Page 71 of Luci’s Lullaby

“She enjoyed your singing too.”

Charlee looks away. “Have you tried playing for her?”

“No.” I lick my lips. “I haven’t touched it since Luci got here.”

“Baby’s love music, you should play for her.” She smiles warmly.

“So how’d you know that song?”

She blushes. “I used to listen to you play out by the river.”

“You did?” I lean back to get a better look at her.

Her eyes drop to the baby. “Yeah, don’tcha remember. I kinda had a huge crush on you.”

“So you stalked me?” I say it to get her to look at me, but she doesn’t flinch.

“Stalking was only illegal in California back then. I prefer to call it viewer appreciation.” She half shrugs.

My jaw goes slack. “Apparently, I’m not the only crazy person in the room.”

“No, you’re still insane and a horn dog.” She snorts.

“Did you just snort?”

She starts giggling. “Stop, I’ll wake the baby up.”

It’s then I notice Luci is sound asleep. “How’d you do that?”

Charlee faces me with a sweet smile. “She needs to bond, Alden.”

“I’ve tried, she hates me.”

“This innocent, sweet little girl knows nothing about hate. She needs to feel safe and to know she can trust you.” Charlee lays her hand over mine.

“Will you come back?” Her forehead wrinkles. “Just as friends, so you can show me some other things.”

She searches my eyes until she sees what she needs to. “I can, but we’re not making this a habit.”

“I promise, I only want to learn how to take care of her better.”

Charlee hands Luci over to me, kissing her head. “I’ll stop by on my way to work in the morning and give you a hand.”

“Thank you.”

“She’ll need changed when she wakes up. Keep her body on an incline, it helps with digestion.” Charlee leans in and kisses her again.

“Please be careful going home.” She smiles. “Text me and let me know you made it.”

“I’ll be fine.” She puts her hand on the door.

“Please text me, we’ll be up.”

Her eyes flicker around the room. “I don’t have your number.”

“You don’t?” My mind races as I fumble for my phone. “Where the hell is my phone?”

She plays it off. “It’s okay, I’ll get it tomorrow.”