Page 43 of One Unexpected Gift

“Are you still on baby daddy patrol? Is that why you’re hesitant with Nick? Because, for the record, I think he’d make a fine baby daddy. You should see him with the kids at camp.”

“I thought he just worked on the cleanup crew.”

“He volunteers in other ways when he can. On rainy days, he opens The Zone early for the kids so they have a place to play. No charge to the camp. He’s really sweet with them, teaching them to bowl, competing with the older kids in laser tag. And they all get a ton of tickets for prizes. Not a single child leaves without a prize. Again, no charge to the camp. He’s a kid at heart.”

Sky didn’t need Brooke to convince her Nick was a good guy. She’d picked up on that after spending a few hours with him. Still, it didn’t mean he would be good in the long term.

Hearing how he opened up The Zone and gave his time to the children earning nothing in return bumped him up a notch or two. Heck, it shot him straight to the top. She’d come clean with him. About everything. If he couldn’t handle the truth then she’d have her answer.

Sky wasn’t sure what scared her the most. The possibility of Nick’s rejection, or that he’d open his heart to her and Gabby.

CHAPTER TEN

“What do you think, baby girl? Should we show up on Nick’s doorstep and yell, surprise! Or should I break it to him without you?” Sky stroked Gabby’s downy-soft skin then played with her tiny fingers.

She’d been blessed with the most perfect human being. While being a mom had been on her future list of things to do and be—like much later into the future—she didn’t begrudge Gabriella one bit. For the first time in her life, she finally understood why her parents risked their lives and went back into their burning house to save her baby brother. She’d do the same for her daughter.

A sense of peace washed over her as Gabby grabbed ahold of Sky’s finger.

“That’s a mighty tight grip you have there, pumpkin.”

Gabby smiled and milk dribbled from her parted lips. She’d been smiling for two weeks now, and it was the most precious sight. Olivia had been the first to see her smile, and Charlie blamed it on gas. They’d all come running into the living room and dropped to the floor to watch her do it again.

It didn’t take much to see the gummy grin. A few words, raspberry kisses, a cute song, and Gabby lit up the room with smiles and coos.

“While I love your smile, pooh bear, you need to finish your lunch.” Every day she had a new nickname for her daughter.

Olivia liked to call her wild thing because Gabby grunted and kicked her feet in her sleep. Charlie called her pooh bear, which was growing on Sky, even if it wasn’t a very girly name. Owen called her princess. But he also called Charlie and Olivia that too.

Brooke liked angel puss while Gina tried different nicknames every day as well.

Sky’s phone vibrated on the couch next to her. Brooke was at school while Charlie and Gina were at the diner. The only other people who called her were Derek and sometimes Nick. She put Gabby back on her breast and picked up her phone.

An instant smile curled her lips when she read Nick’s name.

“Hey.” She’d planned on calling him when Gabby went down for her mid-morning nap.

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