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Dania opened a drawer and found a onesie. She pulled it out and kept searching for diapers. She found some disposables in the very bottom. She quickly dressed him and wrapped him like a burrito, then cuddled him to her, swaying back and forth. He quit crying, so Dania sat in the rocker and held him close.
This was what she’d missed with her own baby. This closeness. Her heart ached for everything she’d lost, but a fire burned in her as well. Not only had the murderer stolen her husband from her but her son too. Her resolve to find that evil man solidified even more. It was past time for justice to surface.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As Brett headed back tothe trailer, guided by the meager porch light through the darkness, he marveled at Dania’s abilities. She’d been amazing, keeping her wits about her during the delivery and then when the baby hadn’t been breathing. She’d known just what to do. Matt had always said she was a darn good nurse and the hospital never paid her what she was worth. After tonight, Brett wholeheartedly agreed. His feelings for her deepened even more.
He checked his phone before entering the trailer: 3:00 a.m. Why was he always awake at this time? No wonder he was tired. What he’d give to get some sleep. He’d check on Dania, see if she needed him to do anything else, then settle on the couch and get a few hours of shut-eye.
Going in, he closed the door behind him and locked it, then walked by the living room. A meager light shone through the open door of the first bedroom in the hallway. Checking inside, he stopped. Dania seemed to glow, sitting in a rocking chair and holding the baby in her arms as if he were her own.
She cradled the newborn’s little head in her caring hand and glanced up at Brett, a warm, welcoming smile gracing her face. Dark red hair curled behind her ears. Her loving gaze returned to the child as she seemed to marvel at the wee one. Brett’s heart leaped within his chest.
It was all he could do not to go to her and pull both her and the baby into his arms. In the last few days, she’d been infuriating, vulnerable, and wise under pressure, but after tonight and seeing her in action, he’d walk through fire for this woman. What would his life be like with her in it? To see her every day? To hold her close?
“Would you see if Hayley is still sleeping?” she asked softly.
He gathered his wits about him and nodded. He continued down the hall into the master bedroom. A small lamp gave him dim light to see. Hayley’s eyes were closed. He could tell by her breathing she was asleep. After what she’d been through, she should sleep at least a couple of days. He’d never seen a woman give birth, hadn’t had a clue what to expect, but now that he knew, he’d found a new respect for mothers.
He’d had a crash course on delivering babies during training, but he’d never had to actually use those skills. After tonight and seeing the real deal, he could do it. What a miracle it had been, a new child coming into this world—this old, rotten, cruel world where corruption and greed could cause people to make very bad choices.
If only they could see what he’d witnessed tonight. It might make them aware of just how precious life was. He’d bet even the most hardened criminal would be touched.
Speaking of criminals, he still needed to tell Dania that he’d almost caught the man who could have been responsible for Matt’s death.
If Hayley had been awake, he would have asked her if she knew him. What if she did? What if the killer turned up here? That would save Brett a lot of running around. He’d cuff him and haul his sorry hide to jail. Too many what-if scenarios. As much as he didn’t want to burst Dania’s peaceful bubble, he knew he’d better tell her. Now was as good a time as any.
He returned to the nursery. She’d lain the child in the small crib. Putting her index finger to her lips, she led him quietly out of the room and down the hall. “How’s Hayley?”
“Sound asleep.”
Dania yawned and sank onto the couch. “I’d like to stay here until morning, just to make sure she and the baby are okay. They really should go to the hospital, but I know Hayley won’t.”
“You’re probably right about that.” He sat next to her. “Hey, I have to tell you something.”
“What?” She yawned again and leaned back.
He drew a thoughtful breath. “The guy who tried to break into Gran’s just before Hayley went into labor...”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “He ran down the street and disappeared behind that brick house.”
“Yes.” This was going to be harder than he’d thought. “Well, before all that, we got into a tussle, and I pulled off his glove...”
“And...”
“He was missing his ring and pinkie fingers.”
She bolted upright. “Seriously?”
He gave a confirming plunge of his head.
“What... we...” A kaleidoscope of fear, frustration, and anger flickered over her face. “That’s why you wanted to chase him so badly, but you couldn’t because of Hayley.” She closed her eyes and shook her head.
He patted her back. “When Hayley wakes up, I’ll question her, see if she knows about him. If she does, there’s a good chance he might show up here.”
Dania’s glistening brown eyes grew wide.
“Don’t worry. That will make our job easier.” He didn’t mean to scare her. “We just need to be watchful. Plus, my tussle with him gives us added ammunition to find him. I’ll tell Gabe about him trying to break into Gran’s, so that will give me more time to work the case. I bet he’s one of Eli Wheeler’s men.”
