Page 94 of Coming Home Country
“Fourteen weeks.”
“You know, I read somewhere once that babies get cranky and clingy out of the blue because they’re going through a developmental leap, and it takes a lot out of them. That might explain why he’s suddenly so hard to comfort.”
“Oh yeah?” Harper’s eyebrows shot high on her forehead. “Never heard of that before.”
“There are apps you can download on your phone to track when your baby is about to go through one. That way, when he gets like this, you don’t have to wonder if something’s wrong.”
She cocked her head. “You seem to know an awful lot about this for someone without kids.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “Blame the teenager with babies on the brain. She wanted a house full of them.” Under my breath, I added, “Obviously, that didn’t happen.”
Harper’s gaze softened. “A few extra days, huh?”
My eyes remained firmly fixed on the baby in my arms as I breathed out my answer. “Yeah.”
“What are you drinking? It’s my treat.”
Head whipping up, I began to protest, “Oh, no, Harper. I invited you—“
She held up a hand. “Nope. Don’t try that shit with me. You’re holding my baby, and it’s no small miracle he’s quieted enough that I can hear my own thoughts. It’s the least I can do.”
I knew better than to argue further. “Caramel macchiato.”
“Sounds fancy. Maybe I can make Rita’s head explode by ordering two.” She smirked before heading to the counter.
Grady passed out in my arms while Harper was getting our coffee. Poor little guy. He’d worn himself out. I prayed for his mama’s sake that he would be in a better mood when he woke.
I gently eased myself into an armchair, trying not to jostle him when I sat down. His angelic face was still flushed pink from his earlier crying episode; the black eyelashes fanning his cheeks were clumped together with residual tears.
“Here.”
I looked up to find Harper holding out my drink. Shifting the sleeping baby, I freed a hand to accept it.
A corner of her lips turned up as she took the chair opposite me. “That’s what we call being nap-trapped. Hope you don’t find yourself in need of the restroom anytime soon because you’re gonna be stuck for a while.”
I peeked down at the beautiful boy, and my heart panged with longing. “I’m sure I’ll manage just fine.”
“You’re a natural,” she remarked. Then she let out a little laugh. “Come to think of it, Tucker is too.”
The memory of him and Mac flying Harper’s older two children around the lawn at the rehearsal dinner came to mind. Right behind it came the one where Tucker danced with Aubree at the wedding for no less than an hour before she fell asleep on his shoulder.
He might not have any children of his own, but there was no denying fatherhood suited Tucker.
We’d talked about starting a family when we were younger, and I wondered if that was still something he wanted.
“It’s my duty to inform you that a condition of me buyin’ you that coffee is that I have full rights to be nosy about what you’re still doing here.”
I arched an eyebrow. “That so?”
Harper gave a firm nod. “And since you were the one who messaged me to meet up this morning, I have a feeling you’re in need of someone to talk to with your best friend being out of the country.”
She had me there.
Letting out a heavy breath, I confessed, “These past few days took a turn I wasn’t expecting.”
“I’ll say. You swapped a fiancé for a boyfriend.”
I stiffened. “Boyfriend might be a bit of a stretch. We haven’t really talked about what we are. And with me leaving . . .”
