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With an extra bounce in my step, I hit the stairs instead of the elevator, and bounded up to the second floor.
Finding Willa’s room, I peeked in to find Minty sitting in a chair enraptured by the tiny pink bundle nestled in her arms. Barrett stood sentry, a modern-day Viking, between his girls and the door.
I rapped softly on the doorframe to announce my presence, and two pairs of eyes swung in my direction. One alert, that alertness softening only marginally when he took me in, the other anxious, and belonging to the object of my fascination.
“Hey, come on in,” Barrett called quietly. “Wash your hands over there and then come see my girls.”
I heard a scoff from the direction of the bed and caught the flash of amusement in Barrett’s eyes.
“They’re not coming to see me, Viking.”
He swung around to face his wife and muttered. “They are definitely coming to check on you, too.”
I dried my hands and threw my arm over Barrett’s shoulders. “And you, too, big guy. Congrats.”
“Thanks.” Not much for words, his face expressed his pride and joy. And more than a hint of wonder. He’d waited a long time for Willa.
It occurred to me that, like me, Barrett didn’t fall in love too readily, but once he fell, he went down like a mighty oak. I wondered if I had it in me to fall that hard.
I went to the bed first and leaned down to kiss Willa’s cheek. “How are you doing? I hear you pushed out a Viking-sized baby.”
Willa laughed. “No kidding. I was there. The doctor said it was a good thing I went a couple of weeks early.”
I handed her the bear I bought for the baby then crossed to where Minty sat cuddling her.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Minty continued to smile down at the baby.
I tapped Minty’s cheek lightly with the tip of my finger, and she looked up at me in question.
“Hello, beautiful,” I said again, smiling into her eyes.
Her tinkling laugh spilled out, and I grinned back at her. “So, who do we have here?”
I leaned over and peered at the tiny, perfect face with its rosebud lips pursed in a tiny frown.
“She’s frowning,” Minty cooed.
“Ah, so she has her father’s disposition.”
Willa barked out a laugh and Barrett chuckled. “Let’s hope she’s exactly like her perfect mother.”
Minty
“This is Rena,” I said softly. “It means joy or melody.”
“Well.” Lucky swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as he took in Rena’s perfect face. “That is entirely fitting.”
“It is.” I heard the smile in my voice.
Without asking, Barrett had transferred the tiny, perfect bundle into my arms the moment I finished drying my hands. A thousand shockingly violent images flashed behind my eyes, and I covered her fragile head with my palm protectively as I carefully maneuvered myself into the only available chair.
I breathed deeply, the sweet smell of her little head filling my lungs while I waited for the shock of the images to dispel so I could enjoy her.
By the time Lucky knocked the door, I was just beginning to settle in. I didn’t want to give her up.
His presence served as an excellent distraction to my disturbing thoughts. In the quiet of the hospital room, I found I liked the sound of his voice. Knowing he played guitar in Barrett’s band, Drivetrain, I wondered if he also sang. Did he play any other instruments? I wondered if I’d gone with Willa and Junie last summer if we would have hit it off.
