Heidi McCahan - Their Baby Blessing

Feeling the weight of their stares, Gage glanced up to see Mrs. Tomlinson and Skye watching him, their mouths open.

Uh-oh. What had he done? “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s amazing.” Skye’s smooth brow furrowed. “We just haven’t heard him laugh that much before.”

Oh. Gage shifted his focus back to Connor. How sad. “He’s got a great laugh. I’d want to hear more, too.”

While Skye and her mother put dishes on the table, Connor offered Gage more of his toys, coupled with enthusiastic sounds, and Gage admired each car, plastic tool and rattle.

“I hate to interrupt the fun,” Skye said, “but dinner is ready.”

“All right.” Gage stood, and Connor’s lower lip wobbled.

Oh no. Gage hesitated. He’d made the kid cry already.

Connor’s expression crumpled, and he stretched both arms toward Gage as if asking to be held. What should he do? He’d made his promise to Ryan without ever spending much time around children. Especially babies.

Gage shot Skye a panicked look.

Skye gave him a sympathetic smile. “That means he likes you and wants to keep playing. Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll put Connor in his high chair?”

So this crying was good? “Let’s eat, bud.” Gage angled his head toward the dining room table. Connor’s response was a painful cry that knifed at Gage’s heart. He groaned inwardly at his ignorant assumption that such a young child would make the transition to his high chair without complaint. Man, he had a lot to learn if he was going to make good on his commitment. What if Skye realized how inexperienced he was and refused to let him spend time with Connor?

Mrs. Tomlinson had already sat down. Gage waited until Skye had scooped Connor up and carried him to his high chair. The little boy arched his back and screeched, making it difficult for Skye to secure the harness and buckles.

“Wow.” Gage grimaced. He might not be able to talk, but he’d made his preferences quite clear.

“He keeps us on our toes.” Mrs. Tomlinson shook her head while Skye finally buckled Connor in and latched the white plastic tray in place. She straightened, her cheeks flushed, and claimed her place across from Gage.

“He’ll calm down in a minute.” Skye reached for her napkin. “Would you like to ask the blessing, Mom?”

Connor cried the whole time Mrs. Tomlinson prayed, drowning out most of what she said.

When she’d finished, Gage surveyed the meal. A basket of dinner rolls, green salad and a generous helping of beef stew in his bowl made his mouth water. He glanced at Connor. “Are you ready to eat?”

Connor paused his tirade long enough to consider Gage’s question.

“Can he have some bread?” Gage asked Skye. He really had no idea what babies Connor’s age could eat.

“Sure. If he throws it, he may not have any more, though.” Skye fired a warning glance in Connor’s direction.

“Got it.” No roll tossing at the table. Although it did sound a little fun.

Gage took a roll from the basket and pinched a small bite to share with Connor. “Here.” He set it on the tray. “This bread looks yummy.” His voice sounded goofy. And when was the last time he’d used the word yummy ? He didn’t dare look Skye’s way.

Connor picked up the bread and popped it in his mouth.

Then his blue eyes widened, and he pointed toward the basket of rolls, while he bounced up and down against the high chair’s vinyl cushion.

“Is it okay if he has more?” Gage asked.

Skye nodded, and he split another roll into chunks and handed it over. Connor gobbled it down as quickly as he could.

While Gage had anticipated the conversation might revolve around his reasons for moving to Merritt’s Crossing, there wasn’t much time to formulate a complete sentence. Once Connor realized Gage was willing to share from his plate, the little boy ate like he was a bottomless pit. Between putting food on the tray and trying to finish his own meal, dinner was almost over, and they hadn’t had a chance to talk at all.

“You wouldn’t know it by the way he’s eating, but I promise we feed him on a regular basis. Or at least we try to.” Mrs. Tomlinson scraped her own bowl clean. “Maybe you’re our secret weapon, Gage.”

“I don’t know about that.” Gage speared a bite of meat with his fork. “He’s definitely got an appetite tonight.”

A few minutes later, Connor shoved the chunks of carrots aside and rubbed his eyes with his fist.

“Yikes.” Skye pushed back her chair. “I think he’s about to melt down. Let me get him cleaned up before he rubs food in his hair.”

“Is that usually what happens?” Gage asked.

“Sometimes.” Mrs. Tomlinson chuckled. “We’re not always great at figuring out when he’s had enough.”

Skye returned from the sink with a dishcloth in her hand. “I hadn’t planned on giving him a bath tonight.” She quickly wiped his fingers and his face while he did his best to squirm away.

Gage stifled a laugh. This kid had a strong will. Reminded him a lot of Ryan. The comparison felt like a gut punch, and his amusement vanished.

“Are you okay?” Mrs. Tomlinson reached over and patted Gage’s arm. “You look sad all of a sudden.”

How much to share? He’d already told Skye he wanted to be involved in Connor’s life. Gage rubbed his fingertips along his jaw. “I hate that Ryan didn’t get a chance to meet his son, you know?”

Mrs. Tomlinson’s eyes filled with empathy. “We wish things were different, too. I’m sure Skye told you we don’t know if McKenna will return. Maybe God brought you into our lives for a reason.”

“Mom—” Skye shot her mother a warning glance.

“It’s true, whether you choose to believe it or not.” Mrs. Tomlinson frowned at her daughter. “We don’t know if she’ll come back. What if she doesn’t? Gage’s connection to Connor’s father isn’t a coincidence.”

Skye lowered Connor to the floor. He quickly crawled across the carpet to the toys he’d played with before dinner.

Gage tried to assess Skye’s reaction to her mother’s feelings. She seemed like she had a lot going on in her life. He didn’t dare ask, but did she really plan on caring for Connor on her own if his mother wasn’t willing or able to care for him?

“Like I said yesterday, I’m finishing my certification through the wind energy technician program at the community college. I’ll start the hands-on training soon, and until I’m placed in a full-time position, I have a flexible schedule.”

“See?” Mrs. Tomlinson beamed at her daughter. “A flexible schedule. That’s exactly what we need.”

Skye sank into her chair. Uncertainty was written all over her face. She sighed. “Can you come over tomorrow afternoon? From three to five thirty?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay. I’ll leave a list of instructions for you. Mom will be here, too, just in case.”

Gage ducked his head and suppressed a smile. Her subtext was not lost on him. Just in case you’re a lousy babysitter.

“Now that we have that worked out, how about dessert?” Mrs. Tomlinson asked.

“I think I’ll pass.” Gage pushed back his chair and stood. “I still have some unpacking to do, and a test to study for.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Mrs. Tomlinson frowned. “Would you like to take some brownies home? Or maybe the leftover stew?”

“No, thank you.” He didn’t want to overstay his welcome. Skye’s body language indicated she wasn’t thrilled about what just happened, and he wanted to go before she changed her mind about tomorrow. “It was delicious, though.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Skye crossed to the front door, pausing to pick Connor up and wedge him on her hip. He immediately gave her a sleepy smile and grabbed a chunk of her ponytail in his chubby fist.