Page 79 of This Baby Business
The doctor had gone from Mr. Rogers to a police detective shining a bright line on her in a closed interrogation room.
My voice shook. “It wasn’t high. It was on the floor, of course.”
The doctor froze. “It was on the floor. I don’t get it. How did she fall?”
“It was just one second. I went into the kitchen and…”
He nodded. “That’s how it happens.”
“She must have tried to climb out of it. I don’t know. She hurt her lip and nose, see?” She pointed.
“And…that’sit?”
“What do you mean, that’sit?”
“Woo just have a wittle boo-boo.” The doctor bent low and tweaked Grace’s nose. “No pwoblem.”
“Are you sure she’s all right? What about a possible concussion?”
“Where? On her lip? Nose? No, I don’t think so. She just needs a little ice, which I see you already have. This will resolve itself all on its own. Make sure you get rid of that chair when you get home, just to be safe. What is wong with Mommy, wittle one? Tell her woo okay. Woo okay, wight?”
Grace squealed with laughter.
“Something tells me this is your first,” the doctor said. “Poow mommy. She wuv her baby giwl.”
“Pfft!” Grace said.
The nurse slid the curtain open. “Your husband is here.”
“He’s not my—”
But it was too late for explanations. Levi had obviously come straight from the airport, and wore his white Mcallister Charters button-up and black cargo pants, his aviator shades propped on his head.
The doctor shook Levi’s hand. “Don’t worry, Daddy. First-time parents are always rushing to the ER for every little thing. Seems she bumped her nose. She’ll be just fine. Won’t we, sweetheawt? Woo a cutie!”
I almost screamed at the man to stop making a fool out of himself, but Levi smiled, actuallysmiledat the strange doctor. Grace reached for Levi, of course, so he strode over to her.
Soon after, we were alone.
“I’m so sorry.”
She expected a lot of things. Possibly to be yelled at because she’d screwed up this gig, too. Certainly a few stern words from Mr. Pilot, the guy who managed to throw Grace up in the air and catch her without missing once. But instead of harsh words, Levi’s eyes were soft as he pulled me into his arms.
CHAPTER31
Levi
Levi had leftforthe hospital the minute Cassie had given him the message. But as he’d driven to St. Louise Hospital in the next town over from Fortune, he hadn’t allowed his imagination or emotions to take over. Kept his cool. Not too hard to do since it was his MO.
He’d learned it from his parents at an early age and lived his life by it. He’d learned not to cry as a young child when his parents left him with his grandfather all summer so they could work for the World Health Organization. Crying wouldn’t change the outcome.
He didn’t know what had happened to Grace, and until he knew what he was dealing with, he refused to panic. He’d simply gone through the motions, even if a little faster than normal. When he’d arrived, he’d explained his situation to the ER clerk, then followed a nurse to the emergency bay. One quick look at Grace and he could see she was fine.
But Carly was another story. Her eyes were red rimmed. Cheeks tearstained. Hair tousled like she’d run her fingers through it a dozen times. She had clearly overreacted, which told him one thing: she’d behaved like a typical first-time parent. He saw all the signs, having been in her position a few short weeks ago.
Something in his chest shifted uncomfortably, and for the first time since he’d become a parent, he didn’t feel like he was in this deal all alone. His friends loved and cared for Grace, and they’d do anything for her. No doubt about it. But not one of them was as invested in her well-being as Carly had become. Which made her the perfect woman—uh, he meantbabysitter—for him.
He’d also come to depend on her, far more than he had on anyone else in a very long time. Which was why somehow, against all reason, he’d wound up comforting Carly. Hell, he hadn’t lied. Raising Grace was the by far the toughest gig he’d ever had, and he’d made plenty of mistakes his first weeks.
