Rye held up a take-out box. “Liberty sent this for you. She says it’s got spinach for iron, beans for protein, and pasta for carbs. I had some the other day, and it’s delicious.”
“That sounds amazing. Thank you so much.”
“We all brought flowers, too.” Quint held up a bouquet. “We cleared out Hansen’s Flowers and Gifts.”
He wasn’t kidding. Soon, her room was filled with flowers. While Cordy scarfed down her meal, everyone chattered, laughed, and admired the baby. Mrs. Saxon cooed over the baby as she held her and pointed out everything that reminded her of Reed.
“He had that same crinkle in his ear when he came out.” Janet traced the curve of the baby’s ear. “And so much hair! Did you have this much as a baby?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have any baby pictures.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Saxon looked around the room. “Is your mother going to come?”
“She doesn’t know. It’s hard to contact people in Mongolia.”
There was an awkward beat. Mrs. Saxon’s nose wrinkled like it had when Cordy told her she wouldn’t marry Reed.
“Oh. I see.” Mrs. Saxon forced her face to relax. “Well, hopefully, she can come soon.” She passed the baby back to Cordy. “Don’t let anyone hold the baby for too long. She needs you—you’ve been her entire world these past nine months.” Janet tenderly ran her hand over the baby’s head. “I’ll tell people when they’ve held her too long.”
“Um… thank you?” But Cordy was grateful to have her baby back. It physicallyhurtto have the baby away from her.
As she looked around the room, with everyone smiling and talking, Cordy was reminded of the bar. People were coming together and enjoying themselves, celebrating the new life here. It felt good, overwhelming, and… comforting. Cordy finally feltpart of something bigger than herself—part of a community that would always be there for her and her baby.
“Have you thought of a name yet?” Bob Saxon asked.
Cordy passed the baby to him. “No. Did Reed ever mention any names he liked?”
“Not to me.” Mr. Saxon looked like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with the baby, but he was also entirely in love. “But there was this one book he loved when he was a kid. We had to read it to him every night. It was about a little girl who went on an adventure to her grandmother’s house. Her name was Madeleine.”
Madeleine.
Cordy looked down at her daughter, nestled in her grandfather’s arms.
Madeleine.It made sense. It fit her little girl.
“Madeleine is a good name,” she said.
“It is. Should we try it on?”
“Hello, Madeleine.”
The baby blinked her gray eyes. She seemed to focus them for a moment.
“I think that’s it,” Cordy said.
“Yep.” Bob handed Madeleine back. “I know I’m not supposed to hold her too long.”
“It’s okay.” But Cordy couldn’t bear to return Madeleine—nothing had ever felt so right as holding this baby.
“Reed would be so proud.” Tears stood in Mr. Saxon’s eyes. He turned away before they could fall.
Cordy’s throat burned, but she managed to sniffle away the tears. Hearing that made her glad—a bittersweet kind of gladness, but more sweet than bitter.
Before she could get too sad, Pierce walked in.
His eyes were wide, and he looked more than a little afraid. “Are you okay?” He kept away from the bed like a force field surrounded Cordy.
“I’m great. Do you want to hold the baby?” Cordy held up Madeleine for him to see.
