Page 14 of Unexpectedly Falling
“That’s cute, Sheriff.” Her hand pats my chest. “And even if that were true, you’re too nice for me.”
In all my years on this earth, I don’t think I’ve ever been labeled as beingtoo nice.It would be comical if she didn’t think it were true.
But now’s not the time to correct her.
That day will come.
And when it does, I’ll take great pleasure in proving her wrong.
7
JENSEN
Irelease a heavy breath as I wrap Remi in a towel and cradle her against my body. I don’t miss the way Nessa tries to hide her smile, but I don’t even care—that bath was the most stressful thing I’ve done in a long time.
“You’ll get the hang of it,” she says confidently. “Let’s get Remi ready for bed and I’ll show you how to swaddle her.”
Nodding, I follow her out of the bathroom and down the hall to the nursery that is currently just a changing and storage room. Remi’s bassinet is in my room, and with bedtime rapidly approaching, panic is starting to set in.
It shouldn’t be that hard.
But neither should giving her a bath.
Yet, I’d used too much soap, washed most of it away, and then didn’t have enough. I hated the way the washcloth wouldn’t lather like I wanted and felt like rinsing her had taken few years off my life. She was slippery, and I’d never been so happy to wrap her in a towel.
Laying her on the changing table, I gently dry her sweet face, noting the dark blue of her eyes and patchy blonde hair. Mychest swells with pride and love and so much damn happiness it feels like it’s about to burst.
This moment makes the bathtime hell all worth it.
“I’ve been using this before I put her into pajamas,” Nessa says, pulling me from my thoughts as she hands me a bottle of lotion. “It’s all natural, and the lavender is supposed to be soothing. I don’t know if it makes a difference, but it smells nice and it was part of our routine.” I glance at her but she’s looking at Remi, her smile warm and affectionate. “Obviously, you can do what works for you,” she adds almost as an afterthought as she lifts her gaze toward mine.
She’s so close I can smell the faintest hint of her perfume. It’s sweet and subtle and completely at odds with the professional soccer player that’sonall the time.
But right now, when it’s just us, she seems softer, more approachable—it fits her and I like it.
I like it too much.
I’m lost in my thoughts as Nessa’s arm brushes against mine. It’s harmless, merely an accidental graze, but I feel that simple touch everywhere, my blood pumping harder than it has any right to.
She must feel it too because she shifts slightly away from me, breaking the contact and giving me some much-needed breathing room.
Clearing my throat, I finish getting Remi ready, only fighting a little with the tiny zipper on the sleeper a couple of times before finally making it happen. It’s stupid but it feels like a win especially when she gives me a gummy smile and flails her flamingo print-covered arms.
My soul aches with how much I’ve missed her—like I’m just realizing she’shome forever.
I let myself feel the anguish and relief and everything in between as Nessa shows me how to swaddle her before leaving to make a bottle.
Practicing a couple of times, I get as close as I can before scooping her up and pressing a kiss to her forehead. My daughter’s tiny body feels so fragile in my arms, and I’mlost.
Lost to this tiny, sweet girl who I never knew existed but can’t imagine my life without.
“You’re gonna be chasing off all the women in town with a stick, Sheriff,” Nessa says quietly as she leans against the doorjamb of my room. I snort quietly and continue the side to side rocking that seems to settle Remi as much as it does me.
“Not likely,” I say casually, but I’m thankful for the low light in the room when the tips of my ears heat.
“It’s a guarantee,” Nessa says, peeking over my arm to look at the sleeping baby. “I think she has your lips.”
Mine quirk up at the side at the surrealness of it all, ignoring the idea that Remi will attract hordes of women to my door.
