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Amber looked at Burke. “Well, Uncle Burke, as the oldest, you should be the first to hold our treasure. Then everyone can take a turn.”
Burke blew out a breath. “I’ve never held a fresh baby before.”
He followed instructions and lifted Jayna to cuddle into his chest. Holding the tiny girl felt like the most important task in the world. When she opened her eyes to stare at him, his heart wobbled. “Hello there, Jayna Rose. You’ve got your daddy’s eyes and your mama’s nose. You’re a beauty, and you’re the luckiest girl in the world to have them for parents. We’re going to help you grow up strong and fierce like them. You’re going to play with ducks and chickens, and Boomer’s going to be your guardian angel. Welcome to the No Phailed Apples Farm and the family, little one. You are loved and welcome.”
Rissa wondered why her heart didn’t explode with all the love and joy bursting around her. The tiny girl was perfect. Rosy cheeks and dark curls under her pink hat.
Rissa had never held a baby before. The kids she worked with were all school age, and it was like holding a miracle in human form.
When Jolie passed Rissa the tiny bundle, she had to blink back tears of wonder. “Hello, Jayna. Welcome to the world. You’re going to have a wonderful life, surrounded by love and family and friends. You’re a lucky girl, and I can’t wait to see you grow.”
It wasn’t long before the baby squirmed and her tiny fists reached for her mouth. Her pretty face turned red, and her cry had panic shooting through Rissa. “What’s wrong? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her.”
Lia laughed. “Nothing’s wrong. Our girl there is just hungry. Time to give her back to mama.”
Rissa shuffled to the bed and passed Jayna to her mom, then Lia pointed them out of the room. “Time to give the new family some privacy and time to bond. Mitch, can you clean up here while I check out Rissa?”
“I’m fine.”
Lia rolled her eyes. “You fit right in with the rest of the group, but I’m going to check you out anyway.”
Lia sent the others down to spread the word about Jayna Rose, and Rissa sat with Burke in Amber’s living room. “I really am fine, Lia.”
Lia nodded. “That’s how it appears from my end, too. Your eyes are clear, your coordination is steady, and your speech is fine. If I were really worried, I would have had Mitch check on you earlier. Still, I want to ask you some questions and check your vitals. Marcus will want the report to add to the charges. Why don’t you tell me what happened?”
Rissa went through what she remembered, and Burke added in what had happened while she was in the RV.
Lia asked a series of questions and checked her vitals. When Mitch entered the room with their bags, Lia stood up. “You’re another lucky one. No signs of concussion, even though the explosion knocked you unconscious. I’d like you to take precautions anyway. No taking stairs on your own, lots of rest, and no screen time. If the headache persists, call me. Over-the-counter medication is fine. Just don’t overdo anything.”
They walked as a group down to the main floor, with Burke insisting on carrying Frizzle so that Rissa could use the railing and have the other hand free.
Once downstairs, they found everyone gathered in the dining room, talking about the new baby. Joe stood and hugged Lia. “Good job, Doc.”
Lia laughed and hugged him back. “Helping a new baby into the world is the very best part of being a doctor.”
Mitch grinned. “I’ve never helped with a delivery before. Most of my paramedic training has been for fire scenes. Thanks for calling me in. That was an amazing experience.”
Burke guided Rissa to a chair and sat beside her. Esme turned to her. “How are you, Rissa? How’s your headache now?”
“I’m good. Lia cleared me.”
Lia coughed dramatically. “Not quite. A few bruises from being bumped around, but no concussion. She’s going to take it easy for a few days and get lots of rest.”
Burke nodded. “We’ll make sure of it.”
Agreements sounded around the table, and Rissa’s cheeks flushed, but she couldn’t contain her smile. Not only had she found her place with Burke and his family, but she was surrounded by people who cared about her. For the first time in her life, she was loved and welcomed. It was the best feeling in the world.
Frizzle jumped at her legs, and Rissa lifted her. “I’m good, Frizzle. Just thinking how lucky we are that I accepted the contract for the school here in Phail all those weeks ago.”
Burke ruffled Frizzle’s fur. “I’m so happy you came.”
Mara walked in from the kitchen carrying a tray. “Thought you might like a peek before I take it up to the new parents.”
Thankful the attention was off her, Rissa checked out the tray. Three cupcakes were decorated with pink icing with tiny red apples around the edges. She’d written Mama, Daddy, and Jayna Rose on them in matching red icing. A large dog biscuit had Big Brother written on it in what Rissa assumed was dog-friendly pink icing. “Those are amazing.”
Mara grinned. “I had blue icing ready to go, too.”
Esme snapped some photos. “If Amber wants, I’ll post these to the inn’s socials. Hashtag No Phailed Apples Inn, The Next Generation. If they don’t want Jayna’s name on socials, I can post Boomer’s treat as a general announcement if they want that instead.”
