Beautiful Sacrifice (Maddox Brothers #3)(106)

I smiled at the low hum of conversation that had made me feel safe for so long. The Bucksaw would always be just that—my home.

“Hannah! Order up!” Chuck yelled. When he caught my eye, he winked. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” I said. “But happy.”

The chime on the door rang, and I turned to see Taylor holding our son on his hip, his free arm hooked around the handle of an infant carrier.

Phaedra set my plate in front of me, but she barely paused before heading to the door. “There are those babies! Come to Granny!” she said, holding her arms out to Hollis.

She carried him to where I sat, and Taylor readjusted the baby bag on his shoulder before bringing over the carrier. Once he set the carrier on the ground, a baby’s wails filled the room.

I arched an eyebrow. “Still think taking them to the hotel was a good idea?”

He kissed my cheek. “The guys hadn’t seen her yet, and I’d thought it’d be nice to give you a second to chat.” He leaned over, pulled the blanket away, and unbuckled the tiny infant. He nuzzled her for a moment before handing her to me.

“It was nice. Thank you,” I said, touching Hadley’s sweet soft cheek to mine. I hummed a little tune until she settled down.

“I have a confession,” Taylor said. “I took off the headband while we were there.”

My mouth fell open as I feigned being offended. “But it’s so cute!”

“It’s ridiculous, baby. Those guys don’t care if she’s wearing one, especially not one bigger than her head.”

I had dressed her in tiny black-and-white houndstooth leggings, a hot-pink shirt, and socks that looked like Mary Janes. Granted, the headband was a bit excessive, but we didn’t have many opportunities to dress her up. I mostly focused on keeping her comfortable.

Chuck came out and held out his arms for Hadley. “Just washed my hands.”

Phaedra gently pinched a roll of fat on Hollis’s arm. “Are you feeding this poor kid?” She kissed his cheek and bounced him a bit. “He’s as big as a toddler!”

Hollis rubbed his nose on Phaedra’s shirt, and then he rubbed his eyes with his chubby hand.

“Are you getting sleepy, son?” I asked.

He reached for me, and I patted his back while he rested his head on my shoulder. He was his father’s son with the same long lashes and warm brown eyes.

Taylor had attended every doctor’s and ultrasound appointment Alyssa allowed, and he’d read every book on parenting and newborns he could get his hands on while he was on shift at his new job at the Estes Park station.

The whole time Alyssa had labored and for the half an hour after Hollis was born, Taylor had paced the floor, and I’d watched him from my uncomfortable waiting room chair, rubbing my round belly. The moment we’d entered the room where we met him, the nurse had handed Taylor his son, and it was love at first sight for us both.

Four months after Hollis was born, we’d brought home Hadley. Miracles happened, and Hadley was ours.

“There she is!” Kirby said, grinning and wrinkling her nose at the infant in Chuck’s arms. Then she came over to rub Hollis’s back in small circles. “His hair grew in dark, huh?”

I kissed the back of his head. “He’s all Maddox.”

“Lord help us,” Phaedra teased.

The door chimed again, and Gunnar breezed in, a big grin on his face.

“Hey,” he said, leaning down to take a peek at Hollis. He looked at Taylor. “He’s gettin’ big! How old is he now?”

“Six months,” Taylor said. Like any proud father, he puffed out his chest. “He’s going to be a beast.”

“Yeah, he is,” Gunnar said, walking over to stand next to Chuck. “Aw. She’s adorable! Cute headband!”

“See?” I said to Taylor before sticking out my tongue.

I reached over for my fork and cut a piece of pie. “Oh my God, do I miss your food, Phaedra.”

“It’s here for you anytime,” Phaedra said.

Hadley began to wail, and Chuck bounced her up and down before holding her out for Taylor. Hadley squinted her eyes, her whole body shaking while she cried.

“Goodness,” Taylor said, leaning down to fetch her pacifier.

Hadley sucked on it for a few seconds and then began to cry again.

“I think she’s hungry, baby. I’ll trade ya,” Taylor said.