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"You're a never-ending enigma," Amy chortled.
Hesitation gripped me as I pondered how much less enigmatic she'd find me after hearing about Ava. The words lodged in my throat, but I managed to choke them out as we savored the warm, aromatic brew. "Amy, remember our chance encounter in the elevator?"
"You mean when the police officer awaited you in the lobby?" she asked.
"Amy, he came to serve me papers. Turns out I've got a kid from a past relationship."
Her shock morphed into a tender smile as she grasped my hands, reassuringly stating, "Mitch, life's an unpredictable dance. You never know what miracles it'll bring, often exceeding your wildest dreams."
I grinned, tightly clasping her warm hands. A rare sense of elation washed over me. "You've got a point," I admitted, newfound confidence swelling within me.
She sipped her tea, cracked open a fortune cookie, and read it aloud, giggling, "A remarkable surprise awaits you just around the bend."
As I recounted my fleeting tryst with Nicole, Amy's countenance grew somber, unable to fathom a mother abandoning her child. We conversed in hushed tones until she turned serious, surveying the house. "What's your game plan, Mitch? This place is grand, but let's face it – it's not fit for a little one."
Her hand found mine, giving it a comforting squeeze. "You're going to need assistance. Perhaps a nanny?"
A wisp of a smile crossed my face. "I've pondered that, but I need help finding the right one. I know zilch about babies. Fatherhood was beyond my wildest imagination up until now."
"I'll lend a hand, Mitch," she vowed, determination lacing her voice. "I only work part-time and from home. I can help you with interviews and reference checks. How much time do you have?"
"I'm floundering. I've yet to find a lawyer. According to Daniel's suggestion, only attorneys with Colorado licenses can take the case. I'm at a loss."
She pondered for a moment. "Papa's got connections...he knows everyone. He'll know what to do."
"Your dad?" I gaped.
"Absolutely. He'll assist, as it's unrelated to you and me."
"Ah, I see. I suppose," I nodded, processing her words.
Her smile returned. "I'll call him in the morning. It's perfect timing since he's in Vail for a few days."
"Amy, your assistance means the world to me," I murmured, drawing her close to me. We remained entwined, nestled against the cushions of the worn couch. The moment hung in the air like a spell, our eyes locking together, and something ancient and electric zinged between us. We met each other halfway in a tender, lingering kiss until Amy reluctantly retreated.
"Looks like you're a father now," she teased, a playful grin playing at the corners of her mouth. "Who would've guessed? I should make tracks it's getting late. Tomorrow is a big day for both of us."
Guiding her to the door, my fingers were loath to release hers. "Goodnight, Amy. I'm grateful you stood by me."
"Goodnight, Mitch. We'll navigate this together," she assured me, her smile a beacon of warmth before she disappeared into her car.
I stood on the porch, watching her leave, my heart full of gratitude and admiration for this amazing woman who had entered my life. As the night surrounded me, I looked up at the dark sky, feeling the soft touch of the wind on my face.
ChapterFive
Amy
I hit 'send'on the spreadsheet and took a bite of my taco while waiting for Daniel's response. Sure enough, my inbox pinged immediately with a simple thumbs-up and a smiley emoji. I chuckled, grateful for the laid-back work environment that helped relieve some of the tension I'd been feeling.
This morning, I started my day with a yoga session to clear my mind before reaching out to Papa about Mitch's custody case. When I finally had a chance to explain the situation, I could hear the disapproval in Papa's voice. "Amy, you know I don't like that Mitch guy," he grumbled. But then, after a pause, he relented, "But if there's a child involved, we can't just sit back and do nothing. I have to respect the man for stepping up."
Finally, Papa agreed to give me a referral for an attorney and scheduled an appointment for Mitch. He warned me, "This attorney doesn't come cheap, but he's worth it. Make sure Mitch knows what he's getting into. He'll be in good hands. He's an old family friend."
Then he handed the phone over to Mum, and we chatted for a while, during which she asked me if Mitch and I had gone on a date yet. I was caught off guard and stumbled over my response, but Mum admitted that she liked Mitch and that Papa's issue with him was more of a "man thing." "He just needs someone to blame for my kidnapping, and Mitch was an easy target."
While balancing my laptop on the edge of the kitchen counter, I searched online for potential nannies for Mitch. My work phone kept buzzing, but I was determined to help Mitch in any way I could. Time was running out, and he had a lot to do.
Lost in thought, I heard a soft knock on my door. "Just a second," I called out to Greg, my security guard, and unlocked the door. To my surprise, it was Mitch, looking tired but still managing a warm smile. "Hey there, beautiful. How's the nanny search going?"
