Page 73 of The Guest Cottage
“You really are the most adorable little guy.” Remembering the process Pixie had used, Marlow put the diaper and wipes on the bed, then opened the changing pad. Carefully, she lifted out the baby.
He grabbed a big hank of her hair. “Ouch. That’s not a good idea, Andy. You don’t want . . .” When he yanked, she winced. “Okay, let’s figure this out.” She lowered him to the pad, bending with him, and then painstakingly freed her hair, making certain no strands remained in his damp fist, all the while chatting to him.
He cooed, giving her the oddest feeling, as if a sweet warmth had just invaded her chest. “You’re a little heartbreaker, aren’t you?” She was getting better at changing him, and after witnessing the shower Pixie had gotten, she took no chances. “You smell so nice when you’re only wet. You have your own special baby scent. There,” she said once she had him clean and dry. “Let’s get you all snapped back up, okay? If I know your mama, and I think I do, she’s anxious to hold you.” Putting a baby blanket over her shoulder, Marlow cuddled Andy to her, her hold secure, and turned to leave the room.
She found Pixie and Cort standing there, both of them smiling.
Not that she minded. She was fairly proud of herself for getting all that done without a hitch. “He grinned at me. A big toothless grin.”
As if to prove it, Andy wiggled and did it again.
Cort said, “He’s probably gassy.”
Gasping in mock affront, Marlow said, “I’ll have you know that he likes me.”
“Of course he does,” Pixie assured her. “What’s not to like?”
Marlow was just about to thank her when Andy proved Cort right.
After such a tense day, they all found that hilariously funny.
“Here you go.” Marlow handed over the baby. “You may need to check that diaper one more time.”
Pixie took Andy, then gave Marlow a quick, one-armed hug. “Seriously, thank you for coming to my rescue—again. I don’t mean to lean on you so much, but it means the world to me to have someone. Especially someone as awesome as you.”
Well, damn. Much more of that and she’d be tearing up. “I’m glad you’re here, Pixie. You and Andy both.” Mother and son added new depth and emotion to her life during a time when she’d needed it. Instead of exacerbating her hurt feelings, Pixie had helped to heal them. Someday soon, Marlow would explain that to her. For now, they all needed some rest.
Together, they walked to the front door.
Before they stepped out, Marlow asked her, “Will you be okay here alone?”
“I’ll be fine. I feel much better now. I promised Cort that I’d keep the doors locked, and he made sure that all the numbers I might need are in my phone.”
“All right, but if anything happens, or if you just need to talk, feel free to call me.” She looked down at Andy. “And you, you rascal. Get your fill, and then let your mama sleep, you hear?”
He grinned at her once more.
“I’m not falling for that again.” Marlow laughed, then pressed a kiss to his downy head. He really did have the best smell, making her want to nuzzle his soft cheek. She refrained, gave Pixie a smile, and stepped out with Cort.
They immediately heard the lock click into place.
At his truck, Cort paused to tip up her chin. “I know you’re tired, but would you mind staying with me, or I could stay with you?”
“You’re worried about me?”
“No. I feel certain that whoever was here, they’re gone now and not likely to return tonight. But I’d still like to hold you.” He kissed her forehead. “And sleep with you near.” The next kiss was pressed to the bridge of her nose. “And wake up with you in the morning.”
That sounded perfect to her. “You’ve convinced me. Let’s go to my place, though. We’ll be closer to Pixie if anything happens.” And tomorrow, she’d get hold of Sandra.
Now more than ever, she dreaded the upcoming conversation with her mother-in-law.
CHAPTER10
Cort had a difficult time leaving Marlow. Almost from the start, she’d had that effect on him. She spoke fast and he liked it. She smiled and he wanted to smile back. Her strength impressed him. Her wit amused him.
But when she showed her vulnerability, swear to God, it was like someone reached into his chest and gave his heart a squeeze. He didn’t know what to do about it, and that was disquieting. He was a problem solver, and yet, Marlow was not a problem. He could never think of her that way.
If anything, she might be the solution. For Pixie, for this town.
