Kris Fletcher - First Came Baby

Babies needed passports?

“That’s something I thought maybe we could take care of while you’re here,” she said. “Not that I’m planning any major adventures for the next while. I’m probably going to stick close to home for the near future.”

The satisfaction in her voice told him she didn’t have any problem with that.

“But my great-aunt Donna is in the States, in Vermont, and I know Mom would like us to visit before I go back to work in November.”

“Oh. Sure, whatever you need.” Boone squinted at Jamie. “Okay, kid. We’re going to do this. My job is to get the spoon to your mouth. Your job is to open up. Got it?”

Jamie stopped baby break-dancing and stared at Boone. It was almost possible to see him making the mental leap. Big guy...not Mom...doesn’t know how to hold me...

His mouth opened. Probably to cry, but one thing Boone knew was how to take advantage of an opportunity. Praying he wouldn’t hit something, he popped the spoon into the opening and deposited the food.

“There you go!” Kate all but applauded. It was ridiculous. Though not as ridiculous as how pleased he felt about it himself.

Jamie, of course, chose that moment to let loose with the wail that had been brewing. Kate picked him up and put him on her shoulder.

“Don’t be so fussy,” she said. “This is your daddy. And you are very, very lucky to have him.”

* * *

AN HOUR LATER, Kate zipped Jamie into his front pack, grabbed a clipboard, and headed outside to survey the property with Boone.

He was already out on the porch, walking slowly from one end to the other, carefully putting his weight on each board as he stepped.

“How’s it look?” She handed him the clipboard.

“Other than those spots you already know about, the floor is solid. A half a dozen new boards, a fresh coat of stain or paint, and it should be good. We’ll need to replace some of the railings, too.” He scribbled something on the paper. “You said you got estimates on these repairs already?”

“Right. I thought the best strategy would be to figure out what needs to be done, then balance what you and I can do ourselves against the cost of everything, and go from there.”

“Prioritize. Right.” He nodded, started to write something, then stopped and looked down at Jamie. “Sorry, buddy. I forgot to get your input.”

Jamie shoved his hand in his mouth and gnawed, but he didn’t start crying.

It was a good sign, but Kate opted against saying anything. She didn’t want Boone to feel that she was watching his every move, or judging his interactions with Jamie, especially after the mealtime revelation.

She shivered. Dear Lord, what else was Boone keeping bottled up inside him?

No, it was definitely best to let things unfold naturally. All Boone and Jamie needed was some time and togetherness.

She refused to dwell on the thought that time and togetherness were the most limited factors in this relationship.

Instead, she laughed. “You want proof that you can take a guy out of Canada but you can’t take the Canadian out of the guy? You just apologized to a baby. For something he can’t even understand yet.”

Boone’s grin was slow to appear, but when it did—in full surprised delight—it was well worth the wait. “I guess some things are too ingrained to forget.”

Kate was inclined to agree. Especially when Boone gave his jacket a tug and a pat, and she remembered the way he always did that when he got dressed. A final tug. A final pat. And then, usually, a final kiss before he headed out the door.

How many times had that last kiss turned into something more?

And how many times would she be fool enough to torture herself with memories such as that before she—

Boone looked past her to the road. “Looks like you have company.”

Kate turned. One glance at the little white hatchback turning into her driveway and her heart sank.

“Oh, God,” she said bleakly. “It’s my mother.”

Boone flinched. “She still pissed at me?”

“Yes.” There was no point in sugarcoating the truth, especially when Boone was well aware that he was high on Maggie Hebert’s hit list. “I meant to warn you, but I thought she’d give us at least a full day.”

“And lose the element of surprise?”

At least he didn’t sound too worried.

“There’s one thing in your favor. Allie’s former fiancé moved into the Number One Scum spot when the Mounties showed up. You, at least, tried to do the right thing.” Kate waved at her mother, now walking toward them. “If we can get her talking about that, it’ll remind her that you’re a prince in comparison.”

“I’m not holding my breath,” he said, then waved as cheerfully as if Kate hadn’t just given him the equivalent of a battle plan. “Hello, Maggie!”

Kate winced. “It’s Mrs. Hebert to you,” she reminded him, but it was too late. Maggie was already scowling as she climbed the steps.

“Good morning, Katie. Good morning, sweet little Jamie.” She looked past them. “Boone.”

Kate closed her eyes against the whirlwind generated by being dragged abruptly back into adolescent embarrassment over her mother.

“Mom. Be nice.”

“I’m always nice.”

Right. According to Maggie, the fact that Boone still had testicles was proof of her magnanimity.

“What can we do for you, Mom?”

Maggie sent a cold look in Boone’s direction before turning to focus on Jamie. “Well,” she said in a much milder tone as she grabbed the tiny foot, “I came by to invite you to dinner on Sunday.” She sighed and glanced up at Boone. “All of you.”

Oh, joy.

“You could have called,” Kate said.

“I’m well aware of that, Katherine. But I was out running errands already, and I saw you outside, and this way I got to have a minute with the sweetest little guy in the whole wide world. Right, Jamiekins?”

Kate was never quite sure how her mother managed to adore everything about Jamie while claiming to be plotting revenge against the man who had fathered him. But then, there were many things about Maggie Hebert that had never made sense.

“I don’t know,” she began, only to be interrupted.

“Allie and Cash are coming, too, and there’s no one booked for the bed and breakfast that night. I thought we could have a real family meal.”

Dear Lord. If the sarcasm were any thicker, they could spread it on toast in place of peanut butter.

Something warm landed on Kate’s shoulder. Boone’s hand. He squeezed, gentle but heartening, and she got the message. They were going to have to do this eventually, and if Allie and Cash were present, there might be a buffer zone.

“Okay. We’ll be there.”

Maggie grabbed Jamie’s hands and pulled them together in an imitation of applause. “Yay! Can you say yay, sweetie? You’ll be talking soon, you smart boy.”

“Mom. He’s not going to say anything like that for a while.”

“She is such an unbeliever, isn’t she?” Maggie made a sourpuss face, drawing a giggle from Jamie. “That’s right. You know it’s the truth, don’t you, sweetheart?”

“Very kind of you to invite us,” Boone said, and Kate marveled at the evenness of his voice. “What time should we get there?”

“Oh, the usual. Kate knows.”

Yes, Kate knew. She knew many things. Like how her mother had the ability to convey about twelve different messages with two tiny words.

They were going to have to talk. Soon.

“So, not to be rude, Mom, but we have a lot to get through today, and since we’re going to see you soon anyway...”

Maggie straightened and gave the house a brisk once-over. “You told him about the roof, right?”

Kate opened her mouth to answer but Boone beat her to it. “I’m going up there after we look around from the ground, but my suspicion is that it will need to be completely reshingled.”