Tossing back the covers, she grabbed her short black robe and tossed it over the tank top and plaid pajama bottoms she’d worn to bed.
It was a short walk down the white hallway to Walker’s room. Eying the walls, she couldn’t help a grin as she pictured a toddler-aged Hunter destroying them with scribbles and handprints. Nothing in Walker’s life would ever be calm and pristine again.
Reaching the door, she opened it without knocking to see Walker pacing the bedroom.
“Trust me, little guy, you don’t want me singing you to sleep,” he said, bouncing the baby in his arms.
“I second that,” she replied, coming into the room.
Defeat bowed his shoulders when he saw her. “He woke you, didn’t he?”
“He’s a baby. That’s what they do. It’s hardwired into their DNA to be as disruptive to sleep as possible.”
“Dammit. Look, I’ll take him downstairs and you can get some rest.”
“That’s not why I’m here.” Crossing to his side she held out her arms.
“You shouldn’t have to do this,” he said, not handing over Hunter.
She arched a brow. “You practically begged me to move in for just this reason.”
“To support us, not to be a live-in nanny.” His eyes brightened. “Maybe Emily would consider staying over a few nights a week while we’re getting up and running.”
Her arms dropped as she took a step back. He wanted Emily here instead of her? He was wishing for another woman when she stood in front of him ready to be what he needed? Her heart plummeted to her toes. Glancing away from him, she forced out the words she knew she needed to ask. Maybe this was his way of asking for an out after their kiss.
“Are you telling me to leave?” The words were soft and brittle. She wrapped her empty arms around herself for comfort as she waited on his answer.
“What?” Shock crossed his features.
“If you have Emily full time, what do you need me for?”
He stopped bouncing Hunter, which only made him wail louder. Reaching out, he cupped her cheek with one hand. “I always need you,” he murmured.
The pain thrumming within her dialed back a touch.
“But you won’t let me help you.”
“Because this is the stuff I’m supposed to learn how to do myself. You shouldn’t be bothered with it.”
“Hunter isn’t a bother,” she said sharply.
A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “No, he’s not,” Walker replied. “What I need from you, though, is something no one else can give me. I could have an army of nannies working around the clock and I’d still need you by my side.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“Because I’m out of my element here and you anchor me. Knowing you’re under this roof…helps me.”
She blinked at the simple words. Swallowing hard, she tried to think past her thundering heartbeat. “But I can be more than just your cheerleader,” she said, covering his hand with her own. “And I want to help. I know how to calm a tired baby, or at least I used to. Let me be here for you, Walker. Please.”
He ran his thumb over her cheek before sighing. “I could never deny you anything.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when it comes time to exchange Christmas presents.” Again, she held out her arms, and this time he passed Hunter over.
“Hey there, baby. What’s the matter?”
Hunter continued to sob, his little face red and squished up.
“That bad, huh?” Rubbing his back, she walked the perimeter of the room, rocking him as they went. Walker kept pace with them, his eyes on his crying child.
“Shhhh,” she soothed as they paraded around the room.
The frantic sobs racketed down a notch, but Hunter was still no closer to sleep.
“I tried everything,” Walker said in a soft voice. “I changed and fed him and still nothing.”
“Sometimes babies just cry,” she replied. “It’s not anything you did. Besides, he’s still settling into his new life. Maybe something in his environment set him off or maybe he had some bad memories rise up.”
“He’s a baby. His memory is as long term as a goldfish.”
She stuck out her tongue at him. “You don’t know what’s going on in his head.”
“And you do?”
“I know he needs comfort. Maybe singing to him wasn’t such a bad idea. His mother might have done that for him when he was fussy. We have no way of knowing what sort of soothing he’s used to.”
“In that case, he’d probably respond better to a female voice.”
“Oh no, you don’t. You know I refuse to even go to karaoke.”