Page 72 of The Guest Cottage
Very true. Aware of Pixie fidgeting, Marlow asked, “Something to add?”
“No.”
Her denial was so adamant, Marlow had to press her. “Pixie?”
“What if they show up here?” She flung her hand toward the front door. “What if they knock?”
The worry she saw in Pixie’s eyes superseded everything else. “I’ll find out what they want, and what their intentions are.”
Cort stepped forward. “It might be better to take the surprise out of the equation. If you don’t mind a suggestion?”
Pixie stared up at him as if he had all the answers. “I don’t know what to do, so I’m happy to hear it.”
“Tell the grandparents about Andy—on your terms, and in your own way.”
Pixie pressed back in her chair. “No, I don’t want—”
He knelt in front of her. “You would arrange it.”
“And I’d be with you,” Marlow promised.
“I’m happy to be there too, if you don’t mind.” Cort waited a beat to let those words sink in, then asked, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just face their reaction, instead of watching every shadow and worrying when they might find out?”
“I . . .” She looked at each of them, then cleared her throat. “Could I think about it?”
“Of course you can. The decision is yours.” Cort stood again. “You won’t open the doors anymore tonight, right?”
“No.” Sitting a little straighter, she said, “I really am sorry for bothering you both.” To Marlow, she added, “I didn’t realize you were together. I hate that I interrupted.”
“I’m glad you texted me. Always feel free to do that, okay? The only problem would be if you didn’t.”
“It is a problem, though,” she insisted. “I should be learning to stand on my own two feet, and at the first little thing, I panicked.”
“It’s not a little thing to know someone is walking around in the dark when you and Andy are here alone. You were protecting him, as any mother would do. Under those circumstances, don’t you think I would do the same?”
“No,” Pixie said simply. “I can’t imagine you calling someone for help.”
What a way to squeeze her heart. Marlow didn’t know if she should be flattered by Pixie’s faith in her, or if she should laugh over the idea that she’d confront an intruder alone. “Well, I’d have called Cort.”
“Damn right she would.”
Marlow flashed him a smile. “But,” she said, “I think it’d be a good idea for you to have emergency numbers, too. I have no idea what type of law enforcement Bramble has, but I assume Cort does. We should both know the number, and the number for a medical emergency, as well.”
Just then, Andy let out a short cry. Pixie jumped to her feet, but Marlow said, “I’ll get him. I can change his diaper while Cort gives you those numbers.” She hurried off before Pixie could object. It’d give her a few moments more to calm down before she held the baby.
It couldn’t possibly affect Marlow as strongly as it did Pixie, but the baby’s fussing made her hurry her steps. The bedroom was now crowded with the crib set up, so she had to maneuver around the furniture before she could look down at Andy’s scrunched face, ready to give another shout.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
He went still and then stared up at her. His legs kicked a few times, and his fist found its way into his mouth for a couple of slurpy sucks.
“I guess you’re hungry, huh? You’ll need your mama for that, but how about I give you a clean diaper?” He appeared to be listening, so while she located the diaper and wipes, she continued to speak to him. “You won’t sprinkle me, will you? I saw you do that to your mama, you know. We laughed and laughed.” It was a wonderful memory to share with her new friend.
Andy grinned at her.
“Oh!” He looked so precious, Marlow glanced around, anxious for someone else to see, but of course she and the baby were alone. “You little stinker.”
He grinned again, then rapidly pumped his legs.
