Katie hesitated for a minute and handed the sleeping baby to Tony. She hurried inside.
Tony gave Carolina a grateful smile. “Thanks for that.”
“No problem. Decorating porches is what I do best.”
“Not just that. For offering to take pictures. We had pictures planned for last week but Michael had colic so we canceled. She was so disappointed. She had outfits planned and everything.”
“Really?” Well go change clothes.” She looked down at the baby. “I’ll hold him while you both get changed if you want.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Of course.” She held out her hands.
“Thanks so much.” He placed Michael in her arms and hurried inside.
She stared down at the baby. He slept peacefully with his hands on either side of his face. She stared down at the sleeping babe and wondered what it would have been like to have a child. Would a son or daughter have changed the trajectory of her life? Would Chris still have left?
Not likely a child would have changed the situation. If fact, a child would have also been left in the wake of Chris’ selfishness.
“Sorry that took so long.” Katie came rushing out of the house. She held out her arms and Carolina handed the child back to her.
“Not a problem.” She looked at Katie and Tony dressed in dark jeans and red sweaters. Katie tucked a red and black buffalo plaid scarf around Michael’s body until he was swaddled.
“You guys will look great against the mums and pumpkins.” Carolina nodded. “Where’s your phone and I’ll get some pictures.”
“Here use mine.” Tony handed her his phone. “Where should we stand?”
“Why don’t we take some pictures with you guys at the top of the stairs and then some of you sitting on the steps?” Carolina nodded.
“Perfect.” Katie smiled.
The couple posed while Carolina snapped some photos. She let Katie look at the photos to make sure she liked them before getting them to change to a different pose.
By the time she was done, she estimated that she’d taken close to thirty photos.
“I can’t thank you enough.” Katie smiled. “This means so much.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“Once we get a bigger vehicle and we can get out of the house, I’m definitely coming to see you at the nursery.” Katie looked at Tony.
“You don’t happen to want to sell your Jeep do you?” Tony laughed.
“Only if you know someone willing to pay cash.” She chortled.
“Are you serious?” Tony sobered. “Are you willing to sell your car?”
She blinked. Was she? “I am but I also need to get a car so I’ll have a way to get to work.”
“Mind if I look at your vehicle?” Tony cocked his head.
“Sure.” She walked him over to the Jeep. “It’s not new.”
“I know but it’s in good condition. And it’s dependable. I’ve actually been looking at this model but it’s hard to find.” He slid into the driver’s seat and took the keys she held out to him. He started the engine and looked at the mileage. “Mind if I look in the glove compartment?”
“Go ahead.”
He pulled out the service schedule book and looked through it. He looked at the gauges on the dash and then slid out of the driver’s seat. He popped the hood and examined everything. When he was done, he shut it and walked over to her.
