AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jackie smiled as she watched her granddaughter bounce the baby in her arms. “It’s funny,” the older woman said. Jackie was heavier set with white-gray hair and the air of a woman who doled out hugs and advice in equal measure. “According to your mama, you never showed much interest in children. She thought you took the job working with babies because of your crush on that single obstetrician.”
Ruby made a face. “Mama doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Sometimes mothers don’t have the sense God gave them,” she told Chase, like she was imparting great wisdom. “But I’ll bet you can always trust your daddy. He’s one of the good guys.”
Ruby winked at Ryder, and he didn’t know how to respond to the compliment, but she didn’t seem to need or expect a reply. “I can tell,” she cooed to the baby.
If this had been a cartoon, Ryder was reasonably certain he would have seen smoke billowing out of Esme’s ears, although he wasn’t sure why. The nursing assistant certainly wasn’t insinuating Esme was anything less than sensible.
He figured it was a subtle dig at him for how Stephanie had behaved the night of her labor and delivery. Not that he blamed his late girlfriend for her screaming and crying. He’d never given birth, so he didn’t have room to talk. But every staff member he’d met with remembered Steph and how vocal she’d been about not wanting to be a mother.
He wondered, as he had several times before now, if she’d changed her mind about sticking around whether the accident would have claimed her life. He highly doubted it, making him sad for Noah and particularly grateful that they both had Esme in their lives.
“If you need anything...” the young nursing assistant told him, leaning forward with Chase in her arms. He hadn’t noticed the deep V of her pale pink sweater before that moment but quickly looked away. His gaze crashed into Esme’s, and she gave a small shake of her head.
“I think Noah needs his diaper changed,” she said tightly. “I’m sure you three can finish up here. Jackie, thank you so much for your time and the ice chips that night.”
The older woman beamed. “You remember? I felt bad for you, darlin’, because you were alone. Things were such a jumble, and I didn’t want you to feel like no one cared.”
“Thank you,” Esme whispered again, and her voice sounded hoarse with emotion.
Ryder hoped it wasn’t sadness. He wanted her to know she would never be alone again. That he would be at her side.
“I have the boys now,” she said to Jackie, and Ryder suspected he was not included in that group, which stung. “It was nice to meet you, Ruby. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you again sometime.” She darted a pointed look toward Ryder before grabbing the diaper bag from the table and walking out of the room. Trying not to read too much into Esme’s parting remark, he asked the women a few more questions before taking Chase back from the nursing assistant. The boy smelled like a bouquet of expensive flowers, which must have been from Ruby’s perfume.
Ryder would be bathing his son tonight. Lavender and vanilla were the only scents he wanted to be associated with either of his babies. Like most other staff members he’d talked to, Jackie promised to call if she remembered anything about the other volunteer or additional details that could shed light on who was responsible for the mix-up.
He walked them to the building’s entrance, and as he headed back to the conference room, he heard Esme laughing, which did funny things to his heart. He followed the sound to Brandon’s office.
Their father was off on another trip, and it was hard to tell whether he was traveling so much in recent weeks in preparation for his retirement or because he was avoiding meeting Esme and Chase.
Brandon had no such qualms and had stopped by her house several times with toys for his nephews.
His younger brother also seemed interested in discussing the goings-on at the company and plans for the future with Ryder. It wasn’t pleasant to admit that he couldn’t tell whether Brandon was interested in working together or if he would use the information Ryder gave him to get ahead on his own.
Maybe it didn’t matter. Ryder wanted the CEO position, but it was nowhere near as important as being a father. He’d deal with whatever his father decided.
“Hey, bro. I changed a diaper.” Brandon pumped his fist in the air. “A stinker, too. It turns out I’m a natural. I didn’t even mistakenly put it on backward like somebody we know.”
“I only did that at the beginning,” Ryder said, trying not to feel annoyed. Esme was grinning and looked a hundred times more relaxed and happy sitting in his brother’s office than she had with him in the conference room.
“You better be careful,” she teased Brandon. “If you get too good at it, I’ll put you to work as a babysitter.”
“You can call me anytime.” Brandon glanced from Esme to Ryder, a startled look flashing over his boyishly handsome features as he took in Ryder’s scowl. His brother had the reputation of being irresistible to most women. But after that first lunch where they’d seemed to clear the air, he’d never considered that Brandon would continue to turn his considerable charm on Esme.
Funny how his mood seemed to match hers from earlier, while Brandon had managed to put her in better spirits. They were quite a pair.
“We should go.” The words must have come out harsher than he’d intended because her smile faded. She nodded and stood, then picked up a vase of flowers Ryder hadn’t noticed sitting on Brandon’s desk. “What are those?”
“Your brother got them for me, which was unnecessary but very sweet. Thank you, again.”
“Why did you get her flowers?” Ryder knew he sounded like a jerk but couldn’t quite stop it.
Brandon shrugged. “It’s Valentine’s Day. I was buying flowers for all the women in the office. I knew the two of you were going to be here today, so I included Esme in the order. Didn’t you give her anything?”
Ryder’s face burned. Not only was he a jerk, but he was also an inconsiderate one.
Esme smiled again, but he knew her well enough to recognize that it was forced. “I didn’t expect anything,” she assured Ryder, then turned to Brandon. “It’s not a big deal. He isn’t...we aren’t...it’s complicated.”
Brandon guffawed. “Giving flowers to a woman on Valentine’s Day is about the least complicated gesture imaginable.” He gave Ryder a clear “what the hell, man” look, which Ryder had to admit he deserved.
