Page 90 of This Feeling

“Yes!” Declan said. “Brystol would surely know what to do with her.”

I nodded in agreement. “Of course, she will. She should know how to entertain a toddler. I mean, she owns a toy store.”

“Great. Then after we pick up Winnie, our first stop will be Memory Lane Toys.”

Brystol stared blankly at me and Declan. He had Winnie’s bag over his shoulder while I carried Winnie on my hip. She was adorable, with her blonde curly hair and big blue eyes. Liam had dressed her in the cutest outfit, as well. A pink romper with a matching pink bow in her hair.

“Why in the world did you think I’d know what to do with a one-year-old?” Brystol asked us both. Her long blonde hair was pulled up and piled on top of her head in a loose bun.

“Well…she’s one and a half.”

Winnie held her little hand out and held up one finger.

“That’s right, sweetheart! You’re one!” I looked at Brystol and Declan. “She’s so smart!”

Declan hefted the bag off his shoulder and set it on the floor. “What’s in this thing? I didn’t pack this much stuff when I was in the Marines.”

“You own a toy store, Bry. Youhaveto know what to do with kids.”

Her brows shot up. “Just because I own a toy store doesn’t mean I know what to do withthat!” She pointed to Winnie, who was now sucking her thumb. I gently took it out of her mouth.

“Well, are there places where we can take her to play?”

“There’s a little place right on the other side of the bowling alley. Hold on…they left some flyers here.” Brystol walked over to the counter, grabbed something, and brought it back. “It’s like a jungle gym-type place. They have everything from bounce houses to rock climbing to toddler stuff.”

“This might be fun,” I said as I handed the flyer to Declan. He read it over and nodded.

“What about places to take her to swim? I don’t really want to bring her to the lake.”

Brystol frowned. “What’s wrong with the lake? We all swam there when we were little.”

I shook my head. “I feel like that’s a parent-type thing. I don’t know why, I’m just uncomfortable taking her to the lake.”

“Doesn’t your mom and dad have a pool?” Brystol asked.

“They do! Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed, as I hit Declan on the chest. “I wasn’t even thinking about that. We can go early and swim before dinner.”

Brystol clapped her hands together. “Great, now that you’ve figured that out, what toys will you buy her?”

I laughed—then instantly stopped when I saw she was being serious.

“Well, she has toys in her bag that her dad packed.”

Brystol folded her arms over her chest and raised a brow. “You’re not buying her a toy?”

Declan and I exchanged looks.

“Last night at trivia, you said you were stopping by the store today. I figured it was to buy something, not just to use me for my knowledge of kid stuff.”

Declan huffed. “What knowledge? If we left Winnie inyourcare, would you even know how to change a diaper?”

“Doyouknow how to change a diaper?” Brystol retorted.

“We can all three learn how to do it together,” I stated, as I reached for the bag and headed to the counter.

“What are you doing?” Brystol demanded, just as Declan asked what the horrible smell was.

“The three of us are going to change Winnie’s diaper.”

---