Jill Lynn - The Rancher's Unexpected Baby

“Now what?” He followed Emma to the front door.

“Now you both get some rest. I’ll be back in the morning.”

“Do I lay him in the portable crib?”

“Sure.”

“Do you think he’ll just...sleep?”

She hoped so.

“Are you sure you shouldn’t just stay? I could sleep in the barn.”

Emma laughed. Those were drastic measures to avoid a night with Hudson. And also very much like something she would read in one of her historical romance novels, with the man trying to save the woman’s reputation from being tarnished.

“No need for that. You’ll be fine.” Her voice was bright. Phony to her own ears. “If you need anything or have a question—big or small—call me. I’ll answer any time of the night.” She kissed Hudson’s forehead, silently praying that things would go well for him and Gage. “I’ll see you two in the morning.”

Crisp air nipped at her as she hurried to her car. The temperature had dropped dramatically once the sun had slipped behind the mountains. She got in, started the engine but then didn’t budge.

Would Gage and Hudson be okay? What if the baby screamed all night? Should she be doing something more? Her windpipe shrunk down to straw proportions.

“God, I need You to handle this. Please.” Emma couldn’t fix this situation for any of them. And Gage had to step into his role as Hudson’s caregiver. Emma would help him as much as she could, but the two of them needed to bond. If they formed an attachment, it would go yards toward Gage keeping Hudson. The kind of healing the man was unknowingly desperate for was currently in his arms in the shape of a wiggly baby boy.

Emma blasted the heat, then turned her phone up to the highest volume for texts or calls and switched off the other app notifications. If Gage needed her, she didn’t want to miss him.

While she had her phone in hand, she sent a text to her sister-in-law, Cate. I’m doing the right thing leaving them, right? Guilt over abandoning Gage was piling up.

Thankfully Cate answered quickly.

Yes! If you stay, it will just prolong Gage figuring this out on his own. And, unfortunately, he has to. Zeke didn’t name you as the baby’s guardian. (Though had he known you, I have no doubt you’d have been number one on his list.) This is Gage’s situation to handle. Come home.

Okay. You’re right. Thanks.

Anytime. And if you happen to bring home a pizza, I won’t complain. Kidding! Because I know you’d do exactly that. I already have heartburn and don’t want to add to it.

Emma chuckled. Cate was eating for three, and she was doing an excellent job of it. And Luc was as doting as a husband could be. If Emma wasn’t such a romantic, their relationship would be cause for mucho eye rolling. As it was, she was faintly envious of what they had. Luc and Cate had started off rocky, but once they’d figured out they were both still crazy about each other, they’d been solid. Steady.

Even with unexpected twins on the way.

The front light on Gage’s house switched off. Was that a good sign? Was Hudson asleep? Why hadn’t Emma thought to install some sort of video baby monitor? There was probably a kind that would have hooked up to an app on her phone. That would have been an excellent idea.

And completely intrusive.

Emma had claimed not to be a stalker, but based on her current thoughts, the accusation would definitely stick.

“Fine. I’ll wait it out. Just for a bit.” She switched off the engine. There was nothing wrong with sitting there for a little while just to make sure Gage or Hudson didn’t panic. That way if Gage called or texted, she’d be close by to assist. If not, he didn’t need to know she hadn’t left yet. And she wasn’t about to text Cate and relay her new plan, because she was pretty sure it wouldn’t be met with approval.

Emma found a sweatshirt in the back that she could scrunch up as a pillow, reclined her seat and closed her eyes. After a short nap, she’d head home and no one would be the wiser.

* * *

She’d left him. Emma had promised to help, and now Gage was alone with a baby. He didn’t even know how to change a diaper! Should he set an alarm for that sort of thing? Or would Hudson let him know when it was time? Wasn’t there something about the diaper—or a line on it—changing color? Emma had explained it all earlier when she’d given him a lesson. He had listened, but now he couldn’t remember the details.

Babies should come with a manual. A legal contract would be even better.

Gage walked with Hudson through the kitchen and back into the living room, copying what he’d seen Emma do. But, instead of resting his head on Gage’s shoulder, Hudson arched back to study his new mode of transportation. The soft material of the navy blue footed pajamas Emma had changed him into stretched with the movement.

Hudson peered up with curious blue eyes. His hair held a hint of auburn, but mostly brown. His chubby fist grasped Gage’s shirt near his collar. He didn’t look tired. When Emma had been holding him, he had, but now?

Not even close.

“What are we going to do with each other?”

No answer. No smiles like Ruby had conjured.

Might as well lay him down and see what happened. Earlier today the crew at his house had set up a portable crib/playpen in his guest bedroom. Gage didn’t have a permanent crib yet, and he wouldn’t be needing one if things went according to plan.

He headed down the hall and into the bedroom, settling Hudson into the portable crib with his blanket and a stuffed elephant. Hudson stared as he backed away.

What now? Would he put himself to sleep?

Gage retreated to the master bedroom, giving his king-size bed a longing glance as he entered his bathroom. Could he risk sleeping in here tonight? What if Hudson cried and he couldn’t hear him? Maybe he should have put the portable crib in his room for the first night. Was it too late for that?

A wail sounded as he rinsed his toothbrush and deposited it back into the holder.

Guess that answered his worry about being too far away. Even someone hard of hearing wouldn’t be able to miss the tornado siren coming from across the hall.

He found Hudson twisted up with his blanket, as if he’d been rolling around and got stuck. Fat, sad tears rolled down the baby’s cheeks, which had turned splotchy.

Gage pulled him out of the mess, snagged the blanket and held it against Hudson’s back. What now? He walked into the living room. Hudson peered this way and that, probably looking for Emma. Or his dad. Or his nanny.

“I’m sorry you’re stuck with me, buddy. I’d be upset, too. Are you hungry? Or not tired? What’s going on?”

When did kids start talking? Hopefully, around nine months old, because Gage could use some answers from the tyke.

It might be worth trying to feed him. What could it hurt?

Gage somehow managed to make a bottle while holding Hudson, though numerous powder spills and drops of water lined the counter after the impressive feat.

He headed for the espresso leather recliner in the living room and sat. Hudson drank a little, then stared at him. Nibbled on the bottle a bit more. Emma had only fed him the hour before so he probably wasn’t hungry, but Gage wasn’t sure what else to do. He didn’t have a lot of baby-whispering options up the sleeve of his waffle shirt.

He gave up on the bottle, setting it on the floor next to the chair.

Hudson’s head rested in the crook of Gage’s arm. His eyes flooded. A whimper escaped, followed by a cry.

All day, Gage had held himself in check. Not allowing himself to reflect on what Hudson had been through. What he’d lost. First his mother. Now his dad. It was too much for a baby to contend with. That’s why Gage wanted to find him the perfect forever home, and fast. Hudson needed a mom and a dad. Ones who knew what they were doing. Who could give him the love he deserved and the family he needed.