, but that’s just how desperate I was.

“Yeah, okay,” she said eventually. “I could do that. Afterall, I wish I had someone to help me with Luca when he was born. But, uh, we’ll have to hash out the details later because I have to finish my shift. I’ll come by this afternoon if that is okay?”

“Yes, by all means. I did not mean to keep you from your job. This afternoon is perfect,” I told her. “I will see you then.”

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