Chaser (Dive Bar #3)(46)

“Challenging the estate was attacking me, Mom.” She sighed. “All right.” Pause. “I appreciate the apology. It was an emotional time for all of us.” She listened again. “Ada’s doing great. I mean, it’s hard, working out her sleep routine and everything. But the doctor’s really happy with her growth and weight. She’s beautiful, amazing. I wouldn’t have changed having her for the world.” Another pause and her brows rose. “Of course, I’d be happy to send you some pictures.”

In my arms, Ada started fussing, kicking her little feet and sucking on her fists.

“What’s up, Ada?” I mouthed.

The good thing about babies this age is that there are generally only five things that set them off. Either they’re hungry, need a diaper change, are bored, need burping, or are tired. Fuck if I knew which one had her upset, however. So I settled her on my shoulder and gently patted her back. Amazingly enough, the crying stopped.

“Mom, I have to go. I think Ada’s ready for a nap.” She listened, biting on her lip. “Okay.” A pause. “No, I would like to hear from you again.” She shot me a smile. It still seemed a little strained. “I’ll talk to you later then. Bye.”

“You all right?” I asked, rocking from foot to foot to keep Ada happy.

“That was a surprise.” Jean headed toward the kitchen to grab a drink of water. “Things were so bad when I left Florida, I honestly didn’t know if I’d ever hear from them again.”

“It’d be their loss,” I said. “Missing out on having a wonderful daughter and granddaughter in their lives.”

She shot me a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Ada lay still, slumped over my shoulder. “It’s the truth. Shall I put her in her crib?”

“Yes, please,” said Jean, heading for the short hallway. “The Eric magic works again.”

“My conversation can put anyone to sleep,” I said modestly. “It’s just one of my many gifts.”

Carefully, I followed her into the nursery, and laid Ada on a light blanket so Jean could wrap her up. Ada twitched and made a little noise of distress, but didn’t fully wake. Success. We crept out of the nursery, quietly closing the door.

“You going to get some sleep now?” I asked.

“Do I look that bad?”

“No. You look fine.”

“The whole yoga pants, old T-shirt, and messy hair thing really works for you, huh?”

I just smiled. The truth being that her whole existence worked for me. Jean breathing and moving and being herself was beautiful in every way. Not that I would be saying that. An expensive giant bear might have been slightly pushing the boundaries, but blurting out sweet nothings would definitely cross a line.

She still seemed tense though, her shoulders tight and gaze distracted.

“You okay?” I asked. “You don’t think your parents are going to try and cause trouble again, do you?”

“No, I don’t think so.” She frowned. “I mean, what can they do? The estate is settled and we’re halfway across the country.”

“True.”

“Mom actually sounded sorry.”

“Think they’re finally figuring out what they’ve lost?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged, staring off at nothing. “I miss them, you know. Don’t get me wrong—what they did, trying to pressure me like that. It wasn’t okay. But they’re still my parents … we used to be so close. And I always imagined them being there as grandparents.”

The hurt in her voice slayed me. What would my friends do in this sort of situation? Pat would probably buy me a beer. Slap me on the back a time or two. Ditto Joe. Alex, however, would be all over me with the hugging and caring.

Since it seemed a bit early in the day to try the beer option, I opened my arms somewhat stiffly. “Need a hug?”

“Yes, please.”

Next thing I knew, her face was pressed against my chest and her arms were around my waist. I wrapped her up tight, giving as good as I got. Not thinking about the way her curves fit against me, because wrong. Friends didn’t do that. I rested my cheek against the top of her head, nudging her messy bun out of the way. Affection with your clothes on could actually be worthwhile. Incredible.

“I needed this,” she whispered against my sweater.

Me too. But I kept quiet, enjoying the moment. This was about her, not me.

“I can hear your heart,” she said.

“Yeah?”

A nod. Then she sniffed. “I think my hormones are still a bit crazy.”

“Sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “And I do dig the bear, really.”

I smiled. “Good. Next time I’ll keep the presents to a more manageable size. Say, eight feet maximum. Definitely nothing over eight and a half. You have my word.”

“Great.” She laughed. “Um, Eric?”

“Hmm?”

“I think you have regurgitated milk down your back, compliments of my daughter.”

Of course I did.

“Come into the kitchen, let me clean you up.”

She stepped away and I let her go reluctantly. Best hug of my life, hands down.

“Thank you for the hug,” she said.