Love Inspired May 2015 #2 (9 page)

“A rookie, huh?”

“Yep. For a man who'd never changed a diaper, you've really taken to this fathering gig. I'm impressed.”

The pain in his eyes cleared, and a sigh slipped out. “I'm determined not to fail Remy again.”

No wonder he didn't want to give up the hunt for Remy and contact the lawyer. “I totally get that now.”

Setting his napkin on the table, he stared into her eyes. “Good, I'm glad.”

In that moment, she felt a closeness to this man she'd never experienced with anyone before. He'd opened up to her, shared about his family, exposed his pain. Pain that lived with him still.

Maybe someday, she could be as brave.

Yet she needed to be careful. It was going to be more difficult than ever not to get drawn in by this kind, caring man who'd been loyal to his cousin despite his own hurt. Who'd tried his best to take care of her and still worried about her.

A man who was willing to step up and watch over Abigail.

An honorable man who wasn't anything like she'd thought.

* * *

Last night had gotten entirely too cozy.

Jake set aside the ridiculous bond he'd felt with Violet over dinner the previous evening. Sure, she lived nearby. Sure, she'd helped him. But he had to use the good sense God had given him.

He didn't need to get entangled with a woman who hadn't let him past her defenses despite the fact he'd dumped his emotional baggage out onto the table last night.

Every time he'd tried to turn the conversation to her family, she managed a slick move to avoid the topic, leaving him feeling as if he'd said too much.

Vulnerable was not a good place to be.

He hefted Abigail's car seat into the pew and took his place for the Sunday morning service. Today, he would announce that he needed a babysitter. Surely he would find someone to replace Violet. Who could resist a sweet little thing like Abigail?

As the organ started playing, Violet slipped in the other end of the pew wearing a knee-length skirt and sleeveless red sweater. She glanced timidly his way as she parked herself right by the outside aisle, the same place she'd been last week when they'd both been too stubborn to acknowledge each other with much more than a nod. He should probably invite her to scoot over next to them, yet he hesitated.

Once settled, she smiled and waved.

He did the same and immediately felt guilty for not being a more inviting, friendlier church member.

What was wrong with him? It wasn't as if asking her to slide fifteen feet closer was an invitation to spend her life with him. Yet, still, he balked.

Would it be more difficult to find a babysitter if everyone thought he and Violet were together? It could. Some women wouldn't want to butt into another woman's territory.

Just thinking such things made his chest clench. He glanced over. Violet looked lovely with colored light from the stained glass window beaming on her shiny ebony hair and smooth, pale shoulder. Lovely, yet so alone at the end of the pew. She had only begun attending church, had come twice now and must feel a little anxious about being new.

As the hymn ended—with him hardly singing a word—he placed the hymnal in the rack in front of him and leaned over to catch her attention.

When she finally looked at him, he waved her over.
Join us?
he mouthed, pointing to the place beside Abigail's seat.

She gave him a tentative smile and reached for her purse. While the pastor made announcements for the upcoming week, she settled next to Abigail and gently brushed her hand over the baby's head.

“Does anyone else have an announcement to share?” Ted Greer asked.

Time for him to take that step so he wouldn't be dependent on Violet. Jake raised his hand and stood. “I do, although it's more of a request.”

Glancing around the sanctuary, Jake took in the smiles and curious gazes. “Some of you may know that my cousin, Remy, had a baby. She recently left the baby in my care while she gets her life straightened out.”

Whispers sounded around the sanctuary.

“As you can imagine, I've needed help learning how to take care of a three-week-old baby.” A few people chuckled in response. “The new pediatrician, who's started attending here, has been a huge help.” He looked at her and nodded his thanks.

“But Violet is busy with her patients, and I'm looking to hire someone to babysit. I can be flexible on the hours. Please talk to me after church if you're willing or interested.”

Violet smiled at him as he sat back down, but her eyes looked large and sad, almost wounded.

What's wrong?
he mouthed as the pastor called on Grace Hunt to make another announcement.

She shook her head, mouthed,
Nothing
, and then turned her attention to Grace.

He had to take her at her word. But those expressive eyes nudged at him through the rest of the worship service.

Irritated, he trained his full attention on the pulpit. He needed to focus on finding Remy and taking care of Abigail. Not worry about the hurt in Violet's eyes.

As soon as Pastor Greer dismissed the congregation, Violet stood and reached for her purse. Before Jake could speak to her, Abigail, who'd slept the past hour, started cranking up to a good cry. As he unbuckled her from the carrier, someone touched his arm.

He glanced back. Two women stood nearby, fussing over the baby.

Kelli Calhoun, the college student Grace had mentioned on the phone last week, said, “I'm available to babysit three afternoons a week. Could sure use the income.”

He whipped back around to pick up his crying cousin but found Violet getting her out of the seat.

“Do you have babysitting experience?” Jake asked.

“Lots.”

“Can you write down your info, uh...” He patted his pockets. No business cards.

“I'll write it on my bulletin,” she said, reaching for a pencil in a holder on the back of the pew.

“I'll add my contact info, as well,” said Liza, a young, frazzled single mother of four who lived just outside of town. She touched his shoulder and leaned against him as she admired Abigail. “I've always got room for one more precious baby.”

Liza's youngest was maybe six months old. Jake couldn't see her taking on a three-week-old. That and her overfamiliarity set off a warning, making his decision. Putting space between them, he thanked her for the offer. An offer he wouldn't accept.

When he turned to check on Abigail, he found Violet sitting with her, feeding her a bottle. He smiled his thanks, but she seemed distracted, looking everywhere but at him.

Someone placed a hand on his back.

Simone Peters gave him a sulky look, her dark, mysterious eyes trying to shame him. “I can't believe you didn't call me. I would have come to your rescue.”

He'd broken up with Simone a year ago when she started hinting at marriage and a huge mortgage, and never in a million years would he have thought to ask her to babysit. She was not the motherly type.

She wrapped her arm around his and held tight to his biceps, her cloyingly sweet fragrance overpowering him. “I'm available anytime you need me. You have my number.” The deep husky voice that had once attracted him now seemed fake, forced.

Fighting the urge to pinch his nose shut against her perfume, he removed himself from her clutches. “Thanks, Simone. I'll keep that in mind.”

“Can I hold the poor, sweet thing?” Simone squeezed in the pew, making sure she brushed against him as she squeezed by, then turned her attention to Abigail. “Oh, I just love babies.”

Since when?
“She's eating right now.”

“I don't mind taking over.” Simone slid one arm under Abigail and took hold of the bottle.

Violet narrowed her eyes at Simone as she lifted the baby.

Ahhh.
Maybe Violet's hurt look during announcements had something to do with becoming attached to Abigail. Despite going along with Jake's plan, maybe she hated to turn over care to someone else. Admittedly, the thought pleased him.

No, he had to consider his work schedule. Had to get back to business as usual—finishing up the Emerson house and other projects.

“Oh, she's adorable.” Simone snuggled Abigail and kissed her forehead.

Never would he have thought... “I didn't know you had any experience with babies.”

“I used to babysit my nephew.” She smiled proudly, then promptly passed Abigail to Jake rather than back to Violet.

Before she tried to squeeze past him again, he moved into the aisle. “Simone, Violet, have you two met?”

“No, I don't believe we've had the pleasure,” Simone said, holding out her hand.

Violet stood and shook. “Nice to meet you.”

Simone looked from Violet to him and back. “It was so nice of you to help Jake.”

Violet scooted next to him, touching her shoulder against his. She smiled up at him sweetly, and humor sparked in her eyes. “Oh, I haven't minded.”

Tension rippled in the air. Jake might be a clueless guy, but even he could sense Simone's claws popping out.

“Well, Violet, you can rest assured that help has arrived. I'm on vacation for the next week, and since Jake's and my annual scuba diving trip got canceled, I'm free.”

Jake's and my?
Jake had backed out of their annual trip—with a large group of friends—last year after their breakup.

“I'm serious, Jake. Call me.” Simone gave Violet a quick smile, then sauntered toward the door.

“Well, that was interesting,” Violet said.

He bit back a smile. Simone could be a lot to take in for a newcomer. “She's a handful.”

“I'm sorry, but I didn't care for the way she barged in without considering the baby's need to eat peacefully.”

“Feeling a little territorial where Abigail's concerned?”

“Of course not.” Flustered, Violet leaned over and grabbed her purse. The contents dumped on the floor.

“Here, I'll help.”

“No, thanks. I've got it.” She struggled to put everything back. Peeked at her phone.

“I'm pleased by the response for babysitting help,” Jake said. “What did you think about the candidates?”

Pinning him with her gaze, she raised her brows. “I think maybe a couple of them were offering more than babysitting services. But Kelli seemed promising.”

Jake barked a laugh, causing Violet's irritated expression to soften.

“Hey, you two.” Chloe O'Malley approached and brushed a finger over Abigail's cheek. “If you ask me, Violet's the perfect babysitter. And I don't have much free time. But if you get in a jam, call me. Between me, my mom and Darcy, one of us should be able to cover for you.”

“Thanks, Chloe.”

She gave Violet a smile and then walked away.

Violet sighed. “I need to check on a newborn in the hospital. Remember, if you value your own safety, hire that sweet girl Kelli.”

He couldn't help but grin as she went to greet the pastor and then slipped outside.

As the door shut behind her, it hit him that he wouldn't see much of Violet now unless Abigail needed to see a doctor. He felt as if he'd lost something important.

Abigail spit out the bottle. He lifted her to his shoulder for a burp. “I guess the two of us need to learn to make our way without Violet.”

He couldn't get soft because Violet was growing attached to Abigail...or because he was growing attached to both of them.

Time to get back on task.

Searching the sanctuary, he found Kelli talking to a cluster of friends. He hurried over to catch her as she was leaving. “Kelli, hold up.”

She stopped.

“Which days do you have available to babysit?”

“Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.”

“Have you got references?”

“Yeah. I've worked in the nursery, so ask Pastor Ted. And I've babysat for Miss Liza's kids. She'll vouch for me.”

“You're hired. I'll check your references, but if you don't hear from me otherwise, plan on starting tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Jake! I won't let you down. Tomorrow at one?”

He'd prefer mornings, but she was his only option at the moment. “Yeah. Thanks.”

As he went back to the pew to put Abigail in her car seat, he thought of Violet plastering herself up against him while defending him against Simone. More than once, Jake had been blindsided by the cozy feeling that seemed to surround the three of them when he, Violet and Abigail were together. But that bond wasn't permanent, wasn't real.

What was real was the fact that he needed to find Remy and reclaim his normal life. And he hoped to accomplish that by sending her photos of Abigail.

* * *

Violet tried to dodge well-meaning church members who greeted her as she left the building.

She needed to get out of there. Without showing her hurt. And without going after either of the women who'd
volunteered
—more like fallen all over themselves—to babysit because they obviously wanted to sink their claws into Jake.

Angry over her own petty jealousy, Violet hurried to her car. It wasn't her business whom Jake decided to date. Or whom he decided to hire—as long as Abigail was in good hands.

Violet should celebrate that he now had child-care options that left her free to focus on growing her practice. The timing was perfect because she'd just learned she'd been approved to teach parenting classes at the hospital. Plus, she'd been invited by the local elementary school's parent–teacher organization to speak to parents and their kids about nutrition and exercise. Both engagements would help her meet potential new patient families.

Then why did her stomach and heart ache?

It was time to step back from the West family.

Jake had been doing an excellent job of caring for Abigail. He didn't need her anymore. Her job was done.

“Violet, dear, wait up.”