Page 45 of The Guest Cottage

“We can sort everything out later.” Marlow offered a cookie. “Oatmeal raisin.”

Pixie drew a deep breath, then started coughing, and that woke the baby.

Hurriedly, Cort grabbed more tissues to hand to Pixie.

The baby let out a scream that could peel paint from the wall, and that startled Marlow even more. Good heavens, the child had a pair of lungs!

Pixie covered her mouth as the deep, barking cough continued. The baby wailed even louder.

It was unbearable.

“Here.” Marlow scooped up the baby and put him against her shoulder, jostling him lightly, patting his back, and ignoring the arrested expression on Cort’s face and the panic on Pixie’s.

The child was small and warm, and he smelled . . . Well, he smelled partly wonderful, at least on the top of his head where a downy thatch of hair grew. But other scents were crowding in, too.

She hadn’t handled a baby since her teenage years. Thankfully, her instincts remained. “Cort, could you take that blanket and spread it out on the couch? I believe he’s filled his diaper.”

For the first time since she’d met him, Cort looked bemused. He moved at a snail’s pace, as if fearing he’d misunderstood or wasn’t quite sure what he should do.

It delighted Marlow to know she wasn’t the only one at a bit of a loss in this strange situation.

“Pixie, good, you’ve caught your breath.” Marlow rubbed the baby’s back, glad that he’d stopped wailing. “Shallow breathing for now, okay? At least until I find out if you have a diaper bag or anything.”

She nodded. “I left it in my car.”

“Good. Cort? Yes, that’s perfect with the blanket.” Perversely enjoying his discomfort, she smiled at him, and asked, “Would you mind fetching the diaper bag and anything else that looks essential for, say, the next hour?”

Watching her closely, he smoothed his hand over the small blue blanket one more time, and then nodded. He rose, gave both women a glance, and said, “I’ll be right back.”

The second he left the room, Pixie sat forward with her head in her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

“You already said that, and I believe you.” Never had Marlow seen anyone so miserable. “No reason to debase yourself, okay?”

Breath hitching, Pixie nodded and more tears spilled out. “I didn’t know what to do.”

“You said you have no one?”

“My parents . . .” Nervously, she licked her lips. “We were never close. Dylan is gone. There isn’t anyone else.”

Her pallor concerned Marlow, as did the awful way she shook. “I think for now, you need to eat something. Let the medicine work. Maybe rest for a bit.” She didn’t allow herself to think beyond that. “I don’t have to be at work for a few hours yet. We’ll tackle this one step at a time.”

Her promise broke the dam. Bent forward, arms crossed over her knees with her head resting against them, Pixie sobbed in earnest, and the sight broke Marlow’s heart. Had she ever been that forlorn? That desolate? Even when she’d discovered Dylan was cheating, when he’d issued only insults instead of apologies, she’d known she had resources at her disposal. And she’d had her pride.

Apparently, Pixie had neither.

Cort reentered in a rush but slowed when he saw Pixie sobbing.

“It’ll be okay,” Marlow told him. “She’s overwhelmed on top of being ill. While I change the baby, could you get her something to eat?”

He gave her another wondering look but nodded. “I can do that.” He set the diaper bag on the coffee table, then crouched down in front of Pixie. He offered her more tissues. Soon the tissue box would be empty.

Quietly, Cort moved a small wicker waste basket nearer to her. After Pixie dutifully mopped her face and tossed the tissues away, Cort held up the juice. “Take another few sips.” Once she’d finished half the glass, he asked Marlow, “Sandwich? Something else?”

“I have more of those delicious frozen dinners you introduced me to, but yes, I also have lunch meat and canned soup.”

He returned his attention to Pixie. “With that cough, I’m thinking soup is the way to go.”

“I . . . you shouldn’t . . .” Pixie glanced at Marlow. “I don’t mean to intrude so much—”

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