Page 86 of Baby, Be Mine

“He’ll be thrilled. Both of them will.”

“My Mason is a good man. I don’t think he realizes just how good he is.”

“Because he has a kind dad.”

“You’re a lovely girl. But I’m afraid I wasn’t there enough for either of my boys. All I can do is make it up to them now.”

I gripped his hand. “They love you. Mason just wants to make you proud.”

“I am.” His blue eyes, so much like Mason’s, got a little red-rimmed. “I’m so proud.” His voice was a bit thick. “Okay. I gotta get some work done. Go on now. Drive carefully.”

“I will.”

“Oh, I forgot to ask. How’s that pretty little girl of yours?”

“Growing like crazy.”

“Happens so fast.” He opened the driver side door for me. “Faster than you can ever imagine.”

I got in and swung my legs under the steering wheel. “I’m learning that. It feels weird to be out without her.”

“Who’s the lucky one babysitting today?”

“My brother. He and my sister-in-law are having a baby later this year. They tried to make me feel better by telling me they wanted a bit of practice.”

“Take the help when you can, Emma.” He winked at me. “Besides, these are the days when the babies sleep most of the time. You have fun today.”

“I’ll try.”

He shut the door, and I rolled down the windows against the heat that was already rising. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“See you tonight.” I waved and pulled out onto Main Street.

The Mason Jar was just outside the main part of Crescent Cove, on Lakeview Drive. I smelled the water before I spotted Crescent Lake. Just the scent alone helped to even me out. A few minutes later, the sprawling restaurant came into view.

The water was perfectly calm today. It might be hot as hell, but the wind wasn’t up, so thankfully, we wouldn’t have to worry about things sliding around. The three levels were slowly revealed as I got closer.

And now with the barge taking up its own dock, it showed just how impressive the space was. The restaurant was closed today, but the parking lot was buzzing with staff and deliveries.

Henry and Jackie were covering the food, but Sugar Rush was handling the confections. Tabitha was married to one of the police officers that worked with Jared. Helped our budget that she was offering the towers of sweets as her gift to the couple.

Maddie was directing people on the grass. She’d become invaluable to me with the party. She had an organized soul and loved to help out with bean. Not that she had a ton of experience with youngsters other than her nieces and nephews, since she was the youngest child of five. But she was great with kids so having her to help here and sometimes with Adriana was a total win-win as far as I was concerned.

I honked for some help and parked in my usual spot.

Maddie and two of the kitchen guys came down to help me with the pails.

“Wow, these are amazing. So many gorgeous blooms. Mr. Brooks really outdid himself.”

“Hopefully, we can put the jars together and make him proud.” I glanced over her shoulder at the barge. “How’s Mason doing?”

“Little stressed.” She grunted as she pulled out a container full of roses. “He’s not the only one. My sister-in-law has a baby not feeling well at home.”

The mere mention of a sick kid made me want to check on my bean. But it hadn’t been much longer than an hour yet. I had to wait unless I wanted to be labeled the most freaked out new mom ever.

“Oh no, really? Hope it’s nothing bad.”

“Nah, just usual baby stuff. Harmony has some ear thing.” She yanked at the container and nearly toppled it before the cavalry arrived.

---