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Cameron was pretty sure he had sprinkled her with so much baby powder that she resembled a powdered doughnut. But it wasn’t as if Paige had given him a how-to manual. Sure, she had passed on a few tips, but he was flying by the seat of his pants.
Out of sheer desperation he had placed an SOS call to Liam, telling him he needed his assistance immediately. Liam had promised to come over as soon as possible. Cameron hadn’t mentioned anything to his brother during the phone call about watching Emma for the day.
Within fifteen minutes he heard the screech of tires in his driveway. Before Liam could even let himself in, Cameron jerked the door open to greet him. With his dark hair and rangy build, he bore a passing resemblance to him and Boone. Girls had always claimed Liam had a soulful and sensitive vibe. Like Honor, he was tenderhearted.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see somebody in my life.” Cameron felt his whole body sag with relief.
“What’s the emergency?” Liam asked as he stepped inside the house. He was looking all around with a frantic expression. “You said it wasn’t anything medical, but it sounded urgent.”
“It’s Emma.” He put his fingers up to his lips. “Shh. I just put her down for her nap.”
“You didn’t mention she was here.” Liam frowned. “Did something happen?” he whispered.
“I’ve been watching her for the last four hours. You know how it is. Parent-child bonding time. But I think I may be in way over my head. She’s been a little... Um, how should I put this? Challenging?”
Liam’s jaw dropped. He stood as still as a statue. “That’s the urgent matter you called me over here for? You have got to be kidding me.”
Cameron frowned. “Hey! Have a little compassion.”
Liam folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “Here’s my advice. Man up, little brother.”
“I am manning up. I just needed some backup just in case.” His voice trailed off. He wasn’t sure how to put his concerns into words.
Liam scoffed. “In case what? She’s a little over a year old. Are you afraid she’s going to explode or something? Get a grip!”
Cameron gulped. “I’ve been reading this book. It’s called How to Tame a Toddler and it’s a runaway bestseller. Problem is, none of that stuff worked with Emma.”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “Tame? She’s not a circus animal.”
Cameron rolled his eyes. “It’s just that I need some pointers from someone who’s been there. She was crying for quite a bit,” he admitted, wincing at the memory of Emma’s heartbreaking wails. “I almost caved in and called Paige.”
“If she cries, try to see what’s wrong. Check her diaper. See if she’s thirsty or hungry,” Liam suggested.
“Gee, why didn’t I think of that?” Cameron drawled.
Liam gritted his teeth. “’Bye, Cameron,” he said in a clipped tone.
“No! Sorry. It just slipped out. I’m a little bit fried at the moment. Please don’t go.” Cameron pulled at his brother’s arm.
Liam turned back toward him. “What are you so panicky about, anyway? She’s a baby.”
“A baby I’m just
getting to know.” Cameron raked his hand through his hair and let out a ragged sigh. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself, but I missed out on the first months of caring for Emma. I should be a pro at this by now, but instead I’m floundering.”
Liam touched Cameron on the shoulder. “That was a tough break, you missing out on all that time with her. I can’t imagine not having experienced Aidan’s first moments. I know this hasn’t been easy for you. And believe it or not, all first-time fathers have fears and doubts. It’s perfectly normal.”
A feeling of sadness enveloped him. “I’m trying not to wallow in it. And I know I’m blessed to have Emma, but I hate this feeling that I’m never going to be able to make up for lost time.”
“You can’t turn back the clock, Cam. But what you can do is be there one hundred percent for your daughter from this point forward. You can get to know her day by day, moment by moment. Children are resilient. And as long as you nurture them, love them and keep ’em safe and protected, you can consider yourself a very accomplished father.”
Cameron let go of the deep breath he had been holding. “I think that I can do all of those things. Especially the love part.” He grinned at his brother as excitement rose up inside him. Fatherhood was going to be a journey, one he was looking forward to tremendously. He was already anticipating moments such as bringing her to her first day of nursery school and taking her sledding at Deer Run Lake. And like Liam had said, every father harbored fears. It was how he tackled those fears that would determine his future with Emma.
“You’re going to be an excellent father, Cam. You’re well on your way,” Liam said.
Hearing those words from his big brother meant the world to him. Liam was an amazing dad, one who had raised Aidan in the shadow of a tragedy that had threatened to pull Liam under. Because of Aidan, his brother had fought his way through that dark time and emerged a stronger father than ever to his little boy. If Cameron could be half the father Liam was, he’d consider himself a success.
All of a sudden he heard soft cries from the baby monitor.
