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“I thought of a name.”
“You did?”
“After you. I’m going to name her Amber.”
For some reason, Tuck’s chest went tight.
“I don’t know,” said Amber.
“We owe you so much.”
“I’m her aunt. It’s my job, and she doesn’t owe me a thing. Look at that face, those blue eyes, that tiny nose.”
There was a silent pause.
“I think,” Amber continued, “that she’s her very own little person. She deserves her very own name.”
“You think?” asked Jade.
“I’m sure. Thank you. Really, it’s a wonderful thought.”
There was a pause and Tuck took a step forward.
“What about Crystal?” asked Jade.
“Another rock?” There was a trace of laughter in Amber’s voice.
“You’re solid as a rock,” said Jade.
“So are you,” said Amber.
“And she will be, too.”
“Crystal. I love it. It’s perfect.”
Tuck knew he should either walk away or announce himself, but something kept him still and silent.
“Do you think the three of us can become a family?” asked Jade, a catch in her voice. “The way we never were.”
“Yes,” Amber said softly. “You, me and Crystal. We can do that.”
“No creepy boyfriends.”
Tuck found he didn’t like the sound of that. He wasn’t creepy. Then again, he wasn’t a boyfriend.
“No unreliable men,” Amber stated firmly.
Did she think of him as unreliable? She probably did. She probably thought Dixon was more reliable, which wasn’t fair, given the current circumstances.
He gave himself a mental head slap. If he didn’t want to keep hearing things he didn’t like, he needed to stop eavesdropping.
“She’s never going to be frightened,” said Jade, as Tuck moved for the door. “Or hungry, or lonely.”
“We’ll keep her safe.”
“I’ll get a job,” said Jade.
“Not today, you won’t.”
He knocked softly on the open door. “Hello.”
Amber looked up. She was sitting in a chair at the bedside covered in a pale green hospital gown, a pink bundle in her arms. He couldn’t see the baby’s face, but she had a head of dark hair—a brunette like her aunt.
Jade was propped up in the bed, looking exhausted, her face pale, her hair flattened against her head.
“Tuck.” Amber was obviously surprised to see him.
“I wanted to make sure everything was okay.” He glanced at the paper bag in his hands, realizing he should have brought flowers or maybe a teddy bear.
“Hi, Tuck,” said Jade. She seemed less surprised and gave him a tired smile.
“Congratulations, Jade.” He moved to get a better view of the baby. “She’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t she?” asked Jade.
“Are you okay?” he asked, giving in to an urge to squeeze her hand.
“Sore. But I’m going to be fine.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
His attention went back to Amber and the baby. She looked good with a baby in her arms, natural, radiant.
“How did you know I was here?” asked Jade.
Amber’s eyes widened.
Tuck paused to see how she’d answer.
She didn’t.
“Were you with him last night?” asked Jade.
She was very quick on the uptake for someone who’d just had surgery.
“It was a corporate party,” said Tuck.
“We spent the night together,” said Amber.
Her answer thrilled him. Yes, they’d spent the night together. And he didn’t care who knew it.
“Sorry to interrupt,” said Jade, glancing between them.
Tuck grinned with amazement. “You had to have one of the best excuses ever.”
Jade chuckled and then groaned with obvious pain.
“I’m sorry,” he quickly told her.
“Don’t apologize for being funny.”
“I didn’t mean for it to hurt.”
Crystal let out a little cry.
“It does,” said Jade. “I hate to whine, but it hurts a lot.”
“Do you need me to get the nurse?” he asked.
Crystal wiggled in Amber’s arms, emitting a few more subdued cries.
“Maybe you should,” said Jade, holding out her arms to take Crystal. “I want to try to feed her again. You should go home,” she said to Amber.
