Forbidden Falls (Virgin River #9)(63)

“Reasonable question, before you let her help out with your children. The details aren’t really mine to share, but I can assure you she’s a wonderful mother. I’ve spent a couple of days with her and the kids and she’s devoted to them. She’s brash with me.” He laughed. “And nothing but sweet and gentle with the kids. The separation is real hard on her. Maybe this will serve two purposes—give her some kids to cuddle and you a little break. Plus, she cleans like a genie in a bottle.”

“Are you sure she wouldn’t mind?” Vanni asked.

“Oh, I’m positive she’d welcome it, compared to the crappy work I’ve had her doing on that old church.” And maybe Gramma Baldwin can counsel while she’s at it. He smiled secretly.

When Ellie came to the church the next morning, Noah said, “I have a special assignment for you. Today, tomorrow and for as long as you think it’s necessary. Some friends of mine have a situation—you know Paul? The builder?”

“Can’t miss him,” she said. She dug into her tight jeans and pulled out a couple of cotton balls she clearly intended to stuff in her ears.

“Well, a woman he barely knew and whom his wife never met died recently and, guess what? She named Paul as her baby’s guardian in her will. Without any warning, with a son of their own only eighteen months old, they inherited a baby girl who is under a year. Vanni is struggling to keep up and they might be getting the best of her. Go out there and help, will you?”

“What should I do?” she asked.

“You’ll know what to do. I wrote down some directions for you—they’re about ten minutes out of town. And, Ellie? If you can make her laugh, that would be good.”

“Sure,” she said, grinning. “I’ll get right on it. I have a bunch of preacher jokes I haven’t tried out yet.”

When Ellie rang the bell at Vanni’s house, the door was a long time in opening. When Vanni finally answered, she had a little boy on her hip, the sound of a baby fussing behind her, and she was wearing her robe. “Hi, I’m Ellie, Pastor Kincaid’s assistant,” she said. “Want a hand?”

“You’ll be sorry,” Vanessa said, turning away from the door.

“Nah, I’ll be happy. Your husband is making my life miserable!” Ellie walked in and went immediately in search of the fussy baby. She found her standing in the playpen, reaching out. The second Ellie came into the room, her face lit up in a beautiful smile. She reached for the baby. “Well, my little cupcake. What’s your name?”

“That’s Hannah, our newcomer,” Vanni said. “And this is Matt.”

“Hello, Hannah. What a pretty name. Are you wet or hungry or just ornery?”

“She could be wet, but they’ve had breakfast.”

“Then let’s try a change,” Ellie said. “Where are the diapers?”

“Right down the hall. I could do it if you—”

“Nah, let me. It’s been years since I’ve changed a baby. I kind of miss those early days, difficult as they are.” And off she went to carry through. When she returned a few minutes later, Vanni was sitting on the couch, holding Matt, looking pretty down in the dumps. “This one has diaper rash, but you probably knew that.”

“I’ve been putting stuff on her. There’s a tube on the changing table.”

“Uh-huh, I found it, gave her a good smear.”

“Listen, if you have other things to do—”

“My mission, assigned by none other than His Holiness Kincaid, is to see what I can do to help you. I understand Miss Hannah here was a surprise?”

“To put it mildly,” Vanni said.

“Well, that’s my specialty. Both of mine were surprises. But what luck—they’re awesome. Danielle is eight and Trevor is four.”

“You don’t seem old enough to have an eight-year-old,” Vanni said.

“Oh, I’m not.” She laughed. “Like I said, I specialize in surprise children. But I’ve decided to give that up.”

“Paul and I were just about to start on one of our own when Hannah showed up.”

Ellie frowned. “One of your own?”

“Oh, I guess Noah didn’t tell you. I was married to Paul’s best friend before. I was pregnant when he was killed in Iraq. And Paul stepped in to be my husband and Matt’s father. And, as it turned out, a woman he’d dated before we married died in a car accident and bequeathed that adorable little package to us.”

“Well, holy shit,” Ellie said. “No wonder you’re a little out of sorts! So you’re the mother of that one and Paul’s the father of—”

“No, Hannah’s not his. Sometimes I think it might be easier if she were. But she’s not. And even considering Hannah has a father out there somewhere, Paul brought her home.”

Ellie nuzzled the little girl. It was anyone’s guess what Vanni struggled with most—the fact that she suddenly had two small children, or that one of them was Paul’s previous girlfriend’s. Did Vanni wonder just how important Hannah’s mother was to him? That would be enough to put anyone in a mood. But she said, “Listen, I have an idea. Since everyone is dry and fed, why don’t I take over while you enjoy your morning rituals. Take some time. Have a long soak or shower, a primp, even a rest if you’re tired. I can handle everything till lunchtime. Or even longer.”