Page 87 of One Unexpected Gift

“I’m a nurse in the Army.”

“Do you go overseas often?” Travis asked.

“I’ve spent many years on active duty overseas.”

“Will you be deployed again?”

“Not for at least six months after giving birth. It’s doubtful they’ll send me overseas, but I need to be prepared for it just in case. They have a right to send me.” She toyed with her linen napkin wishing she had Nick’s hand to squeeze.

“And Gabriella?”

“We’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it,” Nick intervened, placing his hand at the nape of her neck, giving her a gentle squeeze letting her know he had her back. “Logan, did you remember to pick up dessert yesterday? You have to try the cannolis from this bakery intown we discovered,” he said to Sky, and the subject had been officially changed.

It took a few minutes for the air to clear and the sibling banter to stir up again. Though, the reserved looks from Isabella and Travis hadn’t gone unnoticed. The rest of the morning and early afternoon was a blur of cleaning up–sans Isabella and Sky who were exempt from dish duty–more banter, and hugs as everyone went their separate ways.

After promises to meet up before she went back to Virginia, they were back in Nick’s truck heading home to Angel Springs. Well, home for Nick, a place to visit for Sky. They were quiet for the first hour of the trip. When Gabby grew restless, they found a park to walk around and hopefully calm her down.

“She just ate before we left so I doubt she’s hungry. She’s probably coming down from being over-stimulated.” Sky bounced her gently in her arms as they walked along the wooded paths.

Her crying didn’t subside no matter how much she bounced, sang, or tried to distract her.

“Should we be concerned? Maybe call the doctor?”

Sky grinned over the top of Gabby’s head. “It’s quite normal for babies to cry for no reason. We’ve been spoiled with how easy-going she’s been lately. I’m pretty sure it’s from all the attention. She was a little cranky after my first few days here. Brooke, Charlie, Gina, and Olivia didn’t give Gabby a moment’s rest.”

“I’m sorry my family did this to her.” Nick rubbed Gabby’s back, his hand skimming over Sky’s hands as well.

“They did nothing but love her. It’s pretty typical. She needs some quiet time, is all.”

“You sure there isn’t anything wrong?”

Sky felt Gabby’s head and checked her coloring. “I don’t think so. It could be something I ate that’s not agreeing with her. We’ll see what her next poop looks like and go from there.”

“I love when you talk dirty to me.”

She loved that even with a fussy baby, Nick could still make her laugh.

“I’ll take her. You need a break.” He lifted Gabby from Sky’s arms and held the crying baby at arm’s length in front of her. “What’s the matter, angel? You didn’t like your mama’s brunch? You all done peopling? I can’t blame you there, but we’ll have to have a serious discussion if you didn’t like the food.”

He cradled her to his chest and kissed her pudgy fingers. While she didn’t stop crying, it had simmered down a touch. A few minutes later, she was fast asleep.

“Wow. I don’t know if I should be impressed or insulted that she preferred you over me.”

Instead of gloating, Nick brushed Sky’s hair from her face and kissed her temple. “You calmed her down. I just happened to be holding her when she crashed.”

They walked back to the truck and buckled her in, careful not to wake her. Once on the road again, they were quiet until they were thirty minutes from Angel Springs. Nick kept one hand on the wheel and reached the other behind him. He found whatever he was looking for and placed a small box on Sky’s lap.

“What’s this?”

“I didn’t get a chance to wrap it all nice and fancy, but it’s a small gift for you.”

No man had ever given her a gift before. Her heart stammered in her chest even without seeing what he got her. “Why? You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Open it.” Nick kept his eyes on the road.

She peeled at the tape and opened the box. Pushing back the tissue paper, she pulled out a ceramic plate. “Oh, Nick.” Overcome with emotion, she didn’t even attempt to wipe away the tears in her eyes.

Painted a pale pink and in the middle were Gabby’s foot and hand prints. Along the circumference of the plate, Gabriella Marie was painted in a delicate script, and along the bottom was her birthday.

---