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Laura let the sentiment sink in while glancing at the cutest onesies. She’d been afraid for so long to tell Isaac about her pregnancy, that she’d gone through the last six months in some weird haze. Almost as if she didn’t tell him, then she wasn’t really carrying his child. As excited as she was to be a mom, she was terrified. Terrified of raising a baby all on her own, and even more terrified of keeping her baby safe from the man who helped create it.
“Boy or girl?”
She glanced over her shoulder and found a tall woman with a lovely face covered in freckles standing close. A young girl around the age of five stood beside her, holding her hand. “I don’t know.”
“Are you waiting to be surprised?”
She shrugged. “I don’t really have a plan. For anything.”
“Nobody does. Hold on a second.” The woman disappeared behind another rack of clothes and came back with a gray, short-sleeved onesie with the wordsMama’s Sweetiescrawled across the material in big, bold letters. “Here. Perfect for a boy or a girl.”
A rush of emotions tightened Laura’s chest. She gently took the little piece of clothing and ran her fingertips down the front.As much as she wanted to purchase the item, the small number in her bank account flashed in her mind.
“Mommy, I want pie.” The little girl pulled on the woman’s hand.
“One second my love.” She smiled at Laura. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m Sadie. And this impatient child who smells pie is Amelia.”
She smiled down at the little girl. “Nice to mee you, Amelia. That pie was made fresh and with lots of love.”
“Did you bake it?” Sadie asked.
She refocused on the other woman. “Yes. I came in with Mrs. Collins to spread the word about the food pantry.”
Interest brightened Sadie’s green eyes. “A food pantry? Do you need volunteers?”
Laura bit into her lower lip and tried to capture Mrs. Collins’ attention. “You’d have to ask her, but I’m sure she’d love the help. She has grand plans.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks.”
Amelia hopped up on her tip toes and waved a teddy bear in the air. “Mommy’s buying me this. I love stuffies.”
As if spurred on by the little girl’s sweet voice, a gentle kick fluttered inside Laura’s stomach. She sucked in a breath and cradled her bump with her hand.
“Are you okay?” Sadie asked.
She chuckled. “Yes. The baby kicked.”
“She must love stuffies, too,” Amelia said with so much confidence Laura believed her. “Or me. Can I buy the baby that shirt? We can be friends.”
“Oh, no. That’s very sweet but not necessary.”
Sadie rolled her eyes and held out a palm. “Now that it’s in her head, she won’t rest until her mission’s complete. You’d be doing me a huge favor if you let me get that for you.”
Laura hesitated.
“Pretty please?” Amelia asked.
The pleading combined with the jutted out bottom lip was Laura’s undoing. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you buy it for my baby if you eat the biggest piece of pie on the counter.”
Amelia’s smile grew wider, showcasing a missing front tooth. “Deal!”
Sadie laughed. “Twist her arm. I’ll ask about volunteering as well. Maybe we’ll see you around.”
“I hope so,” Laura said, walking with them to the front of the store.
Once Sadie had paid for her wares, she handed Laura the bag and led Amelia out of the store. Gratitude curled her toes. She’d started her mission with Mrs. Collins to help her and ended up gaining so much.
Cade’s story from earlier in the day came back to her. When he’d been in a dark place, he’d used what he loved to bring himself into the light. Maybe that’s what she needed to do. Use her gifts or talents or her passion to find her way forward.
